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The School Newspaper of Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

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Southwest Shadow

Southwest Shadow

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“Locals 5” excels in blending surf rock and indie rock elements with relatable songwriting, though it does suffer from sounding too similar at times. Rating: A-
‘Locals 5,’ A Nostalgic Reflection on Navigating Change
Janica Zamora, Staff Writer • March 4, 2026
Alternative indie band WILLIS released their EP “Locals 5” as part of their ongoing “Locals Only” series, exploring the complex emotions behind nostalgia and moving forward through relatable songwriting and surf and indie rock elements.
Six Artists You Should Be Listening To: February
Six Artists You Should Be Listening To: February
Joy Ryan, Assistant Opinion/A&E Editor • February 27, 2026
Discover some new artists to add to your playlist this month.
Be engulfed with this indie-rock album, "Snocaps"
“Snocaps” intertwines hints of rock and heartfelt lyrics seamlessly
Michaela Bustamante, Staff Writer • February 26, 2026
This emotionally driven album captures the raw essence of growth, love, and separation in the voices of two twin sisters.
Six Artists You Should Be Listening To: January
Six Artists You Should Be Listening To: January
Karmen Cao, Staff Writer • February 2, 2026
New year, new releases. Delve and discover the 2026 early album releases.
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After eight years, “UNBEATABLE” has been released with an amazing collection of music to be enjoyed alongside fun gameplay. B+ (Photo Credit: https://www.unbeatablegame.com)
Rock, Roll, and Rebel in ‘UNBEATABLE’
Rheyland Simon, Staff Writer • February 24, 2026
UNBEATABLE is an unforgivable yet unique rhythm-adventure game, with two different kinds of modes to play, a story of losing and recovering yourself, and one amazing original soundtrack.
Wander Around Aimlessly in “Enter The Backrooms”
Wander Around Aimlessly in “Enter The Backrooms”
Hunter Rhee, Multimedia Editor • January 28, 2026
“Enter the Backrooms” has a unique style that mimics other indie horror games, but capitalizes on the YouTube analog horror trends that have become popular.
The newest installment in the Little Nightmares franchise tries its best to keep its legacy of puzzle-solving in nightmarish environments, with players now being able to enjoy it with a friend, but fails to implement the scariness Little Nightmares is known for.

Grade: C+

Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment
‘Little Nightmares III’ Fails To Make The Game Scary
Rheyland Simon, Staff Writer • November 12, 2025
Players endure through the monstrous locations of Nowhere and attempt to escape through puzzles and the encounters of spine-chilling creatures, and yet the game fails to capture the creep factor that is known to uphold the legacy of the Little Nightmares universe.
The long-awaited sequel to “Hollow Knight” has finally been released seven years after its announcement, achieving a new spike of difficulty. Rating: A-
Save A Haunted Kingdom In ‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’
Rheyland Simon October 23, 2025
Hollow Knight: Silksong is an anticipated metroidvania, with various abilities at your disposal, enemies to encounter in every step, and quests that help you explore the kingdom of Pharloom.
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Forke offers a different take on the typical Las Vegas Bistro. Grade B+
Indulge Elevated Dishes At Forke
Amelia Castellanos, Staff Writer • March 23, 2026
A hidden French-American bistro in Las Vegas delivers refined flavors.
Tucked away behind the Strip’s crowds, Chilangos Tacos delivers bold flavors alongside cold bites, messy plating, and a price tag that doesn’t always feel justified.
 Grade C+
Hard to Find, Harder to Love: Chilangos Tacos
Isabella Sandoval, A&E Editor • February 11, 2026
Despite authentic techniques and fast service, the dining experience is marred by high prices, an awkward location, and inconsistent dishes.
Get a Taste of Vietnam at Banh Mi House
Get a Taste of Vietnam at Banh Mi House
Jayden Le, Shadow Files Reporter • January 7, 2026
Indulge in authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Banh Mi House.
 Butterface offers a multitude of dishes from breakfast to lunch.
Savor Delectable flavors at Butterface Cafe
Amelia Castellanos, Staff Writer • November 20, 2025
A great place to indulge in various Italian dishes for breakfast and lunch.
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SEE
Seemingly relatable, yet cringy 

,Grade: C+
‘The Gangnam Project’ Brings Character Development to Life
Isabella Sandoval, A&E Editor • March 12, 2026
The Gangnam Project starts off feeling like a predictable teen K-pop drama, but as the story unfolds, it reveals deeper themes of identity and self-worth.
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” is a murder mystery that follows the journey of a man to prove his innocence.
‘Wake Up Dead Man’ Struggles to Keep the Mystery Alive
Amelia Castellanos, Staff Writer • February 18, 2026
Not everything is as it seems in ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’.
‘Caramelo’ is a comedy-drama about the unlikely friendship forged between an up-and-coming chef and a small mutt. Rating: B+
‘Caramelo,’ A Heartfelt Departure from Most Sappy Dog Movies
Janica Zamora, Staff Writer • January 16, 2026
Better than most movies under this genre, “Caramelo” is a heartwarming story that serves as a reminder of what’s important in life.
The Twits' follow an evil couple who embark on taking over a city. Rating: C-
‘The Twits,’ another ruined movie adaptation made by Netflix
Michaela Bustamante, Staff Writer • November 3, 2025
A band of orphans and magical animals join forces to stop the devious Mr. and Mrs. Twit from taking over the town of Triperot.
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