Hozier’s newest release is yet another no-skip album.

Since Hozier’s rise to fame in 2013 with “Take Me to Church,” he has proven time and again that he is one of the best artists out there right now. While it seemed impossible that the Irish musician could top his first two albums, “Hozier” and “Wasteland, Baby!,” he may have just done that with his new album, “Unreal Unearth,” which was inspired by Dante’s “Inferno” and the nine circles of hell.

The album begins with “De Selby (Part 1),” followed directly by “De Selby (Part 2).” They were inspired by a philosopher character named De Selby, and the songs showcase being lost in darkness. Hozier sings in Irish at the end of Part 1. He explains that he is singing about metamorphosis into darkness before Part 2 begins, switching from a peaceful and beautiful calm song right into a funkier pop tune, continuing with the theme of darkness.

He then moves into “First Time,” which has a more similar sound to his previous albums. Hozier said the song represents life and death, and it has a beautiful upbeat and light feeling. He swiftly transitions into “Francesca,” which he released as a single. The song — which has a different and more rock-like vibe — is inspired by Francesca in Dante’s second circle of hell, highlighting Hozier’s skill as a songwriter when it comes to drawing inspiration from literature while building his albums.

“I, Carrion (Icarian)” is without a doubt one of the most beautiful tracks on the album. He highlights some of the story of Icarus — the Greek myth — mixed with a love song, stating “And though I burn, how could I fall? / When I am lifted by every word you say to me / You have me floatin’ like a feather on the sea…” The simple instruments and timeless, soft and emotional style is classic Hozier, yet still unique (and almost feels like a Simon and Garfunkel song).

The transition to “Eat Your Young’’ after such a chill song is interesting as he continues with the “Inferno” with a more upbeat sound, further showcasing Hozier’s incredible range and showing fans that he never ceases to impress with his unique style.

Brandi Carlile’s feature on “Damage Gets Done” adds something unique to the album as well while their voices blend together beautifully. In addition, his skill is clear in “Who We Are,” which begins soft before transitioning into an emotional chorus, “We’re born at night / So much of our lives / Is just carvin’ through the dark / To get so far/ And the hardest part / Is who we are.” He perfectly describes this feeling of being lost not only with his lyrics but with the dramatic and intense instruments as well.

While much of the album thus far represented feelings of being lost, Hozier explained that “Son of Nyx” is the beginning of a switch from darkness into the light. Although it is an instrumental song, it still fits in the album perfectly, allowing for a swift switch into “All Things End,” which shows how even though everything is eventually over, we “should not change our plans” because everything will begin again.

“To Someone From A Warm Climate (Uiscefhuaraithe)” is another slow one, a beautiful song that is mainly just his voice accompanied by piano and some strings. Hozier uses the Irish language again with “Uiscefhuaraithe,” which is coldness from water in what seems to be a love song. He then continues with themes from the “Inferno” with “Butchered Tongue,” a sad tune with violent lyrics.

The tone switches quickly from the slow and sad music from the previous songs into an upbeat and happy vibe in “Anything But” — although Hozier does explain that the lyrics of this song are not as happy as they seem — further showing Hozier’s range as an artist before he shifts again to a more intense and emotional song with “Abstract (Psychopomp).”

Hozier expresses the feelings that come with heartbreak and the unknown in “Unknown / Nth,” a simple and emotional song. He sings, “Do you know, I could break beneath the weight? / Of the goodness, love, I still carry for you / That I’d walk so far just to take / The injury of finally knowing you,” sharing the devastation of still yearning for someone who hurts you.

The final song, “First Light,” is the perfect emotional and intense ending for the album. It finishes, “Like I lived my whole life / Before the first light / Some bright morning comes,” creating a kind of full circle feeling. Not only do the lyrics bring the album to a close perfectly, it ends with a burst of emotion through the music, ending it with a bang.

The album has a fantastic mix of slow, emotional music and funky upbeat pop, showcasing Hozier’s range as a musician and excellently demonstrating the themes of the album as a whole. He follows so many different emotions back and forth yet still maintains a consistent vibe throughout, producing yet another no-skip album (and a perfect album to listen to this fall in Binghamton).

Rating: 4.75/5

“Notting Hill”

This 1999 movie starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, while incredibly popular around its release, is underrated when it comes to the best romantic comedies. This film follows William Thacker, a divorced bookstore owner who meets Anna Scott, a famous American actress who wanders into his store and changes his life. While many parts of this film are spectacular, a highlight of this film is the amazing soundtrack, with perfect songs for every scene.

