Mount Hood

Windows up, volume up

March 12, 2025

Written by: Sophie Taylor | Designer

“Me and Your Mama” — Childish Gambino

“Cigarette Daydreams” — Cage The Elephant

“Money Trees” — Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock

“F2F” — SZA

“Passionfruit” — Drake

“DENIAL IS A RIVER” — Doechii

“HONEST” — Baby Keem

“I Wonder” — Kanye West

“Eventually” — Tame Impala
“Everyday” — A$AP Rocky

“BOOGIE” — Brockhampton

“Cash In Cash Out” — Pharrell Williams, 21 Savage, Tyler, The Creator

“Work Out” — J. Cole

“Tongue Tied” — Grouplove

“Devil In A New Dress” — Kanye West

“love.” — Kid Cudi

“Drew Barrymore” — SZA

“The Spins” — Mac Miller

“Novacane” — Frank Ocean

“Like Him” — Tyler, The Creator, Lola Young

“family ties” — Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar

“Cognac Queen” — Megan Thee Stallion

“Fire Fly” — Childish Gambino

“Dang!” — Mac Miller, Anderson.Paak

“Stir Fry” — Migos

“Redbone” — Childish Gambino

“L$D” — A$AP Rocky

“Love On The Brain” — Rihanna

“Bound 2” — Kanye West

“ORANGE SODA” — Baby Keem

“Borderline” — Tame Impala

“BOILED PEANUTS” —Doechii

“Back to Black” — Amy Winehouse

Unconventional Christmas carols

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“I Won’t Be Home for Christmas” — Blink-182

“If We Make It Through December” — Phoebe Bridgers

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” — My Chemical Romance

“Please Don’t Jump (It’s Christmas)” — Dallon Weekes

“Christmas Saves the Year” — Twenty One Pilots

“Christmas Lights” — Coldplay

“Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24” — Trans-Siberian Orchestra

“Christmas Is Going to the Dogs” — Eels

“Mistress for Christmas” — AC/DC

“White Winter Hymnal” — Fleet Foxes

“Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)” — The Darkness

“Fairytale of New York” — Vance Joy

“Carol of the Bells” — Bad Wolves

“Jingle Bell Rock” — Thousand Foot Krutch

“Merry Flippin’ Christmas” — Bowling for Soup

“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” — Weezer

“The Little Drummer Boy” — Christopher Lee

“Christmas with the Devil” — Spinal Tap

“The Child With the Star On His Head” — Sufjan Stevens

“Lights On” — Tyler, The Creator

“Holiday” — Lil Nas X

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Tyler the Creator’s “CHROMAKOPIA” simplified

Written by: Taylor Duff | Lifestyle Editor

Tyler the Creator’s newest and eighth studio album is “CHROMAKOPIA.” Released Oct. 28, 2024, it has 14 tracks that explore identity, reflection, sexuality and maturity. The album has garnered several positive reviews and ratings, including praise from The Rolling Stone for its unique mix of sounds and emotional depth. In addition, there are various conflicting views among fans. Many people have not seen or comprehended the album since it differs from his previous seven. Because of its strong and artistic tone, many people have yet to understand the meaning of “CHROMAKOPIA” properly. 

Tyler noted that the album focuses on examining identity and progress and that several of the songs are so intimate that he felt compelled to play them while wearing a mask. He claims he wanted to take a more personal and contemplative approach to his signature styles from the previous two albums, “IGOR” and “Call Me if You Get Lost.” Tyler has indicated a desire to examine issues such as relationships, family and public persona in his songs so that he can connect with people on a more intimate level, rather than simply dismissing them in rap.

“CHROMAKOPIA” is special and unique because of the variety of sounds. “Noid,” “Sticky” and “Take Your Mask Off” have all received recognition for their storyline and production. The songs I enjoyed the most to least are as follows: 

1: “Rah Tah Tah” — Very frenetic and drum-heavy.

2. “St. Chroma” (feat. Daniel Caesar) — An incredible album opening with soulful undertones.

3: “Noid” — Explores anxiety and paranoia.

4: “Judge Judy” (feat. Childish Gambino) — A fun yet shining light on women’s judgment.

5: “Take Your Mask Off” (feat. Daniel Caesar) — This is an appeal to sincerity and transparency.

6: “Thought I Was Dead” (ft. ScHoolboy Q & Santigold) — A stirring praise of survival.

7: “Balloon” (feat. Doechii) — A cheerful, lighthearted melody about childhood memories.

8: “Darling, I” (feat. Teezo Touchdown) — A melodic track about love and complexity.

9: “Hey Jane” — A playful but melancholy composition inspired by emotions.

10: “Sticky” (feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne) — A noteworthy feature.

11: “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” — A meaningful closing that reflects on life’s path and seeks closure.

12: “Like Him” (feat. Lola Young) — This is a soft song about individuality and acceptance.

13: “I Killed You” — Explores themes of competition and forgiveness.

14: “Tomorrow” — This is a forward-looking song about hope and resilience. 

Overall, “CHROMAKOPIA” explores Tyler’s thoughts on childhood lessons, adulthood and life changes. This is a new chapter for Tyler the Creator, demonstrating his continued progress as an artist, and “CHROMAKOPIA” is no exception.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu 

Trip out over Brent Faiyaz’s latest single, “Gravity”

Trippy visuals and bass guitars come together 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

Music artist Brent Faiyaz has gained traction for his talents and recognition in the music industry following the huge response from his album, “F–k the World,” which was released in February 2020. Fans have been long anticipating another album or single, and when the time finally came, Faiyaz didn’t disappoint. Released on Jan. 27, Faiyaz’s latest hit, “Gravity,” comes stacked with vocals and lines from DJ Dali and Tyler, the Creator, and has Steve Lacey on the guitar and bass. 

Through the song, both Faiyaz and Tyler describe their lifestyle on the road and the way it impacted their relationships. Both artists experience a type of “gravity” from their partners, who try to pull them back home from the rush of a luxe lifestyle, and the amount of energy it takes to maintain that balance. 

Faiyaz boasts a bit about his fame in the chorus with, “I’m on (Don’t act like I’m average)/ But you want me home (Home)/ I’d get you what you want (Superstar status)/ But you want me alone (I’m gone, baby, I’m active).” And Tyler, the Creator echos the message of finding a balance between here and there in the third verse, “Now when I’m gone, and I roam ’round the globe for three months/ That’s too long without somethin’ that’s sweet/ So I phone, little treats, that’s a snack, not a feast/ They don’t mean much to me/ ‘Cause I know that I have a bakery back at home.” 

There are effortless transitions between verses paired with strong vocals and unique melodies, which all together form a trippy auditory time-warping experience. Following this theme, the album cover includes fluorescent colors that look like a psychedelic oil spill, resulting in a warbling and eye-catching artwork. 

The melodies, layers of instruments and laid back vocals create a pop song that will hit the top of the music charts and stay there. As of right now, fans wait to hear if an official music video will be released within the coming months. While they wait,  a video of the audio alongside engaging visuals is currently on YouTube. 

Find Brent Faiyaz’s ⏤ and other accompanying artists’ ⏤ latest music on Spotify and other streaming platforms.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu