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Album Reviews, Arts & Entertainment

Reputation is an intimate examination of life and love

by Avery Warkentin on

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In her newest album, Reputation, Taylor Swift bids goodbye to the days of “riding shotgun with her hair undone.” Swift’s sixth studio album, is a self-aware examination of life away from the spotlight. For most of the year before Reputation’s release, Swift spent her time off of social media and had dropped out of the mainstream gossip news cycle.

The result of this self-inflicted media isolation is an album that’s darker and more introspective than anything the country-pop star has ever produced. Unfortunately, the debut single off the album, “Look What You Made Me Do,” which seemed to be an anthem of self-pity, is a weak representation of the emotional vulnerability that Reputation explores.

Reputation builds on the synthetic-pop sounds that ///1989// debuted but, thematically, the album is an ode to the darker and more intimate side of love. In “Dress,” Taylor sings, “I only bought this dress so you could take it off.” The singer swears for the first time in “I Did Something Bad:” “If a man talks shit, then I owe him nothing.” These songs are filled with allusions to the mundane, every-day, messy reality that is loving someone. Rather than singing of grandiose love affairs and excruciating heartbreak,

Taylor is choosing to follow the small moments, both good and bad, that make up real-life love stories. “New Year’s Day” perfectly embodies this reflection and examines life after the clock strikes midnight. The reality, of course, is that relationships are more about “cleaning up bottles” than extravagant parties.

Maybe the most telling line of the album, however, comes from “Call It What You Want” as Taylor sings “Nobody’s heard from me in months / I’m doing better than I ever was”. As a singer nearing her 30s, Taylor is allowing herself to grow up and prove that her identity—and reputation—are more than what we see in the tabloids.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

Flying Lotus soars into third dimension with new live show

by Lucas Bird on

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Flying Lotus burst through Montreal on Nov. 9 in living and breathing color. Stephen Ellison, the DJ and MC colloquially known as FlyLo, has developed a cult following over the last ten years by refining his organic and complexly-layered sound. Critics heavily praised his fifth studio album, You’re Dead following its release in 2014. FlyLo is an experimental, electronic artist who crafts beats that in many ways defy boundary and categorization, and his performance at MTelus delivered on that reputation and then some.

As I was handed my 3D glasses on the way into the venue that night, I was unsure of what to expect. Two separate lackluster DJs opened the show, and played a mix of bass boosted dance rhythms and some experimental deep house accompanied by a live drummer. It was clear that the three-dimensional aspect of the show would be executed through a large projection screen at the back of the stage, although it wasn’t used for either opener.

When Flying Lotus came on to perform, the dynamic shifted entirely. The large podium at center stage, which had been shrouded in darkness for the openers, became lit with fluorescent pink lights. FlyLo calmly took his position behind it and took us on a journey. He looked mystic in his shawl adorned with what appeared to be religious figures. The glasses until now had made no difference to the screen, displaying only a red emblem. Now it transformed into a sea of three dimensional red waves. FlyLo opened his set with a beat which featured some ethereal synth at first, before building into an exotic, trance-like, rhythm. The show from then on was sublime.

One thing that sets FlyLo apart from other DJs is the interactive nature of his performances. Throughout the concert, he came out from behind his podium and engaged with the crowd—touching their hands and dancing in unison with fans.

Lotus’s musical catalogue is far more diverse than most producers. His sound is at one moment soft and lulling, and the next bombastic and symphonic. The music he creates has a rare power to envelope and infest your mind with feeling and rhythm, and the 3D graphics spectacularly enhanced this effect. When his beats were less organized, free form, and supple, the backgrounds were liquid and flowing, taking the form of jellyfish, water, and other viscous forms. When his sound was focused, driving, and hyper organized, he was accompanied by geometric shapes, kaleidoscopic patterns, and other rigid forms. During “Descent Into Madness,” a beautifully rendered Imperial Star Destroyer floated behind him, spraying pillars of multi-colour dust into the screen below and seemingly into the crowd.

