Monthly Archives: February 2025

Album Review: An Evening With Silk Sonic

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An Evening With Silk Sonic is the debut record of the newly formed R&B, funk, soul duo Silk Sonic. The duo consists of hitmaking legend, Bruno Mars, and Californian singer/rapper Anderson.Paak. The album is a concise 10 tracks with just over 36 minutes of run time. 

Production: Sonically this record is very cohesive. All the tracks have an R&B, funk, and soul influence. Bruno Mars’s last record 24K Magic dove into similar sounds, however, An Evening With Silk Sonic, has a much more traditional and authentic sound. The incorporation of live instruments and incredible vocals makes the album feel like a concert experience. 

Writing: The lyrics on this album go from playful and cheeky to songs like “777”, a song that depicts a typical Vegas gambling night. There are many quotable lines on it like “Moonwalk to the money like I’m Mike Jack”. However, the record gets deep and emotional on “Put on a Smile”. The song is about how they cannot put on a smile anymore because their ex-lover was the only thing worth smiling for. The writing is reminiscent of Anderson. Paak’s album Ventura and also Mars’s debut Doo-wops and Hooligans. 

Reception: The lead single for this record “Leave the Door Open” went #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another track “Smoking Out the Window” hit #5, and five other tracks debuted in the top 100.  The overall record reached #2 on Billboard 200 which is for albums. An Evening with Silk Sonic was met with critical acclaim and the song “Leave the Door Open” won four out of four Grammy nominations including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

 Overall An Evening with Silk Sonic is a great listen and I highly recommend it. Especially to fans of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Bootsy Collins, Thundercat, and Brent Faiyaz.

Album Review – Currents by Tame Impala

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Tame Impala is a psychedelic pop project by Australian singer Kevin Parker. He released their third album, Currents, in 2015. This is the first album that Parker mixed and recorded all music and instruments alone, therefore the album featured no other collaborators. Personally, this is my favorite album by Tame Impala and I became a fan of them after discovering the hit song, The Less I Know The Better.

Similar artists – MGMT, Mac deMarco, Foster the People

Themes and Lyrics

  • The album revolves around ideas of self-discovery, complex relationships, and conflicts in past and present. Almost every song describes relation-related transformations as well as their struggles. One of the more prominent examples of these journeys of self reflection can be seen in this quote from the song Yes I’m Changing

“Life is moving, can’t you see? There’s no future left for you and me”

I think the song describes getting over a relationship that most likely isn’t going to work out. This quote illustrates that it’s not always right to be stuck in the past, which many people can sympathize with. Another song that strongly embeds this theme is Past Life, in which a guy talks about an encounter with his old lover, which gives him a strange feeling.

Impressions and Opinions

  • Overall the songs in this album are very ethereal and nostalgia-inducing. My favorite songs in the album are Love/Paranoia and Eventually. If you are a first time listener to this album, I would definitely suggest listening to The Less I Know The Better and Let it Happen. My least favorite songs are either very repetitive (Nangs) or don’t have any lyrics (Gossip). No offense to the instrumentals, they’re great, but it’s just not for me.

Final Comments

  • I would recommend this album to people who enjoy upbeat, immersive music and would like to explore themes of personal transformation. If you’re getting over a relationship you might find a connection with this album.

Hunter X Hunter: Character Analysis

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Hunter X Hunter is an iconic manga published in 1998 by its author, Yoshihiro Togashi. Following Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio’s adventures, it includes a variety of arcs, including the first Hunter Exam arc, but its well-written characters make up the most compelling part of the series. 

Gon Freecs, the more outgoing of the dual protagonists, is 12 years old at the start of the series. Highly tuned to nature due to his upbringing on an island, he also appears to have learned most of his morals by observing nature, though also taught by his dear Aunt Mito. Though often seen as a “ball of sunshine” by readers, he has been said to have dubious morality by others within the book, merely following a “good” path because that’s where life led him. This may also be the reason why he can be so “selfish” but is still fine with how his dad left him as a baby. Overall, he is a good-plot driver with a strong will as well as an interesting personality.

No less important is “Gon’s best friend,” another 12 year old known as Killua Zoldyck. Abused and trained to become an assassin by his family since childhood, he beat up his mom and one of his older brothers to escape before taking the Hunter Exam on a whim. Unlike Gon, Killua was raised by a strict structure and saw following someone he cares about instead of obeying his family as an act of defiance. However, Killua’s close friendship with Gon made them sometimes unhealthily co-dependent. The manga explores his friendship with Gon, growth from his initial self-deprecation, and how he learns to feel things through his own heart.

Kurapika of the Kurta clan, a 17 year old in the first volume, had his entire clan killed by the Phantom Troupe while a child. To avenge his clan, he became a Hunter to seek out and kill all the members, or Spiders, of the Phantom Troupe. Though he first appears in the series as someone with a noble goal, this quest also leads him to venture into the shadier parts of society. His development centers around the reasons for his choice to suffer.

