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(01/30/18 12:42am)
By Lily Firth
Features Editor
I’m never one to judge someone else’s health decisions, considering most of my favorite activities involve eating junk food and sitting on the couch. But as winter break wasted away, I realized that I felt lethargic, lazy and unproductive. I knew that exercising was always an option, but in the past, every time I tried to make a routine out of exercising, I found myself sweaty, tired and bored, desperately wanting it to end. I would exercise for at most a week, then go back to making excuses not to and avoid it at all costs.
Then, one of my close friends suggested I try yoga. She goes to school in California, where yoga is all the rage, and said she was addicted to it. I was skeptical at first — wasn’t yoga just for hipsters and vegans who cherish the Earth and only know the word “namaste?”
My friend insisted that I should try it and even dragged me to a class. It was one of the only times I was actually happy to be proven wrong. Yoga engages the body, of course, but it also engages the mind and challenges you to find your breathing — something I didn’t even know was possible. I thought breathing was just a natural, involuntary thing that couldn’t be done wrong.
I found myself surprised when the class was over, because I was enjoying myself so much I did not realize that an hour went by. The atmosphere is utopian — the only sounds are soft music and the soothing voice of the instructor floating through the warm, comforting air.
I was nervous at first, because I expected to be the only person without any experience, but once I got there I realized I wasn’t alone, and that the instructor was always there to guide me if I needed it. I didn’t even feel like I was exercising but when class was over, I felt invigorated and tired, even a bit sweaty. My muscles felt good and I felt productive and happy — way more than when I was binge watching shows on the couch.
The best part about yoga is that the effects are not just right after the session. I felt myself naturally waking up earlier in the day, wanting to eat healthier to better myself instead of just to look good and found myself genuinely happier. Yoga helped me appreciate myself and helped me make time just for me — no to-do lists, no worrying about petty drama —just me, myself and the mat.
I know yoga isn’t for everyone, but I think the important thing I learned this winter break is that there are lots of different ways to stay active. Exercising doesn’t always mean on a treadmill for countless, monotonous minutes or doing crunches until you can’t breathe. It’s all about finding the activity that makes you feel better, whether it be pilates, biking, barre or zumba. It’s important to find a workout that leaves your muscles tired but a smile on your face. The hardest part is starting. After that, I promise you won’t be able to get enough.
(01/29/18 11:43pm)
Every week, Features Editor Lily Firth hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories.
Marijuana has been a national subject of debate for several years. Some argue it is a harmful gateway drug, while others say it is a safer alternative to alcohol. Some support its legalization, while others support punishing users and sellers. Newly elected governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, has vowed to legalize marijuana in the state. In 1977, there was a much different culture surrounding the drug, when a student was convicted of possession of marijuana and subsequently suspended from the College.
A student has been suspended for one year by the All College Disciplinary Board (ACDB) for possession of marijuana despite charges by a high ranking student leader that the judicial procedure was run “haphazardly” and that hearing officer Sheila Fleishman was “hungry for a conviction.”
Felix Farenga, a senior Criminal Justice major, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute but he was convicted by the ACDB of a lesser charge, possession of 441 grams of high quality marijuana, according to College Disciplinary Officer Sheila Fleishman. Student Government Association (SGA) president Doreen Bierman has charged Fleishman with “holding a hearing during the summer months because she was hungry for a conviction.”
Fleishman has said she “wanted the hearing held during the summer because a decision had to be reached which would affect a student’s status for the fall semester.” She also said she received “very little student cooperation” in calling the board together.
According to campus police reports, Farenga’s van was stopped by patrolman Jon Vereen and Sgt. Carl Muglia last May for a routine motor vehicle check. The report stated that Farenga had concealed a brown paper bag under his jacket and that campus police believed the substance in the bag was approximately one pound of marijuana. Fargena was arrested and booked at Ewing Township Police headquarters for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
However, SGA President Bierman has accused campus police of failing to prove the substance was marijuana during Farenga’s judicial hearing. “It’s amazing that he could be charged with possession with intent to distribute when no one could identify what was in the bag,” said Bierman. “During the hearing, the arresting officer (Sgt. Muglia) said he was pretty sure it was marijuana but being pretty sure is no reason for him to be convicted.” “I’ve never seen such haphazard crap in my life,” said Bierman. “No one convinced me that he had dope in his possession let alone that he should be suspended.” CDO Sheila Fleishman, who is also the assistant to the dean of students, confirmed that no evidence was introduced during the actual hearing to prove the substance was marijuana. However, she did say that members of the Board contacted Ewing Police by telephone during the deliberation for a lab report. Fargena was not present during the deliberation.
(01/23/18 6:34am)
By Lily Firth
Features Editor
The College offers numerous opportunities for students to study abroad in countries like Italy, Germany or India, to study courses through the Council on International Educational Exchange — a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that strives to help students gain experience and knowledge in foreign places, according to its website.
