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Music

A Brief Forum on Collecting Vinyl

Before we had the luxury of streaming any song we want with a tap of a screen, listening to music took a little more effort. You had to use actual tools, like dropping a needle on a vinyl record or popping a CD into a drive. There’s something romantic about the idea of going back to these more “primitive” methods. It feels nostalgic, maybe even a little cooler, like you’re doing it for the aesthetic. But for me, collecting vinyl is more than just a novelty. It’s practical, meaningful, and a lot of fun.

My goal is to break down why I love collecting records, what makes the experience so rewarding, and even point out some of the downsides that come with it.

Categories
Music

Album Review: Chance the Rapper plays it safe on Star Line

Chance the Rapper returned this weekend after a six-year break between albums. Star Line, his new record, feels like a visit from a familiar friend, reminding you of the good times. Many songs capture the same magic found in his 2016 Grammy Award-winning mixtape, Coloring Book. While the return to form is welcome and fans genuinely want to see Chance succeed, the lack of risks leaves the project feeling derivative after the first listen.

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Music

Album Review: Ethel Cain’s Newest Album is Heartbreaking

Hayden Anhedönia returns with their second album release of the year under the stage name Ethel Cain. The record exists as a concept album that tells the story of a young Ethel falling in love and eventually separating from the character in the title, Willoughby Tucker.

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Movies

Movie Review: The New Marvel Film is Fantastic

*SPOILER FREE*

The new release of Fantastic 4: First Steps marks a much-needed return to form for the series. I can safely say the MCU finally delivered a banger with this latest installment. Beloved characters are reintroduced in a fresh way, with actors who do a solid job capturing the essence of their comic book counterparts. It’s all wrapped in a retro-futuristic aesthetic that somehow tricks my brain into feeling nostalgic.

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Music

Album Review: Alfredo 2 is Hot

Last week, on July 25, 2025, rapper/vocalist Freddie Gibbs and legendary hip-hop producer The Alchemist released their follow-up album to the Grammy-nominated Alfredo. A sequel that hardly came out of nowhere, the pair’s symbiotic chemistry had left listeners begging for more after the original’s success.

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Music

An Evening with Father John Misty

On July 19th of this year, my friends and I saw Father John Misty at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City for his current Mahashmashana tour. With a runtime of over 90 minutes, including two encores, the content was worth the price of admission. This was not my first time seeing the performer live; my last time was in 2022 at the Palace Theater in St Paul. Both times included brilliant set lists, a comfortable atmosphere, and overall good vibes.