Lifestyle
Monday, May 31, 2021
queensjournal.ca
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J. Cole is unapologetically confident on 'The Off-Season' The illustrious rapper takes a stylistic turn and reminds us who is at the top of the game Teagan Sliz Contributor J. Cole’s new album, The OffSeason, is a proclamation of the rapper’s immense success and his desire to continue competing in the rap game. The album’s title accurately reflects its sound: an upbeat meditation on the rapper’s legacy and what’s to come. As Vulture eloquently states, the album is a “sort of a training montage, a bladesharpening exercise not unlike Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. At the age of 36, J. Cole is a seasoned veteran in the rap scene. Releasing his last few albums without any features, the rapper proved that his talent alone was of the caliber to carry an album to platinum success. With The Off-Season, J. Cole is at a point in his career where he can
J. Cole returns with The Off-Season
reflect on his life and where he’s headed from a position of comfort and stability—and that’s exactly what he does. Having established himself as a force to be reckoned with in his own right, J. Cole welcomes artists including 21 Savage, Morray, Bas, Lil Baby, and 6LACK onto this album. The featured artists elevate the rapper’s heavy lyrical sound, which sometimes sounds like a long lecture backed by a soft beat on his solo albums. While this unique sound is what J. Cole is known and adored for, the wide range of voices and styles on The Off-Season make
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for an even more captivating listening experience. The Off-Season’s themes of achievement and continued growth are exemplified in tracks like “95 south,” where the lyrics and beat convey a feeling of invincibility, and in “applying pressure,” where J. Cole alludes to his own success by calling out younger rappers for flaunting riches and clout they have not yet earned or achieved. On “amari,” J. Cole oozes feelings of triumph as he brandishes how far he has come from his rough childhood in Fayetteville, North Carolina,
to be “at the Garden sittin’ half court.” J. Cole exudes selfassurance in his new album. Unapologetic confidence is new for the rapper, whose albums historically focus on heavy selfreflection and social ills he has both experienced and observed, including racism, poverty, and addiction. In comparison to J. Cole’s previous releases, The Off-Season is most similar to his first studio album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, which first earned the rapper notoriety in 2011 through its fun sound and
catchy, single-worthy songs including the hits “Work Out” and “In the Morning,” featuring Drake. With his next album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole reflects on his journey through soulful songs such as “No Role Modelz” and “G. O. M. D,” which focuses on the rapper’s challenging adolescence. J. Cole’s following two albums, 4 Your Eyez Only and KOD, released in 2016 and 2018, respectively, coincided with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the conversation around pervading racism in America. They take on a serious and touching tone as J. Cole takes a lyrical approach to activism on tracks like “Neighbors” and “Once an Addict.” After a three-year break—a literal off-season—J. Cole has returned with an album that showcases a pleasantly surprising stylistic turn. The Off-Season potentially represents a shift towards a more lighthearted and up-beat sound, increased collaboration with other artists, and a move away from dark, though important subject matter. If The Off-Season was just the training montage, I can’t wait for the season opener with his forthcoming album The Fall Off.
Goodbye sweatsuits, hello spring fashion Three spring trends you should invest in Alysha mohamed Senior Lifestyle Editor When it comes to spring fashion, designers are ditching neutrals for pastels and diving headfirst into the world of patterns. This season’s trends take a swift turn from the typical stayat-home aesthetic, which, for me, includes sweatpants and a (sometimes) stained hoodie. Spring fashion in 2021 is vibrant and bold, playing on street-style classics and pushing fashion lovers to step outside of their comfort zones. To help you champion your style this season, I’ve compiled a short list of the most iconic trends plastered across runways and social media. Bodycon dresses (bonus points for cut-outs) After a year of living and working in sweatsuits, it isn’t hard to see the allure of a fitted bodycon dress. A classic bodycon silhouette is one that fits snug to your body, ideally accentuating your figure to highlight the curves.
Mugler and Off-White showcased stunning cut-out dresses in their spring runway shows, and similar styles have filtered down to brands like Zara, H&M, and Princess Polly. SZA was recently seen sporting an intricate black dress with cut-outs around her chest and waist at the Billboard Music Awards. One side of the dress was cut at her upper thigh, elevating the look by flattering not only her waist, but also her legs. If you’re looking for a timeless piece to add to your collection, the bodycon silhouette will never go out of style. Feel free to opt for a more classic dress without the cut-out details—it will stand the test of time. This trend extends past dresses to include fitted tops with fun patterns and rib-knit midi skirts. Consider looking at your local thrift store for items that hug your figure in a way that feels comfortable, and if you’re feeling daring, play with some ’70s-inspired prints.
true staples of the season are roomy trousers that feel like sweatpants. Baggy jeans, popularized by Black American culture and rooted in the ’90s hip hop era, are another variation of this trend that radiate a more laidback feel. For the ultimate baggy jeans, look for a pair that fits your waist but doesn’t hug your thighs. Wear them with a crop top, matching blazer, or t-shirt—the possibilities are endless. They’re great for sitting and lounging, but can also be dressed up for a special occasion.
Micro-influencer Imrose Bhullar often sports wide-leg ripped jeans with a patterned top and baguette bag. For more inspiration on how to wear wide-leg pants, check out Harry Styles and Hailey Bieber’s model-off-duty looks. Pastels Last but not least is the pastel trend, which resurfaces every year and is extremely easy to emulate. This year, the must-wear colour is sage green. Brands like Aritzia have tapped into our obsession with sage by offering their most
popular dresses and shorts in multiple light green shades, acting as the hub for all your pastel desires. If you’re like me and more comfortable in neutrals, look for small ways to add colour to your spring outfits. A great place to start is with accessories like shoulder bags and sunglasses. You can also spice up a monochromatic fit with a colourful necklace or set of earrings, especially if you want to dip your toe into the trend before diving in.
Wide-leg pants I’m always down for pants that are comfortable and stylish. If you are too, you need to cop a pair of wide-leg pants for this spring. It seems low-waisted jeans were a microtrend, and the
Your guide to spring fashion in 2021
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