The Hoya: The Guide: September 8, 2017

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A History of Free Speech at Georgetown William Leo

Hoya Staff Writer

Conversation on campus is constant.

Walking through Red Square, students can overhear hundreds of their peers gathered in spirited conversation. Although few recognize it in the moment, there is a subtext to every action and interaction, a fundamental principle enabling almost everything we do at Georgetown — the right to free speech and expression.

This safeguard enables Georgetown students to convene and express their opinions on Georgetown property, even when those opinions conflict with the university’s official views. It enables students to set up tables and speak about their causes, to put up fliers and to protest policies of the university and federal government.

Red Square is one of Georgetown’s public forums, a designated space for free expression and speech. It acts as both a symbol and reminder of the right to free expression that belongs to Georgetown students.

But expression is not without its pitfalls, even at Georgetown. On Tuesday, a swastika was found inside an elevator in Village C West. The next day, two swastikas were found painted in an elevator in LXR Hall. As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the white supremacist protests in Charlottesville, Va., last month, the issue of the extent of freedom of expression remains divisive.

Protest: Then and Now In quads and lecture rooms through-

out America, angry students and frustrated administrators clash with renewed intensity and regularity. Both progressive and conservative speakers have been dissuaded from speaking on campuses because of threats of protest or violence. But that is nothing new, even here on the Hilltop.

In May 1971, Washington, D.C., bore witness to a series of May Day protests against the Vietnam War that resulted in violent conflicts between protesters and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Seeking asylum, protesters turned to Georgetown, arriving at the front gates on the morning of May 3. Rev. Robert J. Henle, S.J., president of the university, at the time, sanctioned the police department’s use of tear gas to dispel the protestors, but many students were caught in the crossfire and were injured as a result.

Although the protesters had largely been removed by the end of that day, the events of May Day remained with Georgetown students long after. In October of that year, student body President Roger Cochetti (SFS ’72) and Vice President Nancy Kent (CAS ’72) resolved to safeguard students’ rights, creating Students of Georgetown, Inc., now better known as The Corp — a legal entity separate from the university with the power to challenge the administration’s actions.

Fifteen years later, the issue of campus protest resurfaced, when 29 protestors were arrested in April 1986 for refusing to vacate White-Gravenor Hall, which they had been occupying in protest of Georgetown’s investments in companies with interests in pro-apartheid South

FILE PHOTO: DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA

Matters pertaining to free speech on campus are handled by Georgetown’s Committee on Speech and Expression, which is comprised of administrators and students.

Africa. More than half of these antiapartheid protesters were Georgetown students. Students also erected a shanty in front of the building, but were warned in a statement from University President John DeGioia, dean of student affairs at the time, that the university could not provide them “sufficient protection” for protesting in or around the shanty.

The Georgetown community continues to experience disputes over free

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Red Square is one of several designated free speech zones on Georgetown’s campus. Over the years, Red Square has served as a symbol of students’ right to express their opinions, regardless of whether they align with the university’s views.

speech today, as tensions surrounding social and political issues have become even more pronounced. Last May, one of Students for Justice in Palestine’s posters in the Intercultural Center Galleria was vandalized, leading to uproar between student groups on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Student groups tabling has also created a thorny problem. In September, 2014, members of H*yas for Choice were temporarily removed from a tabling location on 37th Street by a Georgetown University Police Department officer. The group was tabling in protest of the university bestowing an honorary degree to Donald Cardinal Wuerl, archbishop of Washington. H*yas for Choice expressed disagreement with Wuerl’s positions on women’s health and LGBTQ rights. The group was later allowed to return to its tabling location, although the incident sparked campuswide conversation regarding the extent of free expression on campus.

Groups on both sides of the abortion rights debate have experienced issues with free speech.

“I wish there was more respect,” said Havens Clark (COL ’20), president of Georgetown Right to Life. “We have had stickers ripped off laptops and posters torn down.”

Invited speakers have also incited oncampus debate. In April, Sebastian Gorka, then-deputy assistant to President Donald Trump, left a Georgetown panel 20 minutes before it was scheduled to end after a group of students gathered in protest against him. A year prior, the Lecture Fund invited Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, to speak. Both supporters and protesters demonstrated outside of campus.

Anti-abortion rights groups and Catholic

friday, september 8, 2017 groups were especially vocal in their denunciation of a Catholic university hosting a speaker who, in their view, was not conforming to their religious values and traditions.

Because a university-funded organization had invited Richards to campus, statements about Catholic values had the potential to conflict directly with the rights of students to organize discourse and express themselves.

Changing Stances on Free Speech According to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a civil liberties organization that publishes an annual list of the worst universities for free speech, Georgetown ranks among the 10 most egregious offenders in the country. Georgetown first received this ranking in 2012 and has consistently been ranked among the worst schools for free speech.

“Georgetown repeatedly had incidents with H*yas for Choice,” Marieke Beck-Coon, FIRE’s director of litigation said in an interview with The Hoya. BeckCoon also said the ranking was mainly based on Georgetown University Law Center’s handling of partisan political speech. In the last election cycle, GULC forbade supporters of former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders from demonstrating. GULC claimed that its tax-exempt status meant that students were not allowed to distribute campaign materials.

Out of nearly a thousand schools in the United States, the language in Georgetown’s Speech and Expression Policy also places it firmly at the bottom of the list. Since 1989, this policy, promulgated through the Division for Student Affairs, has dictated the limits of speech and expression by Georgetown faculty members, students and other members of the university community.

The university also reserves the right to regulate the “time, place and manner” of speech. Demonstrations and publicity on campus generally require university approval.

However, the Speech and Expression Policy also conserves several public spaces where speech is unrestricted, except in the case of hate speech and harassment, including Red Square and Sellinger Lounge.

Given the integral role of speech on a college campus and the sensitivities associated with it, speech violations are treated differently from other disciplinary violations. Georgetown’s Committee on Speech and Expression handles complaints and issues which arise in free speech on campus. The committee is made up of both administrators and students, but according to Ben Costanza (COL ’18), Georgetown University Student Association free speech chair, “The final say is with the university.”

Even if the policies of the university protect some groups, their implementation can become a barrier to speech for unrecognized organizations, like H*yas for Choice.

“While in previous years H*yas for

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Choice has had certain incidents and disagreements with the University and/or its actors, namely GUPD, these events were based in erroneous understandings and interpretations of our rights under the Free Speech and Expression Policy, not in an issue with the Policy itself,” co-president of H*yas for Choice Michaela Lewis (COL ’18) wrote in an e-mail to The Hoya.

Simple ignorance of regulations surrounding speech can chill discourse.

