The Jazz Age is back! Characterized by improvisation, swing, blue notes and syncopation, jazz found its peak in the 1920s. However, through different media forms such as rising artists and movie musicals, classic jazz has captured the ears of new young listeners. Released in 2016, “La La Land” follows Sebastian Wilder, a jazz musician trying to find his way to fame in the Los Angeles scene. The movie incorporates jazz tunes and a glimpse of the livelihood ambiance of jazz clubs. More recently, Grammy award winner Laufey has provided a modern twist to classical jazz and shot to fame on TikTok. This new era of jazz has inspired many young listeners to take a deeper dive into the origins of jazz music. Here are the tunes to transport you back to the old (and new) eras of jazz. 

• Movies and Musicals
  • I Get a Kick Out of You- Sutton Foster (2018)
    • From the hit musical “Anything Goes,” “I Get a Kick Out of You” brings classic jazz compositions onto the Broadway stage. Cole Porter combines the limelight of show tunes and tap dance numbers into the jazz world. 
  • Mia & Sebastian’s Theme Song- Justin Hurwitz (2016)
    • Played throughout the popular movie musical, “La La Land,” this piano ballad is filled with lots of emotions from heartbreak to reflection. Beware, after watching “La La Land,” you may not be able to listen to this song without a tear falling down your cheek. 
  • A Lovely Night- Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone (2016)
    • A more upbeat tune from “La La Land,” “A Lovely Night” follows the pattern from “Anything Goes” and incorporates tap dancing into jazz compositions. 

• Classic Jazz
  • A Sunday Kind Of Love- Etta James (1960)
    • This mellow song captures the picture-perfect moment of the sun peeking through your window on a Sunday morning. James’ raspy voice accompanied by wistful strings is the perfect leisurely song for your sunny days. 
  • Unforgettable – Nat King Cole (1952)
    • A key component in the composition of jazz pieces is the implications of strings. Famous for his romantic songs, such as “L-O-V-E,” Nat King Cole encapsulates that feeling of passion through his songwriting and instrumental accompaniments. 
  • My Way- Frank Sinatra (1969)
    • A classic, Frank Sinatra always knows how to capture the essence of jazz. The intensity of “My Way” is a perfect ballad for rainy days or dramatic choreography (shoutout to Ohio State University). 

• La Vie en Rose- Louis Armstrong (1950)
• Another slow, loving classic, Armstrong’s notorious trumpet skills transport you to the glistening lights of the Eiffel Tower. Covered and rejuvenated by many artists, this jazz classic has become the epitome of jazz.   
• Misty- Lesley Gore (1963) & Laufey (2023)
  • “Misty,” performed by Lesley Grove and Laufey, perfectly exemplifies a jazz standard. Jazz standards, in pop terms, are “covers.” Lesley Grove’s version possesses a whimsical and light tone. In comparison, Laufey’s cover highlights the piano composition through a slower tempo. While using the same lyrics and composition, jazz standards are popular amongst a genre of artists. 

• New jazz
  • Don’t Know Why- Norah Jones (2002)
• This pop-jazz tune, released in 2002, fits perfectly in a 2000s rom-com montage scene. Jones uses classic jazz notes to accompany her soothing voice and hopeless romantic lyrics. 

• Oncle Jazz- Men I Trust (2020)
  • Known for their recent hits, “Show Me How” and “Numb,” Men I Trust became widely known for their dream pop. In this one-minute tune, Men I Trust puts a twist to classic jazz by incorporating indie music patterns.
• Street by Street- Laufey (2021)
  • Bringing back classic jazz to the new generation of listeners, Laufey has perfectly mixed modern and classic jazz into her discography. 
• What Love Will Do to You- Laufey (2022)
  • Bringing more of a classic tone to her music, “What Love Will Do to You” brings out the whimsical piano and strings of old jazz. From modern to classic jazz, Laufey uses the base jazz compositions and adds her own style of music. 
• From The Start- Laufey (2023)
  • Popular from TikTok, this Laufey classic captured many young listeners. Laufey uses standard jazz notes throughout the composition but adds a pop beat on top to modify her sound. 

Take a listen and enjoy the wide variety of sounds jazz has to bring into the music field! Click this link for the playlist on spotify.

