Mount Hood

Best of the 80’s

Written by:  Gretchen Sims

“Papa Don’t Preach” — Madonna 

“Jessie’s Girl” — Rick Springfield

“Summer of ‘69” — Bryan Adams

“Love is a Battlefield” — Pat Benatar

“Tell It to My Heart” — Taylor Dayne

“9 to 5” — Dolly Parton

“Shadows Of The Night” — Pat Benatar

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — Cyndi Lauper

“Material Girl” — Madonna

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” — Whitney Houston

“I’m Still Standing” — Elton John

“Like a Prayer” — Madonna

“The Look” — Roxette

“Heaven Is A Place On Earth” — Belinda Carlisle

“La Isla Bonita” — Madonna

“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” — Pat Benatar

“They Don’t Care About Us” — Michael Jackson

“Don’t Stop Believin’” — Journey

“Danger Zone” — Kenny Loggins

“Jolene” — Dolly Parton

“Livin’ On a Prayer” — Bon Jovi

“Thriller” — Michael Jackson

“You Give Love A Bad Name” — Bon Jovi

“I Think We’re Alone Now” — Tiffany

“Any Way You Want It” — Journey

“I Love Rock ‘N Roll” — Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

“Ramble On” — Led Zeppelin

“Boys of Summer” — Don Henley

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Alternative worship

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Any time is a great time to listen to christian music — once a week during church does not have to be the only time. There is a whole world full of different styles and artists waiting to be heard. Below is a list of christian artists paired with possible activities to complete while listening to them. A few included artists have featured popular musicians that don’t typically produce christian music, so if one enjoys the featured artist, one may also enjoy the christian artist.

On a morning drive

  • Antonie Bradford, featuring indie soul singer-songwriter Shua on “Seasons Change (Feat. Shua).”
  • Gatton
  • Nick Smith
  • Isla Vista Worship
  • Jonathan Ogden 
  • Sarah Juers

While painting

  • Darla Baltazar
  • Issac Wheadon
  • Sean C. Johnson

While cleaning or studying

  • Khamir Music
  • Hillsong Instrumentals

To sing one’s heart out 

  • Elevation Worship, their latest album was released in both English and Spanish.

  • Jesus Culture
  • New Life Worship



When getting ready on gameday

  • Lecrae, featuring artists such as John Legend, Ty Dolla $ign, Tori Kelly, YK Osiris, Marc E. Bassy, Jozzy, DaniLeigh, BJ The Chicago Kid, Gwen Bunn, Nija, Verse Simmonds, Jawan Harris, Jon Keith, Jordan L’Oreal and PJ Morton. 
  • Hulvey, features artists Forrest Frank, Torey D’Shaun and SVRCINA.
  • KB, featuring Latin multi-genre artist Tommy Royale on “Libre (feat. Tommy Royale).”

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

“Cocaine Bear” review

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

Content warning: this article contains spoilers and mentions of drugs

Directed by Elizabeth Banks, the comedy horror movie “Cocaine Bear” has taken theater-goers by storm. The narcotics-filled thriller, which was released Feb. 23, 2023, tells the story of those who encountered a black bear residing in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest who had consumed millions of dollars of cocaine. 

The film included a large cast including some familiar faces. Margo Martindale dazzled as Ranger Liz, taking a literal claw to the a–. Jesse Tyler Ferguson played Peter, a wildlife activist inspecting the conditions of the forest, who suffered one of the many brutal death scenes. O’Shea Jackson Jr. was Daveed, a fixer who when searching for the lost cocaine came face to face with the cocaine bear. “Cocaine Bear” was the last movie of Ray Liotta, who died on May 26, 2022, shortly after filming wrapped. 

The true events that inspired “Cocaine Bear” are much less thrilling than that of the movie. On Sept. 11, 1985, drug smuggler Andrew C. Thorton II, after dumping packages of cocaine for a drug ring via plane, realized he was being followed by authorities in the air. Thorton and a partner abandoned the plane by jumping out of it and Thorton became caught in his parachute, causing him to freefall and die within minutes of meeting the ground. 

On Dec. 23, 1985, local authorities discovered a dead black bear who had consumed a large amount of the lost cocaine. That is where the story ends. 

