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Day: 4 October 2016

Album: Preoccupations – Preoccupations

Written by Ollie Clack on . Posted in Music.

Released September 16th via Jagjaguwar

8/10

With the opening lines of the album, “With a sense of urgency and unease/Second-guessing just about everything”, Preoccupations start as they mean to go on. The self-titled album is the second full length release by the Canadian band, but the first under the current name. While the band’s 2015 release—also self-titled under the name Viet Cong—was well received by fans and critics alike, the band’s name brought accusations of racism and cultural appropriation, leading to a cancelled gig at an American college. Announcing they would be changing their problematic name in September of last year, the band began recording without a name, and the album is clearly influenced by this tumultuous time, returning with a darker sound rife with feelings of worry and unease.

Opening track ‘Anxiety’ immediately stands out, engrossing the listener with an upfront thumping drum beat bringing attention to the lead singer/bassist Matt Flegel’s dark and emotionally obscured lyrics that throughout the album delve into his neuroses which, although explored in the bands previous album and the two albums of Flegel and drummer Mike Wallace’s previous project Women, are really at the forefront of this record. The darks synths which run throughout the record are reminiscent of ’80s post-punk bands like Bauhaus and Joy Division, and create an overarching sense of worry while still adding to the rich melodic tapestry of the album.

While each track flows into the next in a natural, innocuous way, the melody within the tracks often jolts in different directions: the track ‘Memory’ allows for a beautiful feature from Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner before arching into a five-minute synth and feedback-heavy close to the track and first side of the record. Conversely, the despondent, woe-filled opening of ‘Forbidden’ is interrupted by a building bass and drum line, leaving the track feeling prematurely faded out and somewhat unfinished.

The final track, ‘Fever’, features a resilient refrain of “You’re not scared/Carry your fever away from here” which rings throughout. This is Preoccupations’ message that despite controversy and fear you can do something beautiful; and, while this album is certainly dark, it is also undeniably beautiful.

Forza Horizon 3

Written by Stephen Lewis on . Posted in Games.

For the third time, the Forza series has gone open world with thanks to the team at Playground Games, this time to Australia where you’ll be racing through the rainforest, swerving round city streets and performing rally stunts in the outback. To do all of this you are presented with a choice of over 350 vehicles, ranging from 1967 Volvos all the way up to the state of the art 2016 Lamborghini Centenario, with a fair share of buggies, trucks, and old classics, among other categories, mixed in for good measure.

If you are not a car fan but are interested in the Forza games, then I would recommend the Horizon series over its longer established sibling the Motorsport series. Whilst the latter title certainly has a greater level of realism, with recreations of real-world tracks such as Silverstone, Laguna Seca and Road America to name a few, and a greater focus on precision racing, Horizon takes a different approach. If Motorsport is a simulation then Horizon is a game, and I mean this in no bad way. Quite the opposite in fact.

The clearest example of this is how I use the rewind system in the two games, a staple of the series. In Motorsport I use it more frequently as there is less room for error, especially on higher difficulties, and the game screams out for you to try and perfect every corner. In Horizon, as the world is open, and most of the environments are destructible to an extent, I found myself using the rewind function less often. I was more likely to hit other cars, the side barrier or break through crops and wooden fences (as you are meant to do in some off-road races), generally having a looser, and therefore more fun experience, as I could just enjoy the ride and not focus so much on each action I made. There is also the option of playing your entire career online with friends, an option not available in the main series.

Horizon 3 offers a bounty of options that blow its predecessors out of the water; everything from car customization to creating your own events are options in this game. In the previous entries in the Horizon series you were a driver trying to make a name for yourself, but here you’re the boss of the entire festival. This means then whenever you go to start a race you a given a choice between the premade variant of the event, one made by those on your friends list, or a blueprint option, where you can choose the driving conditions, time and vehicle selection. This ability is amplified however by the ‘blueprint bucket list’ events. Throughout the map there are bucket list events where you go to a start point, get in whatever car is at that location and are given a challenge such as get from A to B in a certain time, get a certain number of points in a drift challenge or try get the most airtime and distance on an off-road jump to name a few. Blueprint bucket list events work in exactly the same way, except when you arrive at the start point you choose everything. The car, the event type, the distance and any other challenges that are applicable.

The showcases are where the game really tries to show off and break some new ground in events not seen in previous games, such as races again but this time in speed boats, a train and a fighter jet. There are however only five of these and at times, especially in the jet showcase, that they can feel a bit scripted rather than an actual test of skill.

This is not to say the game is without flaws. During my first session the game froze a number of times, for more than a few seconds. An example of this is that I would be left hanging in mid-air after a jump only to be jolted back into the game as I suddenly hit the riverbed below after staring at car floating 20 feet above the ground for about eight to ten seconds. The more I played however, the less frequent this occurrence became, and as I was playing on the ultimate edition which released four days early, this could have been a minor bug fixed in a patch on the day of general release. The only other slight gripe I had was with the destructible environments, particularly in rainforests: there is no way to tell which trees are destructible and which are solid (apart from the big thick trees). When you are blazing along at over 200mph and break through whole rows of foliage before hitting a tree that looks near identical to many of those shattered behind you and crash to a complete halt it can be a bit jarring.

To put it bluntly, Forza Horizon 3 is a joy to play. If you are a fan of driving games, you should pick up this game if you haven’t done so already, and if you are merely interested, this a great entry point.

‘God save the Queen’ stands in the way of progress

Written by Rosa Simonet on . Posted in Opinion.

The refusal to show pride for a flag and national anthem in the United States whilst institutions continue to persecute people of colour should not be a protest that we Brits watch from the sidelines. Our own display of national pride and tribute to the monarchy through our own national anthem should be put under question.

Last month, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began his ongoing protest against police brutality and racial inequality by refusing to stand for the American national anthem during NFL pre-season games. When elaborating on his reasons, the NFL star said, “I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. When there’s significant change and I feel that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”

Despite receiving a wave of criticism, the quarterback’s protest has been met with support across college campuses and by prominent members of the sporting community in reaction to further examples of police brutality against young African-American men.

Though the threat to the Black community is not as great in Britain, the presence of institutional racism alone should be prompting action. Not showing solidarity for those athletes providing a platform for topics typically avoided in the sporting arena would be to miss an opportunity to highlight the presence of racism within our own institutions and traditions.

Arguably, institutional racism and discriminatory forces within British society can be rooted in our symbols of national pride. The idyllic portrait of empire in ‘God Save the Queen,’ acts as a tribute to those of upper class, White British descent. The second verse alone “Scatter her enemies | And make them fall | Confound their politics | Frustrate their knavish tricks,” condones the brutality of colonialism and the discrimination of the Other.

In this sense, refusing to change the song represents the lack of even a symbolic acknowledgement of atrocities committed in the Colonial Era. Among these atrocities were the slaughter of over 25,000 (22,000 being children) in the Boer concentration camps, the torture of 3,000 Cypriots, the exploitation of the Indian peoples, and countless instances of theft—both of land and of property.

