ISSUE 2
FEB 2022
“Anti-Valentine’s”
EDITOR Sam Pegg editor@theedgesusu.co.uk DEPUTY EDITOR Harry Geeves deputy-editor@theedgesusu.co.uk RECORDS EDITOR Connie Seamer records@theedgesusu.co.uk CLASSIC CULTURE EDITOR Daisy Gazzard culture@theedgesusu.co.uk FILM EDITOR Lucy Maggs film@theedgesusu.co.uk FILM EDITOR Jacob Hando film@theedgesusu.co.uk LIVE EDITOR Martha Luke live@theedgesusu.co.uk NEWS EDITOR Amrit Manku newsat.theedge@gmail.com FUNDRAISING, EVENTS AND PUBLICITY OFFICERS Amy Scott-Munden and Grace Delve publicity@theedgesusu.co.uk LIVE/RECORDS PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER Meg Gwillym relations@theedgesusu.co.uk CULTURE/FILM PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER Emily Dennis culturefilm-pr@theedgesusu.co.uk HEAD OF DESIGN Rahul Sonegra design@theedgesusu.co.uk ONLINE MANAGER Callum Nelmes manager@theedgesusu.co.uk RECORDS/LIVE EXECUTIVE Kiera Gormley live@theedgesusu.co.uk records@theedgesusu.co.uk NEWS/CULTURE EXECUTIVE Oliver Picken culture@theedgesusu.co.uk 2
e t o N s ’ r Edito It’s hard to believe another magazine has come around already, and this time we get a little cynical. Anti-Valentines is exactly what it says in the title: a rejection of all the loved-up, my relationship is perfect, happy romances that dominate media all the time. Sounds heavy... However, the aim was to be lighthearted and well-intended as Anti-Valentines isn’t solely a rejection but also a celebration. Being single is just as validating in life as being in a relationship. Therefore, what makes this edition so different is it’s a move away from the typical two-people one-relationship aesthetic that Valentines Day has always monopolised. Whether you’re asexual, polyamorous, struggling with a broken heart or COVID hasn’t proven the best time to get back out there; we hope that Anti-Valentines provides you with a little laugh and helps you feel a little more celebrated on this day because we’ve got it all.
with a few mentions to Olivia Rodrigo, making it on both the collaboration for best break-up song and one of the best artists to see while single (p.20). Yet, turning away from music, there are plenty of reasons to be Anti-Valentines in Culture. With our book collaboration of the best books without a love interest (p.18), a few writers recommend some books that should be on everyone’s reading list who don’t want to worry about washed-up love stories that have been appearing since spoken language began. You might however notice that Anti-Valentines isn’t our longest magazine in history, but it doesn’t mean it will not pack a punch. So have a read, ponder whether love is everything we celebrate it to be, and delight in a little cynicism. Or, if you disagree, find these articles on our website and write a little comment - we always love to read our readers thoughts as well!
From questions on why pop music seems a little obsessed with love, (p.6) to discussions on all the reasons one may hate romcoms (p.12); Anti-Valentines certainly seems set on turning its eyes on all the happy images of love we may have all got a little bit sick of (even if a sneaky rom-com starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum made its way into one of our Editor’s entertainment pick). Our Records section certainly couldn’t get enough of this theme with our writers finding plenty to say about their favourite break-up songs (p.10), and one writer even going as far to advocate for the best break-up album of all time (p.8). Plus we couldn’t have an Anti-Valentines magazine
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CONTENTS
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Masthead Editor's Note Contents The News Box Why Are Pop Songs So Obsessed With Love? The Best Breakup Album of All Time: Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak
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Our Favourite Break-Up Songs In Criticism of: Rom-Coms The Edge’s Top Albums of 2021 Novels Without a Love Interest Best Artists to see Single Listings Social Media
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Cover images courtesy of XL · Columbia · Simon Emmett
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The Edge’s Entertainment Picks! DEPUTY EDITOR The Batman dir. by Matt Reeves (04/03/22) Matt Reeves’ The Batman features Robert Pattinson as a younger, inexperienced Bruce Wayne in a detective story whose trailers have been nothing but promising. At 3 hours, we can expect a promising interpretation of The Dark Knight.
RECORDS The Crash - Charli XCX (18/03/22)
NEWS IN BRIEF
Charli XCX’s fifth (and final) record on her current label, Atlantic Records, will see her move away from her previous experimental pop modes towards a more ‘commercial’ sound. With devilish aesthetics, full choreography in videos, and 80s synth tropes, Crash is set to be XCX’s most poptastic album yet.