The final of the main 4, Leorio Paladiknight, age 19, is unfortunately played off as comedic relief for most of the story. He aspires to become a doctor to save those who would otherwise die of diseases akin to the one his childhood friend suffered from. Differing from Gon and Killua, who end up different mostly because of their upbringings,  Kurapika and Leorio both were deeply affected by how loved ones died during their childhood. I found it interesting how Kurapika had the motto of “they made my kin suffer, so I will make them suffer,” while Leorio stood by “it hurt my friend, so I’ll make sure no one else hurts in such a way ever again.” In conclusion, Hunter X Hunter contains amazing protagonists with inspiring character arcs and unique backstories.

Hunter X Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. 

The Green Ember Book 1 by S. D. Smith

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The Green Ember by S. D. Smith is about two rabbits called Heather and Picket and their journey to escape and conquer the wolves led by an evil bird named Morbin. Driven away from their home, Heather and Picket must escape the wolves, find a new home, and keep moving forward.

I really liked how descriptive the book was on the characters’ feelings, and it made them more lovable as well. Heather and Picket eventually stumble upon their secret uncle and their adopted cousin, which then lead them to a secret village called Mended Woods. This is a community full of hope and prosperity, determined to take back their land from Morbin’s rule.

Heather and Picket must then learn about their ancestry and the past before turning to face the world at its present. They must endure the hardship of their missing family, and must overcome their grief to follow their calling. Once befriending a nurse in training named Emma, Heather and Picket fit right at home in their new community, until they learn secrets on their family’s past that were better left uncovered.

Overall, I really liked the book and the suspense. (FYI: many chapters end in cliffhangers!) It is kind of like a good vs. bad kind of book, but also talks about hope during hardships and endurance. No matter how hard the challenge, the characters seem to overcome it, even when facing tremendous suffering. The book is sometimes too descriptive, and goes on and on with details, but is also really engaging at times.

I think this is a good book that has a message to have hope and overcome adversity no matter how hard your challenge is. There are many more books in the series, and I am excited to read more! I would recommend this book to others who like to read about adventure and a little suspense. Overall, I really liked The Green Ember and would recommend reading it.

The Green Ember by S. D. Smith is available to download for free from Libby.

STEAM Stations: Coding Day

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Previously in January, the library held their first STEAM Station to begin the new year. What is STEAM Stations? STEAM Stations is a library program that the Teen Advisory Board organizes that prioritize different aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math). The library’s first STEAM Station was Coding Day; a station concentrated around coding.

For those who missed it, Coding Day had three mini stations all centralized around binary code:

The first station was our name activity. Essentially, it taught all participants how to write their name in binary code in a fun, artistic way. The activity was an art based project where participants would choose two colors (one to represent 1s and one to represent 0s)  so they could create their name in binary code. By coloring in specific squares to fill in the ones and zeroes, they were able to create their own, unique binary block that spelled out their name.

At the second station, participants created a binary code bracelet. Using binary code, they could match the numbers to the three colors of their choosing to create a beaded bracelet with their initials. Each color would represent one letter of their initial which they would then thread through colorful pipe cleaners that could tie around the participant’s wrist. Not only was it fun, but it provided another opportunity to try spelling using binary code. 

Finally, at the third station, participants created a paper binary calculator that could create the binary code for numbers all the way from 0 to 31. While the other two activities focused solely on spelling and creating letters with binary code, the binary calculator focused on creating numbers instead. It was a fun but easy math challenge that got participants thinking and learning numbers in binary code. 

Coding Day was a great success and had a very good turnout. While the event welcomed everyone 6 years old and up, plenty of young kids came and had a fun time creating art while also learning about how create numbers and letters using binary code. I had a fun time seeing their beautiful bracelets and unique binary names as I quizzed them with math problems using the binary calculator. While the event had many young kids, it was open for all ages to enjoy. All the crafts and activities are simple enough for everyone to try out but still fun to do and you get to leave with your own creations. 

While Coding Day was only a one day event, if you are interested in coding, check out the coding program at the Mission Viejo Library for availability. It is open for everyone so do not hesitate to try it out! Furthermore, there are two more STEAM Stations coming up. On February 8th, there will be Engineering Day and our final one on March 8th will be Biology Day. Each will be solely focused on their individual topics with fun and interactive stations for everyone to enjoy. It’s a fun experience that I hope more people come and check it out! Hope to see you all there!

-Nicole R.

Hamilton

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Hamilton a musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda explores Hamilton’s experiences and what rose him to power, his role in the American Revolution, and more. Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers and contributed dearly to what America is today. This musical is known for its unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater styles.

The musical covers Hamilton’s life from his early days as an immigrant from the Caribbean, through his role in the American Revolution, to his work as the first Secretary of the Treasury. It also explores some of his personal relationships, such as his wife, Eliza Schuyler, and his friendships and rivalries with Aaron Burr, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.

Although it’s a musical, it teaches in a really engaging way by blending historical facts with music and story-telling techniques. The use of hip-hop and R&B makes the information more appealing, especially to younger audiences.

