Page 5 - Twice-Told April 2018

Volume 18, Issue 6 Page 5

In the Lights

By Yuyan Guo
W tional vocal skills in, “Like That,” where she goes up “Repercussions,” and, “To the Grave,” demonstrating
hile many artists seek to tell stories through
their music, 19-year-old singer-songwriter Bea Miller to high pitch ranges during the chorus. The pace the versatility of her vocals.
does so in the most innovative way in her sophomore speeds up in, “Buy Me Diamonds,” another unique The album’s variation elevates itself to another
album, Aurora. On February 23, 2017, exactly a year track featuring variation of vocals that seem to come level. Each song brings new surprises. Even though
before the release of the album, Miller released an an- from different distances. “Outside,” even has an elec- most tracks feature steady pulsating and catchy rhythms,
nouncement on Y ouTube that she would be taking lis- tronic dance music feel as the bustle of the instrumen- the different instrumentation and atmosphere can always
teners through her journey over the span of a year. Eve- tation juxtaposes against the lonely undertone in the distinct one from another. Aurora, an album of unique,
ry three months, Miller released a chapter of three songs lyrics. breathtaking beauty just like its namesake, has opened
in an EP. Aurora inserts five new tracks into the se- “Bored,” is quirky addition with a mysterious my eyes to the immense creative potential of the 19-year
quence of the nine previously dropped. tune that surprisingly contrasts its title. I particularly -old and left me eagerly awaiting her next masterpiece.
Miller employs the theme of three primary col- love, “Warmer,” for several
ors to convey emotions. “Song Like You,” the first song reasons. Not only does its
premiered in Chapter One: Blue, kicks off the intense name signals the progression
feelings of frustration with Miller’s signature deep, into a warmer color, Chapter
croaky vocals and accurately portrays the ups and Three: Yellow, it is also melod-
downs of emotions with the contrast between strong ic track with lyrics hinting at
beats and soft interims. “Burning Bridges,” follows up the birth of a new relationship.
with even more dramatic choruses and raw emotions – In the last chapter, Mil-
the powerful on-beats, the magnificent image of, ler completely recovers and
“London Bridge is Falling Down,” and the mixing ef- frees herself from old con-
fect stretching her voice to the extremes. The strength of straints. “S.L.U.T.,” which
emotion culminates in the boisterous melody and fast stands for, “Sweet Little Un-
plucking of guitar strings that comes next in, forgettable Thing,” echoes the
“Motherlove,” one of the new songs on the record. To message of self-love previous-
wrap up the chapter, “I Can’t Breathe,” contrasts the ly heard in, “Motherlove,” and
previous songs by showing the softness and exhaustion features upbeat tunes that re-
after a storm. Its combination of humming and sympho- mind me of Taylor Swift’s,
ny creates a sense of being devoured by emotions. “Shake It Off.” Miller experi-
Chapter Two: Red, according to Miller, is a pro- ments with some peculiar mel-
cess of reconciling with the past negativity and picking odies towards the end of the
back up. Whether it is in old tracks like, “Buy Me Dia- album, like the smooth sym-
monds,” or new additions like, “Outside,” catchy beats phonic pre-chorus of,
are highlighted by synthetic elements to paint a picture “Crash&burn.” Her voice goes
of increasing positivity. Miller demonstrates her excep- to the highest extremes in, (Above) Graphic courtesy of beamiller.com.

Artist: Bea Miller Album: Aurora Grade: A
The Future is Female… And Weird

By Nick Nimkoff
I Here, we find out about a
t's hard for me to exactly describe Alex Gar-
land's new Sci-Fi Adventure Annihilation. On one hand comet that has crashed on Earth
I feel like I have a lot to say about it, but on the other is and has been emitting a field of
the fact that it is one of those movies that one just radiation that affects the plant and
doesn't know what to say afterwards. I have had a day to animal life. Kane, it turns out, was
think about it now, and I believe I can confidently say sent on an expedition to explore
that it is a good movie. A great movie in fact. the area and returned very sudden-
The plot of Annihilation is not exactly easy, but I ly. Now, Lena reluctantly signs up
will try and simplify it to the best of my ability. College to do the same to find out what is
professor Lena played by Natalie Portman comes home happening in this strange land. On
one day and paints the room that she once shared with the way the team, made up of all
her now deceased husband. To her surprise however we females, encounters many differ-
see a figure walking up the stairs to the room who is ent creatures which attack and
none other than her husband who has been gone for hunt down Lena and her friends.
about a year. Her husband Kane, played by Oscar Isaac, From there on Annihilation
had been on a secretive military assignment, and when becomes a fight for survival and a
quest for answers. There is a lot of (Above) One of my favorite aspects of the movie is the creatures and the use of
surreal imagery in the movie and practical effects that go with them. At certain points the audience can tell when
most of it remains unexplained for there is CGI, but at others one can’t be sure. When a movie can blend the two medi-
the most part. The characters ums of special effects so well, that is when a movie has succeeded with its effects.
themselves are also a bit of a mys- Photo courtesy of The Atlantic.
tery. We are not given much information about who growing off of its antlers, and even a bear with part of
they are or why they are on this mission, but the audi- its skull on the outside of its body. There are even more
ence soon finds these things out one way or another. It weird creations, but I want to keep those unspoiled.
helps to elevate the story, and the sense of mystery Overall, I would say that Annihilation is a really
surrounding it really added some depth. great movie. All of the main characters turn in pretty
(Above) While the beginning of the movie is very slow, Anni- Annihilation, just like last year's Blade Runner good performances, and the story provides enough mys-
hilation picks up a whole lot near the 20 minute mark. How- 2049, is complex Sci-Fi. It never dumbs anything tery and intrigue to keep the audience occupied through-
ever, all of the information from the beginning of the film down, and we need more of that kind of storytelling. It out, despite the fact that it does drag a tiny bit in the
comes to relevancy at one point or another, including charac- has a slight feminist element with the main cast being beginning. The special effects, both practical and CGI,
ters with only a few lines. Photo courtesy of Collider. completely female, but it never panders on this fact are very well done, and even the music is memorable
except pointing this out once. The science, while with a high-pitched hum that provides a feeling of mys-
questioned where he was by Lena, he tells her that he sometimes explained, certainly doesn't say much as to tery and suspense to a lot of scenes. I would definitely
doesn't remember. He starts bleeding during this con- why these things are happening. A lot of the creatures recommend it to anyone into Sci-Fi and mystery, but the
versation and is rushed to the hospital. On the way, they one might have seen in the trailer are much weirder on pill may be too hard to swallow otherwise. I give Anni-
are intercepted by military personnel who take Lena and the big screen than the trailer makes them out to be. hilation an A.
Kane into their custody. There is a giant albino alligator, a deer with plants