Angel Zhu, University of California, Berkeley

The K-pop star is facing some extreme backlash from a very rabid fanbase.

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

The musician’s latest album is brilliantly and beautifully manic.

Cynthia Vasquez, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

After falling a little behind the times, its smooth sounds are back to capture the ears and hearts of listeners.

Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

The original novel behind the Netflix series leaves fans intrigued and captivated by the modern-day Ted Bundy.

Matthew Robison, University of South Florida

This small publishing duo is making waves with their thoughtful reissues of out of print novels.

Cynthia Vasquez, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

She’s the definition of a bad–s woman born before her time who championed intersectionality and womanism in her poetry, essays and other writings.

Chris Meng, Pomona College

It’s the beginning of 2020, so now is the time to freshen up those playlists. Here are some ideas on how to organize them.

Nathan Coles, Oakland University

Although a lot of electronic music has a reputation for sonic dissonance, it’s still capable of evoking a wide range of deep emotions.

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

The announcement has many excited, but still courts some controversy.

Matthew Robison, University of South Florida

Dark humor, messy gore and surreal turns characterize her impressive run in the early ‘90s.

Kayla Carson, Simon Fraser University

This folk trio has been releasing quality music for nearly two decades, but still sits just below the radar.

Matthew Robison, University of South Florida

Moving away from lo-fi demos and unfussy EPs, the best punk and hardcore exhibited a tendency toward spirited ambition.

Giana Gayles, Stanford University

Awê! We underestimate our neighbors to the east, who have created their own innovative spin on the genre.

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

Released just moments after her Sweetener World Tour ended, this recording perfectly captures the intensity and skill of the musician’s live performances.

Carli Moses, Union University

This fresh adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s book exalts each March sister in her own right, exploring the girls’ unique struggles and experiences.

Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

The young singer brought fans down a road toward the weird and wonderful world of the average teenage girl.

Gabriel Egbert, University of Louisville

Get ready to dive into star-trotting space operas and meet super-powered web slingers.

Giana Gayles, Stanford University

Dig in to this wide, diverse genre.

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

From the casual lyric drops to dragging misogynists, the musician took important stands and summed up an influential, storied career (so far).

Carli Moses, Union University

These creatives used their unique voices to capture the complexities and concerns of the past ten years.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

The song caps off a passionate four-song EP that might be the musician’s best work yet.

Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

With 2020 right around the corner, it’s time to take chances. Finding a partner never comes easy, so forget everything you know.

Abby Webb, Rice University

A dull, misogynistic waste of time, ‘LP1’ proves the former One Direction singer belongs in the trash.

Bryan Lance, Liberty University

The hip-hop artist sadly joins the ranks of influential artists taken far too soon.

Gabriel Egbert, University of Louisville

The multi-talented musician and ‘Hamilton’ cast member is one of the most innovative artists working today.

Chris Meng, Pomona College

‘Frozen the Musical,’ is holding nothing back on its Hollywood journey.

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

A ‘Fine Line’ opinion that’s as unbiased as I can be.

Cynthia Vasquez, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Young, gifted and black, the 11-year-old dancer is already breaking down barriers.

Andrew Reece

You don’t have to go broke getting something for your favorite audio fanatic.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

Who knew she was such a softy?

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

The One Direction singer has a very interesting encounter with a fish that’s packed with personal meaning.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

Richard Powers’ Pulitzer Prize-winning book captures the imagination with larger-than-life personification and gives a new take on contemporary issues.

Cameron Rapata, Columbia College Chicago

Set 100 years ago, the novel portrays a 1919 full of political and social tension that should not be unfamiliar in the present day.

Daniel Reed

If you’re still hankering for more British monarchy drama, check out these titles.

Kristin Auld, St John’s University

The pop star’s presence was inescapable.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

Exciting storytelling has been replaced with long-winding exposition in the young adult author’s latest novel.

Blair Krassen, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia

The talented producer, rapper and writer is creating hilarious tunes for a new digital age.

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

The former One Directioner opened up, but is still facing some antipathy.

Jake Mauriello, SUNY New Paltz

Nothings says ’tis the season like a go-to Christmas track.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

Space city is much more than ‘Astroworld’; these rappers personify the city’s culture with their unique beats and styles.

Abby Webb, Rice University

They used to be reserved for dimming stars, but now it’s hosting the brightest and regaining its reputation.

Carli Moses, Union University

This Shakespeare adaptation strays from the source material, but in doing so creates quite the cautionary tale about the price of war.

Cynthia Vasquez, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

The singer changed the game for Latinx artists and now this upcoming biopic will give fans an even closer look at her infamous life.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

Holly Black ties up the loose ends in her sweeping ‘Folk of the Air’ young adult fantasy series.

Giana Gayles, Stanford University

If you’re an OG fan of the melodramatic rapper, you probably hate him now.

Jake Mauriello, SUNY New Paltz

The newest ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast member Bowen Yang has a podcast with his friend Matt Rogers, and it’s time to get listening.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

The pop star’s contribution to the ‘Cats’ soundtrack parallels her own life in a few ways.

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

Did your favorites make the cut?

Vaishnavi Kalyana, College of DuPage

Taylor Swift is fighting for the rights of musicians to retain control over their own work.

Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

We’ll see if it lives up to the hype.

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

“I’d take a personal connection of 10,000 people over a commercial audience of a million.”

Matthew Robison, University of South Florida

They have a charm that can’t be matched by the large corporate chains.

