TV shows to watch, singles to listen to and more: here are some recommendations for your third week of classes.

As we move into our third week of classes, here are some recommendations – in the form of singles, a Netflix series and more – picked by our arts and entertainment writers.

“KEEP IT UP” by Rex Orange County: The indie pop poster is back. We haven’t heard much from Alex O’Connor, aka Rex Orange County, since the release of his album “Pony” in 2019, but a new era is upon us. He recently released a sparkling new single, “KEEP IT UP”, which accompanied the announcement of his fourth studio album, “WHO CARES?” The album should be released on March 11, with 11 tracks and even a collaboration with Tyler, the creator. But new music isn’t all that awaits Rex Orange County this year – he’ll hit the road on tour across North America, Ireland and the UK, stopping in Minneapolis on June 16th. Listen to the new single if you need something upbeat to get through those chilly days, or just want to catch up on the latest in the indie pop sphere. –Macy Harder

Archive 81 on Netflix: Based on the chilling sci-fi podcast of the same name from Dead Signals founders Daniel Powell and Marc Sollinger, this bizarre limited series follows archivist Dan Turner as he attempts to restore a set of Super 8 videotapes made by graduate student Melody Pendras in the 90s. The tapes document the Visser, your average New York City apartment building, until it burned down under “unusual” (read: occult) circumstances. As Dan restores more and more footage, he discovers secrets about the fire in which his own family died and begins to question his sanity. If you like story-within-a-story tales and the unsettling intrigue that comes with found footage, give the show a try. Even if you’ve listened to the podcast before, the show deviates quite drastically from the original narrative at the end, warranting a new approach. –Bel Moran

Deluxe Edition “A Liquid Breakfast” by Audrey Nuna: After being added to Spotify’s “POLLEN” playlist in 2021, releasing songs featuring Jack Harlow and Saba and racking up over 14 million streams on her single “damn Right”, Audrey Nuna’s album, ” a liquid breakfast,” reserved the right to be added to any underground rap fan’s current playlist. The rapper broke the seals of the male-dominated rap scene to talk about the struggles floating above her day-to-day choices, finding relationships that go beyond casual “hello” and accepting the success she deserves. Released via Arista Records, the 17-track deluxe album added seven additional songs to its original release. Needless to say, for one female rap fan to another, Audrey Nuna’s latest album is a must-have. – Carly Quast

Walks with friends: It can be handy to cut yourself off from the world and create your own little version of it in your bedroom when the weather gets bad. Why would anyone leave their house when the wind slaps you with frigidity every time you open your front door? Here’s a reason: with the lack of sun and these treacherously cold days, loneliness is rife and human interaction is essential. To simultaneously soak up the sun and socialize, a friend of mine and I started planning an hour to walk around a different lake each weekend. We bundle up to get some exercise, talk about our weeks, and get away from our beckoning devices, if only for an hour. This weekend we decided to take a walk on Lake Harriet and to our surprise we came across the Art Hut Project place (until February 6) on the lake. We explored the various outdoor art exhibits and then hiked the perimeter of the lake. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and Minnesotans were flocking to the walkways and art booths. I wouldn’t have witnessed any of this had I been wrapped in blankets, keeping out the cold from the comfort of my apartment. – Nina Raemont

“Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Iamdoechii: After bursting into the limelight with his trending TikTok song, “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake,” Iamdoechii has cultivated many fans, myself included. Iamdoechii is a rapper based in Los Angeles. In her latest work, “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” she uses clever rhymes and catchy beats to express herself. Most of the songs possess a shameless attitude that proves to her audience that she deserves recognition. On other songs on the album like “God”, she opens up about her beliefs and shows her vulnerable side to her audience. Iamdoechii is a multifaceted talented rapper who was able to use her impressive songwriting skills to break the boundaries of the rap genre with her latest work. -Harry Madden

The winter carnival of Saint-Paul: Head to Rice Park in downtown St. Paul for winter festivities and fair food. Enjoy live music while viewing the stunning ice sculptures on display all over the square. Local artists chisel blocks of ice with picks and other tools to create impressive figures such as dragons and Old Man Winter. If snow sculptures are more your thing, you can visit the State Fairgrounds for even more winter art. Along with the event kicking off on January 29, special carnival activities including parades, scavenger hunts and a jigsaw puzzle contest brought hundreds of Minnesotans outside to enjoy this tradition. As a bonus, tempting food trucks line the sidewalks to satisfy all your greasy cravings. If you missed the fun this weekend, don’t worry: the sculptures are on display until February 6, giving you plenty of time to stop by and brighten up this cold season. -Sarah Horner