Liner Notes: White’s EP suspends time, place in Andalusia

By TABI PARENT the daily northwestern

@tabithaparent12

Blanco White’s somewhat redundant stage name does little to allay fears that his music will be similarly uninspired. But if his over a million monthly Spotify listeners are any indication, there is something compelling — or at least something that translates well through AirPods — about the music Blanco White creates.

Londoner Josh Edwards, the man behind Blanco White, is committed to proving that there is more to him than first meets the eye. Just as you wouldn’t expect a name as superfluous as Blanco White to have some hidden meaning — it does, by the way; check out Sevillan poet Joseph Blanco White — you wouldn’t expect a man with a name as English as Josh Edwards to make such ethereal, Spanish-influenced music.

Edwards released his latest EP, “Time Can Prove You Wrong,” on Feb. 3. Over the course of just five songs, he dolefully dissolves all concepts of time and place with his enigmatically haunting voice and Andalusian-inspired guitar-plucking skills. Clocking in at a mere 19 minutes and 14 seconds, Edwards proves that a record doesn’t need to be lengthy to leave an impact.

The EP’s title track, “Time Can Prove You Wrong,” sounds like cracking open a time capsule on an uninhabited Spanish knoll. While

Edwards studied guitar in Cádiz, Spain, his knowledge of the charango, an Andean instrument, is what shines through. Edwards’ strumming is as untamed and wild as the “ocean quiet under (his) skin” that he croons about in the lyrics. But, it’s also controlled and steady, giving the song a heartbeat-like throughline. Combine that sound with the hoofbeat-esque drums and “Time Can Prove You Wrong” unleashes longing clad in ambiguously Spanish and Latin American-tinged beats.

If the EP’s first track takes place on a misty Spanish hill, then its second song, “Treasure I Once Held,” must be set in the early morning on a beach in Cádiz. Once again, the charango is the star of the show on this track, punctuated by a lazy cymbal drum that helps it take on a relaxed, almost tropical sound reminiscent of sunlight glistening on the early morning sea. Edwards is unhurried as he sings the song’s pensive lyrics, proving that most things are better when done slowly. It’s the type of song that makes you want to leisurely sip coffee on a balcony in the summer and drink in how stunning our world is.

The following two tracks exemplify what writing songs about the good old halcyon days is supposed to look like. Every artist has their own take on nostalgia, childhood, memory and the past, and Blanco White is no different. “Sail On By” and “Lesson All Along” are Edwards’ plaintive exercises in reconciling with an immaterial past lost in time. What Edwards searches for in the past is cryptically camouflaged in his abstract lyrics, making his music all the more captivating.

Edwards is nothing if not consistent. His songs are instantly recognizable, occasionally feeling formulaic to a fault. And there are, of course, questions to be raised about a London boy’s penchant for dabbling so deeply in Latin American and Spanish music traditions. Critics have called into question Edwards’ authority to pursue such Latin and European musical traditions so deeply. Still, there is something comforting about an artist who knows their sound, has perfected their craft and has respect for traditions other than their own. tabiparent2025@u.northwestern.edu

While the first four songs in the EP launch listeners back in proverbial time, the EP’s closer, “Who’s Gonna Love You Now?” aptly looks ahead to the “days you can’t see coming.” Edwards makes no claims to what listeners can expect from him in the future, but he guarantees he’ll be “there by (their) side.” And can’t we all use a little consistency in our lives?

arts & entertainment

Editor Selena Kuznikov

Assistant Editors

Jamie Kim

Tabi Parent

Design Editors

Valerie Chu

Kelly Rappaport

Anna Souter that people don’t recognize it as something that’s actually a very pervasive issue,” Kerr said. “ I would just encourage people to be mindful when they’re discussing things like this because it is something that anyone around you could be struggling with.”

While Kerr agrees with removing the labels, they said it is a Band-Aid solution to addressing eating disorders on campus.

One way Kerr said they would like to see change is by increasing the number of faculty on campus who specialize in eating disorder recovery on both a nutritional level and a mental health level.

“It would be really nice to maybe see some programming from Northwestern Dining about things like intuitive eating and building a more balanced healthy relationship with food,” Kerr said.

According to a Winter 2018-2019 Healthy Minds Study, a higher percentage of Northwestern undergraduate students had both elevated and mild symptoms of eating disorders than the national undergraduate percentage. An average of 33.8% of undergraduate students nationwide had elevated symptoms, whereas 8% had mild symptoms. At Northwestern, 41% had elevated symptoms and 16% had mild symptoms.

Ukraine

From page 1 by forced displacement and a dim sky illuminated by flames from explosions.