With the end of the quarter quickly approaching, Drexel has a number of free upcoming performing arts events to commemorate the end of the term. On Friday, March 15, the Drexel University Symphony Orchestra will take the Main Auditorium stage for their Symphonies Rock II: Winter Reset concert. Running just under two hours, the performance will include Berstein’s “Overture to Candide,” Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8 in G Major,” and Bach’s “Concerto for Viola in C Minor.” In preparation for the concert, I got the opportunity to speak to Rosalind Erwin, Drexel’s highly acclaimed conductor and educator. 

Q: Does the repertoire consist of a general theme, and how did you go about picking each piece? 

A: Well, first of all, we’re featuring the winner of the solo competition that we have every year, who’s our principal violist, Sam Gideon. I was trying to select music that had great appeal to not only the musicians, you know, they have to rehearse this for nine weeks, but also to the audience. So it’s music that’s very upbeat, tuneful, recognizable to many people who understand this type of music. The theme was a winter reset, and that’s a real tough one, I get it. But if you have a chance, and if we had had a normal winter, where things are always dull and dreary, like today, then this whole idea of being able to do something by Leonard Bernstein as zippy as the Candide Overture, to do something as upbeat as the Dvorak Symphony, which has great melodies throughout it. It’s kind of a way to psychologically get yourself transported to a different realm.

Q: What is the most rewarding part about conducting the orchestra?

A: These are all non-music majors. In terms of performance, all of the people that are here studied diligently throughout high school, achieved, performed in many high-end youth orchestras. Some took lessons while they were at Drexel. But, you know, they’re in other fields. My concertmaster for the first five years I was here is now a very gainfully employed physicist. So these are people who just enjoy the communion of this type of ensemble. They like this kind of music and they just want to keep on playing. They’re not here to get a degree and go out there and audition for the Scranton Symphony. That’s not what it’s all about. These will be the people who support the arts, be they performing arts, be they the plastic arts, be they whatever. These are going to be the supporters. And the more involved and educated they are about music in general, the better off society is, quite frankly.

Q: And then my last question is just, I guess, if someone is completely new to just orchestra or just any kind of performing arts, why should they come see this upcoming concert?

A: Because it’s exciting! And they get to see their colleagues doing something on a really high level. And it grew from maybe 45 people to 55 to 62 to 78. Pandemic hit, we survived the pandemic by actually rehearsing online. I thought I was going to lose my mind, but we survived and enrollment dropped to like 36. But we are now back and we have people who come back after they graduate and continue to perform, which they’re allowed to do in this because it’s a rewarding experience. it’s an opportunity to hang out with people who kind of get you. Just like theater people like to join the theater because they hang out with people who get them.

Don’t miss the Symphony Orchestra concert on March 15, and check out more of what Drexel’s performing arts has to offer at https://drexel.edu/performingarts/performances-events/upcoming-events/.

It is starting to feel like springtime! RIP the snow and welcome to the mud and humid, misty days. Looking past the messiness of spring, though, the warmer weather will bring happiness and blooming plants, which is something to celebrate. Here is a playlist of tracks that will help you embrace the joy of spring through uplifting, sunny moods and instrumentals. These are the official songs that Punxsutawney Phil is listening to in his den, after not seeing his shadow earlier last month. 

“Cubic Zirconia” – Katy Kirby (2023)

Kirby’s 2024 album “Blue Raspberry” is wordy, progressive and very catchy at times. The lead single “Cubic Zirconia” is a masterclass in alternative pop songwriting both lyrically and melodically, and it radiates warmth and fun like sunshine.

“Fool” – Adrianne Lenker (2024)

The Big Thief frontwoman is gearing up for a spring release this year, with her new aptly titled solo album “Bright Future” due out on March 22. Now three singles in, “Fool” is the standout with a blippy guitar part that flaunts Lenker’s top-notch skill on the instrument. 

“Sunflower” – Vampire Weekend, Steve Lacy (2019)

Before Lacy was being sped up on TikTok, he was scatting with Vampire Weekend over quirky basslines. “Sunflower” is a bit goofy, but it lightens the mood during its brief runtime with an undeniable hook and pleasantly meaningless lyrics.

“I Feel Alive” – TOPS (2020)

The title track from TOPS’s opus album is a dose of confidence for walking down the city streets on a warm day. No time is wasted getting to the beaming chorus, which breathes anthemic life into the short track. Check out the rest of the album for more of the same energy. 

