arts // no. 12 theotherpress.ca Music that encompasses midterm season » Everything sucks but you'll ace those bad boys Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor lright, I'll say it: midterms are the worst. I’m sure some will agree that they’re even worse than finals. At least with finals it’s the end of the road and once youre done you can breathe a sigh of relief that the semester is over. Midterms, however, are exhaustive. You're already exhausted mid-semester craving a break and suddenly bam—you have exams and projects whose deadlines sneak up on you better than the best of robbers. Worst of all is that once youre done, you just keep going! Luckily in the winter semester there's a reading break, but who's really using that time to catch some air when you have fifteen projects due the first day back to school? If you're feeling all alone crushed under the weight of your million responsibilities, there’s one thing you can look to that will always understand your troubled emotions: music. Here are some songs that represent midterm season and all its woes: “This Feels Like the End” by Nothing But Thieves “Oh, look at this place, what a waste, it’s such a mess / We skim through the horror to find some happiness,” begins the first line in this politically-fueled track. When it comes to exams, it really does feel like the end (as Nothing But Thieves continues: “is this ever gonna end?”). Overall, this song encompasses the dread-filled anger which consumes us when we ruminate on the current situation of the world at whole. I would suggest this one to mosh to during your study break. “Days Are Gone” by HAIM Sure, this song is about a relationship, but what’s a more toxic relationship than countless sleepless nights with textbooks and a fifth cup of coffee? A verse begins with “Felt like I was walking on a tight rope / Those days are gone” and while a tight rope might be the perfect metaphor for how you feel, remember that the rope will end, and there’s always a net to catch you should you fall. This is an upbeat, and honestly happy song that is sure to lift your spirits. Plus, there's a nostalgia that seems to settle in when times are stressful that this song touches on, but the song still works more to remind you that everything will work out. What’s there to be missing? Youre chasing success and youre going to kill these exams. “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” by The 1975 “T bet you thought your life would change but youre sat” in the class again, nibbling your pencil and internally screaming. It’s not a secret that suicides in young people peak during exams. Information from a study done in the UK in 2016 by the Office for National Statistics, along with research by the University of Manchester’s National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness, finds that of the number of suicides w of people 35 and younger, around 29 percent of them were going through exams or waiting on exam results. So, take it easy on yourself! Exams may feel like the end of the world, but truly, it is just school, and it is meant to contribute to your success not your downfall. Take a break if you need it and prioritize your health over pressure from intangible expectations. If you or anyone you know is in danger, please reach out to your local health authority or Canada’s National Suicide Prevention Service 833-456-4566. Premiere of newest detective show _ ‘Clarice’ is an impressive character piece » The show further humanizes the plights and life story of its titular subject Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne wv fa p o A = cH far ov ve) ifn a) wv mo} 2 > no} c oO ra G fh p 1 = Jonathan Pabico Senior Columnist kwekwnk f you're looking for a new crime-drama series to settle into for the new year, then Clarice is definitely a viable option. This spin-off to the iconic psychological thriller, The Silence of the Lambs, is part of Global's 2021 Winter Lineup and premiered February 11 on Thursday. The story takes place a year after the events of the film. We find titular FBI agent Clarice Starling (Rebecca Breeds) in therapy. There, she unpacks her trauma from ending the crime spree of serial killer Buffalo Bill. Starling is soon called into action to help solve another gruesome murder case. The show’s premiere doesn’t waste any time with its direction and set-up. The script gives Breeds’ Starling enough background to see just how isolated and haunted she still feels from the horrors of Bill’s murders. The episode is nicely paced and has grounded world-building as we watch the series’ titular protagonist immediately thrown into the plot’s events unprepared. The first entry is easy to get invested in because it has tons of True Detective vibes. The show has a bleak and ardent atmosphere—and the disturbing crime scenes and Starling’s tense dynamics with other agents highlights this. The use of slow aerial camera movements and sound design from natural settings convey a dreadful sense of timelessness for the grim visuals. As for Breeds, she did a stellar job in the lead role. Her performance perfectly captures Starling’s struggles with her past, animosity with her agency, and her newfound celebrity from the media. The editing of tight camera shots with extreme close-ups of her working the case in each eerie location reflects how consumed she is by her trauma, and how that disconnects her from reality. She more than proves herself as a worthy follow-up to Jodie Foster’s portrayal of the character. Breeds also has good chemistry with her supporting cast, especially with Lucca De Oliveira as agent Esquivel and The Walking Dead's Michael Cudlitz as stoic agent Paul Krendler. Her scenes with female characters could’ve been explored more, for example with Jayne Atkinson as Ruth Martin. No spoilers, but they have a history that could’ve been developed a bit further, even if their bond is most likely to be unraveled in the future. Ifyou want more context for Starling’s history, youll need to watch the original movie. Otherwise, the story is still accessible enough to follow her latest descent into a serial killer case. Still, with so many gritty detective dramas out there already—like FBI and Criminal Minds—Clarice might feel generic to fans of the genre. The show stands out considerably though with a premiere that sets up its titular hero with immersive direction and an excellent performance from Rebecca Breeds as agent Starling. Overall, Clarice has much promise as a new crime drama to tune into for 2021.