Tommy Lipner, a junior interdisciplinary business major, decided to take the opportunity to study abroad over winter break in South Africa for 20 days.
“I wanted to go abroad because I love to travel. I realized my love for traveling when I went on my first big excursion to the Galápagos islands my senior year of high school,” Lipner said. “Now I take every opportunity to travel that I can. Last year I went to Cuba through the College’s winter study abroad, too.”
Deciding where to travel tends to be challenging because the College offers so many beautiful and diverse destinations.
“I have always been interested in civil rights and the psychology of protest, so getting the chance to study apartheid and its effects in the place where it actually occurred seemed fascinating,” Lipner said, when asked why he chose to study in South Africa. “I’ve also been fascinated by animals since I was young and I knew the place to go for that would be South Africa. And I was right — we had the chance to go on a safari and to see other incredible natural scenery.”
Michael O’Connor, a senior interdisciplinary business major, went on the same trip as Lipner.
“I wanted to go to South Africa because it was a chance to learn about the history of Apartheid. It’s interesting to see how it’s similar, yet so different to the times of segregation in the U.S.,” O’Connor said.
Many students choose not to travel because of the anxiety and uncertainty that comes from being in a foreign place with a different culture, but Lipner and O’Connor said that new adventures don’t bother them.
“I’m definitely more excited than nervous. I feel my happiest in new places and cultures soaking up a different environment,” Lipner said. “What many people fail to realize when talking about Africa is that South Africa is pretty westernized so the cities felt fairly similar to those of the U.S. The biggest aspect of culture shock was the strong evidence of racial injustice, and considering Apartheid just ended, the effects are still evident. The black communities are extremely impoverished, but correlation between race and socioeconomic status is still very strong.”
O’Connor was also surprised by the extreme culture shock he felt upon his arrival in South Africa, despite researching the area.
“When we visited Kliptown, I was in utter disbelief at the poverty and hardships these people lived in,” O’Connor said. “Everyone was living in shacks they created from scrap metal from any place they could find. Despite this, the people in this community had such a strong bond of solidarity amongst each other. I’ve never seen a state of living like this and it certainly humbled me to my core.”
Being abroad is not always just about learning about new cultures, it can be a journey of self-discovery when immersed in a new culture.
“One thing I think we take advantage of as Americans is our resources. In reality, not every country is so lucky. Water can run out. Cape Town is experiencing an overwhelming drought and the effort to conserve is in play. As Americans we aren’t conscious of this, but water is a scarce resource and we shouldn’t be so wasteful of it or any other resources,” Lipner said.
O’Connor was shocked at the lack of resources and amenities South Africans are used to.
“Electricity was extremely scarce and they only had one source of clean water throughout the whole community,” O’Connor said. “It’s important to remember the privileges I’ve had since birth and if anything this trip has taught me not to take opportunities for granted.”
Some people are skeptical about studying abroad, and argue that travelling on one’s own time and budget creates a superior experience, but Lipner disagrees.
“I was surrounded by 13 other students my age to converse with and soak up the experience, along with two professors who have worldly knowledge, and a tour guide that we became close with to explain certain cultural idiosyncrasies we may not have picked up otherwise,” Lipner said. “Also, our days were packed and we learned so much in such a short period of time that we may not have been able to get had we come by ourselves.”
Many students are on the fence about studying abroad, wondering if it is worth the money, effort and time, but Lipner and O’Connor encourage students to take advantage of the global opportunities that the College provides.
“People need to travel and see the world! It is so easy to get trapped in the bubble that is the United States, and learning about other cultures truly gives you a greater perspective on the world and how to use your time,” Lipner said.
(01/23/18 3:43am)
By Lily Firth
Features Editor
The start of the new year is historically known for new habits, mindsets, goals and of course, new year’s resolutions. January provides a clean slate, especially for college students returning to campus for a new semester. Every student has different ideas for taking advantage of a fresh start and preparing to tackle challenges the coming semester may present.
Adrienne Dell’Aquila, a junior elementary education and English double major, always tries to stay on top of her to-do list.
“To prepare for the new semester, I am trying to get my school supplies together and try to have everything set for the first day,” Dell’Aquila said. “You can never be too prepared, and getting rid of the stress ahead of time allows me to actually get excited for the first day of classes.”
Mindful of the stress a new semester will bring, some students are focused on their mental health.
“I have also made sure that over winter break I have relaxed and unwinded enough to start the next semester with a clean head, in a relaxed mental state. I think it’s really important,” said Marina Cardona, a sophomore graphic design major.
The new year isn’t just about preparing for the new semester, but also trying to make positive changes and resolutions for the entire year. Lauren O’Brien, a sophomore finance major, is looking to turn over a new leaf.
“If you don’t start working on your dream today you are just getting worse,” O’Brien said. “Of course, everyone needs to continuously remind themselves of what they want to achieve, especially more than one time a year when the year changes. But resolutions are important because they give everyone a kick of inspiration for the new year.”
