REVIEW

BY ALEXZA BAHNMILLER MANAGING EDITOR

“Gloria,” released Jan. 27, marks Sam Smith’s fourth album. Audiences first glimpsed the sound of Smith’s new album nearly a year ago, when the single ‘Love Me More’ dropped on April 18. A self-love ballad, it was the perfect initial song, with a message that trickled nicely into the overall theme of the entire “Gloria” album.

Smith’s third album, “Love Goes,” was released in 2020, and it was filled with songs pertaining to love and anguish, de- making sleep seem futile. Totaro has found that distracting her brain by listening to podcasts can help her find peace for a restful night.

“When I have trouble sleeping, my mind is just really anxious and racing, or I am not tired,” Totaro said. “These stories give me something to think about that is not worrisome. It is very peaceful to me and I find that I fall asleep faster when I listen to the stories.”

Dr. Carol Minton-Ryan, professor of sociology, prefers listening to music over podcasts since the complex topics can actually prevent your brain from relaxing.

“The disadvantage of podcasts especially if you were not familiar with what they were saying to you is that your brain would want to process it. So it could actually do the opposite and keep you awake.”

That kind of stress can lead to sleep latency and even cause nightmares. However, listening to music before falling asleep may be beneficial to your mental state in the mornings.

Zoe Longsine, sophomore elementary education and Christian studies major, finds that listening to music is what helps her fall asleep at night. She enjoys winding down to her favorite artist, Taylor Swift.

“I listen to her entire dis- cography. All of it,” Longsine said. “I tried calming music, like classical, and I was just like, ‘Oh, this is so boring, I cannot fall asleep to it,’ which is the opposite of what should happen. So I started listening to Taylor Swift because I love her.”

According to the American Psychology Association, music at bedtime improves one’s subjective sleep quality and can have lasting e ects that carry on to the next morning’s well-being.

Longsine prefers playing her favorite artist because of the joy she derives from it, which eases her mind from worries. She allows the songs to play throughout the night to start her morning o right.

“I have it on a loop, so I wake up to the music,” Longsine said. “I feel like I wake up happier when I listen to music I like.”

Minton-Ryan also enjoys listening to music before going to sleep. Oftentimes, a wide variety of genres play aloud as her bedtime approaches.

“My husband and I love to do YouTube videos and we enjoy lots of di erent music,” Minton-Ryan said. “We enjoy di erent singers and di erent instrumental pieces. It is a way to relax and unwind our day.”

So, why do some people gravitate toward podcasts

while others gravitate toward music?

“Research has always suggested it is personal preference,” Minton-Ryan said. “In other words, if I think podcasts get me to sleep and I want to impose it on you, you may try it and say, ‘It does not work for me.’”

Totaro prefers podcasts because of the comfort it brings to her. She listens to bedtime stories reminiscent of her childhood, which is why she enjoys nostalgia-inducing podcasts over modern music. Listening to songs serves a di erent purpose for her.

“Music is just really stimulating for me, even classical music,” Totaro said. “It is relaxing, but in a di erent way, in that it helps me focus on schoolwork.”

Although podcasts are what help Totaro fall asleep, they have the opposite e ect on Longshine.

“With podcasts, I want to listen to them and not just be like, ‘OK, well, goodnight,’ and fall asleep,” Longshine said. “I want to actually hear the information that they are saying. So I feel like that is why I listen to music because I already know all of the songs.”

Although both of these forms of media provide the necessary distraction that

Photo Illustration by Sofia Guzman | Banner Research suggests that people benefit from listening to their favorite form of media while attempting to sleep, such as relaxing music or podcasts. awake.” helps calm our minds, it may not have to do with which form of media it is, but rather how its familiarity brings us comfort.

“Research suggests you are better o listening to your favorite stu ,” Minton-Ryan said. “If you were unfamiliar with what they were saying to you, your brain would want to process it. So it could actually do the opposite and keep you

Next time you lie awake with worries racing through your mind, play some soothing podcasts or your top songs. Despite which one you prefer to listen to, always opt for your favorites. When the familiar voice of a narrator or singer plays through your earbuds, your stress can dissolve, leading to a long and blissful sleep.

