M AGA Z I N E
CUB ISSUE 567
C R E AT E D BY S T U D E N T S , F O R S T U D E N T S
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WELCOME ISSUE
TO
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With spring fast approaching, this issue is dedicated to taking you out of a cold, wind-swept London and placing you in a bright, vibrant and fun city!
new front cover of CUB magazine! That being said, the winner with her beautiful blossom was taking by our very own, Gesa Musiol! We would like to thank everyone who sent us their submissions, they were so many beautiful options, that some of Our third, and penultimate edition is full of them are featured throughout the magazine! diverse and impressive content. Issue 567 covers all the hot-topics of this season including a review of If you love what you read, remember you can the musical biopic The Greatest Showman which read weekly content online at our website if you haven’t yet seen, what have you been doing? cubmagazine.co.uk! Our editorial team of 53 A witty contest between bagel shops on Brick Lane students produce continuously great articles, both and a brilliant overview of the Oscar nominations. in print and online which are all worth checking Also, adding a fresh and reflective dimension to out! If you would like to become part of CUB this issue, our Feature’s team explore what spring magazine as a writer or editor please email us at means around the world and the UniSex girls editorcub@gmail.com! provide some much needed self-love advice. For this issue, we ran a photography competition in which the winning photograph would be the
Editors-in-Chief
Abigail Hanley & Alice Barnett
30-31
28-29 6-7
4-5
10-11
4-7
STYLE
8 - 11
ARTS
12 - 15
FEATURES
16 - 19
LONDON
20 - 33
COLUMNS
34 - 37
FILM
38 - 41
MUSIC
42 - 45
UNISEX
46 - 47
EVENTS
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ST YLE
A Lesson in Keeping it Classic
The phenomena of the 90s supermodel was one of the greatest attractions for fashion. This era established an exclusive group of women as the faces of fashion on a global scale. Of course in current times, we have Gigi and Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Adwoa Aboah, but if it were not for the likes of Naomi, Kate and Linda in the industry, their celebrity and their importance in fashion wouldn’t have been as publicised and highlighted.
their home. Walking out to George Michael’s Freedom, the women displayed a liberation and power which was aspirational to say the least.
The collection itself represents a tenacity typical of Versace with a theme of black and yellow. The majority of these pieces, whether that be dresses, trousers or blouses are anything but subtle. A Versace piece is a statement. A Versace piece carries an attitude and strength. What is also of Versace’s SS18 collection brought out the ladies interest, is the interplay between structure at the forefront of it all – Naomi Campbell, and more flowing and oversized silhouettes. Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Carla Bruni and Helena Christenson. Women whose The styling for the show mixed very tight beauty is still as potent and striking as the silhouettes using belts to cinch in the waist supermodel heights reached in the 90s. We and oversized jackets and trousers, however know Versace as a label heavily focused on was disguised by the loud prints on the promoting the brand through their clothing, garments. The gold prints represent Versace and by doing so presents a classic image of like nothing else. From their everyday wear Versace this season. It is only fitting that classic to the swimwear in the collection, gold prints models such as those mentioned above take occupy and demand an onlooker’s attention. to the runway in celebration of 26 years since their rise to superstardom in the AW91 Versace Classic gold print, a classic brand, and show. It is safe to say all of these iconic women classically beautiful and powerful women still had it – the runway was most definitely created a Versace show worthy of icon status.
Words by Kiran Meeda
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The Ringleader of London's Next Generation of Club Kids.' – Dazed From being on NEWGEN’s names to put on your radar to winning the British Emerging Talent prize at the Fashion Awards in 2017, Charles Jeffery is becoming one of the most talked about names in fashion. I saw Jeffery would be showing at London Fashion Week Mens, but I didn’t think too much of it as the show was invite only, sadly my British Fashion Council press pass had limits. Before meeting the designer, I wasn’t very aware of his work only that he was a favourite in the emerging scene.
LFWM is set up with showrooms displaying the collections of designers before you get to the catwalk spaces at the back, I walked through the showroom space and Jeffery’s collection immediately caught my eye, the collection was so gay, bold and colourful. When I asked for the inspiration behind the collection he answered “I wanted it to look gay, it’s inspired by The Velvet Range, 2005. It represents why gay people are a certain way, why they have certain traits and why gay people are angry.”
Words by Tina Wetshi
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ST YLE
The Velvet Range: Overcoming the pain of growing up gay in a straight mans world, 2005 is a book written by Alan Downs, it is a selfhelp manual to help gay people in a society that rejects gay traits. Downs is a therapist who discovered that anger is caused in the gay community from childhood, shame and parental rejection causes gays to search for unachievable perfection. Looking closely at Jeffery’s collection I asked him how the garments specifically represent this, he replied that “the holes in the garment represent anger and the Scottish prints and symbols shows his heritage as a “Glaswegian”. Charles Jeffrey was bullied growing up for being gay so he uses fashion to express emotions and feeling he
had as a child and how he continues to grow and develop despite having a difficult past. The looks displayed are what Jeffery wants to be his signature pieces, this includes square toe boots. Charles Jeffrey is unique in that his brand LOVERBOY isn’t only a fashion collection, it is also a club night that Jeffery started to fund his degree in design. LOVERBOY is a gender - queer night where attendees come in extravagant outfits and makeup, his collection went hand in hand with the club night which reintroduced London’s rave culture. Jeffery said he is now working on a womenswear project and currently has a solo exhibition at the NOW Gallery until 11th February.
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The Kabakov Dream of Escape
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“The Man Who Flew into Space from his Apartment”
A box room - the ground and the metal camp bed that stands alone are coated by a layer of rubble and concrete dust, the walls are clad in propaganda posters -can be seen through the gaps of a bordered-up crack in the wall. A hole has been blasted into the ceiling. Beneath it, four bungee ropes, curled wires and a wooden seat make up a D.I.Y catapult. The installation is Ilya Kabakov’s 1985 piece, The Man Who Flew into Space from His Apartment. It depicts the cramped living conditions of the shared apartment blocks that were typical of Soviet Russia from which a lonely tenant has propelled himself into space. The piece is a visual fiction of the ‘astronaut’ who chose to escape his solitary existence on earth only to be completely isolated in space. Behind the fictional layer of the art piece, the impossible means to escape suggests, to me at least, that liberation in Soviet society was far from realistic. While the utopian fantasy of space travel was a powerful part of Soviet life, Kabakov’s installation seems to be ironising this hopefulness. Indeed, Kabakov did not conform to the officially approved style whereby artists were required to adhere to Social Realism. He did, as was required after the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, depict positive images of
the socialist state, however did so ironically. Much of his work was therefore kept secret in his Moscow attic studio, revealed only to a small group of trusted friends. The struggles of Soviet life are more intimately conveyed in Ilya Kabakov’s 1990 installation piece, Labyrinth (My Mother’s Album). Kabakov states, ‘When I think about that world in which my mother’s life passed, what arises in my imagination is a long and semi-dark corridor which is twisted like a labyrinth, where behind each new turn, behind each bend, there is not a bright exit glimmering in the distance, but just the same grubby door, the same grey, dusty, poorly painted walls illuminated by weak, 40-watt lightbulbs.’ The installation is exactly that. In what feels like a never-ending, ill-lit winding corridor pieces of writing above sepia photographs give detailed accounts of the artist’s life. I felt as though I had landed in a Kabakov dream and was navigating my way through a bleak memory. The corridor is incredibly exposing, featuring snippets of past traumas: his father’s poverty, the loss of his two brothers, his mother’s struggle to raise a child in the Soviet era. In the distance, a melancholic male voice can be heard. It is the voice of Ilya Kabakov himself, singing Russian romances remembered from his youth. A twist in the corridor reveals a broom cupboard with a door slightly ajar. It seemed like the artist lingered behind it, just out of reach from the memory lane.
ARTS
The artistic couple, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, are amongst the most celebrated artists of their generation: a generation under the oppression of the Soviet era. The Kabakovs are recognised as pioneers of installation art and the exhibition, Not Everyone Will Be Taken Into The Future, at Tate Modern proves why.
