Author: Contributing Writer

Music

From Bowie to Miley: How Glam Rock Shaped Music Forever

Words by Francesca IonescuImage courtesy of Id Pr Glam Rock has been described by Robert Palmer as ÔÇÿrebelling against the rebellionÔÇÖ, taking rock as an outsiderÔÇÖs music genre and making it, well, glam. The genre started in the 70s, when Britain was in a tense political period, with the escalating Northern Ireland conflict and the economic crisis, a general unpleasant time just after the summer … Continue reading From Bowie to Miley: How Glam Rock Shaped Music Forever

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Culture

The Culture of Living Alone

Written by Kat Wheeler Like many introverts across the world, my first reaction to being ordered to stay inside was one of euphoric disbelief. Ten months later, the stark reality has well and truly set in. After a long year of political hostility, social change and dystopian realities, the need to feel connected is stronger than ever. Whilst a significant percentage of the population have … Continue reading The Culture of Living Alone

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Food

The Sixties Food Revolution

Image by Dean Moriarty (via Pixabay) Words by Eve Davies Following the consumer boom of the 1950s, as the economyÔÇÖs war scars healed, the 1960s were characterised by change and innovation. Kitchen appliances evolved. Rationing was ÔÇÿso last decadeÔÇÖ. There was a rise in immigration from former British colonies, and with these social, economic, and scientific changes came flavour! Today, a few taps on our … Continue reading The Sixties Food Revolution

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Fashion

The Legacy of Pierre Cardin

words by: Suraya Kazzuz Pierre Cardin is perhaps a less recognisable name for many people, but he has made a large impact on fashion during his 98 years on the planet. His recent death has led many people to go back and look at the way in which Cardin has influenced fashion during his long career.  CardinÔÇÖs career started when he worked as a tailorÔÇÖs … Continue reading The Legacy of Pierre Cardin

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Literature

The Downfall of John Green

Words by Catarina Vicente Image: Richmond Free Press When I read ÔÇÿThe Fault in Our StarsÔÇÖ, John Green was enjoying a newfound wave of popularity. There was a rush of adoration and praise towards the book-turned-movie, and any criticism the book received was ignored amidst a crush of positivity. For months after the movieÔÇÖs release, social media was awash with black and white photos of … Continue reading The Downfall of John Green

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Features

Born in the Wrong Era

Many people often claim they were ‘born in the wrong era’, and fantasise about adopting the fashion and culture of previous years. However, popularising the music, fashion and art of the past doesn’t necessarily mean it was always a politically positive time to be living in. We asked our contributors to discuss the era they would choose, and the positives and negatives of that time. … Continue reading Born in the Wrong Era

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Travel

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Foreword by Kat Mallett It’s always nostalgic looking back through old holiday albums (on our phone or otherwise) to relive some of our most cherished memories in the sun, snow or anywhere in between. From the people, to the culture, to the food, there are so many different elements that can make a holiday particularly special or memorable. Here are just a few handpicked moments … Continue reading A Trip Down Memory Lane

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Film & TV

Review: Bridgerton (Netflix)

By Georgia Glenn ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Netflix, as many of you know, has been our knight in shining screens over lockdown. ItÔÇÖs helped us escape our world, or perhaps our assignments, and take us to a place where we want to be. For some, it might be Ru PaulÔÇÖs Drag Race where you can live your drag queen fantasy (yas kween) or it could be perhaps Breaking … Continue reading Review: Bridgerton (Netflix)

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Download, Video Games

Dungeons, Dragons, Space and Starships: A Look At BioWare’s Past, Present and Future

By Gregor McNeill Out of all the great developers on the production line that pumps out video games to play on our platforms of choice, I daresay that Bioware has provided me personally with the greatest amount of entertainment.  For a lot of people, Skyrim has always been the genre defining, flagship that introduced them to ÔÇÿfantasyÔÇÖ games. And on the other side of the coin, any mention of ÔÇÿsci-fiÔÇÖ is probably most associated Halo, or more recently … Continue reading Dungeons, Dragons, Space and Starships: A Look At BioWare’s Past, Present and Future

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Film & TV

Hey Netflix, Whom Is This For?

Words by Alex Daud Briggs So, Netflix has made another Netflix live action adaptation. This time of the Italian magical girl series Winx Club, known for its light-hearted adventure plot of six fairies fighting the forces of evil all the while talking about fashion, boys and friendship.  But with Fate: The Winx Saga, Netflix has decided theyÔÇÖd like to go after more ÔÇÿmatureÔÇÖ demographics and … Continue reading Hey Netflix, Whom Is This For?

