I grew up in a home full of women: my mother, myself and my two sisters. If ever there were an environment where open conversations surrounding sticky topics like sexuality, relationships and puberty were to take place, this should be the ideal situation. And yet, one month before my fourteenth birthday, I went to the bathroom to find, much to my horror, blood in my … Continue reading Female Shame, Periods, and The Magic of Menstrual Cups
By Mike O’Brien Hey all, my name is Mike OÔÇÖBrien. You might recognise me as last yearÔÇÖs editor of Quench Technology. You might also recognise me as CSM 2018/19ÔÇÖs Best Critic, or, as your friends might have said, ÔÇÿthat guy in the office is wearing a coat and a turtleneck and itÔÇÖs kinda freaking me out. ItÔÇÖs eighteen degrees outside. The boy ain’t right.ÔÇÖ (He … Continue reading A message from the editor: Technology is dead, long live Download
By Emily Jade Ricalton Rating: 9/10 EveryoneÔÇÖs favourite punk dynamic duo, Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman, are back with a four-track EP after the release of their third studio album just last year. And, I must say, what a short, yet sweet come back it is. In comparison to ÔÇÿActs of Fear and LoveÔÇÖ, SlavesÔÇÖ ÔÇÿThe Velvet DitchÔÇÖ screams with a powerful energy that … Continue reading ‘The Velvet Ditch’, by Slaves
By Craig Strachan ‘Tallulah’ is out on the 9th August 2019. Put it in your calendars! Craig’s rating: 3.5/5 The Welsh rock band Feeder have released their 10 th studio Album Tallulah this month and their first studio effort since the release of All Bright Electric in 2016. Originally from Newport, this effort has been described by vocalist Grant Nicholas as a ÔÇ£classic Feeder … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Tallulah’, by Feeder
By Caleb Carter Ever needed a good cry? Last year, Hereditary proved to be a runaway success: a candle-lit, black nightmare of familial leashes and compounded trauma that shocked audiences worldwide. This year, the writer/director, Ari Aster returns with Midsommar, a film that evades categorization. Described by Aster as an ÔÇ£adult fairytaleÔÇØ, a ÔÇ£dark comedyÔÇØ and ÔÇ£a breakup movieÔÇØ all at once, the ambitious sophomore … Continue reading Review: Midsommar
By Sai As most people know, cr├¬pes originated in France. Specifically, in Brittany or Bretagne around the 12th century, when buckwheat arrived in France. Legend says that a housewife accidentally dropped batter on to the stove and was pleased with the result. The name Cr├¬pe is derived from the Latin name ÔÇÿCrispusÔÇÖ meaning crisp or creases, which then evolved into Crespus in the 14th … Continue reading Pancakes in Paris – Food Tours
By Ioan Lee Ioan Rating:┬á9.6/10 IGOR is Tyler, The CreatorÔÇÖs fifth studio album, and comes at a time where the California based artist is at his most popular ÔÇô the success of his previous record ÔÇ£Flower BoyÔÇØ propelled him into multiple end of year lists and increased his already apparent popularity internationally. So, what does Tyler release when all eyes are on him to … Continue reading Album Review: IGOR, by Tyler, The Creator
By Emily Jade Ricalton After five years since the 2014 release of their Grammy award winning album, ÔÇÿTurn BlueÔÇÖ, the Black Keys have made an anticipated return with their brand new album, ÔÇÿLetÔÇÖs RockÔÇÖ, but has it been worth the wait? Receiving a 7-rating from Pitchfork magazine, the album seems to have impressed fans of the Austin-based band, despite their lack of dedication to … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Let’s Rock’ by The Black Keys
By Sarah Belger ItÔÇÖs not exactly a recent discovery that women statistically earn less than men, even when doing the same job. It is however more surprising that this is also the case when women are arguably performing better. With their success in this yearÔÇÖs WomenÔÇÖs World Cup, the US National WomenÔÇÖs Team (USNWT) have now won the tournament an astonishing four times; meanwhile their … Continue reading Mind the Football Pay Gap
By Helena Iciek If youÔÇÖre not into musicals- go and see this one. Beginning on Broadway in 2011, The Book of Mormon, has consistently entertained and shocked audiences across theatres for approaching 10 years now- and the hype surrounding it has yet to decline. Written by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, the production follows two missionaries, Elder Price (Dom Simpson) and Elder … Continue reading Review: The Book of Mormon, The Prince of Wales Theatre- London
By JJ Donoghue Creating a new Toy Story film in 2019 that genuinely meets expectations seems an unenviable, almost impossible task. The franchise is of supreme importance to Pixar, given that the original Toy Story film was PixarÔÇÖs first ever full-length release, whilst audience members and critics alike have long held the series in adoration. It is therefore no small praise to say that Toy … Continue reading Review: Toy Story 4
By Sarah Rawle The United States is filled with endless incredible sights and things to do. I have been lucky enough to travel through twenty states over the past two years, ticking off classic tourist stops such as the Grand Canyon, Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park and the Empire State Building. Yet Kentucky, with all its more hidden wonders, is the state that … Continue reading Across the Pond – Kentucky
Words by Katie Duffin As I sat on the steps of the Street Food Piazza, it was clear summer had arrived, and with it one of CardiffÔÇÖs most unique and delicious festivals ÔÇö the International Food and Drink Festival. Music trumpeted out of the speakers as one of the many eccentric bands that day carried the crowd along with an electric set of up-tempo jazz … Continue reading Review: Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival. Cardiff Bay.
