From a smooth nostalgia perspective Bruno Mars’ fourth studio album, “The Romantic,” is a clear, straight to the point 32 minutes, nine-track project that marks a deliberate return to his soulful, retro-inspired sound. Known for blending modern pop with vintage influences, Mars leans even further into his nostalgic aesthetic here, drawing heavily from 1970s and 1980s soul, pop and slow-dance ballads. The result is an album that is polished, emotionally warm and sonically cohe

The mention of a cheerleader probably invokes visuals of the all-American, happy-go-lucky, girl-next-door type who is always happy to support the team under those Friday night lights. Jo Spencer, however, is not quite a picture-perfect part of the cheer squad in Jill McCorkle’s 1984 novel “The Cheer Leader.” This story is about so much more than football games. Rather, this novel is about the maddening nature of what it means to live up to the standards of womanhood in the So

Troy’s popular music band, POPulus, will be releasing a new single this month in a genre the members haven’t previously explored: bluegrass. The band will be releasing a cover of the song “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” this Friday, May 1. Bluegrass is a genre that has inspired students in the band. “I’m a fiddle player, and I’ve grown up on bluegrass and classic country music,” said Chase Dawson, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Phoenix, Arizona who is playing the fidd

Troy K-EDU Center introduced students to the Korean alphabets through bracelet making at the K-Wave Day last Wednesday. Students focused on greetings and introductions as those are the most basic parts of any language and some of the most useful phrases to someone who isn’t fluent. According to Minsol Kim, the assistant director of the K-Center, the organization’s goal for the event was to give students the tools they needed to communicate with international students and othe

An array of beads was scattered across the lab table in the Math and Science room 212 last Thursday for a bracelet making night. Students from the Troy Beta Beta Beta (Tri Beta) chapter, a biological honor society, made colorful and creative bracelets to sell for a future fundraiser. There was a mix of lettered and colored bead with the students being able to decide how they wanted the bracelets to look. Some were Earth Day themed, some had words and others were just colors.

From live animals to edible insects in a variety of flavors, the annual Earth Day festival brought a fun and unique approach to environmental awareness. Troy’s Naturalist Club, Marine Biology Club and College of Science and Engineering held the event on the quad last Friday afternoon. Those who attended were able to learn about the environment with cyanotype art, live animals, educational zines and artistic activities. While some students explored the exotic, others focused o

The semester has come to an end for Troy’s Symphony Band, after the band’s last concert took place on Tuesday. Conducted mostly by Director of Bands Dr. Mark Walker, the concert also featured three graduate assistant guest conductors, who each got to choose any piece they wanted to conduct. One of the guest conductors said he appreciated the opportunity to create a special moment for both him and the students. “It's incredibly moving to share that opportunity with them,” sa

While we can all agree that the days of the wild west are long gone, this reviewer truly believes that deep down, everyone would like to be a cowboy, at least for a day. Recent media has encouraged this reception of the idealized West primarily through television, film and music. John Grady, the main character of Cormac McCarthy’s “All the Pretty Horses” (1992), follows that yearning for the great frontier, even when circumstances change the landscape he must work with. Yo

Coachella 2026 returned to the desert with a lineup and energy that reinforced its status as one of the most influential music festivals in the world. Held the weekends of Apr. 10 through 12 and Apr. 17 through 19 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, the 25th edition of Coachella sold out within a week of its announcement, showing just how much anticipation surrounded the event. Even for those who could not attend, widespread media coverage, social media clips and a

Troy’s Student Unity and Services Council (SUSC) partnered with the Black Student Union and 101 E.L.I.T.E Men to hold a field day last Wednesday. The event was set up on the band practice field with kickball, tug-of-war, a raffle and an ice cream truck. “It’s a way to get people out of their dorms and get out of that spring semester slump,” said Taniya Traylor, a senior social work major from Anniston, Alabama, who founded SUSC and serves as the organization’s president. “Wh