Personal improvements and expressions of individuality are common themes among student resolutions.
“For the year I just need to let myself be more positive and to stay true to my own values and beliefs without falling into peer pressure,” Cardona said.
But if you haven’t embraced a resolution for the new year, or even the new semester, don’t worry — you are not alone. Caroline Taffet, a junior English and secondary education dual major, chuckled a bit when asked about her preparations for the spring semester.
“Honestly? I haven’t done much preparing for the new year. I feel like sometimes there’s not a set way you can prepare. I’ve looked at what books I need but have yet to order them or locate them in a library. A perk is that I never really unpacked from moving back home, so most of my clothes are set for the new semester, if that counts as preparation,” Taffet said.
While some people argue that resolutions are pointless and personal improvements should be made year-round instead of all at once, Dell’Aquila disagrees.
“I think New Year’s resolutions are meaningful, as they allow people to feel optimistic and hopeful about what the new year can bring,” she said. “I think it is helpful for people to have a goal they are striving towards in order to be motivated and and purposeful.”
(01/21/18 11:12pm)
Every week, Features Editor Lily Firth hits the archives and finds old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories.
Throughout the College’s history, there have been places for students who are of age to socialize and drink alcohol on or close to campus, including the Rathskeller — nicknamed “The Rat” — that closed down in May 2015. This summer, a new sports bar will be opening in Campus Town where students will have a safe place to drink and mingle — legally, of course. In January 1986, the College attempted to create a place, dubbed “The Club,” that would be a centralized area for students of all ages to enjoy themselves. “The Club” was shut down soon after its opening, as it ended up strengthening the divide between underage students and students 21 and over.
The idea of having a place where those who are of legal drinking age and those who are underage can get together and socialize is very noble. But the plans need to be well thought out and practical, down to the last detail, in order to work out best for all concerned.
Thursday night showed that the Club is neither.
Think about it this way. If the Club is sectioned off into two parts, one where there is the band, the dance floor, and the alcohol, and the other where there are a few pool tables and video games, where will everyone be? The answer is obvious.
But what about those in the under-21 group, who are supposed to benefit from this plan, but end up stuck in the back?
Not much can be done about their not being able to legally drink alcohol there. But, from the back of the room, they cannot see the band, cannot talk to those in the “legal” group, and cannot dance on the dance floor.
This is hardly “socializing together.”
Later in the night, the rules at the door changed, no one under 21 was allowed in, and the entire room was open for alcohol. Those under 21 do not seem to be “benefitting.”
Dean of Student Life Bill Klepper, whose idea this was, and Gilbert, who supported it all the way, had better make up their minds. Is it their plan to really do something for those students under 21?
Or was this the only way to get the Pub to re-open, so that it could be used as the bait in Klepper’s package of Student Center/Phelps Hall renovations?
Student leaders were promised, when Klepper presented his plans, that the Pub would be re-opened if it and the Student Center renovations were passed.
That’s like offering candy to a baby.
As for Klepper’s keeping his promise, and Gilbert states, what happened to the promise of having the Club open with alcohol last semester, and on a regular basis beginning this semester? That was part of the candy in Klepper’s original plan presented last summer.
I want to see the Pub/Club re-opened as much as anybody. But I don’t want to see it done with lies and deceptions. Proposals such as these should be brought up and evaluated on their own merit.
(12/05/17 11:20am)
By Lily Firth
Reviews Editor
Students eagerly packed the Library Auditorium to experience TCNJ Musical Theatre’s annual Broadway night on Friday, Dec. 1.
Each performer brought their own musical style, singing their hearts out to their favorite Broadway pieces to showcase their voices and talents. TMT included a variety of songs: some theatrical, some lighthearted and upbeat, some slow and romantic.
Every song was memorable in its own way — whether it tugged at the audience’s heart strings or carried a powerful message. With harmonic duets, dancing and jazz hands, and some pure comedic entertainment.
The performers had an ear for fully engaging the audience. The tunes especially conveyed relatable messages about crushing heartbreak, flourishing romance and forming friendships. Whether the piece was about falling for the wrong guy or when a crush loves someone else, each of the acts had the audience nodding along to messages that pertain to their everyday lives.
Each singer added their own voice to pieces from various Broadway musicals, including Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Hamilton and Les Misérables, adding talent and creativity that made their renditions stand out from the original counterparts.
Alyssa Fanelli, a junior secondary education and math dual major, explained why she picked her song.
“I wanted to do something different from my usual repertoire,” Fanelli said. “I usually always go for the humorous approach, but the song I chose (Your Daddy’s Son because it) is emotional. It’s about a woman murdering her own husband! But honestly, I weirdly think it’s empowering, in a way. I was excited to sing it — it was definitely the hardest piece I’ve ever done.”
Audience members particularly appreciated songs that had them laughing out loud in their seats.
