Category: Opinion

Column: All Eyes on Sudan

Americans must learn about modern humanitarian crisis

by Ameerah Gbadamosi

Sometimes there are problems that exist on the other side of the world that we don’t know about or pay much attention to. For example ,Sudan.

Sudan is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history due to the ongoing conflict happening between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the parliamentary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) plunges the nation deeper into turmoil.

The war, which started in April 2023, has devastated communities, displaced millions and worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Even before the war erupted in 2023, Sudan was already experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis that left 15.8 million people in need of aid. Now over two years of war have drastically worsened the living conditions, displacing over 12 million people and leaving 30.4 million people, more than half of Sudan’s population in need of humanitarian support.

More than two years of the civil war going on in Sudan, the civilians are subject to frequent attacks and human right violation, while the country’s health care system has collapsed as life-threatening famine sets in. The attacks on humanitarian aid workers have made it difficult to deliver life saving  aid to some of the most fragile and vulnerable communities in the world.

The famine spreading around Sudan as violence hinders humanitarian’s ability to deliver food. Meanwhile soaring food prices and collapse of food supply left families starving.

Between December 2024 and May 2025, over 26.4 million are trapped in a health deteriorating food insecurity, over 630,000 people including in the country’s largest camp for displaced people are experiencing extreme famine conditions and a very high risk of death, the severe food shortage also leaves people vulnerable to illness and infection due to lack of essential nutrients.  

Children are among the most vulnerable to famine. An estimated 15 million boys and girls require humanitarian assistance in Sudan, nearly double the 7.8 million at the start of 2023. More than 2.9 million children in Sudan are acutely malnourished, and an additional 729,000 children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

Despite the threats of the famine ongoing in Sudan, both the SAF and RSF are actively restricting aid delivery across Sudan. International organizations like the World Food Programme say they cannot access 90% of the people facing emergency levels of hunger in Sudan.

As if the famine and their suffering isn’t enough, there is an increased risk of sexual violence and an alarming rise of gender based violence against women and girls during times of armed conflict.

In war torn Sudan, rape is likely being used as a weapon of war, and in less than two years, the number of people at risk of gender-based violence has more than tripled. 

An estimate of 12.1 million people or 25 percent of the population are at risk of gender based violence with frontline responders and survivors reporting alarming rates of rape, abuse, coersion, and child marriage, trafficking, while survivors struggle to access support.

In Darfur alarming rates of sexual violence underscore the immense suffering endured in those dire situations, which reveals the exceptional vulnerability of women and girls that live there.

As of April 2025, nearly 13 million people living in Sudan have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. 8 million have been internally displaced by the conflict in Sudan, 1 million refugees lived in Sudan prior to the current conflict-the second highest refugee population in Africa.   

The war and genocide in Sudan has not been talked about enough, with what they go through each day. People fear for their own lives because they never know when the war will end or what will happen to them. Women and little girls being raped, famine spreading everywhere, People fleeing their homes because of bombings.

What we can do to help the people living in Sudan is donate anything to a charity cause that helps Sudan, make videos or posts about what’s happening so others can know or donate.  

10 facts about Sudan

  • Sudan is located in Northeast Africa sharing its border with seven countries.
  • Sudan is home to more pyramids than Egypt.
  • The capital of Sudan is Khartoum, with an estimated population of 9.3 million in the city.
  • Arabic is the main language of Sudan.
  • The majority of Sudan’s population is Muslim.
  • Sudan hosts over 500 ethnic groups.
  • Sudan was once home to the Kingdom of Kush, an African kingdom.
  • Sudan was the largest country in size until 2011.
  • There are over 100 indigenous languages spoken in Sudan.
  • The Arab population makes up approximately 70% of the country.
by jhshyphen

Column: Why we should still read physical books 

by Chloe Newton

In a non-stop motion world that just keeps speeding up, we can be tempted to let screens take over every aspect of our lives – even our reading. E-books are convenient, and our phones are always in reach; it might seem like the easier option. But there’s a reason physical books are still around and continue to hang on, even when the rest of our world and routine has gone digital. A real book does something a screen can not replace, and pretending they are the same experience is selling reading short. 

Graphic by Chloe Newton.