In part, this dismissal of the lives that were brutally disadvantaged, and paying tribute to its main benefactors could be attributed to the lack of value for the lives of the non-white communities as well as other marginalised groups in modern day Britain. ‘God save the Queen,’ is not a call for inclusion, freedom, and equality. Instead, the song functions as a blatant praise of the prevailing hierarchy. It portrays the monarch and the extended elite as essential to Britain’s survival as a nation—a survival many believe is threatened in the midst of the refugee crisis.

This fear, alongside the belief in White-British supremacy, continue to corrupt our institutions. For example, recent studies confirm that Black British citizens are still more likely to be stopped and searched by police than White British citizens in all but three counties in the UK. In Dorset, the likelihood of a Black person being targeted as a suspect is 17.5 times higher than a white person. The value of Black lives to British institutions is then punctuated by the refusal to hold racist officers to account despite the 16 years that have gone by since the release of Macpherson Report, which denounced “institutional racism” in the Met and other forces.

Critics of Colin Kaepernick, the NFL player, condemn his actions as being unpatriotic and disrespectful to men and women in uniform. However, as noted by USA Today journalist, Nancy Armour, the roots of this criticism are not concerned with a fear of the unpatriotic, but a fear of the dangerous and disloyal. The same concerns are often found in British society. This can be observed in the Junior Doctors strikes: those who oppose Conservative policy are painted by the ruling elite and media as threatening, while their reasons for protest are dismissed.

The argument concerning men and women in uniform is also weak. The Victorian ideals of masculinity and patriotism within the armed forces, too, continue to be valued by the ruling elite. The concern for the welfare of men and women who have fought for Britain, particularly those within the lower ranks, is often lacking. As highlighted by the organisation Combat Stress, the psychological welfare of those within the armed forces is not of a primary concern to the British establishment. Again, survival of the nation is linked to the protection of what is often portrayed as sacred traditions and ideals. Those who do not fit within these 19th century standards, the non-White, non-British and non-Christian, continue to be discriminated against in both public and private institutions.

Kaepernick argues that national pride cannot be celebrated whilst men and women of colour are being oppressed. And yet, Britain fails to acknowledge that our National Anthem as condoning such oppression. The potential for future appreciation and representation of marginalised groups is threatened by the British attachment to ‘God save our Queen.’ We should not only show support and solidarity to Kaepernick and the lives of those threatened in the US, but should be concerned with our own fight against discriminatory forces in British society.

Big Sam busted

Written by Toby Webb on . Posted in Sport.

An investigation by The Telegraph, revealing dodgy dealings in football, has led to Sam Allardyce stepping down as England manager. The information comprised of videos, captured by an undercover reporter. It showed Allardyce discussing the avoidance of the Football Association (FA) Rules regarding third-party ownership of players, as well as England’s failure at this year’s European Championship and the previous England manager Roy Hodgson. The information surfaced last Monday, with Allardyce formally resigning from his position the following evening—after just one game as England manager.

One video shows Allardyce discussing “ways round” regulations against third-party ownership of footballers, regulations which exist in England and France, with potential investors. Additionally, a further video shows another meeting in which a £400,000-a-year deal is being negotiated for Allardyce to provide information on avoiding third-party ownership.

Third-party ownership is potentially lucrative. It involves a business owning, or part-owning, a player’s economic rights. The level of ownership equates to the level of input on potential transfers, as the business will benefit financially when a player moves clubs. Third-party ownership was banned by the FA in 2008-2009: they believe a club should have full ownership of their players. Instead, bypassing the regulations can be achieved through paying a player’s agent for input in transfer decisions: this is what Allardyce has been caught advocating.

Allardyce is a cult figure in English football, both revered and hated, his brutal honesty and dry humour are highlighted in a number of interviews. His best teams were moulded in his image, solid and hard to break down, direct and lacking superfluous aspects. His latest success was to save an all-but-doomed Sunderland team from Premier League relegation.

The revelations have ravaged his reputation while illustrating a complete absence of integrity. Previously, he was reputed as a stoic member of football’s old guard, a manager since 1991, while also being praised for introducing innovative technology into coaching. He regarded the England job as something he’d always sought after—he only last 67 days in the post. The adages ‘every man has his price’ and ‘money talks’ ring true; Allardyce could not resist the opportunity of extra income, despite earning a £3 million salary to manage England for roughly 10 games a year.

The revelations about Allardyce come as a shock, but not a complete surprise. In 2006, the BBC Panorama team made allegation of corruption against him, suggesting he had accepted bribes to sign players through his son, Craig. Allardyce dismissed the claims and they subsequently fell away. However, in this instance, the evidence is concrete. Allardyce claims “entrapment has won.” This is futile, the lamentation of a greedy, and ultimately defeated, man. If he had any integrity, he would not have been having these sorts of conversations. I suspect Allardyce has been involved in shady dealings for a while, evidently unperturbed by the prestige of being England manager, and seemingly naïve to the heightened scrutiny that follows.
The Telegraph’s revelations have been part of a wider investigation named ‘Football For Sale’, uncovering bribery and misconduct.

At the time of going to print, evidence has emerged showing Leeds owner Massimo Cellino, Queens Park Rangers’ manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Barnsley assistant boss Tommy Wright involved in either taking bribes or advising on how to avoid FA regulations. Cellino is known for being a shady and extremely erratic character; undercover reporters filmed him offering ownership of 20 per cent of the club as a way of bypassing third-party ownership rules. Hasselbaink was caught discussing a £55,000 fee for his services as an ambassador, with the option of players being sold to his club in return. Tommy Wright was filmed accepting £5,000 in return for his influence on Barnsley transfer exploits; he has subsequently been sacked.

Paul Hayward, The Telegraph’s chief sports reporter, has suggested that “the wider culture of dollar-chasing and rule avoidance” in football has reached a new extreme. The 2006 Stevens report attempted to uncover the “unregulated gold rush” that football has become; it was impotent, and subsequently the problem has evolved.

This modern football culture is an insult to the fans of clubs. It is their hard-earned money, channelled through tickets, TV subscriptions, and club merchandise, which goes into funding this greed. While the influx of big money into football was inevitable and will continue to grow, the shadiness and corruption that currently exists remains unacceptable.

This past week has brought to light football’s corrupt underbelly, with Allardyce the one to take the biggest fall. It is down to the governing bodies, the Football Association, The Union of European Football Association and FIFA—FIFA is well known as being highly corrupt already—to take action. However, I worry that football is already becoming irreversibly damaged.

FIFA scraps anti-racism taskforce

Written by George Ball on . Posted in Sport.

FIFA, the international governing body of football, has decided to disband their task force set up to tackle racism. The FIFA Task force Against Racism and Discrimination, founded in 2013, aimed to increase sanctions against racism and educate against discrimination. The decision has not been well-received by some, who see the fight against racism as being far from over.

FIFA wrote to members of the task force to tell them of the decision, with the news only being made public after some of those members spoke out against it. Osasu Obayiuwana, who was a member of the group, said there “remained a lot of very serious work for the task force to have done.” FIFA general secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, speaking at the Soccerex global football conference in Manchester last week, justified the decision saying, “it had a specific mandate, which it has fully fulfilled.”

