![“[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)
The Weeknd strikes gold in Kiss Land — 4/5 Stars
September 9, 2013
Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, encapsulates both the stillness of isolation and the tumult of a fast-paced lifestyle in his second album, Kiss Land.
Although the album does embrace a few lighter melodies, the atmospheric darkness that accented Tesfaye’s first three mixtapes – House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence – makes a distinctive appearance in each track. His lyrics navigate through a cold and distant nature and the underlying tones of despondency, emotional numbness, and desperation.
The darker vibes have grown to become characteristic of The Weekend. Tesfaye’s ability to align his voice with the haunting melodies behind him exponentially amplify the listening experience, particularly as the music takes on an ethereal quality.
As he emerges from the shadows he was previously immersed in, Tesfaye depicts a transition between a private life and one surrounded by the glitz of fame as an overarching theme throughout the album. For instance, the title track, “Kiss Land,” conveys that he “went from starin’ at the same four walls for 21 years to seein’ the whole world in just 12 months.”
Perhaps the highlight of Kiss Land is Tesfaye’s irrefutably transcendent singing voice. Whether he is crooning about his relationships with women or lamenting about the loss of love accompanying his new lifestyle, Tesfaye’s voice is intoxicating.
In fact, his vocals are so impressive through certain portions of the album that listeners may fail to register the repetitiveness and disappointing simplicity behind the stories Tesfaye tells. Despite being released almost two years later, Kiss Land exhibits the same lyrical progression as Echoes of Silence and leaves no trace of experimental diversity.
Highlights of the album include the tracks “Live For” featuring Drake, “Wanderlust,” which is reminiscent of a young Michael Jackson, and “Kiss Land.”
Tesfaye’s second album Kiss Land provides an infusive collection of contemporary R&B and pop melodies to create a unique and tremendously immersive listening experience. Currently only available on a livestream by NPR, the album is set to release on September 10.
