Contributing writer
Rick Li
Latest Content
‘evermore’ Spins Glitter from Sawdust
“evermore” sees our experiences as borrowed in more ways than we realize, and beauty as coming in consecutive waves of recognition and resonance.
Take ‘Me!’ at Face Value
As cryptic as the days leading up to its the release were, “Me!” is remarkably transparent and par the course for Swift.
Unpopular Opinion: The Dragons Are the Worst Part of ‘Game of Thrones’
The winged lizards have all but morphed into reptilian albatrosses around the necks of the characters who possess them.
Serving Facets: Drag at Harvard
Harvard students have long grappled with creating and finding affirming spaces on campus. For a growing contingent of student drag performers, drag — an art form that tackles definitions of expression, privilege, and identity — has emerged as a way of addressing this need.
Unpopular Opinion: Quit Rooting for the Upper East Siders
Revisiting “Gossip Girl” nearly a decade later, one feels a real absence of glamor that the show’s protagonists once had.
'thank u, next' Will Take Its Time And Appreciates Your Patience
Embracing the blasé over the saccharine, Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” redefines grief in the age of celebrity.
Music Video Breakdown: ‘Head Above Water’ by Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne’s “Head Above Water” makes it clear: There’s a battle raging on, and it extends far beyond the realm of music.
'Queen' Begins Chopping Heads, Stops Mincing Words
However, the collection of tracks is its own war of attrition: able to hold its own and not devoid of victories, but laborious nonetheless.
From Lollapalooza 2018: Quinn XCII Eulogizes the Heartland
For Detroit-raised Quinn XCII, playing to a packed crowd in the heart of the Midwest at this inflection point in his career must have held a certain and special poignance.
From Lollapalooza 2018: Dua Lipa Uncouples Cool From Indifference
Dua Lipa hit her stride quickly, extending her trademark cool air to a set that held onto the audience with a light grasp rather than a stranglehold.
From Lollapalooza 2018: Carly Rae Jepsen Brings Not Peace, But A Sword
Today’s actions were no Excalibur moment. Jepsen’s faux-ceremonial knighting merely provided the physical embodiment of a sword visible for the general public to lock onto. For those paying attention, she’s always had it.
From Lollapalooza 2018: Walk the Moon Constructs Shimmering Wall of Sound
It’s immensely difficult for a highly-anticipated act to pull off a surprising entrance, but Walk the Moon accomplished just that.
From Lollapalooza 2018: Allie X Commands Curious Attention
Nestled in the shaded isolation of the American Eagle stage, indie pop musician Allie X ushered in this year’s festival with a performance that was equal parts perplexing and captivating.
From Lollapalooza 2018: Khalid’s Evening Set Oozes Youthful Nonchalance
Time and time again, I’ve found myself reluctantly entrapped by a romanticized picture of young adult life, the type of feeling that causes a 19-year-old (and, judging by the crowd, many of his cohort) to feel nostalgia for better days past. Khalid’s attempt to capture that feeling in his performance early Thursday evening was a smashing success.