Author: Contributing Writer

Love, Relationships

Valentines vs Galentines: Commercialising Relationships?

We asked our contributors if they were team Valentine’s, Galentine’s or against the holiday altogether: Personally, I love both Valentine’s and Galentine’s! Any opportunity to spread love and positivity to those close to me is always a winner. For many however, Valentine’s can be a lonely and stressful time for those not in relationships and this is not helped by the commercialisation of Valentine’s. The … Continue reading Valentines vs Galentines: Commercialising Relationships?

Contributing Writer
Literature, uncategorized

Library Lovers’ Day

Far from being just a day to celebrate St Valentine, the 14th of February is also Library LoversÔÇÖ  Day – the perfect time to reflect on books about love! Our contributors have discussed their favourite books about love and romance, and why they hold a special place in their hearts.  Milk Fed- Melissa Broder  by Laura Mae Possible trigger warning: Disordered eating. One of my … Continue reading Library Lovers’ Day

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Features

1071 Bad Apples: Misogyny and the Metropolitan Police

Words by Jasmine Jones The Metropolitan Police and other forces across the UK have been branded asÔÇ£institutionally sexistÔÇØ as decades of misogyny among officers comes to light. David Carrick, a serving Metropolitan Police officer since 2001, admitted to committing 49offences against 12 different women during his time in the force, including 24 counts ofrape. The abuse of power is shocking, warning his victims that he … Continue reading 1071 Bad Apples: Misogyny and the Metropolitan Police

Contributing Writer
Food

Valentine’s and Food: Do We Love or Hate Dinner Dates?

Step aside restaurant dinner dates, make way for coffee shops, picnics, and activities. This Valentine’s Day our contributors have shared their opinions on dates over dinner, and it seems that, generally, the good old-fashioned rendezvous is falling in popularity. That said, Wiktoria offers the traditional dinner date all the hope it needs. words by Wiktoria Jazwinska: What has happened to the good old-fashioned dinner date? … Continue reading Valentine’s and Food: Do We Love or Hate Dinner Dates?

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Interview, Music

In Conversation With Anchor Lane

Words by Emily Williams ItÔÇÖs a quiet Friday afternoon as I log onto Zoom to speak to Anchor Lane, who have just begun theirUK headline tour starting in Bradford. It is their first time touring an album after the scheduled tourfor their debut album Casino was stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We chatted about influences, image, and intentions for their new album Call This … Continue reading In Conversation With Anchor Lane

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Film & TV

Review: Knives Out VS Glass Onion

Words by Katie Brosnan The Knives Out series on Netflix is extremely popular, and being accessible to all ages, it makes for a great family film. Both Knives Out and Glass Onion have broken online streaming/box office records with their releases, but what makes them so popular? Knives Out is the first instalment in the Knives Out franchise. It follows Marta and the Thrombey family … Continue reading Review: Knives Out VS Glass Onion

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Literature

The Friends to Lovers Trope

By Anushka Kar Romance as a genre provides many individuals ÔÇô the majority of them being women ÔÇô as some sort of fantasy standard of their ideal partner, because, well, reality doesnÔÇÖt always provide this. Within romance comes many different tropes between two lovers, and the one I want to delve into for the sake of February and its all-encompassing ValentineÔÇÖs sentiment, is the friends … Continue reading The Friends to Lovers Trope

Contributing Writer
Album Reviews, Arts Reviews, Music

Album Review: Jaws of Life – Pierce The Veil

Words by Laura Mae After an almost seven year long hiatus, American rock band Pierce The Veil have come stomping backonto the music scene with their new record Jaws of Life. This release is the bandÔÇÖs fifth studio albumsince they made their beginnings in 2006, and the first since their 2016 album Misadventures. Pierce TheVeil are a well known name in the alternative music scene, … Continue reading Album Review: Jaws of Life – Pierce The Veil

Contributing Writer
Food

Food is Life: Our Favourite Foodie Entertainment

Home Cooking podcast words by Lizzi Richards I discovered┬áHome Cooking┬áafter watching┬áSalt, Fat, Acid, Heat┬áon Netflix and absolutely falling in love with Samin Nosrat and her approach to food. The podcast started during lockdown when we all had to stop eating out and had a bit of extra time on our hands to spend in the kitchen. Samin and her co-host, Hrishikesh Hirway (of the wonderful┬áSong … Continue reading Food is Life: Our Favourite Foodie Entertainment

Contributing Writer
Food

Banish New Year Diet Trends and Feel Your Best All Year Round with a Balanced Diet

words by Molly Chambers Like many others around the new year, I find myself in conversations about goals and plans. I have become particularly conscious of how many people say, with dread, that they are dieting for January. It is a known fact that one feels more awake and well when eating healthier. Therefore, I believe there is importance in maintaining a healthy and happy … Continue reading Banish New Year Diet Trends and Feel Your Best All Year Round with a Balanced Diet

