With two weeks left of school and summer right around the corner, this editor can feel a shift in the air — not only in the seasons. I am celebrating another lap around the sun, and this year is even more special because I am doing it with Sidelines. Alongside myself, there has been a lot of change in entertainment as well. Mountain Dew is picking up the “dirty soda” trend, Laufey is getting personal with new songs and Pokémon is once again moving away from its original game design. With the weather heating up, it seems everyone is looking for something new — and in the words of Lizzy McAlpine, “Summer is falling, it’s a distant dream.”

From classy to dirty: Mountain Dew’s bold new flavor drops

Mountain Dew is shaking up the soda scene with its new dirty Mountain Dew, which is sparking excitement on the internet. Inspired by the viral TikTok trend of dirty soda, Mountain Dew has launched a new drink with a smooth, creamy twist on its classic. 

This Cream Soda Dew was released nationwide on April 6 and is available at major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Dollar General and many local stores, typically priced at two to three dollars.

Mountain Dew plans to launch additional special flavors by this summer. Shania Williams

Sabrina Carpenter welcomes us back to ‘Pretty Girl Avenue’ with a new music video

On April 6, right before Sabrina Carpenter’s headline at Coachella, the music video for her song “House Tour” was released. 

The upbeat video showcases Carpenter alongside an all-star cast, including Madelyn Cline and Margaret Qualley.

The storyline has the trio acting as a group of thieves — or clean-up crew, depending on who you ask — ransacking a marvelous mansion. Making a mess of the walk-in closet, taking bubble baths in the master bathroom and even taking a quick peek at the Mona Lisa.

This video marks Carpenter’s first time directing a music video, alongside Qualley as co-director, and hopefully won’t be her last after this successful debut.

If you’re interested in checking the music video out, look for it on Carpenter’s YouTube channel and “Take your shoes off.” Karlie Lohr

Laufey returns in ‘The Final Hour’

On Friday, singer-songwriter Laufey released the finale of her 2025 album, “A Matter of Time.” 

Almost two months ago, the Icelandic Grammy-winner announced on Instagram that “A Matter of Time: The Final Hour” would be available on streaming platforms on April 10. Laufey also released the teaser track “How I Get” earlier this year on Feb. 25.

The new songs on the extended album included the swinging, groovy styles of “Seems Like Old Times” and “Madwoman,” alongside the somber, introspective tones of “I Wait, I Wait, I Wait” and “I’ll Forget About You (In Time).”

“A Matter of Time” explores themes of uncertainty in love and dealing with life’s struggles, and Laufey’s newest songs add layers of anxiety alongside the difficulties of letting go of someone. It is not a stretch to say that “The Final Hour” elevated the album to be one of Laufey’s most emotional and personal works.

Though I am disappointed that Laufey already performed “A Matter of Time” in Nashville, I am excited to listen to “The Final Hour” as the semester comes to a close. Maybe I can forget about freshman year (in time).

“A Matter of Time: The Final Hour” is available for listening on all music streaming platforms. Lily Agee

“Pokémon Champions” trades story for strategy

“Pokémon Champions,” the newest installment in the Pokémon franchise, is a free-to-play game released on April 8 for the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2. 

“Pokémon Champions” departs from the typical JRPG gameplay formula that the franchise typically follows, and instead opts to emphasize the competitive battling aspects of the series that many fans enjoy.

The game has received backlash since its launch from both casual and competitive fans. While the game is free-to-play, it is monetized through a premium battle pass that can be purchased by players looking to build teams more quickly. 

Many held items that are staples of the competitive scene are also missing at launch. Coupled with the fact that only 186 of the 1,025 existing Pokémon are currently in-game means that “Pokémon Champions’” current metagame is shaping up to be an entirely different experience compared to the mainline games. 

A mobile port of the game is in the works and is expected to launch later in 2026. Logan Bowman

Fall in love with “You, Me & Tuscany”

Rom-com lovers everywhere rejoice with this new film set in the picturesque Italian countryside starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page.

After a chance meeting with an Italian man named Matteo, who owns an empty Tuscan villa, Anna (Bailey) spontaneously flies to Italy and squats there. However, she is caught by the housekeeping crew, so she poses as Matteo’s fiancée to avoid any legal trouble. 

This plan is further complicated when she meets and develops feelings for Matteo’s cousin, Michael (Page). 

Full of laughs, adventure and love, this film will have the hopeless romantics and wanderlusts swooning. Maria Hartzell

Fourteen survivors fight on equal ground in ‘Survivor 50’

“Survivor 50” maintains its intensity as the largest Tribal Council in history brings together 14 competitors fighting to stay for one more night in episode seven.

The episode begins with a boat arriving at Vatu Island, prompting one player to get on. The survivors place their Shot in the Dark into a bag to determine who is chosen, and Stephanie Kendrick is drawn, sending her to an individual challenge. There, she wins a Steal-a-Vote, allowing her to take another competitor’s vote and cast it as her own.

The challenge splits the merged tribe into two groups of seven to compete for Chinese takeout. The winning half also has the chance to compete for individual immunity, which Ozzy Lusth ultimately won.

At Tribal Council that night, Dee Valladares begins whispering to those around her, triggering a wave of secrets across the tribe. Host Jeff Probst calls this a “live Tribal,” resulting in Valladares being sent home.

Watch “Survivor 50” Wednesdays on CBS or Paramount+. Jesse Jones

To contact the features editor, email [email protected].

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