Aquarius- You have a good balance between studying and getting a study group together. You’ll do fine. Pisces- You will spend no time studying because you got distracted by your cat. You’ll probably end up sleeping through the final. Aries- You’ll study for a brief period, but you have been had the material mastered for a few weeks already. Talk about being extra prepared. Taurus- You keep a calm head while studying. You are able to comfortably work through difficult areas

Disney studios has been lazy for the last few years. It is no secret that they only put out live-action remakes of childhood classics or sequels to already established properties. After slowly remaking classic movies since the 90s, Disney has started to remake any successful movie, specifically the princess movies. In the last 10 years, we have seen “Cinderella,” “Aladdin,” “Mulan,” “Snow White” and “The Little Mermaid,” with planned live action releases of newer movies like

Raising money for a good cause – that is what Miss Troy University did Friday afternoon in the Trojan Center. Anna Grace Tucker, a junior business administration major from Huntsville, Alabama, invited students to donate and “Go Red” for the American Heart Association. Tucker was able to teach students about heart health and how students can improve their own. While she was talking, attendees were able to donate to the American Heart Association either with cash or through

Troy University Police Department (TUPD) officers brought students relief through citation forgiveness. Students walking through the Trojan Center Food Court on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. may have noticed a strong presence from the TUPD, but officers were not there to issue citations. Instead, they were helping students eliminate them. Throughout a student’s time at Troy, receiving a parking ticket is a common experience. For many students juggling busy schedules and tas

I have been a dedicated Ethel Cain listener for several years now. I have seen her in person twice, the first time in Nashville at Ryman Auditorium and the second time at Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. I chose to review “Golden Age” because it is one of Ethel’s most underrated projects in my opinion. “Golden Age” is Ethel’s second EP, following her first, titled “Carpet Bed.” What many may not know is that Ethel Cain is a conceptual alter ego of Hayden

Over the course of the last few months, we have watched and reviewed some of the most critically successful movies of all time. Whether it be newer movies like “Sinners,” “Bugonia” and “One Battle After Another,” or older films like “The Green Mile” and “Good Will Hunting,” we have watched some of the best Hollywood has to offer. However, after watching so many fantastic, well-made movies, the brain needs a break. It is hard to watch so many great movies back-to-back because

Historical fiction is a genre readers tend to love or hate. I struggle to be fully immersed in these books because I find that authors often go too heavy or too light with the research. Too much emphasis on the facts often leads to underdeveloped characters and plot lines. Too little historical background can be equally detrimental if readers can spot obvious flaws. All of these thoughts established, my most recent encounter with a historical fiction piece completely took m

Glue, scissors and markers were in full use last Thursday as students created artwork at Troy’s International Art Center. As the final days wind down for the exhibitions by Douglas Pierre Baulos and Jennifer McCohnell, the gallery was transformed into a creative field for students to engage in a hands-on craft activity using materials made by Baulos himself. “I enjoy looking at art,” said Carla Garcia, a sophomore elementary education major from Laredo, Texas. “I like seei

Troy Delight Ministries held a “Tea Party and Presentations” event for ladies looking to make friends and have a church-based community. The ladies gathered in their spring dresses in Hawkins 107, where blankets scattered the floor picnic style, and a table was set up with home-baked goods, and an allotment of teacups and teas. There were egg salad sandwiches, vanilla chai coffee cakes, raspberry cinnamon rolls as well as earl grey tea, ginger teas and more. After some teat

Aries: Spring hits and you burst outside like you’ve been released from prison, shouting “Who wants to do something dangerous but in short sleeves?” You then plan a hike, race and engage in a minor argument with a stranger all before lunch. Taurus: You step outside, feel one gentle spring breeze and decide productivity has been canceled until October, all in the name of Mother Nature. “Nature demands us to rest.” Gemini: Spring is the debut of your identity crisis. You wil

