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The observer | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
“Only Wanna Be With You (Pokémon 25 Version)” — Post Malone By Ryan Israel, Scene Editor
The context surrounding this song is baffling, to say the least. For the 25th anniversary of a Japanese video game turned dominant media franchise (Pokémon), a former rapper, current superstar singer (Post Malone) covers the hit song (“Only Wanna Be With You”) of a quintessential ‘90s college rock band (Hootie & The Blowfish). It makes total sense, right? Outrageous circumstances aside, Post Malone’s cover isn’t half bad. The song plays to his strengths, letting him stretch out his vocals over the guitar-heavy chorus. While he doesn’t reach the deep register of Darius Rucker, he holds his own. The song’s biggest flaw is its forced inclusion of sound effects from the Pokémon games; the digital bleep-bloops and keys crowd the instrumental and leave the song feeling overproduced. Perhaps the best part of Post Malone’s cover is the potential it signals for his upcoming work. He’s finding inspiration in rock music past — early in quarantine, he did an awesome performance covering the music of Nirvana — and leaning into the guitar. A true Post Malone rock album may not be on the horizon, but maybe we can get an “MTV Unplugged” performance. I can only hope.
“Rainforest” — Noname By Aidan O’Malley, Scene Writer
“Noname” is an unfortunately apt title for one of the best artists currently in the rap game — far too few people are familiar with her work. You might have heard
By DILLON BEGLEY Scene Writer
When it comes to Marvel and its Cinematic Universe (MCU), we as an audience are always told to expect the unexpected. However, all 23 films released thus far share many things in common. They all follow a similar story arc, are known to be magnificent CGI set pieces and are all presented as two or two-and-a-half hour movies. With “WandaVision,” Marvel has subverted even those expectations, turning its own template upside down with a new venture into television on Disney+. The first Marvel television show to premiere on Disney+, “WandaVision” started in January and finished with its series finale on Mar. 5. Now, this was not Marvel’s first live-action show ever, as they’ve produced previous shows such as “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Daredevil” and “Jessica Jones.” However, this would be the first show to truly be considered canon in the MCU and to tie heavily into the Marvel franchise movies. Instead of being presented as one singular two-hour movie, “WandaVision” comes as nine separate 30-40 minute episodes released weekly. Furthermore, instead of being primarily actionfocused, this show follows the tradition of one of television’s earliest inventions, the sitcom. Essentially, it’s a sitcom set in the MCU with some special twists. And I loved every second of it. This show is nothing but pure fun with two of our now most beloved Marvel characters. As Wanda, Elizabeth Olsen gives her best
the Chicago-born rapper’s features on various songs by Chance the Rapper — “Lost” off of “Acid Rap,” for instance, or my personal favorite, “Drown” off of “Coloring Book.” In the intervening years, Noname has established an outstanding career of her own, and — no offense to Chance — has eclipsed him two or three times over. “Rainforest” is the lead single off Noname’s forthcoming third record, “Factory Baby,” which is due at some point this year. Produced by The Kount with featured vocals by Adam Ness, it is, as Rolling Stone so aptly described it, “revolutionary music you can dance to.” Noname isn’t quiet about her socialist influences; on “Rainforest,” she weaves together a rich tapestry of political and philosophical ideas ranging from the ills of capitalism to the destruction of the natural world, as well as how those issues compound one another if you’re Black. Noname isn’t a lyricist so much as she is a poet, and after you give “Rainforest” a listen — which you must — you’ll want to dive into its Genius page and linger over each and every line. Also, stream her first two records, “Telefone” and “Room 25.”
parroted the Gap Band. His new single, “Leave The Door Open” — released as a part of the Anderson .Paak collaboration Silk Sound — is the latest track in this lineage, fitting into a 70s-influenced sweet spot that owes as much to Billy Paul as it does Bobby Charles. .Paak and Mars trade lines over a tight full-band arrangement, albeit one that never quite flourishes into the same Isley Brothers-meet-Morris Day vibe that marks Mars’ finest work.
“Spinning” — No Rome (with The 1975 and Charli XCX) By Dessi Gomez, Scene Writer
By Jake Winningham, Associate Scene Editor
“Spinning” lives up to its name with a chaotic cacophony of sound. This great collaboration between No Rome, The 1975 and Charli XCX is an ideal release for springtime, when we start to get that taste of summer and good weather. The song’s upbeat dance mix will cheer you up when the permacloud inevitably returns in late March or April. I currently relate to the song as a second semester senior trying to figure out post-grad life while also doing my best to enjoy my time left on campus. I will play this song in those moments of bliss that go by in a blur because before I know it, I will be graduating and wishing I had enjoyed these moments more. This song also gives me hope for a picture that Matty Healy of The 1975 put on his Instagram story last week featuring up and coming artist Holly Humberstone.
Bruno Mars has burnished his best-weddingband-ever vibe on the backs of singles aimed at updating the most popular sounds of decades past: “Locked out of Heaven” quoted from the Police just as much as “Uptown Funk” (perhaps illicitly)
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“Leave the Door Open” — Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
performance to date. She shows range, handling both the traditional sitcom moments and the deep emotional ones we’re more used to. Paul Bettany also gives a superb performance as Vision and is similarly excellent in the sitcom aspect of the episodes. Vision’s character arc throughout the series is worthwhile and leaves hints for future projects. The writing and dialogue for these characters and others were outstanding. The same can be said for the directing of the show. Its cinematography is certainly inspired by classic shows of the past and it truly emulates these shows with certain episodes. Each episode before the finale takes place in a different decade so-tospeak and imitates that decade’s version of sitcom television. The first three episodes are reminiscent of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “I Love Lucy.” Later on, they turn to‘70s and ‘80s shows, but my personal favorites are the episodes which are reminiscent of 2000s classics like “Malcolm and the Middle” and “Modern Family.” The writing for this show is well done and also supremely funny when imitating these classics. “WandVision” is primarily about our two main characters, although there are some other nice additions like Kat Dennings and Randall Park that make their returns to the Marvel Universe. While the side plots are intriguing, it’s Olsen and Bettany as Wanda and Vision who really hold the show together, and it’s in their main plotlines where the show shines, delving deep into the psyche of the couple. The show
Ryan Israel at risrael1@nd.edu Aidan O’Malley at aomalle2@nd.edu Jake Winningham at jwinning@nd.edu Dessi Gomez at dgomez5@nd.edu
appropriately continues Wanda’s storyline from what we have seen in “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” and there are even some great callbacks to her start in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” too. It also deals with her trauma and past tragedies from these films. “WandaVision” keeps the audience guessing with its little hints about the greater mystery to be solved. This viewer didn’t even realize who the true villain was until the last two episodes. That and all the post-credits scenes certainly help shape the future of the MCU and set-up more potential mov ies and shows. Anyone who is a fan of the Marvel movies should give this show a shot, although they should be aware that it is not like the movies in terms of presentation. With that said, I strongly suggest binge-watching this show as soon as possible. Its high quality has me extremely excited for the other Marvel shows — “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and “Loki” — coming out later this year. Contact Dillon Begley at dbegley@hcc-nd.edu
“WandaVision” Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Kathryn Hahn Favorite Episodes: Episode 6, Episode 9 If You Like: Marvel movies, classic sitcoms
MARY O’REILLY | The Observer