12 October 3, 2017
Arts & Life
Forever 21’s rosycheeked brainchild KERRY INGRAM Asst. Arts & Life Editor
Courtesy of J Rust
In an interview with “Uncut Magazine,” Arctic Monkeys frontrunner Alex Turner said “Cornerstone” is about trying to meet girls in pubs who remind him of the one he’s trying to forget.
The most beautiful slow songs CHLOË WILLIAMS Columnist
“I’m Outta Time” by Oasis This song is incredibly powerful. It is almost like a soft goodbye lullaby and a promise that you will do alright on your own. “I’m Outta Time” is about parting ways and outgrowing an old life. The soft, mellow instrumentals are part of what makes this such an emotionally touching piece. This sets the stage for advanced and creative work while maintaining a driving, structural foundation. “I’m Outta Time” fades away with the light, chiming ticking of a clock. “Waiting” by Jule Vera “Waiting” is an elegant yet heart-breaking piece. The beautiful, yet, simple piano allows for a wide range of emotive vocal display. The build-up from the verses to the chorus is extremely powerful and drives the emotion to a new intensity. The vocals are delivered in a light, floating manner, but accented in just the right places to create a desperate and wistful track. “Blackbird” by The Beatles Here is a song that reminds me of home. While you may have heard this song before, I highly encourage you to revisit the tune. “Blackbird” is a song yearning for more and describing the youthful desire for freedom. Soft metronome taps accompany outstanding acoustic guitar, highlighted with singing birds in the background. “Blackbird” is a humble song that will improve whatever mood in which you find yourself. “Cornerstone” by Arctic Monkeys “Cornerstone” describes the humorous chase for a woman the singer has lost and follows his adventures chasing her all over the city. The instrumentals
of this track are really what makes the piece so fantastic. Perhaps the most impressive is the heart-pounding and ultra-present bassline accompanied by the clean and chiming guitar-work. Overall, “Cornerstone” is a finely-crafted piece that offers both comedy and romantics. "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind This song is a classic and important one at that. "Jumper" has such a hopeful and pleading mood, as lead singer Stephan Jenkins suggests "maybe today we can put the past away." The groovy drum, bass and electric guitar solos make this song stand out. The instrumentals are acoustic and comforting, displaying a begging voice. The chiming guitar and building drums beautifully frame verses and the chorus. "Jumper" is an invitation to take care of yourself and a request to consider life a worthwhile experience. “Cancer” by My Chemical Romance “Cancer” is one of the rawest and most emotional songs you will ever hear. Singer Gerard Way is speaking directly to the listener, begging and lamenting with every lyric. The soft piano, backing drumbeat and heightening strings bring this song to such a theatrical, yet real, peak. This track evokes such pure and unadulterated melancholy in the most elegant and exquisite of ways. If you are looking for a song to break your heart and make you feel something, I have found you the perfect song. "Ophelia" by The Lumineers "Ophelia" is a finely crafted song that will distance you from the world. The song is first presented with folksy tambourine, stomps and harsh piano chords. The vocals are echoing and chases after the piano keys that fall like rain in-between stanzas. The blend of dark folk and happy pop are a clev-
er musical choice and is what makes "Ophelia" such an extraordinary track. "Piledriver Waltz" by Alex Turner In general, I refer to Alex Turner, frontman of Arctic Monkeys, as a wordsmith because of the elegantly poetic phrases he utilizes constantly within all his music. "Piledriver Waltz" is no exception with its colorful visual imagery and lyrics that flow effortlessly off the tongue. This song provokes a necessary pondering of the words that have been placed together in seemingly impossible ways. The dark piano tones, finely placed drum set and almost distant guitar provides a sense of setting to the listener. “Crickets” by Creeper “Crickets” is harrowing, heart-wrenching and tragic, but do not let that steer you away. This track features a singing violin, folksy guitar, impassioned vocals and ambient crickets. The lyrics are delivered so raw and coarsely by Creeper’s usual pianist, Hannah Greenwood. Greenwood’s voice is what sells “Crickets,” with her raspy held notes and spot-on pitches. This track laments of a love that is long gone, but will not leave her mind. Emotionally intense, yet strangely exquisite, “Crickets” is not a track to miss. “Eyelids” by PVRIS “Eyelids” is a darker, ambient pop track that centers around the singer’s experiences with falling asleep and waking up. Mellow synths accompany outlying guitar work to create the basis for this slow song. The song presents itself as a sort of faux-lullaby as vocalist Lyndsey Gunnulfsen sings of the difficulties in dealing with an ever-distancing lover. The placement of so many different instrumental pieces in an almost non-narrative way mixed with gentle, ethereal vocals creates an incredibly original feel.
Millennial makeup-mavens rejoice (try saying that three times fast) – Riley Rose, Forever 21’s new beauty retailer, made its grand debut in California on Sept. 30, and it’s set to open 12 other store locations in the coming months, including one in the Towson Town Center on Dulaney Valley Road. The store is set up to be like a makeup heaven for digital lovers – think fun pops of color laced within a chicly-furnished store space, shelves of the latest products and trends seen on the internet, and selfie stations (yes, selfie stations) set up at the center of the store for you to catch a picture-perfect look that’s sure to get you a ton of likes. Does this sound like a dream to you? Well, good morning. The Riley Rose team has now made this a reality sure to keep you wide awake. The boutique was founded by Esther and Linda Chang (daughters of the Forever 21 founders). The idea came to them after seeing how Forever 21’s mini beauty selection had grown in popularity. The duo linked the success
of affordable-yet-worthy beauty finds to the continuous use of social media, noting that technology plays a large role in their consumers lives. “We embrace this reality by empowering [our customers] to explore our offerings through digital and social moments throughout the store,” said Linda Chang in an interview with Refinery29. The stores will be selling mainstream brands such as Essie and Stila Cosmetics; PETA-endorsed, cruelty-free brands like Brite Organix and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics; and cult-favorite internet brands like Lime Crime and Glitter Injections. The first store opened at the Glendale Galleria in California on Saturday, Sept. 30. The location welcomed bloggers and writers for a sneak preview just two nights before, creating mass excitement that caused a hefty turnout. The brand kept its followers updated and included in the opening festivities through its Instagram story. The exact date of the Riley Rose grand opening for Towson’s mall has yet to be confirmed, but one thing is for certain: Forever 21’s beauty baby is sure to be loved by many.
Courtesy of Riley Rose
This photo of the storefront was posted to the Riley Rose Instagram account, “@rileyrose,” on Sept. 30 and already has over 1,500 likes.