Some albums capture a moment in time, but others feel timeless. “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” released in 2003 by Alicia Keys, is one of those albums. Blending R&B, soul and hip-hop influences, the record shows Keys’ growth as both a singer, pianist and songwriter. Through emotional storytelling and vocals, the album explores themes of love, trust and self-reflection while maintaining a classic sound that still resonates with listeners today. Following the success of her deb

Whether a student plays the snare, tenor, bass drum or even cymbals, the Sound of the South (SOTS) drumline has a place for them. Prospective drumline members were given an opportunity Saturday morning to learn some of the music they would have to learn for SOTS and get a head start on upcoming summer band camps, including the percussion camp in June. Drumline Interest Day was the first event of its kind. “For June Camp, we have essentially two and a half days to put our e

Troy’s Department of Theatre and Dance put on its production of “Something Rotten!,” but the experience of watching was quite the opposite. “Something Rotten!” is a 2015 play set in Renaissance 1595, following the story of the brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they invent a new, musical form of theatre to compete with William Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies. If you can’t tell by the trope of a musical about a musical, this production is extremely meta and self-referen

Troy’s Jazz Ensemble performed classical tunes on Tuesday, presenting a high-energy concert featuring a variety of jazz styles while highlighting student musicians and their musical growth. Guests in attendance experienced a high-energy, stylistically diverse program that moved from classic swing to contemporary big band writing. The concert featured a wide range of musical selections, including lush ballads and fast-paced charts that showcase both technical skill and musica

Troy’s University Activities Council (UAC) held an arts and crafts night last Wednesday, where students came together to assemble small paper crafts with friends and potentially make new ones. “The inspiration was the little goal punch cards that people have been making on TikTok,” said Mallory Morris, a sophomore graphic design major from Hoover, Alabama. Morris also serves as UAC’s graphic design chair. “We had a free week this week, and our advisor saw this trend on TikTo

Students and staff members were invited to join online sessions with recent authors of the newest edition of the Alabama Literary Review (ALR). The sessions lasted three days, from March 30 to April 1, where authors could discuss their writing techniques, publication processes and answer any questions students had. The guest authors were also able to give advice to students. “Don’t be afraid to write crap,” said Terence Culleton, a retired teacher and ALR author from Langho

Some of the best films of the year won some of the biggest awards, offering food for thought after people left the theater. “One Battle After Another” won best picture at the Oscars, while teaching serious themes about activism and immigration. “Sinners” won Outstanding Performance by a Cast at the Actor Awards and taught audiences about the black experience in the South “Bugonia,” however, was a movie that received its flowers- but also felt like it did not. It received fo

Students were invited out to the Trojan Center patio last Wednesday to take part in a fundraiser for an organization that wants to make a splashing impact. Troy’s M.I.S.S. Elite Society’s “Splash A Sweet” event allowed students to dump different amounts of water on a member based on how much was paid. Small buckets were $3, mediums were $5 and the large ones were $7. “We are just preparing for the upcoming semester so we can build our organization and also build more membe

Released in 2021, “Call Me If You Get Lost” by Tyler the Creator is an album that highlights both the artist’s creativity and his growth over the years. Tyler the Creator has always been known for experimenting with different sounds and ideas, and this album continued that trend. By blending classic hip-hop elements with modern production and personal storytelling, Tyler the Creator created a project that felt both nostalgic and fresh. One of the most interesting parts of th

Colorful Easter eggs were strewn across the main quad on campus last Thursday for the egg hunt put together by Troy’s University Activities Council (UAC). Inside these eggs sat candy, stickers and the opportunity for students to win prizes. After a countdown, students raced to grab as many eggs as they could, hoping for a big prize. The different prizes ranged from water bottles to headphones to a Polaroid camera. If a student found an egg with a number in it, they could bri