Firstly, a physical book forces you to be present. When you’re holding a book, you are not constantly checking the time or flipping to another app every time our mind wanders to something new. There’s a kind of focus that only physical media can give you – it requires you to sit and stay for a moment without thinking about all of the other distractions in our lives. That kind of slow attention is getting rare, and it is worth protecting.

There is also something physical about the memory of these moments. People often remember where something happened on the page, whether it be in the middle of the chapter or the top left corner. That spatial awareness helps us absorb and recall information better than reading on a glowing screen. Reading books physically helps our  brain build a map of the story, not just a trail of scrolling or hitting the turn page button.

“Reading is supposed to be more than content consumption. It’s supposed to be an immersive experience. While technology can have a place in our lives, there’s still nothing better than the feeling of opening and closing a book, turning physical pages, and letting the rest of the world take a backseat.”

 Honestly, there is the simple pleasure of the book itself. A book has weight. It ages with the world. It can be loaned, shared, annotated, or thrown in a bag without worrying about a charger or if you will have internet access. A shelf of books tells a story about the kind of person you are in a way a Kindle or tablet never will. When you finish a book and can close it, there’s a sense of accomplishment-something real in our  hands, not just a digital checkmark or finish line. 

Finally, physical books give us a break from the constant digital noise. We spend so much time on screen at school, work, home, and even in communication that reading becomes one of the only chances to unplug. It’s healthy to step away from the fluorescent light and algorithms and just let our mind wander through our thoughts and through a story that isn’t competing for attention.

Reading is supposed to be more than content consumption. It’s supposed to be an immersive experience. While technology can have a place in our lives, there’s still nothing better than the feeling of opening and closing a book, turning physical pages, and letting the rest of the world take a backseat. That is something worth keeping in mind.

by jhshyphen

Review: Inspiring message makes ‘The Greatest Showman’ a musical must-see

by Sanae Ittu

“The Greatest Showman” is a musical about P.T. Barnum, a man who wants to build a life bigger than what he was born into. He creates a circus that gives people who feel left out, a place where they finally belong. The story focuses on following our dreams, even when others think we can’t. It also shows how success can be exciting, but it can create new problems, too.

The main character, Barnum, has a huge imagination and is always chasing something bigger. One character I really respect and admire is Barnum’s wife, Charity. She stands by her husband from the very beginning when he has nothing. She gives up her comfortable life to be right by him and support his dream. She believes in his dream from the very beginning, and that loyalty makes her stand out to me. 

The cast of this movie really stands out, especially the people who bring performances to life. Out of all actors, Hugh Jackman as Barnum stood out the most to me. He brings so much emotion into his character that it’s easy to believe his character wants to make a difference. He also handles the singing and dancing so effortlessly. 

Zendaya and Zac Efron also add to the movie, especially the chemistry in the scenes they share as Anne Wheeler and Phillip Carlyle, but Jackman definitely carries the whole story.

The music is a huge part of why this movie stands out. Every song has emotion behind it and helps tell the story. “Rewrite The Stars” is my personal favorite because the lyrics and harmony goes together, and every part of the song feels smooth. The soundtrack adds excitement and heart to every scene. The circus itself looks colorful and full of energy, making us wish we could see that in real life.

Even though some people say musicals can feel cheesy, I think the songs in this movie make the message even stronger. And while I didn’t like one specific choice a character makes, it reminds us that nobody is perfect, even the people that seem like they have everything. That honestly makes the movie more real.

What I like most is how everyone in the circus sticks together and lifts each other up when the world tries to bring them down. It shows how family can be people who accept us and support us no matter what. The message of confidence and belonging hits hard.

I would definitely recommend “The Greatest Showman” because it has powerful music, stunning visuals, and a story that makes us think about chasing our dreams. It leaves us feeling emotional and inspired. It reminds us to never forget where we come from and to keep going after our dreams. The message stays with us after the movie ends.

Movie Review Chart

Title: The Greatest Showman

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams

Director: Michael Gracey

Writer: Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon

Rated: PG

by jhshyphen

Review: One Direction’s final album says ‘goodbye’ to fans

by Journey Savage

One Direction hits the charts again with their fifth & final studio album, Made in the A.M, with the album only being released for one week. The number one hit was “Drag Me Down,” a lead number one single before the album was released. Fans all around the world are excited for another album by One Direction. Made in the A.M was an album that was similar to their other albums, but also had a goodbye sort of tone to the album and the lyrics being said.