“I have to say, the BFF one in the Spongebob Musical was my favorite,” said Jamie Pillion, a junior elementary education and English double major. “I was laughing the entire time — both of the performers were so lively and comical as they danced around stage with confidence.”
Emma Pranschke, a junior psychology major, disagreed with Pillion, and argued that the emotional pieces were more impactful.
“No!” Pranschke said. “The best one had to be ‘All I Ask of You.’ They way the performers decided not to sing but just play their violin and piano - I was breathless! They were amazing. I think I teared up.”
(12/05/17 3:56am)
This week, Reviews Editor Lily Firth hit the archives to find old Signals that relate to current College topics and top stories.
Over the years, students and organizations at the College have put together events and collected donations for those less fortunate, especially during the holiday season when everyone needs an extra dose of hope and happiness. This year, Delta Zeta is spreading holiday cheer by collecting new, unopened toys for underprivileged children in Newark. It is important for students to know that even in the final, hectic hours of the semester when they have little time to contribute, they can still make loved ones or even strangers feel important during this festive time of year. In December, 1980, CUB hosted its annual Holiday Marketplace that was filled to the brim with a variety of gifts, which helped students feel a little less stressed when shopping for the holidays.
As the semester comes to a close with its last-minute hassles of exams and papers, working and winter driving, we commuters are forced to do our Christmas shopping like everyone else — on the run — or risk having to wait until school’s out, taking our chances trying to find “the right gift.”
Well, here comes the College Union Board (CUB) to the rescue with its annual Holiday Marketplace — two days filled with Christmas cheer amid the gloom ‘n doom of finals. The Student Center is about to become a veritable shopping mall, with a large and varied selection of gift items displayed by area merchants and craftspeople. What a great way to spend the breaks between classes — shopping for your favorite people!
To help you celebrate in style, CUB is also offering special holiday mini courses where you can learn to make ornaments from muslin, clothespins or walnut shells: wreaths from green burlap or straw; Christmas stockings and Christmas cookies. Make them for yourself or give them as gifts. Registration is at the Student Center Information Desk. The cost is $1 per course, which includes materials. Classes are limited to the first 15 who sign up, so hurry on over to reserve your place.
Christmas would not be complete without music. The air in the Student Center will be filled with the strains of carols and other music performed by the Trenton State College Brass Choir, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. Come sing along or just listen and enjoy.
The dates for the Holiday Marketplace are Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 — Events are going on all day in the Student Center. Come celebrate!
For those of you who have participated in the adopt-a-commuter program, now might be a terrific lime to join your floor for the many special holiday programs going on in residence. It’s also a great time for all of us to share the Christmas spirit by inviting some campus-bound friends to go Christmas shopping at Quakerbridge, Oxford Valley or other area malls and stores.
(11/14/17 12:42am)
By Lily Firth
Reviews Editor
Students and parents all filed into the Library Auditorium to watch i-Tunes, one of the many a capella groups on campus, on Friday, Nov. 10. I-Tunes performed its second annual i-Cabaret. The cabaret featured 11 soloists, two duet singers and two group performances. The group’s slower songs showed off each artist’s impressive vocals, while upbeat songs got the crowd laughing and clapping along.
Madhav Patel, a junior biology major and a member of i-Tunes, was the host. He introduced each of the night’s performers as the audience chuckled at his lighthearted humor.
When members of i-Tunes sang together, their voices blended seamlessly. Meanwhile, the group’s beatboxer created instrumental-sounding background music with his vocals.
Following the group performances, each brave soloist took the stage — some were accompanied with a guitar, a piano or background instrumental tracks.
The audience hummed along as many of the soloists covered songs by artists like Paramore, Lady Gaga, Chance the Rapper and Amy Winehouse. The variety of voices, genres and styles kept the show fresh.
Emme McGilligan, a junior psychology major, was nervous to perform.
“It’s always nerve-wracking singing along without everyone else behind you. If you mess up, it’s just you, and everyone knows it,” McGilligan said. Mason Moran, a senior communication major, has learned how to control the pre-performance jitteriness.
“The only way to get over nerves is to practice, just practice as much as you can. And having an instrument to back you up is always a plus,” Moran said.
Both performers and audience members were buzzing about the night’s performances. Caroline Taffet, a junior English and secondary education dual major, was impressed with i-Tunes’ performances.
“I liked ‘Sunday Candy’ the best, by far. Asa could rap almost like Chance the Rapper — it was honestly amazing and got everyone singing along,” Taffet said.
Lucia Donia, a junior self-design speech pathology major, was elated by the way the performances played out and the talent they brought to the stage.
“I loved the whole thing to pieces,” Donia said. “I loved the soulful, pure voices of everyone — I actually had chills.”
(10/03/17 12:41am)
By Lily Firth
Reviews Editor
Stephen King released his novel, “It,” in 1986, and the intense story continues to give readers nightmares. It was made into a low-budget television series in 1990, starring Tim Curry, but many fans still ached for a cinematic masterpiece that could more accurately portray the terror that King created in his novel.
