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Sudoku Solutions 10/28

Weekly Whiskers

Goon in Concert: A Conversation with Goon's frontman, Kenny Becker

“Goon,” a Los Angeles-based indie rock neo-psych band, performed at Warehouse XI in Somerville on Oct. 2. The band — consisting of frontman Kenny Becker, drummer Andy Polito, guitarist Dillon Peralta and bassist Tamara Simons — took to Boston as part of their first headline tour across the U.S. following the release of their album, “Dream 3.” As its title suggests, the record feels like a sequence of dream-like landscapes, each vibrant with their lush vocals and spacious reverb, yet bearing a profound sense of turbulence. Much like the anxiety that permeates the most idyllic dream, Goon’s third full-length album exists in this atmospheric tension. Becker spoke to The Justice about how the record came to be this way, and the aesthetic visions that shaped it.

What does "One Battle After Another" Have to Say About Us?

On Sept. 28, we had the opportunity to view Paul Thomas Anderson’s new movie “One Battle After Another,” and listen to a panel of experts discuss the movie afterward. One of the points the panel touched on was that the “One Battle After Another” is an adaptation loosely based on Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel “Vineland.” The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson, a retired revolutionary suffering from overwhelming paranoia trying to raise his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), in seclusion, while the United  States falls into disrepair around them.

The Review of a Showgirl: Taylor Swift Hits New Heights of Mediocrity

It’s been a long time coming — and it crashed and burned. When Taylor Swift announced her twelfth studio album “The Life of a Showgirl,” she cranked the hype up to 11. Posting bold pictures of herself dressed up in flashy vaudevillian garb, Swift promised that the new album would contain “melodies that were so infectious that you’re almost angry at it, and lyrics that are just as vivid but crisp and focused and completely intentional.” But when the album finally dropped on Oct. 3, millions of fans took to social media bashing this project for its lackluster lyricism and misleading theme. But is the album as bad as internet critics make it out to be? 

Dance Nation: Pop Music, Drama, and a lot of Laughs

Content warning: this article includes mention of sex and blood — some of the more triggering moments from the show have been left out, but there is still mention and description of at least one scene readers may find upsetting.

Incantations of Indigeneity: "An Indigenous Present" at Boston's ICA

Departing from traditional senses of curation in response to the unique histories of Indigenous Americans, the Institute of Contemporary Art opened “An Indigenous Present” on Oct. 9 featuring site-specific works done by Indigenous contemporary artists. This exhibition is educational at its surface, tracing the history of certain pillars within contemporary Indigenous art. Curators Jeffrey Gibson and Jenelle Porter undoubtedly sought to reimagine the possibilities of curation for Indigenous art. Before diving into the experience of the exhibition, it must be noted that this article will not be similar to other exhibition reviews I have done in the past. Continuing the work that Gibson and Porter started in their unconventional yet just presentation of the genre, I aim to describe my experience within the galleries, discussing the art, the artist’s words and not relegating these artists to their origins. As the Indigenous Artist has been restricted to a Western understanding, I plan to write without consideration for comprehension. This curatorial experience may confuse, complicate and obfuscate the preconceived notions a viewer has, I can only hope to translate such an elation in the restrictive written word. I have chosen to present some works of the many that you can see at the exhibition, and I encourage you to go to the exhibition to see all of them.

Looking back on New York Fashion Week

Spanning from Sept. 11 to Sept. 16 was New York Fashion Week. This semiannual event kicks off fashion month. NYFW is followed by all the other fashion capitals — London, Milan and Paris. These four events shape women’s wear for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. 

An inconceivable afternoon: "The Princess Bride" in concert

On Saturday, Sept. 13, the Boston Pops Orchestra began their “In Concert” series, where the renowned musicians perform a film’s score in time with its projection, with a showing of Rob Reiner’s 1987 classic “The Princess Bride.” The next day, at the Sept. 14 matinee experience, swaths of young families, cinephiles and Bostonians flocked into the symphony hall. Children dressed as the main characters Westley and Buttercup ran through the aisles while older groups of friends sipped wine, reminiscing about seeing the film in their youth. 

Will Art Survive? The Kennedy Center and Smithsonian under Trump

Since President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office, he’s taken on a great number of responsibilities. 

