Published Works
-
Article
SXSW Is Having an Identity Crisis and It Is Microcosm of Austin’s Own Cloud Future
From artists pulling out in support of Palestine to famous mistreatment of musicians, SXSW’s “high quality” experience is sullied and patchy.
April 3, 2024
-
Article
five best songs from ariana grande’s ‘eternal sunshine’
Ariana encapsulates the peaks and potholes that come from love and heartbreak in her 2024 album "eternal sunshine."
March 11, 2024
-
Article
The upcoming Hulu series is an essential piece of American historiography from the perspective of Black people.
March 9, 2024
-
Article
Black Twitter, DCOM-inspired horror, gay beaches and Ayo Edebiri. SXSW 2024 has the film for you!
March 6, 2024
-
Article
The Latin Lover Is Back and He Has A "Mustache Goatee Combo"
Your crush is a dud with a good barber and colonizer genes and your interest in him is based on a hollow perception of Latinidad. Oops!
February 9, 2024
-
Article
REVIEW: Ariana Grande's 'yes, and?' Flips the Bird and the Narrative
This review feels pointless because who really cares about what anyone has to say about Ariana Grande? Well, according to Grande—anyone but her. “yes, and?” marks the start of Ariana Grande’s to-be-titled seventh project, set to release this year.
January 12, 2024
-
Article
Danielle Brooks Is As Divine As She Is Humane as Sofia in 'The Color Purple'
Reprising her Tony-nominated role in the 2015 Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” Danielle Brooks stuns in her take on Sofia in the 2023 movie-musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
December 15, 2023
-
Article
Louis Theroux Marches Into the Death Zone On ‘Hot Ones’
Renowned documentarian Louis Theroux tackles journalism’s biggest feat on "Hot Ones" where discusses polyamory, his favorite docs, and THAT rap.
November 9, 2023
-
Story
To All the Boys I Loved (?) Before
Written by Roberto Soto
Through song, story, and reflection, I tell of three my first three love(?) stories. Paired with corresponding playlists, “The Omen,” “The Saint,” “Interlude,” “Dan Dan, The Nightmare Man,” “Outro,” I explore the playlist I have updated since my first crush in middle school, retelling the stories of my past loves with the foresight of a still broken, still growing, still loving individual.
Published in Afterglow ATX’s feelings
Spring 2022
-
Article
Written by Roberto Soto
Read on for Afterglow’s predictions in the most highly anticipated categories: Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist. We predict who will win, who should win, and who was undeservedly left out of the running at the upcoming 63rd Grammy Awards.
March 12, 2021
-
Article
Songs of Protest: How Natalie Maines and Eartha Kitt Refused to be Government Hookers
Written by Roberto Soto
For years, women artists have been silenced and shunned for sharing their political views. Just as in the cases of the Dixie Chicks and Eartha Kitt, opposition to women’s equality and political participation is deeply rooted in their identities.
December 13, 2019
-
Article
Album Anniversaries: The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga
Written by Roberto Soto
Nov. 18 marks the tenth anniversary of one of the greatest contributions to modern pop music. Look back on the EP that gave Lady Gaga a diamond certification, three Grammys, and solid status as the pop icon of a generation.
November 22, 2019
-
Article
Why Did She Leave: The Second Coming of JoJo
Written by Roberto Soto
We have all at one point or another sing-screamed Leave (Get Out) by the insanely talented 2000s icon, JoJo. But her absence lasted over a decade and consisted of fights against bad contracts she couldn’t help but sign at a young age.
October 10, 2019
-
Article
Album Review: Deep Reflections Seen Through 'All Mirrors'
Written by Roberto Soto
Angel Olsen’s latest release, All Mirrors, finds a way to be her most bold and atmospheric body of work, while also being her deepest, most introspective lyrical showcase.
October 7, 2019