“Cocaine Bear” was a humorous and horrific depiction of what might have happened if the real cocaine bear — dubbed by fans and historians as Pablo Eskobear — had not immediately died from overdosing. There were a lot of plot lines to follow, which made things a little overwhelming, but it certainly kept things interesting enough to keep my attention.

There was a lot of gore — some might even say too much. A lot of it was warranted, considering the massive bear was under the influence of very strong drugs, but there were moments that felt unnecessary. Viewers should be cautious if they have a weak stomach.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the exploration of the bizarre and tangible concept. It was very humorous, but also very disgusting. Proceed with caution. 

7/10.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

“Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” review

Written by:  Nicholas Sarysz

“Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” is a film  that takes place in the magical world of the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends reside. However, unlike the classic children’s stories that we’re all familiar with, this movie takes a much darker and grittier turn — exploring themes of loss and violence.

Only a small percentage of reviews found the British independent slasher film produced by Rhs Frake-Waterfield to have any quality, and critical reception has been overwhelmingly negative. The movie has a pitiful approval rating of 5% based on 37 reviews, with an average rating of 2.3/10 on the aggregate review website Rotten Tomatoes.

Many shortcomings of the movie have been pointed out by critics, including a weak screenplay, subpar production qualities, lack of humor and an inability to connect with the fundamental source material. Several critics have commended the movie’s gore and intrinsic grotesqueness, yet, even these glowing assessments point out what they view as serious problems within the film.

Despite the negative reviews, the film’s producer revealed that a sequel is currently in development, as well as  two additional horror films, “Bambi: The Reckoning” and “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare” — based on the beloved children’s stories “Bambi, a Life in the Woods” and “Peter Pan.” Frake-Waterfield further revealed in Feb. 2023 that Jagged Edge Productions intends to include crossovers starring the various characters.

I personally love horror movies and had high hopes as I walked into the Independence Cinema to watch the film. While the plot annoyingly consisted of typical bad decision-making from the main characters, it was far better than any critic had described it. The concept of the film is not only easy to understand, but provides an alternative ending to the friendship beloved by many. Certainly, nothing good can come of Christopher Robin leaving his friends to fend for themselves, right?

8/10.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Ticketmaster drama Implications

Written by: Gretchen Sims 

When Taylor Swift announced “The Eras” tour, it is fair to say that fans were ecstatic. However, the announcement’s excitement ultimately paled in comparison to the absolute despair and heartbreak caused when Swift’s tickets finally went live. 

Ticketmaster, the site that launched Swift’s tickets, could not withstand the demand and their website consequently derailed. The whole thing was a mess. Many fans were kicked off the site and most were left ticketless after waiting hours for the pre-sale to go live. However, this was just the beginning. After the Capital One pre-sale, even more Swifties swarmed the site — hoping to get their hands on the remaining tickets — only to be told that the general sale would be canceled due to unprecedented high demand. 

Obviously, this caused fans worldwide to take to social media in an outraged frenzy — eventually gaining the attention of the United States Department of Justice. 

Turns out, the core issue with Ticketmaster was not just poor infrastructure. In fact, the company had previously merged with one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry — Live Nation. 

After the 2010 merger, many questioned the company, some even going as far as to call it a monopoly. Live Nation essentially controlled all of the concert venue markets and, once it merged with Ticketmaster — the biggest name in ticketing — it was basically the only name in the industry. However, it was not until the public outcry surrounding Swift’s Eras tour erupted that a policy window opened — one that the Senate Judiciary Committee took full advantage of. 

The bipartisan antitrust hearing was held on Jan. 24, and the overall consensus was that the merger was damaging the music industry as a whole. 

So what are the implications? Swift had no other resource to post her tickets to, other than one that was unable to keep up with the demand her tour would curate. If Live Nation Entertainment is ruled to be a monopoly and breaks up, then that would open up the ticket and venue markets that are currently only occupied by one corporation.

If competition is finally established, growth and improvement will be encouraged and Taylor Swift fans will no longer shed a tear when purchasing tickets for the best day of their lives. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Content warning: contains spoilers and may offend Marvel fans

Morale was low for Marvel fans when “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” the third installment of the Ant-Man franchise, was released on Feb. 17. The plot line follows Scott Lang, played by Paul Rudd, as he tries to make up lost time with his now teenage daughter, while simultaneously getting the whole crew trapped in the Quantum Realm. 