The final installation is a collaborative piece by both Ilya and Emilia Kavakov. The couple began their artistic partnership in the late 1980s and married in 1992. The idea of flight runs through much of the exhibition, a dominant feature in the narratives about escape. In the centre of the final room stands a huge wooden structure supporting a ladder, at the top of which a miniature backpacker reaches for the outstretched arms of an angel. Angels take centre place in much of the Kabakovs’ later pieces, often depicted in juxtaposition with rows of uniform figurines. Model for How to Meet an Angel (1998/2002) tells the story of this ladder which takes two days to climb, a task that would be undertaken in times of great crisis. The message says that a plea for urgent help will be met by the aid of an angel. There is no doubt a message of hope. However, like the installation of the selftaught astronaut, the optimism is shrouded in fiction and dream. Perhaps I am too much of a literalist, but the harsh truth of such a ladder conveyed more accurately the desperation to escape, rather than its possibility. The entire exhibition, which intimately and rigorously explores the birth and death of the Soviet Union, took me over an hour to explore. It stands in Tate Modern like a slice of a time that seems so far away from the London that surrounds it.
Words & photography by Maria Kästner Van Dam
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685 miles from Mile End: exploring Berlin’s art galleries Berlin holds a vast array of contemporary art showcases in binary with the unmissable history that is encapsulated by the city’s famous landmarks: Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building, to name a few. From the opulent Brandenburg Gate to the more niche pieces say, exhibited in Capitain Petzel, the city holds a plethora of artwork, from the intriguing to the downright perplexing. A quick sojourn in Berlin earlier this year allowed me to submerge myself in the city’s art world, as you can see for yourself as you read on. If we start with the downright perplexing, Stephen Prina’s pink collection in Capitain Petzel,
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located along Karl-Marx-Allee in the Eastern district of the city, was like nothing I had ever seen before. From the outset all the pieces seemed to just stand as pieces of pink furniture, inspired by one of Prina’s recollections of an LA night; yet, when considering the showcase against the cold Soviet-era architecture which lines KarlMarx-Allee, Prina presents a vivid contrast to the greyness outside the gallery’s walls. His pieces are plain in their structures, yet this plainness is contrasted with the playfulness of their colouring. Capitain Petzel’s glass panelled walls means this collection is spotted from a mile away, pulling its viewers outside the gallery in. Whether this is done tactically remains a mystery to me.
The East Side Gallery is, its name deceiving me initially, an outside memorial for freedom and a section of the fallen Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall literally split Berlin in two between 1961 and 1989, separating its east from its west. Now, it showcases paintings by countlessly globally-celebrated artists; these include cartoon illustrations, slogan pieces, and depictions of prominent historical moments, or manipulations of these. It is liberal, experimental and quintessentially “east”; as East London promotes freedom of expression and diversity, so does Berlin’s Eastern district signified by the world’s longest open air gallery.
The city’s König Galerie proved smaller than my previously visited galleries, nonetheless worthwhile and an escape from Berlin’s busy centre. The gallery sits on Berlin’s Alexandrinenstraße, not far from the Mitte district, Mitte basically meaning central to us Brits. On display during my visit was Corinne’s Wasmuht’s ‘Nave’, a collection similarly puzzling to Prina’s. Her work consists of pixelated images which almost appear as though their surfaces have been scratched by a coin (like how one scratches a lottery card to reveal their fate). Perhaps this is indicative of Wasmuht’s audience searching for a meaning to her work, as was my experience of her work. The König Galerie reports ‘the human brain immediately tries to translate the dense yet also clearly delineated forms into a real spatial situation or to identify what is being portrayed’, and I have to say I agree.
ARTS
The Berlinische Galerie (Berlin’s modern art museum) is one street adjacent to the König. I’d say the Berlinische Galerie aligns the most with London’s Tate Modern, tracking German, more specifically Berlin art between 1880-1980. The only gallery which required a €5 entry fee during my trip, the Berlinische Galerie traces Post-War Modernism to Expressionism leading you through interconnecting rooms which individually showcase each art genre or period. Rainer Fetting’s Yellow Wall is one of the pieces concluding the gallery’s continually expanding collection, depicting the fallen wall in a yellow hue ensuing a similar effect to that of the East Side Gallery. The wall in a much freer, liberated light portrays the freedom only grasped by the city following the destruction of the wall. It is fair to say, the Berlinische Galerie confirmed to me that Berlin art is so deeply intertwined with the history that accompanies it. As a result, Berlin exhibits much sorrow continually reminding you of its time as a divided city, with both a literal and figurative impact on its people.
Berlin art is art of remembrance, fresh-thinking and intrigue, its allure pulling in all corners of society. With Berlin’s art galleries offering plenty to see and with hardly any suffer incurred on your bank balance, it would be stupid not to book your trip to the German capital soon.
Words & photography by Eve Frayling
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Fifty Shades
It is while attending a class on German Romanticism that I came up with the idea of writing an article about the struggle faced by many students like me: born and raised in a non-Anglophone country and often required to close-read and write texts in a language which is not their first, English. We were analysing Wordsworth’s poem ‘Composed Among the Ruins of a Castle in North Wales’ when I realised that my previous understanding of a whole segment had been completely distorted by the misinterpretation of one word – when looking up for synonyms of the adjective ‘wan’ associated to ‘moon’, I had wrongly picked up the synonym ‘pale’ over ‘waning’/’decreasing’. Even if it was only a slightly different shade of meaning, owning it made my appreciation of Wordsworth’s message richer, deeper.
of Meaning (for Wordsworth)
power to appreciate different styles, types of vocabulary and speech. Moreover, if it is true that, as many believe, form produces meaning, that form is inseparable from content, the hardships in the understanding process for the foreign reader seem to be doubled, if not tripled. This is why it often happened in my first year that, when assigned works of authors whom I really liked, I read them in Italian translation not to spoil the reading process, even if it felt like cheating. Such difficulties I guess such fallacy could be justly attributed are also reflected in the writing process. to my hastiness and lack of patience. However, any of you who read in a foreign language Considering that it is already an issue for one to probably know how stopping at every translate their thoughts into words, the struggle unknown word makes the whole reading is aggravated for the foreign writer, who finds process much less enjoyable than it could herself having to translate native thoughts into be otherwise. In order to avoid the complete foreign words. Even if the majority of you are shut down of our brains we cannot do less mainly concerned with the issue of essay and but choose some words to look up and try academic writing, I would like to focus this to guess the meaning of whatever is left. This article on what, in my personal experience, I makes the reading process less frustrating on have found even harder to deal with: creative the one hand, but poorer on the other. Poor in writing. It is the mundane expressions, the the sense that, whilst summarily grasping the catchy titles, the journalistic glossary and concepts, we are not really appreciating the tongue twisters, that a very poor English beauty and flavour of words, we are missing out education from my Italian high-school and one on all that pertains to the aesthetics of the text. year and a half of student life in London have Reading thus becomes the sterile act of hardly given me the chance to learn in such a absorbing information deprived of the way that I could master them in my articles.
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F E AT U R E S
Words by Maria Albano In her work, a style-conscious writer attempts to accomplish two primary results, that is to locate the most adequate word in its most effective place, and to obtain the necessary syntactic construction depending on the circumstances. She will tackle these aspects by replacing the words or their order until a satisfactory result is achieved, but in a foreign language an elusive deficiency will persist. It is elusive precisely because the writer's language is not native to her. The style will seem too elementary, basic, easily exposed to the danger of repetition and vapid expressions, which are avoidable in the native tongue. How then can the foreign-born writer find acceptance in her new language? Perhaps by surrendering to the culture which that language conveys, merging herself, intellectually and spiritually, with its birthplace. Let us look at some examples of polyglot authors: Heinrich Heine chose to continue writing in German even if he had spent the last twenty-five years of his life in Paris, immersing himself in the French cultural milieu. James Joyce, who left Ireland in 1912 never to return, nonetheless made his hometown, Dublin, the setting for
most of his narratives and wrote only in English. In contradiction to these examples of authors sticking to their native tongue in their writings, there are exceptions such as Joseph Conrad who, although a Pole by birth, wrote only in English. Nevertheless, this writer acquired the language in early youth and later lived surrounded by it. In conclusion, when writing in a foreign language the creative process is bound to limitations from the beginning. It is not all bad, though: your (and my) written English will take root and solidify over time. Plus, writing in another language means thinking, feeling, seeing differently, which makes it a such an enriching experience, and allows us to exploit creative powers that we did not even know to have in the first place. It is for us foreign-born writers, then, to take a stand: do we wish to take on the challenge of using a language that is not our first even though this could affect the artistic value of our work? Or would we rather use our mother tongue and exploit our creative powers in full, although risking a whole shut down of the cultural and artistic inheritance we receive from our other languages?