“10 Things I Hate About You”

1999 was a great year for rom-coms. “10 Things I Hate About You” is an iconic film starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gorden Levitt and Larisa Oleynik. Inspired by Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” this movie tells the story of two totally different sisters — beautiful, popular Bianca and angry, rebellious Kat. When new student Cameron falls for Bianca, who is not allowed to date until Kat does, he devises a plan to set Kat up with the crazy Patrick Verona so he can create his own romance. This movie is funny, strange, sweet and can be watched again and again.

“Crazy Rich Asians”

Starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding, this amazing film follows economics professor Rachel Chu. Rachel flies to Singapore to attend a wedding and meet her boyfriend Nick’s family, and upon her arrival, learns that he comes from one of the richest families in Singapore. As Rachel adjusts to this lavish experience, she has to deal with the disapproval from Nick’s mother. Based on a book of the same name, this movie is a shining star in the modern romance genre.

“The Big Sick”

If you’re hopeless romantic looking for a beautiful, true story, “The Big Sick” is the perfect film for you. This 2017 romantic comedy is the story of how comedian Kumail Nanjiani met his wife Emily. You can watch their relationship’s journey through the hardships of a disapproving family and sickness in this witty and sweet film.

“Set It Up”

If you’re looking for a newer rom-com, check out “Set It Up,” starring Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu. Harper and Charlie are underappreciated, stressed assistants who set their bosses up to give themselves some free time, and through this, manage to find a love story of their own.

“Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”

This film, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, tells the story of bass player Nick and Norah’s adventure one night. They search for the mysterious band “Where’s Fluffy” and Norah’s lost friend Caroline, while they keep bumping into their exes. This film is creative and funny, and it’s definitely a change from the classic rom-com formula you might usually see.

“Love, Rosie”

Best friends Rosie and Alex, played by Lily Collins and Sam Claflin, are separated by thousands of miles and constant bad timing, yet they constantly find their way back to each other. While some may find this movie cheesy, it is a sweet and funny addition to your list of films to watch this season.

“When Harry Met Sally”

Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, this film follows Harry and Sally as they go from disliking each other to becoming best friends, and ultimately to something more. The two meet again and again through the years, and the film has real clips of couples telling their own love stories, creating a unique and sweet watch. This movie is full of iconic scenes and lines and has stayed a favorite since its release in 1989.

“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”

When journalist Andie Anderson — played by Kate Hudson — sets out to write an article about how to make a guy lose interest in 10 days, she meets Benjamin Berry — Matthew McConaughey — who is trying to prove the opposite and make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. This film, while popular since 2003, has gained recent buzz from TikTok, and for good reason.

“Enchanted”

When Giselle, or Amy Adams, is sent away from her animated magical world to New York City without her Prince Charming, played by James Marsden, she meets Robert, played by Patrick Dempsey — a divorce lawyer. Although this film is not usually the first thought when you think of classic rom-coms, it is unique, funny and nostalgic, and is most definitely a must-watch this Valentine’s day.

Through fundraising, the organization’s overall goal is to build a group home for adults with special needs and developmental disabilities with live-in staff. One resident of the home will be the founder’s brother, Jonathan, who has Fragile X Syndrome and inspired the organization’s founding. So far, they have raised over $40,000 that has gone to Fragile X Syndrome research, as well as around $40,000 for the group home.

Julie Pulewitz, co-president of One Special World at Binghamton and a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law, has had what she described as an unbelievable experience with the club for many years. Pulewitz got involved with One Special World when looking for a way to get more involved with her community during high school.

“My high school was the only one that has the club, and BU is the only university with One Special World, so I’m really happy to continue with it through college,” Pulewitz said.

The club holds different events where students can get involved, one being a recent Halloween party with Gigi’s Playhouse Southern Tier

Similar to One Special World’s mission of destigmatizing special needs, Gigi’s Playhouse aims to change the way people view Down syndrome, encouraging acceptance and providing free support with education and careers to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. One Special World partnered with Gigi’s Playhouse right before Halloween to have a party, creating an accepting community and forming new friendships.

Alongside Gigi’s staff and volunteers, around 15 One Special World club members ran bingo, pumpkin painting, tic-tac-toe, a photo booth, a freeze dance, a fashion show and more activities while bonding with friends and family. Lauren Wexler, treasurer of the club and a sophomore majoring in business administration, spoke about the beginning of her journey with One Special World.

“I got involved with One Special World because I was inspired by other members who spoke about the impact it made on them,” Wexler said. “All of the families were so happy for us to be there, and I loved meeting everybody!”

A new club member, Efrat Romano, a sophomore majoring in human development, enjoyed their time at the party.

