10 Blueprint
ENTERTAINMENT
Dec. 16, 2016
The Weeknd reaches for the stars with new album ‘Starboy’ By Eileen Tyrrell, Online Entertainment Editor Abel Tesfaye’s meteoric ascent from homeless high school dropout to pop superstar with an almost cult-like following has culminated in the release of his most recent album, “Starboy.” With his third studio album, Tesfaye, more commonly known as the Weeknd, has not only proved that he can successfully transition from indie R&B to mainstream pop while keeping his original fan base, but he has begun to influence pop culture itself. One example of this is the way Tesfaye has stuck to his original graphic content while producing songs for mainstream pop, an unorthodox style, which is perfected on “Starboy.” The sultry, hypnotic, whopping 18-tracklong album takes listeners through a tour of Tesfaye’s innermost thoughts and desires, whether that be his drug addiction, his obsession with strippers, or his own insecurities and relationship troubles. Yet the album maintains a Michael Jackson-meets-Daft Punk pop sound made for the radio, a contradiction that is trademark of Tesfaye. The album opens with Daft Punk collaboration “Starboy,” a tribute to Tesfaye’s multi-millionaire lifestyle and the fans that allowed him to get there. The seemingly simple lyrics are chock-full of allusions and cultural references, allowing the Ethiopian art-
ist to showcase his ability true; he has simply brought his to match sick beats and dark, drug-fueled content to a voice like velvet with the mainstage. Tesfaye writes clever lyrics. his response to these critics in This skill is evident in “Reminder,” where he reminds “Sidewalks,” featuring us, “I just won a new award for a Kendrick Lamar. Tesfaye kids show // Talking ‘bout a face sings that “I ran out of numbing off a bag a blow.” I’m tears when I was 18 // in no way praising or condoning Nobody made me but the Tesfaye’s lifestyle, but you have main streets… Hometo admit that it’s not every day less to Forbes list.” The that a song about drugs wins a lyrics flow smoothly with Teen Choice Award. the electronic-percussion One of my only complaints background, but unabout “Starboy” is that after a like many pop songs dozen or so tracks, the album nowadays, they also begins to get repetitive. Tesfaye mean something: Tesfaye sticks to a few core themes in is talking about how he his songs: money, sex, drugs, exdropped out of high school cess, fame and fear, and after a when he was 17 and while, they all start to sound the became homeless before same. But overall, “Starboy” is creating music, giving his a brilliant and complex album, music more authenticity and while I’d like to see Tesfaye and appeal. branch out on his content, I’ll After “Starboy,” the accept that flaw in exchange for album segues to magnetic, all of the other things he did so pulsing party anthem well. “Party Monster;” next Tesfaye truly exceeded my is high-intensity “False expectations with his third Alarm;” and after that is studio album; I give it four out one of my personal favorof five stars. Regardless of the ites, “Reminder.” dark and gritty subject mateCritics of Tesfaye claim rial, “Starboy” is a work of art, On Nov. 25, 2016 The Weeknd released “starboy,” with guest aphe’s sold out his original pearances from Lana del Rey, Future and more. and it proves once again that the sound for more radioWeeknd really is the king of the Photo by Eileen Tyrrell fall. friendly pop music. But this is not
Disney’s ‘Moana’ creates magical moments for all ages By Danielle Prazak, Print Opinions Editor
While many of the princesses above do not dedicate their lives to finding “the one,” there is often still romance found within their stories. However, in “Moana”, there was no significant other to begin with, which I found to be quite refreshing. The plot of the movie was enticing. The story followed the life of a girl named Moana who is from the island
a suitable amount of action that kept you on the edge of your seat, considering the wide variety of an audience When I heard that a new Disney that it appeals to. movie called “Moana” was coming out, The way the movie flowed together I knew there was no way I could wait was really impressive. There was an to see it at home. I went to the theater interesting backstory, which fit very the day it came out, and then I went nicely with the rest of the movie and back to see it again a few days after. I the main conflict within it. I was captihate movie theaters. vated with every line, and did not want I do not enjoy sitting in to miss a single second of a freezing theater, around it. a bunch of people I don’t Moana’s character was know, in an uncomfortvoiced by Auli’i Cravalho, able seat, with overpriced and Maui was voiced by popcorn and watching a Dwayne Johnson. The movie I can’t pause if I voices fit very well with need to pee. Also there the characters and their always seems to be some personalities. sort of sticky substance on Moana’s character was the bottom of my shoe by developed in such a way the time I make it out of that viewers fell in love the theater. with both her and her But I made the right story. She had mature decision to see “Moana” in values, which I apprecitheaters; I was far from ated greatly and a curious, disappointed. determined personality. “Moana” was released I found that this movie on Wednesday Nov. 23, would not only appeal to and between its Wednesyoung children but all day-Sunday frame, it Disney released their new princess movie “Moana” on Nov. 23, 2016 about ages. There is an undera young girl traveling to save her home island. made over $82 million. standable and simplistic Photo by Danielle Prazak plot line for younger ages, In the past it has definitely been a controversy as to Motunui. She is torn however along with this how reliant some Disney princesses between living up to her title as the there is a lot of deep symbolism that are on their princes to save them. chief’s daughter and her love for the I found very impactful and important Though many princesses such as Belle, sea, a forbidden place. When Moana that many older viewers can connect Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, discovers that her island is in danger, to. Merida, Rapunzel, Elsa and Anna have she goes out on an incredible journey Throughout the movie Moana is seen all proven that some values are more with the help of Maui, a demigod, to to be very connected the sea. Along important than the attention of a man. save her island. with this there is a lot of stress on the I can firmly say that Moana carThere were scenes that had me in idea of how important nature is to ries these same morals. There is no tears, some from sadness and others humans and how connected we all are. prince, which I find very interesting. from laughing too hard. There was also Then another character named Toma-
toa is very focused on shiny objects and the way they make him look. He very clearly reflects the way people have become so materialistic and focused on self-image. Disney brings up an important concept about humans and how we are focusing on the wrong things in life. It is a really beautiful message that they did a very nice job of wrapping up into a child-friendly film. The storyline was not the only great part about the movie, the music was incredible as well. It was reflective of the island culture that the movie focused on. Along with this, I found that I could not keep myself from humming along if there was a reprise of a song. The music used both cultural sounds and catchy melodies to create powerful songs. As soon as a new song started playing, all I wanted to do was stand on my seat and dance. The animation of Moana was breathtaking. The setting, mainly water and islands, is already a very scenic and beautiful view. Disney did an amazing job of enhancing the beauties of nature and creating pictures that will remain in my head forever. It drew me in and made me feel like I was there with her. I could taste the ocean’s salt and smell the coconuts. When I walked out of the theater, I was not thinking about the way my shoe was sticking to the ground as I took a step. I was too focused on the catchy songs in my head, when I could book a plane ticket to an island and how I needed to rethink the values in my life. If you don’t believe me, you’ll just have to see for yourself.