Words by Maria Albano
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Around the World in Five Springs
Blossom. Pink. Longer days. More daylight. Baby animals. These are just some of the words that surface my mind when envisaging Spring – the classics. As Spring is an annual season, there is no doubt that it becomes challenging to offer a fresh perspective without boring readers to death. After much contemplation and research, it was decided. Colourful, flowery, wet and fiery, I present to you a list of festivals celebrated around the world which are either associated with, or welcome Spring.
> Tulip Festival – Canada Canada’s Tulip Festival was first celebrated in 1953 and is symbolic of friendship and international peace. The festival showcases over 1,000,000 tulips and is usually held in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. It is said to be one of the largest tulip festivals in the world, welcoming friends and families to engage in festivities including live performances and art exhibitions. The historical roots of the festival go back to World War Two, when the Dutch royal family sought refuge in Ottawa, during the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands. At the end of the war, the Royal family sent 100,000 tulips as a way of showing their gratitude. This year, the festival will take place from the 11th of May until the 21st.
> Holi – India Also known as the ‘festival of colours’, Holi is traditionally celebrated by Hindus and is increasingly being recognised by communities across the globe. Holi has gained recognition from Rangwali Holi; the second day, where people are given a chance to throw coloured powder mixed with water at each other all in the name of fun. Based on various religious stories in Hinduism, it is representative of good conquering evil. It focuses on equality, a time where differences such as age, gender and caste may be eliminated. The day before is Holika Dahan where bonfires are lit to symbolise the burning of the demon Holika by God Vishnu. This year, Holi will take place at the beginning of March. 14
F E AT U R E S
> Hanami - Japan Hanami translates to ‘flower viewing’, of the sakura (cherry blossom) in Japan. Sakura sweeps the country, usually arriving as early as January in southern regions like Okinawa. It slowly blooms its way through central regions like Tokyo and Kyoto in late March/ early April, and finally upwards towards northern regions like Hokkaido in May. Sakura signifies the beauty of life, and Hanami has been a long-held tradition in Japan for many centuries. The sakura is anticipated every year attracting crowds of people to gather for picnics and parties under the trees. If you think that sounds beautiful, there is a night sakura that creates a magnificent blossom after sunset. It is called yozakura, where lanterns are hung up to illuminate the trees and voila! You have a cherry blossom at night.
> Las Fallas - Spain Every year in March, the city of Valencia hosts an extensive celebration parading the fallas, constructed from giant puppets called ninots through the streets. These puppets usually satirise political and social events, which are burnt on the 19th of March (St. Joseph’s day) ending the festivities. One of the events is the mascletà; a pyrotechnic firework display recurring every afternoon until the final day. Various sources have pointed the festival’s origin to the middle ages, where carpenters would hang their oil lamps onto wooden poles, which would eventually be burnt to transition from the dark Winter into the fresh Spring.
> Songkran - Thailand Songkran, derived from Sanskrit translates to ‘astrological passage’, is a Buddhist festival which marks the beginning of the Thai new year, and usually lasts for three days in mid-April. Rituals include making food offerings to local monks and pouring water into the hands of elders to bring luck and prosperity. Processions of Buddha images are displayed, and their statues are bathed. These are all forms of purification indicating a fresh start and the washing away of sins. In contemporary times, people have taken to the streets engaging in water fights, sometimes involving water balloons and water guns!
So that was a trip around the world in five Springs. Remember, this is not an exhaustive list, as there are many more festivals celebrated worldwide which have not been mentioned here. So, if you were as fascinated reading about these festivals as I was researching them, why not go ahead and find out more of what the rest of the world has to offer during this celebratory time of year! Words by Shamma Mughal 15
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Ba ttle age ls
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of th
street, the primary image is of the world famous curry houses that line the road, their employees harassing pedestrians at all hours of the day. But Brick Lane is perhaps just as legendary for another great foodstuff: The Bagel. Harking back to a time when a Jewish population still dominated the street’s topography, Brick Lane remains host to two rival shops (though they were once owned by the same family): Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop. Your author had a test of both, to decide, once and for all, which is the best.
Beigel Bake
Beigel Shop
Beigel Bake has long been regarded in the popular imagination as the greater of the two, an assumption that was proven absolutely right on my visit. The white and blue lettering above the door was refreshing and enticing, avoiding the explosions of neon that often characterise street food shops. The interior decor left a lot to be desired, I have to say; drab would be an unfortunate understatement. Admittedly this is not a sit-down restaurant and so does not require the same kind of warm decoration that you might find elsewhere. But the sometimes incredible queue lengths leave you staring at an anaemic white wall, while bright sharp light glares down at you from above. Not a good look for those wandering in from alcohol fuelled adventures. Some tasteful lighting would be appreciated by all involved.
Oh Beigel Shop. How the mighty are fallen.
I mention the queue: this is always to be expected. But luckily in this case, the bagel itself was undeniably worth the wait. Your author opted for the classic: Salmon and Cream Cheese. The ingredients were delicate and tasteful, while the bread itself was crisp on the outside and chewy inside, a testament to the practice of boiling the bagels in hot water before baking them. The speed of service was, it has to be said, magnificent. Those put upon ladies serving us were grumpy and irritable, but nonetheless efficient. I imagine they were bored of serving pretentious, drunk, young wannabe reviewers. They can’t be blamed.
VERDICT: 2/5
VERDICT: 4.5/5
Words by Jacob Moreton
LO N D O N
Brick Lane occupies a special place in the Londoner’s imagination. It’ has come a long way from its from origins as an oasis for French Huguenots feeling persecution in the 17th Century, through Irish, Jewish, and later Bengali immigrants from the Sylheti, to the contemporary mix of vegan cafes, vintage clothing stores and authentic curry houses and corner shops. The name itself now covers so much than the little stretch of East London thoroughfare. To most people familiar with the
As mentioned above, these two shops were once owned by the same honourable family. This is no longer the case, and it shows. Compared to the cool blue and white of Beigel Bake, the bright orange shop front is frankly offensive. Inside is no better. Another drab and uninspiring affair, but this time unmediated by the food itself. The product bought from Beigel Shop can, I contest, barely be called a bagel. The bread was burned to a crisp, lacking all the delicious subtlety of its rival. The fillings were not much to speak of, taking simple, classic ingredients and managing to turn them into run of the mill, mediocre, dull scraps of meat, fish and cheese. The disappointment was real.
All in all, we have a clear winner. Though not without faults, Beigel Bake is by far the superior outlet. Inviting and refreshing, it’s this slice of fresh baked goodness that has my vote.
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How to Survive The Last Semester As we approach the final countdown *Cue that famous song to play in the background *, university can seem to become more like an extreme episode of Bear Grylls with exams, dissertation and the inescapable thought of real life looming closer and closer. While the motivation to try and study becoming more and more like trying to find that one missing sock that disappears in the laundry - you have no idea where it has gone and so you find yourself having given up in a pair of mismatched footwear. However, CUB is here to help. Take a deep breath and inhale these 5 tips on how to survive the last semester of uni without turning into an extra of the Walking Dead.