“I really loved connecting with people at Gigi’s Playhouse,” Romano said. “It was fun to watch everyone make new friends and get involved!”

One Special World has monthly meetings on Wednesday nights where the club brainstorms fundraisers and events — like the Halloween party.

“We’re always looking for new club members and to spread awareness,” Pulewitz said.

Past events have included a hockey game and fashion shows to raise money for the group home, and the club has held educational seminars to teach members and other students about developmental disabilities and special needs.

Those interested in getting involved can contact jpulewi1@binghamton.edu. Donations can also be made to One Special World through their website, onespecialworld.org, where every donation will go directly toward building the group home.

The 1975 begins every album with a track called “The 1975,” preparing listeners for the tone of the upcoming tracks. The first three albums had essentially the same song with the same lyrics — but with a new spin to reflect the rest of the album — and the fourth, “Notes on a Conditional Form,” had its own unique twist. The “Notes on a Conditional Form” version began with a speech by Greta Thunberg, a genius move by the band, forcing listeners to pay attention to the climate crisis. “Being Funny in a Foreign Language” is the first The 1975 album to begin with a normal song. Frontman Matty Healy sings about self-reflection, repeating the line, “I’m sorry if you’re living and you’re seventeen.” It’s a fast-paced song with a slow and peaceful ending, setting up the tone of the next few songs with a perfect balance of both upbeat and calm music.

The second and third tracks — “Happiness” and “Looking for Somebody (To Love)” — are cheerful and dance-worthy 80s-inspired hits. “Happiness” is just a simple song about being in love, while the latter is a little bit deeper, but still has a bright vibe. “Looking for Somebody (To Love)” comments on looking for love in a dark time, hiding lyrics with commentary on mass shootings. Healy often writes serious social commentary behind upbeat songs, showing his skill as a songwriter while drawing attention to important issues.

In “Part Of The Band,” the first single from this album, Healy says, “Am I ironically woke? The butt of my joke? / Or am I just some post-coke, average, skinny bloke calling his ego imagination?” This is another song about self-reflection and questioning. It’s an interesting song with a choppy but cool beat, showing the band’s range with different styles. Similarly, “Human Too” showcases some of Healy’s most vulnerable lyrics — it’s an incredibly raw and honest song about making mistakes.

“Oh Caroline” is another upbeat and energetic song about love for one girl and the yearning for one more chance. “I’m In Love With You,” the sixth track on the album, has a classic 1975 pop feel that never disappoints. Healy repeats the song title as the chorus, creating a sweet and simple love song. These love songs are a sweet change for the band — although they have always written them, this album in particular has more than previous ones, and each one is spectacular.

While “Being Funny in a Foreign Language” is overall an upbeat album, The 1975 still shows their range and skill with incredible slow songs. “All I Need To Hear” is a beautiful ballad that flows with the theme of the rest of the album about the importance of love. Healy sings, “Cause I don’t need music in my ears / I don’t need the crowds and the cheers / Oh, just tell me you love me / ‘Cause that’s all that I need to hear.” The lyrics are simple and elegant, creating one of the band’s best songs by a landslide. The music video begins with Healy speaking about the beauty of the band, matching the honesty of the song and the album as a whole.

“About You” is a beautiful song about remembering the feelings of being in love. The song itself, lyrics aside, is magical — it has a similar vibe to some of their older songs, like “You,” with a dreamy feel that few artists can master. It features Carly Holt — the wife of Adam Hann, the band’s guitarist — whose incredible voice adds to the magic of the song. The final track, “When We Are Together,” is a calm song about the end of a relationship, but also weaves in some social commentary, as Healy is known for. It is a peaceful end to the album, wrapping it up beautifully.

Since 2013, The 1975 has blown listeners away with their range of styles and lyrics, and “Being Funny in a Foreign Language” was no exception. With an incredible mix of upbeat and slow songs, this album truly has no skips and is arguably the album of the year.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Track 14: “The Great War”

“The Great War” is a song that defines what it means for love to prevail. With the combination of battle-like imagery, a heavy emphasis on synth-pop and a killer drum beat, Swift makes this 3 a.m. track an unforgettable one. The tension that’s felt throughout the lyrics ultimately comes to a hopeful ending as the two lovers make it through their conflict.

Track 15: “Bigger Than The Whole Sky”

“Bigger Than The Whole Sky” is one of the most beautiful and chillingly sad songs Swift has ever written. It does not appear to be about a lover, or really anyone specifically, but rather is centered on a deep and debilitating grief. “I’m never gonna meet / What could’ve been, would’ve been / What should’ve been you,” Swift mourns, although whether that “who” is a friend, a family member or a partner is never specified. The production is sparse but gorgeous, and Swift’s vocals are haunting and soft.

