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The observer | Friday, april 9, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com
By LEXI KILCOIN Scene Writer
This past Easter may have been filled with unknowns, depending on if, how and where you celebrate it. But one thing no one was expecting was a gospel EP released by Justin Bieber. The “Boyfriend” singer posted a cryptic Instagram post on Easter, sending fans into a frenzy. Admittedly, I found the album while on my own search for new Christian music, and let me tell you, I literally dropped my jaw and let out the most exaggerated gasp ever. While I’ve never been a Belieber — and I mean I really don’t like his music — I do enjoy the vibe (and message) of “Freedom.” “Freedom” consists of six songs, each with their own unique tone thanks to a variety of featured artists such as Tori Kelly and Chandler Moore. It opens with “Freedom,” which starts off sounding like Drake’s “One Dance” with a fun, reggae tone. It transitions into a unique sounding refrain — “Freedom, don’t it feel good?” — leading into a bridge sung by Beam. “Freedom” is a great way to start off the album and introduces us to its overarching message of freedom through Jesus. “All She Wrote” has an R&B vibe with a “Give it all to God,” finding-purpose-in-life kind of message, while “Where You Go I Follow” reminds me of a more
By CLAIRE RAFFORD Senior Scene Writer
Before I even knew how to read, Beverly Cleary’s stories were an important part of my life. One of my earliest memories is of my mom reading me, “Ramona the Pest,” before bed. Night after night, I begged for “just one more chapter,” not wanting to abandon the world of Klickitat Street. Years later, once I could finally read, unencumbered by the limits of my parents’ time, I tore through the Ramona books, then the rest of Cleary’s body of work. Her novels quickly became my favorites, and I returned to them again and again. While I can credit any number of books and authors for my passion for reading (and the English degree I’ll hopefully be receiving in May), Cleary is the one who inspired me to love books the way I do today. Cleary, who died March 25 at the age of 104, managed to capture childhood in a way that is funny, yet moving; specific, yet timeless. She was inspired to write children’s books while she was working as a children’s librarian, when a young boy asked if she could find a book about kids “just like us.” Cleary decided to do just that, and built a legacy doing so. Her gift for capturing the humorous and tender sides of sisterhood, friendship and community is why she is hailed as one of the most important and accomplished authors of the 20th century.
“traditional” Christian song — like one we might hear from Hillsong United — with a direct devotion to Jesus as Bieber repeats, “There’s nobody like you, Jesus.” My favorite songs on the EP are “We’re In This Together” and “Where Do I Fit In.” “We’re in This Together” reminds me of NF’s songs — one of my favorite artists — with anecdotal lyrics and a soft rap style. The song even references the pandemic (which sounds so weird in a song but alas, it’s our reality) and I appreciated its relevance to the current state of the world. The outro is my favorite part of “We’re In This Together” because Bieber speaks to us in prayer form, which is very unique not only for him, but for many Christian songs in general. “Where Do I Fit In” is definitely my favorite song on the entire EP. It features Tori Kelly, Chandler Moore and Judah Smith. It’s a very gentle and peaceful song. I’m told by my friends that I like to listen to sad music, and while this isn’t a sad song, it definitely fits the vibe of driving with your windows down on a summer night with no worry in the world except for your next turn. Chandler Moore ends the song beautifully as he takes over with a “God-like” voice and encourages us that “It’ll be alright.” The album ends with “Afraid to Say,” which wakes us up from the calmness of “Where Do I Fit In” with its abrupt transition to of a strumming guitar. Its message is a perfect way to end this album, with Bieber asking
crucial questions like, “Can’t there be room for maturity?” and “Do we got the room to make mistakes?” It reminded me of his duet with Shawn Mendes in “Monster”, which holds a similar message. Overall, “Freedom” seems to be a new beginning for Bieber, as he is “freed” from his past self and blossoms into a higher level of maturity. I personally beliebe (sorry, I had to) that anyone can find value in this EP and the message that is layered underneath beautiful shifts in music and a variety of voices, all of which tie each song together in perfect harmony.
Undoubtedly, Cleary’s most popular works are the books centered around the eclectic, ever-hilarious Klickitat Street, which follow an ensemble cast of characters, including Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, Beezus Quimby and her imaginative, mischievous younger sister Ramona and a whole neighborhood of friends in suburban Portland. Two series, one which centers Henry and one which centers Ramona, endure the test of time, despite the old-fashioned language and references. While Cleary’s books capture a very specific experience — white, middle class families living in suburbia — there’s a universality to all of them, one that transcends dated references or language. Perhaps a different series would have been lost in its era, but Cleary’s characters, with their engaging, endearing personalities, stand the test of time and remain literary friends to book lovers over 60 years later. Cleary’s books do something that is both rare and beautiful — they validate the little joys of daily life alongside the struggles. Henry Huggins’ desire to buy a new bicycle gets an entire book in, “Henry and Beezus.” In contrast, “Dear Mr. Henshaw,” an epistolary novel where a young boy corresponds with his favorite author, addresses divorce, family struggles and bullying. Nothing is too small, too insignificant to matter to Cleary’s characters or readers — but she also doesn’t water down the trials of life. Instead, the two exist in tandem, laughter and tears together, because
children are resilient enough to handle these realities. The stories we love become part of us, and in many ways, Cleary’s characters reside in my memory like a dear friend, her stories entwined with my own memories as tenderly and intimately as family vacations and birthday parties. While I always related more to sensible older sister Beezus, I always wanted to be as carefree and imaginative as Ramona. I’ve never once squirted out an entire tube of toothpaste, like Ramona did, but hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about it while I’m brushing my teeth. When I was younger, I begged for a pair of shiny red rain boots just like Ramona’s — my parents said no, because it was impractical to buy rain boots in Arizona — so I made do with my grubby sneakers. Both now and then, Cleary’s stories inspired me to let my imagination run wild, ideas bleeding beyond the pages of her novels and into my life. Beverly Cleary once said, “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.” In doing just that, she showed the world that there’s a little bit of Ramona in every one of us, inspiring us to find the joy in stomping in puddles and riding bikes with streamers whipping in the wind. By writing stories for “ordinary children,” Cleary sparked a passion for reading that has lasted through generations, and her books will live on in the memories of those who have read and loved them.
Contact Lexi Kilcoin akilcoin01@saintmarys.edu
“Freedom” Justin Bieber Label: Def Jam Recordings Favorite Tracks: “We’re In This Together, Where Do I Fit In” If you like: NF, Kanye West (Jesus Is King), Lecrae
Contact Claire Rafford at crafford@nd.edu MAGGIE KLAERS | The Observer