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Words By Nasaybah Hussain Image by Gulistan Elidemir
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Library Love The library is your friend. Its time you start taking advantage of this love-hate relationship. Find your spot before it becomes too late and starts mirroring a scene from the Hunger Games with people wrestling for a space. Before you know it, the library will become your second home, and you’ll soon start recognising those familiar faces whom you know will have your back and look after your laptop when you go to grab a coffee. While offering a strange feeling of solace, there is always the risk of developing a weird ‘library crush’ that stems from being trapped in a space with nothing but books and silent faces to stare at for so long. Before you know it, you begin to recognise that one person who always wears that same sweatshirt and become slightly flustered every time they make eye contact with you. Nevertheless, as the days go by, you’ll soon realise that you hold control over the time pressure of deadlines, while also learning the vital skill of how to sneak in food that is undetectable to the library guards.
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Procrastination Station The United States Army research institute has discovered that you should take a break after every 50 90 minutes, with professors in Amsterdam suggesting that an ideal break is around 20 minutes, and is essential for ‘higher productivity, energy, concentration, efficiency, creativity, and just about every other good thing that you need to survive.’ Whether it be watching a video on ‘cats doing the funniest things’ or stalking someone on Instagram and suddenly ending up on their brothers, best friends, cousins dog's page, taking a break is vital, and getting some much needed fresh air will work wonders for that writers block, just make sure it is within that 20 minute time slot…
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When in Doubt, Eat it Out
Doing an all nighter and eating healthy does not always go hand in hand, and under times of stress we tend to comfort eat and before you know it you are hugging an industrial sized bar of chocolate. Which is fine every now and again - but factor in a good breakfast, whether it be a full home cooked meal or a breakfast bar to take on the go - breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day, and sets you up for productivity for the rest of the day ahead. Hunger and Boredom or stress tend to link, however, replacing that fizzy energy drink with a water bottle and some fruit or vegetable sticks not only satisfies your snacking cravings but also maintains a happy, healthy body and mind ready to tackle the most difficult of essay questions.
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Bed is Bae
If you’re not constantly fighting the pressures of finishing assignments and dissertation which linger over you, or creating a to-do list for the next day, or even creating a Whats App panic group where you all panic together, or question why you aren’t panicking when everyone else is, the question of sleep can seem impossible. This will result in you dragging yourself back into the library the next day with a spinning head and reliving the same torturous cycle for the next couple of weeks. However, for a clearer, fresher mindset, try setting yourself a reasonable time for you to relax and fall asleep, away from your laptop and become technology free. De-stress and unwind with a book, talk and confide in your housemates or even pick up a sudoku book and work your way through it. Unwinding from the manic day will lead to a calmer tomorrow.
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Hibernation While going to the library and studying may now be part of your everyday routine, it is important to allow your self to integrate into society, relax and have fun - after all you deserve it for spending your hours and weekends revising. Its okay to take a break for a couple of intense hours to go and do something outside of the studying space - whether it be going for a walk, or going to the gym, or catching up with some friends over dinner, which can also help work as an incentive to get you through your workload. Whether it’s your last semester before the breaks or your final semester before graduation, do not let your memories of university be library misadventures. In 30 years time let your memories be of the fun times, full of laughter and energy. You will not regret it. 19
Brace yourselves, there’s a war coming. Not one that any military commander will fight, not one caused by a manchild on Twitter, but rather a culture war, and we’ve been seeing it’s long beginning for some time. Regardless of when the next election is, (and I think the Fixed Term Parliaments Act will mean that the next election is further away than Labour would like to think) it will be fought on grounds quite radically different from the conception we had of politics ten years ago. The Third Way of the late nineties/early noughties focused too much on economics as a solution to all problems, and a simmering resentment appears to be the result. A couple of years ago, there was a Daily Show segment on the UK. Jordan Klepper, the correspondent, came to London and asked about the culture war issues from the US : Abortion, guns, gay marriage. He interviews perplexed Brits who do a very good job of making us all look very clever – one man points out that we don’t talk about things that that. We talk about the economy, and the deficit. Aren’t we clever? The mask, however, is slipping. We are becoming more and more drawn in to the American style culture wars. Now, there’s a shorthand that we all have to group people culturally. Our own Phil Cowley was quoted in the NS thus: ‘It’s not just that [Britain] is divided between people who buy organic and people who buy own-brand, but between people who wouldn’t understand how anyone could buy own-brand and people who wouldn’t buy organic if you put a gun to their head.’ It’s a good point. Seemingly insignificant things, like shopping choices, have become a way of defining who we are. This, then, is about more
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than just shopping choices, it’s about the way a shorthand has infected the way we see each other. I mean, look, if I ask you to tell me about a Waitrose shopper, you’ll likely paint quite a vivid picture. If you spend a lot of time on social media, then if I say to you any of the following things, you’ll, again, likely paint me a picture: Nice Guy. Fiat 500. Yer Da. Dark Fruits. These – while perhaps seeming unintelligible to many – have become a cultural shorthand that we can sub in to describe large groups of people. Perhaps we’ve always done this. But it is going to become increasingly relevant in a world where culture wars are a factor in our politics. The Conservative Party appears to be leaning into a culture war with its policies on things like University campuses and appointing Toby Young to public office. The Spectator has carried columns fawning over figures from the online culture wars sphere such as Jordan Peterson. Labour appears to be willing to have internal bunfights over various cultural issues. I’m not saying a return to the purely economic model of discourse is better. Culture is important to many people, and politics needs to take that seriously, with a focus on the way that local culture intersects with the nation as a whole. The problem is that I don’t think our politics is ready for the American-style shouting, and with the Tories seemingly attempting to whip up a culture war before the next election, my concern is that whoever wins, we all lose.
C O LU M N S
What if politics, but too much ...? Words by Peter Whitehead
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THE AGE OF THE HYPOCHONDRIAC 22
C O LU M N S
Though inevitably shrouded in subjectivity, the relationship between the self (in a psychological sense) and the body has become significantly more prominent in contemporary society. Accelerating rates of technological innovation, medical breakthroughs and an enhanced societal awareness of wellbeing have all contributed to a focus on the physical body. In philosophy, this innate preoccupation with our physical selves is known as ‘the mind-body problem’. Specifically, this sector of philosophy questions whether the mind and body exist as separate entities, or whether they are intertwined. The concept known as Dualism, evident in Eastern traditions and in Western philosophy through Descartes in the 17th Century, sees the mind as separate from the body. In introducing this concept, Descartes crucially linked ideas of self-awareness and consciousness to the human mind, granting it autonomy. Likewise, Plato famously upholds this Dualist stance, with his canonical work Republic presenting a model of the mind as split into a tripartite structure; containing the rational, the passionate, and the desirous. Similarly, Freud’s theory of the human psyche as split into the ID, the ego and the super-ego also suggests the mind to be comprised of several different entities, existing apart from the body.
Words by Sophie Mitchell In contemporary society, the general consensus on the ‘mind-body problem’ is Dualist; with the vast majority of us seeing ourselves as having both an independent mental faculty, and a physical body. Alongside this split, however, exists the condition of Hypochondria — an irrational concern that a person’s mental or physical body is repeatedly unwell. There is undoubtedly an intense focus on mental and physical wellbeing in modern society — from smart watches, to Apple Health tracking steps, location, heart rate, and apps tracking diet, body temperature, weight, etc. Arguably, this level of surveillance on our own health, despite its motive to encourage healthy living, may in fact prove counterproductive — instead pushing the mind and body to be more categorised, scrutinised, and obsessed over. Being aware of mental and physical health is paramount. But, you may ask yourself, to what extent is the relationship between you and your body/mind mediated by technology, and is this healthy?
How has our relationship between the self and the body transitioned over time?
Reversing the Dualist idea of the mind and body as separate, Monism is the philosophical school of thought that alternatively depicts the mind and body as fundamentally inseparable. This idea was first advocated in Western philosophy by Parmenides in the 5th century BC, and was later developed by the 17th century rationalist, Spinoza. The core belief of Monism is physicalist — meaning that only physical matter can be confirmed as real by our senses. Therefore, the form of the body undoubtedly exists, yet as there is no physical ‘soul’, it perhaps doesn’t exist. An easy way round this, however, is to suggest that the brain is the physical manifestation of our emotions, personality, and everything we deem to be a ‘soul’. From this perspective, both the mind and body can be verified as existing together, physically.
