Choose Your Own Batman Adventure | Checkpoint
Blake and Aaron break down the new choose your own adventure film where the audience makes life and death decisions.
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Blake and Aaron break down the new choose your own adventure film where the audience makes life and death decisions.
Blake and Aaron break down the new choose your own adventure film where the audience makes life and death decisions. Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered! Anchors: Blake Chapman, Aaron DwyerExecutive Producer: Evan FischerVideo Editing: Mason KupiainenAudio Editing: Shwetha SundarrajanGraphics: Kellyn HarrisonMusic: Jack McGinnis
By Arianna Sergio Ariana Grande is one of the most popular and influential people in the world right now and, needless to say, needs no introduction. With a whopping 205.5 million followers on Instagram, 78.4 million followers on Twitter, and 57 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Grande has made her mark on the pop music industry forever. Positions is Grande's sixth studio album, after the massive worldwide success that was her previous album, thank u, next. Positions delves into themes of trust, sex, love, falling in love, and intimacy. Grande captivates listeners and takes them with her on her journey of falling in love, dubiously, after previously being hurt time and time again by it. She uses various metaphors and clever play-on-words to assert and reveal her intimate desires and needs. Let’s talk about sex, baby “Positions” is the lead single off of Positions. This song discusses Grande’s commitment and love for her boyfriend with her flexibility in trying to make their relationship work. The chorus, “Switchin' them positions for you/ Cookin' in the kitchen and I'm in the bedroom/ I'm in the Olympics, way I'm jumpin' through hoops/ Know my love infinite, nothin’ I wouldn’t do/ That I won't do, switchin’ for you,” gives the word “positions,” a double meaning. In one way, it refers to how Grande is changing her role in the relationship, from doing housework to becoming intimate with her significant other. Contrary to that, it could be taken a step further, and be interpreted as literally changing positions while being intimate with her significant other. “34+35” adds up to 69, which is the sex position Grande is yearning for throughout the entirety of this lustful song. The song title also acts as a play on the album’s title. Even though the song is extremely sexual throughout, Grande sings the lyrics, “Math class/ Never was good,” as the song’s outro. She jokingly ends the song with the fact that she was never good at math, undermining the sexual nature in the majority of the song and letting her goofy personality shine. “Nasty” just oozes sex appeal. The chorus repeats Grande singing how “tonight” she wants to get “nasty” and she doesn’t want to wait any longer. She then rhetorically asks what her significant other is waiting for. It flawlessly depicts one of Grande’s consistent themes on the album, sex. In this song, Grande is straightforward with her significant other, by telling him how bad she needs him and wants him. Collabscollabscollabs “Motive” feat. Doja Cat and is produced by Murda Beatz. Murda Beatz has produced many songs for popular mainstream artists, like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Drake. This is Murda Beatz’s first collaboration with not only Grande but also Doja Cat. “Motive” is the type of song that you would hear while you’re shopping in Forever 21 and trying on clothes in the dressing room. It’s upbeat and uptempo but falls flat along the way. The chorus is too repetitive and a pitfall, making it boring and ultimately bland. Doja Cat’s verse is not as memorable as it was expected to be. Her verse didn’t pack a punch like her verses/lyrics in her hit songs, like “Say So,” “Juicy,” and “Rules,” have. “Safety net” feat. Ty Dolla $ign is about giving your everything to make a relationship work and taking that extra leap of faith. In the chorus, “Tripping, falling, with no safety net/ Got me tripping, falling, with no safety net,” Grande sings that even though you don't know if that relationship is going to work, she is willing to still give it a try and, in the end, risk it all for that person. Ty Dolla $ign’s voice flourishes with Grande’s, creating an enchanting and divine experience for the listener. “Off the table” feat. The Weeknd is the strongest collaboration out of the three. This is Grande and The Weeknd’s second collaboration after their 2014 smash hit, “Love Me Harder.” This song includes a slow, synth-heavy instrumental, topped off by profuse and delightful strings in the background. The first verse, “Will I ever love the same way again? (Way again)/ Will I ever love somebody like the way I did you?/ If I can't have you, is love completely off the table?/ Just wanna know is love completely off the table?” has Grande questioning if she will ever find love again. She is dwelling on her previous relationships and second-guessing if she will ever find that again. The Weeknd plays her love interest, and he assures her that he can fill those shoes and be exactly what she needs. Throughout The Weeknd’s verse, he makes references to his past songs, “Hurt You,” “Love Me Harder,” and “The Hills.” This works in favor of the song because he is leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for his true fans. This is something more artists should do when they are featured on songs. Another shot at love “Obvious” talks about how Grande is starting to believe in love again and how her current significant other is helping her in believing in love again. This song has a sweet and comforting melody that drips onto her endearing lyrics. “Love language” is about Grande learning her significant other’s love language in hopes that she can improve in expressing her love for him and she communicates how she wants her significant other to do the same for her. Love languages are various ways that romantic partners give and receive love. There are five different types of love languages: quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and receiving gifts. In “my hair,” Grande quite literally lets her hair down and bares it all. This 90s style R&B song is about being comfortable enough for her significant other to “run his hands through her hair” when they are intimate, which is an extremely vulnerable action to do, which is another sign that she is opening up to love. “Pov” is hands down the best song on Positions, no competition. This song will surely make you cry the first time you listen to it. It’s about the heartbreaking reality of not loving yourself and wishing to see yourself from your significant other’s perspective, to know why they admire and love you despite all of your imperfections. And maybe after seeing that, you will believe that you are good enough and worthy of someone’s love. Her silky vocals are on full display as the relaxing percussion and string instrumental plays in the background, building up throughout the song only to let her powerhouse voice take center stage. The lyricism in this song solidifies Grande at her best. Top Tracks: pov 34+35 off the table Recommended if you like: Selena Gomez Camila Cabello Demi Lovato Sources: 5 Love Languages
Role-playing mechanics were never at their peak until 2001’s Final Fantasy X was released. Easily one of Final Fantasy’s best releases, if not the best, the tenth video game entry holds superior gameplay and a story lasting well past a decade that can’t be said for other role-playing games since then. Japanese company Squaresoft, now Square Enix, is known for its work with other popular titles, like the Kingdom Hearts Series. The series, which featured characters and designs inspired from the Final Fantasy Series, unknowingly reached a gold status when 2001 came around.
