SPORTS

Lauren Moore finishes her triple jump trial, landing in the sandpit, during a meet | Photo courtesy of Lauren Moore

Diving into senior Lauren Moore’s seven year journey in track and field

May 29, 2026

Lelani Laruelle competes in long jump at a track and field meet at Fremont High School. Photo | Stella Petzova

Senior and jumper Lelani Laruelle commits to UC Berkeley for Division 1 track and field

May 27, 2026

Laruelle reframed her mindset and overcame mental blocks, finding fulfillment in the sport

Varsity Badminton falls 28-2 against Lynbrook High School

May 25, 2026

Seniors who have participated in a high school sport for four years reflect on the ways their respective sport has impacted them

May 24, 2026

Although they don’t plan on playing for a college the seniors discuss other ways they will continue to keep their connection to their respective sport alive

In Review: Volume 2, 2025

El Estoque’s staff review recently released media, from jazzy love songs by Olivia Dean to confident pop singles like “TIT FOR TAT”

Fiona Chen, Meghna Dixit, Emmy Harimoto, Sana Karkhanis, Lora Lee, Emma Ma, and Zaid Naqvi • November 4, 2025

This is Volume 2 of El Estoque’s “Arts & Ent: In Review,” in which staff review recently released media, including albums, movies, EPs, TV shows, books and games.

"HERTURN" - Nueve Lio

Following a string of experimental singles that molded him into a rising figure in underground R&B, SoCal artist Nueve Lio returned with album “HERTURN” on Friday, Sept. 26, centered around romance and heartbreak. This project, however, feels like an overly polished attempt to refine his sound, trading his usual daring production for an underwhelming and predictable alternative.

Over hazy synth chords and subdued percussion, Lio croons, “Girl, I'm tryna run it back / And I know you know my name but don't just keep it in your head,” on the lead single, “RUN IT BACK.” While he’s able to express his usual charm, Lio’s delivery hovers in safe middle ground and keeps it from landing at full emotional impact.

Similarly, while tracks like “FLASH FLOOD” and “BYE BABY” are catchy, they contribute to the album’s overall sense of redundancy. At just 30 minutes across 12 tracks, the album veers toward monotony with its short runtime and repetitive pacing.

That’s not to say this drop is without merit: it closes strong with two singles, “CANDLES” and “ONE NIGHT THING,” which were released earlier in 2025 and didn’t have much commercial success, but reveal Lio back in his element. They follow the classic Nueve Lio formula that his listeners love. The upbeat production here feels alive, and together, they breathe life back into “HERTURN,” ending the album on a nostalgic high.

While “HERTURN” succeeds in crafting a late-night vibe and may please casual fans of alternative R&B, for his long-term listeners, it feels watered down. For an artist who once balanced experimentation and his own unique sound so well, “HERTURN” lands as a solid but disappointing return.

RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Fiona Chen)

"stay with the ocean, i'll find you" - yung kai

Chinese-Canadian musician Yung Kai returned after his viral single “blue” with his first full-length album “stay with the ocean, i’ll find you” on Saturday, Sept. 26. The record featured a series of dreamy ballads centered around themes of love, longing and yearning for someone out of his reach.

Yung Kai gained popularity in 2024 for his single “blue,” which has surpassed over a billion streams across global platforms. Other than the single, the album featured 10 other tracks that blended gentle elements such as sound effects of the ocean, mellow piano and subtle acoustic guitar instrumentals, perfectly complimenting Kai’s soft vocals.

“stay with the ocean, i’ll find you” drifts through a happy and rhythmic yet gentle energy, from songs “how do you dance” to “my light (我的光),” that had verses in Mandarin inspired by his interest in C-dramas. The album’s end evoked an ocean full of tears with the track “i hope my cat loves me,” which has a bittersweet heartfelt message that lingers long after it ends.

Based on the songs released, Yung Kai tends to stay within a specific vibe—soft, slow and somber. While this creates a consistent mood, he fails to go beyond what he’s comfortable with, and his type of music might not stand out unless you are already invested in his oceanic world of music.

Overall, listening to the album feels like drifting through gentle waves of calmness, melancholy and reflection. Despite his uniform tone, Kai manages to craft a musical atmosphere so immersive, you can’t help but drift with him.

RATING: 4/5 (Reviewed by Emmy Harimoto)

"TIT FOR TAT" - Tate McRae

Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer Tate McRae released her surprise single, “TIT FOR TAT” on Friday, Sept. 26, charting at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Allegedly a response to the single “A COLD PLAY” by her ex-boyfriend, The Kid LAROI, McRae explores the theme of moving on from a relationship and enjoying single life through her forthright lyricism and psychedelic production.