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Film & TV

The Importance of The Bechdel Test in Films

While the Bechdel Test was only ever meant to be a jokey, tongue-in-cheek way of showing a lack of female representation in the media, it really took off as a measure of female agency in TV and film. However, our contemporary media landscape is wildly different from that of the test’s origin in the 80s, and many criticise the Bechdel test for being over-simplified, minimum requirements for diversity which overlook other problems around underrepresentation in the film industry such as race and sexuality.┬á Continue reading The Importance of The Bechdel Test in Films

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Live Reviews

Review: The A Cappella Society’s Winter Showcase in Y Plas

Words by Francesca Ionescu How many Pitch Perfect jokes can I fit in an A Cappella show review? Not many, havenÔÇÖt seen the film in years. Since watching it however, the CUAC Winter Showcase was my first interaction with acapella groups, and I went in unsure of what to expect. For the next one, IÔÇÖd know to expect a lot of young talented students, an … Continue reading Review: The A Cappella Society’s Winter Showcase in Y Plas

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Album Reviews, Arts Reviews, Music

Album Review: Call This A Reality? – Anchor Lane

Words by Emily Williams Up-and-coming Glasgow rock band Anchor Lane released their second album entitled,┬áCall This A Reality? on 27th January 2023.┬áThe album follows their first successful album┬áCasino┬áwhich reached Number 9 on Official UK Rock Albums Chart in its 2020 release.┬áCall This A Reality?┬áembraces indie undertones and showcases heavy guitar work that complements the vocals from Conor Gaffney. The guitar work is really what stands … Continue reading Album Review: Call This A Reality? – Anchor Lane

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Creative Writing, Literature

Dragonism

By Haris Hussnain The primaeval age saw the rise and fall of the dragon empire.  Scarlet dragons stood for justice and leadership.  They sought to unite the other fighting mortals of the primaeval era with their pacifistic beliefs, peace, and harmony. Other creatures marvelled at the sight of their scarlet scales and the sound of the melodic language they spoke. Dragons lived in a golden … Continue reading Dragonism

Contributing Writer
Live Reviews

Review: Act One’s Jungle Juice at Pulse Nightclub

Words by Billy Edwards The Act One Society panto has become a mainstay of the run-up to Christmas in Cardiff. Laden with crude jokes and innuendo, itÔÇÖs for adults only, and this year it is entitled ÔÇÿJungle JuiceÔÇÖ, a hint towards itÔÇÖs reworking of the Jungle Book – I was very excited for the pantomime having already enjoyed the Wizard of Oz panto put on … Continue reading Review: Act One’s Jungle Juice at Pulse Nightclub

Contributing Writer
Features

Taking the Bait

Words by Rubie Barker ÔÇ£As your token straight friend, itÔÇÖs my duty to remind you that sometimes people are straight.ÔÇØ -Tao Xu (Heartstopper┬áseason 1, available on Netflix) For those for┬áwho┬áthe term is new, ÔÇÿQueerbaitingÔÇÖ, is commonly understood to occur when someone (fictional or real) suggests they are part of the LGBTQ+ community, primarily to attract the LGBTQ+ audience, possibly for financial gain. While the term … Continue reading Taking the Bait

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Literature

ÔÇÿImagine Living ThereÔÇÖ – Imaginary Places in Literature that We Love

Reading is the ultimate form of escapism – whether it’s fantasy, historical, or travel fiction, we all have places in novels that we like to escape to and would love to visit IRL. Ranging from Hogwarts to 221B Baker Street, our contributors give us their views on the places they’d most like to visit. Ella Collis The magical and mysterious world of Narnia is one … Continue reading ÔÇÿImagine Living ThereÔÇÖ – Imaginary Places in Literature that We Love

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Film & TV

Our Favourite Jane Austen Adaptation

Clueless Words By Katie Brosnan Clueless, the 1995 adaption of Jane AustenÔÇÖs Emma stands the test of time as the perfect adaption of a classic novel. Clueless offers a relatable, fun, and modern revision of Jane AustenÔÇÖs beloved novel, allowing for younger audiences to access the message of the original text, forgiving people for their mistakes. Cher, the protagonist, is a 15-year-old, blonde, valley girl … Continue reading Our Favourite Jane Austen Adaptation

Contributing Writer
Literature

Remembering Raymond Briggs

By Jasmine Dodd Who was Raymond Briggs? Inspired by his death at 88 years old in August this year, there has been a wave of melancholy when looking at Raymond Briggs’ iconic writings and illustrations. Celebrated for creating the classic, The Snowman (1978), Raymond Briggs was nationally cherished for his classic stories and illustrations which include: The Snowman (1978), When the Wind Blows (1982), Father … Continue reading Remembering Raymond Briggs

Contributing Writer
uncategorized

Ad or Advent?

Words by Katie Brosnan 2022 has seen the cost-of-living crisis surge to an unprecedented level. Usually, headlines are met by retailers spending millions on their Christmas advertising, particularly John Lewis and Sports Direct. However, this year most retailers have reduced their spending significantly, showing solidarity with those struggling with costs this Christmas. The message in most Christmas adverts this year focus on the importance of family and unity, reflecting that … Continue reading Ad or Advent?

Contributing Writer