Culture

■ By Taylor Goodman (‘25)

Eastside Online Community Editor

As Taylor Swift accepted her Video of the Year Moonman trophy for the remarkable “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” at the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday, August 29, she shocked the crowd with breathtaking news. Swift announced that her new album “Midnights” would be released on October 21 at midnight. Social media was buzzing later that night when Swift posted her album cover on Instagram with a preview caption reading “Midnights, the story of 13 sleepless nights scattered throughout my life, will be out October 21. Meet me at midnight.”

Multiple conspiracy theories, or “Easter eggs” as the “Swifties” like to call them, were discussed about this new album. Fans believed that “Midnights” intended on being a sister album to Swift’s highly acclaimed 2019 album “Lover.” This 2019 album discussed the brightness and positivity of love, and fans predicted “Midnights” would be an antithesis to “Lover” about the loneliness and gloom of the night. Now that Swift released “Midnights,” we can prove this prediction correct. Swift explains that her latest album “is a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams,” per Entertainment Weekly.

Amazon Music released a teaser trailer containing parts of Swift’s music videos prior to midnight on October 21 to spark excitement among her fans. At midnight, Swift r e leased h e r origi nal 13 tracks. Then, she surprised her fans by releasing an additional seven tracks at 3 a.m. to finish her album. Swift kept the excite ment going by releasi n g her official “Anti-Hero” and “Bejeweled” music videos, and she could continue to release videos for her other tracks soon.

The public recognized how Swift’s marvelous diamond dress that she wore at the MTV Video Music Awards looked very similar to the diamond dress she wore in her hit music video “Look What You Made Me Do.” Swift wrote this song as a diss towards Kanye West for interrupting her speech after winning the Best Female Video Award over Beyoncé at the MTV VMAs in 2009. Swifties were curious if the reappearance of this diamond dress was foreshadowing a reference to “Look What You Made Me Do” and her past drama with Kanye West.

Fans dove deeper into the date of Swift’s new album release and ques-

tioned whether releasing “Midnights” on October 21 was a coincidence. October 21 happens to be Kim Kardashian’s birthday. After taking into consideration West’s and Swift’s previous altercations, fans wondered if choosing this release date was on purpose. If fans flash back to 2006 when Swift released one of her first songs “Tim McGraw” and compare it to her current hits, they can see how much she has evolved as a singer and songwriter. Swift began facing the double standards beCourtesy of Taylor Swft tween male Taylor Swift releases her new album cover for “Midnights.” and female singers in the music industry as a younger artist and continues to find ways to express her feminist beliefs and share them with the world. Swift began as a country singer who sang about heartbreak and her past relationships. People began criticizing Swift for the number of past relationships she has had, as many of her songs

were about her exes. On the other hand, male singers are applauded for their songs about love and heartbreak, and people enjoy listening to male artists’ takes on their past relationships. From “International Socioeconomics Labratory,” Margaret Kelly compared Harry Styles and Taylor Swift in the music industry and said, “when compared to the media’s treatment of Swift’s past relationships, the differences are stark: Swift was criticized and called derogatory terms, while Styles was seemingly applauded for his string of exes. Everyone decided that Styles was impressive for dating the women he did, while Swift was seen as pathetic,” Swift expressed this issue in the music industry in her song “The Man” from her album “Lover.” She explains the double standard by including her take on how if she were a male, the number of past relationships she has had would be seen as impressive and wouldn’t take a toll on the public’s level of appreciation for her. In light of Swift’s evolution as an artist, fans can see how she continues to express her beliefs about feminism through music. Swift is a role model for young minds who are hesitant about expressing their beliefs, and her fandom cannot wait to see what her plans are for the future after her new album “Midnights.” Elton John’s collaborations with pop icons top charts

■ By Michelle Bookbinder (‘25)

Eastside Culture Editor

The new music we listen to might seem original, but artists have been recycling the same lyrics, rhythms and beats for decades. For example, Nicki Minaj’s hit “Super Freaky Girl,” released this past year, samples “Super Freak” by Rick James from 1981. Cardi B’s acclaimed song “I Like It” includes parts of Pete Rodriguez’s songs “I Like It Like That (A Mi Me Gusta Asi)” and “Oh That’s Nice.” Moreover, even the infamous “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus samples Nine Inch Nails’ song “34 Ghosts IV.”

While it’s common for artists to take inspiration from previous artists by sampling their songs, very rarely does an artist sample their own music. Elton John, however, breaks this mold by altering some of his beloved songs to create new hits.

During the height of his career, John was most known for his soft rock style. Many of his songs were very successful and earned spots on Billboard’s Hot 100. For 31 consecutive years, from 1970 to 2000, at least one of John’s songs occupied this list. John had nine songs reach number one during these years, including “Crocodile Rock,” “Philadelphia Freedom” and his cover of the Beatles’ “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds.” He created music for various works such as “The Lion King” and “Billy Elliot.” In 1998, Elton John was knighted by Prince Charles for his exemplary music and charitable contributions.

