Artsweek

September 28, 2017

Five Summer Albums You May Have Missed

By Ryan Hykes

Tyler, The Creator, the controversial co-founder of the hip-hop collective Odd Future, has lately been known more for his no-fucks-given attitude and his trendy style than anything else.

August 24, 2017

Aoki, Electronica and the Live I.V. Music Scene

By Zoe Jones, William Emmons

When Aoki was merely 19, he was throwing roughly 20 shows a month out of his living room, recording tapes of every single one.

July 21, 2017

Jay-Z and the Direction of Product Packaging in Hip Hop

By William Emmons

That’s not to say that Jay doesn’t return to his default of braggadocious bars about wealth and success, but this record is different. It extends a bridge of insight to his listeners in a way that is creatively inter...

July 19, 2017

Netflix’s Newest Fantasy Series ‘Castlevania’ Has Bite, But Only a Nibble

By Alex Wehrung

Netflix's "Castlevania" series has the distinction of being the very first video game adaptation to be just okay.

June 8, 2017

WebsterX and Milwaukee’s Hip Hop Renaissance

By William Emmons, Jasmine Rodriguez

Injury Reserve and WebsterX share a dynamic of creating spaces to craft seamlessly gravitative rap songs that are entirely divergent from their contemporaries. They are the embodiments of unapologetically challenging wha...

June 8, 2017

‘Wonder Woman’ Carries the DC Universe Forward

By Christian Watts

Seeing the Wonder Woman character kick ass as her incredible theme song builds up around her is more than worth the ticket price, and anyone who isn’t giddy for at least a minute as she charges toward the trenches of w...

June 7, 2017

In Photos: Khalid at the Hub

By Daily Nexus Photography

Finally making his way up to Santa Barbara, neo-soul, pop-influenced singer Khalid performed his long-awaited set in the Hub this past Saturday.

June 2, 2017

It’s Lit!: Literature in Times of Turmoil

By Rita Silverman, Addy Stupin, Phi Do

Welcome to Artsweek’s literature crossing!

June 2, 2017

The Friday Review: After Laughter by Paramore

By Jasmine Rodriguez

After Laughter paints Paramore as a magnetic band that creates charismatic pop anthems while still preserving and maturing their emo-inclined expression.

June 1, 2017

Tracks of the Month: June 2017

By William Emmons, Jasmine Rodriguez

With the release of “Big Fish,” Vince Staples is leading up to his forthcoming album, Big Fish Theory.

June 1, 2017

Actress of ‘Tangerine’ Brings New Perspective to Trans Media

By Ryan Song

So, should “Tangerine” be only recognized for shooting on an iPhone 5S? Hell no.

June 1, 2017

‘Dead Men’ Could Have Told A Better Tale Than This

By Avery MacGuire

“Dead Men Tell No Tales” thinks you are very, very stupid. It believes you are not capable of deducing why characters might want to accomplish their goals.

June 1, 2017

‘Master of None’ Makes a Triumphant Return

By Ivan Gonzalez

To my own and others’ rejoice, Ansari reprised his role as Dev in Season 2 of “Master of None.” The long-awaited second season once again wowed viewers with new expositions, social commentary, a killer soundtrack a...

May 25, 2017

ScHoolboy Q Says UCSB ‘Not the Worst’ UC Show at Extravaganza 2017

By William Emmons

TDE rapper ScHoolboy Q made an appearance headlining UCSB’s annual Extravaganza late Sunday afternoon. Though highly anticipated, the artist’s set provoked polarizing responses from attendees.

May 24, 2017

Extravaganza ’17 Rocks the Masses

By Daniel Gitlin

Despite insistent cries from the audience, Schoolboy left the Extravaganza stage as he had found it, with no want for enthusiasm. The mass of concertgoers slid to the exits with the Santa Barbara sunset materializing ove...

May 23, 2017

The Role of Art in Restoring a Community

By Zoe Jones, William Emmons

Singer and alumnus Jack Johnson got his start by playing shows in Isla Vista backyards. So, post-May 23, he decided to give a visit to his old stomping grounds and make sure UCSB and Isla Vista were not silenced.