“Movin Backwards” – A Tribe Called Quest, Anderson .Paak (2016)

While Tribe’s final album is not a happy, uplifting listen in total, the vibe of this song is not as somber. Anderson .Paak sings “I don’t want to go backwards” on the chorus, offering a mantra for the jazzy, hopeful instrumental. The track also offers a creative and accessible look into different eras of hip-hop. 

“A Town with an Ocean View” – Joe Hisaishi (1989)

With a very odd shift, here is a soundtrack pick from the movie “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989), a Studio Ghibli classic. “A Town” begins with a cute melody and progresses on to an orchestral ride through a seaside scene, presumably on a flying broom. The second half of the song fails to provide an equally strong hook as the intro, but it is still worth the experience!

“Honey” – Samia (2023)

This title track off Samia’s most recent album “Honey” is the perfect vibrant and hopeful song for the upcoming spring season. Samia’s smooth harmonies have a striking electronic-type feel. The lyrics are about genuine self-expression and knowing that everything will work out eventually because “It’s all honey.” 

“Moves” – Suki Waterhouse (2022)

Off the 2022 album “I Can’t Let Go,” this track is perfect for giving someone the confidence to pursue the person they have had their eye on throughout this long winter. “Moves” is upbeat, catchy and a great addition to any playlist. 

“Honey” – Troye Sivan (2023)

Keeping with the honey theme, this absolute banger off Sivan’s album “Something To Give Each Other” brings the high energy that is needed to get someone out of the winter blues. This song is definitely a great backing track for fantasizing about a new spring crush.  

“In Plain Sight” – Matilda Mann (2023)

This soft track is lovely for a walk in the park or a meadow with a partner. Mann sweetly sings of noticing someone who has been there the entire time in a romantic light. The instrumental feels like a gentle breeze transposed to music. 

“(not) a love song” – Liang Lawrence (2023)

Lawrence’s “(not) a love song” (which clearly is a love song) is an adorable track about wanting to be with someone. It radiates the feeling of the sun finally coming out on a cloudy day and is for sure a warm weather track. 

“Missing Out” – Maya Hawke (2024)

Hawke’s most recent single “Missing Out” off her upcoming album “Chaos Angel” specializes in being realistic. Hawke explains the feeling of “missing out” on various aspects and opportunities in life. While not the most positive song ever, every listener loves a song they can relate to. 

Listen to them for yourself while walking around campus in your light jackets and floral prints! Scan this code for the playlist on Spotify.

Are you a fan of Steve Lacy or Tyler, the Creator? Or indie/alternative music? If so, check out this new and rising artist, Malcolm Todd. From Los Angeles, CA, Todd started making music in 2022. Ever since teasing music on TikTok and getting millions of views, he has been sensational and his fame has only been growing. 

In 2023 he previewed his single “Art House” on TikTok, and since releasing it, he went from only having a few thousand listeners to millions in just a few months. Since then, he has been releasing music almost every month and he’s had hit after hit. Some highlights include “Roommates,” and from his new album “Sweet Boy Pt. 1”, “4Me 4Me.”

Recently, Todd did an interview on the Zach Sang show, a YouTube show, and he briefly talked about his life and his music career. Todd started making music during the pandemic and a little after, but at the time he performed at parties since he was still in high school. He started creating his own music in 2022, the same year he released his first album “Demos Before Prom.” Todd briefly discussed his parents. His dad is a scriptwriter for many shows but he mostly wrote for ABC’s “The Middle,” and Todd himself was on the show in Season 4 Episode 6 as a baseball player. His mother, while being involved in musical theater, was mostly a stay-at-home mom. 

Throughout the interview, Todd was talking about his music, and one could tell that his passion was obvious. Todd also shared his thoughts about what it is like to put music out there and try to get people to discover you. His answer highlighted his focus on authenticity and personal expression which he’s demonstrated throughout his entire career.   

“You need to have pride and be yourself when making it,” Todd said. 

He has always focused on quality and wants to create music that people will move to and enjoy. He explained what a good song is to him. 