In 2010, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Liam Payne all tried out for the X Factor. They didn’t know who anyone was. They were all strangers to each other. At the end of auditions, the judges paired up the boys together, and they sort of just went off from there with their success. They named themselves “One Direction.”

After the X-Factor auditions and they formed their boyband, they wrote and published their first single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” on September 11, 2011, getting over 1.7 billion streams as of November 2024. From there, the success just sort of took off. They released their first album, ‘Up All Night,’ in November 2011. From that point forward, they released an album every single year, following a tour.

One Direction never really got a break. They would either be writing music, or be on the road touring, or even sometimes both. This led to mental health declines in some of the members, specifically Zayn Malik. In March of 2015, Malik released a statement saying he was no longer a part of the band. It wasn’t anything with the band; he was just struggling mentally with the fact that he never really had a break. He was always doing something. Malik also had really bad anxiety at the time. He had been producing music with the boys since 2011 at the age of roughly 18. He was mentally tired. This led to a hiatus after the rest of the band finished the ‘On the Road Again’ Tour and released Made in the A.M.

Made in the A.M was One Direction’s final album, with the remaining four members, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne. They open with a beautiful song labeled “Hey Angel.” This song has the most beautiful chorus in it, and really pushes their vocals to the limit, creating a masterpiece of a song. 

The final song on the album is “History.” To me, this song is really like a goodbye piece, not only to Zayn, who left the band, but to the fans. All the songs in between “Hey Angel” and “History” are sort of like goodbye songs in a way. They aren’t saying goodbye to the fans themselves; they are also saying goodbye to the memories they made along the way and the last time they will be all together as a band. Every song in the album is like a goodbye song to me. They are saying goodbye to the only part of life they ever knew together. There would be no more tours together, and no more songwriting together ever again.

One of my personal favorites on the album is a song called “Infinity.’’ The lyrics just go together so perfectly. My favorite lyric in the entire part is, “How many nights does it take you to count the stars, that’s the time it would take to fix my heart.” To me, those lyrics are saying something so deep and personal, almost as if they are trying to fix a void in their hearts they are missing. They’re trying to fix a broken piece that is no longer there through song lyrics.   At the time, I don’t think One Direction knew it was officially the end of the band and an amazing chapter in their lives, but I think they were ready for their solo careers, which they followed a couple of years after the band had gone on hiatus. One Direction never officially announced a “breakup,” they called it more of an “18-month hiatus.” I guess it is safe to say, One Direction hasn’t come back, and if they still did, it would break the internet worldwide extremely fast.

RIP Liam Payne  August 1993 – October 2024

Graphic by Journey Savage.
by jhshyphen

Review: Phoebe Bridgers ‘Stranger In the Alps’ debut blends important themes with wistful sound

by Abigail Hall

“I went with you up to the place you grew up in.”

Phoebe Bridgers opens her debut album, Stranger In The Alps, with this lyric from “Smoke Signals.” The album, released Sept. 22, 2017, explores themes such as nostalgia and childhood relationships, combining them with a wistful and melancholic sound.

Bridgers herself was born on August 17, 1994, in Pasadena, California. She wrote her first song at the age of 11, and she was in multiple bands, including Sloppy Jane, throughout her years in high school. Prior to releasing Stranger In The Alps, affectionately known to fans by the acronym SITA, Bridgers released an EP titled The Killer EP, featuring songs like “Georgia” and “Steamroller.”

Graphic by Abigail Hall.

Bridgers and her fanbase, known commonly as “Pharbs,” excitedly listened to Stranger In The Alps on its release day eight years ago.

It opens with a song called “Smoke Signals.” The song starts with an instrumental opening, a mixture of bass and violin. Bridgers writes about meeting someone, a partner or significant other, and learning of their past, as well as finding out they have struggled through some of the same things, which made it seem like they were looking for each other subconsciously. 

In the last verse of the track, she includes the lyric, “I buried a hatchet; it’s coming up lavender.” This symbolizes a past resentment for her situation that has grown into calm and a sense of peace, presumably with the help of the aforementioned partner. “Smoke Signals” fades out with an instrumental closing, focused on bass and bells.

