Arts - The Daily Cardinal

J. Cole's newest record discusses topics such as the weight of addiction and finding love through social media.

ARTS

J. Cole’s 'KOD' contains quick-witted commentary on grounded themes

By Edgar Sanchez | May. 2, 2018

Mere days after announcing its inception, J. Cole dropped the unexpected album, KOD (an initialism for Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed and Kill Our Demons). After his hotly anticipated — though largely disappointing — 4 Your Eyez Only record dropped last year, many have been critical of both the rapper’s fanbase and his legitimacy as “one of the greats.”

"Vacation in Hell" is bogged down by hit-or-miss features and an overall lack of wordplay.

ARTS

Flatbush Zombies' 'Vacation In Hell' is an inconsistent, yet irresistibly catchy record

By Edgar Sanchez | May. 2, 2018

Rap trio Flatbush Zombies have been carving their way through the soundwaves with trippy personas and outgoing personalities since 2010. Thanks to a flurry of hard-hitting mixtapes that capitalized on the group’s acid-laced rhymes with ear-grabbing instrumentals, the trio added a breath of fresh air to the rap game.

"God of War" is out now for PlayStation 4.

ARTS

‘God of War’ breathes new life into the long-running PlayStation series

By Marty Forbeck | May. 1, 2018

“God of War” was one of those series back on PlayStation 2 that delighted in being an oddball and benefited from it. It sits up there with “Silent Hill,” “Ico” and “Shadow of the Colossus” as one of those staples that was willing to be a bit more experimental than its contemporaries, playing with mechanics other developers hadn’t before.

While newer fans may not necessarily understand the inside jokes and complex relationships of the characters in “Avengers: Infinity War,” they can still appreciate the film's impressive action sequences and charismatic villain.

ARTS

?'Avengers: Infinity War' successfully balances sky-high expectations with its own creative integrity

By Alex M. Jankovich | May. 1, 2018

Since October 2014, when Marvel Studios first announced its third Avengers installment, its community of fans and the rest of Hollywood has been anticipating this ambitious endeavor.

The skill of the University Theatre players makes this play as inspiring a call in 2018 as it was in 2000, and one that many in our society would do well to heed.

ARTS

?‘Laramie Project’ challenges audience to find empathy in the face of prejudice

By Andrew Bahl | May. 1, 2018

At a time when our political climate is as divided as ever, where a comedian’s routine at an otherwise unremarkable Washington, D.C.

Maxine Hong Kingston's novel examines the struggles of being a woman and a minority.

ARTS

‘The Woman Warrior’ is a triumph in feminist literature

By Lauren Souza | Apr. 26, 2018

“The Woman Warrior” is taught in many high school and college classes, serving as a contemporary classic which enforces the idea of feminist criticism that traditional patriarchal structure is not the only form a reader should view.

ARTS

Performing arts programs on campus struggle to receive ASM, university funding

By Camille Paskind | Apr. 25, 2018

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, there are over a thousand organizations for students to pursue their passions.

While Sex and Food doesn’t have the same mystique as old projects from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, it is still wildly entertaining.

ARTS

Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record instrumentals encourage interaction, while lyrics inspire introspection

By Logan Rude | Apr. 25, 2018

When Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s song “Ffunny Ffrends” mysteriously popped up on Bandcamp back in 2010, it was a random, ownerless track.

The cast of LINES: A Theatre LILA Invention from left to right: Laetitia Hollard, Yadira De La Riva, Olivia Dawson, Lachrisa Grandberry, Aidaa Peerzada, and Mercedes White.

ARTS

‘LINES’ showcases various obstacles people of color have faced, different lines that connect, construct their lives

By Elise Goldstein | Apr. 24, 2018

Out of the eight different show times that the Theatre Lila is presenting the play “LINES: A Theatre Lila Invention” at the Overture Center, I was fortunate enough to gain perspective from it on Saturday night.

The book is rich with imagery and metaphors so that readers can nearly smell the boiling stews and see the last morsel of food left politely on the serving platter by the dinner guests.

ARTS

?‘Like Water for Chocolate’ is an invigorating read, addresses relevant themes of sexuality, feminism

By Grace Wallner | Apr. 19, 2018

Laura Esquivel’s “Like Water for Chocolate” is a magical, vivid and tragically romantic novel that tastes as satisfying as its delectable featured recipes. The novel is especially meaningful today, with major themes including female liberation and female sexuality.

