On the night of Jan. 19, millions of Americans were under the impression that TikTok—a social media app that allows users to create and share short videos—would be banned in their country. This was a scary prospect for many: those reliant on the app for income, those who prioritized it to spread awareness of real-world issues, and to a lesser degree, doomscrollers— those who spend excessive time scrolling due to Tiktok’s addictiveness— and at times negative nature.

On January 8 of this year, Hayden Anhedönia, better known by the stage name Ethel Cain, released her sophomore album titled Perverts (2025). The album consists of nine tracks with a run time of 90 minutes. It was a massive diversion from Anhedönia’s debut album, Preacher’s Daughter (2022), which had a decidedly narrative structure propelled by storytelling, lyrical aspects, and musical mood shifts over its 13 tracks. Perverts (2025) is an album full of ambiance, drone, and sparse yet selective lyricism. 

The Criterion Collection is an American film distributing company since 1984 that has produced and distributed over 1200 films. Although it is an American company, the collection holds many foreign movies. Not only does the Criterion Collection house 1726 movies, spanning decades, genres, and directors, but it also restores films, some even over 100 years old. 

Many books in the online community stir up debate, but none have been as controversial as A Little Life, a 2015 literary novel by Hanya Yanagihara. At a whopping 800 pages, this lengthy book follows the lives of four friends in New York City, flashing between their childhood and adulthood. 

Orange is the New Black (2013-2019), created by Jenji Kohan, is a popular seven-season show on Netflix. Each season contains 13 episodes that are approximately an hour long, making this a very bingeable series.

As the former Arts & Entertainment editor of The Lamron, I feel it is only fitting to end this semester with something more familiar: some media recommendations to gander over our prolonged —but very much needed— break. Without wasting another breath, let’s get into it!

Ever since the release of Wicked (2024), a movie adaption of the best-selling novel and Broadway musical, it is apparent that no one can suppress their inner theater nerd. Influencers are replicating the choreography on TikTok, popular clothing brands like Aerie are selling merchandise, and my roommate can not stop singing the high note of Act One’s finale, “Defying Gravity,” in the shower. 

For the unfamiliar, Fleabag (2016-2019) is a comedy-drama series written, created, and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It was adapted to television based on a one-woman show she performed in 2013 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show spans two seasons, 12 episodes altogether, and follows two differing but connected seasonal narratives. 

Different people prepare for the cold weather in different ways. For some, buying new coats and fur boots is the pricey way to go. For others, a mantle of warm lights and chunky blankets is necessary to get their home in the holiday spirit. As for me, icy temperatures call for a new seasonal playlist— to be cliche: “when sleigh bells ring, it is time we listen.” 

What do Disney characters such as Rapunzel from Tangled (2010), Anna from Frozen (2013), Mirabel from Encanto (2021), and Moana from Moana (2016) all have in common? Not a lot —actually— except for being young, female, 3D-animated leads. These characters originate from different cultures and experience unique upbringings and family dynamics. With all that being true, why is it hard for many to distinguish between their personalities?

Concerts have always allowed people to bond over their love for an artist or band and enjoy their live music. Over the years, popular artists have booked stadiums, selling thousands of tickets for each tour date. Naturally, this has decreased proper concert etiquette, yet people still preach how they are the “perfect attendees.”

Over the past years, I have seen countless movies and television shows from my childhood and tween years rebooted, remade, or adapted in some form. From the live-action versions of every Disney movie ever, which add no new substance and are just worse overall; to revisiting the icons of Nickelodeon and Disney television show fame, but now they are old and can swear— nostalgia baiting in the film and TV industry is worse than ever. 

If you have found yourself caught in a lull of things to watch, unsure of what new show is worth your time, or which of your favorites requires another mandatory rewatch, let me direct your energy to Netflix’s hit animated series, Arcane (2021-2024). This show is based on the hit role-playing game (RPG) League of Legends (2009) and just began airing its second and final season on the streaming platform.

A 21-year-old can expect to hit certain milestones in their senior year of college: a horizontal ID, a Bachelor’s diploma, and, if a fairy godmother waves her wand, a full-time job offer. With the fall semester still making headway, I can confidently say those last two goals are stored in the vault of my mind, seeking to be opened on a much later day. Instead, I have been dedicating the past three months to watching that one drama everyone watched as a tween: Gossip Girl (2007-2012).

Trixie Mattel is the stage name of Brian Michael Firkus. Mattel is a world-renowned drag queen who rose to fame after her appearance on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race (2009- ) and later took the crown in season three of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2012- ).

Social media enthusiasts, especially frequent TikTok watchers, may recognize Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia from her significant online presence. Recently, her name has been even more prevalent because of her relationship with the famous country singer Zach Bryan. While fans loved their relationship and thought they were a perfect match, these opinions have drastically changed since the couple’s recent split; now, details of their private relationship have been spread on social media over the past two weeks.

Are you looking for something to do during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break and Intersession? Look no further than Geneseo Theaters, a locally owned and operated movie theater located at 4180 Lakeville Road in Geneseo, just down the road from campus.

On Monday, Oct. 27, 2024, Tyler, the Creator released his eighth album, Chromokopia (2024), and with it came a flurry of spectacular songs that you need to listen to— many of which diversify themselves in the genre, but all of which offer something for every type of listener!

Inhaler, an Irish rock band formed in 2012, consists of Elijah Hewson on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Josh Jenkinson on lead guitar, Robert Keating on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Ryan McMahon on drums. This lineup has been the same ever since 2015, so it is safe to say that the group's harmony is going strong. What is interesting about Inhaler is that one of its members, Elijah Hewson, is the son of Bono—the famous lead singer of the rock band U2. I will not, however, discredit the band because of potential nepotism or industry plantation bias; Inhaler deserves this space for praise.