Since Feb. 24, 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Office recorded more than 8,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine, though it noted the actual numbers are likely substantially higher. In just one year, Russia allegedly committed more than 65,000 war crimes, according to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin.

“Russia did not expect that we will last this long,” said 64-year-old Joseph Owerko, a demonstrator who was born in Ukraine. “We are thrilled that we are steadfast, committed to defending our mission — to defend the freedom of free people over the world.”

According to the former U.S. Ambassador to Poland Daniel Fried, Russia’s government likely expected the war to end quickly with little Ukrainian resistance.

Some protesters said they didn’t expect to be recognizing a one-year anniversary for the war either — but for a different reason.

Oksana Vickers, a Ukrainian-American student at the University of Chicago, said she didn’t expect the full-scale invasion to continue this long.

“It is a very surreal feeling,” Vickers said. “I so distinctly remember the day last year that the war broke out, and I was beside myself.”

While mourning the past year’s loss and devastation, demonstrators also celebrated the strength of the Ukrainian people.

Almost every speech at the rally ended with the slogan “Slava Ukraini,” a Ukrainian phrase

Pediatric gastroenterologist and Feinberg Prof. Mark Fishbein said while he does not promote calorie counting, he does not think removing calorie labels is the best way to support students with eating disorders.

“I definitely don’t think taking the calorie labels off the food is going to change someone’s behavior in that respect,” Fishbein said. “It’s maybe a message from the University saying that we’re not going to contribute to (harmful triggers).”

Weatherspoon said she will work with CAPS, the campus dietician and health services to continue supporting students struggling with eating disorders using a “multidisciplinary” approach.

She added that now is the right time to spread awareness for eating disorders since this year’s National Eating Disorder Awareness Week begins Feb. 27 and ends March 5. CAPS is hosting events for “Body Acceptance Week” throughout the week to promote eating disorder awareness.

“We encourage anybody who’s struggling with an eating disorder to just see us for support,” Weatherspoon said. “We want to be just a resource for students as well because we recognize that the earlier eating disorders are treated, the higher the chance for recovery.” ericaschmitt2025@u.northwestern.edu that translates to “Glory to Ukraine.” The crowd responded, “Heroiam Slava” — Ukrainian for “Glory to the Heroes” — every time.

The protest took place by the Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ukrainian Village. People holding yellow and blue flags lined the building’s stairs and nearby streets. Some protesters wore elements of traditional Ukrainian clothing, like Ukrainian wreaths.

Vickers said the protest helped her connect with a local Ukrainian community.

“UChicago does not have a lot of Ukrainians,” Vickers said. “I really needed to feel like I was understood and seen.”

Protestors who don’t have Ukrainian heritage shared that spirit of unity, too.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) expressed his solidarity.

“We are all Ukrainians tonight,” he said. “We are Ukrainians in our love of freedom; we are Ukrainians in our love of liberty; we are Ukrainians in our love of democracy.”

In the short breaks between speakers’ speeches, the crowd chanted, “Arm Ukraine now!”

Liliia Popovych, one of the protest’s organizers, called for other countries to give Ukraine more weapons, including F-16 jets. President Joe Biden told ABC on Friday he is not going to send the jets to Ukraine “for now.”

“This is a huge difference between death and killing,” Popovych said. “Killing can be stopped. Killers can be stopped … And that’s what (the) Ukrainian army is doing right now.” sofiadymova2026@u.northwestern.edu

DAILY PUZZLES & CLASSIFIEDS

Classified Ads

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN is not responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an ad. Corrections must be received by 10am on the day before ad runs again, call 847-4917206. All Classifieds must be paid in advance and are not accepted over the phone. To run online, ad must run in print on same day. The Daily does not knowingly accept misleading or false ads and does not guarantee any ad or claim, or endorse any advertised product or service. Please use caution when answering ads, especially when sending money.

It is the policy of The Daily Northwestern to accept housing advertising only from those whose housing is available without discrimination with respect to sexual orientation, race, creed or national origin. The presumption is therefore, that any housing listing appearing here is non-discriminatory.

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN is not responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an ad. Corrections must be received by 10am on the day before ad runs again, call 847-4917206. All Classifieds must be paid in advance and are not accepted over the phone. To run online, ad must run in print on same day. The Daily does not knowingly accept misleading or false ads and does not guarantee any ad or claim, or endorse any advertised product or service. Please use caution when answering ads, especially when sending money.

HELP WANTED ADS are accepted only from advertisers who are equal opportunity employers. The presumption, therefore, is that all positions offered here are available to qualified persons without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, handicap, or veteran status.

at NU an even more unexpected.

Huh said because NU is a predominantly white institution, she did not expect to find her largest group of Korean friends at the University.