“A good song to me is something that feels cool and sounds good,” Todd said. “I love to play interesting chords that no one has really heard before and I feel like that’s what makes my music a little different.” After gaining popularity so quickly, Todd recently announced his first tour Sweet Boy in North America from Apr. 15 to May 26. He is performing at The Theatre of Living Arts on May 1. Be sure to grab your tickets soon because the show is selling out quickly — a trend you can expect to continue with this artist’s performances.

The Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs serve as a foundation of academic support and student development within the Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. With a commitment to guiding students in three crucial areas— undergraduate research, fellowships advising and enrichment programming— UREP plays a crucial role in shaping the educational journey of students at Drexel. 

During an interview with the Triangle, Director Jaya Mohan emphasized her perspective on UREP’s commitment to “support students in intellectual and self-discovery, and engage in transformative experiences,” with an eye towards “building reflective capacity alongside resumes.”

One of the notable opportunities offered by UREP is the Students Tackling Advanced Research Scholars program, which reflects how freshmen at Drexel are not merely encouraged to think about undergraduate research — they are actively presented with opportunities to participate in programs from the outset. This competitive program provides students with an opportunity to complete 350 hours of hands-on research activities, a stipend and free on-campus housing during the summer for their freshman year. 

As Mohan pointed out, it’s “unusual for [an] institution to have [students] think about undergraduate research from the time they set foot on campus.” 

This proactive approach allows freshmen to envision themselves as scholars and researchers, instilling a sense of understanding and possibility from the very beginning of their academic careers.

UREP also offers various funding avenues, including the Undergraduate Research Mini-Grants of up to $2000 annually in the winter and spring quarters, fostering collaboration between faculty and undergraduates. These grants not only provide financial assistance but also help students improve their skills in creating successful application materials for future funding opportunities. Additionally, the program’s dedication to student success is evident through essential financial support via travel grants of up to $500-$750, enabling students to present their work at conferences both locally and internationally. 

Program Manager Roxane Lovell emphasized, “These grants enable students to share their work and engage with the wider academic community.”

Beyond financial support, the program offers one-on-one consultations tailored to meet the diverse needs of undergraduates. Lovell highlights that by taking the time to learn about students’ interests, schedules and limitations, UREP ensures that consultations are designed to match each individual’s requirements. 

Lovell further echoed this by talking about her personal strategy while consulting students: “See what their real interest is, figure out what is going to work with their schedule, send them off with some good strategies to reach out to professors… love [the] full circle of seeing students present their work at conferences.” 

This approach highlights the holistic nature of UREP consultations, tying academic achievement to personal development and fulfillment.

Another aspect of UREP’s vision to support students is fellowships advising. In addition to its well-rounded approach to student development, UREP extends its support to students and alumni in pursuing externally funded, nationally competitive awards. Students can access current and past fellowship opportunities through a meticulously curated database, readily accessible on the UREP website.

Associate Director Leah Gates shed light on the prevailing perception of fellowship opportunities: “A lot of people build up in their mind about the fellowship opportunities being unimaginably competitive.”

Gates gives an example of the Fulbright Scholarship, which maintains a remarkable average selection rate of 1 in 7, particularly in light of the exceptionally talented pool of applicants, when addressing the competitive environment. 

The Goldwater Scholar program stands as another example of successful fellowship applications. The program requires universities to nominate up to 6 applicants every year. Last year, UREP received 16 applications, 5 of which were nominated, and 4 of those students were awarded the Goldwater Scholarship.

Furthermore, Emily Kashka-Ginsburg, associate director, acknowledged the unpredictable nature of fellowship outcomes: “There is so much about results of fellowship that is out of our control.” 

“UREP doesn’t make their success by how many students get the award, but by how students felt throughout the application process, and what they learned about themselves,” Kashka-Ginsburg stressed, highlighting UREP’s impact on students, rather than the number of awards.

Lastly, through its collaboration with faculty, student, and departments across Drexel on a wide range of enrichment programs, UREP promotes the growth of student leaders and facilitates significant connections within the academic community. The Aspire Scholars Program shows UREP’s commitment to developing future leaders by providing students with guidance and skill-building activities, as well as up to $750 in funding to help them thrive in an academic and professional environment.

Nerd Night and the Week of Undergraduate Excellence are two of UREP’s signature enrichment initiatives that promote and celebrate academic achievement to encourage the next generation of researchers. These events provide an opportunity for students to interact with mentors and peers while showcasing their research interests on a wider platform. 