As Costanza put simply: “Transparency could be improved.”

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly The Speech and Expression Policy as well as student involvement in the speech adjudication process, dampens the severity of the student code of conduct.

“Georgetown is an open place for discourse,” said Costanza. “You only hear about it when something bad happens.”

“The administration does a good job dealing with speech issues,” said Joe DiPietro (COL ’18), director of the GUSA Student Advocacy Office.

With hundreds of university organizations and a thriving civil society of involved students, the free speech situation at Georgetown may give the appearance of vitality. In spite of the appearance of good health, however, free expression at Georgetown does have its problems.

As Beck-Coon said, “universities quarantine expression with free speech zones,” placing limits on the most fundamental rights in academia.

In the eyes of FIRE and other civil liberties organizations, the regulations already in place are draconian. According to Beck-Coon, free speech zones like Red Square “cordon off free speech and limit student organizations in reaching their audience.” She believes that universities across the nation should “shore up their commitment to free speech by changing speech codes.” The exclusion of marginalized voices like H*yas for Choice and the hesitance of the university to invite polarizing figures also limit free speech on campus.

Time to Speak That being said, the free speech situation on campus is changing. With the adoption of the University of Chicago Free Speech Statement, a document supporting free speech on college campuses, by the university this summer, Georgetown has positioned itself as more friendly to free speech after disputes with GULC last year. FIRE has commended the university’s new stance on free speech. w As we continue to grapple with issues pertaining to free speech, it is important to remember that, at its core, free expression at Georgetown relies on student interest and involvement. So long as members of Georgetown’s community continue to demonstrate a passion for expression and contribute to spirited discourse, freedom of speech will remain an integral part of campus dialogue. “College is about discourse. The best thing to do is exercise free speech,” Beck-Coon said. “If you love free speech, use your words.”

FILE PHOTO: ALLIE FREI/THE HOYA

FILE PHOTO: ERICK CASTRO/THE HOYA

This summer, Georgetown adopted the University of Chicago Free Speech Statement, affirming its friendly stance toward campus groups’ right to expression.

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marcmhoward.com

Government professor Marc M. Howard’s new book, “Unusually Cruel: Prisons, Punishment, and the Real American Exceptionalism,” explores the problems that exist within the current American justice system, comparing it with its equivalents in Europe. Howard also discusses his personal experiences with the system in the book.

Marc Howard’s Journey in Pursuit of Justice

JOSE VILLALOBOS Hoya Staff Writer

Last February, government professor Marc M. Howard launched the Prisons and Justice Initiative — a collaborative program of scholars, practitioners and students set to examine the problem of mass incarceration in the United States from multiple academic perspectives, such as social theory and cultural studies — as a starting point for research seeking to influence social reform.

Since its founding, not only has the initiative increased awareness about this issue in the Georgetown community, but it has also continued to push toward prison and criminal justice reforms.

Nearing the two-year anniversary of PJI, Howard released his new book, “Unusually Cruel: Prisons, Punishment, and the Real American Exceptionalism,” in July. Howard’s book delves into the distinctive severity of the American prison system — particularly in comparison to its equivalent judicial structures across Europe.

In an exclusive interview with The Hoya, Howard discussed his newest work exploring the American justice system.

Howard’s first encounter with the law occurred in 1985, when at age 13 he ended up in a jail cell during a trip to London. This event had a lasting impact on his life, he said, and it eventually prompted him to make some important changes in his lifestyle. In the preface to his new book, he reflects on that episode.

“I have often reflected back to a time when my life trajectory could have gone in a different direction. I got a ‘second chance,’ and

I made the most of it. Not everybody is so lucky — especially in the United States,” Howard wrote.

Howard’s experience with the justice system became marred with discontent a few years later, when one of his childhood friends was wrongfully convicted of double murder and spent over 17 years working to prove his innocence, until he was finally acquitted. Howard stood by his side, continually working with his legal team.

He reflects upon the incident in his book.

He became dismayed by the “horrible injustice that happened,” not only because of the wrongful conviction, but because he realized that the American justice system was, in fact, “so harsh and inhumane.”

After this personal experience, Howard took it upon himself to learn more about prison systems in the United States and work towards criminal justice reform. He received his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center while serving as a fulltime professor at the university and began working on his latest book. Howard focused on developing comparative research to show how different the United States is from other countries in its incarceration procedures.

“Six or seven of the chapters were written as papers for law seminars, all with a unifying theme: the U.S. is cruel with how it treats people, especially those who have committed crimes,” Howard said.

At the time he began writing “Unusually Cruel,” Howard started teaching at Jessup Correctional Institution in Maryland as part of the Prison Scholars Program, which offers college-level courses for inmates in the state.

“I taught a course that I was also teaching at Georgetown, and I started to realize that many of the conversations I was having with the Jessup students were just as highlevel as those I was having at Georgetown,” Howard said.

This realization pushed him to bring the two groups together through a series of joint sessions during the spring 2016 semester at the prison.

“That was just incredible, for everyone involved, and it led me to look into the possibility of eventually bringing students into the prison for a course,” Howard said.

Howard’s efforts culminated in the creation of the Prisons and Justice Initiative. PJI has featured research projects such as associate professor of the department of performing arts Benjamin Harbert’s survey on the development of musical practices inside a Louisiana prison.

Community service and support programs, such as PJI Pals — a mentorship program for children with incarcerated parents — and the Georgetown-Jessup Debate Program — where the Georgetown debate team teaches inside the prison — are also important PJI projects. Additionally, a wide variety of discussions and dialogues, movie screenings, speaker events and focus groups are offered by the initiative.

Howard now has his eyes set on creating a larger prison education program “where faculty teach to incarcerated students and offer Georgetown credits.” He highlights that “a lot of universities are now making these steps in prison education,” referring to Bard College’s prison teaching program as the current golden educational standard

because of its wide reach to local penitentiaries and development of various teaching programs. Howard said that a series of studies have shown the drop of recidivism by 43 percent when inmates take just one higher education course.

“The justification is so clear and simple,” Howard said. “There is very powerful evidence that people who are in prison, when they get an educational opportunity, it totally changes their life course, and they can leave a life of crime they were living before.”

Howard believes one of the initiative’s crucial objectives remains to create a sense of awareness at Georgetown that can eventually result in large-scale reform through informed policy proposals.

“The initiative has yet to change the world, or at least this country,” Howard said. “Its ultimate goal is to reduce the extent to which we lock people up in this country for insanely long periods of time in very harsh, punitive conditions.”

Despite acknowledging the limitations of academic research influencing policy, Howard is content with the work that has been done and wants to continue building upon these foundations.