An immediate bass guitar strum introduces the next song, “Motion Sickness.” Her theme of past resentment and nostalgia continues with the first lyric: “I hate you for what you did, and I miss you like a little kid.” Bridgers mentions having “emotional motion sickness” and sings about her experiences with an older person, implying her experience with being groomed. 

Bridgers uses vague lyrics that could relate to many people, yet they still hold personal meaning to her. For example, one of the most iconic lyrics in the song: “You were in a band when I was born.” Reading between the lines, listeners can infer that the person she was involved with was old enough, likely an adult, to have a band while Bridgers was a baby. The words hold weight, drawing in many listeners who share similar experiences. The entire song builds up to the bridge, where her tone takes on something more angry when she sings, “You said when you met me you were bored.” The chords on the guitar gradually fade out into something more wistful.

A seemingly string ensemble transitions into the next song, “Funeral.” A heavier theme belongs to this song, as Bridgers sings about her guilt: “Wishing I was someone else, feeling sorry for myself, when I remember someone’s kid is dead.” Again, she draws in listeners with her relatable emotions, allowing people to feel less alone when they tune in. Though it seems to be about a funeral, this track is more about Bridgers and her awareness of being self-absorbed in depression, making it hard to think much about how others are feeling. She ends the song with a heavy lyric, summing up the whole song and implementing the feeling of guilt and dread all in one. “And it’s 4 a.m. again; And I’m doing nothing again.”

Skipping ahead to arguably the most notable song on the album and perhaps in Bridgers’ entire discography, “Scott Street.”

“Scott Street” begins with a soft guitar solo that completely encapsulates the feeling of nostalgia, which is the aching theme throughout the lyrics. Bridgers puts the feeling of going back to your childhood home in words, her powerful words making your heart sink with memories. A well-renowned lyric, one of the most well-known on the record, is “Do you feel ashamed when you hear my name?” Paired with the heartbreaking guitar, bicycle bells from her childhood, and train whistles in the background, Bridgers has your chest aching. Before you have time to recover, whether from her lyricism or from the memories she’d dug up, she hits you with one of the most heart-wrenching and nostalgia-ridden lyrics ever written: “Anyway, don’t be a stranger.”

While Bridgers has since released another solo album, Punisher, and multiple solo projects with bands like boygenius, Stranger In The Alps remains in the heart of many fans. Her lyricism, experiences, haunting instrumentals, and her somber voice invoke a sense of longing and sentiment in her listeners. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a “pharb” or not, this album will stick sweetly with you.

“Don’t be a stranger.”

by jhshyphen

Review: ‘The Breakfast Club’ offers more than just Saturday detention 

by Kori Washington

He wrote it in two days.

This is how long it took filmmaker and producer John Hughes to write the script for the 80s classic “The Breakfast Club.” He had been inspired by an early draft of the script, which was discovered years later, after the movie premiered.

Fun fact. The film’s title was inspired by the name of a detention program at his friend’s son’s school. This is important because the title’s symbolic meaning lies in showing the unlikely “club” of outcasts from different social cliques. 

Graphic by Kori Washington.

This leads me into the plot of the story. The story begins on one morning when five students of different social groups are all put together for Saturday detention. Once all students are in the building, the vice principal, Richard Vernon, assigns them to write a 1,000-word essay with the prompt “Who you think you are?” 

But as the day goes on, the students realize they have more in common than they thought.

The film was great. I love how Hughes made every character different, with totally different lives, but in the end, they all had problems. Throughout the movie, the characters slowly start to warm up to each other, which leads them to reveal the reason they ended up in detention in one big circle.

This is my favorite part of the movie because this scene shows so much emotion and passion.

And the person who really stuck out to me in this scene was Anthony Michael Hall, who plays Brian Johnson in the film. He really stood out to me because he was talking about the stress of trying to be this perfect kid who also gets straight A’s on everything, and during this scene, I could really relate to him.

During this scene, I also loved seeing each character share their story and tell everyone about all the trouble they have in their lives, which I think was very healing for each of them to share what they had bottled up for so long.  

