The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more
By JENNA LEE — arts@theaggie.org
Album: “Disintegration” by The Cure (1989)
The Cure’s “Disintegration” is the perfect fall album. Its majestic and melancholic atmosphere transforms sadness into something beautiful and nearly otherworldly. The lyrics touch on themes of aging, heartbreak and despair — the latter of which I especially relate to during midterm season. From the grand, lush opening of “Plainsong” to the somber ending of “Untitled,” I can’t wait to walk through campus on gloomy days with this album on repeat.
TV Show: “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” dir. Victor Cook (2010)
As Halloween nears, I am reminded of my favorite childhood show. Of all the media in the “Scooby-Doo” franchise, this one stands out for its dark, character-driven narrative. The series follows the high school gang as they solve mysteries in their hometown, Crystal Cove, also known as “The Most Hauntedest Place on Earth.” While this version follows the standard one-mystery-per-episode formula, it simultaneously delivers an overarching story with serious consequences and plenty of character development. Between the drama, the show manages to provide hilarious comedic relief and pop culture references that I am now finally old enough to appreciate.
Song: “Frozen Love” by Buckingham Nicks (1973) [2025 Re-release]
I am kind of cheating here because I actually want to talk about the “Buckingham Nicks” re-release, not just “Frozen Love” — although it is my favorite song from the album. As a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, the Buckingham Nicks re-release was a welcome surprise earlier this year. The album showcases Lindsay Buckingham’s intricate guitar work and Stevie Nicks’ distinctive vocals from before Fleetwood Mac. Songs like “Don’t Let Me Down Again” and “Frozen Love” seem to foreshadow “Second Hand News” and “The Chain,” respectively. If you’re a fan of Fleetwood Mac or enjoy 70s folk-rock, this album is a must listen.
Book: “Dust” by Patrick Wack (2021)
Over the summer, I had the privilege of visiting the Géopolis Centre for Photojournalism, a small education center in Brussels, Belgium. There, I discovered the work of French photographer Patrick Wack. In his photobook, “Dust,” Wack documents the Chinese autonomous region of Xinjiang and the Uyghur communities inhabiting it. The book is split into two parts. The first section, “Out West,” features images from Wack’s expedition through Xinjiang in 2016 — oil fields, abandoned buildings and vast landscapes comprise many of the photographs. The second section, “The Night is Thick,” takes a grave turn, portraying Uyghur life under the oppression of the Chinese government. Wack depicts rampant Chinese nationalism and pervasive surveillance, offering an early glimpse into the grim reality of Xinjiang.
Written by: Jenna Lee — arts@theaggie.org