On a warm summer day, nothing is better than a cold chicken salad. It’s light, refreshing and perfect for enjoying outside in the sun, whether you’re having a picnic relaxing on the porch or just looking for something easy and satisfying to beat the heat. Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken tenders or breast (finely shredded) ¾ cup mayonnaise 1 ½ tsp mustard 1 celery stalk minced into 1/8-inch pieces ¾ tsp onion powder ¾ garlic powder ¼ salt ¼ black pepper ¼ papri

The  Troy University Student Government Association recently welcomed faculty, staff, and their families to the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park for its annual Faculty and Staff Easter Egg Hunt, bringing springtime fun and community spirit to campus. Student leaders shared that feedback from last year inspired the event’s growth. “Last year the idea of making it bigger came up,” said Zaria Abston, a senior criminal justice major from Pike Road, Alabama. “I came and saw th

Troy’s TRIO program held a workshop focused on mental health in Hawkins Hall last week. The workshop began with a presentation by Title IX Coordinator Grace Wagstaff regarding stress management and its potential impact on a student’s mental health. She walked students through different methods of reducing stress as well as the least harmful ways to handle large amounts of stress. The second half of the workshop consisted of an activity called “Let it Go and Let it Grow.” Each

Anyone can tell you I love Harper Lee. Author of the seminal Southern text “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1960), Lee is one of my greatest literary icons. Just a couple of months back, I presented research on “Mockingbird” at AUM and in preparation for that event, one of my fabulous professors loaned me a book on Lee. The book was “Mockingbird Songs: My Friendship with Harper Lee” (2017) by Wayne Flynt. A truly fabulous piece of nonfiction, I thoroughly enjoyed much of the book’s c

Whenever a small town is the center of a plot, you can bet on corruption also being a central theme. The supernatural, on the other hand, is much more unexpected. “The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek” (2019) manages to incorporate both. Written by stars of the YouTube series “Good Mythical Morning,” Link Neal and Rhett McLaughlin, the book is best described as a little spooky, a little funny and a lot of a slow-burning mystery. From the jump, you can tell where the heart of this

After watching “Hercules” last week, I wanted to keep watching Disney movies I loved from my childhood. After thinking it over, I landed on another one of my favorites from my childhood, “Aladdin.” From the characters, to the jokes and the songs, it is one of the best Disney animated films. However, is it still as good as when we were kids, or am I remembering it through rose-tinted glasses? Starting with the positives of this childhood classic, the movie's humor is top tie

Beneath the tin roof of Troy’s ILIUM Fitness and Barbell gym, locals are getting the chance to learn how to grapple, roll and throw down with guided jiu-jitsu group lessons. Over the course of hour-long sessions, participants ranging from beginner to experienced sweep legs, grab gis and look for holds, all under the guidance of head coach Nick Nevins, a purple belt with a burning love for martial arts. Through teaching martial arts, Nevins isn’t just teaching people how to g

Hues of blue have always been tied to melancholy and deep anguish for me, and Jamie by Montell Fish perfectly encapsulates and affirms those feelings. I discovered Montell right after the pandemic, when Jamie was first released, and it became an album I frequently revisit at different stages in my life. The entire album is about heartbreak, grief and the different avenues we choose to take to heal- some healthy, some destructive. If you are looking for an album that ass

As “Hannah Montana” marks its 20th anniversary, students and fans alike are reflecting on the show’s lasting impact and the role it played in shaping their childhoods. For many, the Disney Channel hit was more than just entertainment; it taught life lessons about friendship, identity and most importantly, music. “I grew up watching ‘Hannah Montana,’ and it was my introduction to pop and honestly where I think a lot of my fashion comes from,” said Liliana Heaton, a sophomor

One Troy alumna is working to grow her business using skills she learned from attending Troy. Gabrielle Jent, a spring 2025 graduate from Jasper, Alabama, earned her degree in interdisciplinary studies. She now runs her own small business, Gabby J Photography. Her classes focused on marketing, entrepreneurship and her favorite: photography. She has loved photography since high school, whenshe first started her future career. “In high school, I was part of the yearbook, and

