Contributing writer

Jessica Dong

Latest Content


Zadie Smith Polishes the Art of the Short Story in ‘Grand Union’

This diverse collection of stories written in dazzling, pitch-perfect prose contains a central thread: personal tragedies.


Mallrat, Allday, and Japanese Wallpaper Put Their Own Spin on Authenticity

A live set is not always conducive to facilitating  an intimate experience with an artist, but Mallrat’s dreamy, organic stage present felt less like a scripted recital and more like like an impromptu dorm room sing-along with a close friend.


mallrat photo

Mallrat performs at the Middle East Nightclub.


Cage the Elephant’s ‘Social Cues’ Keenly Grapples with Life’s Exhaustible Pleasures

Midlife crises deserve their own soundtrack, and Cage the Elephant rightfully rises to the occasion to prove it on their fifth album.


‘Turn Up Charlie’ Fails to Live Up to its Name

“Turn Up Charlie” is still an uncaptivating, average show that takes a promising premise and replaces it with shallowness and predictability.


What I Learned After Trying to Pursue Happiness at Boston’s ‘Happy Place’

In the selfie-centric labyrinth of charming props, it seems that Happy Place doesn’t necessarily allow you to feel happy. Instead, it limits you to create a facade of happiness.


Arts Playlist: 5 Angsty Songs to Accompany You on the Journey of a Drastic Hair Change

These songs will help accompany the rollercoaster ride of even the brightest pink streaks, the hair-drying bleach, and the scissors that reverse months of hair growth within seconds.


Black C.A.S.T. Aims to Bring Color and Emotion to the Stage with “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf”

“It’s a chance to celebrate the beauty of black women,” Emily N. Orr ’21, the show’s producer, said.


Lil Pump Visits Harvard, Gives ‘Commencement Speech’ at WHRB

Decked out in bright garb, colorful dreadlocks, and a Harvard beanie, rapper Lil Pump promoted his latest album “Harverd Dropout" at WHRB, Feb. 28.


Why Phoebe Bridgers’s Take on the Breakup Song Matters in the Age of #MeToo

“Motion Sickness,” is now part of the larger picture of how Adams exploited the power imbalance between himself and promising female musicians.