Hopes were not high among Marvel fans after recent disappointments from the past several Marvel installments — particularly “Eternals,” with a 6.3/10 from IMDb, and “Thor: Love and Thunder,” also with a 6.3/10 from IMDb. 

As fans are repeatedly disappointed by sequels, the question of whether or not sequels are really important to the storyline, or whether they are a cash grab for producers has been raised repeatedly by the public. In the past year and a half, with the exception of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” it feels like Marvel is producing movies and shows simply to keep the franchise going — like there is no heart behind the films anymore. 

Some loyal fans might chalk this up to the fizzling out of the original cast, but this really is not the case. Marvel has simply lost its spark and originality. Anyone can do superhero movies and fans are moving on — seeing Marvel as something that stayed in the past instead of evolving with the industry. 

And while I would like to say that “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” was another exception to this trend, I would be lying. 

Ant-Man was only enjoyable because of the nostalgia attached to the original movies. 

Marvel must stop relying on nostalgia, cute cliches and snippy humor in their movies. In order for Marvel to stay relevant, it must go back to its roots and pull some creative plot lines. 

Maybe sequels are not the way to go.

6.5/10

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

“Words from the Window Seat” review

Written by: Jude Bokovoy 

Whether it was a post from her blog, an Instagram post, TikTok, Youtube video or on an American Airlines flight, most people have come across Taylor Tippett. In case one doesn’t know, Tippett is in her mid to late 20’s, recently married, a bookworm, thrift store connoisseur and an outgoing flight attendant based out of Los Angeles, California. She is also one of the first successful influencers that has not let fame cross her mind. 

Tippett published her book, “Words from the Window Seat: The Everyday Magic of Kindness, Courage, and Being Your True Self,” on Oct. 12, 2021. 

She started the book by introducing her project; Tippett wanted to find a way to spread kindness to the next passengers joining the aircraft, her followers and to act as a reminder for herself. She wrote a simple note, reading “be kind to yourself,” and taped it up on a passenger window, snapped a picture and posted it. She went on to paste many notes with affirmations, reminders for self love and words to help during a hard time as well as things to reflect on. 

Tippett starts each chapter with a doodle of one of the notes that she has pasted on an airplane window. Each note segues into a story from her childhood, a problem that she’s learned from, her travels, her blogging/influencer journey and how Jesus has helped her along the way. A few notes included in her book are “remember your courage,” “grow BETTER because of hurt,” “you don’t have to be fully fixed to live fully free,” “you’re actually wonderful,”“always to love, not to understand,” “celebrate every victory, big or small” and “you didn’t WASTE your love, ever.” 

Taylor instructs her readers to take time to heal, find beauty in the ordinary and to spread love among one another and oneself just as Jesus did. 

As a reader, I found myself feeling refreshed, reflecting her words onto my life and shedding a few tears. Her book is full of beauty, heartbreak and wisdom without wasting a single page. I highly recommend purchasing this book to read or give to a friend. It goes for only $10.17 on Amazon. 

10/10

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

TikTok faces more privacy concern

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

TikTok is a wildly popular social media platform that has taken the world by storm, surpassing over one billion active users worldwide in 2021. The app allows users to create and share short, looping videos of themselves or their environments TikTok has a variety of filters, special effects and music tracks, making it easy for anyone to create content that is both entertaining and engaging. It has become a cultural phenomenon — especially among younger generations— and has been credited with launching viral trends, dance challenges and even chart-topping music hits.

Within the past couple of years, the app’s parent company, ByteDance, has been hit with a wave of criticism in regards to user privacy. Specifically, the app has been accused of collecting a wide range of personal information from its users, including their location, browsing history and even biometric data such as facial recognition. Critics have argued that ByteDance’s close ties to the Chinese Communist Party may also be an issue in regard to the safety of Americans.

Most recently, Texas universities have banned TikTok from their networks and restricted access to the social media app on their internet networks. Several state governors, including Greg Abbott, issued executive orders that served as the impetus for the recent wave of campus TikTok bans. The Texas bans were some of the biggest to gain national media attention, as more than half of the U.S. states had already banned the use of the app on government devices and networks, to some degree.

