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EAGLE TALON OCTOBER 2025
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Don’t Miss Out: College Visits Happening Now!
colleges provide.
By Tanisha Shillingford & Amira Johnson
A lot of students attend the college visits for the schools they want to attend.
As the school year is just getting started, so is the procession of college visits on campus. The school counseling department has been working together to bring a diverse range of colleges and universities from various states to visit school, offering valuable information to help you explore your options and plan for your future.
“I attended the University of North Florida, where they gave me direct insight into what programs they have, answered questions about their campus life, and admission,” Parker added. “This college visit gave me amazing insight.”
“I decided to attend the college visits to explore and to see what opportunities these colleges present,” junior Nevaeh Parker said.
Students frequently approach college visits with questions and curiosity. They want to learn With numerous visits left on the about academic programs, reschedule, now is the best time to sources, and student life. These act. These visits offer a chance to experiences can be major when it connect with college admissions comes to their awareness of colrepresentatives and learn about lege and influence on their final various programs, campus life, decision. and requirements for admission. College can be overly expensive, School Counselor Ms. Culpepper and for many students and famioversees these college visits. lies, it can be a bit overwhelming. “[College] visits allow [students] Tuition, textbooks, and housing to have a chance to learn more in- all add up, making financial plandepth information about a specific ning an important part of the college decision-making process. school or a school that they like, and maybe potential schools they This is why college visits can be beneficial. Just seeing the view of are looking for,” Culpepper said. the campus and student life is just “So, there they are now able to the first step; it is also about how have more knowledge about the to make college life more affordacolleges, have a pinpoint of what ble. this school is offering, and ask
During these visits, financial aid various questions so they can gain information about the school op- representatives often hold sessions for students and families so portunities and admissions.” they can ask questions about Because of these college visits, scholarships, housing, etc. Stustudents have a lot more insight into what opportunities individual dents can also learn more about
school aid opportunities that students might not find online. Visiting will help students compare how different colleges support their students financially. This helps them see that even if colleges are expensive, there are multiple resources and forms of aid that can reduce these costs. Choosing a college is a big decision, and when college representatives come to visit this school, it’s a wealth of valuable information that comes to you. These visits help a lot with the decisionmaking process. “Having college reps visit your school is highly valuable,” Culpepper said. “It allows [students] to gather information about different colleges without even leaving campus.” To make the most of these visits, ask questions. Think about what is highly important to you. Don’t be shy- this is the best chance to get amazing answers directly from the source. These visits also have a great way of evaluating options based on students' top priorities, such as whether colleges offer the majors they are highly interested in. What clubs are available? By actively engaging in these visits, students gain valuable insight that helps inform their choices. Ask about their experiences and what they love about their college or university. Little conversations like these can have way more valuable insight beyond what any websites offer. So don’t miss out on these insightful college visits.
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2 | OCTOBER 2025
EAGLE TALON
FEATURES Ping pong is generally seen as not a serious activity, but some students see it as more. “It’s something I can add to my college resume, and it helps with my motor skills and reflexes,” junior Doruk Cikla said.
Ping pong club makes its debut on campus.
The club has already found new members who are eager to play and
By Benjamin Chau & Alexander Monzon Perez
are excited for the club’s future.
Ping pong has found its way into the hearts of many who want to have fun after school, and the members encourage people to join.
To those who worry the club is too competitive, they have nothing to worry about, since there are different skill levels in the club. “It depends on your skill level. If you’re a casual player, there are casuals, and if you’re competitive, there are competitive players, so it’s all depending on you and how you want to play,” Cikla added.