by Conner Tighe Role-playing mechanics were never at their peak until 2001’s Final Fantasy X was released. Easily one of Final Fantasy’s best releases, if not the best, the tenth video game entry holds superior gameplay and a story lasting well past a decade that can’t be said for other role-playing games since then. Japanese company Squaresoft, now Square Enix, is known for its work with other popular titles, like the Kingdom Hearts Series. The series, which featured characters and designs inspired from the Final Fantasy Series, unknowingly reached a gold status when 2001 came around. When Tidus, a young adult who is a well-known Blitzball player from Zanarkand, meets a mysterious man named Auron, all hell breaks loose. After being sucked into a time-lapse, sending him into an unknown world known as Spira, he slowly learns what’s at stake when he meets young summoner Yuna, daughter of High Summoner Braska, who defeated Sin prior years before. Sin is a massive creature of time and darkness shattering cities across Spira whenever it wishes and is considered the main antagonist of the story and Seymour Guado leader of the Guado. This is only the tip of the iceberg that dazzles players as they continue to upgrade their characters and realize each character's background, mainly Tidus, who faces haunting memories of his father Jecht, who disappeared 10 years before the story’s beginning. Earlier releases of FF were nothing short of groundbreaking with their unique worlds and characters that shared common destinies while battling evil. So, when number 10 was released, new worlds were presented as well as the memorable role-playing mechanics, but the story hugely established itself. Several relatable tendencies and issues are presented in this media. Daddy issues, the death of a brother, and following in the footsteps of parents are engaging lessons and morals explored in this crazy game of passion and love for diversity. At the same time, characters develop partnerships and connections on their journey to each city where Yuna builds relationships with locals and develops powerful connections with the “fayth,” spirits of the dead that have been killed by Sin. One of the most memorable moments in the game comes shortly after Yuna and her guardians travel around Spira to Kilika islands. The group finds the town in disarray as Sin had attacked the city shortly before the group’s arrival. Yuna walks across the water with her staff performing “The Sending,” a ritual that sends souls to the Farplane where they can rest in peace. At this moment, players see the love Tidus feels toward the young summoner, a love that would not be explored until long after the two are well into the journey. Players find the characters butting heads frequently over personal issues, but all remember their mission to bring “The Calm,” a decade lasting time of peace, from Sin until he’s reincarnated. Like previous titles, each character has unique abilities: magic (white mage/black mage), strength, nimble and agility, or comedic relief. Final Fantasy X brings all the emotions with every character fueled by battles with enemies, the foremost being Guado. The latter will spark every player’s fury when he comes after Yuna and her guardians after she refuses to marry him. Two years later, a direct sequel was released, Final Fantasy X-2, which explores more of Yuna’s character. In 2013, the two were remastered on newer game systems, and the releases still hold up to being one of the best video games ever released.
When Disney+ was originally announced, I was excited to see the live-action Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe shows that were more closely tied together with the films. Having access to Disney’s vast vault of original classic movies and series was an added bonus that made the service seem like it would stand out among the rest. Once the streaming service finally launched in November 2019, things started off great in terms of content. They launched with The Mandalorian, one of the most exciting shows in recent years, as well as a large library of content, unlike other streaming services like Apple+ and CBS All Access that launched with smaller amounts. However, once The Mandalorian‘s first season came to an end, the streaming service quickly began losing steam and soon became one of the more disappointing services out there.