“We have helped show that people who’ve made prior mistakes in their life are still human, are still capable of reform, are still capable of transformation and positive contributions to society,” Howard said.

Howard said he believes Georgetown has been positively impacted by this endeavor.

“Being human and being supportive of other people’s humanity is a benefit for everyone,” Howard said.

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Finding a Home on the Hilltop With GSP Eleanor Tolf Hoya Staff Writer

Every year, hardworking, high-achieving students arrive on Georgetown’s campus anxious about the costs of higher education. Around 10 percent of Georgetown’s entering class are low-income students — with average earnings between $18,871 and $47,177 for a family of three. Over 70 percent of low-income students are also the first in their family to attend college, which can often make transitioning to college life a challenging journey because of economic constraints.

Since its founding in 2004, the Georgetown Scholarship Program has served over 1,400 of these students, ensuring them access to resources and networks of support to help them succeed on the Hilltop. Through various resources — such as access to an alumni network, career assistance, mentoring programs and peer advisers — GSP eases the academic and social transition of excellent students with vast potential coming from low-income backgrounds.

“Georgetown Scholarship Program empowered me and fellow students to understand our low-income and/or first-generation college student narrative in a positive light,” GSP Student Board President Emily Kaye (COL ’18) wrote in an e-mail to The Hoya.

GSP’s graduation rate is also one of the highest among private institutions, with 96.4 percent compared to the 30 percent national rate for first-generation students.

“Before GSP, I attributed many obstacles of my upbringing to myself as personal flaws,” said Kaye. “Since becoming a part of the GSP community, I have understood those obstacles to be part of a greater narrative of first-generation college students. That narrative contains obstacles, but it also shows the strengths that we have.”

The open, welcoming GSP staff made stu-

dent and Co-Chair for Strategic Partnership and Advocacy Tithi Patel (SFS ’18) feel supported as part of a larger community.

“The fact that you have staff and student support with you at all times — during good days and bad days — it was really important to know I had someone on my side,” Patel said.

First-year students are paired with upperclassmen to discuss and compare the challenges of moving into an environment that at times fails to be inclusive to people from lowincome backgrounds. Peer advisers are also available to help these students with resumes and provide interview tips. Then, sophomores in GSP can be paired with Georgetown alumni to help them navigate their transitions from the Hilltop to the labor market.

“GSP students don’t necessarily need help to accomplish their goals, they sometimes just need someone to tell them that they can and will accomplish their goals,” Kaye wrote.

“In the context of professional guidance or academic work, parents of first-gen students often cannot provide the specific direction to pursue certain internships or classes.”

Through these mentorship programs, GSP students gain meaningful, valuable connections that not only ease their integration into the Georgetown community but also help them meet students from various backgrounds.

GSP has even devised a free pre-orientation program — the Preparing to Excel Program — that allows students to begin their transitions to the Hilltop before the school year starts.

“PEP is just 60 people together for a week who somehow end up meshing,” Patel said.

“It really helps you get exposed to what Georgetown is. You get exposure to people all across different races and backgrounds.”

GSP knows far-reaching support to its students can be best achieved through teamwork. By supporting the Regents Science Scholars Program, GSP has expanded

GEORGETOWN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Georgetown Scholarship Program has one of the highest graduation rates, at 96.4 percent, among private institutions for first-generation students. its reach to high-achieving students with an interest in science. RSSP seeks to remedy the university’s critical shortage of underserved and first-generation college students completing degrees in the sciences by offering first-year students a $500 fellowship.

“Because this is the first program of its kind nationally, everything is very studentcentric,” Patel said. “Through that process, I think we’ve come up with something that’s really unique and also really helpful.”

Through programs such as GSP, PEP and RSSP, Georgetown offers a wide range of financial support and advising opportunities that prospective students take into consideration when picking colleges.

“GSP was the key reason I decided to come to Georgetown,” GSP member Emilio Joubert (COL ’19) said. “I was accepted to

GEORGETOWN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Since 2004, the Georgetown Scholarship Program has served over 1,400 first-generation students and students from lowincome backgrounds. GSP offers several mentorship programs, financial support and advising opportunities to its students.

two other schools on full rides, but neither school seemed to offer programs similar to GSP or the Community Scholars Program.

Georgetown’s deep appreciation for its firstgeneration students, in addition to its strong financial aid, is what made picking Georgetown such a natural decision for me.”

Through its Necessity Grant, GSP is also concerned with covering tutoring services, school supplies, textbooks and even medical expenses for its students. The goal of this grant is to provide financial assistance for anything these students might need during their time at Georgetown, including round-trip tickets for home visits during breaks and winter gear.

In addition to being academically successful, students in GSP are deeply involved in community service both on and off campus.

Despite accounting for only 10 percent of the Georgetown student body, they make up 40 percent of recipients of the Lena Landegger Community Service Award, which recognizes Hoyas who have made substantial philanthropic contributions to their community.

Some GSP students, like Kaye, have discovered a passion for increasing access to higher education for first-generation and low-income students.

“The student-driven mission of GSP has empowered me to understand the potential for advocacy that comes within the obstacles that I have faced, but more importantly overcame,” Kaye wrote.

However, the total impact of GSP cannot be measured only by awards and graduation rates.

“To me, GSP is much more than its name suggests; it is a family of individuals who possess some manner of shared experiences and are able to communicate the wisdom they’ve learned from these experiences,” Joubert said.

GSP has become a community on the Hilltop and functions as a piece of home to many students involved, as it is filled with people who have similar backgrounds and values.

“In a word, GSP is family,” Patel said.

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friDAY, September 8, 2017

TESTING TRUISMS

Opposites Attract: Common Idioms Explored

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Vera Mastrorilli

re most of your friends from your residence hall, classes or extracurricular activities? Georgetown’s small student population, compared with other universities, encourages contact between students of different majors and interests. Though we may interact frequently with those who have different passions and courses of study, do we befriend or become romantically involved with them? Or do we stick with classmates in our major and those who are generally more similar to us?

The familiar sights of pre-med students studying together in Lauinger Library and basketball players sharing a table in O’Donovan Hall seem to disprove the idea that opposites attract. However, research suggests that factors other than similarity contribute significantly to people’s choice of friends and partners.

Some of the first people you meet at Georgetown are those who live on your floor in your residence hall. During the first weeks of the school year, packs of freshmen floormates trav-

el between parties on campus. Some of these friend groups last beyond these initial excursions and carry through the rest of the students’ time at Georgetown. The psychology behind this phenomenon derives from proximity.

