Men, makeup and toxic masculinity
Emma Wilkes explores why men are becoming more likely to wear makeup. She touches on issues of gender, insecurity and toxic masculinity.
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Emma Wilkes
Twin Atlantic are feeling bold on POWER
Twin Atlantic are feeling bold. Now on a major label, and for the first time, having self-produced their sixth record, it is easy why the sound of POWER is the sound of a band feeling stronger and more creative than ever before.
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The best and worst of LGBT+ representation on the small screen
Emma Wilkes and Jai Patel discuss the best and worst representations of LGBT+ representation in television.
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Mixed-sex civil partnerships are a worthwhile alternative to marriage
After five years of campaigning that took them into both the national headlines and the Supreme Court, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan can now finally call themselves civil partners. The new law introducing mixed-sex civil partnerships came into force on New Year’s Eve and 84,000 cohabiting couples are expected to...
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Labour’s student debt narrative ignores students’ real concerns
After the massive gains made in 2017’s general election, it seems that Labour are hoping to start another ‘youthquake’, offering to invest in youth services damaged by nine years of austerity and introduce free bus travel for under 25s in order to attract younger voters. Their most radical policy, however,...
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Milk Teeth and the joy of tiny concerts
A Thursday in mid-November. My first concert for three years was for the Stroud-based grunge-punk trio Milk Teeth. Fresh off a set on the main stage at this summer’s Reading and Leeds Festivals, and their first release in almost a year, this particular tour could have arguably taken place in bigger venues.
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A not so thrilling thriller: The Roomates review
What would you imagine the Freshers’ Week from hell to be like? Rachel Sargeant seems to offer an answer in her psychological thriller The Roomates, set at the fictional University of Abbeythorpe and written from the perspectives of four freshers sharing a flat. Most freshers are dealing with homesickness, hangovers...
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Baby It’s Cold Outside: Should we change lyrics to bind with contemporary attitudes?
The cultural landscape has changed massively in the last five years or so, faster than anyone has expected. Being ‘woke’ is now a thing. Societal views we barely noticed a few decades ago have now become problematic. Consequently, it means some of our favourite books, TV shows and films have...
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Coping when your partner is struggling with their mental health
What is it like supporting a partner with mental health struggles? Emma Wilkes shares her advice based on personal experience.
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Instagram’s removal of AR filters is a step in the right direction
Emma Wilkes analyses the impact Instagram augmented-reality filters have on body image, arguing their removal should be applauded.
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Jimmy Eat World show they’re living not just Surviving on new album
Surviving is an apt title for a band whose release count has regressed into the double figures: despite the changing landscape of the rock scene and the music industry as a whole, Jimmy Eat World has stuck around and continued making brilliant songs.
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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls censored for alleged “detrimental effect”
Emma Wilkes writes about children's book "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" being banned in Turkey, given the same censorship as pornography.
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