1. “Afterglow” – Phaeleh
This is real dubstep; perfect for doing homework to and not at all the “dubstep” that fills up the front page of youtube. Its room-shaking bass makes for nice homework vibes.

2. “Don’t Play No Game I Can’t Win” – Beastie Boys
The most dubby reggae chill session made by white people from Brooklyn since … ever?

3. “Heartbeat” – Childish Gambino
This guy oozes crossover appeal between races, genres and mediums. You already know him from Community, but Donald Glover can also rap Young Money under the table.

4. “Katy on a Mission” – Katy B
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The Golden Globes is traditionally a time for actresses to show off their unique red carpet style. This year, at the 69th annual ceremony on Jan. 15, there was no exception.

Actresses took risks with nude or pale colored dresses and plunging necklines. Mermaid style dresses, a prominent fashion trend at previous events in the past year, also dazzled on the red carpet last Sunday. Relaxed hairstyles and natural makeup with a pop of bright lip color accompanied the trend.

Best-Dressed:
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Have you read Looking for Alaska? You really should. As soon as possible. I say that to everyone I talk to about books, regardless of the topic of the discussion. It is my way of recognizing the quality of John Green’s writing; it is worth recommendation no matter the context. Green, who specializes in teenage slice of life/romance, has a rare gift: he can accurately write teenage characters in the first person.

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Rule of Thirds, the debut album from Azure Blue, is the perfect example of why indie music is often more impressive than its mainstream counterpart.

Lately, the electro and dance music scenes in America have been dominated by few artists and even fewer styles.

Skrillex, David Guetta, Deadmau5 and Bassnectar are some of the big names that may come to mind when thinking of the genre.

Interestingly, there is far more depth to dance than dubstep. It can be more conventional, emotional and lyrically rich, as evidenced by Azure Blue.

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Grand Revival, junior Nate Wilkinson’s band, put on an energetic and surprisingly well put-together set on Nov. 21 at Jammin’ Java in Vienna. Wilkinson is the lead guitarist for the blues and hard rock foursome which is comprised of members from various regional high schools.

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Most holiday movies consist of lovable characters on a heartfelt and somewhat sappy journey. New Year’s Eve follows this pattern, except instead of covering one or two characters on a journey, it covers 18. As a result, the characters and plotline are poorly developed.

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Outlet malls are the best place to shop this holiday season.
They are family friendly and the overall environment is less rushed and stressed.
Their bargain prices are often marked down even more for the holidays.
Outlet malls offer designer and well known brands of merchandise, which ensures the quality of the items.
Also, besides offering last year’s designs and styles, many of them stock special exclusive items.
A common misconception about outlet malls is that they only carry clothes. However, most outlets have a variety of electronics, home goods and sports stores.
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With the holidays just around the corner, tis the season to find a new hangout to explore with friends or family. These conveniently close shopping centers are perfect for getting some last minute gifts too!

Reston Town Center
Ambiance:
The town center is geared more towards entertainment and less towards shopping. While it is not particularly decorated, the ice skating rink adds to the holiday spirit of the town center.

Entertainment and Shopping:
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1. Skyrim

This is by far the best game of 2011. Its huge open world map and extensive character customization make it a great role playing experience. The gameplay is fun and smooth, thanks to the simple and fluid controls that easily let you switch between your assortment of weapons and spells. The high replay value, engaging story and intriguing gameplay easily place it in the top of the list.

2. Batman: Arkham City

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