Physical nearness increases the opportunity for people to get to know each other. In the case of freshman floormates, proximity has nothing to do with their similarity, so friendships may develop between people with dissimilar or even opposite interests and personalities.

The amount of time spent with people also influences the likelihood of becoming friends with them. People tend to prefer that which is familiar to them more than that which is unfamiliar. The numerous hours you spend with the same people in the common room or behind the counter at your job in the Residence Hall Office increases your comfort with them, which in turn increases how much you like them.

However, proximity and frequent exposure alone do not explain friendships within members of the field hockey team or among marketing majors. Similarity also contributes to attraction. Psychologists find that people whose personalities and backgrounds are similar, rather than opposite, are more compatible and thus become and stay friends.

Extracurricular activities and majors tend to attract students with similar interests and, arguably, similar personalities. New Student Orientation leaders are generally outgoing,

just as most justice and peace studies majors are socially conscious. It is no surprise that social groups form among members of the same activities and areas of study.

Similarities in culture and background also boost attraction. International students from the same city or country may stick together because their common experiences and backgrounds make them more compatible with each other. Students who live in Bayit, Georgetown’s Jewish Living Learning Community, may draw their personal values from their faith, and thus have similar ideals, which make them more likely to become friends.

The same is true for romantic partners. In particular, the tendency for people to marry within the same or similar socioeconomic level and level of education may explain why — rumor has it — 70 percent of Hoyas marry other Hoyas. Given that 51 percent of Georgetown students come from families with incomes in the top 5 percent, and 74 percent of students come from families in the top 20 percent, it would be unsurprising if Georgetown students really do tend to marry one another.

Likewise, since Georgetown may attract a greater proportion of Catholic students than do secular institutions, Georgetown students may be more likely to marry one another or form relationships because many share a Catholic faith.

Perhaps similarity plays the biggest role in the formation of friendships and relationships. In

many cases, people’s proximity and frequent exposure to one another results from similarities between them. Students with similar personalities and interests join the same organizations and choose the same courses of study which leads to them sharing space and coming into more frequent contact. This close proximity and frequent exposure further enhances the attraction that their similarity produces. Floormates, classmates in core curriculum courses and coworkers with jobs unrelated to their interests are exceptions. But perhaps even within groups that are not based on similarity, students tend to befriend those who have similar personalities to them.

The wide range of organizations on campus, from the GU Improv Association to club water polo, as well as the university’s schools and majors, demonstrates that not all Georgetown students are alike — far from it, in fact.

Georgetown’s major-specific classes, religious groups and interest-based clubs bring similar people together, who form lasting relationships. But there are also opportunities for dissimilar people to interact and hit it off; that girl you always run into in the bathroom on your floor could become your best friend.

While opposites may not always, or even often, attract, Georgetown certainly creates spaces and opportunities for them to do so.

Vera Mastrorilli is a junior in the College. This is the first installment of TESTING TRUISMS.

BRENT GETS BOOZEY

Bountiful Brews and Booze at The Sovereign ginia bar scene with a review of The Sovereign.

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Brent Peabody

ou do not have to break the Georgetown bubble to have a bubbly time. Such is the case with The Sovereign, an underrated neighborhood bar located near the intersection of Wisconsin and M Street. Despite its central location near the neighborhood’s busiest intersection, The Sovereign is a world away from the commotion outside — a sanctuary in the heart of Georgetown accessible only through a discreet alley running adjacent to the popular local Mexican joint El Centro.

But is it any good? I like to challenge the idea that Sunday is a day of rest, so after a late night out, I pondered this question and many more.

What have I given back to the Hilltop? Will I be remembered? How can I combine our love for good drinks with our academic interests? To this end, I am excited to finally put my major to use and inaugurate a yearlong scientific and cultural examination of the D.C.-Maryland-Vir-

Accessibility: The Sovereign’s location is hard to improve upon: far enough from campus to feel like a night out in the neighborhood but close enough to not have to call an Uber or hail a taxi back to the Hilltop. Even better, The Sovereign’s discreet location at the end of an alley adds a certain factor of coolness.

Cost: The Sovereign, like Georgetown in general, is rather expensive. Beers start at around $4 and run all the way up to $15 for a plus-sized drink, while cocktails and fruity mixed drinks start around $10. We employed our patented algorithm to calculate the average price of a unit of alcohol at $7.53. As we know, though, this somewhat modest price can quickly multiply with more drink orders as the night gets boozier and more raucous. For this reason, we rate The Sovereign’s cost at three out of five stars.

Quality: The Sovereign’s selection of beer is expansive, dazzling and stellar, giving Hoyas the opportunity to finally expand our culinary palettes beyond the subtle hues and oaky undertones of Natty Light. It is also largely imported, giving Hoyas that global perspective we all seek. However, the beer selection is also

overwhelming. For this reason, it is possible to make a misinformed choice and have to suffer through a great quality beer that may not align with your tastes.

The Sovereign’s focus is beer, so perhaps it was a bit surprising we found its greatest strength to be its mixed drinks. The greatest alcoholic drink, of course, is a drink that does not taste like alcohol at all. For this reason, our recommendation is the Pineapple Rum Blend, which is delicious but dangerously easy to drink. Overall, we give The Sovereign 4.5 stars, docking a half point because of the danger of ordering a drink you do not want from its expansive selection.

Bang for THE Buck: But is it worth it? Many Hoyas are willing to shell out a little extra for a drink that will blow their minds, and given that The Sovereign’s high cost is congruent with its high quality, we give this a score of 4.5 stars out of five as well.

Atmosphere: After careful and at times creepy observation, I have reached the conclusion that The Sovereign mainly caters to D.C. professionals in their 20s and 30s who have had a rough day at work. For this reason, the clientele is down to get boisterous but never rowdy, leading to a perfect noise level that is at once

both energetic and intimate. Overall, The Sovereign has a relaxed, retro vibe. It is a great place to go if you feel like going out but are not in the mood to party. Good service is also a plus. 3.5 stars.

Instagram Potential: These drinks have interesting vibrant colors in fancy glasses. Additionally, the bar’s wooden panels and checkered tile flooring have plenty of Instagram potential. Four stars.

Fun Factor: This category is more subjective but still important, considering a great bar should translate to a great time. We did, indeed, have a great time and learned a lot about one other, but there were some lulls in the conversation that we felt were caused by the bar’s overly subdued atmosphere. Overall, our experience at The Sovereign was still great, so we rank this category at four stars.

This gives The Sovereign an average score of four stars. The bar is a reliable space with a wide variety of drinks, and I cannot wait to visit again.