Ellison was constantly surrounded and enveloped by the graphics, making it hard to distinguish him from the virtual reality behind him. Nothing is more characteristic of FlyLo than to make the separation between himself, and his performance, indistinguishable. He rarely stopped to break in between songs, which gave his set a very continuous and malleable feel, and allowed him to showcase his extraordinary mixing ability, flawlessly transitioning between sonically distinct beats. Flying Lotus has an uncanny talent for creating a specific atmosphere or transfer a feeling through the auditory medium, without lyrics. His live performance brings this skill to an even higher level. FlyLo ended his show quickly, thanking the crowd and poignantly surmising that, “This has only ever been about sharing in creativity and art, creating a safe space for all, and spreading the love.” As he left the stage, I believed every word; Flying Lotus in 3D is something truly special to behold.

Creative, In Competition With, Sports

In Competition With: McGill Quidditch

by April Barrett on

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When two sports editors try their hand at actual sports who reigns supreme? On the second episode of In Competition With Selwynne and Stephen face-off in the most magical of McGill sports, Quidditch. 

Featuring: Selwynne Hawkins and Stephen Gill
Directed by April Barrett
Edited by Patrick Beacham and April Barrett
Crew: Emma Avery

Laughing Matters, Opinion

What the great coffee debate boils down to: Instant is best

by Caitlyn Atkinson on

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With coffee shops lining every street corner in Montreal, residents are bound to become regulars at a spot of choice. They find a cafe to lose themselves in an essay on a Sunday afternoon and acquire a signature drink. However, the greatest coffee experience of all is a simple cup of instant coffee.

As we approach the holidays, there are a number of volatile topics of conversation that are best avoided. The only thing worse than Aunt Jean drunkenly detailing her voting history over Christmas dinner is the man who yells at you on the train because someone said “Happy Holidays,” instead of “Merry Christmas.” However, I’ve learned that in my family, the most outrageous reactions often come around dessert, when I break out my instant coffee and giant mug, sparking a polarizing discussion. It seems that once a person establishes a go-to cup of coffee, they’re stuck for life—and will never fail to defend their cup.

Coffee habits are entrenched lifestyle practices. People vary, but, for many, how one drinks coffee quickly engrains itself into one’s personality. My overworked aunt looks me dead in the eye, hands shaking as she grips a full thermos, and professes her love for French vanillas with four shots of espresso. Someone else will sip iced coffee even as they shiver in a winter jacket with the threat of a Montreal snowfall approaching, and swear they’d never drink anything else. Then there’s the person walking out of Starbucks, holding either a Frappuccino or some convoluted holiday drink that, in either scenario, they paid way too much for.

 

Despite its flaws, nothing compares to the literally and figuratively simple joys instant coffee affords.

Instant coffee is my half sweet, non-fat, extra-whip peppermint mocha. I do recognize that instant coffee is objectively bad—not since the 10th grade have I been naïve enough to believe otherwise. No matter the brand or how refined your palate is, you’ll taste the bitter, almost sour qualities of instant coffee, especially in the aftertaste. Yet, this is not the point.

Despite its flaws, nothing compares to the literally and figuratively simple joys instant coffee affords. Aside from not having to change out of your pajamas to drink it—which already gives it a serious advantage over coffee shop concoctions—it is also the cheapest cup of joe you’ll ever get. Pro tip: Buy at least six jars any time it is on sale and hoard them. They almost never go bad—or well, get any worse.

The advantages of instant coffee go above and beyond practicality. Consider, for a moment, waking up on a Saturday morning, just after midterms have ended and prior to the start of finals, knowing that for one short day, there is nothing pressing to do. Smell the overly pungent coffee granules that permeate the air, as an unmeasured—and definitely far too much—amount falls into a mug. Let the water boil while Netflix plays in the background, and you meander from one tangle of blankets in bed to another makeshift blanket cocoon at your desk. For good measure, I like to lay out some math homework that I know full well will not get done.

With cold hands, grasp that hot cup and take a sip—the first one is always too hot, so burn your mouth and wait another five minutes. There exists a 20 minute window when instant coffee is cool enough to drink, but not cold enough that it becomes literally undrinkable. Finish the cup at your leisure—but again, I stress, do not let it get cold—and then take your portable wrap of warmth, and boil the kettle again.

It is time to put an end to the pretentious coffee debate. Of course, no respectable coffee lover will ever tell you that Maxwell House Instant Dark Roast is better than the rich, full-bodied cup of joe they sipped on while traveling abroad in Barthelona. However, this self-proclaimed coffee expert will tell you that there is no better feeling in the world than bundling up, relaxing, and drinking up the slightly-too-strong scent of a hot cup of instant coffee.

