![Standing center stage, senior Ananya Akula conducts the Phoenix Chorale. “[Conducting and teaching] is really fun,” Akula said. “Music education is what I want to do.” On the day of the choir assessment, Akula found out that she received the President’s Music Scholarship – a full ride to the University of Miami Frost School of Music.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ananya-1200x800.jpg)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.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)
Peach Pit Returns to Music with “From 2 to 3”
Indie rock artist Peach Pit dropped their new album on March 4, their first album since 2020’s “You and Your Friends.”
Michelle Edwards via Creative Commons
Performing at Otalith Music Festival in Canada, Peach Pit played their first ever album, “Being So Normal,” on Aug. 18, 2017. Their next concert for this year is planned for May 24 in Amsterdam.
April 21, 2022
The Canadian indie rock band Peach Pit came out with their new album on March 4 titled “From 2 to 3.” Known for their upbeat melodies and romance songs, this new album plays towards their same strategies with soothing pop songs and electronic guitar instrumental tracks.
Peach Pit released on their official Instagram page an announcement post, which they captioned, “The first single is out with an album on its heels,” along with a release date posted to their story a few months later.
The indie band starts this album off with the two already released tracks, “Up Granville” and “Vickie.” The two tracks feature songs of romance and heartache, where the lead singer, Neil Smith, sings of a girlfriend that isn’t prioritizing him. “Up Granville’s” lyrics and music almost contradict each other with upbeat and cheery background music contrasting with the lyrics of the song, which describe the heartache the narrator felt while dating the girl. The song makes you feel calm, but the lyrics act like a nagging worry in your head, disturbing your peace.
The album continues to follow a more subdued tone that more accurately matches the lyrics. With songs like “Lips Like Yours” and “Last Days of Lonesome,” Smith sings about how he still can’t view how his ex-girlfriend could be imperfect in any way. In “Lips Like Yours,” he describes how he can’t forget what she looks like and how the comparison of her image will stay in his mind whenever he tries to move onto someone else. In “Last Days of Lonesome,” he talks about how he would do anything for her if she ever needed it, despite how she never appreciates it and takes him for granted.
The album ends with the title track “From 2 to 3,” where the singer sings about being unable to stop thinking about her to a slower, sadder tune than the start of the album did. He sings about how he’s unable to move on from their relationship and won’t be able to move on if they still have a connection even as friends.
This album overall managed to incorporate all the emotions and messages Peach Pit wanted to convey with their skillful coordination of their music tone and lyrics. The songs make your heart heavy with the lyrics portraying the singer’s helpless feelings, and the music sets the emotion the singer wants to portray, whether it be tense, gloomy or worried.
A more impressive part of their coordination through the album was how their tone of music became slower and more emotional through each song. Each song is connected to the next and it flows together well. However, their album is a bit repetitive with a lot of the similar guitar instrumental tracks , even with different tempos.
“From 2 to 3” can be streamed on Spotify, Youtube Music, Apple Music, and Pandora.
