Best of Summer
STATICA: A7X’s Failed Experiment
By Taylor Kimmell
Editorial Staff
Every artist and band should feel comfortable toying around with their sound, breaking barriers, and decimating predetermined notions.
Unfortunately, there is a fine line between trying something new and making the decision to cater to an audience of… robots?
STATICA, released on July 23, marks EP number four for Avenged Sevenfold, a heavy metal band formed in 1999, coming three years after the introduction of their daring 2023 album “Life Is But a Dream…”
While fans' reactions to the 2023 album were mostly positive, commending the ambitious undertaking of creating a full-length album incorporating never-before-seen elements, the members of Deathbat Nation received STATICA with general apprehension and distaste.
Part of this can be attributed to the abruptness of the EP’s release, with no announcement or marketing - just the release of the four new songs, none of which resemble in the slightest A7X’s typical sound.
Many fans’ zeroed in on the band’s complete 180 from a vocal standpoint, switching from the typical aggro of lead singer Matt Shadows’s cadence to incorporating a suffocating amount of autotune.
The synth, autotune, and dense electronic instrumentation give the EP an almost sci-fi feel. Many assert that this drowns the Avenged Sevenfold sound, drifting too far from what fans expect of the heavy metal band.
Others called the EP brave, praising the band’s refusal to conform to predetermined norms, and referring to the live performance as “otherworldly.”
As a viewer of the live performance at the Mansfield Xfinity Center on Aug. 12, I can say with certainty that witnessing the songs in real time, listening to that heavy synth and autotune while staring at a curtain covered in brightly-colored demonic images, the band hidden somewhere behind… was just as offputting and unenjoyable as listening to the EP through my AirPods.
STATICA’s intro track, “LIGHTS,” isn’t much to talk about, serving more as a “waiting room” song that bleeds into the title track, which highlighted clearly the main issues of the EP - the overwhelming use of autotune and vocoders.
The band dials it back a bit with “REJOICE,” which may have been a banger if not for the - shocker - distracting amount of autotune on M. Shadows’ vocals.
The EP ends with “ASHES,” sporting more incoherent electronic themes that, rather than display the band's creativity, show the dangers of straying a little too far from the beaten path.
The bottom line is while it's good to divert from the norm and do the unexpected, completely altering your sound can prove that it is possible to go too far.
The Odyssey
By Sarah Daponde
Arts & Features Editor
As word spread that Christopher Nolan was set to release his spin on Homer’s “The Odyssey,” expectations ranged from excited to apprehensive.
I, myself, am a fan of other Nolan movies, such as “Interstellar” and “The Dark Knight,” but as an English major, I was really most excited about seeing something I read in high school come to life on the big screen.
Of course, I had to watch it as the Gods intended - in an IMAX theater with a big bag of popcorn.
I didn’t expect Travis Scott to be the first face I saw as the scene opened in Ithaca. However, after learning that Nolan included him as the Bard to draw a parallel to modern day rap with oral storytelling, I understood the vision.
The movie was three hours long. But when considering the original was about 12,000 lines long, I’d say Nolan did a remarkable job at condensing everything into a well-paced story.
Throughout those three hours, I didn’t get bored even once, and I only had to make one bathroom trip.
The story itself was executed in a fast-paced, exciting way. Even though I knew how the movie would end, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
The characters seemed to jump straight off the pages of Homer’s classic and right into the hearts of the audience.
In the movie, Odysseus’s character seems more realistic, compelling, and empathetic. He shows remorse over his actions, especially the Trojan Horse, while in the original, he does not. I like this twist, as it comes together to form a more meaningful and modern ending to the classic hero’s journey.
On the other hand, the switch of Calypso’s character did not make sense to me. She is depicted as a benevolent friend of Odysseus, but anyone who has any prior knowledge of Calypso knows she is supposed to be a much more deceitful and selfish character.
