WR Nathaniel Dell looks to assume the number one wide receiver role for UH football in 2021.| Courtesy of UH athletics

Football season is finally here and Houston looks to open up the 2021 season in a big way as the Cougars meet up with Texas Tech at NRG Stadium in the Good Sam Texas Kickoff

Follow along with our live scoring updates as the game progresses:

First Quarter (6:37): Houston 7, Tech 0

Houston opened the game with a 16-play, 75 yard drive that ended with a Clayton Tune 1-yard touchdown run.

UH converted two fourth downs on the drive with Tune’s legs coming up big, rushing six times for 42 yards including the score.

—
“Live Score: UH opens up 2021 season against Texas Tech” was originally posted on The Cougar

Cal cross country readies for ‘rustbuster’ USF Invitational

Phillip Downey/Senior Staff

Asked to describe the Cal cross country team’s approach to its imminent season opener at the USF Invitational, sophomore Claire Yerby and senior Moises Medrano used the same word: “Rustbuster.”

The meet, which is staged in Golden Gate Park, has served as the Bears’ first race every year since 2004, with the exception of last season. Historically, it’s been an opportunity for the men’s and women’s teams to run as a unit and acclimate to the distance and strain of cross country races with little to gain or lose.

Medrano, who ran at the USF Invitational in both 2018 and 2019, described Cal’s game plan going into its annual appearance at the meet.

“The (men’s and women’s) teams usually go out and tempo together, and then for maybe the last 2K those who are feeling better and more fit can let off and see how far up they can finish,” Medrano said. “We have a pretty chill mentality going into it.”

The stakes are low, but anticipation is high; the Bears are eager to make their fall 2021 debut, to cash in summer morning miles for pairs of flats and a singlet. Beyond that, the USF Invitational will serve as a valuable introduction to collegiate cross country for younger members of the team — many of whom will be racing distances with which they are currently unacquainted. The men and women will be running 8K and 6K, respectively, up from the traditional 5K run in high school races.

Yerby, who has yet to compete in collegiate cross country after opting to exclusively run track in the spring of her freshman year, is eager to make her debut at the 6K distance on a course she became familiar with while racing for Half Moon Bay High School.

“I’m really excited to take on a new distance. The training that we’ve been doing is very beneficial for cross country,” Yerby said. “This is the fifth distance I’ve run on this course, or at least in the general vicinity, so I know the area which is nice.”

After competing for a high school program, which at times had as few as five runners, Yerby is particularly looking forward to working with a pack of teammates during Cal’s season opener.

“Having seven-plus girls that I either live with or train with and hang out with all the time is going to be a comforting experience during the race because I know all the work they’ve put in and all the work I’ve put in and that we’re ready,” Yerby said.

On the heels of a postponed and abbreviated “2020” season that actually took place earlier this year, the blue and gold will be kicking off a full fall cross country season for the first time since 2019. A number of underclassmen will be getting their first exposure to college race distances, while upperclassmen will be returning to cross country as usual after a turbulent year and a half.

As laid back as the USF Invitational may be, Cal is approaching it with a sense of purpose and palpable enthusiasm. Without another race until Oct. 1, the Bears will be free to focus on the task at hand this weekend: shaking off the rust.

Ethan Moutes covers cross country. Contact him at emoutes@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

After an unprecedented summer of publishing online daily during Brown’s first-ever summer term, The Herald will print three times a week this fall semester on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — up from the once-per-week frequency implemented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to publish on our website daily, and we will open our new office at 88 Benevolent St. for in-person production.

This decision to scale up to three papers a week and to return to in-person production was guided first and foremost by campus public health conditions and the University’s COVID-19 guidelines. The three-day frequency grants us flexibility in the face of the ever-evolving pandemic, and allows us to serve our mission as a teaching institution by training our younger staffers on how to produce a print paper, with the hope that they can carry on print production in future semesters. It also means we will continue to emphasize innovation on our digital platform while honoring The Herald’s long-lasting print tradition. 

We’re both honored and thrilled to have this opportunity to return to a higher level of print and to continue shaping The Herald’s editorial trajectory. We owe so much to our staffers, who have given innumerable hours, exhibited inspiring grace, maintained community and demonstrated a consistent dedication to reporting the news and sustaining our duty as a paper throughout this last year and a half.