Overall, I think “The Breakfast Club” was an amazing movie because it shows how different people can come together and really understand each other. It teaches that everyone has their own struggles, and sometimes all it takes is opening up to realize we’re not that different after all.

by jhshyphen

Review: ‘Coco’ teaches about the importance of family

by Ameerah Gbadamosi

“Seize your moment” is a quote from “Coco” that always stuck with me when I finished watching and re-watching the movie.

The movie “Coco” follows a young boy with love and passion for music, wanting to be a musician just like his idol, Ernesto De la Cruz, but his family’s generational ban on music makes it impossible. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the colorful land of the dead in order to get Ernestro De la Cruz’s blessing. He meets a charming trickster named Hector, and the two friends embark on a journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Directed by Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich, the animation style of “Coco” has a very vibrant and colourful aesthetic with thorough details that are presented both in the living world and in the Land of the Dead, with every single character having unique designs, and with the designs being culturally important and respectful.

Other films by Molina and Unkrich include “Toy Story 3,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo,” in which everything except “Monsters, Inc.” are my personal favorites because similar to “Coco,” the characters are relatable in their own way.

The songs of the movie were my favourite part of the whole movie, mainly “Remember Me.,” Thethe song was very heartfelt, beautiful and inspiring, especially knowing the backstory of why the song was written; it talks about Hector missing his family, wanting to be with them, but also wanting his daughter not to forget him when he left.

“Un Poco Loco” was my favorite song in “Coco,” sung by Miguel and Hector during a music contest in the Land of the Dead. The lyrics talk about a woman driving a man crazy, written by Hector for his love for Imelda, because of all the nonsense she responds to when he asks her questions about her life.

The voice casts for the characters in “Coco” were perfect, as each role fit how the character would act. The voice actor for Miguel, Anthony Gonzalez, really captured the characterization, from how he acted to how he portrayed his feelings about not being able to play music.

Other movies Gonzalez has starred in are “I Believe,” “Bogota,” “Call Me Luke,”  and “Dead Lion.” I haven’t watched any of those movies yet, but I’ve heard great reviews about him.  

The voice actress for Mana Imelda, Alanna Ubach, did an amazing job on portraying her character well. Other movies she has been in are “Legally Blonde 1, 2, 3”; “Venom: The Last Dance,” “Rango,” “Ted,” and “Scooby-doo and the Ghoul School” and many other famous movies.

In conclusion, Coco is a really good movie that teaches people about being cultural appropriation; the settings and the holidays were portrayed very well, though I wish they had gone more in depth in each of the characters background, especially Hector’s and Ernesto De la Cruz’s, because I really wanted to know more about their childhoods, how they became friends and why they became friends. 

TV Show Report Card

Movie Title: Coco (2017)

Acting: A-

Direction: A+

Writing: B

My Grade: A-

by jhshyphen

Review: ‘Twilight’ saga is a dark love story with mystery and danger

by Breslyn Dozal

The Twilight saga extends beyond just a story and characters. It also marked a significant moment in film marketing and fan engagement. The franchise utilized social media and fan events to build a strong community around the movies, encouraging fans to connect with each other and share their passion. This approach helped maintain excitement between film releases and created a sense of belonging among fans, many of whom felt deeply connected to the characters and themes.

Graphic by Breslyn Dozal.

Each movie in the series brought new elements to the screen, with increasing visual effects to depict the supernatural abilities of vampires and werewolves. For example, the sparkling skin of the Cullens under sunlight became an iconic visual trademark, while the werewolves’ transformations were portrayed with intense CGI to emphasize their powers and primal natures. These effects contributed to the immersive experience and helped distinguish the saga from other fantasy stories.

The actors’ performances evolved over the course of the series, with Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner growing into their roles and developing chemistry that fans appreciated. Behind the scenes, the production faced challenges such as tight schedules and the need to stay faithful to the source material while adapting it for film. Despite these problems, the team delivered a cohesive narrative that satisfied many fans and kept the story’s spirit alive.

The Twilight Saga also striked discussions about its themes, such as the portrayal of romantic relationships, gender roles, and the balance between independence and devotion. Critics and fans debated character choices and the nature of certain character’s love life, which opened up broader conversations about love, identity, and empowerment in young adult fiction. This dialogue added depth to the series’ cultural footprint, showing that it resonated on multiple levels.

