As Wildcats begin to settle into the new year and Winter Quarter, it is a much-needed time for change. The colder weather does not just bring a chill to Evanston and Chicago, but it also allows for moments of reflection to seep in and choices to be made.
These choices can be categorized into two parts: “In” (something you are bringing to the new year) and “Out” (something that will be left behind in the previous year). Explore trends, actions and individuals/groups selected by Arts & Entertainment Editor Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez and Assistant A&E Editors Gabe Hawkins and Rainee Li.
Alexander:
In – Listening to albums in their entirety: Although we are officially in the second quarter of the century, I was listening to Apple Music’s “2024 100 Best Albums” list and their explanations for the rankings just last week. When Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was revealed as the streaming platform’s best album, I had to check it for myself. Not only was I intrigued by the three-part series behind the record, but the listening experience brought tears of both sadness and joy. Needless to say, with the amount of music that will be released this year, take the time to appreciate the entirety of an album, not just a “hit single” that will be lost in your playlist.
In – Wearing your parents’ clothes: Every year, my family and I head to Valparaíso, Zacatecas, México to unplug from work, burnout and realities that linger in the United States. Even with the rodeos, endless errands and spotty cell service, I love looking at the clothes that my father wore when he lived in Valparaíso. From his vaquero-esque wedding suit to bootcut Levi jeans, let’s just say my dad knows how to style and rock almost anything. So, I’ve made it a yearly tradition to leave a garment of clothing from the U.S. and take something from my dad’s closet to freshen up. This time around, a black leather jacket with faux fur lining is my treasured staple for the year. Take a look at your parents’ closet, try on some clothes and sport it. Trust me, it’ll bring your parents to the past and some happy tears.
Out – Sleepwear to class: Ever since I stepped foot onto the Northwestern campus about three years ago, I would always assume that garments like pajamas, sleep sets and the casual baggy T-shirt with sweatpants were meant for one location: home. However, as the quarters continued, I kept noticing that people held the “bedhead” look to classes. Regardless of your stance, stunting sleepwear anywhere besides your residence is like eating food or wearing dirty shoes on the bed. You wouldn’t want hot sauce or outside dirt on your sheets, right? So, instead of rolling out of bed and straight to class, set an outfit aside so you can rock the day in comfortable yet appropriate clothes.
Gabe:
In – Doja Cat: Before 2025, I was a begrudging fan of the genre-bending superstar, but I will henceforth be passionately defending her name. This September, Doja Cat released “Vie,” a 1980s-inspired album blending funk pop and R&B, which featured prominently on my Spotify rotation last year. Through a random string of events, I happened to see the artist live twice last year. Last August, I attended her headlining set at Outside Lands in San Francisco after winning a ticket raffle. In October, a friend invited me to attend the episode of Saturday Night Live in which she appeared as the musical guest. On both occasions, I was transfixed by her magnetic stage presence, minimalist set design and dogged commitment to theatricality. To my regret, “Vie” did not generate the commercial popularity it deserved, but I look forward to seeing where Doja Cat takes her career in 2026.
In – The Women’s National Basketball Association: Last summer, I had a front row seat to the inaugural season of the WNBA’s latest expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries, who played just a ten-minute walk from my apartment. All summer, tens of thousands of fans showed up to Chase Center, selling out every home game and proudly donning team merchandise. While they boasted the highest average attendance in the league, the Valkyries were only one example of the skyrocketing popularity of the WNBA. I look forward to experiencing this ongoing momentum in 2026 — and cheering on the Valkyries each game!
Out – “Wicked” franchise: The light is finally beginning to dim on “Wicked.” After years of buildup, a persistent marketing campaign and an irritating omnipresence on social media, I am enthusiastically bidding goodbye to this franchise. The films irked me in multiple ways, as I outlined in my November review of “Wicked: For Good.” Whether it was the soulless added numbers, agonizing length or the fact that the second film sacrificed quality for excess, I have long been ready to leave “Wicked” in the past. In 2026, I hope to see original works of cinema achieve commercial success, rather than poor adaptations of stage productions that would be better left alone. I hope I never again have to see off-key recreations of Cynthia Erivo’s viral “Defying Gravity” riff on my For You page.
Rainee:
In – Public pop-up performances: Imagine you’re walking through a completely unsuspicious avenue when windows suddenly burst open to reveal a cappella singers, a carriage of violinists and a street pianist playing “Hopelessly Devoted To You.” From airport serenaders to public K-pop covers, I love running into these spectacles while roaming around, and I wish they occurred more often. I think spontaneous performances add a sense of humor and warmth to our typically distanced social situations. While I was vacationing recently, there was a drummer on the side of the road, and it made my simple stroll feel so much more magical. People gathered to enjoy the music or smiled at him, and it conjured up a feeling of togetherness that I feel is often lacking in our current sociopolitical climate.
In – Whimsy for the sake of whimsy: In an era where media is being weaponized, propagandized and manipulated at every turn, the value in using art for change is undeniable. The importance of recognizing the abuse of art to spread harmful ideals is absolutely real. However, not everything needs to be a message. If we were to form a debate over every single detail in our lives, we wouldn’t be able to handle the emotional strain. Learn the “Lush Life” choreography just because it’s lively and brings back memories from your childhood. Stop tearing other people down for their cringey interests when they are just living their life to the fullest. Turning nothing into something quickly devolves into conspiracy and hate. Sometimes, girls just wanna have fun!
Out – Commodifying Chinese culture: Long before the Labubu, China has made ugly dolls that I never understood the appeal of. China has been drinking matcha for centuries. What do you, a modern-day man, know about a whisk? Tanghulu is actually really good and has been even in its pre-TikTok years. I’m glad Chinese culture is being embraced by more people around the world, but I’m concerned about the continued mockery of the aspects overwhelmed by Western influence. Why is someone performative simply because they are immersed in Chinese trends? Why is participation in Chinese culture deemed laughable? I will always emphasize the value of sharing traditions and trends, but why is it exclusively Asian culture that is consistently being transformed into memes and social media gimmicks? There is a deeper disrespect for these communities that I would like left in 2025.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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