She was also surprised academically. While she wrote about journalism with a focus in print in her essay, she ended up falling in love with broadcast journalism after joining Northwestern News Network her freshman year.

On a similar note, Medill senior Vanessa Kjeldsen wrote about hands-on journalism opportunities available at NU in her “Why Northwestern” essay as a transfer applicant.

“I loved the idea that you get to learn by doing, and I also loved the AND is in our DNA’ of that (learning),” said Kjeldsen, who transferred from Boston University before her sophomore year.

Kjeldsen said she is grateful for the endless learning opportunities Northwestern has to

Ryan Field

From page 1 offer, both in and out of the classroom. She added that she feels lucky to have learned from her peers and the passion they have for their studies.

Contractors would be responsible for analyzing the validity of NU’s economic impact study, additional fiscal and employment effects on the city and the local market for concerts.

City Council originally planned to hire consulting group Hunden Strategic Partners to conduct this study. After discovering racist retweets from the company’s Twitter account, community members pushed the council to find another research firm, Revelle said.

Lesley Williams, 7th Ward resident and president of Community Alliance for Better Government, said she’s not surprised the studies NU funded show the Ryan Field project would have beneficial economic impacts.

“There’s the expression about ‘The person who pays the piper calls the tune,’” she said.

According to NU’s economic impact study, performed by consulting group Tripp Umbach and published in November 2022, the rebuild would generate about 2,900 new jobs, $660 million in economic impact and $12.5 million in taxes for Evanston.

The Daily contacted the firm to ask about the new jobs’ permanence and wages, as well as what proportion of economic impact would initially go to NU and local businesses. Tripp Umbach did not answer.

Williams said she was also skeptical about the reliability of NU’s January 2023 Impact Research public opinion survey, for which her uncle was called twice to answer the same questions. The community needs economic research residents can trust, she added.

Williams also said NU should make broader direct investments in the city’s schools, social welfare and jobs programs, along with reparations for racial segregation in the past.

“Everyone is doing such cool things at this school, and so many people are excited about what they’re doing and they work incredibly hard,” Kjeldsen said. “That’s a very inspiring environment to get to be surrounded by all of the time.”

Looking back at her first-year self, Doakes recommends incoming students focus on progress, not perfection.

Similarly, Huh said she would tell her firstyear self to stop stressing about the little things and place energy and happiness elsewhere.

“I would just like to savor every single moment, the good and the bad, the stressful and the carefree moments. All of that,” Huh said. “I’d like to relive it, honestly. I’d give anything to relive my past four years here.” beatricevillaflor2026@u.northwestern.edu

About 56% of residents support the Ryan Field rebuild, while 29% oppose it, the survey reported. Residents in a survey subgroup who live within a mile of the stadium reported similar approval rates. Researchers from Impact surveyed 500 registered Evanston voters by phone, according to findings it released on the Rebuild Ryan Field website. The results have a 95% confidence level with plus or minus 4.5 percentage points sampling error — a measure of how representative a sample is — though error in subgroups is higher, the findings show.

Marjorie Connelly, standards chair at the American Association for Public Opinion Research, reviewed the survey results after being contacted by The Daily. She said she had questions about its methodology, though she saw no glaring overall problems.

“Because the margin of error for subgroups (in the survey) varies … I would be curious about how many other respondents are stadium neighbors,” Connelly said.

Findings for specific subgroups could be unreliable depending on their sample size, she added, and the subgroup sample size was not publicly released. Impact Research did not respond to requests for comment.

Revelle said the Ryan Field approvals should primarily rest on how the rebuild project would affect residents in the stadium’s immediate neighborhood. She also said she would prefer more information about the environmental consequences of the field before approving NU’s request.

“Maybe some Northwestern students would like to ask some questions about building a brand new $800 million stadium,” Revelle said. “That’s twice as expensive as any other collegiate stadium that’s been built in recent memory.” williamtong2026@u.northwestern.edu zhizhongxu2026@u.northwestern.edu

Daily Crossword

AFGE union shop.

Email DirectHireFire@navy.mil and put “Crane Fire Inspector” in subject line for benefits information and assistance in creating a resume for Federal employment. Equal Opportunity Employer.

FIREFIGHTER-EMT (Lateral) $55,565 to $89,422

FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC (Lateral) $55,565 to $109,388

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire & Emergency Services Naval Support Activity Crane Minimum of accredited Firefighter II, HazMat Operations, and EMT or Paramedic. Salary dependent on credentials and qualifications. Excellent Federal benefits, plus Tuition Assistance. AFGE union shop. Recruitment and Relocation Incentives available for well-qualified candidates.

Email DirectHireFire@navy.mil and put “Crane Firefighter” in subject line for benefits information and assistance in creating a resume for Federal employment. Equal Opportunity Employer.