“TIT FOR TAT” begins with McRae chanting the chorus with minimal synths in the background before a beat drop, where pounding drums along with the repeated chorus entrances listeners as the first verse begins. As a result of McRae’s consistent rhythm, her intonation becomes slightly repetitive as the chorus and versus repeat, with the song veering toward boring and tedious. To combat this, McRae’s light soprano vocals, along with whispers and reverb, elevate the energetic beats — juxtaposing the passionate drums that submerge listeners in a hypnotic melody.

McRae’s blunt and evocative lyricism contrasts her ethereal vocals. With lines like “Thought I might love you again, see how I feel / Now that you’re acting like that, I never will,” McRae portrays the conflicting emotions following a breakup: wanting to try again while feeling better off alone.

With its hypnotic energy and unequivocal lyricism, McRae’s alluring vocals paired with powerful production leaves “TIT FOR TAT” a McRae of light amidst her discography.

RATING: 4.5/5 (Reviewed by Meghna Dixit)

"The Art of Loving" - Olivia Dean

English singer-songwriter Olivia Dean released her second studio album, “The Art of Loving,” on Friday, Sept. 26. Through jazzy and cozy production that perfectly accompanies her expressive voice, Dean expresses a positive common theme throughout the album: that loving is a form of art, no matter how timely or ugly the individual processes that created it may seem.

After starting with a short intro song, Dean dives into the album with a few new catchy songs, including “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” and “Man I Need,” where she mirrors an easy-going outlook on relationships with catchy, upbeat tunes that highlight the fun, freeing experience of falling in love.

On the flip side, Dean also writes about the confusing, gut-wrenching feelings that love brought in her songs like “Let Alone the One You Love.” With the deep, slow production of the song, which utilizes subtle drum beats and major guitar chords in the background, Dean’s raw voice shines while emphasizing the betrayal she felt in a belittling relationship.

Dean ends the album on an uplifting note with “A Couple Minutes” and “I’ve Seen It.” In “A Couple Minutes,” she sings “Love’s never wasted / When it’s shared / …It's alright, think I'm fine with the silence / There's some good in goodbyes.” Through these lyrics, she leaves no room for regret, and instead appreciates the lessons that her journey in love has taught her.

Concluding the album with “I’ve Seen It,” Dean ends with an appreciative outlook with a song of simple melodies that provide listeners with vivid imagery of the love she observes every day. With seamless transitions between each song, Dean is able to tie together the album to illustrate a complete story — expressing how love, like art, is a vital part of life.

RATING: 4.5/5 (Reviewed by Lora Lee)

“HYPE VIBES” - CxM

S.Coups and Mingyu of SEVENTEEN officially debuted as the South Korean boy group’s fourth sub unit on Monday, Sept. 29 with their EP “HYPE VIBES.” The duo — known as CxM — makes up half the group’s hip-hop faction, but this self-produced mini album is a pleasant deviation from their usual edgy but repetitive sound.

Aside from the safe but solid opener “Fiesta,” which sticks to the rappers’ usual confident, catchy style, the rest of the tracklist offers diverse surprises, revealing a bright, more laid-back side of the duo compared to their typically darker concepts. The lead single “5, 4, 3 (Pretty woman)” features American rapper Lay Bankz and is a funky and groovy pop song that suits summer, with a playful energy listeners across generations can jam to. It’s followed by “Worth It,” which delivers a promising intro regrettably soured by overly autotuned verses.

Unfortunately, the next two tracks are hardly memorable. “For you” is as basic as its title — the song’s chill atmosphere and mellow chorus offer nothing more than a break from the more intense songs. Though the duo showcases solid vocals in “Young again,” the pop-rock track’s simple beat and production fail to make it stand out in the already oversaturated genre.

However, the closing EDM-pop song “Earth” makes up for any blunders in the previous tracks, proving to be the hidden gem of “HYPE VIBES.” Starting off with big chants that echo like the roar of ocean waves, the track takes a sudden twist in the chorus, breaking into a shaking beat and bass-heavy synth line — a unique sound that adds a refreshing rush to the tracklist without taking away from the cohesion.

Vibrant and easygoing, “HYPE VIBES” pushes CxM out of their usual style, letting the rappers have fun with their music. Granted, stronger lyricism and longer track lengths would further solidify the EP, but its refreshing summer vibe, reminiscent of a carefree day in Hawaii, makes for an enjoyable listen as is.

