Photo by Broadimage/Shutterstock

When Ariana Grande released "thank u, next" back in November, I knew I was going to hate it before I even heard it.

On paper, it's everything I dislike about modern pop music—cloying lyrics about exes accompanied by a grating, sing-song-y refrain, all wrapped up in the "nice girl with a bad side" package that every major pop star seems to be pushing these past few years. "Thank u, next" was going to be yet another wad of chewed up bubblegum inadvertently stuck to the bottom of my shoe: sticky, annoying, and eventually forgotten.

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Culture News

Ariana Grande's Japanese Tattoo Is Too Funny To Be Cultural Appropriation

Twitter's got this: "Met with all the Asians, and our official ruling is that the Ariana Grande tattoo is good."

Ariana Grande at the 2018 MET Gala

Photo by Sky Cinema (Shutterstock)

Updated 1/31:

As a gift that keeps on giving, "七輪" is now the best tattoo in the world. Ariana Grande took all of yesterday's confused criticism over her misspelled Japanese tattoo to heart. In the middle of the night, she posted a series of Instagram stories to showcase hard proof that not only is she a studious admirer of Japanese culture and language, but she's on close texting terms with her kanji "tutor."

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Music Lists

6 Albums to Get Hyped About in February

Here are the most exciting new drops for February 2019.

No music no life

mohammad-metri Unsplash

2019 is going to be a big year for music.

Check out the drops we're most excited about for next month.

Ariana Grande - Thank U, Next

Date: February

Ariana Grande had a whirlwind 2018, having released her previous studio album, Sweetener, just back in August. Since then, she's weathered the death of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, and gone through an intense relationship, engagement, and subsequent break-up with SNL regular, Pete Davidson. Now she's single, stronger, and ready to take on whatever comes next. Grande has already released 3 singles from the album, "Thank U, Next," "7 Rings," and "Imagine." The album is set to have a total of 12 tracks.

Jessica Pratt - Quiet Signs

Date: Feb. 8

Singer/songwriter Jessica Pratt's third studio album, Quiet Signs, is releasing in only a few weeks. "I think the record has to do with connection. It sounds cheesy, but there's an inner awakening. That's what I felt like. It isn't all serious," Pratt told Rolling Stone. The album is being released via Mexican Summer and was produced by Pratt and Al Carson.

Cass McCombs - Tip of the Sphere

Date: Feb. 8

Cass McCombs is also releasing his new album, Tip of the Sphere, on February 8th. This will be his ninth studio album, following 2016's Mangy Love. The singer/songwriter, whose mysterious folk-rock stylings have appeared on multiple album-of-the-year lists, has already released two singles from his upcoming release: "Sleeping Volcanoes" and "Estrella."

Dream Theater - Distance Over Time

Date: Feb. 22

There aren't many prog-metal bands from the 80s still releasing music. Luckily, Dream Theater is an exception. Distance Over Time will be their 14th studio album, created while living and jamming together during the summer of 2018. The first single and opening track, "Untethered Angel," is about freeing yourself from the underlying fear that pervades modern society.

Sleaford Mods - Eton Alive

Date: Feb. 22

The electronic punk duo is releasing their fifth album, Eton Alive. Known for their punk-hop rants aimed to cut through society's bullshit, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn have already released the first single, "Flipside." The track is an aggressive, agitated, yet weirdly measured screed that bodes well for the rest of the album.

Yak - Pursuit of Momentary Happiness

Date: Feb. 8

London rock trio Yak is releasing their second studio album, Pursuit of Momentary Happiness. Their first album, Alas Salvation, was met with critical success and their new singles—"Bellyache," "White Male Carnivore" and "Fried"—suggest a hyper-energetic return to form that is sure to be one of the best rock albums of the month.


Dan Kahan is a writer & screenwriter from Brooklyn, usually rocking a man bun. Find more at dankahanwriter.com


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