According to Kashka-Ginsburg, the program “assists in student development from when they first show up at Drexel to beyond Drexel.”

​​Gates further highlighted UREP’s commitment to inclusivity by collaborating with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. These collaborations ensure that all students, irrespective of background, have equal access to academic and research opportunities. Additionally, the program also collaborates with faculty members to host guest lectures and information sessions, expanding students’ horizons and enriching their academic experiences. A recent noteworthy event was the quarterly “Candid Conversation” event held on Feb. 20 2024, in collaboration with the Center for Black Culture, addressing the topic of overcoming perfectionism among Black and Brown women.

UREP is a unique department that actively promotes undergraduate research while moving Drexel’s overall educational and professional experience forward. UREP promotes a culture of inquiry, growth and accomplishment through its creative projects, devoted leadership and dedication to inclusion.

Atlanta-based indie/folk artist Faye Webster headlined Franklin Music Hall on Saturday, Oct. 21. Fans are filling up venues in cities all over America. Her latest single, “Lifetime,” was released on Sept. 20.

Saturday’s opening act was nothing but energetic, as UPCHUCK kicked off the night at 8:30 p.m. with heavy drums and erratic guitar. The Atlanta-based punk band got the crowd moving and head-banging with lead vocalist KT leading heart-to-heart conversations about violence across the world in-between songs.

Formed from connections made in “skating, construction and teenage delinquency,” UPCHUCK is a  revolutionary, anti-colonialist and pro-black liberation band, known for bringing new life to the Atlanta punk scene. They are focused on telling personal yet relatable stories of discrimination to fuel the fire of radical change.

The crowd at Franklin Music Hall was backed all the way up to security at the entrance filled with devout fans. On the third show of Webster’s Fall 2023 tour, the headlining set kicked off at 9:38 p.m. with the song “But Not Kiss,” a single released in June. Fans heard the first few notes of the song and responded with enthusiastic screams, later singing all the lyrics.

Webster greeted the crowd with a warm embrace, “How’s everyone tonight? I hope you enjoyed UPCHUCK, they’re my favorite band. We’ve got some great stuff for y’all tonight.” Next, the five-piece band played “Better Distractions” and “Kind of” from “I Know I’m Funny haha” with jazzy interludes, followed by “Right Side of My Neck” from “Atlanta Millionaire’s Club” (2019). The set was a balanced mix of songs from Faye Webster’s entire discography and songs like “Right Side of my Neck” and “A Dream With a Baseball Player” blended together seamlessly, speaking to the fluidity of the artist’s work.

Webster’s vocals were nothing short of her recorded and mixed sound, and combined with jazz solos from the supporting band, her voice sounded even more angelic. Webster performed “Jonny” with the band, walking around the stage. As they transitioned into “Jonny (Reprise),” Webster stood in the middle of the stage, directly under a spotlight, guitar in hand.  She recited the touching poetry, shouting “Jonny, why couldn’t you be ready too?” with a tear-jerking cadence. The melodic theme of “Suite: Jonny” played by a live saxophone made this performance exceptionally memorable. 

Next, the band performed a cover of “Eterna City,” a theme from the video game Pokémon Diamond/Pearl. This stark contrast brought a playful energy back to the performance, and “Lifetime,” Webster’s latest single released was played with a soft, relaxing sound. 

Webster previewed a new song, titled “Wilco-type beat.” The song differed from the rest of the set, sung with autotune and very little instrumentation. 

The end of Webster’s set had the crowd belting out the lyrics to “In a Good Way” and “Cheers”, as they patiently awaited the performance of “Kingston,” Webster’s most viral song. The band teased the end of their set, but eventually came back to end the night on emotional, dreamy renditions of “Kingston,” along with “Feeling Good Today.”

The touring group will go on to visit 16 cities across America, ending in the artist’s hometown Atlanta, GA on Nov. 17. 

The Mandell Theater has hosted many productions over the years, and this November Drexel University’s theater department is putting on “The Lighting Thief,” marking the 50th anniversary of the theater’s opening.

The musical is based on Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lighting Thief,” the best-selling children’s novel. Nick Anselmo, the head of the theatre department, chose “The Lightning Thief” in response to a petition from former students, Desmond Cheung and Jessica Jiang and current student, Sara Grimaldi.  