Because of this sanitization of her moral compass, I felt myself grow irritated through every scene with her in it. I don’t know what was drier - her desert home or her dialogue.
One of the highlights of the movie was the flashbacks to the Trojan War. In my opinion, these scenes really made the movie come to life, and drew everything together nicely.
Overall, as the sun set on Ithaca and the credits rolled, I was happy to have spent three hours of my life watching such a cinematically dazzling and emotionally moving rendition of a literary classic.
Chris Brown Concert
By Desire Morris
Staff Writer
Going to the Chris Brown concert was honestly a really exciting experience for me. I was looking forward to seeing him perform because I have listened to his music for a long time, so being able to actually see him on stage was different from just listening to his songs on my phone.
As soon as the concert started, I could feel how excited the crowd was. Everybody was ready to
sing, dance, and enjoy themselves. The energy in the venue made the whole experience feel
even more exciting.
When the more popular songs came on, people around me were singing along and dancing. I also found myself getting more into the music because of the energy from everyone else. It was cool seeing how many people knew the lyrics and were excited to hear their favorite songs.
The dancing was another part of the concert that really stood out to me. Chris Brown is known
for his dancing, and seeing it in person made the performances more entertaining. The choreography went along with the music, and the dancers helped make the performances feel
bigger.
Instead of the concert just being someone standing on a stage and singing, there was
always something happening. The movement, dancing, lights, and music all worked together to
make the show feel like a full production.
The crowd was another huge part of the experience. There were people dancing, singing,
recording videos, and enjoying themselves. Everyone seemed to have their own favorite songs
that they were waiting to hear.
The energy from the crowd made the concert more enjoyable because it felt like everybody was there to have a good time. Even if you did not know the person standing next to you, everyone was connected through the music.
You can hear the crowd around you, see the lights, and actually feel the energy in the room. It made me understand why people enjoy going to concerts so much. It is not only about the artist performing. It is also about the entire atmosphere and the memories you make while you are there.
Overall, I would say the Chris Brown concert was a great experience. I enjoyed the music,
dancing, choreography, stage production, and especially the energy from the crowd. Seeing
Chris Brown performing live gave me a different appreciation for his music because I got to experience the songs in a completely different way.
Love Island USA: Season 8
By Heather Luster
Staff Writer
Love Island USA, an extremely popular reality dating competition, made huge waves this summer. From diversity and inclusion to drama and love triangles, Season 8 was the show to watch.
Reality dating TV shows are the epitome of easy, mindless entertainment that we all somehow get sucked into. I mean, who doesn’t love giving unsolicited dating advice through their television, even though no one can hear them?
I definitely do.
Not to mention the extensive conversations with friends, family, and co-workers that stemmed from this season. But this is exactly what good television is - something that brings people together.
Love Island USA is the byproduct of Love Island UK, which demonstrates the widespread interest of the franchise. While Love Island USA is still building its reputation, Season 8 brought new appeal and greater diversity that viewers have been pleading to see.
This summer we got to see the inclusion of Beatriz Hatz, a USA paralympian, who brought greater representation and visibility for the disabled community.
Additionally, we watched four amazing Black women make the final four - Trinity, Anaya, Kayda, and Melanie. This representation made many of the viewers feel seen and helped boost confidence in a society where inclusion and diversity are often challenged.
This season had me on the edge of my seat one moment, and rolling my eyes the next.
Love Island airs six days a week and gives you something to look forward to every night at 9 p.m. The islanders only get one day off - Wednesdays - which means us viewers also only get one day off.
The sixth day of airing in the week is “After Sun,” which recaps weekly episodes with a discussion-like feel and gives viewers a peek at unseen footage. Unlike other seasons, this summer we got exclusive interviews with the islanders voted off of the show before they went their separate ways.
I’ll be honest, in previous seasons, “After Sun” is usually an episode I skip, but this season it was actually something worth watching.