by Mason Kupiainen When Disney+ was originally announced, I was excited to see the live-action Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe shows that were more closely tied together with the films. Having access to Disney’s vast vault of original classic movies and series was an added bonus that made the service seem like it would stand out among the rest. Once the streaming service finally launched in November 2019, things started off great in terms of content. They launched with The Mandalorian, one of the most exciting shows in recent years, as well as a large library of content, unlike other streaming services like Apple+ and CBS All Access that launched with smaller amounts. However, once The Mandalorian's first season came to an end, the streaming service quickly began losing steam and soon became one of the more disappointing services out there. Bland Original Content With the exception of The Mandalorian, Disney+’s original content has been quite poor. While I haven't seen all of their original content, from the good chunk that I have watched, the content has fallen between mediocre to terrible. Movies like Artemis Fowl, the live-action Lady and the Tramp, and Noelle have turned out to be awful, with movies like The One and Only Ivan being more bland than good. Their original films and television feel like the worst Disney Channel originals from the early 2000s, almost like they were the rejects for theatrical releases. Promised content getting delayed Due to the coronavirus pandemic interfering with the scheduling of many projects, Disney wasn’t able to release some of their originals this year as intended. Some of their main series that have been delayed are their Marvel shows, which were originally slated to release this year. However, the pandemic interfered with filming shows like Falcon and Winter Soldier, which ultimately caused them to delay the series into next year. Despite the pandemic interfering with some of Disney’s plans, they didn’t have any noteworthy originals coming to the service after The Mandalorian dropped. The finale season of Clone Wars was a nice addition back in February, but with Falcon and Winter Soldier originally scheduled for this August, that would have been five months without any noteworthy titles coming to the service. Sure, Disney+ has many nostalgic movies and television shows, but that’s basically all they’re relying on. Practically all of their films and television pander to younger viewers, not really making it worth keeping the service around just to stop by every once in a while for a quick nostalgic kick. Now, I understand that Disney+ will probably never drop anything R rated on the streaming service; the fact that all of their original content focuses on kids and families makes the service feel worthless for those without kids. Being in college, I don’t have a kid I have to entertain, which is what Disney+ feels like it's meant for, and I don’t really spend time rewatching kids' shows and movies from my childhood. The Mandalorian did a great job of being appropriate for younger viewers, while also entertaining older audiences. Their live action Star Wars and Marvel series are truly the only content at the moment appealing to older audiences, making the service feel like it's alienating a large percent of audiences. Confusing standards One of the first controversies coming from Disney+ came from Splash. When Splash dropped on Disney+, some viewers were angry that they removed a quick butt shot. This wouldn’t be an odd move since Disney seems to want their service to be kid-friendly, and removing any form of nudity that didn’t fit their code isn’t outrageous. However, Disney has dropped X-Men: Days of Future Past and X-Men Apocalypse, and left both the nudity and cursing that they’ve removed from other films. So where does Disney hold their standards? They altered scenes from one film claiming it didn’t fall in line with what they considered wholesome for their service, but left it in another movie. A more recent controversy comes from the release of Mulan. Originally, they dropped this movie on their service with a $30 charge to view it, with the movie eventually being available to all subscribers. Then, only a few weeks later, Disney released the movie to all streaming services, such as iTunes and Google Play, with the same $30 price tag. However, consumers were able to own the film on these services, unlike Disney+ subscribers who can only view the movie as long as they keep their account. Those who purchase the film on other services also get added special features that aren’t available when you get the film through Disney+. Although this feels like a desperate move from Disney to try to make up for lost revenue for not having a theatrical release, it seems like Disney is cheating their subscribers. By not giving subscribers special privileges besides being able to see the movie a few weeks early, it causes the service to feel more pointless, since you aren't getting anything special from being a subscriber. There is still a shred of hope for Disney+ to be one of the better services, but only if they can get over these few hiccups. Sources: Deadline, MobileSyrup, Vanity Fair Featured Image: TechHive
by Kellyn Harrison
Three years ago, the Nintendo Switch was released, and it quickly became one of the company’s most popular home consoles. Everyone quickly became focused on the console’s unique design and the game sequels Nintendo planned to release for it, some being: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Splatoon 2. However, one aspect of the Switch that was less marketed was the company’s decision to let indie game developers publish and port their games to the console. This has given a variety of indie games a chance at a wider audience and greater acknowledgment for their work. Here is a list of the top underrated indie games.
by Kellyn Harrison I am a 19-year-old political science minor, and I voted for the first time last week. As a junkie for political science research, I have always been aware of my place in the election process. However, this year was different. It felt like I was standing in a room surrounded by people screaming at me; those people being older politicians, celebrities, advertisers, etc. Everyone demanding me to vote, but never looking at who I am. Politicians seeing me as a percentage, just a mindless number in their popular vote. "It's difficult to mobilize people in a system that's continuously telling them their political goals, and movements they want to see happening, are not viable." - Grace Wells, 22, home state of Texas, currently studying in Chicago, Democratic. Don’t get me wrong, I felt privileged to vote and I strongly advocate for people to do so in order to fight for the change we continuously demand. However, it is the execution of these campaigns that can make me numb towards the process. It is the same advertisements we had in 2016; only with heightened frequency, demand, and fear. Fear for how much power a little bubble on a