Brent Peabody is a senior in the School of Foreign Service. This is the first installment of bRENT GETS BOOZEY.

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friday, September 8, 2017

restaurant review

Quick Mexican Eats Santa rosa taqueria

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THE HOYA

Things to Do This Weekend Adams Morgan Day

315 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Washington, D.C. 20003 | Mexican | $ kathryn baker Hoya Staff Writer

Spike Mendelsohn, best known for finishing in fifth place on season four of “Top Chef,” first made his mark on the Georgetown community with his wittily named fresh burgers at Good Stuff Eatery on M Street. Now, Mendelsohn hopes to impress again with his latest Washington, D.C. dining endeavor: Santa Rosa Taqueria.

Located a 30-minute drive from campus, the fast, casual taco venue provides a splash of color to the marble buildings of Capitol Hill.

Adorned in hues of orange, blue and lime green and decorated with quirky graphics and flashy signage, the restaurant has a spirited, upbeat atmosphere that invites diners to kick back with friends after a long day. The restaurant also features limited outdoor seating for those who prefer to enjoy the summer air and take in the sights of the city. Filled with friendly staffers who seem passionate about the food they provide, Santa Rosa Taqueria’s environment beckons guests to sit down and stay for a while, whether they are eating a full meal or simply dropping by for cocktail hour.

Unfortunately, despite Santa Rosa Taqueria’s unique setup, its menu lacks creativity — especially given Mendelsohn’s credentials as a “Top Chef” alumnus. The establishment lists queso and chips ($6) as one of its signature specialties, despite the dish being readily available at other generic Mexican eateries. The “Sloppy José” nachos ($10), also listed as a specialty, in reality, are just plain tortilla chips topped with typical ingredients like chopped tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream and guacamole.

Also available for $10 are casa bowls, which are merely imitations of Chipotle’s burrito bowl, although they are made with yellow instead of white rice. The bowls are topped with black beans, pico de gallo, roasted corn, cabbage slaw and a choice of protein. One of the members of my party chose to order the chicken casa bowl, which came with each ingredient isolated in its own section of the bowl, leaving the diner to mix it up. Furthermore, the bowl lacked a base

— the rice was more of an afterthought than a key component of the dish — and the vegetables, though eatable, did not taste the freshest.

The restaurant brands itself as a go-to for tacos, so it makes sense that the most variety would come in the form of its taco selections. At $3.50 for each taco, and $10 for three tacos, diners can choose between corn and flour tortillas and a variety of protein and vegetable combinations.

The favorite of my party was the carne asada taco, which was filled with beautifully cooked, juicy steak, pico de gallo, queso and sour cream.

The pollo grillado taco, consisting of lime mojo — a spicy sauce typically made from olive oil, salt water, garlic, paprika and other spices — pico de gallo, queso, and sour cream was also a success.

The smokiness of the chicken differentiated the dish from versions found at other establishments.

Not all the tacos, however, were of this caliber.

The fried shrimp in the spicy fried shrimp taco, though delicious on its own, created a weird consistency when combined with the flour tortilla and guacamole — which also was not fresh in flavor.

Those looking for a healthier option can pick from two salad options: the “Santa Caesar” ($7), which is made with kale, cotija cheese and classic Caesar dressing, or the “La Fuerte” salad ($7), which features power greens and a yellow and serrano pepper vinaigrette. Both have the option of adding chicken or shrimp for an additional $3.

Refreshments at the restaurant include typical fountain drinks, seasonal aguas frescas ($3) — drinks made with fruits, seeds, flowers and sugar water — draft beers ($5) and margaritas ($6).

Santa Rosa Taqueria is a great, quick fix for those craving Mexican food in the District. It features a fun atmosphere and friendly service, but it fails to meet the same taste standards as Mendelsohn’s numerous other establishments.

Diners will be better served at veteran establishments like District Taco or Los Cuates. In the future, Mendelsohn should stick to flipping burgers and leave the tacos to the experts.

B7

ADAMS MORGAN DAY

This Sunday, go to Adams Morgan to enjoy the 39th year of festivities celebrating the Adams Morgan community. Food and music will take center stage as visitors and locals mingle in the neighborhood wide cultural festival. If you are over 21, stop by the neighborhood’s bars to enjoy special deals and discounts. The neighborhood offers a diverse selection of cuisines and shops, all of which will come together to honor their common heritage this weekend. Adams Morgan Day is the perfect opportunity to explore the eclectic and diverse community that lives in Adams Morgan.

rosslyn jazz festival

ROSSYLNVA.ORG

This weekend in Rosslyn, Va., marks the celebration of the end of summer with a community musical festival. After almost three decades of celebrating good jazz, the Rosslyn Jazz Festival returns to Gateway Park. Jazz lovers can expect New Orleans-infused sound and a lineup drawing from national jazz talent. This year’s lineup features Joe Keyes and The Late Bloomer Band, Xenia Rubinos, Lee Fields and The Expressions and The Soul Rebels. Take this weekend as a chance to enjoy the natural wonder of Gateway Park and unwind with some good live music.

For refreshments and fun, look to nearby beer gardens and food carts for quick, fresh bites.

redskins home opener This Saturday, D.C. residents can also join the Redskins at FedEx Field for their season opener at home. Kirk Cousins returns as quarterback as the Redskins face off against the Philadelphia Eagles.

With many promising rookies, this game promises an exciting start to the new season and will be a wonderful event for loyal Redskins fans and newcomers alike.

This is also a great opportunity to burst the Georgetown bubble and cheer for the capital city’s very own team.

REDSKINS.COM

atlas brew works festival

SANTA ROSA TAQUERIA

ATLAS BREW WORKS FESTIVAL

Oktoberfest fans will be excited to learn that this September will feature many funfilled beer festivals in the District. Among them is the Atlas Brewing Works Festival, which is hosting a four-year anniversary party in Ivy City this weekend. The event will include a wide selection of locally brewed beers, food trucks and musical performers. Drink beer while doing good, as admission to the event requires the purchase of one beer and a small donation to a local educational charity.

B8

the guide

THE HOYA

friDAY, September 8, 2017

Movie review

BLACK BICYCLE ENTERTAINMENT

In her directorial debut, Hallie Meyers-Shyer brings together a star-studded lineup including Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen and Nat Wolff for a romantic comedy exploring the lives of a recently separated design entrepreneur and three broke filmmakers who stay in her guest house. “Home Again” premieres in theaters today.

