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The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

Singer-songwriter and actress Ariana Grande poses on the cover for her newest album “eternal sunshine.” Grande’s seventh studio album arrived on March 8 after a three-year drought, granting the long-time wishes of her fanbase; for Grande, it was the most emotional project she’s ever made. "Although this album captures a lot of painful moments, it also is woven together with a through line of deep, sincere love," Grande said via Instagram story following the album’s release.

Walking on “eternal sunshine”

Risa Cidoni and Samir Shaik March 15, 2024

As the music industry undergoes a major transitional period in 2024, older legacy artists have begun to slowly age out of the mainstream and new artists have risen on the charts. This time has been fraught...

“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” has been credited as one of the most influential albums of all time. In “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” the genres of hip hop, neo soul and R&B are blurred, but this experimentative sound is also what makes the album work so well.

Twenty-five years later: “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” is a shining beacon of once-in-a-lifetime talent

Elizabeth Franklin, Editor-in-Chief December 4, 2023

On August 25, 1998, singer and rapper Lauryn Hill released her debut album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” following a series of circumstances in her life, including her pregnancy, her departure...

Rod Wave released his new album “Nostalgia” Sept. 15. The album reached No. 1 on the top albums chart on Apple Music, overtaking the album “GUTS” by Olivia Rodrigo. Starting Oct. 19, Rod Wave will tour 35 cities —  including St. Louis — up until Dec. 18.

“Nostalgia” by Rod Wave

Samari Sanders, Staff Writer November 6, 2023

Florida rapper Rodarius Marcell Green — known professionally as Rod Wave — has become one the world’s biggest music artists yet. Green defined the new genre of soul trap, a subgenre of hip hop that...

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift smiles on the cover of her newest album, surrounded by five seagulls. On Oct. 27, the night of “1989’s” re-release, Swift took to Instagram to let out her thoughts on finally owning the masters of her most influential album in pop music. “I was born in 1989, reinvented for the first time in 2014, and a part of me was reclaimed in 2023 with the re-release of this album I love so dearly,” Swift wrote.

Reliving her ‘wildest dreams’

Samir Shaik, Risa Cidoni, and Emily Early November 2, 2023

On Aug. 9, global superstar and decorated musical veteran Taylor Swift kicked off the final night of the U.S. leg of her Eras Tour at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, performing in front of more than 70,000...

Silhouettes against the sky, the members of boygenius look out over an ocean. Composed of singer-songwriters Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, the trio released their second EP, “the rest” on Oct. 13. The band has accumulated almost 4.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Simple but sweet: boygenius’ “the rest” follows their debut enchantingly

Emily Early, Editor-in-Chief November 1, 2023

On Sept. 25, four Instagram accounts simultaneously posted an update to their feed — singer-songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and the account dedicated to their American indie supergroup,...

Singer-songwriter and actress Olivia Rodrigo poses, biting her thumb and displaying the rings on her hand spelling out her sophomore album’s name, “GUTS.” The album came out Sept. 8, charting all 12 tracks on the top 40 of the Billboard Top 100. Tracks on her album vary from pop to punk and have relatable lyrics to entice her fans.

Olivia Rodrigo spills her ‘GUTS’ with sophomore album

Audri Van Kirk, Staff Writer October 19, 2023

“I know my age, and I act like it:” this rage-filled line is screamed in the opening song of singer-songwriter and actress Olivia Rodrigo’s newest album “GUTS.” On May 21, 2021, when Rodrigo’s...

Grunge icons Pearl Jam released their new live album “Deep: Touring Band 2023” April 20. The live album is gaining praise for being one of the band’s best live albums and most vulnerable records in years. Though some people are harshly critiquing singer Eddie Vedder’s mature voice, for a band that’s been around for 30 years and has gone through many changes, I think this is an impressive album from the group. (Photo from Pearl Jam)

Pearl Jam: “Deep” or outdated?

Mikalah Owens, Staff Writer May 22, 2023

From being the first band to ever publicly protest in favor of the pro-choice movement on live television on MTV Unplugged in 1992 to hanging from 20-feet rafters at concerts to being the first band to...

Thrash metal band Metallica released their 11th studio album, “72 Seasons,” April 14. While some fans are calling “72 Seasons” Metallica’s best album in a long time, the band’s new album is mediocre and more annoying than anything. The bright album cover is starkly different from the band’s other cover art with its obnoxiously loud color and doesn’t blend well with the album’s sound. (Photo from Metallica)

“72 Seasons:” yet another disappointing Metallica release

Mikalah Owens, Staff Writer May 19, 2023

After 40 years of releases and four decades of being simultaneously loved and loathed, Metallica returns with their new album “72 Seasons.”  Honestly, I’m not a big Metallica fan, but I understand...

The famous punk band Green Day rereleases its fifth studio album, “Nimrod,” for its 25th anniversary. The album details Billie Joe Armstrong's struggle with fame, love, heartbreak, and substance abuse. “Nimrod” has been one of Green Days' most applauded albums among fans and critics for its step away from the punk scene.

“Nimrod”: Twenty-Five Years of Meh

Mikalah Owens, Staff Writer April 19, 2023

Before Green Day took on the U.S. government in 2004 with the iconic album “American Idiot,” they experimented with "Nimrod" in 1997. Whether that was the ska influence of “King for a Day” or the...

Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams released her debut album “Good Riddance” Feb. 24 through Interscope Records. Leading up to the album’s debut, Abrams released three singles: “Difficult,” “Where do we go now?” and “Amelie.”

Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams delivers an impressive debut album

Emily Early, Editor-in-Chief March 2, 2023

“You fell hard. I thought, ‘good riddance.’”  Filled with remorse, this brutally honest line is sung in the opening track of singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams’ new debut album, “Good Riddance.”...