by YL Tang I recently watched a few videos on YouTube of people trying to produce zero waste for a week. I must say their efforts are inspirational, so much so that I considered following them myself, not just for the sake of my health, but Mother Nature and the longer the better. However, it is incredibly hard to avoid packaging, especially in the current … Continue reading Zero Waste Bag Essentials
Sam Tilley on Stranger Things (Netflix) Summer comes to Hawkins, Indiana and with it comes the arrival of an all-new, all-American shopping mall that is seriously threatening local businesses. The third installment of the blockbuster Netflix hit Stranger Things drags the franchise into July 1985; only a few days from Independence Day and things are all change within the small, suburban town. When a number … Continue reading What to Watch on Streaming: July 2019
By Izzy Boulton Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Ôÿà Opening night at the Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival saw the first run of ShakespeareÔÇÖs ÔÇÿMuch Ado About Nothing. Hidden in the quiet Sophia Gardens, there was a bar for the audience to enjoy a drink beforehand, as well as food vendors selling freshly cooked burgers. It was a very cosy hub to say the least, with … Continue reading Much Ado About Nothing | Theatre Review
By James McClements Up and coming Indie-New Wave rockers┬áThe Goa Express┬áare a lively Manc bunch who shamelessly reek of Northern spirit and a carefree outlook on life.┬á Their new track┬áThe Day┬áis a fantastically upbeat tune featuring psych-laden keys, raw guitars and tight drums reminiscent of a group like Parquet Courts or Shame.┬áFrontman James Douglas Clarke revealed that the trackÔÇÖs┬áabout┬áÔÇ£moving out to university and getting caught … Continue reading New Music Friday: We chat to The Goa Express
By Kate Waldock On the 12th┬áJuly, DMAs are set to release an album of their MTV unplugged set. MTV Unplugged had something of a reboot in 2017, after almost 20 years without the programme. DMAs are the latest among a line of great musicians to grace the series, and they did not disappoint. The Australian trio, made up of Tommy OÔÇÖDell, Johnny Took, and … Continue reading DMAs album review: MTV Unplugged Live
By Rebecca Astill Reality TV and mental health are two topics becoming increasingly intertwined in todayÔÇÖs society. ITVÔÇÖs Love Island forefronts the debate between creating ÔÇÿgoodÔÇÖ television, and its effect on the individualsÔÇÖ mental health. This season has already sparked Ofcom complaints and concerns for the health of the islanders, including Anna and AmberÔÇÖs reactions towards Danny following YewandeÔÇÖs exit, JoeÔÇÖs perceived controlling behaviour towards … Continue reading Are Love Island’s new Mental Health Measures Enough?
Words by Saoirse OÔÇÖConnor and┬áIzzy Boulton The UKÔÇÖs largest Gin and Rum Festival came to Cardiff on Friday 28th June to Saturday 29th June. The festival, that was sponsored by Schwepps, boasted over 120 gins and rums to try! We were lucky enough to be invited down to review both days of the spectacular event. Day One ÔÇÿAccording to chemists, gin IS a solution.ÔÇÖ ÔÇô … Continue reading Review | Gin and Rum Festival
