Soil Compilation

Music
The Return of ASAP Rocky, “Don’t be Dumb” Album Review

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After eight years of radio silence, rapper, producer, model and fashion designer ASAP Rocky finally released his latest studio album “Don’t be Dumb”. After a couple of listens, the album certainly demonstrated its charm and charisma. While it wasn’t quite up to par with his earlier records, it’s still a great listen on its own. 

Film
Iowa City Free Week 2026 Preview

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Free Week returns to Iowa City from February 16-22, 2026! An expansive and sprawling celebration of the arts here in our town, with performances, workshops, screenings, and more, free for all! Here are our day-by-day highlights.

Music
Interview: Sierra Hull

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KRUI’s Logan Melia talks with Sierra Hull ahead of her stop at The Englert Theatre on February 12th with The Milk Carton Kids.

Music
Alternative

Album Review: Wasteland, Baby!

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Wasteland, Baby! is full of references and asides to pop culture, politics and the spirit of survival. However you may choose to embrace or reject the void, there’s a track to speak to the contradictions of fear and hope, love and loneliness, anger and joy that buoy us from day to day. (Image via Pitchfork)

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Album Review: “Saturn” by Nao

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In my quest to be ahead of the curve in who becomes big in music for once, a friend from home (who has claimed to have liked Young the Giant, Khalid and Tove Lo all before they became “mainstream”) suggested I check out British artist Nao‘s sophomore album, Saturn.  The self-described “wonky funk” artist and East London native is well established in her home country; she performed in the Glastonbury Festival and even earned a Brit nomination in 2017 for Best British Female Solo Artist for her 2016 album For All We Know. I’m hoping Saturn, released on October 26, will put … Continued

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Witching Hour: Julie Byrne @ The Mill 10/12/18

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The first thing I noticed about Julie Byrne was how much she smiles. Listening to her music, one would assume the singer and guitar player would be as downcast as her ballads. However, watching her bound up onto the stage with a giant smile over her face, I realized that was not the case. Julie Byrne’s show exuded joy and was a wonderful experience. Opening with one of her most popular songs, “Sleepwalker”, Byrne’s show helped me find the joy in her music. Each of her songs seemed livelier and genuinely happier live, as she exuded a calming euphoria. She … Continued

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