Shifter Selects: Dancing With the Devil

Graphic by Victor Martinez-Rivera. Photos from left to right: Demi Lovato/YouTube, Lil Nas X/YouTube, Cardi B and Free People.

Welcome to Shifter Selects, a new 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 March 29–April 2.

There's been a lot of talk surrounding the devil lately... whether it's in Demi Lovato's new documentary and upcoming album of the same name, "Dancing With the Devil," or Lil Nas X's imagery in his new music video for "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)." This is just a weird coincidence, but we're rolling with it. We're also throwing in some of the trendiest spring fashion trends to even these selects out.

Music

Lil Nas X drops "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)" Along With a Cinematic Music Video

by Brianna Bradley

Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Deezer, etc.

Lil Nas X just released a new single last Friday. The song, "Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” has received praise and criticism online for its provocative music video.

The video begins with narration: “In life, we hide the parts of ourselves we don’t want the world to see. We lock them away. We tell them, ‘No.’ We banish them. But here, we don’t.” Although Nas came out publicly on Twitter in 2019, he still feels the pressure to present himself a certain way because of his sexuality.

In an open letter to his younger self, the artist declares that he is done hiding who he is: “...they will say I’m pushing an agenda. but the truth is, I am. the agenda to make people stay the fuck out other people’s lives and stop dictating who they should be.”

The music video for “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” features stunning visuals, biblical imagery and pole/lap dancing. Lil Nas X is departing from his country roots and embracing himself, and we’re loving every second of it.

Film/TV

Demi Lovato Shares Her Truth in YouTube documentary series "Dancing with the Devil"

by Valerie Galarza

Where to watch: YouTube

Demi Lovato's new YouTube documentary series, "Dancing With the Devil,” reveals the pop singer’s real-life as she handles being a star in today’s society after a near-fatal overdose in 2018.

The documentary series has four parts that reveal the pop singer’s life struggles and personal issues. With the pressure and expectation of being a perfect star/icon, Lovato recounts her experience of relapsing and overdosing on drugs in her documentary. The docuseries portrays the time in which Lovato was in the hospital and reveals how her family and friends felt during the whole encounter.

Raw and authentic, "Dancing With the Devil" brings awareness to the issue that many celebrities face in the fast-paced entertainment industry. We get to dive into her world as she navigates who she is as a person and as a singer struggling with drug addiction. You can watch Demi’s docuseries on YouTube!

Fashion

Here Are the Hottest Spring 2021 Fashion Trends

by Camille Ruiz Mangual

Where to watch: Who What Wear, TikTok, WGSN

It’s Spring 2021. We’re all getting vaccinated and stepping outside of our houses with our masks on, ready to embrace Spring 2021 fashion. At this point in the season, viral trends have already debuted on runways and probably made their way onto your Instagram feed and into your closet. This season’s fashion trends can best be described as cool ways to look like you’ve got your life together while maintaining the comfort of the loungewear we’ve been wearing for the past year indoors.

According to Who What Wear, Spring 2021 trends include chunky boots, baggy silhouettes, knit sets, sportswear, kitschy jewelry in vibrant colors, 2D bags, showing skin (lots of it) and the color bubblegum pink. Each of these trends is practical, effortless, attention-grabbing, versatile enough to become a staple in anyone’s wardrobe and a breath of fresh air. So, if you’re not already partaking in Spring 2021 fashion, get shopping!

Wait — want to dive into our music selections each week?

Follow us on Spotify, where we'll post hyper-specific playlists each week. Pssst... if you're an Apple Music user, you can also listen if you use this snazzy convertor.

Here's our playlist for this week:

Want to keep up with the latest trends?

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