Lastly, we’re grateful to all of you, our readers, for continuing to engage with us as we do our absolute best every day to bring you the news and content of our community. We wish everyone a safe and fulfilling semester ahead. 

The Herald will print its first paper of the semester on Sept. 8 and continue to publish content on our website. You can pick up a copy of our paper for free at any of the locations on this map. ​To stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

—Editors’ Notes are written by The Herald’s 131st editorial board: Kayla Guo ’22.5, Henry Dawson ’22.5, Li Goldstein ’22, Emilija Sagaityte ’22, Kate Ok ’22, Emily Teng ’22 and Kamran King ’22

The template for director Sian Heder’s film “CODA” is resoundingly familiar. After all, “CODA” is a coming-of-age tale about a small-town girl with big dreams and untapped talent, a family skeptical of the ambitions, an inspirational teacher, upbeat rehearsal montages, and a high-stake audition. What sets “CODA” apart is the honest story-telling. The movie gets from beat to beat in fresh and interesting ways.

Coming-of-Age Drama About How To Love Someone You Don’t Fully Understand 

Based on the 2014 French film “La Famille Bélier,” the titular CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) is Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones). As the only hearing member of her family, Ruby has spent her life as a translator and mediator between the hearing and deaf world, doing such tasks as ordering the meals at restaurants and helping to run the family fishing boat with her father brother each morning before school.

“CODA” follows Ruby as she navigates her own identity and reconciles passion with expectations. Ruby’s developing love of music is the one thing that her family cannot share. “CODA” is about how to love someone without fully understanding everything about them.

Luxuriates in Small, Human Details

What raises “CODA” above the melodrama are the little details and observations about human experiences and relationships. The film begins by taking us through a typical day in Ruby’s life, and show the audience mundane moments that may be extraneous to the plot, but give us a rich, full understanding of her character. We care about Ruby deeply and want what’s best for her, because of all of the time we have spent together.

It’s a compassionate and warm movie that luxuriates in such small moments — mining drama from the characters bouncing off each other. Ruby’s talent for singing is not a magical fix for her difficulties. The Rossis are presented as a loving, warm and messy family whose concerns for Ruby are genuine and loving, and not just a screenwriter’s manufactured roadblock for the main character.

Heder shows a wonderful way with actors, giving everyone the space to create rich characters whose lives are rather easy to imagine when they are not on screen. Marlee Matlin, who plays the mother, Jackie Rossi, was the first deaf actress and the youngest to win the Best Actress Oscar, does solid work. Troy Kotsur could very possibly be nominated for an Oscar for his salty, energetic and affectionate portrayal of the father, Frank. The stand-out scene of the movie comes almost entirely from Kotsur.

“CODA” is corny, but instead of coming off as manipulative it feels touching. Many moments are deja-vu-inducing in their familiarity but are played in an original way by intelligent actors. The representation that comes from having deaf actors play deaf characters is important, but that is not the only selling point for “CODA.” It is a sweet and friendly movie that could ring tears out of cynical eyes.

“CODA” is available in select theaters and to stream on Apple+.

m.fisher@dailyutahchronicle.com

@abovemegan

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The post The Beat of ‘CODA’ is Familiar, but it has a Heart of its Own appeared first on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

Despite an encouraging start to their first game of the season, Minnesota was unable to keep Ohio State at bay in the second half. The Buckeyes pulled away in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns to Minnesota’s one.

The Gophers started out the game strong on the ground, with Ibrahim getting off to a great start running well but they had to punt from their own 48 yard line.

The Buckeyes scored quickly on their next drive with a 71 yard rush by redshirt freshman Miyan Williams to put the Buckeyes ahead 7-0.

Buckeyes kicker Noah Ruggles completed a 35 yard field goal on their second drive, giving Ohio State three more points before Minnesota had a chance to get on the scoreboard.

At this point of the game, Ohio State had all the momentum they could ask for, then the tide turned when on a fourth and inches Ibrahim bolted for a 56 yard run for a drive that was capped off by a Dylan Wright catch over the top of Ohio State cornerback Lejond Cavazos for a 13-yard touchdown.

Head coach PJ Fleck spoke post-game on the wide receiver corps’ performance without WR1 Chris Autman-Bell, “[Dylan Wright] made big time catches,” Fleck said. “Daniel Jackson had some really good grabs, but we need to be a complete WR corps. Michael Brown-Stephens made some big plays along with Brevyn Spann-Ford.”