Luckily, these fans got exactly what they wanted — a beautifully crafted film that will haunt you weeks after seeing it. It topped the box office charts right from the get-go and has still been selling out theaters everywhere.
What makes “It” so different from other horror films is the fact that it was a novel beforehand, so the plot itself is very clever, and not just a badly written screenplay with cheesy scare tactics like many horror films.
“It” tells the story of the fictional town of Derry, Maine, where children go missing every 27 years, but no one really understands why. In the beginning of the film, Bill’s little brother, Georgie, goes missing.
Although most assume he has died, Georgie’s disappearance begins the desperate and obsessive search for the truth. Bill gets together his rag-tag “loser club” of eccentric friends to find exactly what is happening, and they find more than what they could ever have imagined — they find “It”, also known as Pennywise, who takes the form of a terrifying clown. It also has the ability to physically morph into people’s worst fears — like a person with leprosy, a burn victim or a headless man — any horror you could think of, Pennywise could imitate it.
The kids try to defeat Pennywise so they can stop the terror once and for all, but they have to do it before Pennywise hunts them down one by one.
I think the best part about the movie, other than its clever plotline, is the characters.
None of them are one dimensional, and by the end of the movie you’re desperately wishing you were part of their friend group because you’re in love with every single one of them. There’s Eddie, who is a nervous kid who pops 100 pills a day because he always thinks he’s sick. There’s Richie who is crude and foul mouthed but always has a hilarious joke up his sleeve. There’s Bill who is so determined and inspiring, always thinking of others. There’s Bev who’s courageous and witty and never lets the boys outdo her. There’s Ben who is passionate and loves to read, Mike who’s positive even though he’s gone through a lot of trauma in his life and Stan who scares easily but is still loyal. The movie is terrifying, but these quirky kids always make you laugh and smile the whole way with their pure and true friendship and the love they have for each other.
Any movie lover, especially horror buffs, need to see “It” immediately if they haven’t already. It makes you experience a range of emotions — you’ll laugh one minute at the kid’s banter, cry one minute as someone goes missing and jump out of your seat when Pennywise lurks in the shadows. “It” is a phenomenal movie that I think will go down in history as one of the best horror films of all time.
(09/05/17 3:44pm)
By Lily Firth
Reviews Editor
Nearly every student, aside from my fellow English majors, says they don’t enjoy reading, deeming books too boring, long or difficult. Additionally, they’ll claim they do not have the attention span to read or that they have better things to do, along with a multitude of other excuses. As an avid reader myself, it disappoints me deeply. Although many older generations would disagree, I do not think it is our fault that we don’t read as much anymore.
When debating why students don’t read as much as they once did, the most obvious reason seems to the many other forms of entertainment available at our fingertips — movies, television, video games, even our phones have fun pastimes to occupy our minds at any given point of the day. Of course, this is not our fault, as we are a generation raised with this technology and know nothing else, much to our elders’ grievances.
On the contrary, though, what I honestly think is the main reason that our generation doesn’t enjoy reading is our school curriculums. When we are very young, around 5 years old or so, we are given colorful and enjoyable books that hold our attention and invigorate us to read more. Even as we grow older, we still read books that are imaginative, humorous and exciting. If you ask anyone our age, they’ll rave over the books they read in elementary school — “Junie B. Jones,” “Captain Underpants” and “Harry Potter” to name a few.
But once we reach a certain age, around middle school, it seems the number of people who enjoy reading goes on a steady decline. Why? I think because teachers give these strict curriculums — of course, which they are told to abide by — of books that are supposedly educational, but in reality are boring, and usually really really old. Go up to anyone our age and ask if they’ve read Shakespeare, and they will groan and roll their eyes and nod, shivering at the memories of deciphering old, outdated English. Middle school and high school are programming us to hate reading because they are giving us the wrong books. Because our minds are growing so much at that critical age, it is impressioned on us that books are equated to boredom. Also, I need to note that most of these books are written by tired, old, white men — there is absolutely no diversity among their voices as we read them to diverse students.
Around middle school, it seems the number of people who enjoy reading goes on a steady decline (envato elements).
I remember my senior year of high school, my teacher boldly stated that he was going to work around the curriculum a little, and introduce to us to some books of his choosing that he thought would benefit us. He assigned us Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner,” a story about two Afghani little boys that wove a story about classism, regret, loss and suicide.
Typically, when I would ask my friends whether they had read for class, they would almost always reply “I skimmed it” or “I sparknoted it.” However for some reason when I asked about “The Kite Runner,” everyone animatedly would reply “Yes! I can’t wait to see what happens next!” My fellow students were exposed to a whole new world, and they loved every minute of it.