For me, this movie really opened my eyes to fiction movies and the supernatural. It changed my perception of certain emotions such as love. Even though the love stories are made up, it really showed me that if we try, life can work out. No matter how hard it might be, it can always end up good.

Another part is acting for me. Most movies based in the 2000s have “cringy” or “awkward” acting. The character Bella Swan, played by Stewart, has some real cringy scenes. She tends to bite her lips a lot or use excessive breathing and blinking. Most scenes like the fight scenes are well thought out and make audiences feel like we’re actually there. And the way the story progresses and more characters are added really brings more life and audience to the films.

Moreover, the franchise’s success led to spin-offs and expanded universe projects, including the “Twilight” book “Midnight Sun,” which retells the story from Edward’s perspective, and the “Twilight” musical adaptations and fan-created content. These extensions kept the world alive and allowed fans to explore different facets of the story and characters.

The Twilight saga is more than just a series of vampire romance films; it’s a cultural phenomenon that influenced entertainment, fandom culture, and the young adult genre. Its legacy is seen in how it brought supernatural romance to mainstream audiences, fostered a passionate community, and sparked ongoing conversations about love and identity in popular media.

Graphic by Breslyn Dozal.

by jhshyphen

Review: Instrumental music artists create powerful emotional responses

by Samantha Campbell

When people think of what instrumental music is, they might think of the music used in tense scenes during action movies, or as far back as Mozart. While they aren’t wrong, instrumental music has more value than to be considered “underrated” in today’s time. 

Songs without words are called instrumental music. The symphonic music and electronic beats create powerful emotional responses through their instrumental melodies. Non-vocal compositions represent a universal art form, which has existed across cultures since ancient times.

Why does this matter now? People in today’s fast-paced society use wordless music tracks to escape mentally and to concentrate. Not many people are fond of listening to instrumental music, especially if they prefer to sing along to the lyrics. In modern taste, most people typically listen to Hip-Hop, Rock, and Pop. 

People may hear a piece but don’t have the ability or experience to really, truly ‘listen‘. To most people, instrumental music is boring. But, there are real benefits to instrumental music. 

Listening to instrumental music can help us concentrate. Whether we’re studying or meditating, the lack of vocals and lyrics helps us focus on our tasks rather than the music. This music will undoubtedly put one in the zone as we allow ourselves to be carried away by the tune. 

There are plenty of different categories of just instrumental music, too. Some may include more soothing instruments, like jazz, while others could be hip-hop related, electronic, or retro. In some scenarios, people may take a popular song of today, and with the use of technology, take away the vocals for just the instrumental. A good example of this would be a game of karaoke – we sing along to our favorite songs with just the music.

I personally enjoy instrumental music over what would be considered “normal” music. It makes me feel calm, collected, and in some cases, creative. I love the way a song can make me feel, so much so when I feel I’ve been given the inspiration to draw or write. 

Instrumental music, in my opinion, also makes me feel more productive in a way; my mind is constantly working alongside the instruments as I use my imagination, unlike when the lyrics are just given to me. I find this genre of music best to listen to during long rides in the car or when doing tedious work, such as chores or paperwork.

Richard David James, known professionally as Aphex Twin, is a British musician, composer and DJ active in electronic music since 1988. His idiosyncratic work has drawn on many styles, including techno, ambient, acid, and jungle, and he has been described as a pioneering figure in the intelligent dance music genre. I love his song “Xtal.” The beat of the song is almost nostalgic, and it’s beautiful.

Nicholas Creus, a small music-artist, is primarily a guitarist and producer based in Los Angeles. Growing up in Madrid, Spain, he listened to pop and rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s, and took up the guitar at age eight. His music includes a lot of instrumentals, such as his song “Watchin’,” which is a personal favorite of mine. 

Idris Ennolandy Vicuña, known professionally as Eyedress, is a Filipino musician who has released albums in various rock, pop and electronic styles. His genre of music falls more into indie pop, but his creativity is enough to consider him a virtuoso. A song he has produced that I enjoy most would be “On Fye.”