February sets itself as a gaming mammoth with a slew of hotly anticipated sequels (Dying Light 2, Horizon Forbidden West) and FromSoftware’s exciting new IP, Elden Ring. Matt Reeves’ The Batman nets a hefty 2 hours 55 minutes runtime. The BBC’s licence fee is set to rise in 2024 before being altogether scrapped in 2027 Bob Dylan has sold his musical discography to Sony in their latest acquisition. Microsft purchases Activision Blizzard, making it the third-largest gaming company in the world.
FILM The Lost City dir. by Aaron Nee, Adam Nee (25/03/22) With Sandra Bullock back in the comedy-genre style she is known to excel in and Daniel Radcliffe as a supervillain, The Lost City seems set to be a wild ride with many familiar faces. Packed full of action, adventure and the absurd, this film will be some great light-hearted entertainment, and a laugh if nothing else.
CULTURE The House of Sky and Breath - Sarah J Maas (15/02/22) The much-adored book series, Crescent City by Sarah J Maas will see a new sequel added to its repertoire in February. Maas is a number 1 New York Times bestselling author so the latest book is bound to be a great one. It is a must-read for fans of the series or fantasy fans in general if you are looking for a new trilogy to sink your teeth into.
LIVE Worried About Henry presents… Bou ft Haribo, Hedex, Mozey & Kara @ Engine Rooms Bou is NOT a DJ to be missed, with mixing skills and music taste second to none you’re sure to recognise the tunes he pumps through the speakers. Get ready for a night that gets better every time you think it can’t- this is one that your mates will be hearing about for months to come.
HITBACK OVER DECISIONN TO RECAST THE SEVE DWARVES IN UPCOMING DISNEY REMAKE SAM PEGG
As Disney sets to remake Snow White and Seven Dwarves, Peter Dinklage (Marvel, Game of Thrones) accuses a decision to replace the seven dwarfs with fairytale creatures as “f**king backwards”. Since Dinklage’s claim though, Disney has since released their reply citing the reasons as based on a long conversation with “members of the dwarfism community” and the desire to not reinforce “stereotypes from the original movie”. Dinklage is yet to reply to Disney’s reasoning.
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Why Are Pop Songs So Obsessed With Love?
Oliver Picken It is surprisingly hard to think of many recent chart-toppers that have no connection whatsoever to love. Whether it's a breakup anthem by Little Mix or a love ballad by Adele, it seems like there is no escaping being subjected to the same handful of topics played ad nauseam. But why has the topic of love become such a mainstay in the commercial world of music? Firstly, this phenomenon is certainly not limited to just Pop music. A 2018 study conducted by Dimitar Bankov into lyrics by musical genre found that the word ‘Love’ was the most commonly used word across all genres included in the dataset, except for Hip-Hop/Rap and Heavy Metal. Looking solely at the data for the pop genre, ‘Love’ appeared a staggering 45,000 times in the dataset used. There's simply no denying the prevalence of romance in popular music today! Perhaps a quick detour into musical history may provide some clues. Music has been used as a medium for expressions of love since at least Medieval times, through the serenades that were often dedicated and performed in front of a lover as a gesture of their devotion. During the Romantic (not to be confused with romantic love) Era throughout the Nineteenth Century, music written about “strong emotions” became more widely composed and performed. The influential Symphonie fantastique (1830) by Hector Berlioz is an expansive work written in dedication to an actress named Harriet Smithson, after Berlioz’s countless love letters went unanswered. Similarities could definitely be drawn between Berlioz’ orchestral work and modern pop songs like Carly Rae Jepsen’s 'Call Me Maybe', for they are similar in their subject matter presenting their passion for someone who is 6
oblivious of their admirer’s existence, but written centuries apart. With this established relationship between love and music, is it really that surprising that the music industry today has come to rely on it? Songs that are about love or heartbreak are seen as the most accessible for listeners to relate to through their own personal experiences with love and are therefore easier to market and sell. Take Adele’s recent 30 - a stellar album from an artist who has built their career on an exceptional catalogue of power ballads such as 'Someone Like You' and 'Rolling In The Deep', and has been unanimously praised for its themes of divorce and self-love coming out of a long-term relationship. But as is expected from such a masterful songwriter, Adele does not feel tied down by cliché or convention and is able to express complex emotions of heartbreak and eventual acceptance through her creative, flowing metaphors and wordplay. These are themes that resonate with many people across the world, owing to Adele’s popularity as an artist who is able to speak on behalf of these people. When releasing new material into an incredibly crowded market, there is nothing wrong with sticking with a convention that is tried and tested with your target audience. Although, it is important to remember that some of what are considered to be the greatest songs of all time were able to dodge any romantic allusions. Songs like Queen’s 'Bohemian Rhapsody', enigmatic in the meaning of its lyrics, have become classics in the canon of popular music without relying on love to sell records. Regardless, there will be no escaping love songs dominating playlists and radio stations in the foreseeable future, for it is a universal theme that can be applied to all ages and demographics.
