SPORTS

Luna Lee regains balance after completing her practice spin. Photo courtesy of Luna Lee | Used with permission

Luna Lee reflects on her journey in ice skating

November 2, 2025

MVHS ‘87 graduate Doug Hendrickson is the Vice President of Football at Wasserman, one of the largest talent agency firms in the world. Photo courtesy of Delaney McNulty | Used with permission

MVHS alum ‘87 Doug Hendrickson reflects on his journey to become an NFL agent

November 2, 2025

Hendrickson, a Forbes-ranked agent, manages numerous NFL players as the VP of Football at Wasserman

Fresno State men’s basketball Head Coach Vance Walberg smiles at his media introductory press conference on April 12. Photo by Jacqueline Carrillo for the Fresno State Collegian | Used with permission

MVHS alum ‘74 Vance Walberg reflects on his journey as a professional basketball coach

November 2, 2025

Walberg has coached at the NBA, Division 1, junior college and high school levels

Seniors Gillie Ross, Miya Sakurai and Vivana Dave all coach athletes. Photo illustration | Stella Petzova

MVHS students coach younger athletes

November 2, 2025

MVHS athletes reflect on the highlights and challenges of coaching beginner athletes

SPORTS

Time Out! Ep. 37: Luna Lee

Luna Lee reflects on her journey in ice skating

November 2, 2025

MVHS alum ‘87 Doug Hendrickson reflects on his journey to become an NFL agent

November 2, 2025

Hendrickson, a Forbes-ranked agent, manages numerous NFL players as the VP of Football at Wasserman

MVHS alum ‘74 Vance Walberg reflects on his journey as a professional basketball coach

November 2, 2025

Walberg has coached at the NBA, Division 1, junior college and high school levels

MVHS students coach younger athletes

November 2, 2025

MVHS athletes reflect on the highlights and challenges of coaching beginner athletes

In Review: Volume 1, 2025

El Estoque’s staff review recently released media, ranging from the hit Netflix movie “KPOP Demon Hunters” to Sabrina Carpenter’s controversial “Man’s Best Friend”

Byline photo of Rafaella Fantine Vargas Machuca Vento

Jillian Ju, Anish Khinvasara, Emma Ma, Zaid Naqvi, Srinikaa Naveenraj, Ritik Shenoy, Rafaella Fantine Vargas Machuca Vento, Ellie Wang, and Kate Yang • October 7, 2025

This is Volume 1 of El Estoque’s “Arts & Ent: In Review,” in which staff review recently released media, including albums, movies, EPs, TV shows, books and games. Swipe to see the seventh volume of mini-reviews — read full reviews at the link in our story!

“Jealous Type” - Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s latest single, “Jealous Type,” was released on Aug. 21, peaking at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100. Falling under the genres of funk-pop, disco-pop and pop-rap, “Jealous Type" brings synth-heavy grooves, steady rhythm, lively beats and swinging moves — a song you can’t resist dancing along to.

This song tells the story of how Doja Cat feels strongly connected to a boy but he loves getting attention from girls who want him and ends up playing them. Knowing there will be other girls chasing after him, she eventually realizes that what she feels for him is not love, but jealousy and shame. When she says, “I’m not your toy” she refers to how she will no longer let him take advantage of her through the strong emotions she felt for him, sharing the importance of listening to your mind more than your heart, a powerful message to the girls of our generation.

Although Doja Cat shares a meaningful message, the song also includes scandalous actions and swear words, which can disturb the listeners. For example, during the rap section of her song, she says “...you must be on Molly 'cause y'all ain't kick it when we started up.” This can send the wrong message to the listeners since they could believe she is glamorizing drug addiction. More noticeable, however, is that the song lacks uniqueness, sounding too similar to Doja cat’s other songs, as well as songs of the same genre released this year.

Despite the flaws in “Jealous Type,” the song is still a tune that deserves recognition and fame since it shares a personal experience, a strong message and a catchy tempo that can’t be beat.

RATING: 3.5/5 (Reviewed by Rafaella Vento)

“Kiari” - Offset

Atlanta rapper Offset released his third solo studio album, “KIARI,” on Friday, Aug. 22, marking his first album since his divorce from Cardi B. With 18 tracks, “KIARI” features eight artists, including JID, John Legend, Gunna, Key Glock and Teezo Touchdown. Unlike many of Offset’s past albums, “KIARI” displays significant introspection, strengthening his depth as an artist.

Staying with the theme of introspection, each song in the album has its own music video, all but one set in a therapist’s office. The motif of therapy pleasantly reflects his efforts to mature and progress. Aside from the music videos, the theme of introspection continues in “Move On,” a heavily anticipated track addressing Offset’s divorce. While most of the verses reinforce these themes, Offset does make snide remarks about Cardi’s new partner, Stefon Diggs. Rather than moving on, like the title suggests, Offset seems to carry resentment over the divorce, showing his immaturity.