In Congress, there is a large push to ban the use of the app nationwide to some capacity, which could include banning it solely  from all government devices, to banning it outright for everyone within the nation’s borders. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, has stated that they have been reviewing the potential risks of data-sharing by TikTok since 2019. On the other hand, ByteDance has spent over five and a half million dollars on American lobbyists for the company in 2022 alone and is looking to do whatever it can to convince the United States government that it is not a security threat.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Melody Barrett’s senior art exhibit

Written by: Gretchen Sims

The latest addition to the senior art exhibits in the Werner University Center is blowing viewers away with its stunning colors and cohesive designs. Artist Melody Barrett is the mastermind behind these breathtaking works that currently grace the second floor of the WUC. 

When discussing her series, titled “Finding my Artistic Voice,” Barrett addressed the following topics: 

Q: What does art mean to you?

A: This is a complicated question, and honestly I’ve been struggling to find an answer because art means many things to me. It’s the act of creating, and also the act of observing something others have created, or that mother nature has created. I can see the art of a tree or landscape as easily as that of a painting or sculpture or other medium. Art is something that touches my soul, makes me stop and pause and really look and feel. It’s one of the things I’ve loved about being here at WOU and working in the Galleries. I love seeing what other people create, what they are giving voice to and how they express themselves and the world around them.

Q: What first got you interested in art?

A: Two things really influenced me. The first of which was my mother. She sewed and crocheted and made a myriad of drawings and crafts throughout her life, yet never thought of herself as an artist. She looked at what she created as being ‘crafty’. It wasn’t until very late in her life that she painted just a few paintings and I was amazed at her talent. I think that is why I viewed my early artistic endeavors as ‘just playing’. I’ve always been creating something but thought ‘being an artist’ was something others did, not me. The second was when I was about 12 years old and my family went to Seattle. At the public market I bought two posters for 25.00 each which was an outrageous amount of my allowance to spend at the time. The first was a surreal image by Dominique Appia entitled Entre Les Trous De La Mémoire. In English Between the Holes in the Memory. It captured my attention and I felt it spoke directly to me. The second poster was a copy of an art exhibit poster, I can’t remember what city now, but it was a pink vase with pussywillow branches out of the top and the faint image of a bird in the center of the vase. Those were my first wall art type purchases, and they went with me everywhere for 20 years.

Q: What would you like others to take from your art?

A: I hope that everyone who sees my art can find something in some piece that they like, that touches them.   

Q: What inspires you?

A: Nearly everything! People, places, events, definitely other artists!

Q: What is your “why”? (what makes you the artist you are today)

A: So many things, but it might just boil down to curiosity and the desire to continually try new things. My art is an expression of thoughts, feelings, ideas I have kicking around inside me in an external form.

For the month of February, Western students and members of the community can come to see this display themselves. Be sure to check it out before it’s gone.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Sampling or Stealing?

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

Rapper Matthew Raymond Hauri, infamously known by fans as Yung Gravy, has been releasing music since 2016. Hauri began releasing music for fun on SoundCloud while attending college. Since then, Yung Gravy has become a memorable name around college campuses, encapsulating a carefree, laidback attitude often paired with college life and encouraging its audience to not take life too seriously. 

With popular songs such as “Mr.Clean,” “Gravy Train” and “C’est la Vie,” Yung Gravy’s music combines modern trap music with callbacks to older, well-known soul songs, creating a  unique and fun sound that captivates young audiences today. These borrowed, older songs, while being a pillar of what makes Yung Gravy’s music charming and recognizable, have landed Yung Gravy into some treacherous waters, namely, being sued by “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer, Rick Astley. 

The song in question is Yung Gravy’s newest single, “Betty (Get Money),” released in June 2022. Included within the song is a brief hook including a vocal replication that sounds similar to the voice of Rick Astley, as well as an instrumental recreation of Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” 

Astley alleges that Yung Gravy and the studio engineers involved in the song’s creation impersonated Astley’s voice and falsely stated Astley’s approval of the project.

To avoid having to jump through the hoops of getting the song licensed for sampling within “Betty (Get Money),” Yung Gravy and studio engineers involved in the song’s creation attempted to recreate the instrumental. 