Track 16: “Paris”

This upbeat and happy song about being in love and disconnected from everything but these emotions was an incredible addition to the 3 a.m. tracks. Swift perfectly captures the feeling of new love and the need to hold onto this feeling. She states, “I’m so in love that I might stop breathing,” showing the intensity of love and the fear of losing the special sensation. The light and dreamy track is the perfect base for the simple but magical lyrics.

Track 17: “High Infidelity”

There was a time when Swift believed cheating was the ultimate sin for any partner to commit — unforgivable and unjustifiable. But newer songs have illustrated a shift in that mindset in favor of a more nuanced perspective, and none more so than “High Infidelity.” The track sees Swift feeling trapped in a relationship, resulting in her seeking relief in another man until finally she’s caught in her lie — “I bent the truth too far tonight,” she admits. All but confessing to her unfaithfulness, Swift asks, “Do you really want to know where I was April 29th? / Do I really have to chart the constellations in his eyes?” While she sounds sorry for hurting her partner, she does not seem to regret her choice. Unlike some of the other “Midnights” tracks which cover familiar territory, “High Infidelity” describes a fallout Swift has never written about before, perhaps because she has taken such a strong moral stance on cheating in past songs. Production-wise and melodically, the song sounds similar to “Renegade,” a track by Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon’s band, Big Red Machine, which Swift collaborated on. Given that Dessner produced both songs, the sonic similarities make sense, and “High Infidelity,” like many of the 3 a.m. tracks, feels like a return to the lyricism and sound of her Dessner collaborations, particularly “evermore.”

Track 18: “Glitch”

“Glitch” is one of the most experimental tracks on the record. The same producers that worked with Swift on “Lavender Haze” and “Karma” are credited on this track, and, here again, they have unlocked a new but intriguing pop sound that one would never have thought would suit Swift so well. With garbled background vocals, electric sounds and a groovy bass, “Glitch” is about a casual relationship unexpectedly morphing into something much more serious — a turn of events so unpredictable that Swift admits “I think there’s been a glitch.” Swift’s sultry falsetto delivery perfectly complements the more mature, provocative subject matter she is still singing about. “Glitch” is a delightfully weird and sexy song that could have easily fit right in on the standard edition of “Midnights.”

Track 19: “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve”

Arguably the most gut-wrenching and raw track, “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” explores falling in love with someone who ultimately takes advantage of your naivety while destroying you from the inside out. Swift reflects on her relationship when she was 19 and her partner was 32, a relationship that emotionally damaged her so much that she’s only sung about it once before on Speak Now’s “Dear John.” While the former song was written in the recent aftermath of her breakup, “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” is sung from the perspective of an older Swift who is desperately trying to heal, but is still hurt and grieving over the ways she now realizes she was taken advantage of by an older man. She admits how she deeply regrets pursuing the relationship as long as she did, lamenting, “I regret you all the time.” The references to death such as, “And now that I’m grown, I’m scared of ghosts / Memories feel like weapons,” and “the tomb won’t close” illustrates the trauma that’s never left Swift despite the amount of time passed. The song is filled with some of the best lyrics Swift has ever penned, but the true emotional gut punch is delivered in the bridge when Swift belts “Give me back my girlhood / It was mine first.” Her voice is filled with so much emotion it’s difficult to hear. The anger and pain are that visceral. It’s one of the best songs she’s ever written.

Track 20: “Dear Reader”

“Dear Reader,” the closing track to Swift’s 3 a.m. edition of “Midnights,” starts off with a slow melody on the piano, which echoes throughout the song as elements of synth-pop become the foreground of the track. The repeated lyric “never take advice from someone who’s falling apart,” emphasizes the weariness Swift feels when it comes to people taking advice from her music, as she herself doesn’t necessarily know what she is doing. The overarching concept within this song of questioning your identity while feeling isolated speaks to the rest of “Midnights” — an album with prevailing themes of pain and insecurity.

Overall, the addition of the 3 a.m. tracks gives the album a heightened sense of vulnerability and balance. Dessner’s contributions are refreshing amid an album produced entirely by Jack Antonoff, whose production can sometimes be a bit heavy-handed. Dessner brings back the penmanship and sound of “folklore” and “evermore.” “Midnights” standard edition is a great pop album with some career highlights, but the addition of the 3 a.m. tracks, which include one of the best songs of her entire career, makes it an even better one.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Track 1: “Lavender Haze”

“Lavender Haze,” the upbeat yet sensual opening track, illustrates the total pureness of Swift’s current relationship with Joe Alwyn and her desire to remain in the “lavender haze” of their “love spiral.” The song opens up with “meet me at midnight,” a clear indication of the progression of the rest of the album and how each song gives off an aura of reminiscing on late-night desires and fears.