Kayla Carson, Simon Fraser University

The electronic musician’s public statement proves that victims are still being ignored.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

Almost seven years after the beloved Nickelodeon show ended, it’s finally available on the popular streaming service. Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice have come a long way.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

Ibram X. Kendi’s newest book mixes personal narrative and political analysis to examine how structural racism manifests itself today — oftentimes unconsciously.

Kayla Carson, Simon Fraser University

Beachwear, crop tops and chokers. Oh my!

Gabriel Egbert, University of Louisville

Imagine listening to your favorite hip-hop songs in moody, angelic slow motion.

Nathan Coles, Oakland University

The concept album features a futuristic storyline as well as a blend of different genres that defy easy categorization. 

Abby Webb, Rice University

The success of the rapper’s second annual festival proves Astroworld 2020 will not be one to miss.

Vaishnavi Kalyana, College of DuPage

The artist speaks out on some controversies in this new release.

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

The album is full of legends, from Chaka Khan to Donna Summer.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

The ‘Folk of the Air’ trilogy — a world of intrigue and fairies — will receive a fitting send-off by the acclaimed young adult author.

Brendan Bell, Towson University

The new album might be his worst one yet.

Gabriel Egbert, University of Louisville

Roll into some wacky adventures with these D&D podcasters.

Nathan Coles, Oakland University

The trap musician mixes up his trademark pounding basslines with other styles on this distinct and complex production.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

You can always count on this New York radio show to keep it real — whether it’s the music or the commentary, these hosts are guaranteed to make mornings better.

Meredith Day, Davidson College

Fans deserve more credit for their art, especially as fan works move into the mainstream.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

‘Maniac’ shows that the singer is a force to be reckoned with, in dating and in the music industry.

Cameron Rapata, Columbia College Chicago

The demand for change in the performing arts is leading to a new kind of sex talk.

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

Directioners, this is truly not the end.

Brendan Bell, Towson University

A look at how a once great network lost its way.

Madison Feser, Seton Hall University

From an extravagant card game, to an occult tool, to a mediation technique, tarot is far more interesting than a mere carnival exhibition.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

Her new tracks ‘Lose You To Love Me’ and ‘Look At Her Now’ have skyrocketed up the charts, but they’ve also attracted some haters.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

While Gucci Mane has dropped some great hits, his newest album shows that he’s getting a little too comfortable with his patented formula.

Meredith Day, Davidson College

The new album shows the 21-year-old indie artist expanding his sound, while still bringing catchy sad boy tunes.

Angel Zhu, University of California, Berkeley

Social media bullying and the grueling standards of the South Korean pop music industry could have played a part in the star’s untimely passing.

Abby Webb, Rice University

This indie pop artist’s debut album ‘Immunity’ goes far beyond the expectations established by her viral singles.

Chris Meng, Pomona College

The popular singer is refreshingly honest about his own struggles with mental health.

Cameron Rapata, Columbia College Chicago

The supergroup gives traditional outlaw country a powerful, all-female twist.

Cynthia Vasquez, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

The artist addresses the HIV/AIDS crisis with his club nights, but not without some controversy from activist circles.

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

And stirs up controversy as he typically does.

Matthew Robison, University of South Florida

From dub to off-kilter anarcho-punk, these recordings find freedom in the macabre.

Madison Feser, Seton Hall University

Jack rules as Pumpkin King, Marnie Piper lives in Halloweentown and the Sanderson witches haunt Salem. But none of these Halloween classics live up to the true history behind All Hallows’ Eve.

Carli Moses, Union University

If you find yourself stressed, running from one thing to the next, you might need a new strategy. This reading habit can help bring intentionality to chaotic routines.

Angel Zhu, University of California, Berkeley

This young activist is working with a worldwide movement to help stave off the threat of climate change.

Vaishnavi Kalyana, College of DuPage

We stan artists coming into their own.

Jake Mauriello, SUNY New Paltz

We’re not ready for the new trend that is Halloween music.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

We love her, but she needs to do better.

Madison Feser, Seton Hall University

How to manage when the workday is long, but the commute feels longer.

Matthew Robison, University of South Florida

Even amidst a future, supernatural dystopia, this manga still sees hope at the heart of humanity.

Gabriel Egbert, University of Louisville

Can HBO finally make an adaptation that will make Alan Moore proud?

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

The brand new project from Labrinth has finally been released.

Carli Moses, Union University

Stephen Chbosky is back at it with this classically structured horror novel, where a child once again convenes with the supernatural realm.

Cynthia Vasquez, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

The catchy tunes and Latin influence of this music sensation have everyone listening, dancing and wondering about this genre’s burst into the mainstream.

Emma Lichtenstein, Brandeis University

If you’ve never heard of the yellow-haired, jumpsuit-wearing musician, get ready to have her music change your entire life.

Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

Fans are shocked as the former One Direction singer strips his boy-band identity for a persona that suits his age.

Giana Gayles, Stanford University

It’s finally become less weird to get caught listening to strangers whispering soothing noises in your ear.

Cameron Rapata, Columbia College Chicago

These five young POC activists are fighting to end the worldwide climate change crisis.

Dylan Kazanova, University of Texas at San Antonio

The Big Easy is known for jazz, but is it what everyone’s listening to? It’s time to explore the multifaceted music scene that includes rock, rap and funk.

Eleanore Belanger, Arizona State University

Whether she’s writing as V.E. Schwab or Victoria Schwab, her wide range of books are always worth the read.