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The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The album cover depicts a hotel building called “The Crux,” the basic concept for Keery’s third album. The corresponding YouTube videos include a similar level of calculated chaos. Photo | AWAL

REVIEW: ‘The Crux’ gets back into the heart of things

Djo’s third album is playful, if patchy
Jillian Ju
April 11, 2025
Jennie opens a theater curtain that looks onto a stage with herself standing on top, depicting the start of a new chapter of her music career. Photo courtesy of Odd Atelier | Used with permission

Jennie’s debut album is a “Ruby” in the rough

Ruby gives listeners a look into every part of Jennie’s discography
Dylan Nguyen, Head of Design
March 24, 2025
Lady Gaga describes “MAYHEM” as her facing her fear of with returning to pop music. Photo Courtesy of Interscope Records | Used with permission

‘MAYHEM’ is a masterful and fun dance-pop record

Besides being chaotic, "MAYHEM" keeps listeners on their toes with its astonishing delivery
Vaishnavi Katukam
March 24, 2025
Alessia Cara's fifth album provides impressively sophisticated commentary through her various perspectives on love. Photo courtesy of Def Jam Recordings

‘Love & Hyperbole’ is no exaggeration of love

Alessia Cara’s new album showcases impressive growth as a singer and songwriter
Sophia D’Sa
March 2, 2025
Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR pose in front of two buildings in the “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” album cover. Photo courtesy of OVO Sound | Used with permission

‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’ is Valentine’s Day slop

Let’s hope Drake won’t meet anyone’s madre anytime soon with his immature and juvenile lyricism
The album cover for "Hurry Up Tomorrow" features The Weeknd, seemingly overwhelmed and screaming from pain.

‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ crosses the finish line of The Weeknd’s career

The Weeknd releases his sixth and final studio album
Ananda Singh
February 15, 2025
“rosie” is a good showcase of Rosé’s vocal skill but little else, falling short of making an impact in the wake of the positive reception to her pre-release “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars. Photo courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation | Used with permission

‘rosie’ by Rosé is a dime a dozen

Rosé’s debut album is a nostalgic but lukewarm attempt at reflection on a past relationship
Ellie Wang and Asha Wojciechowski
December 18, 2024
El Estoque reviews most viral(and significant!) moments in 2024 pop culture | Graphic by Owen Liu

2024 Year in Review

El Estoque’s Arts & Entertainment section revisits significant pop culture media from 2024
Owen Liu
December 5, 2024
Tyler, the Creator poses on top of an airplane as he sings in the music video for "Thought I Was Dead".  Photo Courtesy of Columbia Records | Used with permission

‘CHROMAKOPIA’ is Tyler, the Creator’s most personal and vibrant record yet

Tyler's new album contains shades of maturity arranged into a colorful mosaic of life experiences
Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Dylan Nguyen
November 7, 2024
Created by visual artist collective Sports Banger, the album cover of “Godspeed” depicts a laying-of-hands ceremony, adding to the album’s religious themes. Warner Records | Used with permission

‘Godspeed’ blesses listeners with its revelry

The Blessed Madonna’s first album overflows with life
Jillian Ju
October 26, 2024
Following 2021’s “Optimist” and a series of scattered singles, “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” is FINNEAS’ second album. The music video for the title track shows FINNEAS falling down an elevator shaft and getting hit by a car, representing his emotions in a frustrating relationship. Interscope Records | Used with permission

‘For Cryin’ Out Loud!’ is a far cry from fulfilling

FINNEAS’ second album is a vulnerable shot in the dark
Jillian Ju
October 16, 2024
The “Requiem” album cover mirrors the dark soundscape of every song with a black and white photo of Keshi centered in a trenchcoat, resembling an otherworldly being. Photo courtesy of Island Records | Used with permission

‘Requiem’ takes on death’s complexity to make listeners feel alive

An expansion of Keshi’s discography provides a mix of soulful and soulless tracks
Dylan Nguyen
September 22, 2024
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