This is Volume 4 (2025) of El Estoque’s “Arts & Ent: In Review,” in which staff review recently released media, including albums, movies, EPs, TV shows, books and games. Click the infobox below to see the fourth volume of mini-reviews.
Following a less-than-successful NBA and G-League career, Liangelo Ball, or G3 Gelo, has taken a different route for his claim to fame: music. The middle Ball brother previewed a snippet of “Tweaker” for streamer N3on and became viral on TikTok and Instagram Reels after a video was taken of the Cleveland Cavaliers listening to the track. “Tweaker” was eventually released on Jan. 3 and stands as the only single yet released by Ball. The track is reminiscent of 2000’s hip hop and stands out for its humorous and bellowed lyric: “I might swerve bend that corner, whoah.” The use of synthesizer pads and an organ parallels early New Orleans and Memphis rap production, which appropriately pairs Ball’s casual verse. Despite the laid-back and bouncy chorus that suits Ball’s invariant tone, “Tweaker” has nothing extraordinary to offer listeners. The autotuned, singsong verses can feel scrappy, and the frequent “whoahs” are the only exciting motif. Still, the catchy lyrics’ replay value and frequent appearances in memes seem to restore hip-hop’s presence in pop and NBA culture that sparks conversation.
RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Samika Bhatkar)
“Astrovan: The Love Song Vignettes” by Humbird
Hailing from Twin Cities, folk artist Humbird displays her deep roots in Minnesota’s music scene and talent for writing with her latest EP: “ Astrovan: The Love Song Vignettes.” This EP’s strength comes from its soulful writing, paired with a clean-sounding guitar that paints small, heartwarming scenes and their emotions. The muffled vocal effect applied to the opening 33-seconds emits a warm feeling that fits the gentle tone and does not overstay its welcome. However, the 33-second long instrumental at the end of a 1:03 song weakens its impact. This issue of short songs becomes a running theme throughout the EP, as only two of the 11 tracks are longer than two minutes. While each song does capture its respective feeling perfectly, they fail to go deeper into the genuinely interesting themes of love and acceptance that they introduce, with tracks like “Rosemary” feeling incomplete as a result. Despite the fleeting nature of each song, the EP still manages to leave a lasting impression through its well-chosen lyrics and beautifully crafted scenes.
RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Varun Singh)
“Aquarius III,” named after rapper Logic’s zodiac sign, emphasizes his spiritual connection to the universe and efforts of self-actualization beyond music. There are four songs out of the five total in his EP that share a distinct ethereal instrumental which emphasizes the effect Logic’s self-reflection had on his mental state. In an audio recording from Logic 14 years ago, he shares how his turbulent childhood led to an obsession with money which in the album is called, “a message from my younger self.” The track shows the progress he’s made both mentally and physically throughout his rap career. “Aquarius III” conveys Logic’s shift to a more mature and calm sense of self. The opening lyrics of each song includes snippets of Logic’s violent childhood and strongly correlate with the rapid change of the beat in the song. In “French Dispatch,” Logic raps about his skewed priorities during his childhood, “ I’ve been paper-chasing 'stead of facing all my demons. Feeling so complacent. Think I need a change like breaking a twenty. Been breaking my mind down for money.” While approaching the end of each song, Logic looks back on his troubled past and finds a unique perspective in which he appreciates even the most disturbing aspects of his childhood. Although each song shows a different part of Logic’s life to listeners, the beats and background music are all very similar within the album. Oftentimes the chorus can diminish the serious undertones in the song, as seen in “This Is The Way.” Logic’s attempt at a falsetto can be seen as a form of acceptance with his past, but the lack of skill demonstrated through his performance depreciates the value of the lyrics. Even before knowing about the journey Logic took to get to where he is today, the composition of relaxed music and powerful lyrics made me understand more than any articles could. Aquarius III is an outstanding example of how the theme of a song can add a lot of meaning to the words behind it.
RATING: 4/5 (Reviewed by Raj Thapliyal)
“Burnout Days” by Flipturn
All the band members come through in their own ways with the use of their instruments and cohesion together, and this style showcases each of their abilities without one overpowering the other. The drums, guitar, and bass connect with listeners equally, and when the singer steps back, it allows for other instruments to take their place. Although the lyrics could be impactful at times, overall they do not notably contribute to the album. Even with the relatable message of youth, the album can be underwhelming at times, lacking variety in delivery and sound. Regardless, “Burnout Days” appeal lies in the emotions it conveys and memories of youth it portrays. The title track, ‘Burnout Days,” sums up what Flipturn is conveying through the album: “ At the end of the coming-of-age / Like something we forgot / Well, it was all up to you and me / And we just let it rot constantly. ” “Burnout Days” is about dealing with one’s self, accepting flaws and being vulnerable, pushing through hard times and overcoming them. Ultimately, these qualities made Flipturn’s sophomore album, “Burnout Days” an enjoyable and nostalgic experience.
RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Vaishnavi Katukam)
In a world where vulnerability has been appropriated by 6’3" softboys on TikTok, English artist FKA twigs smashes that facade to pieces with a sizzling, full-throated, EDM mallet. How does it feel to be viscerally honest, to the point of inventing new words for your feelings? twigs’ answer is “EUSEXUA” — “like when you’ve been kissing a lover for hours” and “you’re not human anymore, you’re just a feeling.” As promised, the album blurs the line between physicality and emotion. Everything is constantly in motion — instead of being sedated by repetitive structures, listeners are submerged in beat drops and tone shifts, making the album feel fresh and dynamic. In terms of subjects, “EUSEXUA” doesn’t necessarily cover new ground, but twigs takes lines that would otherwise sound dull — such as “I want to be loved” — and transforms them with glistening delivery. Many tracks sound straightforwardly sexual at the onset but carry an empowering twist to them. For example, “Sticky” explores the shyness and desperation she feels when being physically vulnerable, but ends with the suggestion that finding someone who appreciates your body should never be complicated. FKA twigs makes honesty look easy — “EUSEXUA” offers listeners its modern take on rapture, and every listen makes its intimacy feel closer to instinct.
RATING: 4.5/5 (Reviewed by Jillian Ju)
“Can’t Rush Greatness” by Central Cee
Following multiple teasers and growing anticipation as audiences questioned his marketing strategies, Central Cee capitalized on this speculation to further promote “Can’t Rush Greatness,” teasing it with a clip of the track “Gen Z Luv” on Instagram. While introducing fresh sounds to the increasingly mainstream British rap scene, “Can’t Rush Greatness” as a whole feels somewhat repetitive in its musicality. The features bring in new elements, but the recurring beats and themes seem to be holding the project back.
From the Wu-Tang Clan sample to the melodic features and vocals, everything on the album feels very intentional, demonstrating a clear artistic vision that he executes well. Features such as Kamal’s vocals on the track “Now We’re Strangers” brings in a fresh sound that is not common in British rap, elevating Central Cee’s storytelling and adding a softer melody that adds balance towards the album’s conclusion. However, the album falls short as it struggles with repetitive beats. Overall, he lives up to the hype, with the expected viral hits and catchy rhythms and lyrics he always delivers.
RATING: 3.5/5 (Reviewed by Trisha Sannappanavar)
“Flight Risk” by Lionsgate Films
“Flight Risk,” directed by veteran actor and director Mel Gibson, is an action-thriller film primarily set in the confines of a small aircraft. The film follows Deputy U.S. Marshal Madolyn Harris (Michelle Dockery), who is tasked with transporting Winston (Topher Grace), an accountant-turned-informant, to testify in a mob trial. When they discover that their pilot, Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg), is not who he claims to be, their journey takes a sharp turn, leading to a battle for survival at an altitude of 30,000 feet. Wahlberg’s over-the-top yet entertaining portrayal of Booth adds a comical layer of fun, making the movie, as entertaining as it is, simply put — dumb. While the film follows a very direct plot with a paper-thin screenplay, there are some moments that offer suspense. The confined setting of the aircraft serves as both a strength and a limitation, creating an atmosphere ripe for tension. "Flight Risk" is a brisk watch that offers moments of genuine suspense and entertainment. While it may not reach the heights of Gibson's earlier directorial efforts, it provides a serviceable thriller experience for those seeking a straightforward, high-altitude adventure .
RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Sagnik Nag Chowhury)
Dedicating the single to LA firefighters battling the Palisades fire, rapper Travis Scott released “4x4” on Jan. 25, with all of the song’s streaming proceeds being donated to the LAPD. Scott performed the track for the first time at the National College Football Championship and further promoted the song through a merchandise drop on his website. More than a year after his 2023 album release Utopia, “ 4x4” reminds fans of the rapper’s 2018 “Astroworld” era, with hard-hitting synths and acute hymns. While refreshing, it isn’t delivered to Scott’s best abilities. The song has the potential to be an upbeat and catchy party banger but falls short as a generic trap tune. “4x4’s” disorganized mixing confuses fans with a switch-up of high-pitched vocals on the first verse and chorus to a mellowed-down second verse. Furthermore, Scott’s unvarying tonal quality and lackluster string sample create a product that feels rushed and unfinished compared to his strong discography, which prioritizes uniform vocals and production. Inherently, Scott sticks to what he knows, and while “4x4” hits the bare minimum of all the fixes found in a trap song, it follows an unfortunate pattern of being a prosaic single, similar to his 2023 release “K-POP.”
RATING: 2.5/5 (Reviewed by Samika Bhatkar)
"Sports car” by Tate McRae
Following multiple teasers of both the song and her new upcoming album, Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae released her new single, “Sports car,” on Jan. 21. The song starts off with a low beat, providing an ominous tone that juxtaposes her explicit, provocative lyrics. This song is more focused on the intimate side of relationships, rather than the emotional, which is what McRae is known for. Throughout the music video, she showcases various flashy and extravagant outfits that correlate to her experimentation with a new, bolder and upbeat style of pop-music. The multitude of fast outfit changes along with the lack of dance choreography, however, makes the video more redundant, causing a monotonous feeling to overshadow the intended emotion McRae initially desired to portray. Despite this, the abrupt ending note creates a strong finale, leaving fans in awe of her confidence. Similarly, the catchy bridge is a necessary change of pace from the constant rhythm, making this a powerful song and displaying McRae’s willingness to expand her musical horizons. “Sports car ” contrasts McRae’s previous, more thought-provoking music, which puts her one step closer to being recognized for her diverse discography.
RATING: 3.5/5 (Reviewed by Meghna Dixit)
