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 6, 2026

El Estoque’s staff review recently released media, from rising sing-songwriter SIENNA SPIRO’s tender single “The Visitor” to the Oscar-nominated RAYE’s recent album “THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.”

Byline photo of Rafaella Fantine Vargas Machuca Vento

Fiona Chen, Rafaella Fantine Vargas Machuca Vento, Emmy Harimoto, Grishma Jain, Sana Karkhanis, Emma Ma, Zaid Naqvi, and Aprameya Rupanagunta • April 23, 2026

This is Volume 6 of El Estoque’s “Arts & Ent: In Review,” in which staff review recently released media, including albums, movies, EPs, TV shows, books and games.

“Need it Bad (feat. Brent Faiyaz)” - Ama, Brent Faiyaz

There is a specific hour — before everything is solidified once more in the morning — where wanting becomes a form of vulnerability. “Need It Bad” by Ama featuring Brent Faiyaz does not dramatize desire, and rather normalizes it until it begins to feel inevitable.

From the first listen, the song does not rush into a vivid, defining hook, but rather normalized staying rooted in a variety of lucid emotions at its core across the entire track. The production mirrors this restraint and is built on a muted, slow burn soundscape of hazy synths, minimal percussion and an almost hypnotic rhythm. Faiyaz does not disrupt the atmosphere of the song so much as deepen it and introduces his signature tension between intimacy and distance: he does not miss someone, but replays memories with them over and over and imagines proximity in small fragments. Even when he gestures towards intimacy — “we could turn the night to somethin’ more” — it is another iteration of a proposition that has expired.

Then Ama enters, and the dynamic shifts almost imperceptibly. Her presence grants the track a sense of composure that borders detachment, grounding the same desire in lines like “you know I shouldn’t, but I still come back.” She doesn’t dissolve into his need, as though she understands the cost of what he is romanticizing. Together, the two do not resolve each other’s perspectives but instead allow them to coexist, perfecting a push-and-pull dynamic that exemplifies modern-day romance.

Produced by Mannyvelli and Spizledoe, the track keeps its emotional palette bass-heavy and straightforward. Nothing crowds the vocals; instead, the production recedes for every line to land, just enough time to allow listeners to grasp the thoughts formed in real time. When the song ends, it doesn’t feel like closure, but rather like the artist is cut off mid-thought.

RATING: 4/5 (Reviewed by Fiona Chen)

“All I Did Was Dream of You (feat. The Marías)” - beabadoobee, The Marías

Pairing two artists known for intense emotional depth, beabadoobee and The Marías’ single “All I Did Was Dream Of You” was released on March 12. The track blends beabadoobee’s soft indie style with The Marías’ psychedelic production, a collaboration that builds its intensity through subtle layering, resulting in a song that slowly unravels into an emotional plea for stability in a relationship.

“All I Did Was Dream Of You” opens almost bare, with beabadoobee’s voice carrying the weight over minimal instrumentation. This simplicity works as an introduction to the track’s central tension, letting the listener focus on the quiet desperation in her delivery. As the song moves forward, more subtle production details become more apparent — small added textures make beabadoobee’s second verse more defined without losing the intimacy of the opening. When guitar enters the bridge, the song gains a sense of momentum, as if the narrator’s emotions can no longer stay contained.

The chorus ties this buildup together, emphasizing the track’s main conflict: the repeated back and forth of “Stay or just leave me be.” The straightforward lyricism also juxtaposes the developing, faster momentum of the song, creating a push-and-pull that illustrates how the narrator secretly craves closeness. To the listener, this contrast highlights the complexity in relationships, reinforcing its relatability despite the basic lyrics.

The shift after the first chorus to The Marías also begins stripped down in production again, but the track slowly adds layered vocals and heavy production, deepening the feeling of longing that immerses listeners into the sound. When it returns to beabadoobee, the production is at its strongest, leading into a final chorus with the narrator’s final declarations built around rich instrumentation giving the plea its strongest push. “All I Did Was Dream Of You” may not be lyrically complex, but the track’s structure and urgent buildup turns its straightforward theme into a compelling emotional journey for listeners.

RATING: 4/5 (Reviewed by Zaid Naqvi)

“dirty wedding dress” - Bleachers

Through a mix of indie, synth and nostalgic ’80s-inspired energy, Bleachers’ new album, released on March 10, “dirty wedding dress,” feels grounded and intentionally reflective, capturing messy, real-life emotions instead of polishing them into something perfect. The album’s powerful storytelling stands out, as each song builds a vivid moment. The record sounds like confetti thrown into a storm with bright synths. The pounding drums and raw vocals crashing together, pulls listeners into wedding disasters, public gossip and intimate moments of devotion, showing why Bleachers stands out in an industry filled with near-identical pop music.

The title track of “dirty wedding dress” immediately throws listeners straight into a messy, uncomfortable, gossip-filled wedding scene. The track’s theme is loud, emotional and unhinged, describing a setting in which everything is falling apart, yet ending on a positive note with the final line, “you and forever,” which also becomes the title of the album’s next song. This shift feels calm and grounding with its sincere expression of love, suggesting something real can last.