On the next Buckeyes drive, the momentum of the game again swung in Minnesota’s favor with a Terrell Smith interception, allowing Minnesota to drive to the end zone from the Buckeyes 27-yard line.

That drive was completed by a one-yard Ibrahim touchdown on third and goal to put Minnesota ahead 14-10 at the half.

Mohamad Ibrahim scored his second touchdown of the game in the third quarter, regaining Minnesota’s lead 21-17. Ohio State was able to respond, ending the third ahead 31-21.

Ibrahim had a solid performance for the Gophers, but a fourth-quarter injury puts the rest of his season with the team in doubt. Video of the play showed what appeared to be his Achilles tendon flexing—and possibly snapping—on his left leg.

On that same drive, Kent State transfer Matthew Trickett connected on a 46-yard field goal. 31-24 Buckeyes, his first attempt and make on the Gophers. Trickett won the 2019 MAC special teams player of the year.

Trickett is a massive upgrade from Brock Walker in 2020, and Tanner Morgan said post-game how easier it is to play on offense when you have a kicker that you can trust.

“It’s huge,” Morgan said. “He’s really confident. If you are in a situation where you need a field goal and you have a kicker with long range, it makes you more comfortable. Nobody on our sideline had a doubt that the kick wasn’t going in because that’s what he does on a consistent basis.”

In the fourth quarter Ohio State scored on a 70-yard screen pass to redshirt freshman TreVeyon Henderson, increasing their lead to 38-24.

The next Minnesota possession ended with a score by Bryce Williams, his first carry of the game for 2 yards, still trailing 38-31 to the Buckeyes.

The shootout continued on the next possession with a 61 yard pass by Stroud to Olave to make the game 45-31 Buckeyes, which would be the final score.

Fleck said postgame, “We knew we were going to have to play perfect to win that football game. And we had to make sure they [Ohio State] didn’t play perfect. We had a pretty perfect first half and then the sack fumble on Tanner hurt us.”

Minnesota will face Miami-Ohio next Saturday at home with an 11:00 AM CT kickoff time.

From anime to board games, from Greek life to honor societies, Pittsburg State University offers a variety of student organizations to get involved in and students had the opportunity to meet them at the Student Organization Fair. 

Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p. m, PSU students met with members of and previewed many of PSU’s 165 registered organizations at the annual Student Organization Fair hosted by the Campus Activities Center (CAC).

Organization representatives were asked to register in advance to reserve their table at the event. Once checked in at the CAC table on the day of, organizations were then able to claim one of many available tables to set up their displays. For many groups, the displays consisted of large signs or banners displaying the organizations’ names and different favors to be handed out, such as candy or bracelets. As is customary, the PSU police department sponsored the food for the event, giving away hotdogs, assorted chips, and assorted drinks.

According to an email sent by Eva Sager, associate director of the CAC, to the organizations that attended, 540 students swiped in at the CAC table to enter the event. Sager also described student feedback about the event as “mostly positive,” with a few students being disgruntled about the move to an indoor location. Organizations were also encouraged to schedule tables in the OSC or on the Oval if they needed more recruitment opportunities.

While the organization fair was moved from the Oval to the Crimson and Gold Ballroom in the Overman Student Center (OSC) due to imminent rain, this did not deter organizations from showing up and presenting at their best. Sophomore Hunter Calovich was at the organization fair representing the French Club.

“We’re here to help students that are new to French to get better at it or, if they are struggling with [classwork] we want to make sure they have someone they can reach out to that can help them,” Calovich said. “We also are here to help students get in touch with the French culture. We celebrate French holidays, teach people how to make French dishes, lots of cultural things like that…”

Fellow French Club member Claire Hurst elaborated on Calovich’s words, expressing a desire for more membership in the club since they are always planning new activities for members.

“We’re open to the community and everyone on campus,” Hurst said. “Our goal is to help people learn about French Culture and so we really hope some students think about joining since we’ll be having events and stuff soon.”

Another club recruiting at the organization fair was PSU’s Economics Club. Faculty advisor Alexander Binder and senior Jack Charlton manned the table for the event.

“Members in our club help each other with homework and discuss issues in today’s economy, plus we’re hoping to bring in some speakers,” Charlton said. “We (Binder and Charlton) are here to raise awareness of the club, try to get new members in and build our ranks up a little bit.”