Sam Smith releases fourth studio album: ‘Gloria’

scribed by The New York Times as “intimacy blown up to the cinematic scale.” Although excellently crafted, “Love Goes” was geared toward the hurt and heartbroken. With “Love Me More,” audiences became aware that this time around, the message was going to be di erent. The new Sam Smith era carries a di erent message — one of healing, realization and most importantly, confidence.

“Unholy” featuring Kim Petras was the second single to drop from “Gloria” on Sept. 22. The single was a commercial success, hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and receiving a Grammy nomination. Making “Unholy” the second single to be released was a smart tactic, especially since the addictive tune was great for TikTok (on which it began trending) and made fans aware that Sam Smith is back to stay.

The final single that was released from “Gloria” was “Gimme” featuring Ko ee and R&B singer Jessie Reyez. If the other singles were tastes of the album, “Gimme” was a whole bowl. With a beat that is impossible not to dance to, “Gimme” empowers listeners to feel good. Jessie Reyez, a strong vocalist herself who hit the scene in 2017 with “Figures,” not only adds her own personality to the song, but also adds flavor to the entire “Gloria” album, as she is featured in two other songs.

After two long weeks post”Gimme” release, “Gloria” finally landed. With “No God” following “Love Me More” on the track list, Smith seemingly explains a realization to fans: No longer should we be sad about those who broke our hearts; rather, we should realize that they are not gods. They mess up and we should be confident enough to call them out on it. The song takes a new tune, one that is catchy enough to sing along with after just a couple listens and one that leaves you feeling invigorated. The next song, “Lose You,” catches Smith in a tough spot. The song has an ‘80s dance beat and Smith admits to still wanting a lover back. However, unlike Smith’s previous sorrowful songs, this one is set to a fast-paced track that sends the message that Smith is still in control, and the admission

EDITOR’S REVIEW

BY ZERENITY LOPEZ I A&E EDITOR

With rock and roll, teen romance and a whole lot of disco, “That 70s Show” was a sitcom viewers came to know and love. The show’s spino , “That 90s Show,” was released on Netflix on Jan. 19.

The show features almost all of the original cast members as their original characters. The series is now centered around Eric and Donna’s daughter, Leia Forman. She creates new friendships while staying in Point Place with her grandparents, Kitty and Red, and the new gang of friends gathers in the basement, encountering situations similar to those of their parents did.

The reboot has similar themes to the original series, keeping the nature of the friendship dynamic between the teens.

Unfortunately, the show falls flat in line delivery and the overall plotline of the characters. What was expected to be a familiar comedic experience reads more like a bad Disney Channel special. The overdramatized “teenage angst” and melodramatic outbursts were corny and made the leading lady come o as quite annoying. The consistent awkward exchanges were not fun to watch but rather cringe-worthy.

As Leia navigates her newfound freedom away from her parents, I became more invested in the plotline that follows the original characters. Seeing the old cast back on screen in the same setting made me reminisce about the old days and look to switch from Netflix to Peacock to watch “That 70s Show.” to wanting one back showcases confidence, not insecurity.

“That 90s Show” will fall under the many other reboots that cannot compare to its original counterpart. It is no surprise that I was more enthralled with the original cast members, considering their superior chemistry. After 17 years, they fell right back into their characters roles with ease, reminding viewers that no reboot will compare.

1 of 5 stars.

“Perfect” featuring Jessie Reyez is another admission to having flaws. Reyez and Smith seamlessly work together to create a beautiful song, one that reassures listeners that they are enough, with lyrics saying “I’m not perfect, but I’m worth it.”

“How to Cry” proceeds “Perfect,” and it is the song that most resembles Smith’s previous works. However, it still fits the theme of “Gloria” because instead of being self-pitying and sad, it is another upbeat admission to seeing someone as they truly are. Mostly acoustic, Smith’s vocals shine through, and OG fans are sure to appreciate the throwback sound.

The album finishes with a feature from Ed Sheeran on “Who We Love.” Despite being a slower paced track, it concludes the album on a happy note. Romantic and harmonious, it is everything expected from a Sheeran/Smith collab.

Overall, “Gloria” is a masterpiece, meaning that Sam Smith has accomplished the di cult task of making perfect albums back to back.

Yet, the albums are all different, so if you get tired of dancing to “Gloria,” you can take a break with “Love Goes” and vice versa.

The only drawback to the album? The short and sad 33 minute play time. But, I have a good feeling that there will be a deluxe album coming soon... 5 out of 5 stars.