Yung Gravy explained this thought process in an interview with Billboard in August 2022, “My boy Nick, who does a lot of sample replays and recreating original samples, we basically remade the whole song. Had a different singer and instruments, but it was all really close because it makes it easier legally.” 

Unfortunately, Yung Gravy’s understanding of this system may have been mistaken. Astley is seeking an unspecified amount of money for damages, including all gains and profits of their violation and attorney’s fees. It is expected that the lawsuit will amount to millions. 

The ruling of this case will set the precedent for artists that use sampled music or recreations within their work, a fairly common practice, especially in less popular music circles. 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

For the Love of Entertainment

Written by: Gretchen Sims

The Western Howl wants help catering content to students. After this edition, the Entertainment Editor will be taking submissions via email to be considered for inclusion in the Entertainment section. Anything from an article suggestion to a freelanced piece is very appreciated.

Freelanced pieces should be between 350 and 400 words. The author does not have to adhere to AP style editing — editing will be provided by Howl staff to make sure it fits into our house style, with the permission of the author. 

Entertainment articles typically cover music, art, social media, new movie releases and performances both on and off campus. Articles and idea submissions can be sent to gsims20@mail.wou.edu and made out to Gretchen Sims. 

Submit to see one’s favorite topics in the Howl today!

Jammin’ at the Gym

Written by: Gretchen Sims

“No Excuses” — NF

“So What” — P!nk

“Me Enamoré” — Shakira

“La La La” — Shakira

“Any Way You Want It” — Journey 

“Separate Ways” — Journey

“Fine By Me” — Andy Grammer

“Alone” — Nico Collins

“Cheap Thrills (feat. Sean Paul)” — Sia, Sean Paul

“Centuries” — Fall Out Boy

“Call Me Tonight” — Ava Max

“Epiphany” — Dvicio, Nil Moliner

“Bones” — Imagine Dragons

“Locked out of Heaven” — Bruno Mars

“I Ain’t Worried” — OneRepublic

“Gospel (with Eminem)” — Dr. Dre, Eminem

“Remember the Name (feat. Styles Of Beyond)” — Fort Minor, Styles Of Beyond

“One More Night” — Maroon 5

Student Print Exhibit

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Western Galleries continue to feature student artists by displaying class projects in the Instructional Technology Center. This month’s exhibit followed the Cannon Art Gallery’s lead and showed off the student printmaking class. 

The show titled “Creativity in Copper” shows off Western students’ exemplary artistic ability.

The prints are created by first etching an image on a slab of copper — if the pieces are in color, they may require multiple layers. 

Many students’ works are currently on display in the ITC building. Artists and their perspective prints included:

“Pond Side” by Violet Babbitt, “Ball Python” by Leo Bazemore, “Eye of the Storm” by Annabelle Bullock, “The Forest Savior” by Ashlee Ellis, “Aphrodite” by Domminik Griffith, “Cove Sun Reflection” by Jake Hampson, “ Lotus Flower” by Xiaomi He, “Dinner and a Show” by Abi Lowther, “Raindrops” by Becca McCannell, “Held” by Ressi Miller-McKinney, “Untitled” by Lucas Montpart, “El Bosque del Conejo” by Maria Ortega Osorno, “Allure” by Annabella Ramey, “Untitled” by Jackie Ramos Garibay, “Gentle Assassin” by Carrie Visuaño, “Lovely View” by Yuxin Xiao and “Cat and Flowers” by Qiao Zhang.

Similar to the previous watercolor exhibit, the works displayed in the exhibit are the result of an entire term of hard work. Though the prints began as a class assignment, each piece grew to be extremely individualistic and beautiful.

The students perfectly exhibited how one assignment can be interpreted in so many different ways — each perfectly resembling their maker. 

There was an artist reception on Saturday Feb. 11 where artists shared about the class and chatted with attendees regarding the pieces that they made. Although this show has wrapped, be sure to check out pictures from it on Instagram @wougalleries and support fellow student artists. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Puss and Boots: in it’s last life?

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Content warning: this article contains spoilers 

When “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” came to theaters on Dec. 21, 2022, most people glanced over it — not expecting much from a children’s movie. It has been eleven years since the first spinoff of the Shrek franchise was released, but once the Netflix adaptation became popular, DreamWorks went for that cash cow. 