Track 3: “Anti-Hero”

“Anti-Hero,” the album’s lead single, is a terrific ode to self-loathing that sees Swift more vulnerable and self-deprecating than ever before. Rather than indulging in her tendency to strike back, the song’s chorus finds Swift echoing and agreeing with her critics, openly admitting “I’m the problem, it’s me.” One particularly powerful lyric, “Midnights become my afternoons when my depression works the graveyard shift / All the people I’ve ghosted stand there in the room,” marks the first time Swift has addressed with such specificity the mental health lows she’s experienced. With each verse, she divulges a new fear or hated aspect of herself, from her certainty that her “scheming” will drive away everyone she loves, to her view of herself as “a monster on the hill,” to a fear that her own children will grow up to resent and even murder her. In spite of its harrowing admissions, the song is incredibly catchy with one of the strongest melodies in the entire record, making it a wise choice for the lead single — a decision she definitely does not always nail.

Track 4: “Snow on the Beach” Ft. Lana Del Rey

“Snow on the Beach” is a lighthearted, sweet song about the surreal and almost impossible feeling of falling in love. The song is a gorgeous fusion of their two styles, mixing the beautiful but gloomier elements of Lana Del Ray’s style with some of Swift’s lighter tunes as they speak about the beauty of falling in love combined with the fear of jinxing it. The Del Rey and Swift collaboration did not disappoint. Their voices blend together perfectly, flawlessly flowing with the lyrics.

Track 5: “You’re on Your Own, Kid”

“You’re on Your Own, Kid” takes listeners on an intense and emotional ride through Swift’s emotions, with her rise to fame and experiences with life and love. The song starts off with a calm pop tune, building in intensity as the song continues. Emotional lyrics like “I gave my blood, sweat and tears for this / I hosted parties and starved my body” are vulnerable and real as Swift speaks honestly about the hardships she has faced throughout her career, such as an eating disorder that she has spoken about previously. This song takes a deep look at her self, a whirlwind of emotions that closes with “you’ve got no reason to be afraid” toward the end, bringing inspiration to sadder and vulnerable lyrics.

Track 6: “Midnight Rain”

With elements of pop and synth sounds, “Midnight Rain” makes for an intimate track about Swift wanting to break away from a past relationship. The repeated lyrics of “he wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain / he wanted a bride, I was making my own name” show the contrasting desires emulating from both individuals and, ultimately, how Swift wanted something bigger for herself. Despite leaving the relationship, Swift still reminisces on what could’ve been through the lyrics “and I never think of him / except on midnights like this,” which shows the continuing theme of how certain thoughts and situations can keep you up late into the night, wondering what could’ve been, even if you yourself ended the relationship.

Track 11: “Karma”

In 2017, Swift once sang “All I think about is karma.” Five years later, she’s finally gotten around to writing a song about her favorite law of the universe — and, against all odds, it’s a complete and utter bop. “Karma” had the potential to be overly petty and self-righteous, but instead it’s Swiftian humor at its very best. In arguably the catchiest chorus on the album, Swift sings about how, for her, karma is not something she fears, but rather all the things that have worked out in her favor — her boyfriend, cuddling with her beloved cats and the slow but inevitable ruin of her enemies. Sure, some of the lyrics are a little silly, but that’s the point — it’s not a song that takes itself seriously. It’s as breezy and fun as its addicting melody. Swift might have earned acclaim with her last two albums for her flowery prose and wistful introspection, but she’s also a reigning pop star. The kind who can write a song with a line like “Karma is a cat purring in my lap ‘cause it loves me” and not only pull it off but also have it be a standout on an excellent album.

Track 12: “Sweet Nothing”

In the midst of vindictive plotting and heavy ruminations, “Sweet Nothing” is warm and understated, like the glow of candlelight. Swift’s hushed vocals and a keyboard are all that is needed in a song all about honoring simplicity and the domestic bliss she has found in her partner, in spite of the chaos that often dictates her life. It’s one of the best love songs she’s written about her long-time boyfriend Alwyn to date — and given that we have four albums of material, that’s saying something.

Track 13: “Mastermind”

“Mastermind” is the perfect finale for yet another incredible Swift project. She speaks about setting up schemes for love, ensuring that fate brings her and her love together. The concept, while silly, shows the beauty of their relationship, as although she set it up for them to end up together, her lover knew the whole time and did not care. This comes full circle, showing how life has a way of working out. The soft pop melody and music have the wonderful feeling of fulfillment that a final track often needs, bringing the album to a subtle and magical close.