Former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein was disappointed with the announcement, “for it to be disbanded with FIFA considering its work done is extremely worrying.” He was joined in criticising the decision by former FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali, who said: “The reality is that the task force was never given real support since its conception and its role was more about FIFA’s image than actually tackling the issues. The idea that FIFA believes that it is the right time to disband its anti-racism task force is ridiculous.” He claimed there is still “so much work to do” and that “FIFA must show leadership, take responsibility for reform and be accountable if change isn’t put into practice.”

The decision has also attracted criticism from Manchester City player Yaya Toure, who was a consultant to the task force. He called the decision “very disappointing” and questioned whether it was the appropriate time to end work by the task force, with the 2018 World Cup in Russia on the horizon. He asked: “Why stop when something is beginning to work? Are FIFA being complacent ahead of a World Cup in Russia?” Russia has one of the worst records in world football for racism, with many observers surprised it was awarded the tournament.

Photo: LizNN7 @Flickr

Despite being set up the now-shamed Sepp Blatter, and headed by Jeremy Webb, who was arrested in 2015 for corruption, the group was seen to have done some important work. It recommended having additional observers at games to spot incidents and set up the Anti-Discrimination Monitoring System. This system will be in place to assess 850 high-risk matches for potential discriminatory incidents during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and friendlies. They have also implemented the “Say No to Racism” campaign, which has been given prominence at Champions League fixtures.

In their first announcement on the subject, FIFA defended its actions, saying now that taskforce recommendations are in place, the taskforce itself is no longer required. It stressed: “The FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination no longer exists, but thanks to its recommendations FIFA has been able to give a major boost in recent years to its work on diversity and anti-discrimination in football.”

It continued: “FIFA is aware that the fight against racism is a long term process” and they are “continuing to engage worldwide with its member associations, experts and concerned groups.”

With both sides of the decision adamant they are in the right, only time will tell whether the decision was the correct one. However it is hard to disagree that the announcement of the decision has not been managed well by FIFA, with many seeing it as the latest in a series of PR blunders for the governing body over the past few years.

Women in Love: BFI Blu-Ray Restoration

Written by Alasdair Bayman on . Posted in Film, Uncategorised.

As part of the BFI’s constant restoration of seminal films across world cinema—including the likes of Akira Kurosawa’s Ran and Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Landon—their latest blu-ray re-release is widely considered one of British cinema’s greatest achievements: Ken Russell’s Women in Love (1969). Originally screened in 2015 at the London Film Festival, its restoration was met with widescale praise and celebration, primarily due to the film’s sheer brilliance and to Warner Bros tireless efforts to prevent one of Russell’s other films, The Devils, from having its Director’s Cut from being redistributed. Yet, softer in substance and tone, Women in Love, based on D.H. Lawrence’s novel, blends together powerful cinematography from Billy Williams, vibrant 1920’s costumes, and a proposed tangibility of love. This all serves to create a mesmeric tale of the two Brangwen sisters falling in love in upper-middle class society.

Being an adaptation of Lawrence, Russell’s piece avoids unnecessary attachment to the novel. As demonstrated in recent years, adaptation is a blessing or a curse to filmmakers. Its brilliance can range from Lenny Abrahamson’s touching Room to the darkest depths of slaughtering a classic text, as found in The Hobbit. The seemingly simple task of translating text to the big screen has proven to be more complex than initially thought. What Russell manages to achieve in his adaptation is a complex reworking of the novel. It’s a film that revels in its cinematic format and excavates the original work, all whilst maintaining to stand proudly separate in its originality.

Women in Love, on paper, could have been turned into a mundane melodrama. Though with Larry Kramer’s script, the adaptation was never in the wrong hands. With an Oscar-winning performance from Glenda Jackson as the artistically coiled Gudrun Brangwen and Oliver Reed at the height of his career, their relationship on screen deepens the narrative towards the pair of twisted lovers. Reed’s Gerald contributes an iciness in their love, whilst maintaining a deeply withdrawn lust. The separate-yet-united philosophy of love is embodied in them. On the other side of the coin, Alan Bates’ Rupert Birkin and Jennie Linden’s Ursula Brangwen offer an insight into a pure love that survives individual desire, unlike the former couple.

Thanks to undercurrents of homosexuality between Rupert and Reed, though, the work easily could have been titled Men in Love. One naked wrestling scene between the two men was famously cut by the South Africa Film Classification Board for its male nudity in 1969. What was left was Reed’s Gerald locking the door for it only to cut to both men laying topless on the floor sweating. Not only did this prevent audiences from witnessing a visceral scene, it also withdrew the homosexual underpinnings of their relationship. As a reflection of their cultural position in the upper echelons of 1920s society, costume designer Shirley Russell creates some of the most alluring dresses and suits seen on film. As critic Claire Smith notes: “The costumes of the central characters look forward from the war to the youth, vigour, and energy of the twenties style.”

In adapting Lawrence, Russell, more so than the author himself, penetrates the soul of his work. In using the format of film, the director surpasses the ties that bind the novel together. As always with the BFI, their attention to detail in restorations and re-releases is unparalleled. Moreover, they have delivered something sumptuous for cinephiles to revel in.

5/5

Top 5: Classic film screenings at HOME

Written by Eliza Slawther on . Posted in Film, Uncategorised.

HOME cinema and arts centre is well-known in Manchester for its selection of the latest arthouse and Hollywood films, but it also regularly screens old films as well as running film ‘seasons’, for instance the recent Studio Ghibli season that ran in August. Although there are many great new releases being shown in October, I’d strongly recommend seeing at least one of these old classics being screened in the coming month.

5. Stormy Weather

Being a 1943 music comedy, this is certainly bound to be a very different viewing experience than any recent films you have watched in the cinema. It’s perhaps a little cheesy, but extremely fun and will definitely put a smile on your face. The screenings are on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of October.

Kelly/Jordan Enterprises

4. Ganja & Hess

Truly one-of-a-kind, this art-house horror actually deals with many politicised issues, such as race, religion, sexuality and addiction whilst showing a blood-thirsty archaeologist. It’s highly stylised and my not be to everyone’s taste, but if abstract and concept cinema is something you’re interested in then I would encourage you to attend the screening of this classic on the 11th of October.

Photo: TMS Entertainment

3. Akira

An iconic piece of anime cinema, this sci-fi fantasy shows a bike-gang leader and anti-government activists attempting to stop another bike-gang member who has gained deadly psychic powers following a government project called Akira. It’s gory and brutal as well as being visually stunning, and portrays Neo-Japan in all its dystopian glory. The film is being shown on the 4th and 5th of October.

Photo: Twentieth Century Fox

2. Fight Club (with introduction)

Okay, you’ve probably already seen it a hundred times, but have you seen it in the cinema? On the 16th of October Fight Club will be shown at HOME, including an introduction from the film’s production designer Alex McDowell. It’s quotable, funny, and you are guaranteed to leave almost as satisfied and amazed as the first time you watched it. Or, for those who haven’t seen it, it’s the perfect opportunity to finally learn what all the hype is about.

