Browsing: A&L Recs

Walls full of instruments that could’ve belonged to my grandad. Busts of animals that honestly, looked happy to be there. And the iconic photo of Lunch atop a Skyscraper fixes the mood for a meal that will send you to new heights.

Thanksgiving break is almost here, which means Friendsgiving is even closer. With a limited college budget and little time, meal options are minimal. The Arts and Life Desk is here to share what we would bring to Friendsgiving that is both delicious and affordable.

If you’re stuck trying to pick the perfect fall movie, the Arts and Life Desk is here to help.

It’s no lie that ramen noodles and pizza rolls constitute most college students’ diets. A home-cooked meal is rare, and our stomachs suffer greatly throughout these four years. Our parents’ cooking is a warm hug we all miss. The Arts and Life Desk asked our parents for their best advice on college cooking.

The Dutch Bros menu is more complicated than a girl’s Starbucks order and can be difficult to navigate for first-timers. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try Dutch Bros employees’ favorite drinks.

Picture this: It’s 9 p.m. after the first Baylor home football game of the season. Of course, you’re riding high after a season-opening win, and you and your friends are looking for the perfect place to grab some dinner. Then comes the age-old question: Where do you go? Don’t worry, the Arts and Life Desk has you covered for a delicious post-game meal.

The Arts and Life Desk reminisces on some of our old favorite childhood movies. These films were solid then, and they’re solid now.

If you’ve been racking your brain for how to fill up a day (or a few) in Waco, here is the only list you will ever need. From shopping to local music to outdoor adventures, here is the best the city has to offer all in one list.

As the hotly-anticipated summer vacation approaches, you may be wondering what to do with all that spare time now that classes are out. Although some of us may be working a job or internship, here are our favorite things to do with our down time during the summer months if you’d like to do something other than scroll on social media all day.

Niall Horan has been killing it recently, releasing banger after banger and bringing back simple and fun pop music. “Meltdown” has a backing chorus of singers that is almost operatic, lending a really bright sound to the song. It’s high energy and so happy, almost like the Irish member of One Direction’s answer to Harry Styles’ “As It Was.”

Another thing they have in common is the spilling problem. Stanley cups leak when you just tip it just a tad. Although Hydro Flasks are clearly the better product, my biggest spilling problem is from that. I have had so many days where my backpack has been soaked from the bottle spilling everywhere.

As studying kicks up in the next couple of weeks in an attempt to save your GPA this semester, it’s important to remember to take a break every once in a while. Here are our recommendations for a relaxing study break.

So, it sounds like Khalid might be making a surprising comeback this summer with “Be The One.” Although he’s just a feature, he really makes this song what it is. When I hear the track, I’m ready to get home for the summer, hit some trails and soak up the sunshine.

Late April, the season of looking around in Moody Library for a seat next to an outlet, standing for half an hour in the Starbucks line and eventually just scrolling on TikTok instead of doing work. If you’re looking for an escape from the same old finals season drudgery, here are our recommendations for the best study spots — far, far away from Moody.

Hippo Campus is criminally underrated. The band just came out with an EP, “Wasteland,” which leaves you wanting much, much more at a curt 18 minutes. “Moonshine” is perfect, full stop. It’s happy, so pretty and has a whole ecosystem of backing instrumentals that make the very first listen a beautiful surprise.

This works for other tasks, like cleaning or anything similarly tedious. And if you’re a complete clown like me that ends up scrolling on my phone when I’m supposed to be working, bring a STEM major friend. They don’t mess around about studying.

Daniel Caesar returned with his fourth album, “NEVER ENOUGH,” featuring some collaborations with favorites like Omar Apollo and Ty Dolla $ign. On “Always,” Caesar sings alone, but is nevertheless captivating with his buttery R&B vocals. It’s a sweet song, really romantic in comparison to some of the others on this album, which swing a little bit toxic or just plain sad, like “Valentina” or “Buyer’s Remorse.”

The music you play at your wedding can influence the event all day long, and picking the right songs means you’ll be instantly transported back to that day with each listen. Here are some suggestions for your big day playlist.

But, nobody could say that about “Ocean Blvd.” This album is one in a string of a new era of Lana Del Rey. Lyrically, she’s moved past the cigarette-smoking, Santa Monica Pier, sugar baby, pin-up dream world she once lived in.

To me, one of the best sides on Earth is a slice of bread. Not just any bread, but a crispy slice of Italian restaurant bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic glaze. It’s the perfect compliment to most dishes, but especially a good, comforting pasta.

Not to depress you or anything, but, not to worry — “Boyhood” is actually really upbeat, so you won’t get sad if you don’t listen to the lyrics. Just block it out, you guys.

With this record, the group showcases their ability to craft a cohesive musical narrative that slowly builds a dreamy state through the chemistry of every track working together.

In honor of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour kicking off over the weekend, the Arts and Life desk (and some of our friends) wanted to chip in with our favorite Taylor Swift songs. Consider this our very own Eras Tour setlist, if we were calling the shots. Ready for it?

“All Of The Girls You Loved Before” is a previously unreleased track from Taylor Swift’s 2019 album, “Lover.” It’s easy to see how this one fits the theme of that album. Warm, fuzzy and really romantic, “All Of The Girls You Loved Before” is Swift at her most content, most mature in terms of her songwriting.

I never thought a one-inch-tall shell would remind me to cherish those around me, but he did. I laughed, I cried and then I told everyone I know to go watch it. So, now I’m telling you. Go watch it.

Every girl you know posted this album over spring break on her Instagram story. And it was for a good reason, for the most part. I’d say about half of this whopping 36-song record is worth your time. “Keith Whitley” is part of that good half, an homage to one of country music’s beloved ‘80s stars.

First, it’s of utmost importance to have something to sip on in my cupholder at all times. When I drive back home on break, I make sure to stop by the Whataburger in the Grease Pit for an ice-cold Dr Pepper before I get to moving down I-35.

Whether you’re looking for something familiar or something a little off your radar for your marathon, hopefully these feel-good recommendations can lift your spirits and get you back into fighting shape for the last remaining weeks of classes.

Speaking of indie, Hippo Campus is one of those bands that I “gatekept” in high school so that I could remain cool for as long as possible. I’m doing a 180 on that now. Do me a favor and listen to “Kick in the Teeth” by Hippo Campus.

As campus prepares to take off on spring break adventures, our Arts and Life desk is no different. Here is where we plan to let this vacation take us.