Cultural studies

"This argument poses two counter-intuitive narratives: that the traditional understanding of a folk song has become anachronistic to the point of stereotype, and that the sports anthem—a genre often associated with the daft, soulless and unabashedly commercial aspects of songwriting —is the last remaining musical monoculture." - How "Seven Nation Army" Became the World's Most Recognizable Song for PASTE

"The tug of war between artifice, commercialism and commentary is not a fresh battle. Aside from the rare occasion, a monster beat or infectious melody will trump even the most biting didactic message, and even if it doesn’t, the reception (and often the artist’s career) is dependent on popular tendencies" - In the age of Black Lives Matter, throwback artists want the art without the politics for the National Post

"A cynical observer could call Bieber’s awakening a marketing stunt, meant to piously traverse the egregious, and sui generis, transgressions of his late teens. But a closer look at the Stratford, Ontario-raised pop star presents a road map to this inevitable moment" - How Christianity has defined Justin Bieber for the National Post

"As we enter an era where art is routinely created, curated and maintained online, the need to embalm our history is disappearing. It’s no longer enough for museums to be passive shrines to the past. They have to be forums where culture can be discussed and debated."  - How a century-old museum became the city’s hippest hangout for the National Post