RATING: 4/5 (Reviewed by Emma Ma)

"Audrey Hepburn" - Maisie Peters

English singer-songwriter Maisie Peters released her singles “Audrey Hepburn” and “You You You” on Thursday, Oct. 9 — both from her upcoming album that she has been teasing for several months. Although still unnamed, this will be Peters’ third album overall, but the first to follow her widely successful album “Good Witch.”

Despite Peters’ previous works featuring hyper pop-rock, “Audrey Hepburn” is more subdued, lacking extravagant production and relying solely on an acoustic guitar and Peters’ vocals. While the melody seems appealing at first, it quickly grows repetitive, and combined with Peter’s monotonous intonation, leads the song to feel as though it is lacking creativity or variety. Though the chorus is charming and honest, repetition overwhelms the song, leaving it boring and underwhelming.

Yet where production quality lacks, Peters compensates with her powerful lyrics that beautifully illustrate the calming, heartfelt affection she feels with a loved one. Lines like “My hands were always clenching / ‘Til I held yours, and you held them back” serve as reminders of the ways her newfound love eased her anxiety — demonstrating emotional growth from her previous album which was mostly rooted in heartbreaks and betrayals.

Peters also does manage to salvage a part of her flawed production in the bridge and chorus of “Audrey Hepburn," as layered vocals create an enchanting echo effect, letting her voice emphasize the tender emotions the song is showcasing.

While these aspects are certainly high points of the song, they are not nearly enough to compensate for the repetitiveness found in the rest of the song. The track is still not as exciting to listen to as Peters' previous album, ultimately falling a little short of the bar Peters set for herself. Yet, the lyrical complexity of “Audrey Hepburn” sheds a little bit of hope for Peters’ upcoming album, leaving fans unsatisfied but eager to see what Peters shares next.

RATING: 2/5 (Reviewed by Sana Karkhanis)

"The Crystal Ship" - Cigarettes After Sex

As part of a two-track release, American indie rock band Cigarettes After Sex unveiled their latest single “The Crystal Ship” on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Dreamy and cinematic, the song is an imaginative cover of The Doors’ 1967 classic, suffused with longing and quiet sensuality.

Staying true to their signature sound, the band transforms the psychedelic melancholy of the original song into a slower, atmospheric tune. Lead singer Greg Gonzalez’s ethereal vocals hover just slightly above the shimmering guitars, his whisper-like delivery giving each word a soft, deliberate tenderness. The result is a fragile, haunting performance that lingers gently after each line.

The minimalist production serves the song well, relying on gentle reverb, light percussion and warm, echoey guitars to evoke a dreamlike, almost mesmeric mood. This simple approach allows the song to breathe with emotion, yet also keeps the track tethered to the band's familiar, slow-burning sound. While elegant, it eventually flares into predictability — resulting in a faithful homage rather than a bold reinterpretation — a choice that feels safe despite its beautiful execution.

Lyrically, the song retains its poetic mystique straight from its opening line — “Before you slip into unconsciousness / I’d like to have another kiss” — but in Gonzalez’s hands, the line becomes less of an expression of euphoria and more of a quiet plea of intimacy. This shift suits the band’s restrained style but softens the emotional impact of the original.

However, the delicate tone doesn’t truly surprise, instead relying on the band’s signature sound to induce emotion as this cover of “The Crystal Ship” fails to steer the song into new territory. Cigarettes After Sex deliver what they do best: lush melancholy and intimate ambience. But with little evolution from their established style, the track falters short of true originality and purpose.

RATING: 3/5 (Reviewed by Zaid Naqvi)

About the Contributors

Fiona Chen, Staff Writer

Fiona Chen is a sophomore and a staff writer for El Estoque. She loves unwinding with bedroom R&B, taking evening walks, and indulging in all kinds of green grape drinks.

Meghna Dixit, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Meghna is currently an Arts & Entertainment editor for El Estoque and a junior at Monta Vista. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, playing with her cat and watching old cartoons.

Emmy Harimoto, Copy Editor

Emmy is a sophomore and copy editor for El Estoque. She loves taking photos, dreaming of her next travel adventures and keeping her Wordle streak alive.

Sana Karkhanis, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Sana Karkhanis is currently a junior and an Arts & Entertainment Editor for El Estoque. In her free time she enjoys analyzing movies, taking photos of her dog and telling funny jokes. Here’s one: What’s the difference between a tuna, a piano and glue? You can tun-a piano but you can’t piano a tuna! And the glue? I knew you’d get…stuck…on that.

Lora Lee, Copy Editor

Lora is currently a sophomore and a Copy Editor for El Estoque. In her free time, she likes to go on walks, sing along to music, and binge watch tv shows.

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.