When asked one word to describe the club, Quiroz boldly exclaimed: “It’s very inclusive, and it doesn't mat“I’m very hopeful for the expansion of ter if you’re not good at it since they “Empowering.” the club schoolwide. I hope to see an have amazing leaders and a great enviPaxon’s newest arrival, the ping pong increase in population and technical ronment overall,” sophomore Santiago club, has finally been established. Startskills on the paddle,” sophomore Lenir Quiroz said. ing in the second quarter, the inclusive Torres said. club will be available for all to join. The The club eventually wants to play Torres sees the club as a good oppor- competitively at local places to branch club was founded by Alexander tunity to spend time with others and Monzon Perez and Benjamin Chau, out and gain connections with other following their mission of spreading the encourages others to join. ping pong players. love of racket sport to the school. Club “It’s easily accessible for all sorts of “There’s a YMCA pretty close by, and meetings will occur every Friday to alplayers regardless of size, height, and we hope to scope out competition there low members to practice and engage in age,” Torres added. to hopefully play with them,” Cikla friendly competitions. If interested in Other students see the club as an opsaid. more information, students can contact portunity to improve their future. the club sponsor, Connor Rains.
with qualified teachers. “It doesn’t do well for me in the long run, especially when finals come up,” senior Amaury Maria said. “Also, seeing how far the other classes with teachers are ahead of us on books and with work.”
ready tells students Vacancies in classrooms are hindering students' progress that they will be behind in that class if as they are not receiving prop- they don’t get a er instruction without a teacher soon. teacher. After each school
The end of summer is when students get their class schedules. But as students look at theirs, sometimes there is a class that has a vacancy; this al-
OCTOBER 2025
year, some teachers may find better opportunities or retire in the summer. This causes empty spots that the school must fill before the start of the school year. Often, these spots are filled in time, but as the year passes, more teachers are leaving. This results in a significant increase in the percentage of vacant positions within the school. This causes students to fall behind in comparison to their peers
The vacancies do not just affect some students, but students throughout the whole school. Many students’ learning progress is affected by the lack of permanent teachers in the classroom, especially in core subjects like English, for example.
learning more in their classes with fulltime teachers.
“My main concern is the test at the end of the year, and if we are even going to be prepared,” senior Dante Blunt said. “This is especially seen as “My learning progress without a the other classes that have teachers are teacher has really already a couple of units into the curriculum.” stalled without having a teacher,” Students are noticing the effect of senior Kaylee Ca- the vacant spots throughout the son said. “Being in school, as all their friends have multia class with no ple hours of homework a night and are teacher has caused learning faster. This concern has been my learning prostated by many of the students who do gress to decrease as the year moves on not have teachers. without a teacher.” “Getting a teacher is very important The classes without a teacher are at a serious disadvantage because the students must work harder to take initiative and master the content. This is especially noticeable as the school year progresses, when students are already
to me as I do not want to go through my whole senior year without a teacher,” Cason added. “Having a teacher will also help many of the students in the vacant classes to raise their test scores.”
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FEATURES “Requiring adults to show proof of their age by revealing sensitive information that threatens their anonymity is beyond the pale and runs counter to my--and many others'--principles,” a comment made by a user named Adult YouTube User said.
New regulations aimed at protecting minors are encouraging platforms to tighten content controls, raising concerns about free speech and digital freedom. Recently, YouTube has implemented an AI program to estimate users’ ages and restrict access if they are not 18 years old. This was a response to the longstanding movement to keep the internet safe for minors. YouTube believes this is the right approach to protecting children, although the users beg to differ.
“You're being so insanely vague about the ‘variety of signals’. What type of ‘activity’? What does ‘longevity of the account’ even mean?” one comment from a user named Willow Mermaid said.