Starring Antonio Banderas as the voice of Puss in Boots, Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws and Harvey Guillén as Perrito, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” became a smash hit not only for its nostalgia, but also for its revolutionary animation. 

Because of a perceived cash grab, expectations were low for the film, but as soon as audiences were met with the opening scene — a blossoming flower — eyes and ears perked up. The animation style of “The Last Wish” is uncharacteristic of anything we have seen from the Shrek franchise, or even DreamWorks itself, thus far. 

Reminiscent of an Americanized adaptation of the Japanese animation style, the film was filled with action-packed scenes and bright colors that wowed the spectators. 

As is characteristic of a DreamWorks film, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” had the audience roaring in laughter at its witty humor and bawling their eyes out at its touching, heartfelt moments. 

However, art and nostalgia aside, there was one aspect of this film that made it stand out above all others — it’s “better than life” villain. While the main villain of the show, Big Jack Horner, is terrifying in his own right, the secondary villain, Death, is enough to send chills down the spine of a hardened horror veteran — his eerie whistle piercing through the theater like a winter’s wind. 

This movie had the perfect balance between nostalgia, humor, beauty and horror. People of all ages, not just children, should add “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” to their movie watch list. 

8.5/10

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Valentine’s day Playlist to capture your sweetheart’s heart, or your own

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

The season of love is rapidly approaching. This year, we’re acknowledging that not everyone has found their happily-ever-after. This music playlist compiles three categories into one: the single, the lovers and the angst lovers. For those who have a lover to share it with, enjoy date night by letting the music do the talking through these 20 feel-good love songs. 

Starting with a classic, here are 48 love songs to play for one’s sweetheart; cry it out while eating ice cream, or escape Valentine’s Day hysteria. Find the official playlist ready for streaming on Spotify by scanning the QR code.

Feel-Good Love Songs

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” — Elvis Presley

“Love Story” — Taylor Swift

“Late Night Talking” — Harry Styles

“Dandelions” — Ruth B.

