Shifter Selects: Soak Up The Solar Power

Graphic by Samantha Olson. Photos from left to right: Love, Victor/Hulu, Lorde/Republic Records, Versace Resort 2021 collection/Imaxtree.

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Welcome to Shifter Selects, an addition to our digital component where we’ll highlight the latest trends in music, film/TV and fashion. Here’s how it’ll go down: on Monday of every week, we’ll be on the lookout for trending topics and give our hot takes on the matter. Sound like something you’d be interested in? Look no further than our Shifter Selects for the week of June 14–18.

This week, our Lorde and savior is finally back for the summer with her new single, "Solar Power," Hulu's "Love, Victor" returns for another season and pastels are plastered all over fashion this season. Let's dive in!

Music

Lorde Unleashes Lead Single For Third Studio Album, "Solar Power"

by Emma Lingo

Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music

After four long years, pop princess Lorde dropped her newest single, “Solar Power.” The relaxed summer anthem appreciates the little things in life like the warm sun and having a boyfriend who’ll follow you on the beach to get good pics for the ‘gram. “Solar Power” is a far cry from Lorde’s 2017 album, “Melodrama.” The singer’s moody, house-party escapism is nowhere to be found on the track––she’s adorned in a knock-out yellow two-piece and lounging on the beach with her friends.

The all-star crew who worked on producing “Solar Power” includes Jack Antonoff on bass and guitar with Clario and Phoebe Bridgers on backup vocals. Antonoff is known for writing mega-hits with Lorde, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and under his own stage name, Bleachers. (there’s also a rumored past romance between him and Miss Lorde, which is outlined in this wild PowerPoint presentation.)

Lorde’s new era started with a sunburst. Her jaded, existential musings are nowhere to be found and she’s finally happy. Whether the singer plans to trade her melancholy lyricism for a brighter outlook, she’s still introspective on her new track. “Solar Power” is here and it’s Lorde’s time to shine.

Film/TV

"Love, Victor" Makes Its Return to Hulu

by Brianna Fairman

Where to watch: Hulu

It’s finally here: the long-awaited second season of Hulu’s hit teen drama “Love, Victor” is now available for streaming. And the finale is just as suspenseful this time around.

Season 2, Episode 1 begins where we last left Victor, tensely waiting for his parents’ reactions to his coming out as gay. Between his father’s slightly awkward back pat and his mother’s silence, it’s not terrible, but it’s certainly not what anyone hopes for when coming out.

“Love, Victor” tells Isabel and Armando’s stories with heartwarming care. Their reactions are realistic but not hopeless. Though Isabel struggles most with coming to terms with Victor’s sexuality, she ultimately rejects the hateful rhetoric of her past and chooses to accept her son fully.

In an interview with Variety, Brian Tanen, the showrunner of “Love, Victor,” spoke about the importance of showing happy queer stories.

“We want the show to feel, at its core, inspirational and uplifting… [it’s] an opportunity to have a little bit of wish fulfillment, as well — to rewrite history in a way, even when it isn’t perfect, to show LGBT audiences, ‘This is a way that this can go,’” Tanen said.

Which, of course, is not to say Season 2 is devoid of drama— between Felix and Lake’s rollercoaster relationship and the unresolved Victor-Benji-Rahim love triangle, viewers will be at the edge of their seats until the screen goes black.

Fashion

So You Want To Talk About Pastels?

by Ysatis Rios-Sabat

Where to watch: Justin Bieber, Versace

We’re only a few days away from officially entering the summer season and it seems the fashion world has claimed *pastels* as its summer go-to.

The dusty pinks and muted blues have been making their way onto red carpets, music videos, and runways since early spring. Paying homage to the 50s, these softer statement colors have been worn by celebs like Constance Wu and Justin Bieber.

These hues soften summer’s heat and look beautiful against a plethora of skin tones—we’re obsessed.

Versace

Now, what better way to wear pastels than with Versace? The Italian luxury fashion brand knows exactly how to keep pastels sophisticated and classy with a touch of glam.

Actress Constance Wu’s baby blue fit is as cute as can be. The "Crazy Rich Asians" star paired her look with a printed hairband and a stunning pose. The post describes the piece as a “flare mini dress boasting a heritage ballerina neckline”— and we couldn’t agree more. The color radiates youthfulness and the silhouette is perfect for the summer!

Meanwhile, Olivia Cooke stunned in Atelier Versace at the Oscars. The *shimmery* pink look had our jaws are on the floor. Who says pastels can’t be sexy? You can definitely add sequins to any of your pastel clothes with a bit of sewing...or fabric glue.

Makeup

Whether on your clothes or on your face, pastels are multi-purposeful. Celebrity make-up artists @Nikki_makeup and @katiejanehughes showcased light blues, greens, yellows, purples, you name it, on their Instagrams in such an ethereal way.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber, Giveon and Daniel Caesar all came together earlier this year for their “Peaches” music video and if you’re anything like us, this song is still on replay 24/7. However, if you take a glimpse at the fashion in this video, you’ll see three fabulous pastel outfits right around 01:53. Bieber wears a monochromatic look that many of us can thrift! Who doesn’t love that? Monochrome is all the rage.

The various silhouettes look both casual and cool. According to Vogue, these joyous colors are very sought after and emphasize a 70s charm. Thank you “Peaches” for inspiring some of our summer fits.

Whether dressed up or down, don’t let this summer heat ruin all of your pastel fun!

Want to keep up with the latest trends?

Tune in on Monday for our next installment of Shifter Selects!