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Editors' Pop Culture Picks

The things we watched, listened to and streamed over Fall Break

THE CHAINSMOKERS

I've been aware of the band The Chainsmokers since last year but slowly stopped listening to the few songs I had been playing on repeat. I occasionally heard them on the radio over the summer but was far from an avid fan. Just last weekend, though, I discovered more of their songs and made a playlist on Spotify dedicated mostly to the band. The great thing about The Chainsmokers' songs is their versatility -- you can dance, sing along or just listen while studying. The Chainsmokers mixed several genres and somehow found a way to make their music both upbeat and mellow at the same time. (Alison Perelman, Assistant Culture Editor)

BILL BURR'S "MONDAY MORNING PODCAST"

Few comedians -- scratch that, few people in general -- have the ability to rant like Bill Burr. No matter the topic, you can be sure he has an opinion on it. Give him a microphone and an audience, and he can wax poetic (okay, maybe not so poetic) for hours on end. And that's exactly what his "Monday Morning Podcast" is -- him, by himself, ranting about whatever comes to his mind. Is it informative? Not really. Is it educational? Not at all. But is it laugh-out-loud entertaining? You bet. For those moments in life where you can't handle being alone with your own thoughts, turn to Bill Burr and let him fill your mind with his. (Devon Shuman, Culture Editor)

"THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN"

Last week, iconic American troubadour Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel prize in literature for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." Since the announcement, the Swedish Academy hasn't received any response from the acclaimed singer-songwriter. The silence seems fitting for Dylan who fueled anti-war protests with folk classics "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Masters of War" which appear on this 1963 release. The idea for my favorite track, "Girl from the North Country," first came to Dylan three years before he recorded the song. I also recommend giving a listen to another version of the same song that appeared on "Nashville Skyline" which features Johnny Cash singing the tune alongside Dylan. Cash adds even more melancholy to Dylan's simple lyricism. (Emily Williams, Managing Editor)