At 4-0-1, UH soccer is off at its best start to a season since 2016. | Courtesy of UH athletics

UH women’s soccer team blew past yet another opponent Thursday night at Carl Lewis International Complex, defeating Lamar University 3-0 to continue the hot start to the 2021 season.

The Cougars (4-0-1) win over the Cardinals (1-3) gave them win number four to keep the undefeated season alive through five games.

Redshirt freshman Nadia Kamassah got things going almost immediately for UH, scoring the first goal 37 seconds into the match off the assist from graduate forward Zionah Browne.

Scoring slowed down despite many shots being taken through the half and UH went into the break leading 1-0.

The second-half scoring started early, same as the first, this time with senior defender Emma Clarke making a goal in the 47th minute for the Cougars.

Redshirt senior midfielder Mia Brascia was awarded the assist on the goal.

Sophomore forward Janna Singleton scored the final goal late in the 86th minute off another assist from Browne, giving the Cougars the commanding 3-0 lead to close out another dominating win.

Browne currently leads the team with five assists total on the season. Browne has scored or assisted in all but one game this season.

The win gave the Cougars their second straight shut out and haven’t allowed any goals since the SFA match a week ago.

“I was happiest about our clean sheet,” said head coach Diego Bocanegra after the game. “The fact that we were able to keep the clean sheet and get those early goals just made life a lot easier, we could control the tempo of the game.”

The Cougars’ next game against Louisiana Lafayette has been moved to the Carl Lewis International Complex due to the impact of Hurricane Ida. The match will start at 1 p.m.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“UH Soccer defeats Lamar in second straight shut out” was originally posted on The Cougar

Wolf Pack, meet Bears: Cal prepares to take field against Nevada

Karen Chow/File

On Saturday, the Bears will finally take the field for a full slate of games once more as they welcome the Nevada Wolf Pack into the lair of the Bear. Not only will the Bears play a full season at last, but this Saturday marks the first time in more than a year that fans will be allowed into California Memorial Stadium.

“Having fans being able to attend as well, you feel the excitement throughout the facility,” said senior receiver Nikko Remigio.

The fans won’t be the only ones bringing energy to Strawberry Canyon on Saturday. The two teams taking the field will bring plenty of juice as well.

Both the Bears and the Wolf Pack will return with most — if not all — of their production from the 2020 season. Cal boasts nine “super seniors” including wide receivers Trevon Clark and Kekoa Crawford and five defensive starters who are taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarly, Nevada will bring tons of experience and production, with perhaps one of the biggest names in college football to boot. Junior quarterback Carson Strong will take the field with the limelight set squarely on him, as he has emerged as a dark horse candidate for the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Three of Strong’s top targets will also return alongside him. Seniors Romeo Doubs and Elijah Cooks are both big, explosive receivers for the Wolf Pack, with Doubs eclipsing 1,000 yards a year ago and Cooks putting up north of 900 yards in 2019, his last fully healthy season. Nevada will also bring along senior tight end Cole Turner, who surpassed 600 yards across only nine games in 2020.

“You’ve got to go into every game prepared,” said senior linebacker Cameron Goode. “Fully respecting your opponent, knowing they’re DI too, they can make plays.”

Saturday night will be a true slugfest, with strength facing strength in prime time. Cal’s historically strong defense will have its work cut out for it against a Nevada team looking to showcase its offensive firepower and propel its quarterback further into discussions surrounding top picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

“Strong does a nice job of distributing the ball,” said Cal defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon. “This is a very, very talented group coming in. They can go all across the board.”

The two teams represent two sides of the same coin. On one side, the Bears will look to lean on a smothering defense and a powerful run-first West Coast offense that keeps control of the clock and methodically picks defenses apart as it drives down the field. Cal also has the luxury of being able to lean on Pac-12 levels of talent, boasting more blue chip recruits than the Wolf Pack.

On the other side lies a Football Championship Subdivision team waiting for an opportunity. Nevada is by no means a powerhouse, but as Goode said, it is Division I too. Where Cal plays smash-mouth, in-your-face football, Nevada is your prototypical spread offense, ready to whip the ball out wide at a moment’s notice. (Strong threw the ball 27.6 times per game last season.)

The Bears have historically dominated this matchup, but the last two meetings have resulted in wins for the Wolf Pack, in 2010 and 2012.