This raises concerns about the future of the internet’s accessibility and freedom. At this current rate of censorship, the internet may be going into a new age of censorship with much less access to content that companies and governments don’t find fit to be shared, forcing creators to censor their content to abide by new This relates to a bigger censorship problem on the internet, as YouTube is policies. not the only compa“Let us be clear: ny doing this. Recensorship is cowardcently, big companies ice. ... It masks corlike TikTok and Spotify ruption. It is a school have also been dabbling of torture: it teaches in ways to censor their and accustoms one to platform for minors. the use of force While some of these against an idea, to companies are doing submit thought to an this to protect children, alien ‘other,’” political payment companies are activist Pablo Antoseeing this as an oppornio Cuadra said in Atunity to force their policies onto other Z Quotes. “But worst still, censorship deplatforms. An example of this would be stroys criticism, which is the essential how Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are ingredient of culture.” removing their payment methods as an With all these new rules and regulations option from the platforms Itch.io and enforced by AI, it’s not far-fetched to asSteam if they do not remove certain sume other companies and sites may games with controversial content that mimic these changes in the future. The includes nudity, violence, drug use, etc. big question seems to be whether this is This action has led to many game develreally a necessary change for the safety of opers losing their source of income. children, or are these new processes a
Another major issue that may appear from this policy is the methods of age verification if an account does happen to be flagged by the AI. According to the post, The specifics of how YouTube intends for users who this is to be done are a bit are flagged by the AI to use biovague, as the only informetric data such as their mation YouTube has provided regarding how ,الطنطاويCC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons face, their government ID, or their credit card to prove they are 18 or the AI will determine who is and isn’t a minor is that it will be based on a variety older. Many users also criticize this, citing Google’s history of data breaches and the of signals, including a user’s YouTube “Itch.io hasn’t paid me in 30+ days — I activity and account longevity. The com- potential for identity theft if the data is lost my housing because of it,” user Indeleaked. ments criticize this part of the policy. pendentClub1117 said on Reddit.
In 2023, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that 95% of teenagers aged 13-17 are now using social media apps. In an era where most teens have an online presence, the question must be asked: Does it change the path they take in the journey of discovering themselves? Fitting in is a universal human desire; it’s in our biology. A million years ago, someone who was ostracized from their tribe was essentially given a death sentence. Now, that same drive to fit in can be observed through how teens express themselves either on social media or in real life.
Though some teens use social media as their way to be heard, many teens find themselves sacrificing ? their sense of self for peer approval; they begin to crave the validation of likes or upvotes. This inhibits personal growth, changing how an adolescent grows into themselves. Recently, the term ‘performative’ has been used to describe how some people fake their personalities, a trend that has grown significantly due to the desire for approval on social media.
Content explicitly comparing people’s looks and emphasizing insecurity due to appearance reflects a dark angle of social media, but it is sadly targeted toward impressionable teenagers. Termed “Black pill” content, it disguises itself as a realistic outlook on the world. However, in reality, it preys on vulnerable teenagers looking for validation. This completely sways a teenager’s point of view into one that is most cynical, damaging their relationships and self-identity. Because of the numerous negative effects of social media, the simple answer for teenagers would be to delete their social media accounts. Sophomore Carina Luna deleted social media a year ago and finds herself much more productive than she was before. “I don’t doomscroll anymore. Now, I do my schoolwork, because it’s not like I can just pick up my phone and scroll on Tik-
“Social media compels young people to design their lives based on a façade of perfection reinforced by dopamine from likes, emojis, comments, and retweets," according to an article by ChoosBy scrolling on TikTok or Instagram, teen- ingtherapy.com. agers can see what trends or opinions everyTeens often compare themselves to others body else is participating in or sharing. online who are given immense amounts of Sophomore Xzavier McCain, an avid user of approval, usually pertaining to their looks. social media, uses it as an outlet to voice “I would see people online with, for examand view opinions. ple, super chiseled jawlines, and I was really Tok,” Luna said when asked about the bene“There’s a lot of freedom on social media envious and upset because I knew I couldn’t fits of not being on social media. to express your opinions and find people do anything to change myself,” McCain addAlthough it’s the easiest solution, being a who agree with you,” McCain said. ed. “It really messes with your self-esteem.” teenager without social media has its own
4 | OCTOBER 2025
disguised attempt to control and censor internet users and their ability to freely express themselves?
challenges. There is so much teenage culture found online that those who aren’t in that culture frequently miss out on connections made through social media. Sophomore Stella Laning, an individual who has never had social media, understands what it means to experience ‘FOMO’ (Fear of Missing Out). “It sometimes bothers me when people make references I won’t understand because then they have to explain them to me, and I feel as if I’m not in on the big inside joke,” Laning explained. There are many dynamics of how social media affects teenagers growing up, and there is no one way to answer the question of whether the effect is positive or negative. Though it fosters connections that would be untethered without social media, it can be easily abused and has many negative impacts on adolescents. With or without, teenagers can still travel the road to a unique identity if they don’t let the need for validation overtake them.