Image courtesy of Sony Music UK
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Image courtesy of Universal Music Group
The Best Breakup Album of All Time: Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak
Reece Beckett Trigger Warning: Mention of suicide Hip-hop in the early to mid-2000s was… interesting. With few exceptions, hip-hop fans were becoming increasingly sceptical of the genre’s ability to last into the 21st century, as the gritty nature of 90s hip-hop was left behind by the untimely deaths of many top stars and the genre tried to become more agreeable to radio, driven by new material interests (due to producers like Puff Daddy becoming rap stars themselves - the business and art mindsets became one, and the art suffered for it). Jay-Z and, effectively his producing apprentice at first, Kanye West represented something of a shift from this - Jay-Z stuck to his gangster rap style (even if he rapped over samples from Annie in the late ‘90s) and West entered hip-hop with a clear vision for change, starting with his Christian links, then the orchestral edge of Late Registration, and finally the techno and disco influences that popularised Daft Punk on Graduation. Another shift occurred in 2007-2008. The death of West’s mother, Donda West, after complications in plastic surgery (that she only got due to West being in the limelight, prompting insecurity from the press coverage) and, shortly afterwards, a breakup with fiancé and fashion designer Alexis Phifer evidently shook West’s emotional foundations, and suddenly his music moved to fit this emotional pain. 808s and Heartbreak remain West’s most depressive record - unless you include his unreleased 10-minute rant over a piano loop in the leaked track 'Never See Me Again', which was allegedly a planned suicide note that even used samples from the Japanese pop star Yukiko Okada, who also tragically committed suicide at age 18.
808s ushered in a new generation for hip-hop almost single-handedly. Whilst it would really be Drake (and to an extent, Kid Cudi) who would put the nail in the coffin of really popularising the emotional RnB style of hip-hop, it was certainly West who pioneered it with the record which, at the time of release, was seen as a misfire in an otherwise spotless career. Opening with a heart monitor, undoubtedly a reference to the passing of his mother, West’s record sets its tone and holds onto it throughout, with the poppiest tracks (‘Paranoid’, with that impossibly great techno keyboard riff, and ‘Robocop’ with its beautiful sample from the score for Alfonso Cuaron’s Great Expectations film adaptation) still succumbing to West’s moodiness in a way that services the record a great deal. Much like Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya’, these tracks have a pop sound that is displaced by grim lyricism. 808s ushered in a new generation for hip-hop almost single handedly. The spaciness of the sparse drums make the record feel simultaneously overwhelmingly large and familiar: there is a certain harshness to them - they have a digitalisation that sounds extremely 2000s but ages surprisingly well. It’s easy to argue that West may have perfected his romantic blues hip-hop two years after 808s with ‘Runaway’, but the latter doesn’t exist without this progression beforehand. Tracks like ‘Street Lights’ (my personal favourite from the record, it is intensely moving - the choir is stunning) and ‘Coldest Winter’ are seminal hip-hop songs, and even the initially deleted bonus ‘Pinocchio Story’ is a heart-wrenching account of life in the spotlight and how much more difficult it has made, and still makes, West’s mental health issues. 808s is a crucial album to hip-hop evolution, inspiring the emo-rap that would become huge and move the genre away from the pop appeal that had been crippling it towards a more open and emotive style. 9
Our Favourite Break-Up Songs The Courteeners - Hanging Off Your Cloud Katie Evans The Courteeners are known for their Brit-pop songs about conundrums regarding relationships and friendships, but it wasn’t until their 2020 album More. Again. Forever. that they truly released a song fitting for that moment after a break-up where music seems the only monetary cure. ‘Hanging Off Your Cloud’ asks all the questions we have when our significant other is no longer around as much: how we wonder if it’s okay to miss the other person or if our mind should simply cut ties. The sentiment of ‘Hanging Off Your Cloud’ is one that reminds you that your break-up is allowed to stay on your mind, for as long as is necessary. This melodic, violin and piano-heavy tune is certainly not a track for Valentine’s Day, instead, it’s perfect for a bit of weeping or feeling sorry for yourself - which is perfectly okay! Olivia Rodrigo - good 4 u Sam Pegg It goes without saying that Olivia Rodrigo’s album, SOUR, offers plenty of great breakup songs to cry your heart over or to scream out loud. ‘drivers license’ and ‘traitor’ have typical pangs of heartbreak while being great songs in themselves, but in terms of songs that will have you loudly declaring that you’re over your ex (when you might actually not be), ‘good 4 you’ is a powerful declaration of teen angst and anger. Brimming with lyrics packed with bitterness and showcasing a side of Olivia Rodrigo that no one expected to exist, ‘good 4 you’ is Rodrigo in full force, capturing the delightfully satisfying spirit of wishing every ex who did you wrong a firm “f**k you”. The song is filled with cynicism; Rodrigo provides some truly expressive voice work, and its rocky backing track all accumulate into a powerhouse of music that has you ready to break in into your ex’s house and trash everything (not that we support you doing that). Even its video was perfectly matched to the song, and it’s the type of music that will have you screaming the lyrics full-pelt in what can only be the true definition of catharsis. Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Amrit Manku Let’s be honest, Valentine’s day is overly romanticised. So for the single or heartbroken ones out there, it’s not a day celebrating a relationship - it becomes a celebration of freedom, self-love, confidence and liberation; a happy breakup. Can a breakup be happy? Well, it can for Taylor Swift! When you decide, like Swift, that it’s your decision to let go of someone, you can listen to ‘We Are Never Getting Back Together’ proudly. The singer-songwriter really exceeded the expectations of a breakup song. What is supposed to feel like the most emotional and depressing time in a breakup is made into an upbeat melodic, positive and catchy song where you don’t feel like crying into your pillows over someone who doesn’t really love you. The entirety of Swift’s album Red is based on her true breakups; with genuine emotion from someone who has experienced many breakups, we can feel more connected to her music in an upbeat light. Swift makes the best catchy lyrics and melodies; it’s almost impossible to still be sad about a breakup after listening to her music. The repetition of ‘never ever’ really sticks through the song, and makes you feel like your strong individual self. What a perfect song for not only a breakup but to echo self-love by letting people go, through a day where you don’t need anyone else to love you but yourself. 10
Image courtesy of Republic
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Image courtesy of Sony/Universal
In Criticism of: Rom-Coms
Daisy Gazzard I hate rom-coms. I am probably in the minority here but I just can’t get into them. To me, they promote unhealthy, sometimes stalkerish forms of love and other times they’re just too cheesy to bear. Also, as someone in a long-distance relationship, sometimes I find them difficult to watch when I miss my partner. I get why people like them: they can be funny, they can be a form of escapism, they can be lighthearted but, for me, I would much rather put on a good horror film instead. Firstly, as I mentioned, I think they sometimes promote unhealthy forms of love. Love Actually, for example, is a cult classic but I find it kind of unsettling. Especially the storyline with Mark (Andrew Lincoln) and Juliet (Keira Knightley). He films only her at her wedding, leaving out her husband, then comes to her house and creepily tells her he’s in love with her despite her being married. In fact, even Lincoln himself told Vanity Fair that he feared he’d come across as a stalker. Lots of rom-coms do this and it doesn’t sit right with me. I also find that most rom-coms are far too cheesy. I know that some people love a cheesy film as they’re light-hearted and don’t require much thought for unwinding after a long day. However, I find most rom-coms are TOO cheesy. Filled with nauseating lines that, probably, very few couples actually say to each other. Also, cheesy, again sometimes creepy, pick-up lines and mushy storylines and first dates. Due to this, I often find myself uninterested in the characters, plots and where their love lives are going and just want to change the channel. Maybe I’m cynical because I can’t be with my boyfriend all the time, but I find it annoying and too much. As well as this, most rom-coms are just plain unrealistic. The only
rom-com I truly enjoy and end up watching every Christmas, is The Holiday. It’s got a cast I adore, it isn’t all just about love (look at the sub-plot between Eli Wallach's Arthur and Kate Winslet's Iris) and it is filled with heartbreak too. However, even I have to admit that it is unrealistic. The chances of moving to a new country to be with a guy you’ve known for a week are slim. The chances of that working out are even slimmer. I get that it’s a feel-good, ‘smile at the telly film’ and people don’t want accuracy. That would be boring, I guess. I just find it unrealistic that 'they meet each other and instantly fall in love, give up their lives and careers and end up together' storylines rarely happen in the real world and I don’t find it fun and comical- it's annoying and frustrating. It possibly sets unrealistic expectations for relationships and compromises too. Similarly, many rom-coms are quite sexist and promote dangerous stereotypes surrounding body image and a woman’s place. Representations of different body types are usually not very diverse in rom-coms. Some films like Bridget Jones’ Diary, though I have never seen this one specifically, show that the woman gaining weight is the worst thing that can happen. They become ‘unattractive’ when they gain weight and it becomes a plot point for them to lose weight to please a man. This is not only annoying and sexist, but it’s also dangerous too. Rom-coms often have constant references to diets and gaining weight and it’s very unhealthy and problematic for the women to make sacrifices for the man. Overall, I get the appeal of rom-coms. I’m not saying that all rom-coms are bad and dangerous as some are great but just a bit cheesy. There are several rom-coms that I really enjoy as well, like Man Up and About Time, but for me, I find the majority of them too much. 13