Photo: Columbia Media

1.) Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (with introduction)

Not only is Dr. Strangelove one of the best war films of all time, this particular screening on the 18th of October includes an introduction by Sir Christopher Frayling, an expert in film culture. One of Kubrick’s earliest masterpieces, Dr. Strangelove satirises the western attitudes towards war and explores how terribly wrong everything could go.

“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!”

The Dating Dilemma

Written by Sophie Soar on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

We’re gradually settling in to a new academic year, with deadlines starting to loom and our reading list building to record amounts. Aside from blowing off steam in Manchester’s internationally loved clubs and pubs, what better way to distract ourselves from scholarly demands than the prospect of a new dating scene? Apparently, Tinder is dead and rather than hide behind apps and participating in some harmless keyboard flirtations, we are reverting back to old school ways: meeting someone face to face. A terrifying prospect!

So you’ve snagged your dream man and your romantic table for two is booked with candlelit schmoozing in store. One last hurdle—the hardest of them all—now hits you. Friends have been consulted, wardrobes ransacked, and the Internet scoured. Still no luck? We’re weighing in our first date must-haves to see you through the night.

 

The Top Half

Sarah Kilcourse

Admittedly it may seem risky but a white pyjama blouse is a huge yes for a date – let me explain why. Bypass any fears of spilling dinner, wine or coffee down your front, you are a fabulous creature who would never be so clumsy. A pyjama blouse has the correct amount of seductive v-neck, hinting at décolletage but meaning your date is still able to maintain eye contact without being distracted by the goods down below. It works on everyone, no matter how gifted you are in the chest region. Also, the subtle hint to the bedroom doesn’t go amiss.

Photo: Topshop

If you prefer an option with a bit more on show lets delve into the nineties trend. The cami is everywhere this season, it has been for the past few seasons and undoubtably will continue to be a prevalent silhouette in the next season. Whether it be extended to a dress or just a top the cami is a cocktail of femininity, girliness and sex appeal. Toughen it up with a leather biker jacket or be tad preppy with a boyfriend blazer. For a real nod to the nineties throw in some velvet.

Photo: Asos

 

Below the Belt 

Sophie Soar

Trousers are without doubt my favourite element to any outfit. They’re not the usual item chosen to make a statement, which makes it all the more fun. The wackier they are, the better! Paired with the right shoe, trousers lengthen your legs and can hug in all the right places. Ensure to pick a flattering cut depending on your body shape; a low-rise jean is great so long as you have the slim figure for it. Personally, I opt for high-rise and belted, pulling them in at the waist for a figure hugging finish. Also, never underestimate the comforts of a baggy cut and its slimming capabilities when deceivingly oversized.

Photo: Asos

Skirts are an alternative to smarten up your dating attire. Again, I am a sucker for a high waisted look to give a flattering finish but a mini skirt can give that cheeky edge when paired with a large boot heel. However if you wish to keep to current trends, pleated metallic skirts are all the rage. Match this with a crisp white shirt, unbuttoned seductively to the cleavage for a sophisticated yet sexy look.

Photo: Topshop

Dancing Shoes

Talia Lee-Skudder

What better way to finish your outfit than with a pair of killer heels? Not only do they look fabulous but they are a confidence booster that will ensure your date’s eyes are fixed on you. For me, there is absolutely no question that I would throw on a pair of heels for the first date (providing you are not going bowling or somewhere equally tragic), they spice up a dull outfit and make your legs look amazing with your standard uniform of black skinny jeans. Fingers crossed you will be only making a trip from the taxi to the restaurant, rather than somewhere that requires more than three minutes of walking. In the (hopefully) unlikely event of this happening, grin and bear it ladies; fashion isn’t always easy.

Right now I love the lace up trend and I am currently coveting this pair from Public Desire. Far from being a boring pair of black heels, these suede lace up beauties are a winner with their ornate gold heel. What’s more you won’t be balancing on stilettos all night, the chunky heel ensures you have a bit more comfort and support.

Photo: Public Desire

 

Photo: Public Desire

With your heels you can go as fun or simple as you like. Pick a show-stopping pair and keep your outfit minimal or vice versa. Either way, heels are the ultimate way to nail your date night look and give you the poise to show your date what you’re made of.

 

 

Review: The Girl With All The Gifts

Written by Sarah Jane Thoms on . Posted in Film.

Based on the novel of the same name by M. R. Carey, The Girl with All the Gifts offers a new approach to the already established zombie thrillers but seems to lack a sense of realism… as much as a dystopian world can offer.

The film tells the story of a world plagued by a fungal virus that turns humans into “hungries”, zombies that desire the flesh of those that are healthy and unaffected. However, the second generation of “hungries” are somewhat different. It is this difference that leads Dr Caudwell (played by Glenn Close) to believe that a cure can be formulated. Young Melanie (played by newcomer Sennia Nanua) becomes Caudwell’s last hope to develop a vaccine and to restore the human race.

Directed by Colm McCarthy, The Girl with All the Gifts can be greatly appreciated in terms of its aesthetics. It is extremely visually appeasing and alongside the resonant music score, a sombre atmosphere is created for the majority of the film.

Nanua’s performance was striking and hard-hitting for such a young actress and her work must be highly rated. The character of Melanie is the focal point for the audience’s connection to the film, so Nanua’s performance was crucial in order to make the audience believe the world that they were viewing. Her performance ensures that we sympathise with Melanie and support her on her journey. Her relationship with Ms Justineau (played by Gemma Arterton) pulls at your heartstrings, and the audience wants nothing more than to see Melanie live a normal and carefree life as a child. I believe that great opportunities lie ahead for Sennia Nanua.

Despite Nanua’s exceptional performance, not all performances were as plausible. A particular scene which shows Melanie go head to head with a clan of second generation children “hungries” is just one example of when the film loses its sense of seriousness, and in some ways becomes comedic. The low budget of the film could be blamed for the poor quality use of special effects in regards to creating believable zombie characteristics, but the acting cannot be commended. The scene which shows nothing more than playground fighting and a few slightly disturbing hisses every now and then is not chilling, nor is it believable. On the other hand, how frightening can a scene really be when all of the performers are children? The unity that is created between Melanie, Ms Justineau, Sgt. Eddie Parks (played by Paddy Considine) and Kieran Gallagher (played by Fisayo Akinade) is a believable one but the rest of the film lacks this belief.

The opening section of the film left me intrigued and immersed, but this connection was lost as the film progressed. I’m sat on the fence with The Girl and All the Gifts. Maybe you won’t be.

3/5

Top 5: Heartbreak Songs

Written by Mattea Bubalo on . Posted in Music.

5) It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy

For a lighthearted apology for whatever it was you did in Fifth last night, this classic will surely cheer you and your estranged beau up

4) I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing – Aerosmith

You can tell your flatmates you’re enjoying this power ballad ironically, but we all know what’s really up. “I’m not crying, I’ve just got something in my eye.”

3) The First Cut is the Deepest – Norma Fraser

A genuinely lovely reggae cover of a “dad’s favourite” classic rock song, the mixture of Norma Fraser’s clean, melancholy vocals and the upbeat melody will keep you on the sunnier side of wistfulness.