EAGLE TALON
OPINION centrated on students, the district is also making sure that all pedestrians, student or not, are protected to help reduce traffic accidents.
Many parents raised their concerns about traffic near schools after recent incidents. The new school year began with renewed urgency for student safety, following a tragic vehicle accident in the first week. DCPS has reported multiple fatal accidents involving students last year, which led to the district launching the “Be Safe. Be Seen.” campaign.
“We need to do better in terms of crossing at crosswalks, and also better in terms of protecting pedestrians who are in crosswalks by stopping and letting them cross safely,” School Board Member Cindy Pearson stated in a News4Jax article. Pearson has created safety measures like advocating for less distracted driving, having council members add “No Parking” signs, and having JSO ticket drivers who do not adhere to pedestrian crossings. Last school year, Duval County saw the deaths of three students due to car accidents, and these incidents have brought up memories. Alejandra Martinez was the sister of Alondra Martinez, who was one of the students who passed away due to the car accident that occurred last year.
Students utilizing the crosswalk on Norman Thagard Blvd. MICO JIMENEZ / EAGLE TALON
Along with distracted driving, pedesThe accidents that happened during trians should also be aware of their sur- the first week of school impacted everoundings to help avoid drivers who ryone around the district; some peomay not be paying attention. ple’s concerns popped up again, while “Walk in the same direction the cars others were reminded of previous tragedies. are coming at you so that you can see
them and they can see you,” Lundquist “We had three fatalities,” Superintensaid in a News4Jax article. “They can dent Dr. Christopher Bernier stated in “What I can’t understand is how this actually move out of the way instead of a News4Jax article. “And anytime you lose a student, especially in a tragic is still a recurring issue, especially dur- having traffic come up behind them.” area like that, you just—it’s just a loss ing the first week of school,” Martinez Parents have also stated that traffic that cannot be measured.” stated in a News4Jax article. “I want the safety starts with them. Parents are school district to raise more awareness encouraging each other to teach their around this issue. It’s affected far too children about traffic safety. Despite these efforts, new incidents many families, more than it ever “You need to educate your children, occurred as the school year began, reshould have.” but we also, as a community, need to newing the focus on protecting stuDuval County, along with parents and be better at following and being aware dents. students who drive, has encouraged of our surroundings,” paraprofessional “Three students in Duval County less distracted driving. at Holiday Hill Elementary, Hannah were struck by cars in just three school “We have more distracting devices in Sarte, stated in a News4Jax article. days, with one of the students dying the car - the big computer, the phones Along with teaching their children from their injuries,” the Jacksonville things like that,” Jacksonville Sheriff’s about traffic safety, parents have also Sheriff's Office stated in a News4Jax Office Traffic Enforcement Cmdr. Scott been encouraged to take their children article. Lundquist said in a News4Jax article. to school if they are able. These incidents have raised concerns “So we’re just asking people to pay at“To parents: if you’re able to, please amongst parents, students, and the tention. Put the phone down for a few take your children to school,” Martinez school board. Even though the focus of minutes.” said in a News4Jax article. the “Be Safe. Be Seen.” campaign conThe “Be Safe. Be Seen.” campaign helped teach students how to ride bikes and walk safely on the sides of the road, as stated in a News4Jax article. This campaign aimed to raise awareness among drivers and pedestrians, promoting safety for all.
The Gulf Of America
Many students on campus are required to take the Inquiry Skills course during their freshman year to help with their academics, but some wish it was offered every year.