 

 

Caitlyn Atkinson is a U0 Management student, and is deeply involved in the Chandler and Monica vs Ross and Rachel debate.

 

@mcgilltribop | opinion@mcgilltribune

 

 
Student Life

TEDxMcGill event gave voice to students and activists alike

by Samantha Ling on

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On Nov. 11, TEDxMcGill held its fifth annual conference at Montreal’s McCord Museum. Over 100 passionate attendees from the McGill and Montreal communities filed into the museum to watch the series of talks, all of which were centred around the theme ‘giving voice.’ The lineup featured 10 speakers and musical performers in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to LGBTQ+ activism, all speaking on how their work has inspired positive change locally or globally.

From teaching music in indigenous communities to including inter-disciplinary space exploration, the diverse lineup of speakers demonstrated how essential hearing a multitude of voices is in everyday life.

The event’s musical performers interpreted ‘giving voice’ through their voices. Moe Clark and Ahau Marino—musicians, composers, and educators—performed two pieces at the event and used a multitude of musical techniques, such as a looping pedal that layered sound effects over live vocals, to convey music’s ability to empower. After years of exploring various genres of cultural sounds together and teaching music to Indigenous high school students, Clark and Marino have developed a strong partnership.

“Giving voice comes from, for us, using our bodies as the sight for connection, for creation, and for communication,” Clark said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “And a lot of that comes from the creative capacity to build kinship. Some of that kinship comes from other performers, and artists. And some of that kinship comes from other forces.”

The diversity of fields represented at the conference reminded attendees that there are no limitations to how one can ‘give voice.’ One speaker, Olivia Nuamah, a community builder and activist, spoke about her experience serving as the executive director of Pride Toronto, one of the largest cultural events in North America. Nuamah’s work deals extensively with representing minority groups within the pride community.

“It’s too easy to look at that LGBTQ+ and think that the group is a whole bunch of the same people, when it’s not,” Nuamah told the Tribune. “It’s quite nuanced.”

She also encouraged students to get involved in LGBTQ+ activism, explaining that the first steps to doing so are to learn more about the community and to support local pride events.

“Lots of people are involved in Pride Toronto and Pride Montreal,” Nuamah said.  “We’re looking for as many allies as possible to support what we’re trying to say.”

Another speaker, Paul Albert-Lebrun, U3 engineering, encouraged students to join the space conversation in his talk about the McGill Space Systems Group (MSSG). Albert-Lebrun co-founded the group with McGill alumni Angus McLean and Harris Innes-Miller, graduates in Engineering and Arts, respectively, in the class of 2015. Albert-Lebrun’s decision to create the MSSG stemmed from his interest in interdisciplinary space research. He encouraged students of all faculties to get involved in galactic dialogue—not just those in the field of science.

“I challenge everyone in the audience to think of how their discipline can get involved in space,” Albert-Lebrun told the Tribune. “Getting to space technologically shouldn’t be the only question. The question should be how we get there as a global society.”

Regardless of their area of expertise or major of study, attendees left the event feeling invigorated by the call to make an impact and give voice to others.

Creative

Word on the Y: What does balance mean to you?

by Amrit Grewal & Avleen Mokha on

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As midterms approach, the concept of ‘balance’ may begin to seem increasingly elusive. Navigating university life is no easy task, but remembering to keep the big picture in mind is one of the biggest lessons students learn during their time at McGill. The McGill Tribune asked passers-by at the Y-intersection about how they define a balanced life.

Read more here.

Interviews by Amrit Grewal & Avleen Mokha.
Video by Noah Sutton.

Hockey, Sports

Mo-Money Mo-Awareness: How NHL hockey is helping change the face of men’s health

by Wasif Husain on

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A simple idea, hatched between friends over a few drinks at an Australian beer garden in 2003, has since grown into a leading charitable organization that has shaken up the way people approach men’s health. The Movember Foundation has helped to fund research and raise awareness for men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. The NHL has had a profound impact on this movement by leveraging its high profile and bringing Movember to the forefront of sports culture.

During November every year, men are encouraged to join the movement by signing up at movember.com and growing moustaches to “Change the face of men’s health” in order to raise money for the foundation. Those contributions originally funded prostate cancer research exclusively, but the Movember foundation has since expanded to combat testicular cancer and men’s mental health issues. The increased focus on mental health aims to combat the added stigma that men face in discussing mental illness. It’s unfortunately rare for men to take action on their health issues—both mental and physical—so the Movember Foundation also works to proactively instill healthy habits in their lives.