Overall, this album was an excellent addition to Swift’s discography. There is a comforting feeling of home with “Midnights,” with songs similar to “Lover” and “Reputation,” yet they still have their own unique twist. On first listen, there was a slight feeling of disappointment after the masterpieces that were “Folklore” and “Evermore,” but after a few more listens — or an entire day with “Midnights” on repeat — it became clear that this is a no-skip album that showcases Swift’s musical skill, maturity and creativity as one of the most talented artists of her generation.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

In the film, Styles (Jack) and Pugh (Alice) play a perfect couple in the utopic town of Victory, where everything is perfect — the men leave for their secret jobs while the women cook, clean and shop, living in a problem-free, 50s-style isolated community in the desert. This community was created by a mysterious man named Frank, played by Chris Pine. Everyone seems oblivious to the fact that their lives are eerily perfect except for a select few, including Alice, which sets up the movie’s plot, and while all of Alice and Frank’s friends (which include Nick Kroll and Wilde) go about their blissful lives, Alice slowly realizes that this perfect life may not be as perfect as it seems. She hallucinates and tries to uncover the secrets of her community while falling into a state of paranoia that nobody else seems to understand.

The film is full of incredible visuals, from 50s-style outfits, cars and homes, to flashes of creepy images. Although many parts of the film had patterns and repetition that felt necessary and added to the overall film positively, there were a few parts that could have been improved on. Alice’s same routine every day which slowly changes and crumbles as she deteriorates into paranoia was a fantastic use of patterns, yet there were flaws. She hallucinates images of eyes, dancers and more, which were interesting visuals, yet lack meaning for the overall film. It does hint at the fact that her reality was not what she previously thought, but the hallucinations lacked real substance in relation to the plot as a whole.

Pugh never fails to deliver when it comes to difficult roles, and “Don’t Worry Darling” was no exception. This role truly showed Pugh’s power as an actor, working alongside Styles in one of his first major acting roles. Playing a bland, generic man like Jack, Styles needed a fantastic lead to keep the film exciting and interesting, and Pugh was clearly the right choice. The fact that it was solely from her perspective, with no dramatic irony, allowed for a more intriguing film, making it hard to look away for a moment for fear of missing something. Forcing the audience to unravel the mysteries of the film with Alice was an excellent choice, separating the film from others with similar conceptual styles, like “The Truman Show.” The film focuses on both male control and female pleasure at the same time, producing an interesting paradox that Pugh executes perfectly.

Although the plot, acting, cinematography and more were great, the ending did not live up to the suspense that the film was building. Although there was no preparing the viewer, or Alice, for the truth behind the Victory project, the ending felt abrupt and slightly unfulfilling. It felt slightly rushed and, while the concepts and many parts of the ending were excellent, in comparison to the pace of the rest of the movie, it could have been slowed down and more thought-out to allow for a more satisfying end to the film.

“Don’t Worry Darling” felt like a mix of “The Truman Show,” “Midsommer” and “WandaVision” wrapped in one, but in its own unique way. Regardless of the mixed reviews, overall “Don’t Worry Darling” was a good film and should be added to your watchlist.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 stars

On the first Friday of this month, an incredible range of exhibitions opened up all over Broome County, presented by the Broome County Arts Council. First Friday highlights many local artists at restaurants, galleries and more, sharing work from talented individuals with the community.

Sept. 2 to Sept. 24, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Cooperative Gallery 213 (213 State St.)

An amazing exhibition from a mother Regina Losinger, and her daughter, Ashlyn Kelley, called “The Artists’ Eye” is currently on display. Their paintings show an amazing array of different eyes explored through different mediums. Carolyn Gilligan’s “Seasons” shows a breathtaking look into nature with watercolors and collages.

Aug. 5 to Sept. 24, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Orazio Salati Studio and Gallery (204 State St.)

Omit’s “Reclaiming After Life” shows beautiful abstract wood carvings with inspiration drawn from nature. He creates these carvings with knives, stains, sanders and different tools to produce unique pieces of art.

Sept. 2 to Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Bundy Museum of History and Art (129 Main St.)

Stop by the Bundy Museum to see Angela Cook’s “Sacred Shapes Unlimited,” which displays beauty in nature through geometry on canvases of different shapes. She uses triangles, circles and primary colors to show harmony and oneness, balance and more. Cook customizes seven chakras with crystals for her incredible exhibit.