“You Are The Reason” — Calum Scott

“Enchanted” — Taylor Swift

“Rewrite The Stars” — James Arthur, Anne-Marie

“10,000 Hours” — Dan + Shay ft. Justin Bieber

“Look After You” — Aron Wright

“Yellow” — Coldplay

“Power” — Isak Danielson

“Start a Riot” — BANNERS

“Wicked Game” — Chris Isaak

“Fire on Fire” — Sam Smith

“All Of Me” — John Legend

“Distance” — Christina Perri ft. Jason Mraz

“Can’t Take My Eyes off You” — Frankie Valli

“Everywhere” — Fleetwood Mac

“Biggest Part of Me” — Ambrosia

“Lovefool – Radio Edit” — The Cardigans

Angsty Love Songs

“War of Hearts” — Ruelle

“Where Did Our Love Go?” — Soft Cell 

“Basic Instinct” — The Acid

“Another Love” — Tom Odell

“Love in the Dark” — Adele

“Atlantis” — Seafret

“The Last Time” — Taylor Swift ft. Gary Lightbody

“Apocalypse” — Cigarettes After Sex

“Someone You Loved” — Lewis Capaldi

“a soulmate who wasn’t meant to be” — Jess Benko

“In Your Veins” — Andrew Belle

“The One That Got Away” — Brielle Von Hugel

“Only Love Can Hurt Like This” — Paloma Faith

“Cars’s Outside” — James Arthur

“Visions of Gideon” — Sufjan Stevens

“Can’t Pretend” — Tom Odell

“What A Time” — Julia Michaels ft. Niall Horan

“Heartbreak Hotel” — Elvis Presley

“Stay” — Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko

“Tainted Love” — Soft Cell

“Mr. Brightside” — The Killers




Anti-Love Songs

“How To Be A Heartbreaker” — Marina and The Diamonds

“I Knew You Were Trouble” — Taylor Swift

“Without Me” — Halsey

“Save Your Tears” — The Weeknd

“good 4 u” — Olivia Rodrigo

“I Don’t Love You” — My Chemical Romance

“thank u, next” — Ariana Grande

“Trust Nobody” — Selena Gomez

“Dancing On My Own” — Robyn

“Good As Hell” — Lizzo

“I Forgot That You Existed” — Taylor Swift

“No Scrubs” — TLC

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” — Beyonce

“Goodbye Baby” — The Walters

“break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” — Ariana Grande

“Truth Hurts” — Lizzo

“Night Shift” — Lucy Dacus 




Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Get your Study On

Written by:Mikayla Coleman

Two Fish and an Elephant” — Khruangbin

“Shades of Man” — Khruangbin 

“Apollo’s Mood” — The Olympians 

“When We Meet” — Cuco 

“Clair de Lune” — Lofi Fruits Music, Chill Fruits Music

“Wohltemperiertes Klavier (lofi Bach)” — Crazy Monkey

“Stale Cupcakes (From “Animal Crossing”)” — Moisés Nieto

“coffee shop jam” — leon chang

“Pokémon center” — Tee Lopes, GameChops 

“It’s Showtime!” — LewisPlaysGuitar

“Fallen Down” — Toby Fox

“It’s Raining Somewhere Else” — Toby Fox 

“In the summertime” — Lofi Fruits Music, Fets, Avocuddle 

“Steven Universe” — Lofi Fruits Music, Chill Fruits Music

“Stars Wars: Cantina Band” — Lofi Fruits Music, Chill Fruits Music 

“Hideout” — Tesk 

“Sorry, I Like You” — Burbank

“Game over!” — Harris Cole

“Redbone” — DontCry

“Office Pothos Lament” — Louie Zong

“Plantasia” — Mort Garson 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Big INK presents:What a Relief?

Written by: Gretchen Sims 

The most recent exhibit to grace the Cannon Art Gallery is a collaborative project showcasing artists who attended the Whiteaker Printmakers’ BIG INK workshop in Eugene, Oregon. This show will run from Jan. 11 through Feb. 10, 2023. 

BIG INK, founded by Lyell Castonguay and Carand Burnet, began as a small organization teaching the art of printmaking. However, as demand grew, BIG INK was able to fund a transportable press — a feat once deemed impossible and impractical — and now travels across the country creating an outlet for creativity. 

The artists who collabed with BIG INK for the Cannon Art showcase include Eric Fry, Bets Cole, Keith Van Norman, Richard Harrington, Priscilla Montoya, Stephanie Juanillo, Jenna Phillpot, Robert Sumner, Sandi Bonn, Gale Everett, Cory Olsen, Jessica Billey, Erik Sandgren, Tedd Anderson, Joy Kloman and Beth Howe.

There are so many pieces for the show that they are split between the second floor of the Hamersly Library and the Cannon Art Gallery. The pieces in the Cannon Art Gallery can only be viewed from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., but the pieces in the Hamersly Library can be viewed during regular operating hours. 

The prints in the Cannon Art Gallery are the main event. Pieces by Keith Van Norman and Jessica Billey lie against the right wall of the gallery. The prints “What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing” and “The Tree” are a true inspiration to the viewer.

Directly across from the main entrance, pieces by Erik Sandgren perfectly sweep the viewers’ eyes around the room with their intricate yet freeform designs. 

Finally, on the wall directly to the viewers’ lefts, are prints titled “Zona Rossa,” “Zebra with Oxpeckers (Maasai Mara, Kenya),” “Where the Crawdads Sing,” “A Fish Out of Water,” “Loon,” “The Bicycle” and “Solidarity.” 

Some of the prints are available for purchase, so if interested, be sure to check them out. Supporting local artists is more important now than ever. 

Of course one does not have to be interested in purchasing the art pieces in order to view them, so be sure to pay a visit and check out these talented artists before they are gone.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

New Releases While we were Away

Written by:Gretchen Sims

It feels like so much time has passed since the traumatizing end of finals week. Since The Howl has yet to have a release since school was in session, there is much that has been missed. Here are just a few media releases that have been rocking viewers since early December.

Albums and Singles — During the month of December alone, several albums have blown up, taking America by storm. 