The NHL has provided Movember with one of its largest platforms to promote the cause. In 2007, now-retired Anaheim Ducks forward George Parros brought the movement to the NHL. While still a Ducks player, Movember Foundation cofounder Adam Garone approached him about getting involved when the campaign reached North America. Since then, the movement has picked up steam. Today, it is commonplace for players to grow fresh moustaches during the month. Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens has become a proponent for the campaign since he lost his grandfather to prostate cancer. Whole teams have taken the movement in stride too, with the New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets each raising more than $10,000 this year.

Hockey players are considered some of the toughest athletes in all of sports, and their perceived super-human status makes them strong role models for other Movember participants. Movember’s strength lies in its accessibility and power to unite—these issues affect all men, and fans, coaches, referees, managers, and trainers alike have grown moustaches in support of the cause.

Growing a moustache in November can prompt conversations about men’s health. It engages men in talking about the health issues that they face and has made them more knowledgeable and comfortable talking about how they feel. NHL players help promote these healthy habits by increasing the visibility of the movement, thereby funding the research that could inspire lasting solutions to men’s health problems.

As the month of November comes to an end, the focus on health issues should not. Making this commitment to raise money for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health programs should continue throughout the year. The NHL does a fantastic job in promoting this issue, but all men should take these five actions: Stay connected with friends, reach out to others who need help, be open with someone, know when to get tested for prostate cancer, see a doctor if something doesn’t feel right, and add more physical activity to their day. These tenets can be found on the Movember website, alongside many other helpful links.

To date, Movember has raised nearly $900 million for various men’s health causes, and its momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing. So, to all those who choose to support men’s health issues through growing or donating: Happy Movember!

Creative

The Tribune Tries: Campus coffee

by Grace Bahler & Ariella Garmaise on

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Editors Grace Bahler and Ariella Garmaise put McGill campus coffees to the test, from Dispatch to McGill’s very own “Roddick Roast.”

Directed by April Barrett
Edited by Noah Sutton
Crew: Samantha Ling, Hannah Seo, Heather Lawson

Hockey, Martlets, Sports

McGill Martlet hockey falls to Ottawa in shootout stinger

by Owen Gibbs on

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On Nov. 24, the McGill Martlets (3-5) faced off against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (5-2). Despite a strong third period comeback and two goals from first-year forward Kellyane Lecours, the Martlets were unable to close the deal, falling 4-3 in the shootout.

McGill had a slow start to the game, giving up two goals and 11 shots in the opening 20 minutes. Ottawa scored in the sixth minute and doubled the lead with a minute left. However, Lecours added her fourth goal of the regular season just 34 seconds later to get the Martlets on the board heading into the first intermission.

“I thought we didn’t have a great start,” Head Coach Peter Smith said. “We weren’t very good in our own end in the first period, but I thought we adjusted and I thought are second period was outstanding.”

Despite a hard fight and a number of power plays on both sides, neither team was able to score in the second period: McGill registered 18 shots on net, but none found the twine behind Ottawa goaltender Maude Levesque-Ryan.

In the third period, the Martlets’ offence finally managed to translate shots into goals. Halfway through the period, first-year forward Christiana Colizza tied the game at two apiece, converting off a pass from second-year forward Jade Downie-Landry. Lecours added her second score of the game just four minutes later to give McGill the lead. This lead, however, was foiled by second-year Gee-Gees forward Alexe Drouin, who scored a goal in the final minute of regulation to force the Martlets into overtime.

“I thought the third period was real good,” Smith said. “It’s an unfortunate third goal that we gave up, but I thought our team showed a tremendous amount of character in coming back from two goals down.”

This was the Martlets’ first time playing overtime hockey this season. USports regulations dictate two five-minute overtime periods: The first is played four-on-four, and the second is three-on-three. The two sides went scoreless through both overtime periods, despite registering four shots each. In the following shootout, strong goaltending thwarted attempts from both sides, with the deadlock lasting seven rounds before Ottawa forward Sara LaChance finally scored the decisive goal.