For further reading, check out: Plato, Republic The BBC’s ‘In Our Time’ podcast edition on ‘The Mind Body Problem’ is also brilliant: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p003k9b8.
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Words by HARVEY MOLDON In a world where nearly everything known to humanity is at the touch of a button, it is easier than ever to get the wrong information. On top of this, we surround ourselves with apps and phones and watches that observe our heartbeat and sleeping patterns. The question arises — what effect does this have on our states of minds? Does it culture unnecessary fears and concerns of our own health? I’d argue not. I think it is highly unlikely anyone will take their Apple Watch to the GP and say they think their heart rate or sleeping pattern is wrong. The appeal of health apps comes from reassurance. I have no doubt they are of fantastic use to nutritionists or athletes, but the majority of users just have a nagging curiosity about their own biology. This is what these apps offer — no serious medical benefits, just a trendy and accessible graph to remind the user that they are not dead.
A similar concept abounds with genealogical DNA testing kits. How many times have you heard small talk about so-and-so being 15% Iranian and 2% Irish? People pay for these tests for the trend and the curiosity. There is a science there, but it’s a consumerist science. I’d argue that health monitoring apps, ancestry DNA testing, and the aforementioned hormone testing all rely on the same principle in order to sell: A very human craving to have our curiosity satiated, to learn something about ourselves as individuals, and bestow us with the illusion of understanding our personal biology. These products are often marketed with the buzzword ‘control’. Genealogy tests will never amount to anything much more than kitsch. Fertility testing however, does enter potentially riskier territory. Reporting on them in the Observer, Zoë Corbyn discusses the example of an aspiring mother that took one of these tests and mistook ‘early menopause’ for ‘infertility’. After spending unnecessary money on unsuccessful IVF, she learnt what it all meant later and conceived naturally.
Do we obsess over our health too much in the modern day?
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It’s important to bear in mind the lack of medical benefits. When companies formulate healthbased products directly for the consumer there is a great risk of becoming misled. Their priorities lie among profit. Health apps probably won’t ever give you any warnings because they’d become an actual piece of medical equipment if they did, and that comes with whole different hoops to jump through before you can sell it to people.
Ultimately, regulatory bodies do abound to prevent the lines of private technology blurring too much with healthcare products. There is unlikely to be any deficit to using health monitoring apps, if anything, the placebo-esque comfort they offer may turn out to be very beneficial. Just ensure it never becomes a replacement for the advice of a healthcare professional, nor a cause for worry about personal health.
The line between cool at-home biological tech and genuine medical care can become dangerously blurred. There has been a rise in US startups providing hormone tests for aspiring mothers. The tests are for a hormone that can (very approximately) estimate whether the individual will go through early or late menopause. Their aim wasn’t to provide actual fertility tests, despite their marketing of them as such. Their target audience is young 20-somethings with no intention of motherhood. to idly wonder whether they ought to get one just in case, and give their money to them.
Besides, it’s not all evil in the world of smartphone healthcare. Recent journal articles report a UK clinical trial for smoking cessation apps, and a very inventive use of Grindr in Brazil to advertise a survey, gaining information and raising awareness about HIV prevention strategies.
C O LU M N S Mentioned Today in Headcandy: BinDhim et al — Smartphone Smoking Cessation Application (SSC App) trial: a multicountry double-blind automated randomised controlled trial of a smoking cessation decision-aid ‘app’”: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e017105.long Torres et al — Awareness of Prevention Strategies and Willingness to Use Preexposure Prophylaxis in Brazilian Men Who Have Sex With Men Using Apps for Sexual Encounters: Online Cross-Sectional Study: http://publichealth.jmir.org/2018/1/e11/ Zoë Corbyn — Can a DIY fertility test help you plan when to have a baby?: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/21/ can-diy-fertility-test-help-plan-when-to-have-baby
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Oh, m y q ua d B e c k y, lo o k at h e r s q uat Wo r d s b y G i n a G a m b e t t a
Dripping in sweat, lungs pulsating out of my chest and an underlying taste of blood, couple this with scrapped back hair and the posture of Quasimodo, and you’ve got how I felt and looked when I attempted a ‘run’ or what I call the most painful hour of my life. The big E terrifies me, yes, I am talking about the dreaded pastime, exercise. I’m sure many will read that first paragraph and not empathise, some people are actually good at, and even take pleasure in, sport and physical endurance. Others, my soul sisters, will remember the character assassination of school PE and having a gym membership card that has less use than one from Blockbuster. The average person, according to Department of Health, should exercise between 75-150 minutes a week. This doesn’t have to be insane workouts and triathlons, it can be anything from walking to riding your bike. The benefits of doing this are not only physical, the Royal College of Psychiatrists stress that the mind and body are intrinsically linked, one cannot function without the other.
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The positives of doing just small increments of physical activity can be massive. Scientifically, due to the endorphins, also known as feel good hormones, released from exercise you can have reduced anxiety and raised moods. Furthermore, your body can control your cortisol levels better, this can mean you feel stress less. Other benefits include: clearer thinking, increased self-esteem, better sleeping, a sense of routine and control, sociability and a stronger ability to combat cravings. Mind pointed to a study which found if a person goes from no exercise to just some three times a week, their risk of having depression is reduced by 20%. The thing is, and I am very guilty of this, although it is obvious that exercise is good for the mind and body, most who aren’t ‘sporty’ will avoid doing physical activity like bubonic plague. If anyone suggests it then the same old excuses are used, such as you weren’t good at it in school, you’ll feel silly, your too self-conscious, gym membership is expensive, or you don’t have the time. Besides, when you feel rubbish the last thing you want to do is put on tight yoga pants, get sweaty and be seen by the dreaded public; you’d rather crawl into your cave, wearing the same pj’s four days running,
C O LU M N S
Moreover, the mental health charity, Mind, points out that exercise is particularly important if you have mental health problems; as sufferers are more likely to have problems sleeping, a poor diet, smoke or drink too much or be over/under weight. I can say I worryingly fit into most of those.
binge watch Black Mirror and eat your feelings. However, by doing nothing, you feel more rubbish! I mean despite feeling like I had crawled through Satan’s behind, after downing my weight in water, I felt bizarrely fantastic. And guess what, you left school four years ago, four years ago I couldn’t do a lot of things I can now, for example, down a pint. And yes, you’ll feel silly and a bit self-conscious, but so do most people when they first start exercising, bits and limbs flying all over the place, the amount of times I’m convinced I’m going to poke my eye out with a rough nipple is ridiculous. You’ve just got to stick on some Beyoncé, start feeling yourself and go for it. If you really don’t like the idea of being a lone sweaty monster, then take a friend along and you can suffer, but improve, together. Alternatively, get a fitness DVD and lunge in the living room. You don’t need a gym membership, there’s this amazing thing called the great outdoors and it’s totally free! And time, well if you have enough time to watch the entire series of Stranger Things in two days, you can afford thirty minutes of walking a couple of times a week. Plus, Mind offers five tips to get moving: 1. Start small 2. Be kind to yourself 3. Everyday things count 4. Clear your head 5. Celebrate achievements
So, get out of your pit and remember, trainers are for running and not just clubbing. 27
Words & photography by Seren Haf Morris
IT’S ONLY THE BEGIN NING
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The past year and a half has been a tumultuous time for gender equality. With Trump’s presidency, the Weinstein scandal and Larry Nassar case, along with the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements; so much has happened. This year has shone a light on systematic abuse of power and rampant sexism across many industries. However, it is not a time to be downhearted: this is only the beginning. I fully believe 2018 is the year things change for the better, and for good. Feminist movements and the fight for total equality is accelerating faster than ever before, with people hungrier than ever to see a change. So here is my call to action to you, CUB reader. This year, we have some serious work to do.