“dirty wedding dress” also features Jack Antonoff’s signature style of societal commentary as he delivers the track with precision, turning intangible thoughts into something sharp and clear. In the case of this album, Antonoff comments on the scandalous and money-minded celebrity gossip people seek in order to entertain themselves. In “dirty wedding dress,” Antonoff writes, “Well, Sammy writes pieces for the big machine / 'Cause a book deal can't even pay the rent / But Pac-Mannin' another artist to put a dollar in his pocket / He's like, ‘I'm a lone working class man.’” These lyrics have a greater impact thanks to the chaos of layered vocals, sudden shifts in volume and a crowded instrumental background that overwhelms the song, making it feel alive.

As the song “you and forever” brings the album to an end, the repetition of the title in the lyrics stands out by slowing the tempo and stripping back the heavy instrumentation, adding a sense of clarity after all the chaos in “dirty wedding dress.” The sound is lighter and delicate, giving the album a strong emotional balance, ending the messy wedding in an honest and comforting tone — like life itself.

RATING: 4/5 (Reviewed by Grishma Jain)

UNIQUE” - P1Harmony

As the title implies, South Korean boy band P1Harmony’s EP “UNIQUE” aims to deliver a bold and novel listening experience, yet only succeeds in an abrasive attempt at rage music. With the release of this comeback on March 12, the group hits an all-time low in song quality, producing a tracklist that is as chaotic as it is unlistenable.

Rooted in Brazilian phonk and EDM, the title track, “UNIQUE,” lands unpleasantly on the ears, with hardly any of the originality that the title and concept suggests. Quite the contrary, the chorus offers a repetitive, meaningless catchphrase — “My crew unique” — that reassures listeners of the group’s contrived distinctiveness while the song itself is anything but. Intended to be a hype track, “UNIQUE” is a disorderly commotion that only confuses listeners with its heavy instrumental drowning out its already underwhelming hook.

The disorienting cacophony of “Pandemonium” and experimental hyper-pop of “L.O.Y.L” do little to salvage the sonic chaos that ravages the EP. However, pop-rock track “Wednesday Girl” is the saving grace of “UNIQUE,” where P1Harmony leans into a mellow and laid-back sound that allows members to showcase their full vocal potential. Although its lack of a memorable hook or standout moment makes it a somewhat unremarkable listen, the relaxed rhythm and smooth beat of the track at the very least breaks up the monotony of the techno-heavy sound to offer a brief sense of relief.

Unfortunately, the tracks “Triple 7” and “ICE (VVS)” drag the EP back to its lowest points, doubling down on loud, overbearing production that becomes exhausting within the first few seconds. As a result, “UNIQUE” as a whole prioritizes shallow boasting over musical quality, leaving listeners more fatigued than impressed.

RATING: 1.5/5 (Reviewed by Emma Ma)

“Breathe” - Malcolm Todd

Alternative indie singer and musician Malcolm Todd released his single, “Breathe,” on March 13, following the release of his self-titled debut album: “Malcolm Todd” in late 2025 With his previous projects, Todd established his sound as experimental and alternative, almost always paired with heartbroken and exposed lyricism — a sentiment he pivots from in “Breathe.”

“Breathe” begins with Todd speaking the lyrics, “Breathe, breathe into me,” which he combines with hazy and intimate vocals throughout the song. Todd rids his lyrics of euphemisms and remains direct, singing, “You do the thing they can’t do / It feels right, but right is wrong…I got all night long, I wanna find out.” Todd is conversational and flirtatious, which almost breaks the fourth wall, leaving listeners taken aback by his raw honesty. Todd further layers these passionate vocals with bass and electric guitar riffs that culminate in an addictive chorus. Additionally, Todd’s combination of different instruments in “Breathe” taps into his signature sound, showcasing what he does best: experimenting with different genres and creating multi-dimensional production. The charming production and captivating vocal quality are hypnotic, leaving the listener as enthralled by “Breathe” as Todd is by his partner.

While “Breathe” isn’t as lovesick as Todd’s usual sound, he successfully explores another, more hopeful, dimension of vulnerability by proudly wearing his heart and all its risqué desires on his sleeve. However, Todd barely skims the surface of this new dimension; with a short runtime of two minutes and 56 seconds, he leaves listeners craving more of his excitement and yearning. Still, “Breathe’s” brevity along with an harmonious instrumental outro ignites anticipation and teases Todd’s upcoming album.

Ultimately, “Breathe” is a fun and flirty song that paints a thrilling, carefree night with a loved one, as well as serving as a breath of fresh air amidst Todd’s discography.

RATING: 4.5/5 (Reviewed by Aprameya Rupanagunta)

“The Visitor” - SIENNA SPIRO

Tender and transient, English singer-songwriter SIENNA SPIRO released her alternative indie single “The Visitor,” on March 13, exploring themes of impermanence and vulnerability. SPIRO is recognized for her emotional live performances and heartbreaking songs like the hit 2025 single “Die On This Hill,” and through her vocals, lyricism and cohesive musical choices, she has shown her talents in producing poignant songs that pierce through the heart.