Of course, I’m not saying just throw uneducational, vapid, entertaining books at students, because I know that the point of English class is for educational purposes. However, there are so many educational books with beautiful symbolism and thought-provoking themes that are also entertaining. I truly believe that if we changed school curriculums, then we’d have a generation of readers who might put down their phones to read a few chapters because they genuinely enjoy it.
(09/05/17 3:03am)
By Lily Firth
Reviews Editor
Most of Taylor Swift’s fans eagerly anticipated new music following her three-year hiatus since “1989.” The single she released was nothing less than a surprise. “Look What You Made Me Do” is different from anything Swift has released in the past, centering around dark instrumentals and using cryptic messages dedicated to her enemies who morphed her into someone she doesn’t want to be — vicious, hardened and vengeful.
This new Swift is surprising to fans and non-fans alike because the singer started out as a young, country-pop singer with an acoustic guitar, singing about boys and writing in her diary. We’ve seen her change over the years. Swift slowly shed her country sound, but she still kept up her girly signature style. Following her break, many people still expected similar bubblegum pop songs, but her first single was quite a divergence. Personally, I think Swift got exactly what she wanted — to show the world that she has shed her carefree, innocent self.
Like most celebrities, Swift has always been under harsh scrutiny and judgement from the world, but it seems she has been a common target for mockery because she focused on boys and heartbreak. Critics argued that she played the victim and that she morphs her own experiences to make other people look petty. Critics called her “boy crazy” and claimed that she had no depth to her lyrics or her work, which is unfair considering the singer’s success. Swift, likely tired of her victim persona, decided it was time to change her image.
The lyrics to “Look What You Made Me Do” show this change more closely. She specifically says, “I don’t trust nobody and nobody trusts me” and that in the past, people have made her seem like a “fool.” Now, however, she’s grown “smarter and got harder in the nick of time.” She also continually repeats the phrase, “look what you made me do,” to refer to how the media, other celebrities and haters have led her to this change. Perhaps the song’s most significant lyrics — a part of the song that have attracted a lot of attention — are “the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, because she’s dead!” The lyrics represent that Swift’s change is completed and there’s no going back to the way she was before.
The new Swift is here to stay.
The music video was highly talked about as well, premiering at the 2017 Video Music Awards. The first scene shows Swift as a corpse, burying her former self. She then shows different versions of herself that are more acidic and evil, including her sitting on a throne with snakes, walking with a huge cheetah print coat and stilettos, lying in a bath of diamonds, strutting fishnets and heels, and leading robotic minions with a whip in hand. Many people who analyzed the video blame her critics, in addition to former friend Katy Perry, who wronged her, and rapper Kanye West, who famously dissed her in front of the whole world at the 2009 VMAs.
The end of the video disturbed a lot of people as well. As Swift stands on top of a mound of people, it is soon revealed that the women beneath her are each an older version of Swift from major parts in her life, all screaming and trying to get to the top of the mound. But the new Swift kicks them all down. The scene is symbolic of her new image, representing that the old versions of herself are completely detached from who she is now.
The song overall has had many mixed reviews — many people love the new image, but some are upset and nostalgic for the old Swift. Some straight up hate the song and still criticize her for her new image, but it’s obvious that Swift is unbothered. With the song’s success and the publicity it brings, her upcoming album will surely continue to create more buzz.
(08/29/17 3:09am)
By Lily Firth
Reviews Editor
“Harry Styles,” the long-awaited debut album from ex-One Direction member Harry Styles was finally released in May, and longtime fans and casual listeners alike are still buzzing about the latest hits.
Many fans were skeptical about the former boyband star’s album — some expected nothing more than a sugar-coated pop album, but the singer surprised the world with his own original sound. Experimenting with heavy guitars and beautiful ballads, Harry Styles decided to puts his own spin on alternative music.
Critics praised Styles for his attempt to “bring rock back into popularity and mainstream music,” according to Rolling Stone.
Many of his pieces include electric guitar solos and riffs, but not to the point where listeners feel he’s just smashing chords together — they are done in a professional and impressive manner that pulls at people’s heartstrings. The beats are funky and nothing like what is being played on the radio these days, even by his former bandmates, who seem to be experimenting with other genres like hip hop and R&B.
Styles explained in an interview with E! News how One Direction’s band members had such different artistic views attributed to the break up, starting with Zayn Malik’s departure in early 2015.
Many of them felt trapped in the strict management that wanted them to regurgitate pop songs for profit and popularity, which put stress and restrictions on the boys, considering their diverse talents. Styles vehemently states that he and the other boys are still good friends, but if they stayed together they might not have been.
He also notes that is very proud of his bandmates for their accomplishments following the break.
Not only is the music itself done beautifully, the lyrics that Styles wrote show his ability to weave his emotions into his work, as well as send out important messages to his fans.
His first single, “Sign of the Times,” sang in Styles’ famous falsetto, urges people to stop crying and learn to accept and improve on the state of the world around them.
Another ballad, “Meet me in the Hallway,” begs his ex-lover to meet back up with him because he knows he messed up by letting his pain and habits get into the way of treating her better.
