Artsweek

November 10, 2022

Record Recap: Dean Blunt’s “BLACK METAL”

By Lorna Kruesel

British singer-songwriter Dean Blunt dips his toes into the avant-garde and art-pop genres on his 2014 album “BLACK METAL.” 

November 10, 2022

Isla Vista: alive with the Dead

By Stella Mullin

Dead Set encapsulates the image of iconic rock band, the Grateful Dead, with their uniquely Americana sound rising out of packed backyards and into the Isla Vista night.

November 10, 2022

In Review: Staying up past midnight with Taylor Swift

By Zoë Lo

"Midnights" invites listeners to join her on a contemplating — and at some points self-loathing — journey. 

November 9, 2022

Tracks of the Month: October 2022

By Artsweek Staff

Here are some of our Artsweek writers' favorite tracks from October!

November 8, 2022

Polish pop artist Dawid Podsiadło continues his hot streak on “Lata Dwudzieste”

By Adam Majcher

“Lata Dwudzieste” improves on almost every aspect of Podsiadło’s previous work and stands as another complete triumph in his career, firmly cementing him as the current king of Polish pop.

November 8, 2022

Arctic Monkeys embrace genre-spanning fusion in “The Car”

By Lauren Chiou

The band’s newest album, “The Car,” cements itself as an instant classic in the band’s discography with its bold, style-shifting and melodramatic production.

November 3, 2022

Delirium 2022: Isaiah Rashad and Binki electrify the Thunderdome

By Marisol Cruz, Adam Majcher

Open only to UC Santa Barbara students, the concert was headlined by Top Dawg Entertainment rapper Isaish Rashad and indie-disco artist Binki. 

November 2, 2022

Top movies to watch for Halloween that aren’t Halloween

By Gabe O'Brien

Here are our staff writer's picks of films to watch for Halloween that aren't typical Halloween films!

October 26, 2022

Rising R&B singer-songwriter jomch kicks off Noon Storke Shows

By Eleuthera Wang

On Oct. 13, local Isla Vista musician and UC Santa Barbara pre-law student Josh Chan, otherwise known by his stage name jomch, performed a soulful set of original and acoustic covers.

October 20, 2022

Record Recap: 23 years since MF DOOM’s “Operation: Doomsday”

By Lorna Kruesel

MF DOOM, or Daniel Dumile, shaped the ’90s underground rap and hip-hop scene in the U.S.

October 20, 2022

Leads Harry Styles and Florence Pugh cannot save “Don’t Worry Darling”

By Gabe O'Brien

"Don't Worry Darling" leaves more questions than it answers in what turns out to be a film that unfortunately does not tread any new ground.

October 13, 2022

Staff writer favorites: Fall albums to listen to

By Lorna Kruesel

Here are our staff writer's favorite fall albums to listen to!

October 13, 2022

Three hours with Isla Vista’s native son: Jack Johnson at the Santa Barbara Bowl

By Stella Mullin

The warm, laid-back atmosphere of UC Santa Barbara was captured last week by university alumnus and singer-songwriter Jack Johnson at his second night performance at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

October 6, 2022

‘Sad Girl Indie’: the complex women behind the label

By Marisol Cruz

The culture that has evolved around 'sad girls' is one that seems to glamorize the sadness these women and femme artists are experiencing.

October 6, 2022

Record recap: Alex G’s “Beach Music”

By Lorna Kruesel

Alex G’s 2015 album “Beach Music” challenges the ‘sad’ album archetype by taking its listeners through a sort of auditory haunted house — all the while begging for your trust.

October 4, 2022

Bazzi and his “Infinite Dream”

By Isabella Chichioco

Fans have been urgently awaiting this album after Bazzi’s three-year-long hiatus, and his new album does not disappoint with every song painted with his signature upbeat and enlightening music style.