scantron sheet can have. Especially in a time where we are demanding reforms in the health, economic, and human rights sector. My only question regarding this outreach is: Where is the voice of the youth? We stress how important educating and relying on the future of the youth is, but how is this being translated into our political campaigns? We can’t give up on the people who only just started to take that first step into the political world. “Many young people can feel disengaged from politics. A Harvard survey found that only 16% of those aged 18 to 29 agreed with the statement that ‘elected officials who are part of the Baby Boomer generation care about people like me.’” - Helier Cheung of BBC News Generally, politicians have used television to further their campaigns. By paying for advertisements on local television or partaking in interviews on shows like Face the Nation. Such platforms appeal to the older population who make time to watch television each night and wake up early on Sundays to watch shows like Sunday Morning. (Note: this point is made despite how much SNL still informs young voters on the election/campaign process. Even though I argue how SNL’s influence pales in comparison to social media.) Something out of style for young voters and professionals with busy schedules who would rather pay for streaming packages. Thus, showing a general decrease in cable news consumption. News platforms like ABC News shifting their attention to streaming recaps of their shows on social media, like Snapchat and Twitter, are the only references people have to low profile interviews analyzing the campaigns/election itself. Only recently have we seen politicians reaching out to voters on streaming platforms. However, the question is whether these advertisements are as transparent as they claim to be with a few federal laws regulating them. https://twitter.com/barackobama/status/992176676?lang=en But, other than President Obama using Twitter in 2008 to reach out to young voters, this shows how slow politicians have been to reach out to their younger audience. Plus, this points out how unaware politicians are of what Gen Zers want from them or the small communities that are created on social media. Although, many argue how politicians are aware but refuse to reach out because of the uncertainty of how this demographic will perceive their political ideals. Nonetheless, when politicians do try to reach out, they do it in a cringing manner that doesn’t entirely hit home. The only example I am going to provide is of Hillary Clinton using Pokemon Go to encourage her supporters to vote in the 2016 election. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt6riM2aDLk&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CNN There are so many things I could say about how uncomfortable watching this is, but I am just going to state how important it is for older politicians to understand how off-center making references to pop culture phenomenon like this is. Especially for politicians who may not be as immersed in the phenomenon as young voters are. How are we supposed to feel connected to politicians when they make unrelated references to platforms they only know of because of Twitter trends and their younger peers. Especially when they already have the majority of young voters supporting them. Cringey references like this are not needed when they are a half-hearted attempt to further a campaign. It just falls flat and pushes young voters to feel even more disassociated from the voting process, politicians, and the political process itself. Reaching out to young voters based on pop culture trends is something Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is used to and does correctly. Ocasio-Cortez uses her knowledge in technology and relative association with Gen Zers to connect with them online by joining in their gaming communities. Thus, encouraging a growth in the demographic’s political activism. On May 7, it was announced Ocasio-Cortez had purchased a Nintendo Switch and the game Animal Crossings: New Horizons. That same day, Ocasio-Cortez opened her direct messages on Twitter and asked supporters to send their Dodo codes, so she could leave a note on their bulletin board. https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1258516156408713216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1258517774499889154%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fvideo-games%2F2020%2F05%2F07%2Falexandria-ocasio-cortez-is-now-playing-animal-crossing-shes-visiting-her-followers%2F Other than the connection it created/strengthened between young voters and politicians, it also let people know someone in Congress was thinking of them during a scary time. At the peak of the pandemic, while everybody was home, it was nice to connect with someone who could make a difference when politicians tend to be seen as disassociated from the general public. https://twitter.com/jmirsky87/status/1258548085719830528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1258548085719830528%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fvideo-games%2F2020%2F05%2F07%2Falexandria-ocasio-cortez-is-now-playing-animal-crossing-shes-visiting-her-followers%2F Now, Ocasio-Cortez has teamed up with fellow Congresswoman Ilhan Omar to expand upon their connection to Gen Zers, by getting them involved in the election process through Twitch. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Ocasio-Cortez and Omar played the recently revived game, Among Us, with a group of high profile streamers including JackSepticeye, Pokimane, HasanAbi, Disguised Toast, and DrLupo. The stream not only garnered a peak of 439,000 views, becoming the third most-watched stream for an individual gamer, but it successfully made a seemingly forgotten generation feel connected to at least two politicians representing our country. Setting an example of how our government should appeal to young voters despite how difficult replicating the same event will be for older politicians because of their different ages and interests. Ocasio-Cortez and Omar not only represent Gen Z because of their ages and policies (compared to their coworkers) but because of their representation of the minorities in our country. Diversity is a demanding value amongst Gen Z voters. Clinton only made a small reference to a video game many doubted her involvement in. Ocasio-Cortez and Omar physically played with/for young voters and have been for a while now. Thus, making the focus on relating to the streamers instead of solely on the politicians’ or their party’s platforms. It truly felt they wanted to get involved in Gen Z culture instead of pretending to understand. It didn’t feel like another fruitless ad screaming at me amongst the countless others. I just hope other politicians take note of this event and make an effort to think of ways they too, can properly reach out to young voters in an effort to urge more of us to vote for matters that will impact our lives for years to come. Here you can watch the Among Us Twitch stream with Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, along with many other high profile streamers. Sources: BBVA, BBC News, FiveThirtyEight, Fordham Political Review, Jeremiah Owyang, Mozilla, Pew Research Center, The Philadelphia Citizen, The Wall Street Journal, Twitter, U.S. Department of State Images: Twitter, YouTube Featured Image: Blake Chapman
