Arts

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‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ is an impressive look at the oppressive Old West

I usually begin these reviews by clumsily burying the lede and attempting to provide some sort of context because I think it’s important. We live in a world of franchises, and while the occasional standalone masterpiece like “Return of the Obra Dinn” will pop up now and again, even it comes attached with loads of baggage. “Obra Dinn” was a “Lucas Pope game,” a personal brand that is rapidly becoming a complex and budding franchise of its own sort. Rarely, if ever, can you fully extrapolate a piece of art from the context that surrounds it. And if you do end up tearing your eyes out to do so, you’ll almost inevitably end up coming back to it. But I don’t know where to begin with “Red Dead Redemption 2.” I feel like we almost have to rewrite the book on this one.

Vince Staples reasserts his dominance on ‘FM!’

Against a cold and rainy fall, rapper Vince Staples came out of nowhere with another explosive and layered project, this time in the form of a 22-minute journey through Los Angeles radio titled FM!.

Kamasi Washington delivers stunning jazz performance, though venue lacks magic

“We’re more similar than we are different, but the differences we do have are beautiful.” These words were spoken by Kamasi Washington, an impressive, calm figure in a large black cloak, heavy beaded necklace and colorful knit hat. He spoke gently into the microphone, cradling his saxophone comfortably against his stomach.

Rock with the Flock Episode 6: The aging of hip-hop legends, the rise of SoundCloud artists

On this episode of Rock with the Flock, we discuss the careers of classic rappers such as Jay-Z and Kanye West, along with newer artists like Post Malone and Denzel Curry.

Rock with the Flock Episode 6: The aging of hip-hop legends, the rise of SoundCloud artists

​Local theater companies provide wages, opportunities for local artists

The theater industry is notorious for being difficult to find steady work, no matter what aspect of the field one is pursuing.

The different sides of SoundCloud

SoundCloud: the ugly sister of Spotify and Apple. The platform is not for those who desire clean, curated playlists, but rather it attracts edgy, underground music fans. Its cluttered layout with obscene amounts of obscure content makes it a breeding ground for both absolute garbage and hidden treasures. It is a jumping point for artists who hope to make it big, but lately SoundCloud connotates more than its Wikipedia page defines. For better or worse, it has become a cultural term as well as a subgenre of hip-hop.

Cardinal Picks: ‘Homegoing’ is an unbroken line to the past

This month's “Cardinal Pick” drew inspiration from one of my English classes. My goal for this column was to spend attention solely on women of color, because I wanted to create a space where the voices of these writers could be heard.

Chazen’s ‘Shelter: Crafting a Safe Home’ creates awareness, opens dialogue around housing insecurity

Millions of people around the world lack access to shelter and refuge. Each year in Madison, over 3,500 people experience homelessness, according to Porchlight, a local organization that strives to reduce homelessness in Dane County by providing shelter, affordable housing and supportive services. At the end of November, a new art exhibit displaying difficult truths of the subject will make its way to the Chazen Museum of Art. “Shelter: Crafting a Safe Home,” is organized by Contemporary Craft, a gallery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rock with the Flock Episode 5: 'Diablo Immortal,' 'Red Dead Redemption 2,' Upcoming 2018 Games

This week's episode is all about video games. Our columnists Marty Forbeck and Kyle Engels discuss recent titles they've reviewed, while we also touch on games that are closing out the 2018 schedule, including "Battlefield V" and "Super Smash Bros.

​We Need to Talk About Kanye

Last Wednesday, the Society and Politics committee of the Wisconsin Union Directorate hosted a discussion titled “A Dark Twisted Fantasy? Kanye West in Recent News.”

'Titans' is a fun but flawed superhero series

For fans of shows like “Teen Titans” and “Teen Titans Go!,” the newest DC Universe show “Titans” will come as a departure from the norm, trading a more lighthearted atmosphere for blood and grit.

Jon Bellion uses explosive horns, unique instrumentals to drive ‘Glory Sound Prep’

Jon Bellion’s fan base has grown rapidly ever since he flew into the top 10 for songs like “All Time Low” off his last studio album, 2016’s The Human Condition. The pop icon hinted to his fans over Instagram about how his next record was going to be full of new sounds.

​Julien Baker builds connections through sharing stages, personal stories

“What are you going to do with that degree?” This question plagues liberal arts majors through college and beyond.

Rock with the Flock Episode 4: Oscars, 'Aladdin,' 'Suicide Squad 2'

The Daily Cardinal Arts podcast returns! In this episode of Rock with the Flock, Sam Marz, Brandon Arbuckle, Alex Jankovich and Christian Memmo discuss all things film. From Oscar contenders to Hollywood scandals, tune in for a wide-ranging conversation on the latest movie news.

Joywave, Sir Sly give euphoric indie rock performances

The Majestic Theatre was inflated with badass, indie rock fans of all capacities this past Thursday to relish in the positive energy that is Joywave and Sir Sly.

‘The Firm’ is exciting, memorable, engaging

Well, folks, Fall has reached its peak seasonal swing. The leaves have shifted from the lush greens to a deciduous melting pot of auburns, oranges and yellows; humidity recedes into memory as the overwhelming musk of the overcast, rainy woodland sweeps into Madison’s concrete jungle; pumpkins, gourds and an infinity of novelty lattes and doughnuts flood the coffee shops and bakeries of State Street, and so much more.

‘Dragon Ball FighterZ’ brings the show’s clashes to life like never before

Cartoons and TV can act as an important part of our lives as kids. They’re often one of the first major ways we engage with technology, so the media we view can have a big impact on our interests, personalities and even morals. While many of these shows were similar in concept and visuals, there was one show that stood out among the crowd. It has impacted kids since its debut and will continue to for many years to come, a show named “Dragon Ball Z.”

Lucas Pope’s ‘Return of the Obra Dinn’ is perfect for fans of mystery, puzzle games

Here’s a mystery: How do you build a well-paced suspense story in a medium where you are the investigator? It’s a lot trickier than you might think. The classic investigative geniuses — Sherlock Holmes, Hercules Poirot, Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown — were all great characters, but they weren’t just great characters. They all served functional purposes in their original stories and kept their mysteries moving. Trying to keep track of subtle details and stay ahead of the characters is fun, it’s a lot of what people come to mystery stories for, but if something is a real stumper the hero is always there to pick up the slack and move things along.

Taking it ‘bird by bird’: Anne Lamott instructs audience to be hopeful, merciful

Anne Lamott writes to figure out what she thinks about anything, something she shared during her talk at the Orpheum Friday. Whether that’s faith, politics or motherhood, her open and blunt inner dialogue graced pages of a dozen novels and nonfiction pieces and helped readers figure their own minds out for decades.