“We haven’t beaten them the last two times we’ve played them, but I kind of think it’s irrelevant,” Remigio said. “We’re a new team, a new program.”

For outside observers, Nevada’s FCS status makes it appear to be an easy win for Cal, but there are no such things as “easy wins” in college football. Come Saturday night under the lights, the whole world will see what these two teams have in the tank for each other.

And if Cal emerges victorious, the world will know that Memorial Stadium remains Bear territory.

Jesse Stewart covers football. Contact him at jstewart@dailycal.org, and follow him on Twitter @jessedstew.

The Daily Californian

Can you feel it in the air? 

USC football is back with brand new expectations and pressure. Members of the Trojan faithful are optimistic. This is the year football can return to glory. Most importantly though, fans are back in the stands and the buzz around the Coliseum is high. 

USC has a chance to create a memorable season with a fairly easy schedule at hand. No matchups against Pac-12 north staples such as Oregon and Washington. The colder away games against Washington State and Colorado are played earlier in the season, and an extra week was gifted to the Trojans in preparation for rival Notre Dame.

However, the games still need to be played. Here are my predictions for the difference-makers of the season. 

Team MVP: Kedon Slovis

When I wrote this exact story last year, it was simple — junior quarterback Kedon Slovis would be USC’s clear-cut MVP.

It didn’t really turn out that way after a subpar sophomore season saw Slovis throw for nearly 2,000 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in five games. His completion percentage struggled mightily as well with only one game over 70%. 

Even with all the negatives and disappointing plays last season, Slovis is still the team MVP, simply because the Trojans will live and die off the junior signal-caller’s play. If the Arizona native exceeds his freshman season Cinderella run, which is possible, USC will find themselves in contention for a College Football Playoff spot. If not, well, we’ll be hearing more cries to fire head coach Clay Helton. 

Slovis’ accuracy and arm strength were very concerning last season. Questionable, inaccurate and wobbly throws led to  concerns from reporters and fans about whether he was healthy. 

“My whole life, I’ve been confident with my accuracy and me throwing a football,” Slovis told The Los Angeles Times. “Last season, I’d say for the first time was kind of a point where I wasn’t there entirely.” 

Slovis looked sharper throughout spring practice and fall camp. At his best, he’s one of the more accurate and electrifying quarterbacks in the country with his laser line drive throws and precise passes for touchdowns. 

A presence as cool as the other side of the pillow, the Trojans will need Slovis to be at his best if they hope to return to glory. 

X-Factor: Every receiver outside of Drake London

It’s no secret that the receiving corps for USC this year are very thin. After losing veterans Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns to the NFL Draft and Munir McClain to the transfer portal, the Trojans are in need of some help. 

Junior receiver Drake London is the clear star of the group. But, outside of him, the names are fairly unproven. 

Sophomore Gary Bryant Jr. was expected to fill some form of a role, but the receiver has been struggling with injuries. Helton recently said Bryant is also out due to health and safety protocols. With a lack of practice time, he will likely be thrown into the lions den against Stanford next Saturday.  

Redshirt sophomore Bru McCoy was also expected to play a big part in the offense. However, he was removed from team activities after being arrested in July on a charge of intimate partner violence. His status is certainly up in the air entering the season.

With a growing amount of uncertainty at the position, Memphis transfer receiver Tahj Washington has seized his opportunity. Washington turned heads with his explosive play during fall camp and scrimmages. He has speed reminiscent of the Road Runner, as he blows by defensive backs for catches. In the open field, his quick feet and agility make him a player with the ability to make big plays. 

Washington has  been building the trust of Slovis along with freshman receivers Michael Jackson III and Joseph Manjack IV. Both men will need to step up. Jackson III, no relation to the pop star Michael Jackson, and Manjack have been impressive at times during practices. 

Manjack and redshirt junior tight end Malcolm Epps were both named starting receivers alongside London and Washington. Veterans like redshirt sophomore Kyle Ford and junior John Jackson III will surely get some playing time as well. 

A young and unpredictable pass-catching group will have to grow up fast.

Best position group: Linebackers

A year ago, USC entered the season with defensive doubts after hiring new coordinator Todd Orlando. A year later, the linebacker crew is the best position group. 

