![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
Ten Years of Sweet Melodies: Little Mix Celebrates Anniversary with “Between Us”
Girl group Little Mix releases the album “Between Us” to celebrate their ten year anniversary, featuring fan favorite anthems and five new songs. The compilation is the first album released since the departure of Jesy Nelson in 2020.
Royal Variety Charity via Wikimedia Commons
Little Mix, consisting of Jade Thirwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards, and Jesy Nelson (who has recently left), performed “Love Me Like You” from the album “Get Weird” at the Royal Variety Performance in 2015. The performance was aired live on television and viewed by the British Royal Family.
February 4, 2022
Following the departure of Jesy Nelson in December 2020, Little Mix released their highly anticipated compilation album, “Between Us,” on Nov. 12. The album has a total of 26 songs overall, with five new ones. The album also includes features from Nicki Minaj, Jason Derulo, Anne-Marie, Saweetie, and other artists.
The band, with members Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirwall, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, originally started in 2011 on the British talent show, “The X-Factor.” Little Mix released their first album, “DNA,” in 2012, beginning their musical career.
“Between Us” features five brand new songs: “Cut You Off,” “No,”“Trash,” “Love (Sweet Love),” and “Between Us.”
The album switches between fast melodies you can dance to (“Wasabi” and “Woman Like Me”), to soft, heart-wrenching ballads (“Secret Love Song” and “Between Us”). It’s a bit weird to see the switch in vocals from early albums like “DNA” and “Salute,” to more mature vocals in “Confetti.” Songs including Jesy Nelson on the album, due to her departure, especially stand out.
A common theme in past Little Mix albums is love songs and breakup songs, and that theme is carried throughout “Between Us,” especially in the new songs. “No,” the third song featured, currently has more than 10,000 listens on Spotify. It is an angry breakup song, perfectly fitting with past fan favorites.
Since Nelson’s departure, she has released the single, “Boyz,” featuring Nicki Minaj. Jesy had a huge impact on the band, and it’s easy to see how much she’s influenced the band in new songs.
The album is a nice yearbook of all the hits Little Mix has released over the years, and it’s sweet to hear the change in the tone of songs since 2011. Overall, “Between Us” is a lovely way to pay tribute to memories.
Since the release of “Between Us,” the band has stated they are going on a hiatus after their spring 2022 tour. They clarified they are not breaking up, but taking a break.
![In a historic presidential election, voters nationwide turned out to make their voices heard. Virginia’s 10th congressional district had three key national positions up for election: president, senator, and representative.
In the race for the House of Representatives seat previously held by Democrat Jennifer Wexton, the Republican Party nominated Mike Clancy, while the Democratic Party put forward Suhas Subramanyam, a former Virginia General Assembly Senator. Subramanyam won the seat with a 52% majority.
For one of Virginia’s Senate positions, Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao faced off. Kaine took the position with a 54% majority.
For the White House, current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fought to obtain the 270 electoral votes needed to get the bid. News outlets worldwide tracked the results live, with close attention to seven key battleground states: Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. Trump ultimately crossed the 270-vote threshold early on Nov. 6, with the swing states playing a pivotal role in his campaign’s success.
This election was the first presidential race for many Gen-Z voters, who entered a sharply polarized environment. Adela Booth, mother-in-law of Representative-Elect Subramanyam, traveled from Connecticut to support his campaign, encouraging young voters to engage in the political process. “Vote,” Booth said. “Get involved in politics. Even [if] you don’t think it applies to you, it applies to you. You will carry this debt. It will affect your grandchildren and you have to do something about it. You can’t sit back and watch anymore.”
✏️ and 📷 by Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)