Centerstage

Since 1984, Broadway In Boston has been enchanting audiences, touring many Tony Award winning shows in some of Boston’s oldest and most acclaimed theaters. The 2025-26 season is no different, with this fall’s show being the historical “Hamilton.” Written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Hamilton” has become a cultural phenomenon within the theater sphere. Broadway In Boston’s adaptation of this one-of-a-kind, historical musical not only pays homage to the original, but brings its own creative flair to the show. Starring Tyler Fauntleroy as Alexander Hamilton, Lauren Mariasoosay as Eliza Hamilton and Deont’e Goodman as Aaron Burr, this cast really puts on a show to remember. 

Sudoku Solutions 9/30

Weekly Whiskers

A warm autumn welcome to The Rose

If you have had the fortune to visit the Rose Art Museum previously, whether to see the stunning surrealist imagination of Leonora Carrington, or the examination of ethnicity, romance and gender that Salman Toor has evoked, or even to relax and see the permanent collection of Lichtensteins and other modern oddities, you may have heard about the museum’s fall celebration last week. An opportunity to engage with all the current exhibitions, meet and mingle with artistic personalities and professionals and explore an interesting part of campus, this year’s celebration was a beautiful coming together of people of all backgrounds. As a writer for the Arts and Culture section, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to snack on some amazing hors d’oeuvres while viewing the collection and new exhibitions at the museum. “Danielle Mckinney: Tell Me More” and “Fred Wilson: Reflections” were the two special temporary exhibitions on view during the celebration and are still open to the public. This article will cover four works that are beautiful representations of the Rose’s work this season.

The 77th Emmy Awards: A celebration of (and frustration with) streaming, and records shattered

“Welcome to the 77th Emmy Awards. You know, it’s not a big one like 75 or 80, but it’s the one they gave me,” stated comedian Nate Bargatze, launching Sunday evening’s awards into motion. The presentations at this year’s Emmys certainly lived up to Bargatze’s description; nothing too big, splashy or potentially controversial, save for the occasional swear in an acceptance speech — thank you, John Oliver. The opening sketch was filled with noticeably self-aware commentary on how television has changed in recent years, including how streaming is “unfair to the consumer” — the character who says this is then promptly asked to leave — that many winning shows are never watched by the majority of people and how an Emmy is just not quite as good as an Oscar. However, that didn’t make the victories any less well earned, and here is a summary of the biggest wins.

Out of style

“A one stop shop.” This was the motto that Jeff Bezos sold to his employees when he launched Amazon. Companies and corporations at their cores are set up to sell products to consumers, and turn profits. However, when do we as people draw the line between overconsumption, and need-based consumption? And as consumers are we just as guilty of overconsumption, as the brands pushing us to a capitalistic limit? 

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Tradition Continues

Brandeis’ 25-year-old tradition, the 24 Hour Musical, is a staple in the life of any Brandeis student. This fun and comedic production, where undergraduates have 24 hours to learn and perform lines and songs from classic musicals, is completely student-run and performed. The Undergraduate Theater Collective, the largest student-led organization on campus, is in charge of making sets, costumes and auditioning actors and actresses alike. The 2025 performance was no exception with their rendition of the musical Cinderella, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein and directed by Connor Papantony ‘26 and Vivi Cao ‘26. The show starred Natalie Conklin ‘29 and Luke Benanav ‘29 as Cinderella and Topher. Just like every Cinderella story, this musical was comedic, witty and had its happily ever after. Other notable performances were Sasha Lintovska ‘29 as Madame, Alex Raskin ‘29 as Marie and Kieran van Hooser ‘29 as Jean Michele. 

'Man's Best Friend:' failed satire or subtle genius?

Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album, released on Aug. 29, has already sparked massive controversy due to its striking cover. “Man’s Best Friend” — Carpenter’s seventh studio album — walks the listeners through the phases of a toxic relationship including everything from the initial contempt to the final goodbye. Co-produced by Jack Antonoff and John Ryan, this concept record delivers a unique blend of country-pop, disco-rock, synth and folky ballads,  presenting a breath of fresh, 80s-inspired air that the world of pop music hasn’t seen in a while.