2) Comment Tu Dire Adieu? – Françoise Hardy

Sophisticated and seductive, let Françoise Hardy add a dramatic and French hue to your heartbreak set in unfamiliar redbrick surroundings. It feels classier that way.

1) Since I Left You – The Avalanches

When words aren’t enough, let The Avalanches guide you to the light at the end of the tunnel with simply the words, “Since I left you, I found the world so new.”

Are universities sexist?

Written by Iqra Choudhry on . Posted in News.

In 2016, gender equality in higher education institutions should no longer have to be discussed. However, after examining the current data on male-to-female ratios at universities, it’s clear that gender parity is far from being a reality in academics.

A recent BBC article asked: ‘Are universities secretly sexist?’

The answer; they very well could be.

The history of women in higher education is sadly brief and little-publicised. Although the first university in the world was set up by a woman (and a Muslim woman, no less), most universities did not accept female students for centuries. Oxford and Cambridge were reluctant to take on female undergraduates and even after establishing colleges specifically for them in the early 20th century, they did not give them the freedom to pursue their studies—students had to obtain permission to attend lectures and were not allowed to take degrees.

A century or so on, some things have thankfully changed for the better with most undergraduate degrees across the UK seeing an equal number of male and female students taking up places. Of course, some courses see a gender skew; psychology, English literature, and nursing attract far more female than male students, while physics and engineering are male-dominated courses. However, the number of female students and academics drastically decreases as you ascend the academic career ladder.

Life Sciences often sees more women than men in undergraduate and masters courses. Yet at doctoral and post-doctoral level these women seem to be disappearing, with many of the bioscience departments across the UK still being heavily dominated by male professors, senior lecturers, researchers, and vice chancellors. Half of lecturers are women, but only 24 per cent of professors are women. If there are clearly qualified women in universities, why are not we seeing them in more prominent roles?

Dame Athene Donald, a professor at Cambridge University, blames a ‘subtle blend of cultural expectations’.

There are a whole host of factors that she includes in this ‘blend’. For example, women are not encouraged to aim for doctoral research or post-doctoral positions at universities, nor are they often given adequate support from mentors at universities when expressing interest in moving up in academia.

Women also face both conscious and unconscious bias. Studies have shown that when sending the same application to jobs using both male and female names, employers are often more likely to contact a male candidate, despite there being no differences between the two applications but the supposed gender of the applicant.

It is also well known that women are more likely to take career breaks if starting a family and this can hinder their chances of being promoted within universities.

Some argue that the recent appointment of women to the heads of world-renowned universities such as Oxford and Harvard signals a change in the male-dominated trend. That, slowly but surely, higher education is making steps towards parity. Others argue that single steps like these are not enough. To that effect, initiatives like the Athena SWAN Charter have been established to encourage universities to give women more opportunities and support their progress within academia, with awards and funding opportunities as incentives.

Until gender equality is reached throughout higher education, the question will remain: are universities doing enough for women?

Live: Sundara Karma

Written by Meg Roberts on . Posted in Music.

Manchester Ritz, September 22nd

7/10

There’s nothing like a glitter-dipped crowd all velvet trousers and short fringes with an average age of 16 at the Ritz to make you feel old. In my advancing years, yes all 21 of them, I felt as though I’d been put in a tumblr-shaped time machine and transported back to a Swim Deep gig in the height of B-town 2012. Fast forward four years and it seems the sun-drenched dream pop of the Birmingham variety –  Jaws, Peace, Dumb, Dive, Wide Eyed and Laced – we’re looking at you, hasn’t lost its appeal with the plaid-shirted, septum pierced teenagers of Manchester.  If Peace and Tame Impala were to reproduce it’d probably sound something like Reading’s Sundara Karma, an altogether more brown, rice and open toe sandals to your typical indie pop/rock bread and butter.

You’ve got to give it to the indie cindy Manchester lot, they don’t do things by halves and I felt almost out of place without a crop top. I didn’t have a Sundara-Karma sunshine glittered on nor was I dancing as if at a hyped-up house night rather than your typical stand-at-the-back-and-nod-if-your-cool vibe. I’d obviously not had enough blue smarties or lemonade. Hyperactive wasn’t the word.

Aesthetics aside, yes Oscar Lulu looks a lot like a blonde Harrison Koisser along with the young, fan-girling crowd that these types of bands often attract, sometimes wrongly pigeonholing the likes of Sundara Karma as quintessentially indie boyband. SK are more than that.

A shirtless Lulu opened their biggest headline show to date with Indigo Puff, their oldest and arguably, most well known and best loved single. Hypnotic drums alongside Lulu’s earthy vocals made for something ethereal as the packed out Ritz chanted ‘you’re the one, you’re the one, you’re the one.’ Not bad for a band who haven’t even released an LP yet.

My age soon became apparently when their soulful rendition of Luther Vandross’ Never Too Much seemed lost on the teenyboppers. I wondered whether they were just struggling for enough material but I enjoyed the change of pace nonetheless—and who doesn’t love a good boogie to a thousand kisses from you? Evidently the 15-18 cohort, sigh.

Songs like Vivienne tell us why Sundara Karma and the type of music that they’re making matters, especially in a world which has largely commodified human relationships offering watered down, cut, copy and paste love if you have a smartphone and internet access, which you probably do. It’s almost a ‘look at the crap we’re calling love these days’ social critique as he talks of the obsession and raw vulnerability of I’d-die-for-you love. I felt swept up in the dreamlike atmosphere, as the synth-y sounds of ‘wild eyes, skinny jeans’ juxtaposed with the electricity of the crowd.

Speaking of Vivienne, Lulu said: ‘It’s a love song sure, but more to do with the escapism that love can offer than love itself. The world is pretty fucked, not that this is a revelation, nor am I saying anything new. I’m just singing about a type of love that blocks out all the noise.’

Like much of Sundara Karma’s material, it all comes down to escape and the need to sometimes turn down life’s background noise—and if their sunshine infused melodies can make my summer last a bit longer as we move into a decided Mancunian autumn, that’s all the escape I need.

Album: Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition

Written by Cassie Hyde on . Posted in Music.

27th September 2016 via Warp

8.5/10

Danny Brown is a different type of hip-hop artist. From naming his latest album, Atrocity Exhibition, after the opening track on Joy Division’s Closer, to collaborating with The Avalanches and Vampire Weekend, it’s obvious that this album would be distinct.

Atrocity Exhibition is the musical equivalent of taking the maddest thing in the world, giving it a load of cocaine and then blasting it out into space: chaotic and brilliant. One of the record’s greatest assets is how incredibly dense it is, slowly unravelling its secrets with each listen. Danny Brown’s lyrics are hilarious as ever, with lines such as “So much coke, just to sniff, need a ski lift” being present throughout. Yet, his subject matter is often varied, spanning drugs, Detroit, and death. The track ‘Today’, a song about black men dying young, either from drugs or gun violence, is truly heartfelt.