by Lia Weisbecker-Lotz Three years ago, the Nintendo Switch was released, and it quickly became one of the company’s most popular home consoles. Everyone quickly became focused on the console’s unique design and the game sequels Nintendo planned to release for it, some being: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Splatoon 2. However, one aspect of the Switch that was less marketed was the company’s decision to let indie game developers publish and port their games to the console. This has given a variety of indie games a chance at a wider audience and greater acknowledgment for their work. Here is a list of the top underrated indie games. A Short Hike [caption id="" align="alignright" width="343"] Image from Nintendo[/caption] Created by Adam Robinson-Yu If you love Animal Crossing, you will very likely love A Short Hike. The focus of the game is merely to relax and explore. You play a bird, named Claire, who has started living in a vast and beautiful mountain valley. As Claire, you go on adventures around the area as well as help any neighbors with some basic tasks, such as collecting shells and finding lost items. You can climb and glide your way around the mountain, allowing you to collect a variety of items and meet several friendly characters. These characters help you do minigames and activities, such as fishing or playing volleyball. The music and art style of the game adds a simple beauty that works to create a peaceful setting. Raji: An Ancient Epic [caption id="" align="alignright" width="331"] Image from Nintendo[/caption] Created by Nodding Heads Games Raji: An Ancient Epic is an action-adventure game that is similar to Gods of War in both its combat and focus on mythology. Raji is a girl in ancient India whose little brother, Golu, has been stolen by demons. In order to get him back, and help the gods, she takes on the quest of defeating the demons and their leader. The game is a homage to India’s culture, as it manages to teach the player pieces of Hindu and Balinese mythology while also being beautifully painted in a traditional Indian art style. This aspect of the game helps expand its story and world as well as explain the abilities of the weapons Raji uses for combat. The game is both a hack and slash game and a platformer game, as you get to use a variety of powerful, mythical weapons and traverse India in order to save not only Raji’s brother but the world. Spiritfarer [caption id="" align="alignright" width="338"] Image from Nintendo[/caption] Created by Thunder Lotus Games Spiritfarer is a gorgeous management game where you play as Stella, a ferry master for the dead. You’re able to build different rooms on your boat to craft different items, grow a farm, and accommodate your passengers. Throughout the game, you get to delve into the lives of several spirits in order to help them cross over to the afterlife. The story is a major aspect of Spiritfarer. You get to take your time going through it; enjoying the beautiful, vibrant art style and setting. While you work on your boat, you also help take care of your passengers by serving them homemade meals and spending quality time with them. The game has a bit of an open world where you get to travel around to different islands and meet their inhabitants. The game also has a cooperative mode where a second player can join as Stella’s cat, Daffodil. Inmost [caption id="" align="alignright" width="336"] Image from Nintendo[/caption] Created by Hidden Layer Games This game is an incredibly beautiful and melancholic puzzle platformer. In Inmost you switch between playing three different characters: a middle-aged man, a knight, and a little girl. Each character involves a different style of gameplay in a dark, pixelated world. The little girl uses items in her house to climb around and explore, while the middle-aged man travels around a strange world and solves more complex puzzles. The knight travels in a similar world, fighting a variety of shadow enemies. While the worlds and stories seem completely different, they all end interconnected. A warning has to come with this game; however, as the story is very dark and deals with serious issues surrounding love and grief. There are hundreds of more interesting indie games that the Switch offers. This means no matter your preference, you are likely to find an indie game to fall in love with. The world is in a state of uncertainty, and while it’s important to stay informed and be involved, it’s just as important to take care of yourself and find ways to enjoy your life. Games like these are often meant to bring comfort, adventure, and catharsis. So, do yourself a favor, and try out some of these games because you might find your new favorite. More Recommendations: Rime Celeste Hades Summer of Mara Bastion Hyper Light Drift Sources: CNET, Video Game Chronicle: VGC Images: Nintendo Featured Image: The Verge
Welcome back to another episode of Remixed! Tune in as we discuss Bieber's latest song, "Holy", with Chance the Rapper, Bieber's new project with Benny Blanco, and how to cope when an artist you idolize does something controversial.
https://soundcloud.com/user-519363288/remixed-s5e6-hate-to-love-vs-love-to-hate Welcome back to another episode of Remixed! Tune in as we discuss Bieber's latest song, "Holy", with Chance the Rapper, Bieber's new project with Benny Blanco, and how to cope when an artist you idolize does something controversial. Hosts: Sam Shipe & Bethanie Ackerman Edited by: Sam Shipe Graphic: Kellyn Harrison
[embed]https://youtu.be/yil-ee1ptxo[/embed]Blake asks Ball State the Byte-ing Question, What is your favorite Halloween movie? Anchor: Blake ChapmanVideo Editing: Evan FischerGraphics: Kellyn Harrison, Evan FischerMusic: Jack McGinnis
