The Dark Side(s) of K-pop
“I-I-I’m in the stars tonight. So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight…” sang BTS in their 2020 all-English release ‘Dynamite’. And rocket to the stars it…
The Future of TikTok Music
Universal Music Group has pulled all of their tracks from TikTok, meaning classics from the likes of Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and The Weeknd are no longer accessible. Since TikTok…
The Culture of Record Buying
As we fully embark into 2024, it is also time to bid farewell to another record-breaking (hopefully not literally) year of vinyl sales. In the UK alone, the BPI (British…
Book Suggestions by Genre
Classics: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Written by: Lottie Carter, Staff Writer Published in 1890, The Picture of Dorian Gray stands as a classic among Gothic literature…
Political Agenda at the Hugo Awards
While perusing the shelves to find the next best read, one can often find sticker-like emblems on the cover informing the reader something of note about the book. For example,…
The Appeal of Dark Academia
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, searching for inspiration to tackle your studies? If so, you may have stumbled upon the world of dark academia. Picture dimly…
How Not to Fit In: Interview with Charlotte Mia and Jess Joy
Trigger warning: Mentions of mistreatment of autistic person. After meeting at university ten years ago and being each other’s rock for so many years, How Not to Fit In by…
The Disappearance of the Dystopia
For many tweens like myself in the early 2010s, watching a teenage dystopian drama was the pinnacle of my week. I was an enormous fan of various book-to-film franchises, from…
Book Review: An Olive Grove in Ends by Moses McKenzie
Contains spoilers An Olive Grove in Ends is the debut novel by the young – and richly talented – author Moses McKenzie. Coming from Bristol himself, McKenzie paints a vivid…
Are Graphic Novels Considered ‘Proper’ Books?
At some point, we’ve all picked up a graphic novel. From a Marvel comic, a graphic adaptation of The Great Gatsby, or a copy of the One Piece manga –…
Genre Book Recommendations
Thriller: The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager Written by: Maisie Knights, Books Editor Set in an upstate New York summer camp, The Last Time I Lied is a…
Exploring Brighton with Brighton’s Hidden Walks by Ric Morris
As an international student, arriving in Brighton felt like stepping into a whole new world. The bustling streets, the salty sea breeze, and the vibrant energy of the city filled…
How to Get Out of a Reading Slump
After an extended slump in reading, motivation and momentum often begins to slowly dwindle – perhaps with a book that you just can’t finish. You promise yourself that you’ll try…
Into the Osemanverse: An Afternoon with Alice
TW: MENTAL HEALTH, EATING DISORDERS. On 3 February, I was lucky enough to attend An Afternoon with Alice Oseman at Conway Hall in London. The Waterstones exclusive event was held…
There are No New Ideas in Hollywood
It seems that Hollywood has run out of ideas. Remakes of movies have been a thing for a long time, arguably reaching back as far as the late 19th century.…
The Problematic Persistence of Age Gap Tropes in Media
Pretty Little Liars is an American teen drama-mystery that ran from 2010-2017. The show is loosely based on Sara Shepard’s book series of the same name. Throughout the seven seasons,…
Pink to Make the Boys Think: Barbie and Representation in Awards Shows
In a world that claims to embrace diversity and inclusion, the glaring lack of representation in traditional award shows continues to raise eyebrows and question the relevance of these glitzy…
Breaking Animation’s Gender Stereotypes: Exploring Miyazaki’s Male Characters
Hayao Miyazaki, who I consider the master of Japanese animation, has continually challenged conventional societal norms with the characters in his works. What makes Miyazaki’s work captivating is the way…
Visibility for Disability is on a Steady Incline In Film & TV
In 2022, Troy Kotsur won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Sian Heder’s CODA, becoming the first deaf man to win an Oscar for acting.…
Top 5 Record Stores in Brighton
Walk five minutes in any direction and you’ll be sure to run into one of the many record stores that are scattered around Brighton. From smut record sections to hosting…