OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW NEW MUSIC IS THE NEW WAVE

BY EVAN NGUYEN

Going into the new millenia, music has completely changed for the better compared to songs from decades such as the 70s and 80s. Although music back then was adequate, music now is superior for several reasons. Songs like “Walking on a Dream,'' released by Empire of the Sun in 2008, just bring back a feeling of nostalgia and better times for several generations of people. Hearing the beginning melodies, you can’t help but start to feel the urge to get up and dance. Rap music has also aged well with new rappers, such as Eminem, emerging in the 2000s and paving the way for rap music to evolve from what it used to be.

Modern music just proves to be better melodically than vintage songs. Songs like “Tongue Tied” by GroupLove radiate the feeling of being a teenager living their best life in love. The chorus of “Take me to your best friend’s house / I loved you then and I love you now” is so amazingly catchy that you would remember it anywhere. Modern music is also more diverse, as artists have now thrown a softer tone into the mix of musical genres. Some recommendations for the pop genre are “Sports” by Beach Bunny and “Amoeba” by Clario, as these songs perfectly showcase the new, smooth nature that pop has taken on. Most music listeners would agree that modern music is more enjoyable to listen to, as Spotify’s “All Out 00s” playlist has more than nearly 691,000 followers compared to Spotify’s “All Out 80s” playlist.

Although many consider older rap as the best version of rap, it is just too out-dated in comparison to the flow and lyrics of modern rap, which has aged like fine wine. There are many more lyrical rappers, like J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar, who really incorporate their emotions and struggles into their songs compared to the superficial rappers of old. Cole’s most popular song, “No Role Modelz,” is arguably his best song because it talks about his childhood and shouts out some of his family members, something everyone can relate to. There is also Drake, one of the most prominent rappers as of now, who has 41 songs on the US Hot Rap top 100. He has almost beaten out the Beatles, one of the most famous vintage bands, with a record of 20 songs on the Hot 100. In the next few years, it’s possible that Drake will overtake the Beatles.

Although many people consider older music more personal or more lyrical, lyrics nowadays have just as much meaning to them as vintage songs. Songs like “Prom Queen” by Beach Bunny talk about the beauty standards people have these days. The line “Wish I was like you / Blue-eyed blondie, perfect body” shows that the modern beauty standard is a slim, glammedup girl with blonde hair. In the song, she goes to say that some people starve themselves to fit into these beauty standards, which is true, and that everyone’s appearance needs to be celebrated. Compare this to vintage music, in which girls who looked like this were praised and idolized, and music today appears much more personal. Music today can also come from anywhere, including people’s struggles or their happiness. In “Out of My League” by Fitz and The Tantrums, the band sings about loving a “perfect girl” who they think is out of their league, but who still loves them for who they are. This modern love song is iconic, and its catchy tune would not be where it is without the meaning behind it.

The topic of music is so vast that it is almost hard to put an opinion on it. Lots of people have different opinions and different tastes in music. People’s tastes can differ from country to rap to alternative, but any frequent music listener can agree that music has evolved over the years, and in this case, has evolved for the better.

1. Wait a Minute! - Willow

2. Hey Ya! - Outkast

3. She Looks So Perfect5 Seconds of Summer

4. Best Friend - Rex Orange County

5. Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye, Kimbra

6. Money - The Drums

7. Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun

8. 3 Nights - Dominic Fike

9. Tongue Tied - Grouplove

10. Notion - The Rare Occasions

BY JOLIE BAUS

With the spooky holiday just around the corner, the release of Halloween Kills in theaters on Oct. 15 couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Even movie-goers who aren’t big on horror are somewhat familiar with the Halloween films, or at least the franchise’s infamous antagonist Michael Myers.

Halloween Kills, despite being the newest installment to an undoubtedly legendary franchise in cinema horror, was more of a disappointment than the thrilling experience it should and could have been. Directed by David Gordon Green and starring a few familiar faces, such as the franchise’s final girl Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), from preceding films, the movie at least had some potential to cultivate a formidable and climactic slasher masterpiece.