By Arianna Sergio Superbloom is Ashton Irwin’s debut album, separate from his band 5 Seconds of Summer. This announcement came as a complete shock to everyone, as 5 Seconds of Summer have been actively creating music and have been very successful. Fans of Irwin and 5 Seconds of Summer were freaking out, thinking that Irwin’s solo debut meant an end of the Australian rock band, but that is certainly not the case. Irwin took to Instagram to share his announcement about Superbloom. In the post, he not only shared his excitement about the album, but he shut down assumptions and rumors that 5 Seconds of Summer was breaking up by saying, “It brings me the greatest joy of all that I am in a band that allows me to create freely inside and outside of it.” Superbloom is a tour inside the mind of Irwin and the mental struggles he faces. Its focus is on all of the key parts of his life, including the good and the bad, and him accepting and embracing it all. Blood is thicker than water “SCAR” begins with a magical and otherworldly intro leading into a 90s Foo Fighters-esque rock-infused song. This song is about the strife of staying strong. He is singing this song to his family. In the second verse, he sings, “Mother mother/ Can you show me the way?/Can you light a tunnel to light of day?/ I'm sick of dealing with the problems at hand,” in the third verse, he sings, “Sister, Lauren, don't you fade away/ Sister, Lauren, love you all the way/ I'm feeling hopeful that you'll show a man/ How to love someone as true as you can,” and finally, in the fourth verse he sings, “Brother, brother we speak day to day/ You're a blueprint for a future that's paved/ My wishful thinking might not go as we planned/ But I'll help you be a better man.” He is singing to his mother, Anne Marie, who raised him as a single mother, his younger sister, Lauren, and his younger brother, Harry; whom he loves more than anything. “SCAR” is an ode to them and how they’ve stuck with him through all of the strenuous moments he, and they, underwent. “Greyhound” is about Irwin’s family’s frustration and the endless cycle of being born, working your life away, and then dying. Irwin told Rolling Stone Australia that it’s also about the relationship that his mother had with a greyhound trainer, and if the greyhound didn’t come in first place, they would be shot and killed. That image scarred Irwin as a child and kept coming back to him. This six-minute and 19-second song, the longest on his album, questions if the race was even worth it in the end. Self-reflection “Skinny Skinny” is Irwin’s debut single. This song is about the battle of “not feeling at home in your own body.” It’s about never being happy with the way you look and always striving to look better. Irwin sings about body dysmorphia and eating disorders, specifically anorexia and bulimia. According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), 28.8 million Americans, or 9% of the U.S. population, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. It’s commendable that Irwin is brave enough to use his platform and shed some light on this issue, which isn’t often discussed, while also bringing in his personal experience. When Irwin sings, “My second face, my damn reflection/ We always meet when I'm defeated,” he is singing about body dysmorphia in the first verse. According to Mayo Clinic, someone with body dysmorphia can’t stop thinking about "imperfections" in their physical appearance. They frequently check the mirror, searching for reassurance or end up grooming, sometimes for “many hours each day,” because they center their attention entirely on their appearance and body image. This develops into an unhealthy relationship with mirrors and even their own reflection. “My second face” implies that Irwin wants to dissociate himself from his reflection because it feels like it isn’t him anymore. “My damn reflection” shows how disgusted he is by his own reflection, displaying the relationship he has with mirrors. The lyrics, “I wanna eat, I wanna stay thin/ I wanna dance but I gotta stay in,” allude to anorexia. According to EDV (Eating Disorders Victoria), anorexia is an eating disorder in which the person who has it has a “low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight, which manifests itself through depriving the body of food. It often coincides with increased levels of exercise.” The lyrics, “My fingers stretching into my larynx,” describe purging, which is when someone forces themselves to throw up after they’ve just eaten, to lose, or to stop gaining weight. According to NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association), this is a sign that someone is suffering from bulimia. In addition, this song also talks about how eating disorders are often kept a secret from the person’s loved ones, with nobody truly knowing they are hurting. “The Sweetness” speaks about how fleeting happiness is. Right from the get-go, the beginning sounds like a drowned out version of the intro of “The Joker and the Thief” by Wolfmother. This isn’t a bad thing though. It works in favor of the song. The lyrics, “When the sweetness seeps into your bloodstream/ When the sweetness makes you love your life again/ When the darkness creeps into your basement/ When the darkness takes it all away again,” literally sound like an evil force. It’s to represent the negative overpowering the positive. The darkness depicts the obstacles and challenges Irwin has been facing mentally. Looking on the bright side “Sunshine” is a song about feeling disheartened, frustrated, and ultimately down about the issues in today’s society. One of those issues being the news. In the lyrics, “Stop watchin' the news/ You're something they used to scare you just like a bad dream,” he talks about his distaste for the news and how it's used to alarm people. The song’s beginning has the same melodies and feel as “I am the Walrus” by the Beatles. The melody is soft and uplifting, with his voice harmonizing gracefully. Throughout the song, Irwin is singing about his dissatisfaction, but he looks for the silver lining through it all--even when it can be difficult at times. Opening up “Perfect Lie” is about the previous songs that were written for 5 Seconds of Summer. Irwin recognizes that those songs are a part of his life and helped him and his band climb the ladder to acclaim. He exhaustedly sings of his regrets in regards to the writing behind the songs being fabricated, exaggerated, and coming from a dishonest place. The lyrics, “Everybody fakes it 'til they make it/ Everybody loves it 'til they hate it,” are a prime example of that. Along with the regrets comes disliking the songs. The lyrics, “I'll try to love without hating you,” represent how even though he dislikes some of their older songs, he loves the fans and could never hate them for liking their older music. He just wants to make it a point that he will no longer write like that or release music that isn’t from an honest and raw place. Top Tracks: Skinny Skinny Sunshine SCAR Recommended if you like: Foo Fighters The Strokes The White Stripes Sources: National Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders, Mayo Clinic, Instagram, Rolling Stone Australia,
Written and recorded in its entirety throughout the period of quarantine, indie/rock band Wallows released their newest EP, fittingly, titled Remote. The whole writing and recording process of this 6-song EP was done remotely, as you could’ve guessed, with the band exchanging voice memos they recorded off their phones. In 2017, Wallows released their first single “Pleaser.” They accumulated a steady fan base after that and have only grown in popularity. It’s safe to say that their once straightforward, heavy instrument, influenced rock sound has matured into their now-signature soft-indie rock sound. Remote is the second EP from Wallows and it follows suit of the success of their debut album, Nothing Happens, and their debut EP, Spring.
