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 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

Isabelle Kok March 28, 2024

In a seamless tapestry of earthy instrumentals, raw candor and soulful melodies, alternative indie artist Hozier released his eighth EP “Unheard” on March 22. The extended play, a sequel to Hozier’s...

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

Trisha Sannappanavar and Arshiya Sen March 17, 2024

Pop band Bleachers released its highly anticipated self-titled album on March 8 after a three-year hiatus from its third released album, “Take the Sadness out of Saturday Night.” Lead singer Jack Antonoff...

The Coming Home album cover features award-winning singer Usher holding a peach, symbolizing his hometown Atlanta, Georgia.

“Coming Home” with a comeback

Ananda Singh February 15, 2024

R&B singer and songwriter Usher Raymond released his ninth studio album “Coming Home” on Friday, Feb. 9, two days before his half-time performance at the 2024 Super Bowl. “Coming Home,” marks...

The “Heaven knows” album cover portrays PinkPantheress posing in a white silk dress with a white dove flying above her.

‘Heaven knows’ only knows how to stray away from prior success

Ananya Chaudhary and Dylan Nguyen November 14, 2023

Contrasting themes of love and death with nonchalant delivery, drum and bass artist Vicky Beverly Walker, more commonly referred to as PinkPantheress released her sophomore album “Heaven knows,” on...

The Jackman. album cover features hip-hop and rap artist Jack Harlow standing alongside a row of dumpsters, his arms crossed over his chest.

‘Jackman.’ falls short in everything but its lyricism

Aashi Venkat May 4, 2023
Despite its emotional lyricism, the album’s generic production categorizes it as bland
The PORTALS album cover features Melanie Martinez portrayed as a pink character, the newest role she has taken on in Cry Babys evolution.

Melanie Martinez enters a new era in ‘PORTALS’

Kalyani Puthenpurayil and Aashi Venkat April 4, 2023
The alt-pop singer unleashes new artistry via lyrics and themes in her third studio album
The album cover of Endless Summer Vacation features singer Miley Cyrus holding onto a hanging bar, dressed in a black bathing suit, black sunglasses and black heels.

Though well-made, ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ is disappointingly generic

Aashi Venkat March 19, 2023
Miley Cyrus’ eleventh album meets expectations
“The Family” ends with a bang while simultaneously standing as an ode to the past.

Hip hop collective BROCKHAMPTON started as strangers and left as a family

Taryn Lam November 29, 2022
Lead singer Kevin Abstract paints a lopsided family portrait on ‘The Family’
Each track paints this emotion with different brushes; theres smooth hip-hop bites, expansive jazz solos, glitch-hop raves and energetic hyperpop spotlighting the group’s reflective and conclusive lyrical performances.

‘TM’ delivers a conflicted goodbye

Aditya Shukla November 28, 2022
BROCKHAMPTON hides a tattered vision in their final record
The Midnights album cover features Taylor Swift clicking a lighter, with the flame to her face

Taylor Swift flawlessly returns to pop with “Midnights”

Jiya Singh and Aashi Venkat October 26, 2022
“Midnights” manages to both complement and diversify the singer-songwriter’s discography
The young forever album cover features Nessa Barrett in angel wings, with an angelic aura surrounding her

‘young forever’ uncovers a plethora of emotions

Aashi Venkat October 18, 2022
Nessa Barrett’s debut album sheds a spotlight on mental illness
The “MOSS” album cover features Maya Hawke self-reflecting over a retro background.

“MOSS” is a dull exploration of memories

Ananya Chaudhary and Manas Kottakota October 2, 2022

Actress and singer Maya Hawke, known for her role as Robin Buckley in the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things,” released her second studio album “MOSS” on Sept. 23, just over two years after...

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