The Edge’s Top Albums of 2021 2021 was by no means any less of a horrific year than 2020 was. Although it may have divided us in more ways than one, we can all agree that it has been a truly excellent year for music. The vast challenges that have been thrown at us seem to have pushed musicians to new artistic limits, causing some brilliant albums to be produced that try to make sense of both the confusing and ever-changing world that we live in, as well as one’s own sense of self. From Lil Nas X’s declaration of equal pride and insecurity on MONTERO, to Little Simz’s cinematic ‘odyssey’ of identity on her conceptual album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, to Bo Burnham’s anxieties about our modern world on Inside (The Songs), artists have proven more than ever this year what music means to us in the 21st century. So, without further ado, here are our picks for the top albums of 2021. Connie Seamer
#10: Silk Sonic - An Evening with Silk Sonic Oliver Picken An Evening With Silk Sonic is the perfect album to kick off this 2021 best album list, with its entire existence only being made possible due to the empty calendars created by the pandemic. This is the first collaboration from Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, with the duo adopting a retro soul vibe for what is simply a treat for the ears from beginning to end. Special mention goes to the lead single from the album ‘Leave The Door Open’, and the super catchy ‘Skate’. Mars and .Paak compliment each other well, and the witty songwriting is brought to life by rich string and brass arrangements that make Silk Sonic feel like a vintage time capsule – and I love it! 14
Image courtesy of Atlantic/Aftermath
#9: Lil Nas X - MONTERO Connie Seamer Despite those who may have thought that, after the success of ‘Old Town Road’, Lil Nas X would be a one-hit-wonder, this year he proved to the masses that he really is a superstar. His slick live performances on Saturday Night Live, as well as at various award shows such as the VMAs and BETs, showcased his creativity and talent; his excellently marketed and directed music videos broke the internet multiple times with their unashamed proclamation of identity; and finally, his debut album MONTERO displayed his ability as a hit songwriter. MONTERO proves Nas’ true star quality. His ability to jump effortlessly between genres of hip-hop, rock and pop, maintain a core message throughout the record, and serve it all in catchy chart-topping tracks places him at the very front of modern-day music’s revolution – and it seems that listeners are all for it. #8: Black Country, New Road - For the first time Harry Geeves Black Country, New Road’s debut record is one of the most exciting of 2021, incorporating a mix of post-rock, post-punk and jazz, and arresting right from its ‘Instrumental’ opener. The band’s style is increasingly relevant in the UK; black midi even get a name-check on here and some of the spiralling brass is reminiscent of Squid’s squawky Bright Green Field. The 6 tracks comprising For the f irst time are better when sonically busied rather than atmospheric, but the 40 minutes’ many climaxes are regardless great. Black Country’s greatest strength is their tremblingly spoken lyrics: the prose runs through enjoyably specific references (“the students at Bedales”, UE BOOM speakers, even Phoebe Bridgers) and inflated metaphors. The project as a whole threads a refreshingly well-realised line between postirony and sincerity, epitomised by standout track ‘Sunglasses’. Nowhere else this year might you have heard “the absolute pinnacle of British engineering” as a lead-in to a coda, nor have it land as excitingly as it does. I can’t wait to see what’s next for the band — For the first time is incredibly promising. #7: Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend Connie Seamer You would think that with the success of their previous albums – the first having been nomiated for a Mercury Prize, and the second having won it – Wolf Alice wouldn’t be able to get any better. But, with the release of Blue Weekend this year, it seems that they can. While My Love Is Cool and Visions Of A Life displayed the band’s abilities to write catchy hit tracks like ‘Bros’ or ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’, Blue Weekend showed a new, more mature, side to the group. Blue Weekend inhabits a certain kind of “stillness” which allows for a wide range of emotive moments; tracks like ‘How Can I Make It OK?’ or ‘Safe From Heartbreak (if you never fall in love)’ provide a stripped back, familiar sound, while others like ‘Smile’ or ‘Play The Greatest Hits’ guarantee a track full of grungy guitars and plenty of opportunities for moshing. Blue Weekend attests to Wolf Alice’s consistency as a band; at a point in a music career where many artists might drop the bat in quality, Wolf Alice continue to make strong albums that stand the test of time. Image courtesy of Columbia/Ninja Tune/RCA
