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The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Despite some of the flaws in cohesion between subject matter and music, Dacus thoroughly explores love and domesticity in “Forever Is a Feeling,” affirming her relationship beautifully and without shame through her art.

Lucy Dacus explores queerness and the mundanity of love in “Forever Is A Feeling”

by Cynthia Xie, A&E/Lifestyle Editor April 28, 2025

Virginian songwriter Lucy Dacus’ latest album, “Forever Is A Feeling,” explores her budding queer relationship with music artist and collaborator Julien Baker. Although the introspective lyrics make...

Released March 7, “MAYHEM” finally revives the beloved electric debut of Lady Gaga’s illustrious career but lacks further inspiration.

“MAYHEM” launches Lady Gaga’s boring Renaissance

by Claire Tian, Assistant STEM Editor March 19, 2025

Since stepping into the scene in 2008, Lady Gaga has dazzled audiences with her ability to shapeshift—to melt into distinct theatrical personas and musical genres. Gaga first topped charts with electropop,...

Hozier’s album “Unreal Unearth: Unending” weaves varying genres – from blues to folk to soul – and experimentation with synth and orchestral compositions into a compelling tracklist of 26 songs. Borrowing the narrative structure and many thematic elements of Dante’s “Inferno”, the album explores the depths of human emotion and delivers sharp societal commentary. 

Hozier extends social commentary in “Unreal Unearth: Unending”

by Claire Tian, Assistant STEM Editor January 12, 2025

Hozier’s album “Unreal Unearth: Unending” weaves varying genres—from blues to folk to soul—and experimentation with synth and orchestral compositions into a compelling tracklist of 26 songs....

The sheer vulnerability of Tyler’s personal reflections alone makes Chromokopia worth listening to. For any creative at his level of popularity, there is a distinct threat of becoming more of a brand than an artist. While Tyler does not veer into anything that could be considered unmarketable or controversial on the record, he does bring a certain rawness to the table.

Tyler, Created

by Gabe Sachse, Aquila Managing Editor November 18, 2024

“Do I look like him?” So goes the most impactful and emotional lyric on rapper Tyler, the Creator’s 2024 record, "Chromakopia." In the lyric, Tyler refers to his estranged father, but he could...

Delightfully naughty and nice: “Short n’ Sweet” portrays Sabrina Carpenter in her purest form

Delightfully naughty and nice: “Short n’ Sweet” portrays Sabrina Carpenter in her purest form

by Lily Peng, Reporter September 17, 2024

A flirty wink, a casual toss of her hair, a dazzling voice. And from that voice comes simple melodies. Silly tunes ring clearly in my head, ready to erupt from my lips in off-tune shrieks and compel...

After focusing much of her career on creating chart-topping pop singles, Swift now embraces synth-pop styles. It’s difficult to pigeonhole TTPD into a singular category, and Swift, who has tackled almost every genre throughout her career, would probably uphold that sense of ambiguity.

Taylor Swift shares poetic poignancy in “The Tortured Poet’s Department”

by Ashley Mo, Tiffany Zhu, and Kairui Sun May 11, 2024

31 tracks, two hours — the longest album singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has ever released. Swift dropped “The Tortured Poet’s Department” on April 19, breaking the record for most streams in 24...

Maggie Rogers' new album “Don’t Forget Me” largely hinges on experiencing a complicated relationship with love itself. Outside of her lyrics, Rogers unites diverse instruments under a cohesive sound in her newest work. S

‘Don’t Forget Her:’ Maggie Rogers etches herself into singer-songwriter legend

by Gabe Sachse, Co-Aquila Managing Editor May 3, 2024

“Everybody’s going crazy / See them walking down the street” croons Maggie Rogers as she opens her new album “Don’t Forget Me” with an existential twist. Right away, the indie singer-songwriter...

In his new 23-track long album “For All The Dogs," Drake grapples between options for his next persona. Filler songs dilute the album’s highlights, making “For All The Dogs” a much longer and mind-numbing listen than necessary.

‘For All The Dogs:’ Is the “old Drake” really back?

by Edward Huang and Ashley Mo December 6, 2023

Canadian rapper and singer Drake has explored every corner of the musical world since breakout mixtape "So Far Gone" in 2009. He dabbled in moody atmospheres with "Nothing Was the Same," embraced dancehall...

Travis Scott's fourth full-length album "UTOPIA" features disconnected songs and thinly-veiled attempts at virality. While the album may offer moments of brilliance, it leaves listeners yearning for the depth and authenticity found in his earlier works.

Not quite utopia

by Edward Huang, Winged Post Co-Managing Editor August 30, 2023

After over five years of silence, hip-hop artist Travis Scott has finally returned. Releasing his fourth full-length studio album "UTOPIA" on July 28, the hip-hop artist marked his long-awaited return...

"The Secret History," a 1992 novel by Donna Tartt, carries one theme throughout: Beauty is terror, and the incessant pursuit of beauty, whether through constructing a certain persona or chasing a sensory experience, leads to evil. The characters’ descent into madness and subsequently, ruin, illustrates the consequences of pursuing a glamorous, hedonistic existence and reminds us to appreciate the good, not the beautiful.

Book Corner: ‘Beauty is harsh’

by Alena Suleiman, Co-Arts & Entertainment Editor January 19, 2023

An onslaught of white as far as your eyes can see. Freezing, you trudge your way through heaps of snow. Yet the blindingly beautiful scene masks a treacherous murder, as you and other Vermonters discover...

This is the second installment of Musical Musings, a podcast where Aquila staff members review and discuss music albums. In this episode, Erica and Irene share their thoughts on the soundtrack of Disney’s “Encanto,” released Nov. 24.

Musical Musings Episode 2: Encanto

by Erica Cai and Irene Yuan March 24, 2022

This is the second installment of Musical Musings, a podcast where Aquila staff members review and discuss music albums. In this episode, Erica and Irene share their thoughts on the soundtrack of Disney’s...

This is the second installment of Musical Musings, a podcast where Aquila staff members review and discuss music albums. In this episode, Erica and Irene share their thoughts on the soundtrack of Disney’s “Encanto,” released Nov. 24.

Musical Musings Episode 1: ‘Blue Banisters’ by Lana Del Rey

by Arely Sun and Michelle Liu January 15, 2022

This is the first installment of Musical Musings, a podcast where Aquila staff members review and discuss music albums. In this episode, Arely and Michelle share their thoughts on singer and songwriter...

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