Summer brings nostalgia for many people. Whether it’s going on vacation with family or attending summer camps with friends, memories of this time are often cherished. Another key point to this season is the music we listen to and what we deem our soundtrack for the summer. Every year the listening vibe changes based on artists and mood. Last summer it was the song “Ordinary” by Alex Warren, and the year before that it was “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. These songs are very different from one another, but they still fall under the pop category. “Ordinary” is very emotional and is an outpouring of the singer’s feelings for his significant other, where “Espresso” is more of a fun and upbeat tune that makes people want to dance. With both of these exciting hits, what will the next Summer showstopper be?

Olivia Rodrigo’s new album “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” is set to be released on June 12, and is already showing a lot of promise. Rodrigo released a single titled “Drop Dead” from the album earlier this year and it grew in popularity quickly. With this single climbing the charts, and the success she gained from her last two albums, it is safe to assume she could have one of the leading sounds this Summer. It is also likely that the trends will stay consistent with the pop theme that has been present in previous years. 

My favorite album to listen to during the summer is Staying at Tamara’s by George Ezra. This album was released in 2018, and it has not failed me for a summer yet. The mood is slower with a more mellow feeling throughout the album. Ezra uses storytelling along with an acoustic sound to paint the listener a picture of a blissful time. My personal favorite to listen to with my windows rolled down on a nice summer outing is “Shotgun.” It talks about a simple life where the only thing the singer is worried about is riding in the front seat of a car on a beautiful day. This album is the perfect way to start a summer road trip or barbeque with friends and family. As I said before, summer brings many memories, and music holds a lot of memories as well. Therefore, instead of only playing the new hits this June, it might do us some good to hear from previous artists that have paved the way for new summer hits. All in all, when it comes time in a couple weeks, you better believe I will be riding shotgun and listening to my hit sounds for the summer.

Favorite Vacation: 

A. Beach Day      B. Mountains     C. Shopping spree   D. Sports Camp   E. Touring Europe 

Who do you get advice from?

A. My Parents     B. My Friends      C. Myself     D. My Coach   E. My Teacher 

What is your favorite way to spend your time? 

A. Reading  B. Playing Sports  C. Listening to Music   D. Crafting   E. Performing Musicals

What is your go-to color?

A. Purple   B. Blue    C. Green   D. Red  E. Pink

Which side character was your favorite?

A. Taylor   B. Coach Bolton  C. Martha  D. Zeke  E. Ms. Darbus 

What is your favorite article of clothing?

A. Sneakers  B. Jeans  C. Polo Shirt  D. Jersey  E. Dress

What is your favorite Disney Channel Original Movie? 

A. Lemonade Mouth   B. Camp Rock   C. Zombies   D. Starstruck   E. Teen Beach Movie 

This article initially appeared in a print issue of the Monitor published 31 Oct. 2025.

It’s officially the end of October which means the spooky season is upon us. Street decor is littered with witches, ghouls and, of course, ghosts, but this is all just decoration… right? There has been a prolonged debate throughout history about whether ghosts exist or are simply figments of people’s imagination. Ancient texts suggest that ghost stories have been told since the time of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, where there was a belief that spirits lived after death and moved on to the afterlife. In Greece and Rome there are letters that suggest some people believed in ghosts as spirits that stayed in their resting place after death. 

Moving to the present day, society typically understands ghosts through pop culture references. Movies, such as “The Conjuring” and “Beetlejuice”, depict ghosts as spirits that either have unfinished business or are seeking revenge. The plots of these stories follow the same general message, where ghosts are something that should be continuously feared. However, I believe the historical examples of ghosts are more accurate to what these spirits, if they do indeed surround us, are like.

I have mixed feelings about ghosts. If ghosts do indeed exist, my idea of them doesn’t necessarily align with the pop-culture ghost. I would hope that they more resemble spirits of past loved ones looking over their living relatives. A few religions, such as Christianity, see ghosts as almost a guide throughout everyday life. In Christianity the Holy Ghost is meant to steer people down the path of righteousness and lead them out of the dark. I think this image of spirits and ghosts is beautiful because it depicts them as guides and caregivers. There are passed members of my family that I miss, and there is something comforting about the idea of them looking over me in spirit. This, to me, paints a more realistic picture of what ghosts are meant to be: spirits who protect and guide the living. 

Now, this description of ghosts probably isn’t what you were thinking when you decided to break out your jack-o-lanterns and costumes, but I feel it gives meaning behind the symbol we see so often around Halloween. The idea of a ghost doesn’t have to be an image that strikes fear into kids and horror movie fans alike; instead it can be a reminder of loved ones lost. The Day of the Dead, or Dia De Los Muertos, is a holiday celebrated across Latin America where the living reunite with the dead. Through offerings and decorated altars, family members can encourage those who have passed to come visit them in the land of the living. This belief that spirits come back and can see their loved ones, even for just a night, is a twist on how modern horror culture views spirits. 

At the end of the day, I don’t know if ghosts are real and I don’t think I’ll ever truly find out. However, what I do know is that if ghosts are more like our loved ones and less likeThe Conjuring’s Bathsheba, it makes my Halloween a little less terrifying.

Everyone’s favorite Disney Channel icon turned pop star has released a new album, and it is blowing up the Billboard 200 charts. Sabrina Carpenter’s new album “Man’s Best Friend” has continued her pattern of irony and innuendos in songs, while mixing in her impressive vocal range. Carpenter is a world renowned pop sensation that took over the world by storm in 2022 with her first album emails i can’t send. Her song Manchild was released prior to the album as a single and fans went wild. Atwood Magazine’s writer Danielle Holian stated that the song was, “bold, theatrical, and playfully pissed off. More importantly, it feels fun.” The song is about how Carpenter tends to fall for men that act like “manchildren,” —something that almost all women can relate to.

Bold music can be seen throughout the rest of “Man’s Best Friend” as well. One of the leading songs of the album is called “Tears,” and it is one of Carpenter’s many double-meaning songs. The song centers around the idea that all a man has to do to earn a woman’s love is be responsible. She mentions examples such as doing the dishes or assembling a piece of IKEA furniture. Her words hint at a very real critique in society where women don’t always want grand gestures but would rather choose a man who listens to them.   Another song that is receiving love on this album is “When Did You Get Hot?” This song is centered around a scenario where Carpenter runs into an old friend that she didn’t find  attractive as a young girl. However, when she runs into him  later she realizes that he has “become hot all of a sudden.” This cheeky song is meant to highlight the emotions a person can feel when it comes to running into an old acquaintance with a new look. Whether it be after you have had a glow-up or the other person has, there is always some level of surprise and satisfaction for either party.

Despite the album’s success and songs landing spots in the top 3 of the Billboard 100, Carpenter has repeatedly faced criticism for the album’s cover photo. The picture is of her on all fours as a man holds her hair as a leash. Sara Delgado, a writer for Teen Vogue, stated in an article that, “Many have pointed out the image bears a strong resemblance to ‘misogynistic ads from the ’60s.’” and “others claim that the photograph is intended for the male gaze.” However, even with this criticism brought forth by fans, the album is continuing to earn a top spot on the Billboard 100, and in the hearts of listeners everywhere. This new wave of testing boundaries in music is continuing to grow in popularity, and it looks like the singing powerhouse Sabrina Carpenter is just getting started.