Sept. 2 to Nov. 11, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Binghamton Photo (32 Cedar St., Bundy Campus)

“America the Beautiful” shows an amazing gallery of photos from Liam Axton’s 8,000 mile road trip across the country with his brothers. Axton shares his experiences with the different cultures, landscapes and more, showing his new perspective on the U.S.

Sept. 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Phelps Mansion Museum (191 Court St.)

You can take a self-guided tour of the first and second floors of the Phelps Mansion. The Phelps Mansion, originally a residence, has been converted into a museum and preserves the beautiful history of the building. The breathtaking mansion shows woodwork, paintings, statues, historical furniture and more. Get the full experience by downloading the “UniGuide” app before the visit!

July 2019 to Oct., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Roberson Museum and Science Center (30 Front St.)

See “Nature’s Best Photography,” an exhibition showing the best wildlife photography you will find. You can also see a tour of the mansion at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Aug. 5 to Sept. 30, at the Whole in the Wall Restaurant (43 S. Washington St.)

See A.J. Dalgiesh’s incredible photography of nature. Dalgliesh, who is from Binghamton, has recently rediscovered her love for photography. You can also stop by for a great meal while viewing the beautiful photos, which can be found on her Instagram, @dalgliesh_photography_.

Alongside these many wonderful exhibits, there is a free trolley ride that tours around Downtown Binghamton, starting at the Phelps Mansion and ending at the Bundy Museum of History and Art. Stops on the trolley include the Bundy Museum of History and Art, the Lost Dog Cafe and more!

The album kicks off with “Hard to Believe,” which begins with choppy strings and vocals before picking up into a classic indie rock song as Minnette sings about a breakup. The song ends with an interesting chunky instrumental, which wraps up the song, building suspense and setting up for the rest of the album.

“I Don’t Want to Talk,” an upbeat summery track, follows “Hard to Believe,” and the two moods of these opening tracks contrast yet complement each other well. Wallows uses this contrast by giving “I Don’t Want to Talk” a happy vibe with opposite lyrics, specifically about not being okay and yearning for closure. “Especially You” is similar, a light and cheerful song detailing confusion in the state of a relationship. Another more upbeat and fun song from the album is “Marvelous,” which uniquely begins with a train conductor’s words. Wallows creatively plays with this train theme with lyrics like “mind the gap” as they talk about a deteriorating relationship.

“At the End of the Day” is a shining moment for this album. The song has a similar feel to ’80s new wave groups like Tears For Fears mixed with the classic teenage coming-of-age movie vibe felt in Wallows’ earlier tunes. “Hurts Me” also reflects inspiration from older pop music, contrasting gloomy lyrics with a dance-worthy ’70s pop sound.

A collaboration between Minnette and Lydia Night of The Regrettes has been long-awaited, and “Permanent Price” does not disappoint. Night, who is currently dating Minnette, does background vocals on the chorus of this song about falling in love. Its sweet lyrics set it apart from the rest of the album, but the calm tempo is consistent with the other songs on the album. Wallows proves they can mix different styles of music to create something special with “Missing Out,” as the verses and chorus have completely different sounds. It starts off calm and has a hardcore chorus, which truly makes the album feel cohesive. “That’s What I Get,” a mellow and easily enjoyable tune, is also one of the chiller songs.

“Guitar Romantic Search Adventure” is the perfect soft and peaceful finale for this album. This song captures the lyrical concepts of the album all in one, bringing it all together as Minnette speaks about the desire to make a relationship work in the time they have, regardless of how difficult it may be. The lyrics, “My life’s going by, but it’s just begun,” directly before an emotional instrumental set up for an intense and beautiful ending.

Upon first listen, it did not seem like “Tell Me That It’s Over” could even compare to “Nothing Happens,” yet the more time spent listening to this album, the more impressive it gets. It mixes the electronic and hyper sounds of “Remote” with the indie-rock style of “Nothing Happens” and their older songs. Wallows did an incredible job processing the emotions of a relationship and a breakup without creating a gloomy and sad record. “Tell Me That It’s Over” shows incredible progress in Wallows’ music, displaying how they have grown both lyrically and instrumentally, creating a unique identity that sets them apart from other popular bands today.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

April 1 to April 23 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m at Cooperative Gallery 213 (213 State St.)

Aubrey Clark’s “A Glance at Legacy” exhibition will celebrate her family, community and Asian heritage through printmaking and painting.

April 1 to April 30 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m at Orazio Salati Studio & Gallery (204 State St.)

Presented by Broome County Arts Council (BCAC) Artisan Gallery, “Spring Awakening: A Regional Exhibition” includes artworks from artists “throughout the Southern Tier” to celebrate spring.