“Drexel Theater in recent years has put on a lot of very emotionally heavy shows, and those shows are important but it’s also important to do theater for joy,” Grimaldi says. 

“The Lighting Thief” is about a boy named Percy, who discovers he is a demigod and goes on a quest, along with his friends Annabeth and Grover, to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war between the Greek Gods.

“The confusion of being in a new place is really relatable, it’s like college,” Nick Fallacaro, the actor playing Percy says, “I try to bring the child-like wonder and lean into the goofiness of it.”

In true Percy Jackson fashion, the musical is chaotic and a whole lot of fun. But there are still some hardships. 

“The hardest part of [the musical] is usually work-life balance, balancing rehearsal five days a week, with classes and a social life,” Stage Manager Jenny Glickman says.

Nevertheless, the cast and crew are dedicated to this production.

“I’m so impressed with their work ethic,” Director Kyle Metzger says, “They are always prepared.”

The production opens at the Mandell Theatre on Friday, Nov. 10.

Drexel University’s artistic community is known for its vibrancy and creative spirit. One student who embodies this essence is Rachel Reale, a talented singer-songwriter and senior at the university majoring in music industry. In a recent interview, she shares insights into her latest song “Lux,” released Oct. 6, and her overall experience as a student artist. Her story serves as an inspiration to fellow students who aspire to pursue their artistic passions while navigating the demands of academics.

“Lux”

“Lux,” draws its name and inspiration from the character Lux in “The Virgin Suicides.” The haunting and poignant story of the Lisbon sisters struck a chord with Reale, particularly Lux’s tale of heartbreak and abandonment. The song tells the story from Lux’s perspective, giving her a voice to express the pain and disappointment she faced. 

“I wanted to give her a stronger voice and say all the things she didn’t get to say,” said Reale.  

In “Lux,” Reale addresses the prevalent issue of girls being discarded after men have taken what they want. It is a powerful narrative that resonates with many women who have faced similar situations.   Reale’s song seeks to give a voice to the voiceless and contributes to the growing movement of women owning their power. “I think we’re starting to see women owning their power more and more, and I want to be a part of that,” she emphasized.

Musical Style and Evolution

Reale’s songwriting takes center stage in her music. As a self-described emotional person and writer, her lyrics are a direct reflection of her experiences and emotions. Her previous EPs, “Love Sent From The Lovesick” and “Shiva” are both products of the times in her life when she wrote them. She uses writing as a coping mechanism and her honesty shines through in her songs.

“Lux” marks a significant progression in Reale’s musical journey. It is the first time she has written from someone else’s perspective, and it is also her first song recorded with a full band. While the song delves into Lux’s story, it is unmistakably infused with Reale’s own life experiences, creating a compelling blend of storytelling and authenticity.

Drexel’s Artistic Community and Support

Reale acknowledges the vibrant artistic community and culture at Drexel as significant influences on her journey as an artist. She has collaborated with talented individuals that she met at Drexel, including her music video director and producer, Noah Smith and Everest Robinson. She highlighted the value of the artistic connections she has made during her time at the university:

“While it may seem somewhat hidden to the common Drexel student, we really have a beautiful and lively artistic community and culture here. I’ve been extremely lucky to meet some incredible artists during my time here.”

Balancing School and Music

Balancing the demands of school and a budding music career can be challenging, but Reale has found a way to make it work. “It can be a lot at times, but it’s not impossible,” she said. “The main thing that keeps it manageable is making sure to keep music fun. The second it starts to feel like a job is the second you’ll start losing sight of why you’re doing it.” Her advice is a reminder that a passion for music should remain the driving force, even in the midst of academic responsibilities.

Reale also stressed the importance of networking within Drexel’s artistic community:

“Put yourself out there and establish yourself as part of Drexel’s artistic community. There’s support everywhere, so it’ll come back to you tenfold.”

In the world of music, Reale is making waves not just as a talented artist but as an empowering voice for young women. Her journey, fueled by her experiences at Drexel University, serves as an inspiration for students looking to pursue their passion for music while navigating the challenges of academia.

As Reale continues to create music that resonates with audiences far and wide, she remains an exemplary figure of determination, authenticity and the power of storytelling through music. “Lux” is a testament to the strength and resilience of women, and Reale’s journey as an artist is just beginning.