Aside from his successful hit songs, John became a trailblazer in the industry due to his openness with his sexuality. John came out as gay in 1988, and since then he has advocated for the community. John encourages LGBTQ+ youth to live their lives authentically and embrace what makes them different. He has continued to advocate and donate money to AIDS and HIV research, even forming a nonprofit known as the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Despite his previous success with creating charting songs, none of John’s songs made it to Billboard’s Hot 100 for 21 years until August 2021 when he collaborated with Dua Lipa to create “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix).” This song samples the chorus of “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time),” the verses of “Sacrifice,” some lyrics in “Kiss the Bride” and the choir in “Where’s the Shoorah.” Although “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” is based solely on these four songs, it has a modernized feel. While John’s previous songs fit primarily in the soft rock genre, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” is much more electronic and leans into dance and pop. Dua Lipa, who rose to fame with hits such as “Levitating” and “Don’t Start Now,” brings youth to these older songs, drawing in a younger audience. PNAU, an Australian dance trio, also adds a high-energy feel in their production of the song, encouraging listeners to stand up and let loose. With Dua Lipa’s recent popularity and the revitalization of legendary songs, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” quickly gained traction to land itself in the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 and break John’s lull.

In addition to his groundbreaking collaboration with Dua Lipa in 2021, in August of 2022, John worked to modernize his songs “The One,” “Tiny Dancer” and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Britney Spears to create “Hold Me Closer.” Similar to “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),” this collaboration has an electronic dance feel, despite using the mellow verses of “The One” and the rock chorus in “Tiny Dancer.” Spears’s image as a pop legend with hit songs including “Toxic,” “Baby One More Time” and “Gimme More” helped “Hold Me Closer” also reach the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100. “Hold Me Closer” also marks Spears’s reentry to the music scene after the end of her conservatorship, helping the song gain increased attention.

As current music trends transition from rock to dance to pop, many artists have trouble adapting to different genres. John’s ability to make music reflecting the changing times combined with the popularity of Dua Lipa and Britney Spears has helped him land on the charts again, decades after his last hit.

■ By Ella Goodstadt (‘24)

Eastside Online Culture Editor

Boa feathers of all colors have recently painted the streets surrounding Madison Square Garden in New York City, and they will soon be making their way to Austin, Texas. These feathers are just one sign of Harry Styles’s residency tour in the United States. Fans of Styles have traveled far and wide, many with colorful feather boas, to show their support for the British singer.

Originally booked for 2020, Styles had to postpone his second international tour, Love on Tour, to 2021 due to COVID-19.

He then embarked on the European leg of the tour during the spring of 2022.

While on tour, Styles announced his third studio album, “Harry’s House,” on March 23, 2022, and he issued an extension of Love on Tour to include multiple residencies in Canada and the United States.

Styles began his North American residency tour on August 15 in Toronto, where he spent two nights performing at Scotiabank Arena. Fans then made their way to New York City for one of the longest legs of the tour at Madison Square Garden. Styles booked 15 nights at Madison Square Garden from August 20, 2022 to September 21, 2022.

The rest of the tour includes six nights in Austin, Texas; six nights in Chicago, Illinois; and 15 nights in Los Angeles, California. Following the North American leg of the tour, Styles will proceed to South America, Australia, and Europe, and the tour will wrap up in July of 2023.

Those who are not a part of the Harry Styles fanbase may speculate as to how he has been able to sell out two consecutive years of international shows; however, to those who have attended one of his concerts, it’s truly no wonder. A Harry Styles concert is more than just a show — it’s an entire experience.

Fiona Yampell (‘23), who attended a Styles concert on August 23, said, “It’s not only the concert that is special, but also the anticipation leading up to it, finding an outfit, and talking and hearing about other people’s experiences.”

Part of the Harry Styles experience is finding the perfect outfit to wear. Styles is known for his flamboyant, eccentric and sparkly concert outfits, and fans find excitement in matching that energy. Besides bright colors, sparkles and extravagant hair and makeup looks, the uniform outfit item for the concert attendees is feather boas. Sporting just about any color to match their outfit, fans have been showing up

to Love on Tour with boas that have left the streets of New York City covered in color. In true Harry Styles fashion, Madison Square Garden celebrated the final night of the singer’s residency by providing a complementary boa to every attendee who had a physical seat in the arena. Upon arrival at Madison Square Garden, attendees immediately know they are at Harry’s House. Merchandise stands line the inside of the Garden, and photo opportunities are set up throughout the stadium where guests can take Love on Tour themed photos. Even the food sold by the vendors matches the “Harry Styles aesthetic,” including pretzels that have blue and pink dyed salt. Aside from the preshow experience, guests Katherine Li (‘23)/ Eastside Art Director Outfits are a big part of Styles’s show. show up for Styles himself. Yampell said, “He kept the energy going the whole night, and aside from the music, it was entertaining to watch him on stage.” The performer is known for interacting with the audience in ways such as talking to individuals from general admission who have