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Features

Reflections from a Post-9/11 Generation

words by: Sasha Nugara We Will Remember They always say that you remember where you were when you heard about a life changing event, and I think 9/11 is one of those occasions. I was just a one-year-old baby when it happened, cradled in my motherÔÇÖs arms, as a breaking story suddenly bombarded all news channels. Having just heard something on the radio, she rushed … Continue reading Reflections from a Post-9/11 Generation

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Fashion

Beauty Trends Across the Decades

Words by Georgia Glenn Mirror, mirror on the wallÔǪ which is the greatest beauty trend of all? Trends throughout the years have come and gone but some are so timeless we canÔÇÖt help but bring them along with us every decade. LetÔÇÖs have a look at what was popular during the decadesÔǪ Roaring 20s Flappers, glitz, Great Gatsby? Yep, thatÔÇÖs all associated with the 1920s. … Continue reading Beauty Trends Across the Decades

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Film & TV, Literature

The Femme Fatale in Literature and Film

by Eve Davies. Literature is saturated with femme fatales: mysterious, seductive female characters whose charms ensnare men into their grasp. Her overt sexuality is her chief weapon, greed is her underlying desire, and her fate is bleak, without redemption. ItÔÇÖs a misogynistic archetype; some would say a product of the male crime writerÔÇÖs anxiety about his diminished standing in the literary landscape. To name a … Continue reading The Femme Fatale in Literature and Film

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Creative Writing, Literature

Exams; a poem

by Aruni Deraniyagala. Sitting at my desk, A hundred broken resolutions Empty pages Unopened books Staring at a wall, my mind wondering Painting pictures Writing stories A million other things IÔÇÖd rather be doing than Sitting here Imagining A million other lives I could be living right now Sleeping Eating Just messing around Music blaring in the background Coffee Chocolate I should be outside Dancing … Continue reading Exams; a poem

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Travel

Living Abroad Series: Adelaide

Words and images by Martha Jennings I arrived at Adelaide International airport on the 22nd July 2019 with only a hiking rucksack and backpack (to say I had under-packed is an understatement). Riding the bus from the airport to my accommodation was an exciting paradise of blinding sun. In my student accommodation I was surrounded with students from all around the world, who taught me … Continue reading Living Abroad Series: Adelaide

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Film & TV

Review: Doctor Who – Revolution of the Daleks

By Katherine Wheeler ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà After a nine month wait, the Doctor Who festive special had a lot to answer for: Why is the Doctor in prison? What are the newest Dalek designs truly capable of? Where did Captain Jack hide that Vortex Manipulator? The episode begins with the Doctor (played by Jodie Whittaker) imprisoned. From the tally marks, it looks like decades since sheÔÇÖs seen … Continue reading Review: Doctor Who – Revolution of the Daleks

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Music

An Interview with Rude GRL & CC

Words by Octavia GrahamImage courtesy of Kick Down the Doors PR When the opportunity arose to interview the rising rapper Rude GRL (Jenna Dickens), winner of ÔÇ£Best HipHop trackÔÇØ at the 2020 PMA Awards, I dropped everything immediately so I could host a zoom call with herself and CC (Chris Constantinou), who worked closely with Adam Ant and has performed at notorious gigs such as … Continue reading An Interview with Rude GRL & CC

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Download, Video Games

Download’s Most Anticipated Games of 2021

By Lewis Empson and Marcus Yeatman-Crouch ItÔÇÖs a big year for gaming. After 2020 saw a massive amount of delays to highly anticipated titles, many of them shifted their release date to 2021. A loss in the short term, but now weÔÇÖve got a whole host of huge games to look forward to this year! WeÔÇÖve picked the ones weÔÇÖre most excited to get to … Continue reading Download’s Most Anticipated Games of 2021

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Literature

Book Recommendations Based on Your Zodiac Sign

by Suraya Rumbold-Kazzuz Capricorn:┬á As a serious and independent person, Capricorns will often reach all of their goals and do everything they set out to do. These are some very admirable traits, but sometimes Capricorn you could do with some light-hearted fun. This is why the book┬áEverything I know about Love┬áby Dolly Alderton is great for you. The novel will feed your appetite for more … Continue reading Book Recommendations Based on Your Zodiac Sign

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Travel

New Year Traditions Around the World

Words by Lydia Armstrong The end of 2020 was well overdue, with New YearÔÇÖs Eve marking the end of a truly challenging year. As COVID restrictions remained firmly in place across the globe, 2021ÔÇÖs New Year celebrations looked very different, with many of us toasting to the year ahead from the sofa and on zoom.   For many cultures around the world, New Year celebrations are … Continue reading New Year Traditions Around the World

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