But not all of his songs are sad or reflective. “Carolina,” which he wrote about a girl he fell in love with, even though he only met her once, talks about a hard-edged girl that is driving him crazy.
Every song is honest and distinct — he talks about issues and intimate personal experiences that helps his listeners stay connected with him.
“Harry Styles” debuted at the top of many countries’ charts, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, and of course his home country, the U.K.
The album has received phenomenal feedback, still topping the charts months later. Although Styles took a huge risk with his new music, it paid off.
With an album like this, his long-term solo stardom is almost assured.
(04/18/17 4:48am)
By Lily Firth
Staff Writer
The Chainsmokers released its highly anticipated album, “Memories Do Not Open,” on April 7. The electronic music-producing duo transitioned from their classic EDM style to more typical types of pop music.
Some love the album, saying it nailed the transition to pop and this shows with the album sales being pretty high. Still, others say that the group was just trying to get on the radio to increase sales, adding that this brand of pop music is the same sleepy melodies we have been hearing for years.
There is no doubt that The Chainsmokers is a very talented group, so, of course, the album wasn’t a complete flop, but some of the songs were mediocre, with just bland beats layered in the background.
The majority of the songs were still very enjoyable even if the sound was a little repetitive. You can hear little bits of “I Want Something Just Like This,” featuring Coldplay, in the group’s other tracks like “Don’t Say” and “Bloodstream.” But the consistency isn’t bad. It gives off a relaxed pop sound.
The third track on the album, “Bloodstream,” had a more mellow sound. What surprised me was that the slow songs were actually my favorite ones on the album. They were raw with personal and emotional lyrics and soft music in the background.
The group, of course, has some of its trademark Chainsmoker sounds as well, making the songs extra fun to dance to.
The pace picks up with “Break Up Every Night,” a song about a girlfriend who puts him on an emotional roller coaster. “She’s got seven personalities/everyone’s a tragedy. … She wants to break up every night.” Though the lyrics are repetitive, they’re clearly not meant for a close inspection. It sounds exactly like what it’s supposed to be –– a lighthearted dance song to get people going.
Many of the songs are already hits, such as dance hits “Paris” and “Something Just Like This.” They collaborate with other popular bands, as well, such as Florida Georgia Line and Coldplay.
Emily Warren, who’s featured on “Don’t Say,” brings the song to life. Her soft falsetto voice in the chorus complements the electronic sound nicely, and the subtle harmony only adds to the song’s smooth movement.
The Chainsmokers let vocals lead the way for the music, however, this becomes a problem when the singer’s voice is not that strong. In “Honest,” the lead vocalist doesn’t carry the song the way Warren did in “Don’t Say,” and the whole track suffers because of it. The electronic beats fade to the background of listeners who don’t know to appreciate the group more for their techno sound.
Definitely give the album more of a chance, especially when it is debuting in the wake of many other famous musicians, such as Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles. The Chainsmokers still hit the charts with relative success, and I believe the album will continue to be a success.
(03/21/17 1:21am)
By Lily Firth
Staff Writer
It’s not news to anyone that Ed Sheeran has been a very successful and popular artist. Fans of the British singer fell in love with everything from his poetic ballads to his upbeat acoustic songs accompanied by his trusty guitar and loop pedal.
Sheeran devastated his fans, though, when he announced in 2015 that he was going radio silent and dropping off the grid for a while, absent on social media and no longer creating new music, in order to do some quiet soul searching.
Finally, Sheeran dropped his highly anticipated album on March 3, and he did not disappoint. Although his other albums were amazing, Sheeran outdid himself with his most recent album, “Divide.” He branched out of his comfort zone and experimented with new instruments and sounds, including two very Irish sounding songs, “Galway Girl” and “Nancy Mulligan.”
Of course, he still breaks hearts with his slow ballads, such as “Save Myself” in which he sings about having to save his own heart before he can love again. In the somber song “Happier,” he admits that his lover will truly be happier with someone else.
Sheeran taps deep into his own emotions and experiences to make his music so personal and relatable to the audience. We can feel his pain through his tender and poignant lyrics.
He added some upbeat songs to bring us back up, too. Some of his songs actually made me laugh out loud like“New Man,” which makes fun of the materialistic new man his past lover is bragging about to him. Even the perky flutes in “Barcelona” made me want to smile and dance in my seat.
Even some songs have important messages that make me reflect on our society. In “What Do I Know?” he ponders how to save the world with just a piano and some positivity. “Castle on the Hill” reminisces about simpler times and plays on my homesickness while I recall fond childhood memories.
He also does an impressive job of rapping in “Eraser.” His lyrics aren’t nonsensical either –– he taps into his emotions and pours his heart out about what fame and money has done to him and how it is destroying a lot of his relationships.
His album makes you laugh, cry, reminisce and even fall in love with him. It is truly a beautiful work of art.