Tangled within a melancholic piano ballad and a whimsical string arrangement, “The Visitor’s” bittersweet lyrics coalesce with SPIRO's raw, vulnerable tones. She sings, “Say that you love me, say I’m all you need / In the back of my mind, I know I’m temporary,” and “Know I’ll always be a visitor in your arms.” Her lyrics linger, capturing vulnerability and longing that resonates with listeners.

Despite being known for belting raspy vocals from hit songs like “Die On This Hill” and “You Stole The Show,” SPIRO's vocals in “The Visitor” don't need to be as powerful to reach the core of every listener's heart. Her fragile yet intense tone carries each word whole-heartedly with explicit intention, further conveying her feelings and the message within the song.

“The Visitor” is a single that perfectly portrays what it's like being a mere visitor in a lover’s life. Although SPIRO sings about the fear of transience, her exceptional talent for production will always remain unmatched, encapsulating her listeners so they will never be just a visitor to her music.

RATING: 5/5 (Reviewed by Emmy Harimoto)

“a million” - Ella Woolsey

18-year-old singer-songwriter Ella Woolsey released her latest single “a million” on March 20. Woolsey’s indie pop and rock music is intimate and introspective. “a million” is based on complications of devotion within a relationship and how it can create thoughts of uncertainty in a partner.

Woolsey centers her song around feeling that her lover was “a million things” while she was only “some of those,” symbolizing how she is only a small part of her partner’s life while she believes that they make her whole. Throughout the song, the narrator shows how she wishes she could be more independent and not always rely on her partner, mentioning how relationships demand consistent attention from both partners, making this song a relatable and good hit.

This song implies how she feels insignificant relative to her lover and this can be seen when she sings, “You are a million too far / I’ve gotta get better at sleepin’ alone / I’ve gotta get used to the weather or buy a new coat.”

Alongside these soft-spoken lyrics, instrumentals like the acoustic guitar’s gentle melodies and the bass drums delicate thuds create a peaceful and sentimental atmosphere, which helps the listeners understand how heavy Woolsey’s situation is. The guitar, along with the bass drums, gives off a peaceful energy that ends in a louder space, offering its listeners a peek at the intensity and confusion that love brings to the table. The whimsical sound of flute brings more joy to the song despite the lyrics’ sorrow. All these instruments are what make this song compound perfectly with its meaning: the value of loving yourself and finding who you are.

However, at a relatively short runtime of 2:46, the song relies on instrumentals to tell a fleshed-out story rather than the lyrics itself. This causes the song to only show a glimpse of a much larger story, lacking the sentiment it could fully convey.

Overall, in “a million,” Woolsey utilizes soft melodies to showcase the importance of developing individuality and how one should not fully rely on their partner for their own happiness. This song surely stands out in a million!

RATING: 4.5/5 (Reviewed by Rafaella Fantine VMV)

“THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.” - RAYE

Following her Grammy-nominated debut album “My 21st Century Blues” released Feb. 3, 2023, singer-songwriter and record producer RAYE released her second album “THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE” on March 27. The album consists of 17 tracks, in which RAYE perfectly delivers on her mission to “create something that is a hug, bed or soft place for that person who needs it.”

From start to finish, “THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE” tells the intricate story of the ups and downs RAYE has experienced and the ultimate “hope” she found in the wake of her hardships. This message persists through RAYE’s clever lyricism that constructs intricate snapshots of the memories she relives, as highlighted in the track “Skin & Bones.” She sings, “This one just text to cancel plans / It's the audacity, for me / Supposed to pick me up in 45 minutes,” building up the visceral setting of a date from hell that engrosses listeners.

Furthermore, RAYE uses theatrical instrumentals and her powerful vocal range to emphasize emotions such as anger, sorrow and, of course, hope, ensuring that her storytelling is consistent musically and lyrically. During “I Will Overcome.,” bursts of violin swell moments before RAYE belts “I will overcome” to conclude the track, building up a dramatic swell of determination. Similarly, in the track “Fields.,” RAYE captures the nostalgic themes of her relationship with her grandfather and her youth through mellow instrumentals and a clever feature from her Grandad Michael, making the track all the more meaningful due to the listeners’ ability to hear the two exchange messages back and forth.

Overall, “THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE” is an album that is incredibly, authentically RAYE. Through illustrative lyricism and top-tier production, Raye’s album succeeds in transporting listeners through a relatable journey of loss, recovery and ultimate hope, reminding audiences that music is meant for everyone.

RATING: 5/5 (Reviewed by Sana Karkhanis)

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.

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. She loves playing Flag Football and Softball, as well as hanging out with her family and friends.

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.

Grishma Jain, News Editor

Grishma Jain is a Junior and a News Editor for El Estoque. She has a Canva tab open at all times and believes mangoes deserve way more hype.

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.

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.

Aprameya Rupanagunta, News Editor

Aprameya (also goes by Apru) is a junior at Monta Vista High School and a news editor for El Estoque. In her free time, Apru enjoys reading books, watching classic movies and eating fun foods.