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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

“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
LE SSERAFIM's five members pose on a dark runway in front of paparazzi. Photo courtesy of Source Music | Used with permission

‘CRAZY’ falls flat with a tepid, tame delivery

LE SSERAFIM loses the beat in its eccentric fourth EP
Isabelle Kok
September 4, 2024
The "Short n' Sweet" album cover features Carpenter posing with a kiss mark on her shoulder. Photo courtesy of The Revolver Club.

‘Short n’ Sweet’ is spicier than ever

Sabrina Carpenter rides her Billboard fame to deliver a raunchy, unique album
The album cover of “Hit Me Hard and Soft” depicts singer Billie Eilish falling through a white door at the surface of the ocean

‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ hits fans hard and soft

Billie Eilish releases an emotionally remarkable album since the release of “Happier Than Ever”
Ananda Singh
May 23, 2024
One of the four album covers for "THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT" features Swift in a state of distress with her hands in her hair. Swift released variants of the album cover with "bonus tracks," and this specific cover comes with the bonus track "The Black Dog." This photo eventually became the cover for "THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY." Album cover | Beth Garrabrant

Taylor Swift fails to deliver with ‘THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT’

“THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT” and its surprise dual album “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY” disappoint with repetitive lyricism and production
Aashi Venkat
April 23, 2024
The "Unheard" album cover features a monochromatic photo of Hozier laying in dirt with a mustard yellow border.

‘Unheard’’s transcendent artistry is a multifaceted creation

Hozier’s eighth EP is rich with diverse lyricism and instrumentals
Isabelle Kok
March 28, 2024
The "Bleachers" album cover featuring Jack Antonoff posing in front of a car. Photo by Alex Lockett.

‘Bleachers’ serves as a blast from the past

Combining modern themes with old-school musicality, Bleachers self-titled album serves as a sensory clash
Trisha Sannappanavar and Arshiya Sen
March 17, 2024
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