There are a million praises I can say about this album, and I’m sure his fans will all agree with me. The charts agree, too –– his single “Shape of You” is already No. 1 in many countries and played repeatedly on the radio. This album is No. 1 in several countries, as well.
Everyone has been buzzing and tweeting about this new album, including other successful artists such as Calvin Harris, who sent a loving tweet Sheeran’s way. Spotify also recently crowned Sheeran as the No. 1 streamed artist on its site. With the success of his album, I’m sure we will see a lot more growth and success from Sheeran in years to come.
(01/30/17 6:15am)
By Lily Firth
Staff Writer
Written and directed by Garth Jennings, “Sing” was a highly anticipated animated children’s movie to send off 2016. As an avid lover of animated films and musicals, I knew that I had to go see the movie, and I can honestly say that it had me hooked until the end.
The film is based on popular singing competition reality television shows, such as “American Idol” or “The X-Factor,” but since it is a children’s movie, it’s full of humorous twists and heartwarming backstories. Every character is written so beautifully that, as a viewer, you want every animal to win the competition.
Ash is an edgy porcupine who wants to be noticed for her singing talent, but is overshadowed by Rosita, an overworked pig with 25 children and an unappreciative husband.
Johnny is a gorilla who wants to get away from his father’s gangster and felonies. We also meet Meena, an elephant with stagefright who just wants to be heard, Gunter, a hilariously bold pig who wants his dance moves to be seen, and Mike, a mouse who gets bullied for his size and wants to live a better life.
You even root for the competition's judge and theater’s owner, Buster Moon, a koala who loves theater and wants to make his dad proud, as he tries to earn enough money from the show to save his bankrupt theater.
Through twists and turns, viewers feel a connection with the characters as they witness everyone evolve as singers and performers.
What makes “Sing” stand out is its all-star cast and award-winning song selection. Cast members include Academy Award-winning actors Matthew McConaughey, as Buster Moon, and Reese Witherspoon, as Rosita. Seth Macfarlane plays Mike, while the voices of other well-known actors can be heard in the movie, such as John C. Reilly, Nick Offerman and Jennifer Saunders.
Their voices, along with the animation, connect with the audience to make you laugh and even cry. The movie also features iconic artists and some of their most beloved songs, such as “Jump” by Van Halen, “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift and “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé. The movie has the audience laughing, singing and dancing in their seats thanks to its memorable soundtrack.
Although the movie is aimed at younger children, I recommend it to anyone who likes light-hearted films and loves musicals. “Sing” does not disappoint –– I would see it again in a heartbeat.
(09/03/16 11:12pm)
By Lily Firth
Correspondent
People all over the world had been waiting more than 13 years for the sequel to the beloved Disney Pixar classic “Finding Nemo.” This summer, fans were not disappointed with the finished film. “Finding Dory” shattered records upon release and raked in more than $140 million in its opening weekend alone.
“Finding Dory” is guaranteed to drag fans along on a rollercoaster of emotions. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and your heart will be warmed with pure joy.
The return of the all-star “Finding Nemo” duo, Ellen DeGeneres as Dory and Albert Brooks as Marlin, set a strong foundation for the film right from the beginning. As usual, DeGeneres makes viewers laugh out loud with her famous sense of humor.
Honestly, no one could have voiced a better Dory than DeGeneres. She played the role with conviction, which has made Dory such a believable character for all these years. She acts funny yet vulnerable throughout the film, and these dueling emotions make her character relatable.
For those who never saw the original, “Finding Nemo” tells the tale of a clownfish, Marlin, and his journey to find his missing son, Nemo, with the help of his new friend, Dory. She is extremely fun-loving, but has short-term memory loss. In “Finding Nemo,” Dory is primarily there for the comic relief — the foil character in relation to the strict, uptight Marlin.
However, in “Finding Dory,” fans are finally given more of Dory’s backstory, which helps her grow beyond just a comedic character. Fans learn how she lost her parents when she was young, and how she grew up to be the Dory we see throughout “Finding Nemo.”
This turns her once-funny affliction into a heart-wrenching illness. It is clear that her parents loved her very much, but due to her memory loss, Dory can’t even remember who they are anymore. This sparked a new desire within her to finally find them, to feel as complete as Marlin became when he found Nemo.
Of course, Marlin and Nemo agree to accompany Dory on her journey, since she helped them reunite in the first movie. As she travels, fans get a peek into Dory’s life before she met Marlin and Nemo: her old friends, talents, home and self. Dory is finally portrayed as a complex character rather than a two-dimensional sidekick.
As always, Disney was sure to include outrageous, fun scenes for the audience, such as a goofy bird who helps transport fish in a little green bucket and even fish driving a truck. The story was made for anyone who loves the classics, as “Finding Dory” will inevitably become one. No matter what age, the whole family can watch “Finding Dory” together and enjoy it. It reminds us of what it means to have a family — people who will always have your back.