The music is fast-paced and erratic; ‘Downward Spiral’ sounds like a desert mirage, ‘Ain’t It Funny’ is evocative of a Death Grips song, while ‘Dance In The Water’ is clearly influenced by his work on The Avalanches’ ‘Frankie Sinatra’. The instrumentation is also extremely varied on every track. From the spidery guitar riff on ‘When It Rain’, to Kelela’s Bjork-esque vocals on ‘From The Ground’ and the xylophone on ‘Really Doe’, there is much to like on this album. Considering how dense and experimental Atrocity Exhibition is, it seems to be no surprise that the record shares a label with the output of Aphex Twin and Flying Lotus. Brown’s high pitched, whiny rapping style even has the same bratty, yet likeable quality that much of Aphex Twin’s music has.

If there are any problems with Atrocity Exhibition, it is the couple of tracks that break the album’s flow. ‘Pneumonia’ is slower and less intense than the rest of the album—and much less interesting. The same riff is repeated throughout, without enough variation to be as great as the other songs. It’s far from awful, but is definitely the runt of the litter. While we’re at it: ‘Hell For It’ shouldn’t close the album. It’s very good, great even, but when you have the slow comedown of ‘Get Hi’, a Talking Heads ballad dying for David Byrne vocals, we already have the perfect final track. Otherwise, this album would have a near-perfect flow.

The best representation of the album is the cover, which perfectly encapsulates the music. It’s surreal, colourful, disturbing, and funny. Yet, most importantly, it’s bloody brilliant.

Review: Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical

Written by Brogen Campbell on . Posted in Theatre.

The show begins with the ringing of the red phone. The fictional and imaginary producer Cameron is demanding the need for a new musical. The Master of Ceremony (M.C.) addresses the audience as the ‘writers group’ charged with the responsibility of achieving this aim within the designated two hours.

The house lights up and the suggestions flood in from the crowd; this show certainly breaks the fourth wall, but seamlessly closing it again once the actors arrive on stage.  It is the audience’s job to choose the setting and title of the musical. We settled on The Mortuary and the aptly named ‘I Sing Dead People’.  The first half of the show begins—all that is required is one M.C., two musicians, and six actors.

The musical numbers are inspired by various styles, genres, and composers all dictated by the audience. Dance numbers inspired by Fosse, impersonations of Lin-Manuel’s iconic rapping style and they even tackled Sondheim. They created memorable songs including ‘You Smell Nice’, ‘Be Alive’ and ‘Your Dreams in Your Spleen’. References to the spleen became a running joke throughout the show.

It was these details and the drawing from previous scenes that made the performance fluid and a joy to watch. The comic timing was perfect and left the audience unashamed to laugh out loud. Needless to say, the show was hilarious from start to finish, despite (or perhaps because of) the morbid setting of a successful mortuary in The Great War.

You quickly forget that the audience had only set certain boundaries mere minutes ago as the actors and musicians perform with ease and confidence, which suggests they really have been rehearsing this very musical for years. This isn’t surprising, although the company can’t prepare for any specific show, as who knows what wacky and bonkers ideas the audience will call out on the night.

The company rehearses to hone their improvisation skills, which results in a performance that puts the audience at ease and ready to laugh at the hilarity that unfolds before them.  The slickness of the performance is almost scary, as actors exit and enter in almost perfect unison. Similarly, there seems to be a sixth-sense among the cast on who’s turn it is to sing the next improvised line.

It is easy to imagine that improvisation is simple, due to the incredible performance by the cast, but you only need to try it out yourself to realise how gifted the cast really are. The expertise of their craft is the reason why the company has been so successful, having been running since 2008.

The second half is dictated by the audiences’ tweets during the interval. It isn’t just the audience who helps direct the show, but the M.C. isn’t shy to get involved too. The M.C. stops the action to change the direction of the show, call for a musical number or remind the actors of an audience member’s idea. These interruptions kept the show alive and the actors on their feet, as they had to be open to all offers.

The minimal staging and four movable red doorways allow the actors to have plenty of space to experiment on –and experiment they certainly do. Showstoppers! perform something you have never seen before and will never see again. A truly unique experience.

Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical is unconventional, hilarious and one not to be missed. You really can’t believe that before the show started the unique plot never existed—utterly mind-blowing. Showstoppers! are currently touring so make sure you catch a show if you get a chance, check their website for details.

The Save the Date campaign: A great idea ruined by propaganda

Written by Julie Penverne on . Posted in Opinion.

As the date of the US presidential election gets closer every day, we are all wondering who will be the next President of the United States. Although the polls are close, they tend to put Hillary Clinton as the favourite candidate. But as it was shown in the UK’s recent elections, polls can often be wrong about the final outcome of an election.

Looking at all of the data and information, it is clear that abstention will play a big role in the outcome of the US presidential race. Abstention has been a problem for decades now and the right to vote has seemingly become a burden for some people. Not only do people not vote, but many do not even take the time to register to vote.

In 2008, the US presidential election saw the highest turnout rate since 1968’s election of Richard Nixon, with 61.6 per cent of the eligible voters casting their votes. However, that still leaves 38.4 per cent of voters not bothering to turn up at all. According to the International Business Times, some of the reasons for such a low turnout included people feeling as though they were too busy or not interested, or that they were out of town or simply forgot.

Some of them do not understand a single thing in politics, others will give you the usual ‘my vote won’t make a difference anyway’ speech. So why bother right? Well, because every vote is important, and the US understands that.

Following on from the turnout in 2008, the government wanted to make sure that this year will be an even greater example of amazing turnout. And what better way to achieve this than to involve our favourite celebrities in order to get the message across? In a society where we are constantly connected through social media, a realm in which celebrities often have the most followers,  it would be foolish not to use this as a means of circulating information.

In order to get their message across, many celebrities have involved themselves in the ‘Save the Date’ campaign, including Avengers stars Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr and Mark Ruffalo, amongst others. As they represent heroes saving America in the movies they star in, it seems like a good idea to use them in order to get a political message across. In their video, which has been posted to numerous websites, they tell people once again how important it is to register and vote in this election.

But wait! Their message does not stop there. They then, without naming him, call Donald Trump a “racist abusive coward who can permanently damage the fabric of our society”.

What do we think of celebrities giving such straightforward opinions on the presidential candidates? Republican candidate Donald Trump is endorsed by numerous celebrities, including Charlie Sheen and Mike Tyson. Hillary Clinton also has her share, such as Beyonce and Katy Perry. Why does this help candidates? Because famous people are very influential on their fans. People who do not know anything about politics might just think ‘I like Beyonce’s views and if she says that Hillary Clinton is the best candidate then she might just be right’.

It is one thing to use your influence as a celebrity to endorse a candidate and share a political value. But it is something else to criticise openly the other candidate on a video uploaded to social media. I am not saying that I do not think people should not vote for Trump because I do. I am strongly against his ideas and believe that we should not elect him as the head of such an influential and globally significant country. But the message put across by The Avengers cast is turning a means of reaching out to everybody, including the politically unsavvy, into a propaganda campaign.

Celebrities might as well have said in the video ‘Come vote for Hillary’. I appreciate the importance of having celebrities endorsing a candidate, as it can help to reach a wider audience in terms of voters, but I am strongly against it turning into a propaganda machine. I believe it’s a shame that such a great campaign idea became another subjective message instead of a passionate invitation for Americans to vote.