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#6: Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever Sam Pegg When Billie Eilish released Happier Than Ever, it wasn’t necessarily the record fans expected (or particularly wanted). While it quickly became critically praised for its mature themes, excellent production, lyrics and stunning vocals, it frankly lacked many elements that made Eilish’s debut so impactful. On the first listen, Happier Than Ever can seem rather lacklustre, but by spending time with it and paying attention to the meaning and storytelling, you quickly realise why this is actually one of 2021’s best albums. Happier Than Ever was by no means a step down for Eilish, but instead a maturing of sound that occasionally rears its weary head in a nod to the music that led up to this monumental record. In fact, every song on Happier Than Ever is pretty much subliminal once you stick with Eilish’s new vision, although, with a title track like ‘Happier Than Ever’, the album also showcased how Eilish is always here to subvert expectations. #5: Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR Connie Seamer No roundup of the year would be complete without recognising the incredible achievements of Olivia Rodrigo. SOUR is an album that paves the way for pop’s newest revolutionary voice. It’s shocking to hear such nuanced songwriting from such a young artist - at just 18 years old, Rodrigo manages to pen the tumultuous experience of a young breakup with equal levels of heart-breaking subtlety and teenage angst. Her breakout ballad single ‘drivers license’ showcased her power instantly, breaking the record for the most single-day streams for a non-holiday song, the biggest first week for a song on Spotify and Amazon Music, as well as making Rodrigo the youngest artist to debut at the top the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. But SOUR proved Rodrigo to be more than just a pop ballad powerhouse; tracks like ‘good 4 u’ and ‘brutal’ bring elements of pop-punk to the record that douse it in lovable nostalgia, while others like ‘jealousy, jealousy’ question the effects of unrealistic standards and social media on young people, adding a welcome moment of social critique. SOUR has not only introduced the world to its newest popstar - it has also corroborated the place of pop music in an ever-changing industry. #4: Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert Reece Beckett Having impressed and broken into the mainstream with her previous album, Grey Area (2019), Little Simz’s second album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert saw the U.K. rapper solidify herself as the hip-hop artist to watch right now. Sprawling, ambitious, moving and epic, Sometimes I Might be Introvert is a hip-hop masterwork and is arguably the single best rap album released this year, leaving industry giants like Drake and Kanye West behind in terms of acclaim. Not a single track is wasted, from the gorgeous and more mellow ‘Woman’ to the dazzling, fiery ‘I Love You, I Hate You’ and the raw, emotive closer ‘Miss Understood’. The interludes, as interludes tend to, can make replays that little bit less stirring, but Simz has made a hip-hop album for the ages here regardless - bursting with passion, incredible production, great lyrics and heart that all serve a unique sound that draws links between film-score style orchestras to lo-fi reggae and modern trap. It’s just a wonder to listen to, forever in flux and re-defining itself. 16
Images courtesy of Darkroom/Interscope/Geffen/NME
#3: Taylor Swift - Red (Taylor’s Version) Connie Seamer Nine years after its initial release, Taylor Swift re-recorded her album Red - and somehow made it more relevant than ever. Continuing on her path to reclaiming her own music, Swift’s updated version of the record allowed for many new additions - including the masterpiece that is ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)’, which came with a heart-breaking short film starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien, and even managed to break the Guinness World Record for the longest song ever to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The record, and its commercial success, have many proclaiming that Swift is in the prime of her career - and who can disagree? Her ability to look back and improve upon her previous work (which, from the sounds of Red, no doubt includes bringing back some rather unwelcome memories) marks her as a terrifically brave and creative artist; one who is not afraid to investigate her past in order to reclaim - and rewrite - her future. #2: Arlo Parks - Collapsed In Sunbeams Rhianna Saglani I love finding new music. There’s something so special about finding undiscovered talent, knowing you’re one of the first people to find a gemstone in the pile of assorted rocks that is the competitive music industry. Arlo Parks is one of the many artists I’ve discovered in such a way - I found her completely by accident, on a playlist by one of my favourite photographers. One of the gems in the playlist was ‘Black Dog’, which introduced me to her debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams. Collapsed In Sunbeams is a beautiful