Home Again

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen Directed by: Hallie Meyers-Shyer

Alexandra Brunjes Hoya Staff Writer

Despite its compelling premise and star-studded cast, director Hallie MeyersShyer’s upcoming “Home Again” is underdeveloped and likely to leave audiences frustrated. The first film Meyers-Shyer has written, “Home Again,” stars Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen and Candice Bergen. Meyers-Shyer worked alongside her mother, Producer Nancy Meyers, known for making romantic comedies like “Something’s Gotta Give,” “The Holiday” and, most recently, 2015’s “The Intern.” Although “Home Again” has a compelling plotline, the script’s attempts to be relatable and funny feel contrived, and the film frustratingly glosses over the nuances of real human experience. Instead, it settles for a superficial depiction of its characters and their problems.

“Home Again,” set to come out Friday, tells the story of recently separated Alice Kinney, played by Witherspoon, who has just moved from New York City to her childhood hometown of Los Angeles. As a single mother with two young daughters, Alice grapples with managing her cross-

country move, her tumultuous relationship with her husband, played by Sheen, who is still in New York, and her attempts to launch a design business and attract clients. After excessive drinking and partying on the evening of her 40th birthday, Alice invites three broke millennial filmmakers, played by Nat Wolff, Pico Alexander and Jon Rudnitsky, to move into her guest house.

What follows is a confusing tangle of new relationships and unsatisfying development of existing ones. Too many of the film’s major plot points are unrealistic in nature. The film often contradicts itself, portraying Alice as both a directionless, naive new girl in town as well as a budding socialite who is invited to all the hottest parties and dinners. Furthermore, Alice’s subsequent relationship with one of her young houseguests does not come across as believable, in part due to the characters’ significant age difference, but also as a result of a lack of chemistry among the actors.

Another area of frustration with “Home Again” is its tendency to overlook the nuances of human nature and relationships.

The film consistently scratches only the surface of emotional experience and yet

 expects to find and convey depth.

“Home Again” begins with Alice’s charming and detailed narration of her childhood and her father’s presence in it, yet she does not reflect on it beyond the first few minutes of the film.

A captivating thread woven throughout the film is the symbolism of filmmaking: Alice’s father was a director, her eldest daughter likes to write screenplays and the three broke young men who move in with Alice are aspiring filmmakers. This motif is one of the most interesting yet least explored aspects of the film.

Alice’s older daughter forms a bond with George, played by Rudnitsky, over their shared passion for screenwriting, but the film does not take the opportunity to explore this relationship nor does it allow it to segue into meaningful discussions.

Arguably the best part of “Home Again” is the performance given by Wolff. His acting is realistic and relatable, unfortunately making the exaggerated nature of many of the other characters all the more apparent. His presence is also a reminder that good films need to be filled with truly human moments. Even Witherspoon, who is undoubtedly talented, seems to fall short

of her potential in this film; her lines are often delivered in an overly dramatic fashion, and she does not connect with audiences emotionally. The result of this is a glossed-over film with very few poignant moments in its 97-minute run time.

The film does manage to succeed with its set, design and costumes. The Kinneys’ home is beautiful, the Los Angeles scenery is gorgeous and the characters are perfectly dressed for both the setting and their own personalities.

The problems with “Home Again” boil down to the discrepancy between intention and execution. The script attempts to be relatable but ends up sounding cliche, lines meant to be funny fail to elicit laughs while serious lines land like punchlines.

Moreover, many of the film’s characters are frustratingly one-dimensional, and the most interesting ideas to explore and develop are overlooked. For some audiences, the film’s stunning, romantic setting and sentimental, albeit unoriginal, moments could make for an enjoyable watch. Most viewers, however, will find that “Home Again” places emphasis in the wrong places and suffers from a less-than-exceptional script.

the guide

friday, September 8, 2017

2

Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid first received acclaim for her summer hit “Don’t Kill My Vibe” in February and has already garnered a fan base. She spent her childhood listening to Neil Simon and Joni Mitchell and echoes their soulful lyrics and haunting voices in her own music. Although she has yet to release an album, fans can look forward to new singles from the gentle synth-pop artist.

3

One of the freshest faces from Kanye West’s record label G.O.O.D. Music, Kacy Hill started her career as an American Apparel model and a backup dancer. Kacy Hill released her first hit, entitled “Experience,” and shot to fame. With her popular 2017 singles “Hard to Love” and “Like a Woman,” Hill has cemented her place as a rising dream-pop electronic music star.

4

AJR is a New York City pop trio consisting of three brothers: Adam, Jack and Ryan Met. Its style is pop-centric but rich in diverse influences, drawing inspiration from bands and artists like Vampire Weekend, The Beach Boys and Kanye West, among others. AJR is best known for its track “Weak” from the album “The Click,” released in June 2017 and arguably one of the best new releases from the summer.

5

American Dream

Up-and-Coming Artists

Indie pop artist Ari Leff, better known as Lauv, made his mark on the mainstream music scene in 2015 when he released his debut EP “Lost in the Light.” He settled on his sound by fusing blues, pop and jazz. Lauv wrote his first viral hit, “The Other,” in 2016 and released chart-topping hit “I Like Me Better” in May. Lauv’s songwriting skills have earned him a solid spot in the indie music scene.

The brother of well-established country artist Lee Brice, Lewis Brice is determined to rise to the top of the country music industry.

His self-titled EP blends country, rock and blues to create a sound that is distinctively his own. His first single “Best Ex Ever” pays homage to his Southern roots with a catchy hook and prominent use of the banjo.

B9

Album review

This week’S TOP FIVE

1

THE HOYA

lauv

LCD Soundsystem Nick Harrison Hoya Staff Writer

SOUNDCLOUD

sigrid

SIGRID

kacy hill

KACY HILL

AJR

“I can’t make you a promise,” front man James Murphy sings on “Change Yr Mind,” the fourth track on LCD Soundsystem’s fourth and newest studio album, “American Dream.” Promises have certainly been relevant to Murphy’s career: He once promised that LCD Soundsystem’s third studio album, “This Is Happening,” would be its last. The electronic rock band went on a highly publicized farewell tour in 2011.

Murphy’s decision to bring the band back several years after making such a spectacle of its retirement annoyed some fans and raised high expectations for the album, as Murphy acknowledged on the band’s website.

“It needs to be better than anything we’ve done before, in my mind, because it won’t have the help of being the first time,” he said.

Fortunately, Murphy delivered a spectacular follow-up album with “American Dream,” showing that the band’s talent has in no way diminished. The album will no doubt make listeners want to dance, and fans will appreciate Murphy’s signature witty and introspective lyrics.

LCD Soundsystem proves that songs meant for the dance floor do not have to be simple and formulaic. Murphy produces beats that initially seem straightforward, often beginning with isolated drum patterns. But the beats gain complexity as they progress and are complemented by an array of synthesizer sounds, ensuring that songs never cease to feel fresh.

