![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Bankrupt!: Phoenix is still rich with ideas – 4/5 stars
The French indie rockers Phoenix take the stage again with the recent release of Bankrupt!, an electrifying and upbeat album not only containing substance reminiscent of the band’s original sound but also integrating new, experimental material.
Jumping right into the band’s usual electro-pop style with the first song, “Entertainment” does exactly what the title suggests: entertain. The catchy synthesizer riff brings back memories of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, the band’s popular 2009 release which focused mostly on lighthearted dance hits.
The tempo slows down after the first track, enticing the audience with a driving yet steady beat; listeners are forced to wait in suspense and curiosity to discern the hidden marvels of the album.
Although the songs begin to mellow out and take on a more avant-garde feel, they keep the pulsing, repetitive nature of the band’s roots and feature the familiar and distinct voice of lead singer Thomas Mars.
The title track falls at the end of the first half of the album and is an entrancing mostly-instrumental piece that both relaxes and fascinates. Layered with different synth-pop melodies and sound effects, Bankrupt! takes the listener into the depths of the album and deserts them in tranquility for close to seven minutes.
Like a friend shaking someone out of a daydream, “Drakkar Noir” returns as a heroic figure; all there is to do is sit back, admire the composition, and feel a sort of nostalgia for the buoyant singles that dominated Phoenix’s past.
The rest of the album is a feel-good journey through a collection of moderate-tempo electronic masterpieces that arguably sound better in a row than individually.
With 10 official tracks on the album, the band also released 71 recorded demos with each copy of the deluxe edition. The extra material takes up more than an hour compared to the 41 minute regular album. These bonus tracks, labeled “The Bankrupt! Diaries (71 Sketches From The Bankrupt! Sessions)”, include acoustic pieces, snippets of instrumentals, potential song ideas, and more.
Despite that the album is not packed with club-ready pop songs, Phoenix took a step in the right direction: branching out, taking risks, and experimenting with its sound. The band’s widely supportive and eager fan base probably did not hurt, either. Unlike many bands that deteriorate considerably with each consecutive release, Phoenix stands strong in its innovation and does not pander to the media or the market; it remains genuine and independent.
Versions of Bankrupt! with and without commentary can be listened via Spotify, and the digital releases are available for purchase and preview on iTunes. The band’s official website, http://wearephoenix.com, offers the album on two CDs (standard and deluxe) and in vinyl.
Juhi Gupta is the Multimedia Editor for Harker Aquila. She is a junior and has been part of the journalism program since her freshman year. Her position...