Liner Notes: Måneskin delivers sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll

By TABI PARENT the daily northwestern @tabithaparent12

In the age of simperingly sweet pop hits from the same few artists who seem to have taken permanent residence in the Billboard Hot 100 (love you, Taylor Swift, but I am staring pointedly at you), the United States is missing music with a little more angst and black eyeliner behind it.

Italian rock band Måneskin is lucky to be just mainstream enough to avoid falling through the cracks as the general music-listening populace attempts to answer an endless question: What exactly is rock ’n’ roll?

Certainly, the band’s appearance is the epitome of rock. There is a certain smudgedmakeup-skin-showing sex appeal to the four members of the band that evokes rock ’n’ roll in its most basic, cartoonish form. Each member’s appearance begs the question: Do all rock stars always need to look perfectly sleazy and flawlessly grungy? Måneskin frontman Damiano David’s recently buzzed head seems to say yes.

Rising to fame globally after winning the international Eurovision Song Contest for Italy in 2021 with its song “Zitti e buoni,” Måneskin may soon be regarded as the new savior of rock ’n’ roll — a genre which seems to be ever-dying.

But, if the latest album release from the band has anything to say about it, rock ’n’ roll still has a ways to go before it finally dies the death rock stars have been bemoaning for decades.

Released Jan. 20, “RUSH!” is the band’s third studio album and its most ambitious undertaking yet, comprising 17 songs — only three of which are in the band’s native Italian. If the album’s title is any indication, “RUSH!” is a fast-paced whirlwind of lyrical rock tropes and commercial stadium tour-ready headbangers that make for perfect angsty bedroom sing-alongs, even if they don’t offer much in the way of reinventing the rock sound.

While “RUSH!” may not be a groundbreaking album in terms of musical inventiveness, it is a powerhouse when it comes to cohesion and storytelling. Throughout the album, David sings about a rock star’s world, replete with ’90’s supermodels, stolen Basquiats and ex-lovers. In the background, the other three band members — bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi and drummer Ethan Torchio — contribute equally to the story on their respective instruments.

Adding to the allure of the raspy rebellion enshrined in the album’s plotline, it seems Måneskin knows the extent to which its latest album satirizes the most recognizable parts of the rock genre. In the nearly-spoken track “KOOL KIDS,” the band members vocalize their thoughts on their place in the world of rock ’n’ roll: “Honestly, I don’t give a f–k.” Similarly, “BLA BLA BLA” is another ode to nonchalance on the album — David can barely be bothered to speak the song, let alone sing it, and anyone who has a problem with it can kiss his “bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-butt.” tabiparent2025@u.northwestern.edu arts & entertainment

“SUPERMODEL” epitomizes the album’s central assertion that the world could do with a few more rock stars. Its lyrics are a callback to the good ole days of rock (whatever those are) when supermodels ran rampant and were “readily available” to rock stars.

Another example of the album’s ability to seamlessly blend the past and present is the song “GOSSIP.” Featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, the album’s second track is just pop-y enough for Gen Z and nostalgic enough for those old enough to have been one of Morello’s groupies during his time with the group. Morello’s iconic guitar-shredding skills are hard to miss on the track and meld perfectly with Måneskin’s already seamlessly balanced four-person crew.

If “RUSH!” is any attestation, rock ’n’ roll today is not dead — just different. The album succeeds because it remembers its roots but doesn’t overly worship them. Måneskin is nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys this year. If they win, it could cement rock ’n’ roll’s reemergence on the global scene. And if they don’t? That’s just the kind of rebellious thing a rock band would do.

BUDGETING

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Participatory Budgeting Evanston — a community organization that helps with canvassing, outreach and event facilitation — have organized a series of ten idea collection events for residents to discuss and submit their ideas for the budget.

On Wednesday, Molitor led one of the idea collection events at downtown Evanston restaurant Koi Fine Asian Cuisine & Lounge with more than 40 Evanston residents, community organizers and volunteers from PB Evanston.

Between plates of spring rolls, dumplings and lo mein, residents and volunteers brainstormed and developed ideas for the budget. Chatter and laughter coincided with the clinking of chopsticks and forks hitting bowls and plates.

Ald. Krissie Harris (2nd) gave a brief remark at the opening of the event.

“We want you all to know that all voices are going to be heard,” Harris said. “Use your voices so that we as a city can hear you and respect what you’re doing and bring light to some of those voices.”

SESP Ph.D. student in Learning Sciences Kristine Lu moderated a group discussion at the event.

As an organizer for PB Evanston and a technical assistant for the city, Lu said her responsibilities include facilitating the participatory budgeting process, planning events like this and providing training to volunteers.

“PB happened to be a great opportunity … in which we thought, hey, this is a great way we can apply our expertise as researchers and as designers to supporting a real-world opportunity,” Lu said.

Karen Lu, Kristine Lu’s mother, said the number of residents in attendance impressed her.

“I think it’s very important for the people in the society to be involved,” Karen Lu said. “They know how the money is spent and where they want the money to be spent.”

LIFEGUARDS

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This year’s Lifeguard Academy, a mandatory 30- to 40-hour training program for new and returning lifeguards, will train with EFD’s surface water rescue and dive teams, Polep said. Lifeguards will also be trained to use the fire department’s multi-channel radio system, which will allow them to communicate directly with dispatchers.

Polep said he hopes the reputation of the EFD as an emergency service organization will help change the role of lifeguards and Evanston’s lakefront staff culture.

“We hold ourselves to a certain standard — the way we look, the way we train, the way we

During the discussion, Karen Lu said she wants the city to continue to provide at-home COVID-19 test kits and masks in public buildings and on public transportation.

Evanston resident Maggie Peng said she wants to see the city repurpose underutilized public spaces, like schools and churches, to provide youth programming.