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Listen: if someone is brave enough to share their story, listen to them. Listen to the injustices and the ordeals and the trauma. Although it may be difficult, it is incredibly important. Pay attention to what is happening on the news. From Hollywood, the sports industry and your own town, gender inequality is everywhere; we cannot let it go unnoticed. Talk: do not be afraid to speak, to share your experiences, thoughts and opinions. Go to rallies and shout and scream and make your voice heard. Call out everyday sexism. Take to social media. Sign petitions. Talk to the women that surround you. Write, and create and let everyone know that your voice matters, because it does. Create: write, draw, paint, sing, act; whatever it is, do it. We need more women creating and unashamedly sharing their work. This is our time. No longer are the industries male dominated; we will not allow it. And if they do not make space for us, we will create our own. This is a critical time for feminism, and an extraordinary time to be a part of this movement. There are so many awe-inspiring women speaking up, from the fifty women who spoke up about Weinstein, the one hundred and fifty women who came forward about Larry Nassar, the women of Time’s Up campaigning for equality in the film industry to those out of the spotlight working to make these changes come to fruition. Not forgetting the inspiring women in our own circles. Women are exciting, creative, intelligent, thoughtful, brave, fearless and strong, among many other things. This is not news, I know, women have always been incredible. However, we are finally beginning to realize what we deserve. And I cannot wait to see what happens next. 29
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In this edition of CUB we set out to capture a bite of street style in the dusky back streets of Bethnal Green. The models were asked to dress in their personality and get a little abstract with some of the poses. To see more head over to the website and follow us on Instagram @cubphotogazine. We’re constantly on the lookout for models so please contact us! Models: @naomizonneveld @rachpricee @ toribel123
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The photography editors headed over to the creative space of the Barbican at their conservatory to get that photosynthesis. The excitement for spring is only growing... Images by Josie Durney and Seren Morris 32
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It's Spring Time, for the Oscars and Hollywood! Has the Academy Actually Got It Right This Year? Yeah, I know what you’re all thinking: who cares about the awards really, there is always a noticeable snub or two, the Academy rarely ever recognises popular entertainment, it is all just a question of Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana or Armani for whichever female celebrity steps onto the red carpet next. Well, this year I would like to disagree and suggest that the Oscars are more important now than ever before. Yeah, we have had scandals in previous years that have inspired the Academy to up its game: #OscarsSoWhite made an impression, encouraging the Board of Academy Members to nominate Moonlight, Hidden Figures and Fences for major awards.
stemming from the revelations of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s innumerable crimes. Unity is needed now more than ever. Social exclusion cannot be tolerated, and it is up to an internationally respected organisation such as the Academy to set the example and recognise those from all walks of life. So it’s with appreciation and relief that I report that the Academy has made some progress, with some admirable choices that reflect the diversity that should be flourishing within the industry.
But rather than rattle off the list of nominees, a list you’ve no doubt seen shared to death on social media, I would like to hone in on a couple But now we are faced with the global exposure of selections that I think symbolise the possibility of sexual harassment in the workplace, all for significant change in the industry.
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FILM Nominations for Mudbound For many of you, I’m sure the title Mudbound means nothing to you. But it should. Dee Rees’ racial drama, distributed by Netflix, is an astonishing work that terrifyingly reflects our current, destabilised time with a story based in the 1940s, proving once and for all that times really are not a-changin’. The fact that the Academy has nominated it in several categories is relevant for a couple of reasons. Firstly, by nominating Rees and Virgil Williams’ screenplay, it shows that the Academy is keen to highlight efforts that address timely issues such as race (Get Out’s numerous nominations are also demonstrative of this). But the Academy’s recognition of Rachel Morrison’s cinematography is a historic decision: Morrison is the first female cinematographer to be up for the award. This in itself shows great and necessary progress, hopefully inspiring all prospective female filmmakers to take up their cameras and get working.
Genre Filmmaking Finally Getting a Shout There has been the rare year in the past that has awarded genre filmmaking with the accolades it deserves to garner: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King swept the Oscars in 2004 and Avatar received a lot of positive attention in 2010. But overall, on a routine basis, the Academy usually fails to give the genre picture much notice. This year seems like it could signal a step in the right direction, for the just appreciation of films that not only respect, but transcend their respective genres. This year, superhero send-off Logan received a well-deserved nomination for its powerful screenplay. The Shape of Water, a fantasy romance by all accounts, scored the most nominations, with a total of thirteen up for grabs. But, most pleasingly, Jordan Peele has been accorded a merited Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture triple, all nominations that are essential in underlining the importance of Peele’s horror-come-social-commentary, Get Out. With optimism, in future years, the Academy will Christopher Plummer’s Nod as a Middle Finger to finally realise that there’s as much artistic value in Sexual Harassment a commercial film such as Logan or Blade Runner Yeah, Kevin Spacey is not coming back from that 2049, as there is to be found in Oscar friendly films one. Taking over from the shamed actor in the final such as Darkest Hour. month of All the Money in the World’s production schedule, Christopher Plummer has experienced somewhat of a cakewalk in terms of campaigning for a nomination. But, before anything else is said, it There is more to discuss beyond this article. But should be noted that Plummer deserves the credit: for now, these seem like the three major points to I had high praise for All the Money in the World, take away from the recent nominations. Of course, acclaim that I stand by, particularly in appraising Wonder Woman lost out big time. My man Denis Plummer’s complex performance. And yet, it’s all Villeneuve got shafted for what seemed like a shoethe more essential as a nail in the coffin of the careers in nomination for Best Director, for Blade Runner of those who believed they could get away with their 2049. But we can’t have it all our own way. It seems crimes. Rewarding the man who negated the work like the Academy is learning and, with any luck, it of one such perpetrator is a solid and sly way of marks the start of even greater change within the sending a message and it’s widely appreciated. industry.
Words by : Christian Lynn
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t is often the case with any form of film criticism found in a magazine like this, that you – yes, you – forget that I – yes, me - am here. Alive. Living. Thinking. That I am in many ways more conscious and less mechanical than the ink lets on, predisposed to my own wants and needs, likes and dislikes. We - yes, we - forget that we are engaged in a discussion, although I am being perhaps a bit more talkative than yourself at this moment in time. You may have never met me and will never meet me, shake my hand and hear my voice. In the same way, I might not have met you and may never meet you, shake your hand and hear your voice. But, we – I the writer and you the reader – should not try and escape a truth: we are entangled in a moment of chance, human being to human being, feelings to feelings.
His Master's Voice: Feelings and Film Criticism
This is nothing original. In fact, the discussion regarding the inability of film criticism to triumph over subjectivity is a topic that is, in many circles, considered to be quite trite, overdone, obvious. However, the capacity for the blatant things to impact how something works should not be negated on the basis of its obviousness. Most of the time, we need to search a little deeper for meaning. But now and again, the truth is there in front of our noses. Burningly proximate, yet still out of focus due to our eagerness to look towards the horizon. I expect many of you have just rolled your eyes at that statement, finding it too cheesy or too sentimental. But sometimes the truth induces eye rolls, and if we keep waiting for something that is grand, we will miss out on the seemingly insignificant truths in life. I’m not advocating ignorance or apathy, nor am I saying that we should expect life to be uncomplex. Instead, I am suggesting a greater, all-encompassing awareness that rejects a sole fixation on magnification, and instead attests to the seemingly banal and barefaced, the things, as mentioned before, in front of our noses. 36
I’ll cut to the anecdote that cemented this sentiment. (Do not worry, it is about film). I recently went to watch Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing Missouri. I went to the 15:15 showing on my own, and when I walked up to the kiosk to purchase my ticket and reserve my seat, I learnt that I would be the only person in the screening. It was one of those ‘Luxury Studios’ which are becoming the norm. There were around twenty or so cherry red leather sofas. Around the circumference of the room there hung, from ceiling to floor, a curtain of the same colour. In short, the room looked like a mixture of Twin Peaks and a brothel. I shuffled along row C, and took my seat in the centre of the room. What I felt was a rare kind of aloneness, one that is compounded by the absence of not only people I know, but also of strangers. It is rare to not share a space with anyone when exterior to the familiar, places like our homes or bedrooms. It is even rarer to then find ourselves plunged into darkness in that isolated situation, whilst also choosing to be cut off from social media and, consequently, the external world. In these moments, it is as if your mind somewhat disassociates itself from your body, and you become hyperaware of yourself in that space. Like a part of you subconsciously kicks back in a seat two rows behind you and observes you watching the film: simultaneously within and without. You are watching the watcher who is in fact yourself. At least that’s what it was like for me. Anyway, because of this, I felt more aware of what the movie was making me, as an individual, feel.