Even though we have to patiently wait until next summer to watch, Love Island USA: Season 8 was much more than the average reality dating show. Its non-stop drama, cultivation of friendships, and diverse cast made this a must-watch for the summer.
If you’re planning on watching Season 9 next year, I suggest you buckle up, because Love Island goes full speed over the course of summer.
King of Gluttony
By Izabela Gage
Staff Writer
Ana Huang is no stranger to complicated relationships, but “King of Gluttony” takes her into new territory - rivals-to-lovers.
The novel still has plenty of the elements readers have come to expect from Huang, though - ambitious characters, complicated family relationships, emotional baggage and, of course, plenty of drama.
The story follows Maya Singh and Sebastian Laurent, two childhood rivals who have been competing against each other since boarding school.
When their fathers team up to develop a new frozen food line, Maya and Sebastian are forced to set their rivalry aside and work together for nine months.
For two people who have spent years trying to outdo each other, being stuck on the same project is bound to create tension, especially because neither Maya nor Sebastian is willing to easily give the other the upper hand.
What makes their relationship work, though, is that their rivalry is about more than simply winning. As Maya and Sebastian get to know each other beyond the competition, they begin to see sides of one another that other people rarely do.
Both characters have reasons for keeping others at a distance, making their growing vulnerability feel meaningful rather than rushed.
Huang also adds another source of tension through the characters’ families. After Maya and Sebastian’s fathers have a falling-out, the two have to keep their relationship hidden while continuing to work together.
The secrecy creates some entertaining moments, while simultaneously adding a forbidden romance trope to the already complex plotline.
The book sometimes seems to rely on conflict simply to keep the romance moving. Maya and Sebastian repeatedly make progress in their relationship before another obstacle gets in the way, which makes the pacing feel uneven.
The biggest issue for me is that ‘King of Gluttony’ does not always do its more interesting ideas justice.
As Huang’s first rivals-to-lovers trope, the rivalry had the potential to make this book stand out. But the overstuffed conflicts feel predictable more than anything else.
Compared to her other novels, the book occasionally feels like it is playing it safe, and as someone who has read her entire bibliography, this one doesn’t rank very high.
That does not make ‘King of Gluttony’ a bad romance. Huang’s writing makes the book an easy read - I just never reached the point where I felt like I had to keep turning the pages.
It was enjoyable enough to finish, but not quite enough to make me hungry for more.
Role Model
By Avery Slavin
Editorial Staff
When singer-songwriter Role Model released his lead single, “High Hopes 3000,” preceding his newest album, he offered fans a sneak peek into his complicated experiences when it comes to finding romance.
Released on Aug. 7, “Chuck Timely and the Hourglass” explores the societal pressures of finding love on a timeline. Role Model embodies the character of Chuck, playing into him so much he made a separate Instagram account for him - a huge part of the album’s promotion.
Role Model said in an interview with People magazine that he felt like he was behind in life, as he is “at the age where everyone’s getting married” around him, while he is stuck being single or failing miserably at attempts to date.
After a very public breakup with popular social media influencer Emma Chamberlain, it is rumored that Role Model wrote his last album based on their relationship.
Fans noticed this album is no different, with hints to his past relationship in the form of small easter eggs, especially in the song “Stain.”
Currently 29 years old, the artist gives fans a front-row seat to his journey through time and his developing story of denial, acceptance and everything in between.
Unlike his last record with mostly slower-paced songs with deep lyrics, the tracks in this album go back and forth from light-hearted to pulling on the heartstrings.
Even the upbeat songs have slightly depressing underlying messages, ranging from the loneliness of trying to fall in love to the hurt and confusion of the past that still comes to the surface.
Role Model continues to outdo himself album after album, and I’m looking forward to seeing just how much better his albums can get.
Machine Party
By Cole Johnson
Copy Editor
The first time I booted up Machine Party, I experienced a graphical issue that has since been addressed. Joining a game would present me with nothing but a black screen.