Though Offset sometimes dwells on the past, this album shows he isn’t afraid to take risks and be creative. “Bodies,” featuring Atlanta rapper JID, unleashes verse after verse in high-energy Atlanta trap styles, creating one of the most compelling tracks on the album. Unlike “Bodies,” “Prada Myself” with Teezo Touchdown simply misses the mark. Offset’s and Teezo’s differing styles clash throughout the song, highlighting a larger issue in the album — the risk of Offset’s feature-heavy approach in a project meant to be about self-reflection.

Overall, “KIARI” explores a rarely seen, more vulnerable side of Offset. Given the personal and reflective nature of the album, Offset should have given himself more verses to fully explore the soul-searching aspect. Through “KIARI,” Offset begins to cement himself as a standalone artist, delivering an array of enjoyable hits.

Click here to read the full review.

RATING: 3.5/5 (Reviewed by Anish Khinvasara and Ritik Shenoy)

“KPop Demon Hunters” on Netflix

Sony gave “KPop Demon Hunters” a theatrical boost with its singalong version, which was released in theaters on Aug. 23, following its Netflix debut on June 20.

The film follows K-pop idol trio HUNTR/X — Rumi, Mira and Zoey — who secretly hunt demons and use their songs to maintain the Honmoon, a barrier sealing away the demon king Gwi-ma. As Rumi struggles to keep her half-demon lineage from coming to light, Jinu, leader of demon rival group the Saja Boys, helps her reconcile with her identity.

Visually, the film’s animation is polished and fluid — demon battles and high-energy dance numbers never fail to deliver. Each character’s design is instantly recognizable, with Rumi’s long purple braid, Mira’s pink hair and foxy eyes and Zoey’s space buns. The cultural detail is equally commendable, weaving in traditional Korean attire, architecture and demonology through thorough research. The soundtrack has become especially popular, with tracks like “Golden” and “Free” carried by powerhouse vocals from Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and Andrew Choi.

But all its flashiness can’t hide the weak, emotionally constipated writing. Although the trio are all allegedly main protagonists, Mira and Zoey are sidelined while Rumi’s arc dominates without much depth. Jinu is a cliché male lead saddled with a muddled backstory, and his brief romance with Rumi feels superficial. Instead of building a believable relationship between the two characters, their chemistry comes only from strained lyrics. Additionally, the character dynamic between the main trio noticeably plummets toward the rushed ending, leading to a flat finale that resolves conflicts without real emotional payoff.

Despite the film’s attention-grabbing animation and music, “KPop Demon Hunters” doesn’t sparkle deeper than surface-level. It serves catchiness and color, but with only a shallow story.

Click here to read the full review.

RATING: 2.5/5 (Reviewed by Ellie Wang)

“What Am I” - Johnny Orlando

Canadian-American songwriter and actor Johnny Orlando released his new single “What I Am” on Aug. 28 — the first single from his upcoming second album. In line with Orlando’s tendency toward emotionally resonant, melodic pop, the song’s dreamy, airy vocals succumb to an intimate undertone breathing life into each weighted line. The acoustic guitar texture and light percussion balance the earthy vocals and vulnerable delivery, restricting the melancholy to solely Orlando's lyricism.

Lyrically, Orlando addresses withdrawal from a past lover and the effort of moving on. He concedes to be “Looking at the shadows, watch them pass, I'll stay behind,” seeming to wrestle between past and present versions of his identity, a tension that renders the lyricism raw and authentic, conveying the gravity of his struggle to listeners.

Ironically, the song fails to break new ground, revisiting familiar themes and musical territory, echoing Orlando’s previous explorations of heartbreak. This repetition reveals the start of this new era as derivative with lines such as “Remember when you wanted me?” pointing straight back into the emotional territory that helped define his previous work.

Although Orlando ultimately fails to initiate the start of a new era, “What I Am” most certainly brings together the elements of indie-leaning dreamy pop of Orlando’s established, successful style, raising concerns over his ability to go outside his comfort zone.

RATING: 3.5/5 (Reviewed by Zaid Naqvi)

“Man’s Best Friend” - Sabrina Carpenter

Renowned pop star and actress Sabrina Carpenter released her seventh full-length album, "Man's Best Friend,” on Friday, Aug. 29, which properly showcases her affinity for catchy, danceable hits. Similar to the production in Carpenter’s previous album “Short n’ Sweet,” the artist continuously uses loud bass, guitar instrumentals and a broad range of vocals, which position each of the album’s songs to be palatable for a general audience.

However, “Man’s Best Friend” lacks the emotionally impactful depth of her previous albums, falling into a cycle of lackluster lyricism and similarly underwhelming production. A majority of her songs on “Man’s Best Friend” are surface-level — placing more emphasis on crafting a snappy, “TikTokified” beat.

Furthermore, Carpenter caters to the male gaze excessively in an album supposedly about rejecting and getting over a male love interest. Lyrics like “You used to love my ass, now baby you can’t see it anymore” in “Goodbye” threads a fine line between catering to the male gaze and playful lyricism. It eventually becomes tiring to hear Carpenter get a little too close to controversy in an attempt to cling to the persona of someone that takes charge of their sexuality through flimsy lyrics.

Overall, while the album does its best to continue the momentum Carpenter gained through her iconic album, “Short N’ Sweet,” it seems Carpenter’s rise to fame might be exactly that — short and sweet.