Cooper said. “Hopefully they add some- helping to improve test scores for state thing like that during IB year when we testing. It can provide a quiet environactually really need it.” ment for students to focus better and Having the extra time allows students be more prepared for the exams.
to complete as much as possible during Inquiry Skills is only offered to freshthe school day. men mainly because it helps with the “It helped with the stress of the work- transition from middle school to high school. The workload is a big differload and helped me learn new life By Khloe Donner ence, so having that time to do work skills,” sophomore Julian Coats said. Inquiry Skills is a course that allows can assist with time management. Inquiry Skills can help reduce the students to catch up on work and learn “[It] helps students acclimate to high time management. However, with this amount of stress students experience school really by supporting their homethrough homework. class only being offered to freshmen, work skills, studying, and time managesome students wish to have it every “Having that little time during the ment,” Inquiry Skills teacher Ms. Farhat year. Other grade levels, however, do day helps, so I do not have to pile all said. “We also focus on researching, not offer Inquiry Skills, which makes it that work at home,” freshman Solace thinking, and social skills.” harder for them to stay on top of their Nauden said. With that extra study time students work. With that one class period, students get during the school day, it helps them “Yeah, I absolutely miss the class a can use the extra time for studying, have a better understanding of topics lot, actually,” sophomore Hunter
OCTOBER 2025
being studied. “There is a major impact on students' stress levels and really having that productive time to do homework has really impacted students positively,” Farhat said.
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SPORTS through their sports, such as discipline, best, I have to pour into my own cup resilience, and time management. first, and that’s how I stay balanced.”
How students athletes juggle the pressure of life and their sports. By Trinity Hodges & Jada Stevens Late nights, early mornings, endless hours of work, while also making time for family, friends, and themselves. At schools all over the world, these are the pressures that student athletes constantly face. The pressure isn’t just in getting through these tough times, but also in forcing themselves to have healthy outlets that allow them to maintain their peace of mind while still performing at a high level, both in the classroom and in their sports.
“Balance isn’t only about time management but also about mental health,” sports writer Emily Dush stated in the article Balancing Life as a StudentAthlete - The Daily Utah Chronicle.
Although both athletes play different sports, they have both learned common themes and lessons throughout their seasons that go beyond sports and the classroom.
The stigma is starting to break among athletes, as more and more athletes and universities are talking about mental health. Dush explained that athletes are now learning about how essential it is to have healthy outlets to cope with the pressures.
For Paxon’s young adults, balance isn’t just about getting through the season; it’s about building habits that last a lifetime. Whether on the court, field, or at home doing homework, it all takes resilience, discipline, and mental strength!
“Finding ways to cope with all of the stress and pressures that come with being a student-athlete as well as a human being,” Dush emphasized. girls' basketball and flag football.
“He kept his grades a priority, while also showing me that you don’t have to just choose one sport and that you can do them all,” Porter-Dubois added. “It’s not in how many sports you do but how effectively you manage your time.”
On campus, these challenges are recurring in the classroom, at practice, and at home. Athletes deal with these things while also trying to be the best version of themselves in every other aspect of their lives.
For junior Amaya Hyslop, a softball Similar to Porter-Dubois, many teens player and weightlifter on campus, supon campus deal with the same deport and mindset are the keys to her “Personally, I look up to my older mands. Work deadlines, projects, social success. brother because he also played high commitments, and practices all in one. “My mom is my biggest supporter school sports,” student athlete VonshaThese stories from the views of athand always the loudest one cheering!” na Porter-Dubois said. letes show how young adults grow and Hyslop stated. “She always reminds me Porter-Dubios is a senior who plays build skills that will last a lifetime that before I can give the world my
the talent and work ethic to go even further.
me these kids are invested in the longterm health of their bodies and the impact that contact sports can have on “I believe ya’ll have the potential to perform at an even higher level than we them in the future.” did,” Davis said. “It’s up to ya’ll and Davis added that enjoying the game how bad ya’ll want to be state champs. and embracing the moment will be key Proper preparation prevents piss poor for this year’s roster, especially the senperformance.” iors.
The Golden Eagles football team is preparing for another season after finishing 7-3 last year, one of the strongest records in recent memory that included a big win over Ribault. The question now is whether the Eagles will match, exceed, or fall short of that success.