Junior Drake Jackson  is a flat-out beast, capable of breaking up plays with his Herculean strength and lightning speed. Dominant throughout practices and poised for a breakout, he’ll surely be a first-round pick next year.

If you pass Jackson, good luck dealing with senior Kana’i Mauga, who’s been a staple of this defensive side for three years now. Second in tackles for USC last season with 41, Mauga was named to the 2020 Pro Football Focus All-Pac-12 third team. 

 Junior Ralen Goforth and redshirt junior Raymond Scott are more proven and seasoned veterans, who are solid producers. They get the job done and will share time being placed alongside Jackson and Mauga. 

Four-star freshman Raesjon Davis from Mater Dei High School will also most likely see some playing time. A raw talent, it’ll be Orlando’s job to get Davis as comfortable as possible. 

Player most likely to breakout: Keontay Ingram

The Texas transfer has had a Texas-sized impact throughout the spring and fall camps. His off-the-field swag carries onto the field with his bruising run game and elusive speed. Ingram has been a breath of fresh air in this running back room in need of some juice. 

When former back Stephen Carr transferred to Indiana, redshirt senior running back Vavae Malepeai seemed to be locked in as the starter. Helton has now said he’ll be using both in a “1A-1B” approach against SJSU with both men getting carries. Ingram, though, has clearly established himself as the lead back. 

He’s an electric runner who can make big plays while defenders hang on for dear life trying to bring him down. During a sequence in fall camp, Ingram juked Drake Jackson out of his shoes before going on for more yards after the highlight. 

Ingram even shined during the spring football game and fall scrimmages looking agile in the open field. At 6-feet and 215 pounds, his combination of speed and power is an offensive coordinator’s dream. 

However, offensive coordinator Graham Harrell relied on a more pass-heavy Air Raid offense in his two seasons with the Trojans. USC hasn’t had a consistent, legitimate star running back to rely on during Slovis’ tenure. With Ingram’s potential, it might be time to rethink this strategy. 

He’s caught the attention of everyone around Trojan football with his physicality and willingness to work. Add in the fact that he’s also a pass-catching back and he’s the perfect backfield threat for the Trojans. 

Anthony Gharib is a junior writing about all things Los Angeles sports. His column, “Anthony on LA,” runs every other Friday. He is also the sports editor.

The post Anthony on LA: Predicting USC’s difference makers to a championship season appeared first on Daily Trojan.

Since her debut album in 2015, Halsey has become quite the superstar. One might even say she’s grabbing for more power with their most recent album, “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.”

The album, produced by film composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and released by label “Capitol,” is the fourth studio album from the singer-songwriter. The album runs approximately 40 minutes and features 13 tracks of varying lengths. The album is described as a concept album primarily about pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period.

The album is not much of a departure from Halsey’s usual style. Her lyrics are defined by a wit that can be described quite easily as “deeper than a trench within a trench.” Some critics have goaded the singer-songwriter for sounding a little too much like an angsty teen who just stepped off Tumblr, but others have applauded their use of striking metaphors such as calling themselves a hurricane or begging for self-immolation in pursuit of stardom. The album, while not that much different than the rest of her music, is an evolution following their previous trajectory.

The album’s place as a concept album is firmly cemented by the interwoven themes throughout the tracks. The album takes the listener through finely walked lines between self-destruction and survival, self-control, and relentless instinct, and asking big questions like “Be careful what you wish for.” Halsey uses these themes to create a picture of horror. The idea that pregnancy can be both heaven and horror is something many parents can relate to on a spiritual level. Halsey taps into this wellspring of pain in the most authentic way.

The production value is what sets the album apart. It appears Reznor and Ross are eager to put their foot down in popular music for an extended period because they bring these songs about horror and pleasure to life with a certain experimental flair. The affectations they create with sound lend themselves perfectly to the subject matter that Halsey sings about at any given moment. They have a range that is hard to capture, and this frankly comes from their background in film. The pair worked on the award-winning film, “The Social Network,” and the amount of expression that film scores require is expertly transplanted into this album.

The album is also interesting because there are no major singles or featured songs. It’s almost like Halsey is forcing you to sniff out the meat of the album just by listening. Often people will simply listen to the single and then move on from the album. Halsey wants to avoid this approach and make people listen to her messages about patriarchy and their commentaries on American life in the modern world. She has always tried to shine a light on the darker corners of the world and this album achieves that goal even further.

“If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” receives an A rating.