Click here to read the full review.

RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Srinikaa Naveenraj and Kate Yang)

“COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” - CORTIS

After six years of anticipation, BigHit Music — the label behind BTS and TXT — debuts their newest boy group, CORTIS. The band, consisting of members Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon and Keonho, debuted on Sept. 8 with its self-produced EP “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES.” Unfortunately, its bold first impression falls short of the high expectations set by the band’s predecessors.

Marketed as a “creator crew” retaining full creative autonomy, CORTIS goes for an exuberant and youthful feel in its EP, distancing itself from the stereotypically polished K-pop sound. Western hip-hop and rap influences dominate the tracklist, especially in “GO!” and “FaSHiON,” which borrow heavily from the works of Kendrick Lamar and Playboi Carti. Trap beats, synth layers and raw vocals reinforce the album’s explosive atmosphere, but the production often feels messy rather than memorable.

The EP’s concept holds together cohesively, exploring the chaos of adolescence through the diversity of the tracklist. “JoyRide” captures a carefree summer drive, while “Lullaby” takes on a more mellow, laid-back vibe to highlight the uncertainties of teenage life — these intimate moments balance the outgoing and confident nature of the other hype tracks. Ironically, the title track “What You Want” is the weakest, weighed down by nonsensical shouting and sluggish instrumentals.

While CORTIS’ sound may feel fresh and exciting for K-pop, it’s hardly novel from a global perspective. Heavy autotune, repetitive hooks and corny lyrics make for a jarring listen. Over-the-top vocal effects also obscure each individual’s voice, drowning the singers out in the already convoluted soundscape. At times, the members’ exaggerated delivery of energy and chaos feels forced instead of fun, and like much of modern K-pop, frustratingly short track lengths leave listeners unsatisfied.

For Western audiences, “COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES” doesn’t live up to its name. Still, at least CORTIS stands out in the oversaturated K-pop market. It may never reach the legendary heights of its predecessors, but its willingness to experiment suggests that there’s hope for a more refreshing comeback next time.

RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Emma Ma)

“Girl Violence” - King Princess

Pop artist King Princess’ latest album follows her breakup with director Quinn Whitney Wilson — they split in 2023 after dating for four years. However, “Girl Violence” doesn’t sport bitter ballads or unearned anguish — the self-pity, where it does exist, feels fun and vibrant. The album opens with the title track, which features King Princess’ breathy voice against deep, plunging instrumentation. She repeats “does nobody mention that girls can be violent?” to establish an overarching theme in the album — it loosely revolves around various relationships, mostly talking about estrangement, but sometimes venturing into other areas like revenge and longing. It’s relatable in a generic way, though playful production choices keep the content engaging. For example, “Jaime” is an electrifying ode to a love-hate relationship, while in “Ghost,” King Princess suggests that “You’ll hear me scratching at your post / and you’ll wonder if it’s me who’s haunting you.” Though the album occasionally leans on angsty sapphic stereotypes to fill its sparse lines — “I fall apart, you pick me up / Kiss my lips, then punch my heart” — it’s an upbeat listen that’s refreshingly straightforward.

RATING: 4/5 (Reviewed by Jillian Ju)

About the Contributors

Jillian Ju, Editor-in-Chief

Jillian Ju is a senior and Editor-in-Chief for El Estoque. They enjoy sipping tea and solving crosswords late into the night.

Anish Khinvasara, Staff Writer

Anish Khinvasara is currently a sophomore and a Staff Writer at El Estoque. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and doing his homework.

Emma Ma, Staff Writer

Emma is a sophomore and a staff writer for El Estoque. In her free time, she loves to read books in uncomfortable positions on her couch, listen to music and goof off with friends.

Zaid Naqvi, News Editor

Zaid is a junior and a News Editor for El Estoque. When he isn’t asleep, he likes to read, play his guitar and eat pizza cookies (he thinks “pizookies” sounds dumb) at BJ’s with his friends.

Srinikaa Naveenraj, Staff Writer

Srinikaa is a junior and staff writer at El Estoque. In her free time she loves listening to music, rewatching old romcoms and reading!

Ritik Shenoy, Staff Writer

Ritik Shenoy is a sophomore and a staff writer at El Estoque. In his free time, he likes watching movies and hiking. His favorite animal is the kangaroo.

Rafaella Fantine Vargas Machuca Vento, Staff Writer

Rafaella Fantine Vargas Machuca Vento is a sophomore and a new staff for the El Estoque magazine. When she is not doom scrolling on Instagram, she is found reading romance and mystery novels or watching Kpop Demon Hunters. She loves playing Flag Football and hanging out with her family and friends.

Ellie Wang, Copy Editor

Ellie is a senior and copy editor for El Estoque. The only nonfiction she consumes is journalism and crime documentaries, which she listens to while drawing and writing. She also has five ducks and a chicken that she spoils too much.

Kate Yang, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Kate is currently a senior and an Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque. Outside of writing, she enjoys finishing homework, trying new hot pot flavors and indulging in her fifth rewatch of “The Good Place.”