This album’s songs average a length of roughly six minutes each, with the closing track, “Black Screen,” clocking in at just over 12 minutes. However, “American Dream” invites listeners to lose themselves in the music so that they will not be tempted to skip a song’s ending.

Passing time and aging are frequent themes on the album. Murphy has explored similar themes in past albums — he himself did not become famous until he reached his



30s. LCD Soundsystem’s breakthrough hit in 2002, “Losing My Edge,” dealt with Murphy having to compete with younger, seemingly cooler musicians.

Now at 47, Murphy sings about having had similar thoughts when he dissolved the band.

On “Change Yr Mind,” he sings, “I’m not dangerous now/The way I used to be once.” On “Other Voices,” Murphy sings, “Time isn’t over, times aren’t better … Oh that s - - t’s a dictator/Time won’t be messed with.”

But as the album progresses, Murphy puts a positive spin on his aging. On “Tonite,” he declares, “You’re getting older/And there’s improvements unless/You’re such a winner/ That the future’s a nightmare,” suggesting that he appreciates how he can achieve more even as he ages. After all, this album shows that he is definitely not past his musical prime.

The album ends with “Black Screen,” which is written as a tribute to the late British singer David Bowie. Murphy assisted with percussion for Bowie’s final album, “Blackstar,” and in “Black Screen,” he describes Bowie as being “between a friend and a father” to him. Rather than being arrogant about having worked with a musical icon, Murphy recounts his insecurities about the experience: “My hands kept pushing down/In my pockets/I’m bad with people things/But I should have tried more.”

Although Murphy is not one to hide his self-doubt, he is not afraid to take risks. Bringing back LCD Soundsystem was no doubt a difficult decision. If the band’s return had been lackluster, it would likely have been immensely disappointing for fans and Murphy alike. Thankfully, “American Dream” is a captivating album that holds up to the band’s past work. Listeners are sure to be pleased with the album’s catchy and lyrically compelling tracks, as well as glad to know that the band is, at long last, back together.

AJR

lewis brice

LEWIS BRICE

YOUTUBE

B10

THE HOYA

the guide

friDAY, September 8, 2017

rca Records

Album review

Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy

A$AP Mob Mac Dressman Hoya Staff Writer

The title of A$AP Mob’s latest album may be telling — it is as if the group got “too cozy” after the success of its latest album, and neglected to put the same amount of effort into “Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy.”

A$AP Mob is a collective of New York rappers propelled to stardom largely by their most prominent member, A$AP Rocky. Although it released a mostly forgotten mixtape in 2012 titled “Lords Never Worry,” the group’s critically acclaimed 2016 album “Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends” obtained significant recognition from the hip-hop community. Despite the stiff competition from other talented rappers in the group, A$AP Rocky’s verses were clear standouts on the album.

On “Cozy Tapes Vol. 2,” Rocky continues to dominate. However, this is a result of him being surrounded by uninspired and talentless guest vocalists rather than having particularly interesting additions himself.

The most conspicuous offender is Playboi Carti, whose rhyming abilities are on a par with a foul-mouthed 7-year-old. On “FYR (First Year Being Rich,”) for example, Carti delivers what can only be described as nursery rhyme bars: “She wanna rock with the man/She wanna hop in the Lamb, rock with the band/She wanna rock with the gang/Ooh, pop a lil’ band/Ooh, I got mo’ bands than yo’ man.”

Of course, rap is about more than com-

plex wordplay and tongue-twisting rhyme schemes; much more important are unique flow and engaging delivery. Unfortunately, Playboi Carti’s verses lack any semblance of either, as he aimlessly mumbles in a weak monotone with the same flow in every song. It is anyone’s guess as to why he appears on eight of the album’s 14 musical tracks, more often than any actual A$AP Mob member besides Rocky.

Similarly lackluster additions from artists Smooky MarGielaa and Key! plague the album as well. But the problem is larger than a few weak guests, as most of the album is devoid of personality. Not only is the subject matter invariably vapid, but it is also presented with little humor or creativity, in a way that makes the A$AP Mob wholly unlikable.

One example is A$AP Nast’s nasal drawl in “Walk On Water:” He raps “Big bang, Nasty in this h-e man/I might f - - k around and f - - k a little n - - a’s h-e, man/You know how the game go/You know that s - - t for sure, man.” Nast makes no effort to approach the “steal-your-girl” cliche from a new angle, and the word “little” makes him seem like a bully rather than a baller. The lyrical filler on this album might be forgiven if the rapping had more conviction or energy, but instead the A$AP Mob simply sounds bored.

This makes listening to songs like “Get the Bag” a chore, as one artist after another reluctantly reads off their yawn-inducing lines. “Get the Bag” could have used a

catchy chorus to break up the monotony, although perhaps it is better left untarnished by the cringe-worthy hooks on the other tracks. A$AP Rocky’s tone-deaf wailing on “BYF” is laughable, and “Black Card” features squeaky Auto-tune from what sounds like the rappers on helium.

The production, although occasionally entrancing, is for the most part as uninspired as the rapping. The album generally strives for a menacing tone, with muted synth notes over trap’s ubiquitous 808s and hi-hats, often punctuated by short grunts or even gunshots. This approach is effective in establishing a cohesive mood, and songs like “Walk On Water” and “Coziest” show that this sound has potential.

However, many of the beats are simply too skeletal to be interesting: “Feels So Good” lacks any musical substance or progression, consisting of two alternating notes and a basic drum pattern that repeats every few seconds for the entire song. A simple beat is not always bad, but urgency and aggression are also lacking from most of the instrumentals. Almost none of these songs could be reasonably called “bangers,” as the music aimlessly drifts along without escalation, or even a change-up at the chorus. “Blowin’ Minds (Skateboard)” is neither enticing nor threatening; it is just boring.

Yet the album is not without bright spots, particularly near the end. The fashion anthem “RAF” features four strong

 verses from A$AP Rocky, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert and a rapping Frank Ocean, whose styles contrast well over the attractive, subdued beat. Similarly, Joey Bada$$, the A$AP Mob and the Flatbush Zombies trade quick bursts of rhyme on “What Happens.”

The eerie music and different voices that pop in and out make listening to the track reminiscent of walking through a haunted house, as different monsters grab your arm or growl in your ear.

Finally, A$AP Rocky and Big Sean’s slick rhymes shine on “Frat Rules,” with smoother multisyllabic flows and more personal anecdotes such as “My apologies, why I gotta be misogynistic every time we kick it/Every time I visit something’s different/And every time I leave you know you miss it.” Their energetic delivery and the triumphant beat carry the song, in spite of Playboi Carti’s tasteless hook and the obnoxious distorted groans littered throughout the track.