Should the BBC be funded by the tax payer?

Written by Roisin McDonagh on . Posted in Opinion.

The Licence Fee is a tax paid by anyone who wants to receive television broadcasted in the UK, have access to BBC iPlayer, or listen to BBC radio. However, this raises the question of whether or not it is justifiable to have an essentially tax funded entertainment service.

Today, is it really necessary to have a publicly funded broadcasting corporation?  TV shows are often produced by private companies which sell the rights to the BBC. Strictly Come Dancing, for example, could very easily be broadcast by ITV. Is it, therefore, justifiable to charge TV users in the UK £145.50 a year for a service which may not fund the entertainment they watch or could be provided far more efficiently by a private company, at no financial cost to viewers other than the effects of an enticing commercial advert.

The cost of living in the UK is already high and it does not seem entirely right to burden the country further with this additional, quite regressive tax.

One of the most controversial problems with the public funding of a broadcasting service is its neutrality. The BBC was slated throughout the EU referendum for being in favour of remain. This fuelled mistrust around the debate and unfairly tarnished the remain sides arguments as being presented in a biased way. So, having a tax-funded BBC is not only unfair to those who pay the licence fee who do not see their views expressed, but also hinders the corporation’s freedom of expression and ability to produce what it wants.

Public ownership also constrains the BBC from acting in an effective and competitive way. The recent example of the Great British Bake Off shows the financial constraints on the BBC and demonstrates how it cannot be as effective a broadcaster as a privately owned one due to greater limits on funds.

In striving to be cost effective for the tax payer, the BBC subsequently offers a lower quality of service. In losing the Great British Bake Off deal, the roughly 11 million fans of the show can now watch it on channel 4 but still must pay the licence fee to fund the BBC. Surely the whole point of having a publicly funded BBC is that it provides entertainment for the people who fund it. But due to the very nature of its public finding, it falls short at providing the entertainment that the public desire.

A major flaw in the model of public financing of the BBC is that the revenue from the licence fee is capped at £145.50 where as commercial companies have no limit to the amount of advertising revenue they can raise, therefore the BBC suffers an automatic disadvantage in bidding for major shows. If the most popular shows are enticed to commercial channels by higher bids, what is the point in having the publicly funded BBC as it won’t be providing a popular and competitive service?

As a publicly funded organisation, the BBC is also subject to a high degree of scrutiny and transparency. Due to the 2016 Royal Charter, the BBC now has to publish the names of artists and talent who earn more that £150,000 a year, and whilst this may seem fair in order to maintain transparency, this could hinder the BBC’s performance and talent pool as stars may not want such information publicly known. No other commercial broadcasting corporations will have to release this information, so how can they create a fair market-based business when the BBC is forced to jump through more hoops than their competitors?

It seems clear then, that the public ownership of the BBC makes the corporation less competitive and less able to survive in the commercial market place. Either the BBC should be privatised, removing the budget constraints and transparency issues, or be allowed a certain level of anonymity in its practices.

Whatever the future model is, one thing seems to be clear: the licence fee and public ownership model do not seem to be working. The Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittindale said: “In the short term, there appears to be no realistic alternative to the licence fee, but that model is becoming harder and harder to justify and sustain.”

Again going back to the initial question of the justification of a publicly funded entertainment corporation, the Committee have said that due to the changing habits of audiences owing to new technology, “we do not see a long-term future for the licence fee in its current form.”

However, public opinion may be enough to prevent the end to funding the BBC. If we take the Great British Bake Off case, the level of public outcry—combined with the allegiance of three of its stars—shows a certain loyalty from viewers and employees alike. The BBC was founded in 1922 and is the world’s oldest national broadcasting organisation, carrying with it a great deal of nostalgia and a subsequent difficulty to justify removing its public funding.

Whilst it makes commercial sense to stop tax payer funding of the BBC, culturally it does not seem an option at this moment in time. Therefore, the BBC should remain funded by the tax payer. However, preferential treatment in bidding for shows would offer a way to counteract the economic disadvantages of being tax payer funded whilst retaining this historic institution in public hands.

More should be done to tackle neglectful student landlords

Written by Alex Pigott on . Posted in Opinion.

Students are desperate for houses; desperate to be with the people they want; desperate to get a house in the right location; and desperate to find a house that isn’t falling to pieces. Although, of course, landlords want to find tenants for their houses, once the contract has been signed, they no longer need to be as eager to please as they once were.

Arriving to find leaking floors, broken hobs, and mould are examples of issues that students will have faced when they moved in this September. It is only once we move into our houses that we discover what it is really like. This is not just a wordy inventory list of everything that is wrong with my house—I do love my house. But when these issues go ignored it makes me think of the bigger picture: the fact that most of the time we have no idea of the real state of the house until it’s too late, and how we have no idea of how willing to help the landlord will be once he is no longer needed to do so.

Just like people—as landlords are—there are good and bad ones. Some will use the two months half rent paid over July and August to bring the house back to a condition you would expect. They will also take note of any issues you may have once you have moved in and get them resolved as soon as possible. However, the issue is that there is no way of knowing whether this will be your landlord until the contract has been signed and you’re living there.

Once there, and you begin realise that it seems unlikely that anyone has set foot in the house all Summer, it dawns on you that, without something truly awful happening to the house, there isn’t much you could do to terminate your contract. Even if there are valid reasons, the upheaval it takes to move out and find a new house in the middle of the year would put most people off even attempting it. Landlords have us under the cosh.

But of course, situations like this pop up frequently in our lives. We are forced to commit to something without much opportunity to turn back on our decision: buying a coffee, or renting an AirBnB or an Uber are such commitments you make where you can’t get a refund on the service—at least, without a great deal of hassle.

But these aspects of our daily spending remain at a reasonably high standard. Though there are many problems with Uber, the driver doesn’t treat you with contempt like some other taxi drivers might—demanding cash before you leave and shouting his demands along the way. An Uber driver will try to encourage conversation and maybe even a smile to make the journey that bit more pleasant. They may not want you back, but they want people back. To get people back they need you to enjoy your ride so you leave a positive review for all to see.

Although a review system has its flaws, it seems to work well for systems like this—systems where the customer is in need of a service either way, but to whom he or she chooses to give the job to is up to them. Using a public reviewing system, the service is improved to get you, or anyone else, back again.

After a quick Google search, I found rateyourlandlord.org.uk, a website that seems to be exactly what we need. However, a reviewing system such as this can only be effective when enough people are on board. At the moment, this site is only active for a small selection of universities. However, if this became as widely used as TripAdvisor, students would be in less of a predicament.

There is the obvious issue that people could be awfully ruthless with their ratings, threatening to drop a star if unreasonable demands aren’t met. Yes, this is a potential issue but one that may be resolved with a similar review system to Uber, in which the driver also has the opportunity to review the passenger. In this case, the Landlord could also review the tenants. It may appear to be like a potentially slippery slope, perhaps leading to a constant paranoia over whether one foot out of line will lose a star on their review; a landlord never to let again and a student never to rent again.