Health and conditioning will also play a major role in whether the Golden Eagles can sustain their momentum. Athletic trainer Ms. Tristyn emphasized the importance of nutrition and recovery.
By Logan Kelly & Sariyah Douglas The 2025-26 season has already given fans a mix of highs and lows. The Eagles opened with a tough 54-14 road loss to West Nassau, but bounced back with two strong defensive performances. They shut down Wolfson 35-12 behind a standout effort from Stephen Akita, then followed with a 23-7 win over Christ Church. Their momentum ended with a 49-7 loss to Williston, leaving Paxon at 2-2 heading into a rivalry matchup against Stanton, who also hold a 2-2 record. Last year’s leaders left a strong impression, including wide receiver AJ Davis, who was central to the team’s run. Davis said the team’s mindset was always about staying focused on the
6 | OCTOBER 2025
Photo by JJ Bretado
present. “Really just going 1-0 every week, focusing on the present,” Davis said. “Can’t glorify what went good the week before or dwell on what went wrong. Review the film, make the corrections, and lock in to who we’re playing this week.”
“Don’t fear failure. Play free and have fun,” Davis said. “For the seniors, it’ll be over before you know it. You don’t want to think about what you ‘could’ve done.’ Do it!”
“Hydration and nutrition are the number one thing I try to teach young athletes,” Tristyn said. “A healthy balance of carbs, fats, and proteins and plenty of water is the fuel you need to perform your best. Secondly, recovery days! Not every day has to be a strength or cardio workout, a yoga day, a pool day, or even just some stretching on off days will help your body recover quicker.” She also noted that this year’s team has shown more awareness of their long-term health, asking questions and showing curiosity about how their bodies respond to training.
This year’s team faces the challenge of “I think this year’s team is definitely stepping into the spotlight while carry- the most curious I’ve had,” Tristyn said. “They genuinely want to know what’s ing the pressure of high expectations. going on with their body. That showed Davis believes the Golden Eagles have
Photo by JJ Bretado
EAGLE TALON
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Swift's new album is already becoming the most talked-about album since its announcement. This is everything to know about the album so far. By Emma Tihlarik and Elizabeth Glover
‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Album Art— Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Laufey’s most experimental piece has finally been released! By Luciano Quijada
On August 12, Taylor Swift announced her 12th Studio Album, “The Life of a Showgirl”. Here is everything to know so far. After the release date was announced for October 3, the world went crazy for the reveal of the cover and title. It was also shocking for her fans when Swift introduced Sabrina Carpenter as a feature on her title track, “The Life of a Showgirl”. The album will have 12 tracks, and Swift has made it very clear there will be no additional or bonus tracks.
Swift then brought out a mint green and orange briefcase with ‘T.S.’ printed on it in glittery orange lettering. Inside the suitcase was her 12th studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’. Since then, fans have been curious about what this album will sound like. This led fans to form different hypotheses.
“Swift’s right-hand man, Jack Antonoff, who has produced her last six When Taylor Swift was touring durTaylor Swift announces album on the New Heights podcast with albums, will not be involved with the ing The Eras Tour, at the end of each Travis Kelce. NEW HEIGHTS/ Screenshot by Eagle Talon project and will instead be replaced by show, she would descend into the Swedish hit-makers Max Martin and stage, while her dancers and backup Since the announcement, Swift has Shellback,” according to Yahoo.com. vocalists would go through a hidden announced many albums and CD variadoor on the stage. On her last night of This left many fans guessing and on the tions. The CD variants include ‘Sweat edge of their seats. this tour, she did something a little and Vanilla Perfume’, ‘It’s Frightening’, Max Martin and Shellback have differently. ‘It’s Rapturous’, and ‘It’s Beautiful’. The worked with Swift in the past. Albums “And at the very last Eras Tour, you album variants include ‘The Shiny Bug’, didn’t take the lift,” co-host of the New like “Red” (2012), 1989 (2014), and ‘Baby, That’s Show Business’, and ‘The Heights podcast Jason Kelce said. “You “Reputation” (2017) were all produced Tiny Bubbles in Champagne’. by them. This is the first time they have did not. You went upstage and exited All these variants are no longer availworked on a new project in years. through an orange door.” able; however, ‘It’s Frightening’, ‘It’s “And so, it was really amazing that we What the fans, or ‘Swifties’, did not Rapturous’, and ‘It’s Beautiful’ are now were able to, without doing too much know at the time was that this was a Target exclusives. None of these varioverthinking, get in there, and it was reference to a new album. ants include any additional tracks, and just ideas flying, and all of these ideas, “Basically, the reason why I chose to it was like we’ve been waiting years to it is not likely that she will release any exit that way is because I kind of want- come back together and make this pro- more tracks beyond the initial release. ed to give a little subliminal hint to the ject,” Swift said on the New Heights Without a doubt, Swift's new album fans that I may be leaving The Eras is generating excitement and anticipapodcast. Tour era, but I was also entering a new tion among Swifties worldwide.