The lyrics are packed with historical references and complex themes, which encourages listeners to pay attention and learn. The lyrics are also very amusing and the songs will be stuck in your head! One of my favorites is “Wait for It” sung by Aaron Burr, who is played by Leslie Odom Jr. in the original Broadway cast. It captures the struggle and resilience of Aaron Burr and the way he reflects on ambition, timing, and patience can be very relatable to listeners. Plus, the melody and delivery make it so emotional and tense.

Hamilton highlights the themes of legacy, ambition, and the complexities of the American dream. It’s both educational and entertaining, making the history of the musical vibrant and relevant. Lin-Manuel Miranda composed the most lyrical and amazing soundtrack for this musical and it’s incredible how he managed to write the musical and star as Alexander Hamilton himself. Even if musicals are not your cup of tea, I would highly recommend watching it as it is so amusing and the characters are so interesting to watch.

The Best Ways to Volunteer in Orange County

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A new year has started again, and what better way to start off your new year than helping out in the community? There are many ways to volunteer in the community, and volunteering helps not only others but gives you important skills as well. Here are some local volunteer opportunities to try to start out the new year. 

1. The Mission Viejo Library

Some of the best opportunities to volunteer locally are at the Mission Viejo Library. The Library holds many events and activities around the community which are great to volunteer at. The Santa’s Workshop event each December is a great way to volunteer, as well as the Arbor Day program at the Oso Creek Trail. I would also recommend writing for the Teen Voice Blog. For the blog, you can write one or more blog posts a month, and you can get service hours for this as well! To learn more about volunteering at the Mission Viejo Library, visit here: https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/library/about/volunteer-opportunities-library  

2. Second Harvest Food Bank

Another great way to volunteer in the community is at the Second Harvest Food Bank. It’s a great way to give back to the community with programs including food drives that help people in need, especially those without a home or who are food insecure. You can help here by harvesting food from the food bank’s farms or helping in the food distribution center to package and move food and canned goods. To learn more about how to help, visit here: https://feedoc.org/get-involved/

3. Mission Viejo Activities Committee

Another way to volunteer locally is through the Mission Viejo Activities Committee, which plans many of the activities in the community each year. Some of my personal favorite activities to volunteer for are the 4th of July Street Fair, Santa’s Workshop, and holiday decorating around the city. The Activities Committee hosts activities and booths at many city events, so if you are looking to volunteer, visit here: https://mvactivities.com/volunteer-opportunities/ 

4. Mission Viejo Animal Services

One of my personal favorite organizations to volunteer for locally is the Mission Viejo Animal Services, and this is a great opportunity if you enjoy working with animals. To volunteer, you can assist with services at the animal shelter, including walking dogs and caring for other animals including cats and rabbits. To learn more about volunteering at the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter, visit here: https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/departments/animal-services/volunteer-opportunities/volunteering-center 

5. Pacific Marine Mammal Center

If you are interested in learning more about the ocean and marine biology, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach is a great volunteer opportunity for you, and there are a wide variety of ways to help here as well. Volunteers can care for animals, feed animals, and clean enclosures and pools. You can also volunteer as a marine science instructor to teach others about marine biology and assist with activities for visitors, making this overall a great and educational volunteer opportunity to participate in. To learn more about volunteering at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, visit here: https://www.pacificmmc.org/volunteer 

Overall, all of these opportunities are great ways to help and give back to the community. These are all great opportunities if you are interested in helping with activities, helping those in need, or helping to care for animals. I would recommend all of these opportunities to anyone interested in volunteering or getting involved in the community. 

The Scarlett Letter: Book Review

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Recently, I just read The Scarlet Letter in AP Lang, and I think the book was a great work of fiction although it was quite tiring to read.

Basically, the book follows the story of a woman named Hester Prynne and her child Pearl. The setting is Boston, Massachusetts, and the society they live in is strictly Puritan. This Puritan society is the main theme of the book because it revolves around how strict and unforgiving they are towards “victims”.

The beginning of the book starts with Hester being shamed for her sin on a platform with her baby called Pearl as she conceived the child with another man. No one knows the real father of the child (as she keeps it a secret), and her actual husband has been away for business for a long period. Originally, they were thinking of whether to kill her or ban her from the colony for this disgrace, but instead, they decided to force her to put a letter A on her chest for the rest of her life. The “A” on her chest stands for adultery, which is the central theme of the book.

The story continues and Hester sees her actual husband on the platform where she is standing with her baby. Then, the story turns into one of mystery as the husband tries to find out who the father of Hester’s child is.

The book is very dense and is great for learning syntax. For me, it was difficult to get through, but the ending was pretty shocking. There were many revolving themes of the sense of sin, conformity to religion, public/individual guilt, and redemption. If you read closely, you will see many allusions to the bible.

Overall, The Scarlet Letter is still relevant today given our present issues surrounding identity, guilt, and resilience. It is a great book to read for anyone interested in exploring how the impact of societal judgment and societal expectations.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.