But, in reality, that seems to happen in circumstances like these is that the review is never too prominent in the minds of either party. Instead, it hangs silently in the background, a subtle reminder that neither party is helpless if all goes pear shaped.

Of course there may be better ways of maintaining standards in student homes. If so, I’d like to see them in action. But with the current state of things, more needs to be done. I don’t believe that all students should be living in palaces. I enjoy the shoddy furnishings, it’s homely. The issue lies with the fact that whatever you find when you first open your door in September is what you’re stuck with.

High heels vs Trainers

Written by Talia Lee-Skudder on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Before starting university, I vowed I would never succumb to the hugely popular and practical trend of wearing trainers. I laughed at my friends who assured me that they were essential university wear and were actually really cool. As if wearing trainers outside of the gym wasn’t enough to get my head around, being a student in Manchester also meant that trainers were the preferred choice of footwear on a night out. You can imagine my horror on finding out that I was going to have to incorporate trainers into my wardrobe in a big way.

For a night out at home in the northern seaside town of Cleethorpes—or CleeVegas to those who are well acquainted—heels are obligatory on a night out. I foolishly believed that this would be the case in Manchester and that it would stay this way. I put up a good fight, wearing lower and chunkier heels than what I was accustomed to during freshers week. However, I quickly realised that I was fighting a losing battle and begrudgingly left my heels to collect dust in my wardrobe for the rest of the year. Whilst walking to a club and spending all night in towering heels is the norm at home, clambering onto the Magic Bus in stilettos for a student night out seems unthinkable. So I reluctantly purchased my first pair of trainers and honestly they have revolutionised my wardrobe.

The pros of trainers are obvious; ultimate comfort that allows you to keep dancing all night and run home from the bus stop when it’s freezing cold and, in spite of myself, I do have to admit they do look cool. Heels, on the other hand, are glamorous and bring together any outfit, plus they elongate your legs and who doesn’t love that? It’s futile to even mention the cons of wearing heels; we’ve all had nights where our feet are crippled in pain and we are convinced that our fabulous heels are, in fact, torture devices. However, if you find the right pair of shoes you can rule the world.

For those of you who, like me, are advocates for the stiletto, despite all of their attributes, sometimes trainers just don’t work with your outfit. For a night in Manchester, find middle ground and wear your comfy boots. These are a lifesaver for the trainer-phobes out there and they give you the extra height that you need. Whilst I undoubtedly shun my trusty heels on a night out at university, I am still devoted to my stilettos at home and surprisingly comfort is never an issue – especially if my outfit is looking good. So, will I ever discard my heels in exchange for comfort, practicality and looking ‘cool’? Absolutely not, but I’m willing to make an exception during my time studying in Manchester. If Victoria Beckham can swap five-inch Louboutin heels for Stan Smiths then—for now— I think I’m in good company.

Kaleidoscope Dreaming

Written by Sophie Soar on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Ah, Manchester. True to form, it has stuck to its reputation and predictable ways. It’s grey, it’s dreary and it’s the kind of weather that makes you question the absolute necessity to leave your bed, let alone walk out the front door. It is also the kind of weather that has us reaching for our black and white staple pieces to blend in with the surroundings.

When this weather hits, paired with the encroaching shorter days, it’s very easy to fall into the habit of dressing in pure monochrome. Colour is often a celebration of our mood, informing a dress code in which we indulge with greater ease when the sun invokes a happier temperament. How do we, then, invoke a more cheerful wardrobe when our mood, sometimes so dependent on weather, is compromised?

As is recommended by interior designers when choosing paints, colour subliminally affects our disposition and is therefore essential in lifting our spirits. For example, monochromatic tones with a warmer undertone can give your winter blues that lift it needs. Camel, khaki and blue for one provide a twist on the monochrome palette, imbuing shades with warmth rather than wearing outfits that continually suggest you’re aesthetically recreating an E. L. James novel.

Alternatively, one or two vibrant pops of colour can give your ensemble the cheerful edge it needs despite your despair for the drizzle and plummeting temperature. Setting off an outfit with a vibrant shoe or a vivaciously printed top can be enough to stand out from the mass hoard of oversized coats and winter woollies that grace the library this time of year.

There is a uniform distinguishable amongst the Manchester university goer: a khaki coat with a fur trimmed hood, paired with black jeans and a black boot or Nike trainer. Once you spot one, you spot a hundred in one day. Should you wish to stick to the comforts of a monochromatic wardrobe, an alternative change may come in a much smaller box. A slash of colour could be a red lip or a popping eye shadow to give the subtle lift necessary in these overcast days.

It’s often easy to forget the power of a little colour to add some cheer to the long months ahead, whilst we are more often than not found burrowing in the library or hibernating at home. Warmer days may be fast disappearing and only found in the memories of summer, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. As designer Isaac Mizrahi once said, “colour is like food for the spirit—plus it’s not addictive or fattening”.

 

Procrastinate your procrastination habits

Written by Amy Bradley on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Being the best at certain things in this world means you’re a champion. You’re praised by your parents and envied by your peers. Procrastination is not one of these things. You may own the crown for being the King or Queen of procrastination, but is this really a title you want? Procrastination is the impressive art form of postponing important things you need to do and instead engaging in other—usually pointless and unnecessary— activities in order to achieve the postponing. These other activities may include watching TV, doing chores such as tidying your room, or carrying out a horrifically extensive Google search on your favourite celebrity—you will literally do anything to avoid doing the thing you’re meant to be doing. Procrastinating may seem like the winning option at the time, but if acted upon too often it could have some detrimental effects, especially whilst studying at university. Instead of getting behind with assignments and essays, be in front and prepared. Start procrastinating your procrastination and get moving with these easy tips to help you beat the habit.

1. Think about your future self—what would they say right now? Sometimes thinking about what we’re actually doing and the precious time we are wasting on mind-numbing activities is actually all it takes to give us the motivation we need. Picture the person you want to be in the future. Successful? Satisfied? Motivated? Yes, yes, and yes. Procrastinator? No. Your future self will thank your present self for acting on those goals you’ve had for years but not actually done anything about. Don’t put off those important things that you really need or want to do such as learning a language, finishing (or starting) an assignment, or organising your life.

2. When you actually do what you’re supposed to be doing, it’s never as bad as you think. In fact, once you’ve completed the job it leaves you with guilt-free time on your hands to enjoy however you please. You will definitely enjoy this time more as you won’t have anything looming in the back of your mind. Without even noticing, you will instantly be of clearer mind as your life de-clutters and you’ve stopped procrastinating.

3. Make whatever you need to do known to others— that way you have to do it. This not only adds an element of pressure but also motivates you to avoid the embarrassment of not doing what you said you would.

4. Don’t overdo it. Trying to do everything at once will not go well if you’re a professional procrastinator. Break down the tasks you need to do bit by bit and start by completing a small section of them. They won’t seem like overwhelming tasks if you complete them in small chunks and you’re more likely to get additional things done with less stress.

5. Stop waiting for the ‘right time’ to do something. There will never really be a ‘right’ time. You just don’t know what life will throw at you next so why not start now? The earlier you start, the longer you will have to perfect the job and the more free time you will end up with. Just start.