story of growing up, dealing with the thoughts in your head and the situations around you. It makes a real effort to shed light on the fact that mental health is more than being “nervous” and “sad” and “overthinking”; that it can, in fact, be a range of things. This record is the letter I needed, and I know others need to hear, when going through a tough time. I’m definitely excited to see what Parks is going to do now, and is for sure why this album deserves to be so high up on this list. I honestly could not recommend this album enough and just the whole notion of Arlo being found completely by accident like this feels just as poetic as the album itself. If you haven’t heard it, it’s certainly worth your ear. #1: Bo Burnham - Inside (The Songs) Daisy Gazzard I was delighted to see that Bo Burnham’s Inside (The Songs) is The Edge’s number one album of 2021! I first watched Inside on Valentine’s Day this year and I loved it — it is the perfect balance of humour and reality about the situation we’re living in right now. With thoughtful, clever songs about the unexpected realities we’ve faced since the pandemic began - from the state of the world, to facetiming with your mum (or other relatives). The songs are everything I wanted during this tricky time - they include humour about the situation, though-provoking ideas and catchy melodies that I find myself singing as I cook, clean and walk to the shops. I think this album deserved the top spot not only because it is clever and catchy, it is also one of few albums that actually addressed the experiences we’re all going through. Though not everyone wants to think about COVID and desires escapism through music, sometimes having a sing about being stuck inside when I was feeling down (about being stuck inside) was just what I needed. Image courtesy of Republic/Alex Kurunis/TIME
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Image courtesy of Penguin Press
Novels Without a Love Interest My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh Amy Scott-Munden “The notion of my future suddenly snapped into focus: it didn’t exist yet. I was making it, standing there, breathing, f ixing the air around my body with stillness, trying to capture something—a thought, I guess - that time could be contained, held captive.” Modern literature is obsessed with notions of love, heartbreak, and so often, tinder! Do writers not understand I read to escape the anxiety and dread of online dating?!?! Well, Ottessa Moshfegh does! Here’s the deal: The unnamed narrator’s parents have passed, and she’s inherited not only enough money to live off for a year but psychological problems too! So what does her therapist prescribe? A drug-induced year of sleep of course! Luckily, this is constantly interrupted to give us an actual story! We learn of the narrator’s rough relationship with her deceased mother, which is contrasted with her college roommate’s grief over her terminally ill mother. This story deals so thoughtfully and earnestly with the difficulty of family relationships in testing times. It also deals sensitively with mental health. The narrator is a wonderfully flawed and relatable character. She is fed up, burnt out, and hilariously sarcastic! The narrator is everything a woman has been taught not to be, and although this makes her pretty unlikeable, there is a part of me that champions this! If you’re sick of repulsive love stories and want something depressing to read this Valentine’s season, Moshfegh’s got you covered! A Tale for the Time Being - Ruth Ozeki (CW: Suicide) Sam Pegg “Memories are time-beings, too, like blossoms or ginkgo leaves; for a while they’re beautiful, and then they fade and die.” Contemporary fiction often has a habit of using themes of romance as a guiding point for its plot. Fantasy, horror, crime, the list of genres tirelessly move forward as they stuff in every facet of romance that can possibly exist. What happens as a result though is that when novels ditch the angle of love-interest and use their time to explore other facets of human life and existence, they feel all the more accomplished because of it. Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being is one such novel (and my favourite novel of all time at that). Focusing on the second-generation Japanese-American, Nao, as she’s uprooted from her life in America to live in Japan, A Tale for the Time Being is a story about family, mental health, regrets, and all those human emotions we often find it hard to express. It’s a compelling story, guided by the liminal possibility that its main character may end her own life. Its gripping, heartbreaking, and in the end, revolutionary approach to life and its meaning, means it never wastes words or hounds the idea that life needs romantic love in order to be purposeful. In fact, A Tale for the Time Being is a truly unique and invigorating read that everyone must read at least once because its affirming end, albeit tear-jerking closure, leaves you breathless and stunned at the power of literature. 19
Best Artists to See Single Recently dumped and struggling to move on? There is a comfort to be found in sound! Not all music is about love (thank goodness), and Sam, Amy and Connie have got some solid recommendations for the heartbroken, or just plain independent people out there.