  • SZA had the biggest success in December with the “SOS” album released on Dec 9. Paramore released “The News” as a precursor for their album that is set to release in January. 
  • Lana Del Rey also released a song, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” teasing her 9th studio album set to release in March. 
  • Weezer released “Winter,” the 4th and final EP in their SZNZ series. 
  • A$AP Rocky released “Sh—n’ Me” as part of the official soundtrack for the racing video game, “Need For Speed Unbound.” 
  • Ava Max continues to tease her upcoming album “Diamonds and Dancefloors,” which is set to release in late January, by dropping “Dancing’s Done.”

Movies — This past month has had many notable movie releases. However, here are a few that broke the box office. 

  • “Babylon,” starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Jean Smart, follows several key figures of early Hollywood through their rise and fall.
  • “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” documents the heartbreaking yet joyous story of Whitney Houston — arguably the most influential female vocalist of all time.
  • “Avatar: The Way of Water,” the second movie in the critically acclaimed Avatar series, follows Jake Sully’s new family and their struggle to protect their home. 
  • “Violent Knight” redefines Christmas movies with a bloody spinoff of “Home Alone.” 
  • “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is a long-awaited sequel to the Puss in Boots franchise in which Puss must go on an adventure of a lifetime to preserve his own. 
  • “M3GAN” addresses the fears of AI going rogue while preying on an audience’s fear of dolls. 

TV Series — Because they deserve a category of their own, here are the TV series released in December 2022.

  • Season three of “Emily in Paris” was released on Netflix on Dec 21.
  • “1923,” the second Yellowstone prequel, debuted on Paramount Dec 18. 
  • The rebut of “Gossip Girl” was released on HBO Max on Dec 1. 
  • “The Witcher: Blood Origins,” a prequel to “The Witcher” series on Netflix, could be streamed as of Dec 25. 

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

 

End if the Term Concert

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Despite the term coming to an end and finals rapidly approaching, students involved in various forms of music are preparing for more than dreary tests and extensive essays. Every term, Western’s many music ensembles put on performances and, regardless of the extra stress of finals, pour their hearts out in an accumulative display of hard work, skill and talent. Checkout these upcoming concerts.   

Jazz Ensembles Concert

Where: Rice Auditorium 

When: Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by: Adam Harris

Wind Ensemble Concert

Where: Rice Auditorium

When: Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by: Dr. Kevin Walczyk

Western Oregon Voices Concert

Where: Smith Music Hall

When: Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by: Dr. Claire Hudkins

To reserve or purchase tickets for any or all of these performances, visit wou.edu/tickets. Western students may attend for free with their student ID. General admission is $10, seniors and veterans are $5 and non-Western students are only charged $1. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu



Review: “Disenchanted”

Written by:  Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Content warning: this article contains spoilers

“Disenchanted” was released on Disney Plus Friday, Nov. 18, fifteen years after the release of the first film that took the world by storm.

In this sequel to the original film, “Enchanted,” Amy Adams returns as Giselle, the princess from a magical land turned regular New York City resident, as she and her growing family begin anew in the suburban town of Monroeville. 

Frustrated that her happily ever after has proven to be more difficult to find than she expected, Giselle turns to the magic of her home, Andalasia, accidentally throwing the real world and Andalasia off balance.

Having grown up with the first “Enchanted” film, I had high expectations for the sequel. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was ten years old, begging my mother to buy the “Enchanted” DVD so that I could rewatch it as many times as I pleased.

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed. 

While Amy Adams is as talented and enchanting as ever — in fact, at times, the sole element keeping the film afloat —“Disenchanted” severely lacks the magic that made the first film so timeless and remarkable. It seemed the writers of the sequel attempted to cater too much to the younger generation, rather than the generation, who are now adults, that had fallen in love with the classic film 15 years ago.

Although this movie is a shadow of the first film, there were one or two particularly memorable moments — beginning with the songs. 

It was delightfully surprising to hear Idina Menzel’s singing voice again in, what became my favorite track of the film, “Love Power.”

While the cast is noticeably much older, it is certainly not the element that takes away from the magic of the film, but rather makes the film feel more realistic through demonstrating just how much time has passed since the release of the first film.

Though, I have to give credit where credit is due. The film emphasized the relationship of family over romance, presenting a beautiful message that individuals of any age could take with them: be grateful for what you have.

Overall, both films were great as their own separate entities, just not together.

7.5/10.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu



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