By Arianna Sergio Written and recorded in its entirety throughout the period of quarantine, indie/rock band Wallows released their newest EP, fittingly, titled Remote. The whole writing and recording process of this 6-song EP was done remotely, as you could’ve guessed, with the band exchanging voice memos they recorded off their phones. In 2017, Wallows released their first single “Pleaser.” They accumulated a steady fan base after that and have only grown in popularity. It’s safe to say that their once straightforward, heavy instrument, influenced rock sound has matured into their now-signature soft-indie rock sound. Remote is the second EP from Wallows and it follows suit of the success of their debut album, Nothing Happens, and their debut EP, Spring. From hitting their marks to singing out their hearts Wallows is a dynamic trio that consists of: Braedan Lemasters on lead vocals/guitar; Dylan Minnette on vocals/guitar; and Cole Preston on background vocals/drums. Wallows released their debut single in 2017 titled “Pleaser”, and it received massive success, reaching number two on the Spotify Global Viral 50 chart. The band only skyrocketed from there, collecting millions of streams on all of their songs while building a sufficiently large fan base along the way. Before all of this success came barreling in, two-thirds of Wallows were actors. Minnette rose to fame from starring in the smash hit, drama TV series 13 Reasons Why, along with a string of eclectic films. In 13 Reasons Why he played Clay Jensen, an awkward and quiet high school student who gets blindly propelled into solving the mystery of his classmate and crush, Hannah Baker’s suicide. This Netflix original ran for four seasons, before ending earlier this year in June. Lemasters is most well-known for starring as a series regular on Men of a Certain Age, in which he played Albert Tranelli, the son of party supply store owner Joe Tranelli and in R.L. Stine’s Monsterville: The Cabinet of Souls, where he played Kellen, one of four high school students who are targeted by an evil carnival. Pressing play Remote kicks off with “Virtual Aerobics.” This song starts with a funky and offbeat piano riff that flows well with the guitar and drum beats and Minnette’s easily distinguishable voice that forms a quirky, catchy, and innovative song. The bridge of the song being, “Yeah, you called me out like that (Like that)/Yeah, you made me blush like that (Like that)/Only been here one night, leavin' doesn't feel right/ We could live a life like that (Like that),” and continuing with Minnette repetitively singing “like that” which makes the song even more catchy and lively. “Dig What You Dug” is the second song of the EP, both Minnette and Lemasters voices’ are the stars of this song. Their voices blend in harmony. In the last 20 seconds of the song, just the upbeat instrumental lightly plays, but there is a spoken outro. The spoken outro says, “I dig what you dug, and I dug what you dig.” Having this fresh element really works in favor of the song and adds another layer of depth and individuality to the song. It gives the song more personality. “Nobody Gets Me (Like You)” is about finding that special someone who you connect with on not just a surface level basis but on a deep, meaningful, level that people crave to find. The guitar riff in the beginning, along with Lemasters’ low-pitched vocals, sets the tone of a 90s coming-of-age high school movie. It has the same feeling as when the “perfect” girl walks into the cafeteria in slow-motion and takes away the main character’s breath, leaving him speechless and gawking at her. This song is charming and will surely appeal to your hopeless romantic side. Next up is, “Coastlines.” This song discusses the struggles and hardships that come along with maintaining a long-distance relationship. Minnette sings the chorus, “I don't wanna think about it/ If I'm the only thing on your mind/ I don't wanna think about it/ If I'm really wastin' all of your time/ I don't wanna think about it/ When we're on different coastlines/ I don't wanna think about it/ I don't wanna think about it.” This is something that many people, especially those in long-distance relationships, will relate to. He sings about being on different coastlines, which is already hard enough to be physically away from your significant other, but he also touches on feeling uncertain and overthinking details about his relationship. These thoughts creep up when you are separated. This song uses synth beats, electronic guitar riffs, and reverb to generate a staggering listening experience that is worth another listen and another and maybe another one after that. “Talk Like That,” is about being told something that you really don’t want to hear by your significant other. Presumably, in this case, a breakup. In this chorus, Minnette sings “Cut my heart in half, give it back when you talk like that/ Probably all in all, if they call, get a heart attack/ Feels more like your death, lost my breath, can you give me more?/ Do it all again, by the end, tell me I'll be yours.” These are my favorite lyrics on the EP. Minnette sings so passionately and his voice works wonders on this song. There’s a spoken outro at the end of this song as well, with the voice saying, “Hey John that last one was pretty good but, uh/ How do you change the station on this thing?” followed by a static noise that smoothly begins “Wish Me Luck.” The transitions are crisp and clean throughout the whole EP. Specifically the transition from this song into “Wish Me Luck.” It forges a cohesion and fluency that is unmatched. Remote closes with “Wish Me Luck,” which is my personal favorite. It’s the most candid, open, and honest song on the EP. Minnette sings in the first verse, “I don't wanna lose myself to all my insecurities/ If I told you all of them, who would it hurt more, you or me?” Being insecure and being worried about sharing those insecurities with someone else is something listeners everywhere can surely relate to. It’s hard to open up to someone about your insecurities; especially someone you care so deeply about. You don’t want to scare them away and have it blow up in your face if you open up, but it’s also scary to be vulnerable enough to let someone in. The lyricism is exceptional, but it's admirable that the song implements an intentional rhythmic vocal pattern and synth beats. The rhythmic vocal patterns and synth beats balance the heavy subject matter of the lyrics, which discusses personal insecurities and trust issues. This EP stands out from previous music they’ve released because it’s showing their growth as not only lyricists but artists as a whole. The lyrics, production, and transitions on Remote are better than any of the other music they’ve released. Top Tracks: Wish Me Luck Coastlines Dig What You Dug Recommended if you like: Peach Pit Declan McKenna The Japanese House