attention-grabbing posters and wearing crowd items that are tossed to him, like hats and boas. Styles puts on an incredible show where his talent is truly showcased, as he sings and dances across the stage. Accompanied by his talented band, the show is truly worth your while. One of the most notable parts of attending a Harry Styles concert is the bond that is shared between his fans. Compared to other artists’ fans, Styles’s fans are very connected. Yampell said, “It was so cute to see everyone dressed up and complimenting and supporting each other. I loved seeing people coming together to dance and sing even if they didn’t know each other.” Fans from across the world come together at Styles’s shows to celebrate their love for his music, and attending a Harry Styles concert is a truly meaningful and thrilling experience. Between Styles himself and the terrific fan culture, concert attendees are truly in for a great night and one that will not be long forgotten. Once Love on Tour comes to an end, fans can only hope that Styles will be planning to bring his flamboyant energy back to the stage soon. BeReal brings a new perspective to social media

■ By Julia Rosten (‘24)

Eastside Culture Editor

Melissa Vital (‘23) / Eastside Art Director

This distinctive notification is sent to ten million BeReal users every day, at any time. Right after it goes off, users race to snap an authentic picture within the two-minute time limit. The French social media app was created in 2020 with the hopes of revamping social media and has gained an immense following these past few months.

It functions differently from any other social media app because users can only post for two minutes per day. The time changes each day, but there are at least 24 hours between each post.

The app is designed to encourage users to post an unfiltered selfie with confidence. After the two minutes are up, users can still post their BeReal until the next day.

Like on other social

Mr. Gagliardi/ Eastside Adviser

media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, users can have friends on BeReal. They can react to each other’s posts with a picture of themselves, an emoji or a remark. Users can also add a caption to their posts to provide context.

What differentiates this app from its competitors is that there are no likes displayed, and people cannot see how many followers their friends have. This makes for a much less judgmental environment in comparison to other social media platforms.

“I really like how there

is no judgment or criticism of what you post on BeReal. There is no competition or comparisons,” said Lindsay Newcomb (‘24). BeReal aims to create a supportive and open environment. While social media has been criticized for its impact on users’ mental health, BeReal’s emphasis on authenticity and showing one’s true self encourages users to feel proud of who they are. With no Photoshop, filters or edits, BeReal is quickly becoming a way for teens to be the most “real” they can be. Colleen Hoover gains popularity through BookTok

■ By Brielle Lampf (‘23)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

BookTok. BookTube. Bookstagram.

These social media platforms are the outlets that have helped author Colleen Hoover reach an incredible level of success. If you haven’t heard of her, Hoover is a phenomenon in the book community, and it seems as if she has no plans to stop releasing books anytime soon.

Novels like “It Ends with Us,” “Ugly Love” and “Verity” have all been making their rounds throughout media platforms. Not only that, but entire tables at Barnes & Noble are also dedicated to her books. Billboards featuring “November 9” and “Confess,” other popular Hoover books, are spread across the country.

And on April 29 earlier this year, Hoover went to her Instagram to thank her fans (they’ve named themselves CoHo fans - an abbreviation of her name) for putting ten of her books on USA Today’s best-selling list.

People who don’t usually read started picking up Hoover’s books because of the BookTok community. Dedicated CoHo fans started promoting her books on the platform, and soon enough, people across the world began reading. Before such media platforms existed, authors had to rely mostly on advertisements and bookstores for sales. Now, however, with outlets like social media, it is easier than ever to promote books. According to The Washington Post, just in 2021 her print sales increased by 693 percent. Today, her books are being translated into over 20 languages.

Most exciting for fans right now is the fact that Hoover has just released “It Starts with Us,” a prequel to her most popular book “It Ends With Us.” This book, specifically, is what launched Hoover’s popularity on BookTok.

“It Ends with Us” follows Lily and her relationship with Ryle until an old love appears. The book tackles heavy topics including domestic abuse and mental health. Earlier in September, the hashtag #ItEndsWithUs had over 73 million views on TikTok according to Publishers Weekly, and Hoover continues to dominate the charts.

Not all readers think her popularity is warranted, though. In fact, many claim that she is a “hit or miss” or “overhyped” author. Because of her increase in popularity, some readers feel as though other authors are not getting the recognition they deserve. Nonetheless, Hoover remains on the charts and will go down as one of the most popular contemporary

Lucas Tang (‘23) / Eastside Photo Editor

romance authors.

Hoover released her first book “Slammed,” which was self-published, in 2012.

What started out as Hoover wanting to share her writing with friends and family turned into one of the biggest success stories in the book community. Fans continue to await her new releases; any book she releases will attract readers from all walks of life. Hoover continues to dominate the charts and there is no doubt she will continue to win awards and break records for years to come.