Olivia Rodrigo Sam Pegg Forget for a moment that Olivia Rodrigo may not be the best performer (from what we’ve heard). While there are plenty of clips of her butchering ‘good 4 you’ live on stage, there are plenty of her killing it with ‘drivers license’ (2021 BRIT awards ceremony) and ‘de ja vu’ (exclusive MTV Push performance). In fact, Rodrigo’s voice is very much comfortable and amazing as long as she isn’t headbanging or running around on stage as the energy of ‘good 4 you’ demands. So, if you’ve recently become single and you have pent up rage that’s begging to come out in either a litany of tears or screams then surely there’s no one better than Olivia Rodrigo!? One moment you can be singing to your heart’s content about how your partner moved on and left you feeling awful, to then wishing them all the best in a cynic-filled romp of anger and screams. The energy at Rodrigo concerts are often unmatched, and the crowd goes wild when iconic lines happen in songs. In fact, I’m sure most of the crowd know all the lyrics to SOUR by now, so it’s less of a Rodrigo concert and more of a crowd concert. The only time an Olivia Rodrigo concert wouldn’t make for a good time? If you happened to be the heartbreaker rather than the one with the heartbreak... Adele Amy Scott-Munden This year’s iconic release of ‘30’ left fans (appropriately) breaking up with their partners to enjoy Adele’s powerful lyrics in their full force- after all, it’s about divorce babes! No other artist’s discography is better suited to cry to than Adele’s. Just imagine wailing out ‘Someone Like You’ in front of the queen of heartbreak herself ! Her Brits performance of this masterpiece is iconic, and I can’t begin to imagine the trance this song would put me in live. It’s a testament to the singer’s power that she can simply stand next to a piano and sing, bringing us all to tears! But it’s not all doom and gloom! Adele concerts are not only an incredible display of singing, but she does comedy too! She’s been sharing some of her hilarious material during her recent press tour, like the fact she’s been banned from her own Instagram or the rumoured collab with Peppa Pig! This is what gives Adele her charm. Her humour and down-to-earth personality make her feel like our best friend giving us advice after a break-up. I’d say the perfect point in singledom to see her is that stage where it’s still hurting, and your bestie Adele can take you under her wing and give you a big ol’ vocal hug whilst providing some major lols. Aurora Connie Seamer I first saw Aurora in 2016 at 15 years old, and it was the first (and only) gig that I have ever cried at. The singer’s unique personality, distinctive voice, and lyrics that centre around being close to nature and coming to terms with yourself all allow for an incredibly cathartic experience. Tracks like ‘Warrior’ speak of letting love “conquer” your mind, while others like ‘Through The Eyes Of A Child’ look at the horrors of the world through the innocence of youth. The best track to witness for this occasion, though, is ‘Conqueror’; in this track, Aurora teaches you “find the conqueror in yourself first, and be your own hero”, rather than looking for a saviour in someone else. So if you’re feeling lonely on Valentine’s Day, get yourself down to an Aurora concert and let her remind you of the strength that you hold within yourself. 20
Image courtesy of Geffen/Interscope
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Listings Theatre 16th-19th February - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee @ The Annex 16th February - 5th March - The Book of Mormon @ Mayflower Theatre 20th February - Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny @ Mayflower Theatre 1st-2nd March - Dracula @ MAST Mayflower 8th-26th March - Les Misérables @ Mayflower Theatre 12th March - An Evening of Burlesque @ MAST Mayflower 15th-19th March - Sheila’s Island @ MAST Mayflower 16th-19th March - As You Like It @ The Annex 23rd-26th March - Carousel @ The Annex 23rd-26th March - The Rise and Fall of Little Voice @ MAST Mayflower 28th-30th March - The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde @ MAST Mayflower 29th March - 2nd April - Nutcracker! @ Mayflower Theatre LIve/Concerts 15th February - Los Bitchos @ The Joiners 16th February - KSI @ 02 Guildhall 18th February - Tom Odell @ 02 Guildhall 18th February - Boston Manor @ The 1865 19th February - Rufus Stone @ The 1865 19th February - Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls @ 02 Guildhall 25th February - The Damn Truth @ The 1865 26th February - Kevin & Perry Go Large in… Southampton!!! @ The Joiners 4th March - The Rader @ The 1865 7th March - Wolf Alice @ 02 Guildhall 9th March - LADY BIRD @ The Joiners 12th March - Ferocious Dog @ The 1865 17th March - Will Joseph Cook @ The Joiners 25th March - Bon Jovi Always @ The 1865 29th March - Slowthai @ 02 Guildhall
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