Second-year goaltender Tricia Deguire was outstanding throughout the game, stopping 22 of 25 shots in regulation and overtime, including a third period save in which she stretched her glove across the net to bat the puck out of harm’s way, bringing the crowd to their feet.

First-year forward Stephanie Desjardins was encouraged by her team’s performance.

“It was a really good game for both teams, but I think we showed a lot of character, and the support staff on the bench was great, so we’re definitely going to use that aspect for the rest of the season,” Desjardins said.

Next up for the Martlets is a Dec. 2 home matchup against the Université de Montreal Carabins at McConnell Arena.

 

Moment of the Game

In the third period, Kellyane Lecours pulled the puck to her backhand and popped it through the five hole for her second of the game.

 

Quotable

“This is a big part of us, working hard and coming back. We did our best tonight. We tried hard. We know that we can always be better, [and] it will come. We’re a young team, we’ll put all our heart and character into it, and it’s going to come.” Second-year goaltender Tricia Deguire on her team’s performance.

 

Stat Corner

The Martlets had gone 649 days since last playing in a regular season shootout on Feb. 14, 2016.

Student Life

How students can help others dealing with suicidal ideation

by Miguel Principe on

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Vent over Tea, a free active listening service at McGill, hosted a Suicide Crisis Intervention workshop at the Aldred Building on Nov. 12. Fourth-year Neuroscience PhD candidate Daniel Almeida led the workshop. He reviewed how to intervene in cases of suicidal ideation as a peer supporter, and identified risk factors and warning signs to look out for in friends. After the workshop, The McGill Tribune spoke with Almeida on what thoughtful suicide intervention looks like to get a grasp on how students can better support one another.

The McGill Tribune (MT): The idea of talking about suicide can be daunting for some students. How can the average student know if they’d be good at supporting friends and peers coping with suicidal thoughts?

Daniel Almeida (DA): Before becoming a peer supporter, there is a lot to do with understanding your limits [and] what you’re comfortable dealing with. For some people, talking about suicide and helping individuals who are suicidal is outside of their comfort zone [….] I think it’s always important to know what your own barriers are [….] Anybody who is willing to […] help can become a peer supporter […] There’s also [training available] to help others.

MT: What mindset should students have if they are intervening in a situation where a friend or peer is at high risk of dying by suicide?

DA: I think peer supporters are often scared that if they ask if someone is suicidal and they are not suicidal, it will make them suicidal. That’s objectively not true. What peer supporters should know about suicide is that this person is coming to you for help and if you’re willing and able to help them, you will only lead to a positive outcome.

MT: What warning signs of suicidal ideations or attempts should people look for in their friends? 

DA: One of the most common risk factors for suicide is a past attempt [….] That is very important to look for, [asking] ‘has this person attempted suicide before?’ Also, [ask] ‘do they have a current plan [for suicide]?’ If they have a plan, it leads to a higher risk in the individual [….] There’s also the issue of [negative] resources […] such as materials to enact their plan, or it can be the absence of positive resources, such as social connectedness. When a person is hopeless and has psychological pain, that leads to ideation of suicide. When the hopelessness outweighs connectedness, it [worsens] ideation [….] Thoughts can become action, when an individual has the capabilities to die by suicide.

MT: Talking about suicide and suicidal ideations is still heavily stigmatized in Western society. How can we, as a culture, change this?

DA: Suicide has often been referred to as the quiet epidemic […] because of the taboo we have on suicide in Western culture, […] especially [concerning] male suicide. We know that men […] die [from suicide] around 3.5 times more than women because of the masculinity norm around seeking help for mental illness. There is a lack of targeted mental health advocacy for male suicide. It’s a problem for both sexes […] but we’re not dealing with it well in men.

Another thing is [addressing the problem] in marginalized communities. The LGBTQ+ community has a high rate of suicide. [Trans] individuals during their transition […] have high rates of suicide. Aboriginal individuals [also] have high rates of suicide. So, designing community awareness programs that target at-risk population is definitely something we need to start with […] erasing the stigma.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, there are resources for help, such as the bilingual Suicide Action Montreal at 1-866-APPELLE. The McGill Nightline is another option in less urgent cases, and can be reached at 514-398-6246. If you feel that you are in immediate danger, make sure to call 9-1-1 or, if you’re on campus, Campus Security at 514-398-3000. For more information on suicide prevention, there is the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention, which can be reached at suicideprevention.ca.

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