FILM
Words by: Greg Dimmock
I loved Three Billboards. For me, it has some of the best written and best performed characters that I have seen in many years, whilst simultaneously asking questions regarding the necessity for anger and revenge that really struck a chord with me. I laughed on my own; I cried on my own. It felt faultless. None of those previous sentences are what anyone would ever consider good or substantive film criticism. Yet, they are all true. If I were with a group of friends and the credits rolled and the lights came up, I would have probably asked them or they would have probably asked me, “What did you think?” We would then dig a little deeper and interrogate our answers, asking why it is that we felt a certain way. Our minds might change and compromise to reach an objective consensus. I may then write a review to explain what I feel about the film on reflection. Despite all this, however, that initial feeling will never truly change. How you felt in those moments are fixed. In that period of time, there was no room for why, only feeling. And that, sometimes, is completely fine.
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REVIEW: Words by Sonal Lad
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MUSIC It seems that, wherever I go, people are talking about The Greatest Showman, especially the songs. I’ve had the pleasure of going to watch the film and I can honestly say that this film has one of the ‘Greatest’ soundtracks I’ve ever heard. The album begins with Greatest Show and, with the intense intro mixed with the softness and almost sexiness of Hugh Jackman’s voice, it’s a great way to start the album with the circus full of ‘renegades’! From then on, the album just keeps on giving. The song Come Alive starts off at quite a slow tempo but has that one crescendo where it comes ‘alive’. It introduces us to each of the characters personality as they embrace their uniqueness for the circus audience. The Other Side, sung by Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, made me realise how much I missed hearing Efron singing and how much his voice has grown and matured from those High School Musical days. The track is different to the others in the film because we have amazing singing from but also the spoken lines which help to progress the story, especially in regard to Efron’s character Phillip Carlyle. It shows the two actors ability to blend their voices together through harmonies to create something special and manages to maintain this old style of music but mixed in heavy drumbeats to give it a rock essence!
This is Me is probably the most influential, and in turn popular, song in the entire film! It draws on every character’s insecurities and shows how they embraced them. ‘But I won’t let them break me down to dust’ is a line that everyone can follow because it’s so common nowadays to have insecurities or were told they weren’t good enough by society. It’s an empowering song and is an anthem for the outcasts of the world.
The film also manages to pull on a few hearts strings. Never Enough is one of those songs that just oozes emotion, mainly due to Loren Allred’s voice being so pure. The song also has the most beautiful lyrics, and it feels like stars would shine down on whoever sang this song. Tightrope is another song that has a beautiful melody with lyrics that combine nostalgia and sadness. However, my favourite song has to be Zac Efron and Zendaya’s duet Rewrite the Stars. As well as being a testament to their amazing voices, it shows their ability to portray emotions through song! It shows the star crossed lovers trying to fight against the system to be together, even when they can’t. It’s the perfect love song with lyrics to die The song A Million Dreams shows P. T. Barnum for and could bring anyone to tears, including me. and his wife’s journey from young children into adults and really gives the audience a nice Ending the album with From Now On brings the introduction to Barnum and his story. I love the soundtrack to a nice conclusion. It flows perfectly way it seamlessly transitions from the child’s voice within the story and although starts quite placid and into Hugh Jackman’s, but still manages to keep the regretful, grows into an inspiring tune. It’s upbeat same innocence and desire from the character. and almost folk-like melody ends the story perfectly and really helps keep the audience entranced. Overall, this album is one of the best soundtracks of the year and it only gets better each time I listen to it. 39
NEW RELEASES As the bitter cold (finally) draws to a close, CUB Music brings you the best new music to be excited about this Spring…
Jack White: Boarding House Reach (Third Man Records) Following up 2014’s Lazaretto, Jack White’s third studio album Boarding House Reach is set for a March 23rd release date. If the man himself is to be believed, the new LP is set to defy expectations once more with a, genre-spanning set of songs that are sure to solidify his ongoing drive to break out of the animal Blues Rock mould that delivered The White Stripes such critical esteem. The album’s latest ‘Corporation’ alone showcases White’s promising detour into psychedelic funk, suggesting an eclectic and experimental turn from the Bluesmaster.
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Jonathan Wilson: Rare Birds (Bella Union) Jonathan Wilson is another talent who has lingered around the independent music scene for a while now, blending electronic soundscapes with prog-infused folk rock and soft, gentle harmonies. The first single ‘Over the Midnight’ came out in December with a trippy, extraterrestrial music video, evocative of the more ambient and spacier textures that Rare Birds looks set to deliver on March 2nd.
MUSIC
S P R I N G 2018 Words by Joe Steen
Moby: Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt (Mute) The mousey dancehall legend returns with what looks to be a darker, subdued sound on March 2nd. Though Moby has had a lot of room to breathe since the height of his success (cemented by his presence on about as many adverts as you can think of), the lead single ‘Like a Motherless Child’ still packs a punch full of his signature brooding melancholy and rapturous synthetic strings. Coming to a Toyota near you…
Yo La Tengo: There’s a Riot Going On (Self-produced) Their first release in nearly five years, Yo La Tengo’s fifteenth studio album comes out on 16 March. Though they’ve carved out a solid reputation for experimental indie rock, Yo La Tengo’s 30 year tenure hasn’t robbed them of any energy. While their new material offers a more languid, intimate arrangement of melodies, the band’s cozy yet imaginative sound holds firm, even if it does bring on the occasional shoegaze nostalgia. If you can’t wait that long, the band have already made four new tracks available on Spotify, and are set to head over to the London on the European leg of their tour in early May.
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How To Self-Love This
Spring
Words By: Karla Noor 42
But there is one thing that I tend to overlook. In my pursuit of happiness and love, I caught myself expecting a mind-blowing, cinematic romance, filled with unconditional affection, flowers, chocolates and dates where I would be completely swept off my feet, without having to do much work myself. Unsurprisingly, my expectations were shattered quite regularly. In light of this, I thought I should probably try to re-evaluate my views. I always heard people say that you have to love yourself first, before falling in love with someone else, and that you should love yourself in order for others to truly love you back. I never really paid much attention as I considered them to be cheesy clichés. Oh boy, was I mistaken.
UNISEX
Spring has always been considered as the season of love and renewal. The days get warmer, nature starts blossoming with new life and most of us anticipate love and positive changes. But I do not agree that we should only designate one season for love. I have to say that I am a hopeless romantic and quite naturally, I need romance all the time.
still expect others to comment something like #couplegoals. In my opinion, it is clear that sensitivity, which should be at the core of this subject, is fundamentally missing. To promote body positivity and confidence is great, but it seems we are forgetting about the fundamentals. What if self-love has nothing to do with your body? What if it is actually about your self-esteem, your selfrespect, trust, and your relationship with yourself? Shocker. Right? Just like ‘love’, self-love has to be built on something. In my opinion, those are respect, trust, freedom and the ability to listen amongst others.