However, I could still join a game. I ended up playing while watching my friend stream our game in Discord for reference. It was utterly dysfunctional, barely playable, and a complete f***ing blast.
This game from Oro Interactive is yet another entry into the “friendslop” game genre, a catch-all term for replayable multiplayer games intended to be enjoyed in company. Though the term seems pejorative on the face, most players have agreed on an endearing connotation that fits the lightheartedness of the associated media.
The game offers a batch of Mario Party-style minigames set in a dystopian, industrialized, mechanized backdrop. An excess of chaos and gratuitous violence will ensue, scored by a collection of impressive and surprisingly fitting drum and bass tracks.
There is very little fat to trim from this game. It knows what it is, and throws you right into the mayhem after providing a very brief summary of each game. You can learn fast - each game controls using only movement keys and the two mouse buttons.
The minigames are equally entertaining and creative. One game, you’re ducking through a gauntlet of debris trying not to get shot by another player seated in a sniper’s nest. Next, you’re avoiding a spine-breaking robotic spider that activates on a timer - or running toward it, if you’re confident you can toss it at one of your friends before it goes off.
If you lose a game, your avatar will be any variety of squashed, blown away, shredded or disfigured - sometimes a combination. One of my favorite visuals was a gun held by a robot arm attached to a filing cabinet on wheels, rolling in to execute my character for not smoking a cigarette fast enough.
I also give this game points for its visual design. It’s crusty and low-poly, but that simplicity carries a charm that games overflowing with detail often miss, and the silly models and stilted animations only add to the hilarity when you push your buddy into the abyss off a grid of dropping platforms.
The game’s scrappiness does leave it a little rough around the edges. In minigames where you can push opponents over, a player can be pushed immediately after getting up, locking them into an infinite loop of standing up and falling down. This minor balance issue is somewhat mitigated by the presence of other players, and the caveat that it is very funny.
The four-player lobby size is occasionally disappointing. Anything less than four players gets a little too spacious, and being unable to play with more participants feels a tad restrictive.
In the end, I can’t complain too much. Whenever I get a squad together for this game, it’s magic.
If you don’t end a game cackling or cussing out your best friend, you aren’t getting the full experience. This game incentivizes sabotage and foul play and rewards your backstabbing with endless comedy.
Topping it all off with an $8 price tag makes this an easy purchase - even if you only put in a handful of hours, the fun you’ll get out of a few sessions is well worth it. In an atmosphere of increasingly unfinished and overmonetized releases, this game is an excellent product that does exactly what it should.
Malcolm Todd - Do That Again’
By Ollie Mainguy
Staff Writer
Malcom Todd has recently taken the world by storm. Announcing a world tour, releasing his third studio album, and appearing shirtless whenever the opportunity arises - needless to say, he has won the hearts of many. While his debut album “Sweet Boy” was released in 2024, it was not until this past year that I was introduced to his music. I quickly became obsessed after listening to his second self-titled album. The resurgence of his breakout song “Earrings” sealed him in the sphere of popularity over this past spring. “Do That Again” released with two singles, and “Breathe” quickly started gaining popularity on TikTok and Instagram. On June 7, the album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200. There really seems to be something charismatic about a male indie singer. His tour sold out in suites, resell tickets skyrocketed and people still jumped at the opportunity to buy them. I, myself was even in the queue but was not going to pay $280 to stand around and watch him take his shirt off. His voice is that of any male indie singer, but somehow, his albums and personality put him on another level. The album is interesting to listen to, and I find it to be a really enjoyable time, but the entire album is only 35 minutes long. This length is hardly enough time to enjoy an album that was so highly anticipated by so many. The album was enjoyable, to be sure, but lacks any real depth or interpersonality to it - but sometimes, something doesn’t need to be absolutely earth-shatteringly amazing to be a truly enjoyable album. It does connect some other genres to his music style, which I’d like to see in future albums. Overall, “Do That Again” was a fun and energetic start to a stressful summer. It was a quick escape into my own personal concert.