previous albums, like pop, jazz, and the fifth track in her “Bewitched” albossa nova. It was produced by Aaron bum, which tells a similar story of fallDessner and Spencer Stewart, with ing in love and contains similar choStewart being her most frequent pro- ruses. “Fusing the old with the new in ducer, having worked with her on its catchy jazz composition and mod“Everything I Know About Love” and ern lyricism,” author Gwendolyn “Bewitched,” her Lopez said in refirst and second sponse to the song, albums, respecaccording to a Daily tively. Even Bruin article. Moving though she has onto the second worked with track, “Lover Girl,” Stewart on her which can be comalbums, she does pared to Laufey’s bigbelieve Dessner gest hit, “From The was a good addiStart.” With a very tion to this alcatchy tune and bosbum, "Everything sa nova elements, else I tried felt they seem very similike too much of lar; they’re also simia departure from ‘A Matter of Time’ Album Art—Vingolf Recordings and AWAL lar in terms of how my world. Aaron they were released, helped me bring a level of shine to the with both being shown as a teaser bemusic that I was craving for this cyfore the whole album was made pubcle," Laufey said, according to a Gram- lic. my Awards article. Turning our attention to the fourth
The wait is finally over for artist Laufey Lin to release her new album, A Matter of Time. Lin’s album was released on August 22, 2025, and it’s the most experimental of her works, which does not include as many jazz The album starts off with the track elements as her previous album, “Clockwork,” a song filled with jazz “Bewitched.” Instead, it includes more elements and with many instruments pop and rustic tunes. and rhythms seen before in her previ“A Matter of Time” is Laufey’s third ous albums. This song can be comstudio album, which includes many of pared to “While You Were Sleeping,” the same elements used in both her
OCTOBER 2025
era,” American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift said on the podcast.
and fifth tracks, “Castle in Hollywood” and “Carousel”, Laufey decides to step out of her comfort zone by including more pop influences in these tracks instead of adhering to jazz. These tracks cannot be compared with any
others from her previous works, but these songs can be linked to another artist Laufey takes great inspiration from, Taylor Swift. “Being a really big Swiftie, I really want to see Taylor Swift,” Laufey said in an interview with Billboard. The tracks have a very similar sound to many of Swift’s songs, so Laufey may have taken inspiration from her. Finally, the last track, “Sabotage,” was the most experimental of all, with it being similar to her previous songs but also being very different in its own ways, for example during the track, it abruptly cuts to almost a panic of instrumentals after very soft vocals, which is not like any of her songs; it’s almost like an angry and dark song with soft vocals over it. “The track opens and ends with a sudden haphazard whirlwind of cello and static: an intense sound whose fearful effect mirrors the song’s themes of anxiety,” Lopez said in the Daily Bruin article. “A Matter of Time” is overall a similar album to her previous works, although way more experimental. This experimentality will hopefully be shown in whatever future works she has planned; it’s only a matter of time until her next.
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SENIOR SAIGE HIGGINS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALIST
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EAGLE TALON