Let’s break self-love down (figuratively): Trust – you have to trust your gut feeling. Let’s say you really don’t like something and your inner voice is screaming for you to leave or to do something, then listen to it! Of course, in an exam environment, there is really nothing you can do, but that’s more to do with stress management. However, if you do But really, what does ‘loving yourself ’ even mean? not want to be among certain people, toxic people, What is self-love? In my quest to finding happiness, that you never feel comfortable around - leave like most of us do, I took the ‘fake it until you them. make it’ approach. That was not really the right path either. What I soon realised is that despite Respect – you have to respect yourself. This the huge number of articles, posts, Instagram includes the very way you are, your body with accounts on self-love, most of them are based all your flaws, the hurdles life brings, respect the on false confidence. I realised that posting difficulties, your wishes and your desires. There a #nomakeup selfie or #selflove photo of is no point in hating anything. If it is possible to yourself in a bikini or in your loungewear improve something, be respectful to the fact that doesn’t really do the trick. These could everything needs time and patience. actually be the shallowest self-love expressions. Freedom - most importantly, let it be. Let yourself be free, have fun, do whatever makes you happy I believe that self-love has to and try to find beauty in little things, especially in be approached like a romantic yourself – not just in the way you look, but also in relationship. You would not ‘fake your personality and soul. it until you make it’ when you are clearly not attracted to someone, Love is not easy, and neither is self-love. No matter so why should we do that to how difficult it might be, we all have to start from ourselves? You could post a selfie within. Everyone is unique, which means you have looking your happiest with to listen to yourself and see what needs changing. your girlfriend or boyfriend, Let’s make this spring the start of an amazing but still feel trapped and journey! unhappy in the relationship. Nevertheless, you would Love yourself. Forever.
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Springtime Lifeline Words by: Gesa Musiol
Feeling lonely or disconnected from everyone around you is a phenomenon that numerous university students experience throughout their academic career; perhaps more so in cities as fast-paced and anonymous as London. Deadlines and other duties clutter up your schedule, you spend more time inside than you should, slaving away at the library, hunched over the keyboard and god-knows-how-many books. At the same time, your friends, tackling their own responsibilities, may or may not empathize that you cancelled on the third event in a row. The long-term challenge of staying positive throughout a long, Vitamin D deprived winter in the United Kingdom may sometimes amplify the feeling of loneliness out of proportion. Loneliness is a tricky subject. It has to be distinguished from its less emotional sister, being alone, in the way that loneliness is rather a feeling than a word that describes exactly how many people are in your close proximity on a day to day basis. To be alone is nothing terrible – it can be quite rewarding and reinvigorating – but to feel lonely is actually detrimental to one’s health and life expectancy. Do I have your attention? Good. During springtime, everyone from grandmothers to literally every type of media keeps telling us that we need that special someone in our lives to be happy and fulfilled. But do we? I beg to differ. As someone who has been suffering through two years of a long-distance relationship and will be able to spend neither Valentine’s Day nor the two-year-anniversary with the loved one, I have developed several strategies to counter that weird mixture of jealousy, loneliness, and anger at the distance. And since especially during springtime, there is an abnormally large amount of love in the air, the (physical) lack of that someone special in your life may feel less like an absence, but more like a black hole that devours all light. It doesn’t matter if you are, like me, in a long-distance relationship, freshly single, or simply confident in rocking your life on your own – that springtime romance overkill is real.
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UNISEX
Survival Tip Number One
Survival Tip Number Two
Go on dates, but forget about Tinder. Go on a date with a friend. Significant others are not only people you want to show your genitals to! Buy your friend a coffee. Force each other to work out (and feel awesome after). Encourage each other to be the best possible version of yourselves. It’s a win-win situation. Go on a date with your dog. Why not romance your pet like a special someone? Would you like a full-body massage? A Declutter. New year, new you? Why would you delicious treat? It’s yours. want that? You are already awesome. But you could be awesome in a more organised environment! Do something good for somebody else As the sun will (ideally) show its bright face more or the environment. Bring some hot often than during the dark winter months, light is lemon-ginger-water for that friend that going to fall on the dust you have been ignoring is struggling with a nasty cold, sign up and the unnecessary crap you have been hoarding. for a charity run, start recycling your Go through your food cabinet and your general trash, cut down the amount of meat belongings and throw out things that expired, or you are eating, or offer to proofread that donate the ones you don’t use anymore to someone paper your friend has been struggling in need. You will have more space for change, new with. This way, by distracting yourself ideas, and positivity! And although this sounds like from feeling lonely, you are sowing some spiritual bullshit you might not care for – I the seeds for a more positive future for yourself and others. promise, it works.
Survival Tip Number Four
Survival Tip Number Three
Avoid romantic comedies at any cost. Seriously, why would you torture yourself by watching brainless, over-saturated movies with plots that are always the same? This would only lead to the painful realisation that no, you wouldn’t want a doorknob of a human like that love interest in your actual life, but yes, it would be great to make fun of that shitty movie while being snuggled up next to someone. Don’t do it. Check out a true crime series. Watch a documentary. Educate yourself. And whatever you do, don’t search #couplegoals on Instagram.
In the end, it all comes back to self-love. Allow yourself to ignore the overload of romance around you, and focus on your goals, your other relationships, and lighten up: It’s spring! Vitamin D is coming y’all! Don’t be 1998 Britney (Baby One More Time: “My loneliness is killing me”). Instead, channel your inner 2000 Britney (Stronger: “My loneliness ain’t killing me no more”).
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- E V E N T S ARTS
LONDON
The International Weird Collage Show
Hackney was a place of historic relevance particularly as it was still being impacted by the ‘slum clearance’ of the 1970s and 80s. Find out more with exclusive images from Neil Martin at Stour space in Hackney Wick with free entry from Feb 2nd to Feb 22nd.
Feb 1st - Feb 11th 25 international artists and bringing their cutting and sticking masterpieces to London for a show that will be both intriguing and inspiring to the creative amongst you. This exhibition is taking place at Jealous East Gallery in Shoreditch. - Free
Style from the sixties Feb 2nd - Feb 28th Throw yourself back into the epitome of sixties style with a photo exhibition dedicated to the photographer Brian Duffy with shots of well known figures from John Lennon to David Bowie. At Proud Central not far from Charing Cross Underground.
MUSIC The Windmill – Brixton
This is a great informal underground music events with gigs happening every night. Entry is cheap and drinks are affordable. Check out cubmagazine.co.uk for more info. 9th of Feb The Sherlocks are at The Electric Ballroom 13th of Feb Dermot Kennedy is at Scala in King’s Cross 2nd of Mar Wiley is performing at the O2 Academy Brixton
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Hackney Flea Market
There’s nothing better than an authentic East London flea market. Take a trip to Abney Public Hall in Stoke Newington for a selection of jewellery, clothing, furniture and household goods. Entry is free for both Saturday Feb 3rd and Sunday Feb 4th.
Berber & Q Shawarma Bar - Little pita heaven
This is the perfect event for any foodie. Try mini versions of pita with every type of filling you can have. The closest tube station is Angel and prices range from £26-£53 on Sunday Feb 4th.
GENESIS FILMS 8th Feb Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Now - 8th Feb The Post 12th Feb The Shape of Water 13th Feb Black Panther
- T E A M -
E d i t o r s - i n - C h i e f
Photography Editors
Design
Film
Abigail Hanley & Alice Barnett
E d i t o r s
Linnéa Borg, Raluca Semenescu, Michael Lau Hing Yim, Mela Phi Baldock
Style
Editors
Kiran Meeda, Tina Wetshi, Sarah Maycock A r t s E d i t o r s Eve Frayling, Connor Gotto, Maria Kästner Van Dam, Charlotte Rubin, Maria Albano
Features
E d i t o r s
Harpreet Pal, Shamma Mughal, Saarah Ahsan-Shah, Sara Trett, Jasmine Ali
London
E d i t o r s
Jacob Moreton, Hannah Hayden, Nicole Brownfield
@CUBmagazine
CUBmagazine
Josie Durney, Seren Haf Morris
E d i t o r s
Christian Lynn, Greg Dimmock
Music
E d i t o r s
Hermione Sylvester, Joe Steen, Sonal Lad
UniSex
E d i t o r s
Veena Dave, Gesa Musiol, Karla Noor, Chrissie Antoniou
C o l u m n i s t s
Peter Whitehead, Seren Haf Morris, Gina Gambetta, Harvey Moldon, Sophie Mitchell, Zannath Rahman, Samantha Vincent
PR & Marketing
Naseha Yasmin, Connor Gotto, Jaya Jain, Isabelle Hathaway, Angel Tolstosejevaite
@CUBmagazine
www.cubmagazine.co.uk
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C OV E R I M AG E BY G E S A M U S I O L