April 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m at the Discovery Center of Southern Tier (60 Morgan Road)

The “Spring EGGShibit” exhibition will include a showcase of the art of Pysanky. According to the BCAC website, “children from The Discovery Center’s [Universal Pre-Kindergarten], preschool and after-school programs will be making collaborative, egg-inspired artwork to showcase.”

April 1 to May 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m at the Bundy Museum of History and Art (129 Main St.)

The Bundy Museum of History and Art will exhibit the works of H. Hargrove, Robert Cox, G. Schroter and William Bisley and host a silent auction on the museum’s second floor. Working with Community Baptist Church, the proceeds from the event will directly “benefit team Stroll for Cole as they participate in the 2022 Walk to Defeat ALS, in memory of Scott Cole who lost his life to ALS in 2013.” At 7 p.m., the Making Strangers will perform live music in the museum’s Annex.

Now to May 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m at Binghamton Photo (32 Cedar St.)

Binghamton Photo will exhibit Kaitlyn Hession’s photography project, “The Vacant Society.” This project showcases photos and research of abandoned places to “not only inform others about the historical significance behind these long-forgotten places, but also memorialize them through old photos and the stories that people tell about them for years to come,” according to the website’s event description.

April 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m at Christ Episcopal Church (10 Henry St.)

Christ Episcopal Church’s exhibition “Imagining the Divine and Spirituality” will “present the works of several artists from different backgrounds, each sharing their interpretations of faith and spirituality.”

April 1 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at The Kilmer Mansion (9 Riverside Drive).

The Kilmer Mansion will host a book signing from author and artist Shawn Robinson. The event offers snacks, music and art and books for sale.

April 1 to May 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m at Whole in the Wall (43 South Washington St.)

Whole in the Wall will feature a self-titled individual exhibition from pop artist Michael Albert. His art ranges from doodles to wax art to colleges and everything in between, with themes from math to music.

April 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m at Roberson Museum and Science Center (30 Front St.)

Opening last July, “Cats!” shows how cats influence art with submissions from the community of pictures of their own cats alongside art and information about cats. This exhibition was extended due to popular demand.

The album begins with the first single he released in anticipation, “KEEP IT UP,” which did not disappoint. It begins with simple, gentle strings, setting up for a sad tune, yet it quickly picks up into something more upbeat as Rex Orange County paradoxically speaks of discouragement and his attempt at motivation and positivity. He states, “Now I’m here, and I wish that I wasn’t,” and, “Keep it up and go on,” preparing for an album with a contrast between the negative and motivational.

Next comes a feature from Tyler, the Creator on “OPEN A WINDOW,” a light and happy song that explores feeling stuck. This song is a shining moment for the album — the pair have worked well together in the past, as shown by two features with Rex Orange County on Tyler, the Creator’s 2017 album “Flower Boy.” This song is reminiscent of that era, with a lighthearted and summery vibe. The positive feel continues with “AMAZING,” which Rex Orange County describes as a song “for the lovers,” showing the range of different emotions that are covered throughout the album.

“IF YOU WANT IT” is the most unique song on the album, with a faster pace and more intense tempo. The lyrics encourage a girl to go for it in their relationship, showing a pattern throughout the album of trying new things and pushing through hesitation, similarly to “OPEN A WINDOW.” The album finishes with “WHO CARES?”, an upbeat tune with some gloomier lyrics about self-doubt and wanting to be happy. It is a great ending for the album, as it reiterates the overall vibe of the album in one song: the contrast of somber and upbeat, something Rex Orange County has clearly mastered.

Rex Orange County proves that he is unique in his style of music with the use of strings throughout the album, particularly at the beginnings of “KEEP IT UP,” “WORTH IT” and “MAKING TIME.” While this continues to set him apart, it also reminds us that “WHO CARES?” may just be missing the special weirdness and element of surprise so often found in his earlier music.

Overall, while not necessarily his most unique, “WHO CARES?” is definitely a no-skips album. Although its range of lyrics and moods is somewhat limited, it does have its own vibe — a calmer and more polished version of Rex Orange County’s classic sound. Although Rex Orange County is clearly unique in his own style, “WHO CARES?” lacks some individuality, and it is not very distinctive in comparison to his third album, “Pony.” His previous albums had more character, with more notable songs that truly stand out. Although the lyrics show growth and change as a theme throughout the album, the music has not evolved as much. It may not live up to the excitement that comes with new music drops from Rex Orange County, but despite this, “WHO CARES?” is still a great album to listen to this spring.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars