VOLUME 118 | ISSUE 3

UL to require vaccination Smoothie King to open after Pfizer’s FDA approval Lena Foster in Student NEWS EDITOR

The Food and Drug Administration’s Union full approval of the Pfizer vaccine led the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Kaytlyn Williams to require COVID-19 vaccines to be a NEWS WRITER part of student immunization records. On Aug. 23, The FDA granted full With more students back on consent of administration of the Pfizer campus, new food and dining options vaccine for people aged 16 and older. are being constructed. Currently, Comirnaty, the new terminology for the Brew, McAlisters, and the Ragin’ the vaccine according to the FDA, Cajun Food Court serve as hotspots was placed under emergency use for students to grab items. For authorization in 2020 and expanded to people who want a healthier option, people aged 12-15 in 2021. The vaccine Smoothie King will be a welcome went through the usual process of addition. certification to validate protectiveness. First noticed in late July, many According to Dr. Chris Hayes, the students wondered what would be Director of Student Health Services at constructed in this space. Sodexo UL Lafayette, the FDA’s process starts with the idea of the introduction of a Manager Renee Burgess was more new drug followed by plans of study Photo by Malik Jones / The Vermilion than happy to answer a few questions and research. A student receives a dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, people may have had. “They put in an investigational new April 7 at 12:29 p.m. “We knew that numerous people drug application in which they propose people. gave students an opportunity to wanted a healthy on the go option which studies they’re going to do in The process of submission will determine their opinions on the matter. based off of the email survey we sent order to see whether the drug is one: remain the same as it has in previous With the adjustments that had to be out. When doing the business plan, safe for human consumption, and two: years with immunization records. made due to the spread, most students we wanted this Smoothie King to be effective against treating anything that “Protocols for reporting vaccination seek normalcy again. Therefore, some a full franchise, meaning that it has humans have,” Hayes said. status to the University have been in decided that this mandate established a a full menu, takes Declining Balance The vaccine approval process then place for many years. Similar to all means of hope. and cash, and also does deals and goes through three clinical trials other immunizations on the schedule, “I do believe that every student promotions.” Burgess said. necessary to gather the information to students will be required to provide should have their choice, but at the The process wasn’t a walk in gain full FDA approval. proof of vaccination, a physician’s same time, the COVID pandemic is the park. The construction and “It’s been a lot of time evaluating certification that the vaccine is something very serious,” Jared Wilson, operation took longer than expected all the information that’s collected at medically contraindicated, or a written a senior at UL Lafayette, said. “I do because of COVID-19. Supplies this point,” Hayes said. “The FDA and dissent,” Savoie wrote on his blog site. believe that it is efficient for them to were not coming in time, they were scientists of the FDA feel comfortable Some students stated their agreement have finally approved the Pfizer vaccine understaffed and demands were not that the Pfizer vaccine is ready to be with the FDA’s approval due to the need and to require all students to get it, just being met. marketed.” for COVID-19 vaccine awareness. so we can get past this pandemic and Now, the Smoothie King is looking According to Hayes, Pfizer paired Hana Maung, a sophomore at UL get back to regular life as it was before.” to hire staff ahead of its grand with a German biotech company Lafayette, received the Johnson and The Student Health and Services opening. “Smoothie King will work that developed the technology and Johnson vaccine and shared her Center plans to split up their clinic around anyone’s schedule, either studies completed at a faster rate than understanding of the approval. days so that one portion is dedicated part time or full time. Everyone is Moderna or Johnson and Johnson. “I think that it’s not a bad idea. I to students without symptoms of As a result of the approval think that anything to help spread the COVID and another portion for welcome,” Burgess said. announcement, the University of usage of vaccines is great,” Maung said. students with some form of sickness or Caleb Franklin, a sophomore Louisiana System asked for the “I think it’s a step in a good direction, upper respiratory symptoms. The two majoring in Biology, is excited to have Louisiana Department of Health approving it.” separated clinic days are known as sick another campus dining option. With to include the COVID-19 vaccine However, some students found the clinic and well clinic. him having an almost completely in student immunization record approval incomplete and rushed. In the sick clinic, essential gear and remote freshman year, having to eat submissions. According to Jalen Johnson, a UL medical materials are given to center at the same places got repetitive. The LDH accepted the proposal, Lafayette junior, the vaccine was workers, and students can receive rapid “Being from a small town made it and therefore, one out of the three approved too quickly and needed more testing. difficult to have a lot of options, so COVID-19 vaccine options is now tests. He had a family member that had “The reason why we separated well Smoothie King quickly became one required for students to attend a a negative skin reaction to the vaccine, and sick is to protect our staff. Because of my favorite places to go to after Louisiana college institution. therefore, he believed that tests on if we all are sick, we can’t take care of I did anything. It doesn’t matter if I According to President Savoie’s blog, different blood types and skin types you guys,” Hayes said. was going to the gym, coming back the FDA’s prolonged level of expertise were needed. from school, or just grabbing a snack, in pharmacy and medicine study could The announcement of the Follow The Vermilion on Twitter it will always be my go-to spot,” @TheVermilion for more updates decrease some doubts in unvaccinated immunization records requirement Franklin said. Franklin also said that his favorite Smoothie King flavor is Banana Berry Treat, and in the future, he would like to see a Panda Express or Panera Bread be built. 5 new COVID-19 cases last Sometimes, it’s little things like this that makes students feel like their voices are being heard. Owen Torregrosa, a Sophomore week, bringing total to 1,133 Marketing major, explains how Morri Sampey important having a Smoothie King EDITOR-IN-CHIEF in the Union will be. “Five Dollar Fridays will bring in so much money, There were five new COVID-19 especially with students who live off cases among students, faculty and campus who simply want to grab staff at the University of Louisiana something before they commute back at Lafayette during the week of Aug. home”, Torregrosa said. “I know for 29, according to the university’s a fact that Smoothie King will always COVID-19 dashboard on Sept. 2. be my first stop on Fridays. I cannot According to the dashboard as of function without the infamous Thursday, the university has confirmed strawberry smoothie.” that 221 students and 235 faculty Torregrosa added that he would and staff members contracted the also like to see a Panda Express or virus, and 667 students have told the noodle dining option added in the university they’ve tested positive. This near future. “Luckily, the university means there have been a total of 1,133 Graphic by Cole Broussard and Sodexo have thrown this idea cases among students, faculty and staff faculty, staff and student workers. As of Thursday, the dashboard around many times and could at UL Lafayette. Self-reported tests were taken by off- displays total positive tests since Jan. possibly be in the works”, Burgess Confirmed positive tests include campus health care providers. Students 4, 2020. said. tests taken by Student Health Services in this category sent their results to the This is an ongoing story. Stay with and UL Lafayette Athletics, as well Follow The Vermilion on Twitter dean of students themselves, according the Vermilion for more updates. as tests submitted to the university’s @TheVermilion for more updates to the dashboard. human resources department by

News Sports Allons Allons THE VERMILION: ORIGINS MEN’S BASKETBALL DISCO ELYSIUM A PRETTIER JESUS

Managing Editor Amelia Jennings explores the Despite suffering a few losses, the Ragin’ This roleplaying game explores the way our Design Manager Cole Broussard examines history of The Vermilion and how it’s changed Cajuns roster is set for success. past shapes and affects us, according to Lorde’s new album “Solar Power” and what it over the years. Columnist Adhamm Safford. means to be introverted. PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 2 SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | THE VERMILION A historical look at The Vermilion and its origins, from 1904 to 2021 Amelia Jennings MANAGING EDITOR

The Vermilion Newspaper began in 1904, and its beginnings commenced with Dr. Edwin Stephens, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s founder. It was given the name because of the Vermilion River that runs through Lafayette. When it was first created, the newspaper was printed twice per month and was called “the voice of the students,” according to the archived book, “A Brief History of the University of Southwestern Louisiana 1900 to1960.” It would not become a weekly paper until 1933, and even then, it was only four pages long. The goal of creating this paper was to encourage participation in extracurricular activities and, on a more advanced level, record history. According to the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute Graphic by Cole Broussard (SLII) Catalog of 1904, “Through say, and it cost 50 cents per year. Manager Leah Carter. There was also university only asked for students to this medium they circulate many “(The Vermilion) became the voice one student from each class, including pay fees and for their supplies. interesting items of school news and of the students and was sold for fifty the Advanced Third-Year Class and According to the SLII Catalog of record the various important events of cents per school year,” the book reads. the Commercial Class. 1909, “In 1908 it was decided that the session’s history.” However, at this time, the students Now, students apply by filling out the Business Manager should be It was also intended to work hand- at the Vermilion were elected by the a form, and they are hired based on appointed by the president of the in-hand with the English Department student body, and each class was ability and willingness to learn. Institute on the basis of ability and of the time. represented. One other difference is that the merit,” the book reads. “(He should) The catalog continues, “The The library archive begins at the Business Manager was chosen by the make enough profit upon the business publication serves to develop the art of time of the fourth paper on Feb. 6, President of the University, based of publications to assist materially in editorial composition and is a helpful 1904. There were eight staff members on merit, and would be able to make paying his expenses at the Institute.” adjunct to the Department of English.” including the Editor-in-Chief Leslie enough money to pay for their school The paper was and is staffed by Philips, the Business Manager, L. D. expenses. It should be noted that Follow The Vermilion on Twitter @TheVermilion for more updates students, saying what they wanted it to Nickerson and the Assistant Business this did not include tuition, as the

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A weekly student publication of the University EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Morri Sampey SPORTS EDITOR Madelyn Myer All letters to the editor and guest editorials must of Louisiana at Lafayette. The paper is MANAGING EDITOR Amelia Jennings ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Zachary Nagy include the author’s full name and phone number and be no longer than 400 words in length. Submissions distributed on Wednesdays except on holidays NEWS EDITOR Lena Foster PHOTO COORDINATOR Malik Jones are edited for libel and vulgarity only. Editorial and and semester breaks.The Vermilion is supported DESIGN MANAGER Cole Broussard BUSINESS MANAGER Madelyn Myer columns reflect the author’s opinion and not those of in part by student-assessed fees. Views The Vermilion staff. expressed in The Vermilion do not necessarily All advertisements must be submitted by the Friday reflect those of UL Lafayette administrators, EMAIL [email protected] BUSINESS 482-6110 FAX 482-6959 MAIL P.O. Box 43721 before publication at [email protected]. faculty, staff or other students. Lafayette, LA 70504-4813 101 BOUCHER DRIVE LAFAYETTE, LA © 2021 Communications Committee of UL Lafayette. LOCATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THE VERMILION | SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 3 Sports Head Football Coach Billy Napier continues to lead Ragin’ Cajuns through highs and lows Evan Hale To have six players from what is COLUMNIST considered to be a small school in the football world get drafted in the NFL Head Football Coach Billy Napier and stay there speaks volumes about the changed the identity of the Ragin’ Cajuns program. The way a football program gets for the better in his first three seasons. on the right track like that is from good Napier has been head coach of the coaching and Napier is proving to be a Cajuns for three seasons and has never great one. had a losing win-loss record. As I mentioned earlier each year Napier This is the first time in Napier’s has improved his team’s performance. coaching career that he has been a head During his first season as head coach, the coach. Napier coached at big names Cajuns won seven games but lost seven schools such as the University of Alabama games. and Clemson University, having the role The following year the Cajuns won 11 of wide receiver coach and offensive games and lost three games. Then the coordinator respectively. most recent season was a shortened one Napier is proving that he is a very good due to COVID-19 restrictions, so the head coach by not only improving his Cajuns played 11 games and only lost one team year after year, but by producing game. players who are talented enough to be Napier has been a huge part of the selected in the NFL Draft. Cajuns’ success. The players believe in Photo by James Mays / The Vermilion In Napier’s time as head coach, six of his Napier as a coach and it shows on the field UL Lafayette’s head football coach Billy Napier walks down the sidelines as the Ragin’ players were drafted to NFL teams. Tracy and by the previously mentioned statistics. Cajuns take on the Coastal Carolina Chaunticleers at Cajun Field on September 22, 2018 Walker, Simeon Thomas, Robert Hunt, According to NCAA.com in the column labeled “previous,” the Cajuns were able The Cajuns have never been ranked that The Cajuns will open this season ranked Kevin Dotson, Raymond Calias and Elijah high in school history, so they come into 23rd according to the AP national college Mitchell. to reach as high as the 15th spot in the AP national college football rankings last the season wanting to prove they are still football rankings on NCAA.com.The All six players have homes on NFL that good, if not better. The Cajuns and Cajuns’ week one matchup is against the rosters as of now. Obviously you have season. This was only one spot behind newfound rival Coastal Carolina, who Napier have their work cut out for them Texas Longhorns so it will be a good test to be a talented athlete to play division if they want to get as high as 15th in the for the team and Coach Napier to see if one football, but a coach’s job is to make gave us our only loss last season, but that’s a different can of worms to open for later. nation. I believe Napier will have his team this team is improving even more. players better. ready for the challenge. Revised roster has Cajun basketball in position to slam dunk this season Zachary Nagy Adding a player of his caliber provides a SPORTS WRITER stud who can come in on day one and give key minutes. After an offseason of unbelievable Along with the exceptional additions roster moves, the Ragin’ Cajuns look this roster made, there were a few poised to come out and take the Sun Belt players who decided to take their talents Conference by storm. Adding multiple elsewhere. Power Five caliber players to Head Coach Starting with the major loss, Coach Bobby Marlin’s arsenal, this squad looks Marlin lost his prized gem in fifth year to be one of the deepest in the entire senior Cedric Russell. Electing to play conference. a fifth year after gaining an extra year One of the Cajuns most coveted of eligibility from COVID-19, Russell transfers is Jordan Brown. A former decided to enter the transfer portal and five-star recruit and McDonald’s All- take his talents to Ohio State University to American, Brown will play for the Cajuns showcase his skills on a higher stage. after a stint at the University of Arizona Like Russell, star sophomore Mylik where he gained tremendous experience Wilson also made the executive decision Photo by Brian Tran / The Vermilion playing in the Pac-12. to take his game to a bigger university, Along with Brown, the Cajuns added choosing to transfer to Texas Tech Freshman Kobe Julien dunks the ball as the Ragin’ Cajuns take on the McNeese Cowboys former four-star recruit and Lafayette University. Wilson will have three years of on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. native Greg Williams Jr. who gives this eligibility remaining as he looks to put his This roster has done a complete 180 Akwuba into the mix with these new roster an athletic menace to provide skillset on display in front of NBA scouts since last season. Adding numerous Power transfers, talent is brewing in Cajun highlight reel plays night in and night out on a nightly basis. Five talents puts Coach Marlin in the Country where this team has the chance for Coach Marlin. A player like Williams Lastly, Coach Marlin will have to look driver’s seat to win the conference, but to be special. is rare. His ability to fly in the air to dunk for someone to fill the void of Devin Butts, depth is sure to be an issue as they lose As Coach Marlin and his roster on opponents will have the CajunDome as the former Mississippi State transfer their key players in Wilson and Russell. continue gaining chemistry while buzzing every night. also chose to leave Lafayette after entering As former top tier recruits in Brown, learning each other’s playstyles, this The last domino to fall for Coach his name into the transfer portal. Jones and Williams Jr. look to fill the void, could be a scary team come tournament Marlin’s revamped roster came in as Butts decided to go the junior college Marlin has the opportunity to bring the time. Looking to be one of the most Creighton University transfer Antwann level where he can get a ton of playing Cajuns back to the NCAA tournament gifted rosters in men’s basketball history, Jones. Jones is an experienced guard who time to prove he is still a Division I caliber and make a serious run come March. the Cajundome will be an incredible has played at two Division I universities: talent, where he can eventually commit Returning Sun Belt Conference atmosphere this season. Creighton and the University of Memphis. to another school and play under the Defensive Player of the Year in Theo brightest lights after his JUCO stint. UL football being held back by SBC Caleb Williams continued by saying that the athletic SPORTS WRITER director of Louisiana, Bryan Maggard, said they are not knocking on doors and With the conference realignment of making phone calls just because Texas and Power 5 schools, many wonder what Oklahoma are going to the SEC.” Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns will do. The real To put it simply, Cajun fans should not question is where should they go. Without expect to switch conferences (especially to a doubt, the Sun Belt conference has been a Power 5 conference) after one excellent a great thing for Louisiana. With that said, season. Along with that idea, the idea room for growth is always a necessity. The of switching to another G5 conference West division of the Sun Belt currently can be assumed will not happen because poses no threat to Louisiana. It is in the Louisiana wants to be the best they can East where the real competition lies. With be. With that loosely said, it is up to teams such as Coastal Carolina (our only interpretation as to how they can be the season loss during our historic season) best they can be and in what fashion that and Appalachian State who has beat holds. Louisiana in the Sun Belt championship The switch to the American Athletic twice, an invitation to a bigger conference Conference could greatly benefit with these three teams would be a great Louisiana. The AAC contains top inclusion. With the hypothetical inclusion, contender teams not only for their Photo by James Mays / The Vermilion increased competition leads to more conference, but for college football Senior Trey Ragas runs into the defense while moving the ball down the field as the Ragin’ viewership which results in more money playoffs as well. The conference has the Cajuns take on Texas Southern on Sept. 14, 2019. Cincinnati Bobcats, who ranked eight for that conference. The only other Group playoffs. This would allow Louisiana, serious impact on our schedule record and of Five conference worth interest would be in the coaches preseason poll, SMU, Navy, Houston, along with others. While Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina and could take a couple seasons to get used to. the American Athletic Conference. Appalachian State to play each other, Fans must be prepared to be at the bottom One might ask why they should strive Cincinnati is the only team with a shot at the college playoffs in this conference, which are four very impressive teams of the barrel in their conference if a switch for another G5 conference when you which leads to playoff talk. It is hard to were to occur. could search for a Power 5 conference. the other teams listed are big money draw schools. Adding Louisiana, Coastal say which conference they should switch Though a conference switch is not Well the answer is simple, they are not to because of all the realignment that is highly talked about, it would be a good there yet. Carolina and Appalachian State would increase the competition for the AAC. taking place (especially with the alliance thing for Louisiana. Louisiana and Coastal According to Louisiana Daily Advertiser between the Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC). Carolina have outgrown their roots in the writer, Tim Buckley, states within an If Louisiana was to move to any Group of Five school, they should be the AAC The only thing that is certain is that Sun Belt and it is time for a fresh start. interview, “they [Louisiana] want to be switching to a Power 5 school will have a the best they can be” via 365 Sports. He due to the possibility of making it to the 4 SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | THE VERMILION Allons ‘Disco Elysium’ tells cautionary tale about being painfully stuck in the past Adhamm Safford COLUMNIST

“Disco Elysium” is a genre-bending role-playing game that discards any kind of traditional combat system in favor of letting the player interact with almost entirely through dialogue, either with other characters or the various voices in your head. There’s a lot of dialogue. Over a million words of it, in fact. But every single one of those words is gripping, and the game pulls you into a story that examines how the past affects us and those who cling too tightly to it. You play as an absolute mess of a human being. You awaken in a trashed hotel room with a bad hangover and no recollection of who you are — not even your name. Pretty quickly, you find out that you’re a detective that is supposed to be solving a murder case. To that end, you explore the district of Martinaise in the city of Revachol, looking for clues and leads, either by talking to people or sticking your nose in the right places. As the case starts coming together, so too does the story of your character. Revachol is a city with a storied past, involving a successful communist overthrow of a monarchy, followed by Graphic by Cole Broussard a successful capitalist overthrow of the tries to cling onto that happiness from delivering a heartbreaking and important aren’t meant to hold on to every detail commune by foreign powers. This history days long gone. It’s that desperation that story of a man trying to move on. of our past. Of every heartbreak, every is seen everywhere. It’s in the yearning of is most horrifying, and most human. As If you dig deep enough into your regret, every tinge of pain. We can’t the old fascist who longs for the return you learn about his past, you come to find character’s memory loss, he comes up choose what we do and don’t remember, of the monarchy. It’s in the students how badly he wants what he used to have with something of an explanation for but we can choose what we think about, discussing critical theory in the hopes back. Yet, as is all too often the case, it’s what might’ve happened. And in that what we ruminate on in the late hours that communism will one day make a gone. No matter how much he wants it, explanation is one of the game’s most of the night. And if we can spend our resurgence. It’s in the old bullet holes on he can never win it back. This struggle poignant quotes: “What if you didn’t lose limited time recalling not the painful the walls that speak more than any history to keep going when everything you’ve your memory? What if something in words from someone’s lips, but the soft book could. ever wanted is far behind you is at the Martinaise came and stored it all away? songs of the birds, or the feeling of the The city is full of those attached core of the game’s story and message. I’ve For you to slowly open one box at a time. cool wind blowing through the trees and strongly to the past, and this is most avoided spoiling anything major because So you can choose which parts to keep. gliding across your skin… well, that’d be apparent in the main character, a man I truly believe “Disco Elysium” is a game Keep almost none of it. Only the flowers better, wouldn’t it? The past is endlessly with a past so painful that he spent years that everyone should experience with on the windowsill. Only the distant sound receding, after all; you can’t go back to it, trying to drown out the day it all went fresh eyes, even if you don’t really like of a radio. Lose all the actors, the dark you can’t change it. You just have to keep wrong. The first half of the game’s name video games. It tells an engaging murder shadows, leaving only the still lifes, the living. comes from his obsession with the disco mystery while simultaneously critiquing blissful distant wash of waves.” era of his youth and how desperately he Follow The Vermilion on Twitter various political views and ideas, and Maybe, just maybe, our frail minds @TheVermilion for more updates Fan favorite CM Punk finally returns to wrestling after seven year absence Madelyn Myer SPORTS EDITOR

Known as the “best in the world”, CM Punk has had a long and illustrious career in the world. Officially debuting in 1999, he went through a few wrestling promotions before finding himself working for World Wrestling Entertainment. For a good while, Punk became one of WWE’s biggest stars. He held the WWE championship for 434 days, which at the time was the longest reign since 1988. He was even one of the few lucky superstars to face the Undertaker at WrestleMania. But that all changed in 2014. After an appearance at the 2014 in January, Punk didn’t appear on WWE for months. Fans would soon find out he left them, and not on good terms. In the coming months, stories were told of his bad experience, and Punk claimed he would never work for them again or even ever return to professional wrestling. As many people know by now, besides basketball, professional wrestling is my favorite sport. I’ve been watching it since 2011, which was the peak of Punk’s feud with , the top star of WWE. At the time, 11-year-old me didn’t understand the difference between a heel and a face, but I knew I liked both Punk and Cena. But something about Punk made him more appealing to me. Maybe it was his ability to talk on the mic. His iconic “pipebomb” promo had people raving for months and regardless of whether he was a heel or face, he always drew a reaction Graphic by Cole Broussard from the crowd. Maybe it was his agility and move set in the ring. Maybe it was the to top it all off, a short while later, his wife was extremely disheartened with the news Punk joined the series fact that he was so cool. He was someone AJ Lee would soon leave the WWE as of Punk’s exit. “WWE Backstage” as an analyst. Rather who was a straight edge and well. She was the only female superstar Since his departure in 2014, he made than being under contract with WWE, he nerd just like me (at the time I was getting I cared about at the time, so it was like a a few unpromoted appearances in was working under Fox. My hopefulness bullied for liking comic books.) Or maybe double punch in the gut. independent wrestling companies, but was that this gig would lead to his in-ring it was the fact that I met him in 2013, and I stopped watching wrestling for a little none were full matches. He made his return. Sadly, COVID-19 ended the he was one of the nicest famous people I’d bit after that. It just didn’t feel the same way over to UFC until 2018 and by then “WWE Backstage” series for good, and ever met. without him. Of course, that changed a no matter how many wrestling shows So when I found out he would never while later when I got hooked back in still had CM Punk chants, I knew he CM PUNK continued on page 5 wrestle again, I bawled my eyes out. And because of Sasha Banks, but at the time I was never coming back. But in late 2019, THE VERMILION | SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 5 Cooling it down: Lorde’s ‘Solar Power’ and the quiet beauty of introversion Cole Broussard to hamper communication and destroy about the pain that comes with growing Psychological Association, over 40% of DESIGN MANAGER the nuance of social interaction. Don’t up. college students said that anxiety was ask me what that last sentence actually Despite the album being so relatable, their topmost concern. Lorde released her third studio album means; it’s basically just a pedantic way the first song addresses this idea When I listen to “Solar Power,” I feel just over a week ago as of writing. It’s of saying I think it’s dumb. Also, Lorde directly. In “The Path,” Lorde repeats intensely introspective and reflect on called “Solar Power,” and it’s a complex, is a self-described introvert, so I guess over and over again that she’s not the all of the problems I’m facing. Instead intimate work of art that demands she didn’t get the memo. savior people expect her to be. She can’t of looking to others for answers, the analysis. But when I experience that intense, take away the pain her listeners feel, and songs inspire me to look within myself I’m no music critic, and aside from internalized emotion people usually the only advice she can offer is to follow the same way that Lorde has. It’s like she playing the saxophone in middle associate with introversion, the way I the sun. published a fill-in-the-blank guide to school and an online piano class for experience music completely changes. While a lot of artists profit from the all these common problems. By itself, beginners, I have absolutely no technical We’ve all had the experience of finding undying worship they receive from that guide doesn’t hold the answers. It experience in the rhythmic arts. a song, album or singular lyric that their fans, Lorde wants something requires a little bit of work and self- However, there are a multitude of ways speaks to your soul. All of “Solar Power” different. She wants the listener to know awareness to make a difference, and I to appreciate and analyze art beyond capitalizes on this feeling and asks the that she’s just a person sharing their think that’s exactly what Lorde wants as the technical, and I feel it’s necessary listener to become aware of themselves story. It’s great that that story connects an artist. It’s what makes “Solar Power” to clarify this point not only for my in a way that other albums don’t. with people, but its power comes from so… powerful. sake, but for the sake of all art lovers. It’s clear that all of Lorde’s music the way those people internalize that It’s what I hope for as a writer, Art can absolutely be an introverted comes from a very personal place. She connection. too. I hope that through sharing my phenomenon, made entirely of feelings, sings about her life, her experiences and That’s why this album has affected experiences through the lens of amazing moods and vibes. the lessons she’s learned. They’re words me so greatly. Thanks in part due to pieces of media, others will be able to Before I continue, it’s worth saying that I think a lot of college students COVID-19, being alone has become follow the same path. I don’t have all that I absolutely loathe the designations would relate to — words that evoke the norm. Social anxiety and self-doubt the answers, and neither does Lorde, of introvert and extrovert. It’s this form feelings of social anxiety and being are all too real. And I know I’m not the but through a little bit of introspection, of emotional tribalism that only exists alone. Fitting with the theme of one only one feeling this way — according anything is possible. of my previous articles, she even talks to a 2013 poll from the American

Photo via “Solar Power” music video

CM PUNK legit screamed when I heard “Cult of continued from page 4 Personality” blast from my phone. Punk once again my dreams of Punk returning was back with the same look, similar were crushed. t-shirt and same iconic theme music from Enter All Elite Wrestling, the first when I first saw him. wrestling promotion since the 90s to He cut a promo about his return and be legitimate competition for WWE. challenged Darby Allin to a match on It officially started in 2019, but I didn’t Sept. 5. This will mark his first time start watching it until 2020. The program returning to a wrestling ring in seven features some familiar faces from WWE years. It has been a long time coming in and others I had never seen before but my opinion, and I couldn’t be happier that started to enjoy. So when rumors started my favorite wrestler is back. He will once flying that Punk would debut in AEW this again remind everyone why he’s the best year I started to lose it. in the world and maybe inspire some kids Last Friday I was moving into my as he inspired me all those years ago. apartment but made sure I had a live Follow The Vermilion on Twitter stream of AEW going on my phone, @TheVermilion for more content just in case the rumors were true. I

Coming this fall.