Troy’s English department welcomed a Fulbright Scholar and an author with a well-known name to Troy’s campus last week. Dr. Nicole Camastra and Dennis McCarthy spent last week speaking to and sharing their experiences with Troy’s English students across five class visits, two panel-style discussions and a more personal reception at the end of the week. The events were set up by Assistant Professor of English Dr. Patrick Bonds and the Chair of the English Department Dr. Kirk

Troy’s Student Government Association (SGA) and International Programs held a spring picnic last Thursday. The event was set up at the amphitheater in Janice Hawkins Park. Free food was offered, as well as a station for decorating eggs in celebration of Easter. “This is a collaboration with SGA and International Student Services to try to show the international students what Easter is about,” said Dean of International Student Services Maria Frigge. “We went for plastic Ea

The rooms of John M. Long Hall were filled with the steady repetition of scales and overlapping melodies as clarinetists moved between classrooms last Saturday during Troy’s annual Clarinet Day. From smaller clarinets to larger bass clarinets, high school students were able to learn from seasoned musicians whose individual paths all started with the clarinet. For Dr. Timothy Phillips, professor of clarinet at Troy and coordinator of the event, Clarinet Day serves a larger pu

When talking about some of the greatest Disney movies, it is easiest to break them down into different eras. There was the “Golden Age” with movies like “Snow White” and “Bambi.” Then, after World War 2, the company entered its “Silver Age,” featuring movies like “Cinderella” and “The Jungle Book.” After what some refer to as the “Dark Age,” Disney in the 90s entered the “Renaissance Era” with movies like “Mulan” and “Pocohontas.” However, one of the best movies from this

If you are a native Southerner or a fan of the South’s cuisine, you may be familiar with iconic dishes like cheese grits, fish fries, low country boils,– and of course, fried green tomatoes. Coincidentally, this famous food features heavily in Fannie Flagg’s “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” (1987). Do not let the date fool you– this novel is an oldie but a goodie, and it is far from a classic take on the South. Flagg’s works, and “Tomatoes” in particular, dist

Dancers are known to tell stories through the motions of their bodies, displaying a performance that is known to grab a viewer’s attention. For one Troy student, an unfortunate accident sparked a new story. One story in particular was in the works for this student after an unfortunate incident. Kelsie Williams, a senior dance major from Montgomery, Alabama, tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in August, right before school started. She hadsurgery shortly after, but rat

Not every great artist is the loudest or most talked about. While many musicians chase radio hits and trends, Frank Ocean has built his career by doing the opposite. His music focuses on emotion, honesty and personal storytelling, which is exactly why his 2016 album “Blonde” continues to stand out years after its release. Ocean built his reputation through emotional storytelling and a unique sound that separates him from mainstream R&B. While many artists focus on catchy

On Saturday, March 28, Troy will hold its 19th annual Clarinet Day. This is a day for music students to come together to learn more about the instrument in John M. Long Hall. The day will include recitals, clinics and classes taught by clarinet experts from all over the country. “It’s an opportunity for our students to hear world-class concerts, play in masterclasses and perform with other clarinetists from our region and beyond,” said professor of clarinet for the John

Students, faculty and staff were invited to eat chili and meet the people who protect and serve Troy at the third annual Battle of the Badges Chili Cookoff held by the Troy University Police Department (TUPD) and other local first responders. This year's cook-off saw the highest turnout of chili bringers since it began in 2024, with 12 different chilis to choose from. It was also a way for students to meet those who protect and serve the community. "We've got someone from a

Troy’s University Activities Council (UAC) held its “Letters and Legos” event on March 11 in celebration of Women’s History Month. The event allowed students to show their gratitude through personalized letters and enter a drawing for a chance to win a flower Lego set. Mallory Morris, a sophomore graphic design major from Hoover, Alabama, said the event highlighted the importance of uplifting women and showing appreciation for their contributions. “It’s important to have ev