“Residents and people in Evanston need to have more of a voice in what happens with the ARPA fund,” Peng said. “So far, a lot of the funding has been spoken for. And there’s also a lot of initiatives in the city of Evanston where there’s not enough gathering of community voices.”

After several rounds of discussion and voting within groups, five groups of residents presented their three top ideas to applause. Some of the proposals included a city-funded K-12 curriculum on Asian American history in local schools, an Asian American culture center, city-wide Wi-Fi coverage and a mental health counseling program.

Matthew Ouren, the city’s participatory budgeting manager, said the event at Koi marks the end of the idea collection phase of participatory budgeting.

Next, the city will work with budget delegates — a role residents can sign up for — to develop the raw ideas into up to 14 proposals, Ouren said. These proposals will appear on ballots in August.

Anyone 14 or older who lives, works or studies in Evanston is eligible to vote. City Council will then fund the proposals with the most votes and continue down the list until reaching the $3 million allocated.

Molitor said she hopes Evanston’s ASPA community will continue being politically active even after the participatory budgeting process concludes.

“My ultimate goal is to get the community involved civically in general so that we have more voices, more representation, more visibility,” Molitor said. “This felt like a good way to do that.” caseyhe2026@u.northwestern.edu act, the way we treat the public,” he said. “I think that is going to be a culture change.”

Last year, lakefront leadership tried to implement new methods of determining leadership, such as hiring more women in leadership positions and eliminating physical training as a discipline measure, Carter and Polep said.

One of the main changes Carter made to last year’s recruitment and leadership promotion process was incorporating interviews.

Carter said this process led to an increase in women in lakefront leadership positions.

“We gave people leadership positions based on their skill level and their experience at the beach,” he said. “It didn’t matter how quick they ran or how fast they swam. Chief (Polep) and I are committed to that diversity.”

Gabby Sloane, who started working as a gate attendant at the lakefront six summers ago, said lifeguard leadership roles used to be predominantly filled by men. The scoring

From page 1 to be.”

Students who are not diagnosed with seasonal depression also use white light therapy.

Weinberg freshman Ty’Shea Woods said she bought a light lamp in high school to enhance her mood, productivity and sleep schedule.

“For me, I’ll say it’s just an overall improved mood,” Woods said. “So it’s just like more positive feelings about the day.”

Northwestern offers free white light therapy to students in the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion’s Wellness Suite, according to Assistant Director for Fitness and Wellness Hilary De Vries.

The room consists of chairs, bean bags and a rectangular box of white light that has been filtered against damaging rays. De Vries said she often sees people going into the space with friends.

From page 1 that people say about it not necessarily being at all tied to actual measures of achievement or accomplishment is true,” she said. “It doesn’t seem to go away.”

Economics Prof. Piotr Dworczak, who was also tenured in 2021, received the promotion earlier than the usual six-year period because he received an offer to work at Stanford University.

Dworczak’s research focuses on economic inequality and the redistribution of resources to combat those disparities. As a professor, he said teaching allows him to gain fresh perspectives on his intellectual endeavors.

“It’s really, really helpful to kind of relate to the students’ difficulties in understanding the system determining these positions used to weigh physical tests above written ones assessing familiarity with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and training manuals.

“Since a lot of issues have been brought to light and people have been feeling more comfortable to talk about them, I think a lot of issues people have felt about unfairness towards women have gone away,” Sloane said.

Polep said, however, that he doesn’t consider the lakefront’s culture of sexual harassment and assault to be an issue with recruitment.

In previous years, lifeguards could also be punished for breaking rules by being assigned physically strenuous tasks like running or swimming long distances, a practice former lifeguards compared to hazing in the 2021 petition. Though lifeguards will still undergo physical training both during and after Lifeguard Academy, Carter and Polep emphasized that it would never be used as a disciplinary measure.

She added that the space is open to everyone.

“Whether you’re experiencing depression or you’re just not feeling as high of levels of energy, white light therapy has been shown to improve your feelings of wellbeing,” De Vries said. “The idea is to start with low amounts and then you’ll work your way up.”

But, Brotzman said some people may not seek treatment if they are confused about what SAD is.

She said the term seasonal depression is often used by students to describe general feelings of “winter blues,” leading to confusion on when treatment may be necessary.

“I bet that a lot of people also don’t know that they have it,” Brotzman said. “For me, it took moving here to realize that I’m really sensitive that way.” evelyndriscoll2025@u.northwestern.edu material, and also for me to understand which parts I need to explain better,” he said. “And it’s not just a matter of teaching, it’s also a matter of really understanding your own research.”

Dworczak added that he is now able to have a more significant behind-the-scenes viewpoint of his department, a difference between his pretenure and post-tenure experience.

Contrary to popular belief, he said, receiving tenure is not a sign to slow down — it’s a sign to proceed full steam ahead.

“I think the point is, if you survive until this moment … it’s not because of the sort of promised reward,” Dworczak said. “It’s because you must be passionate about what you’re doing.” samanthapowers2026@u.northwestern.edu

Instead, EFD might require daily in-service training, in which all lifeguards, including their supervisors, would complete a quarter-mile swim together.

“If we’re all working together as a team, we’re going to go a long way,” Polep said. “And the goal is to remain a team.”

Carter said he has bi-weekly meetings with lifeguard and beach leadership to discuss all lakefront decisions, including training protocols and emergency response plans. They will also be contributing to lakefront training manuals.

Sloane, who was appointed director of the aquatic kids camp last summer, said she’s happy with Carter’s more collaborative approach.

“(Management) has really done a great job of asking us what we want to see changed and also finding a fair way to do things in a more safe and comfortable environment,” she said. joyceli2025@u.northwestern.edu

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