Although it has several notable moments of quality, overall “Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy” lacks substance, creativity and personality. The “Principal Daryl Choad” skits at the middle and end of the album add some much-needed humor but are ultimately goofy and pointless. No skit can make up for simplistic beats, empty lyrics, limp rapping and corny hooks. Maybe the A$AP Mob should stretch its boundaries, be a bit less cozy and put some passion back into its work.

the guide

friday, September 8, 2017

THE HOYA

Album review

Luv is Rage 2

Lil Uzi Vert noah hawke Hoya Staff Writer

Riding on the success of his greatest hit and song of the summer, “XO Tour Llif3,” hip-hop artist Lil Uzi Vert has finally dropped his highly anticipated debut studio album, “Luv is Rage 2.” The Philadelphia-based rapper began his professional career in 2014, receiving recognition within the local hip-hop community for his distinctive rap style, which incorporates twisted rock and Atlanta trap. Although his features on hits like Migos’ “Bad and Boujee” and “RAF” by A$AP Mob have helped him reach wider audiences, Lil Uzi Vert’s latest project has cemented his status as a bona fide rap star.

“Luv is Rage 2” is reaching audiences almost two years after the release of the original “Luv Is Rage” tape, which was filled with new wave trap tracks. Since then, Lil Uzi Vert has shown tremendous progress. Lil Uzi Vert stated on Twitter that his purpose for this album was to “show the youth how to format real songs ,” and he has certainly accomplished this goal, showing listeners that he has a new talent for songwriting, relying less on ad-libs and gimmicks.

The project is, at its core, a breakup album.

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

From 2014 to 2016, Lil Uzi Vert dated stylist Brittany Byrd, who had a heavy influence on his life and music. The album’s lead single, “XO Tour Llif3,” is, in fact, dedicated to their breakup and Lil Uzi Vert’s complex emotions surrounding it.

Although the album is underscored by his depression and post-breakup abuse of prescription painkillers, Lil Uzi Vert still managed to produce 16 upbeat trap tracks, reminiscent of the style of Future and similar artists.

With production credits from a slew of industry heavy-hitters and frequent collaborators like Maaly Raw, Don Cannon and Metro Boomin, the album remains true to Lil Uzi Vert’s signature trap-rock sound.

On the album’s opening track, “Two,” Lil Uzi Vert raps about how he now “has money and the power” in the music industry, yet struggles with the fame that he has experienced and its effects on his personal life. “The famous life, it’ll eat you up alive/It’s a game, and I put my feelings to the side,” he raps. In fact, Lil Uzi Vert has stated in the past to The FADER Magazine that he hates being famous and would not choose a lifestyle of fame if he did not have a family to support. Lil Uzi Vert raps about how he strives to provide for his mother in particular. On “Dark Queen,” which is writ-

ten as a tribute to her, Lil Uzi Vert raps, “When I was small, momma made me tall.”

Lil Uzi Vert continues to maintain elements of trap and rock in his music, combining the two beautifully on “No Sleep Leak,” in which he makes references to rock legend Marilyn Manson.

On the same track, he also delves into missing his ex, saying he thinks “A lot of her but don’t really wanna bother [her].” Throughout the album, Lil Uzi Vert presents slightly differing accounts on his feelings for Byrd, revealing the complicated tangle of his emotions. On “Pretty Mami,” originally a rough cut released on DJ Drama’s radio show alongside four other tracks that did not appear on the album, Lil Uzi Vert raps, “Girl you took an L and we can see that/Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, yeah, don’t you see that.” The implication is clear; Byrd has made a mistake.

From start to finish, the album is full of hit songs, from more slow-paced, ruminative tracks to dance-floor bangers. Lil Uzi Vert brilliantly delves into his emotional state with thoughtful lyrics and passion. Byrd was truly an integral part of Lil Uzi Vert’s life — and career — for years. But now, the rapper is growing comfortable being his own person and owning the success he has achieved.

ATLANTIC RECORDS

Despite the uncertainty of the future, Lil Uzi Vert is ready. He does not have time for negativity anymore, rapping “Talk to me nice/Or don’t talk to me at all” on “How To Talk.” Finally content with his career and personal life, Lil Uzi Vert is embarking on his next life chapter, one that is sure to bring more great music. “Luv” may have failed Lil Uzi Vert this time, but time heals all wounds. As he says on fan-favorite track “The Way Life Goes,” “I know it hurts sometimes, but you’ll get over it/You’ll find another life to live.”

MUSIC

New Releases

MATADOR

EMPIRE DISTRIBUTION

ROCK ACTION RECORDS

BICEP

queens of the stone age brockhampton ‘head like a haunted house’ ‘swamp’

mogwai ‘party in the dark’

bicep ‘orca’

A fast-paced drumline and spicy guitar notes light Queens of the Stone Age’s “Head Like a Haunted House” on fire, as the band delivers a high-energy song perfect for headbanging. Lead singer Josh Homme shouts, “Burn the days/I reject your displays/I demand satisfaction or the knife,” adding lyrical fuel to the flame. The track is the most punctual and explicit song on the band’s new album, “Villains,” and it rocks with a fervor that accentuates the calmer, more melodic songs on the rest of the album.

Experimental rock band Mogwai’s layers of softly textured guitars in “Party in the Dark” off its new album, “Every Country’s Sun,” are the perfect soundtrack for a quiet/late-night campfire. The band’s gentle poetry invites emotional pondering: “Hungry for another piece of mind/ Silent and impatient without time/Directionless and innocent.” Inspired by ’80s sci-fi and horror movies, Mogwai’s new track offers a soothing departure from the band’s usual guitar-heavy post-rock.

“Orca” steadily builds from an intriguing ticking to a forceful, rolling dance tune, and it serves as an enticing introduction to electronic music duo Bicep’s new eponymous album. Bicep started as the project of two Irish producers in 2009, who have now achieved notoriety around the U.K. as both producers and DJs. The subtle synths of “Orca” create an attractive air of mystery that will appeal to those who prefer their dance clubs grimy and dark.

The album “Saturation II” arrives as a refreshing musical treat from Kevin Abstract-led rap group Brockhampton, which recently garnered critical acclaim with its June album “Saturation.” The album’s most striking song is “Swamp,” which once again arrives in visual form through a conceptual music video, driven by a dense yet bouncy beat and quirky personal stories, like “Always planned to be a rapper when I failed at life/Luckily professor failed me at the proper.”

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