The classic '40s film "Bicycle Thieves" has influenced various works within modern entertainment such as "Master of None."

ARTS

An extended look at Italian cinema

By Christian Memmo | Apr. 19, 2018

It’s been roughly three months since I arrived in Italy, a part of the world often broken down into a few romanticized generalizations invoking adorations of pastas, wines, cheeses and pizzas. The pattern of food association with the culture is, while somewhat accurate, casting a shadow on other elements of Italian society that may be overlooked outside of their niche communities. This, too, was my experience approaching the neorealism film movement of the 20th century.

Though some of the crowd was with friends or significant others, each person still seemed to connect to the art that was right in front of them.

ARTS

?Baths connects audience to his melodic, tranquil music

By Elise Goldstein | Apr. 18, 2018

On Tuesday, April 10, the Majestic Theatre on State Street turned the lights off and cranked the music up.

Far Cry 5” is a jumbled mash of symbols and tropes that go nowhere, make no sense and mean nothing.

ARTS

?'Far Cry 5' is a pretty game that goes nowhere

By Marty Forbeck | Apr. 17, 2018

A lot of ink has been spilled on the art of how video games make us feel. How they can make us feel powerful.

The pull of this album comes from the complexity and variety of symphonic layers offered alongside its stunning vocals.

ARTS

Judas Priest’s latest release is perhaps their best album yet

By Edgar Sanchez | Apr. 16, 2018

Being in a band that steadily produces good music for a decade is an accomplishment of epic proportions.

The best element that the film has to offer is a stellar directorial feature by Krasinski.

ARTS

'A Quiet Place' displays the directorial talent of John Krasinski

By Alex M. Jankovich | Apr. 16, 2018

2017 was an incredibly influential year for horror with “Get Out” and “It” bringing serious and impressive entries to the genre.

Wes Anderson delivers another distinctly packaged bundle of joy as the film balances fresh execution of his familiar themes with wondrous animation and enchanting world-building.

ARTS

‘Isle of Dogs’ is a gorgeous journey through artificial Japan

By Carl Zabat | Apr. 15, 2018

“Isle of Dogs” has all of the classic Wes Anderson signature traits: an all-star voice cast at the top of their game, an eclectic mix of pre-existing songs with an idiosyncratic score, intensely detailed shots and a story that is equal parts enduring and off-kilter.

Cardi B's emotionally complex debut addresses the skepticisms and speculations surrounding her rise to stardom.

ARTS

Cardi B conquers on the highly anticipated ‘Invasion of Privacy’

By Francisco Velazquez | Apr. 14, 2018

There are multiple stories running through one body, quickly responding to all feelings of anger, paranoia and vulnerability. Cardi B does not merely chase a quick appraisal with Invasion of Privacy, but rather reminds us that proving the doubt of success is hardest when in the spotlight.

ARTS

Netflix documentary ‘Wild Wild Country’ humanizes cult members with intimate footage, firsthand interviews

By Monique Scheidler | Apr. 13, 2018

I wholeheartedly went into Spring Break last month with the intention of catching up on school work I fell behind on, but instead I binged an entire series on cults. Though to be honest, this isn’t entirely out of character for me on a regular week. Netflix’s new series “Wild Wild Country” hooked me from the start, and I think non-cult enthusiasts will find it just as addicting.

Saba's storytelling and innovative flow shine on his excellent sophomore album.

ARTS

Saba establishes signature sound in ‘CARE FOR ME’

By Colin Durlacher | Apr. 12, 2018

Last year in February, Saba’s cousin and co-founder of the Pivot Gang rap crew, John Walt, was shot and murdered in Chicago. Saba searches for the cure to his emptiness from the loss of his cousin through the innovative piano backtracks and lyrical excellence that embody CARE FOR ME.

The Weeknd returns to the darkness and passion of his older works, but My Dear Melancholy, does little to expand on what the artist has already done.

ARTS

The Weeknd sings of lost love with little originality in ‘My Dear Melancholy,’

By Carl Zabat | Apr. 11, 2018

My Dear Melancholy, serves as the antithesis to Starboy: It’s an angst-ridden love letter filled with the passion and darkness that The Weeknd left off his previous album, which favored faster tempos and radio-friendly choruses.