Roy Chukwuemeka Nnawuchi, known professionally as Dean Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and contemporary artist. He is best known for his current solo work as well as his previous work as part of the avant-garde duo Hype Williams and the hip-hop project Babyfather. His genre of music includes songs that are instrument based, but have vocals. My favorite songs by him would be “LUSH” for its beautiful crescendo, and “9”, for its poetic-way of singing.

Nicholas Foster Rattigan is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, journalist and music video director from Reno, Nevada. He currently releases music under the moniker Current Joys. He also is the drummer and lead singer of the indie surf rock band Surf Curse. I enjoy their song, “New Flesh.” It speaks volumes to me, and is very nostalgic. 

Instrumental music doesn’t have to tie in with just instrument based music, but it could include songs with vocals who may have the intention to focus their attention toward said instruments. Examples of this may be dramatic guitar riffs that are seconds long, gradually growing crescendo’s, or songs with more instruments than vocals altogether.

A few songs, in my opinion, that really highlight instruments in music include, “The Path Less Traveled” by Vegyn, “Dreamer” by Livin’ Joy, “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode, “Ghosts” by Nostalgiaisfun, “Save a Prayer” by DuranDuran, and “Soul Searching” by Aquarious, Tayla.

My Top 5 “Instrumental” Artists:

  1. Dean Blunt
  2. Aphex Twins
  3. Current Joys
  4. Eyedress
  5. Nicholas Creus
by jhshyphen

Review: ‘Winnie the Pooh’ offers return to childhood enchanted place

by Jilliann Denbo

The first sense of the “Winnie the Pooh” movie, colors on the walls from the TV, the familiar theme song tugging me in. It’s like I’m a kid again. This wasn’t ever only a movie to me. Winnie the Pooh was like a small portal back into my childhood. I always remember sitting on the couch, eager to see all my favorite characters. I always knew how it was going to end or what the characters would say. But the movie never got old. Pooh bear and Piglet always lost or scared. Eeyore always moping around. Tigger jumping. All the characters trying to save Christopher Robin.

There are many movies about “Winnie the Pooh” and the characters, different adventures, different holidays. Some include capturing the “backson” or helping Rabbit find his love for Easter again. Each movie helps children understand friendship and teamwork. These characters show how to be there for each other and to understand each other.

The original movie was made in 1977, called “The many Adventures of Winne the Pooh”. This movie ties in three classic animated shorts “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” (1966), “Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day” (1968), and “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too” (1974). This movie is my absolute favorite movie. The second I hit play I remember what it felt like to see this movie for the first time, giggling when the characters had a small mishap, and loved all characters working together.

The first full length movie focusing on one single character was made in 2000 called “The Tigger Movie.” This movie is full of laughter watching Tigger jumping around and trying to get his friends to learn how to jump around with him. Then he gets upset about not having a family, so he tries to find his family because he believed he couldn’t have a family if they weren’t related to him.

A return to the classic animation style was “Winnie the Pooh” (2011). This movie comes in second place for me. It shows how all the characters truly care about each other. From when Eore was trying to find his tail, or when they all worked together to help Christopher Robin.

These characters like Rabbit, Piglet, And Owl, tend to overreact about many situations, while Tigger, Pooh, Eeyore and the other characters underreact and go with the flow about everything. They all realize that they are family no matter what, and they are all there for each other no matter what. 

The creators of Winnie the Pooh, A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard, created my childhood. These characters aren’t just a childhood fever dream; they embody the beauty of a friendship, acceptance, and just the joys of being together. 

Each character shows an actual human experience. Pooh has a love for honey and shows great pleasure in life’s small pleasures. Piglet’s timid bravery at times shows everyone that great courage is not an absence of fear but the act of facing it. Eeyore’s mournfulness teaches empathy and how important kindness is to everyone. Tigger’s unending energy shows individuality and enthusiasm. Last but not least, Christopher Robin’s wisdom and mindfulness shows the innocence and imagination of childhood. 

Together each character shows that every single personality has a value. And that true friendship means embracing each other. They take in each other as family no matter what. 