By: Nicole Thomas Editor’s Note: This story was originally published at The Ball State Daily News. None of the content was altered but slight grammatical changes were made in order to conform with Byte style guidelines. Celebrating Halloween may look different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay safe yet entertained, consider spending the spooky holiday with the top 10 highest-grossing horror movies, according to The Numbers, a movie industry data and research service. “I am Legend” Released: Dec. 14, 2007 Rating: PG-13 Stars: Will Smith, Alice Braga, and Dash Mihok Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68 percent Synopsis: U.S. Army virologist Robert Neville is the last person in New York after a virus killed most of mankind. Immune to the virus, Neville must develop a cure as he defends himself against those who the virus turned into cannibalistic mutants called Darkseekers. “It” Released: Sep. 8, 2017 Rating: R Stars: Jaeden Martell and Bill Skarsgård Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85 percent Synopsis: Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, seven children called “The Losers Club” come together to fight the murderous clown Pennywise, who preys upon children in their small town in Maine. “Hannibal” Released: Feb. 9, 2001 Rating: R Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, and Gary Oldman Rotten Tomatoes Score: 39 percent Synopsis: FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling works to capture Hannibal Lecter before Mason Verger, Hannibal’s surviving victim, seeks his revenge. “The Blair Witch Project” Released: July 14, 1999 Rating: R Stars: Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86 percent Synopsis: Three film students set out to film a documentary about the Blair Witch, a local legend in a Maryland forest. The students disappear, but a year later, their footage from what they discovered in the forest is found. “It Chapter Two” Released: Sep. 6, 2019 Rating: R Stars: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, and Bill Skarsgård Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63 percent Synopsis: Set 27 years after “It,” this sequel follows the Losers Club again as they discover the murderous clown Pennywise has returned to their Maine hometown. “Scream” Released: Dec. 20, 1996 Rating: R Stars: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78 percent Synopsis: The first movie of the “Scream” franchise focuses on teenager Sidney Prescott one year after her mother’s murder. A new killer named Ghostface attacks Sidney’s small hometown of Westboro as he murders his victims when they wrongly answer his trivia questions about horror movies. “The Ring” Released: Oct. 18, 2002 Rating: PG-13 Stars: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, and David Dorfman Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71 percent Synopsis: Journalist Rachel Keller investigates a cursed videotape where anyone who watches it dies a week later. After watching the video herself, Keller now only has a week to uncover its mystery. “Scream 2” Released: Dec. 12, 1997 Rating: R Stars: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and Courteney Cox Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81 percent Synopsis: After two students are murdered during a preview of “Stab,” a movie based on the events of the first “Scream” film, Sidney Prescott realizes there is now a Ghostface copycat on her college campus. “A Quiet Place” Released: April 6, 2018 Rating: PG-13 Stars: John Krasinski and Emily Blunt Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96 percent Synopsis: Lee and Evelyn Abbott raise their family in silence to hide from blind, extraterrestrial monsters who kill anyone who makes a sound. “Sleepy Hollow” Released: Nov. 19, 1999 Rating: R Stars: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, and Miranda Richardson Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69 percent Synopsis: Police constable Ichabod Crane investigates a series of decapitations in New York by the Headless Horseman. Images and Featured Image: Taylor Smith and Kamryn Tomlinson Sources: The Numbers, Rotten Tomatoes
by Conner Tighe In 1996, the birth of true horror was released when Resident Evil hit the shelves. The game features Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as members of the task force S.T.A.R.S. trapped within Spencer Mansion. Players face several obstacles, including puzzles, terrifying zombies, zombie dogs, and even more terrifying… the dialogue. Years later, the classic game would become a worldwide phenomenon within the gaming world, spurring several sequels, prequels, and a whole movie franchise centered (roughly) on the video game plot. What also came afterward was even more unexpected. The likes of other horror genres surfaced with Silent Hill, Doom, and Clock Tower, among many others that would later come after. The horror genre in the video game industry has soared since the 90s, with many franchises and memorable characters coming to light facing the forces of evil and science experiments gone awry. After some careful deliberation, here is a ranking of the top five horror video games that continue to frighten players to this day. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="309"] Image from Eurogamer[/caption] 5. Resident Evil 4 This is a title I often replay. There is always more to explore in Resident Evil 4. When the president’s daughter goes missing, players will join with Leon Kennedy once again, this time, in rural Spain, to discover what lies underneath the mysterious Los Illuminados cult. This title offered more than previous games in the series, including the infamous chainsaw-wielding man and sisters recycled in later games. Resident Evil 4 was the first game in the series to step away from the odd camera angles featured in previous games, which was big at the time. There’s something magical about this release that brings players back again for one more scare. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="280"] Image from Microsoft[/caption] 4. Outlast Miles Upshur, an investigative journalist, finds a newfound terror when he checks out of a seemingly abandoned psychiatric hospital. This first-person perspective combined with limited lighting, no ability to fight back, and unpredictable jump scares will leave players running. The frights and nightlife scouring the hospital seem endless, with requirements to do the most basic tasks and players must balance smarts and curiosity to survive. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="252"] Image from Microsoft[/caption] 3. The Evil Within 2 Detective Sebastian Castellanos descends even more into the evil of the STEM system when he’s approached by a former detective partner who informs him his daughter is still alive after a fire had taken the lives of her and Castellanos’ wife years earlier. The sequel in this beloved series takes players to an even darker world, the city of Union, where ghosts, mutated monsters, and a mysterious photographer terrorize Castellanos as he shoots, hides and runs from them. The game hugely expanded on its predecessor with its open-world concept while still maintaining the third-person perspective. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="287"] Image from MCV/DEVELOP[/caption] 2. Resident Evil 2: Remake In 1998, players got to experience more of the zombie world with new characters: Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Ada Wong. Trapped in a police station for roughly 70% of the game, players battle zombies as usual but face a new enemy, Mr. X (Tyrant) stalks players around the police station, forcing them to hide as the enemy is indestructible to basic weapons, like gunfire and knives. Last year, the game was remade and the gameplay, graphics, and dialogue were overall excellent. The remake introduced an additional element to the game, allowing a limited amount of ammo around the police station forcing players to either flee or perform headshots on enemies. Resident Evil 2 is the definition of survival horror. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="307"] Image from Cnet[/caption] 1. The Last of Us 2 According to GameSpot, the original The Last of Us was praised for its inventiveness and creativity with the apocalypse genre, which had been done many times previously. The Last of Us 2 takes players further through a darker world and story that will leave fans angry and bittersweet, feeling sadness but understanding. When Washington Liberation Front leader Abby Anderson kills mentor and friend Joel Miller, Ellie swears revenge. The story amped up its apocalyptic appeal and helped show the progression of hierarchy and power struggle within a broken world. The gameplay is better this time, including new features like allowing characters to hide from enemies in tall grass. Although the “horror” factor isn’t as prevalent as the predecessor, the overall plot reigns supreme. Sources: GameSpot, YouTube Images: Cnet, Eurogamer, MCV/DEVELOP, Microsoft Featured Image: EssentiallySports