Movie Review Chart

Movie Title: Winnie the Pooh

Starring: Winnie the Pooh – Jim Cummings

Director: Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall

Writers: Stephen J Anderson, Clio Chiang, Don Dougherty, Don Hall

Rated: G

My Grade: A+

by jhshyphen

Review: Daniel Caesar’s ‘Son of Spergy’ dives deeply into the complications of relationships

by Jada Belser

I was 14 when I first started to listen to Daniel Caesar. He was the reason I got so into music so deeply. I was just watching YouTube one day — just looking for an animation video probably — and then I saw it.  “Get You” by Daniel Caesar a music video the preview started to play and I was instantly drowned in like a magnetic pull.  

“Through drought and famine, natural disasters my baby has been around for me.” 

That one line changed how I saw music from there on out. The presentation and the output of his voice was like nothing else I have ever heard before a divine feeling. The meaning of the song was a deep relationship, where the narrator feels a profound sense of gratitude and wonder for their partner. I can relate to the meaning on a deeper level now that I’m older. 

Caesar had a humbling experience when starting his career. After a fight with his father, he was briefly homeless. He felt he had no other choice but to pursue his calling as an artist. After leaving home he started doing gigs. Caesar connected with producers and future collaborators  Jordan Evans and Matthew Burnett and began writing and recording what would be his debut EP “Praise  Break.” In 2014 it made chart as #19 on 20 best RnB Albums of 2014. 

After some more collaborations on August 25, 2017 Caesar released his debut album Freudian that took his career to a new level. The album was shortlisted for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize. At the 60th annual Grammy Awards, Caesar won Best R&B Performance for “Get You.” At the 61st Grammy Awards Caesar won best R&B Performance for his single “Best Part.”

Caesar’s newest album Son of Spergy has gone off the charts, especially for his song “Who Knows?”   “I’ll probably be a waste of your time, but who knows? Chances are I’ll step out of line, but who knows?”  — a line many listeners can relate to  as young people. We want a relationship to work out but you never know what could happen. Anything could go wrong. The same thing as saying, “We could break each other’s hearts,” but who knows?

“I’ve been thinking ’bout my precarious future. Will you be there with me by my side, my girl, my shooter? Who’s to say who calculates? Not me, I’m no computer” 

Diving more into the narrative of not knowing what could happen in a relationship, but also not wanting to give up on it just because of that “who knows?” . Caesar’s second runner up “Have a baby (With Me)” this song is about a plea to create a lasting legacy with a partner as their relationship is coming to an end. Creating a family not in the traditional way, but in an emotional attempt to create something permanent– a “new dream”  holding on to their love, which is fading.

“There’s no time to believe in what we could be, We could leave something here

It’s too late for our dreams. We can make a new dream, have a baby with me.”

Album Title: Son of Spergy

Artist : Daniel Caesar

Released: Oct. 24, 2025

Number of Songs: 12

My Grade: A+

by jhshyphen

Review: Pearl Street Treats offers ice cream delights to downtown Jeffersonville

by Cylie Ross

I’m doing my review over Pearl Street Treats, located in downtown Jeff. When I walked in it was very decorative, blue floors, pink walls, ice cream decor everywhere. This is a black- owned family business, all the workers are very nice and welcoming. I decided I was going to try some of the blue bell flavors that they had.

Pearl Street Treats at 301 Pearl Street in downtown Jeffersonville.

The first one was cookies and cream, classic flavor; this is always a safe flavor to go with. The vanilla flavor was kind of weak, but the cookie chunks brought it together. The next flavor I got was chocolate chip cookie dough. I had high hopes for that one because it’s my favorite ice cream flavor, and it was great. I love the cookie dough bites in it.

The next flavor I got was banana pudding. I didn’t know what to expect for this one because banana flavored things aren’t really for me, but it was immaculate. It was very creamy and it had chunks of vanilla wafers in it, and the banana flavor wasn’t like an artificial banana – it tasted like fresh bananas. 

The last flavor that I got was strawberry cheesecake, and this one was amazing. It had chunks of cheesecake in it and also strawberry swirl. It tasted like actual cheesecake. 

This is a really good ice cream shop, with cheap prices and good ice cream. I got four kids’ scoops that were only $1.99 a piece. They also have milkshakes, sundaes, ice cream nachos, floats and more. And it’s right next to the walking bridge, so it would be a great place to take your kids. Come and join us at Pearl Street Treats sometime.

by jhshyphen