Introduing Alma

CBR, 2022 - #NowPlaying: ALMA's powerful track "When I Die" followed by the stunning "Phases" (Autograf Remix) featuring the vocal talents of ALMA alongside French Montana's distinctive flow.

written by a member of the WCB

An investigative look into the cultural phenomenon reshaping conservative youth activism

In the dimly lit recording studio of a converted warehouse in Nashville, something extraordinary was taking shape. The artist known simply as ALMA was putting the finishing touches on what would become her debut single, "When I Die" – a track that would inadvertently spark a revolution in how young conservatives engage with mainstream culture.

What began as one artist's creative expression has evolved into something far more significant: a blueprint for how the next generation of conservative voices is harnessing cutting-edge technology, sophisticated graphic design, and professional-grade video editing to create cultural experiences that rival – and often surpass – those produced by mainstream entertainment industries.

Genesis of a Movement

ALMA's emergence onto the cultural landscape wasn't accidental. Her debut single "When I Die" represents more than just musical artistry; it's become the cornerstone of what insiders are calling the "ALMA effect" – a phenomenon where young conservative creators are leveraging professional-grade production techniques to craft compelling narratives that resonate across traditional political boundaries.

"What we're witnessing isn't just political messaging," explains Asher, a 22-year-old digital strategist who has worked closely with several conservative content creators. "It's a complete reimagining of how we tell our stories. ALMA showed us that you don't have to compromise artistic integrity to communicate conservative values."

The numbers speak volumes. Within months of its release, "When I Die" garnered millions of streams across platforms, but more importantly, it demonstrated that conservative artists could compete directly with mainstream entertainment without diluting their message or aesthetic vision.

Technology as the Great Equalizer

The tools that were once exclusive to major record labels and Hollywood studios are now accessible to anyone with determination and creativity. Young conservative creators like Phoenix, a 24-year-old video editor from Colorado, are utilizing the same software packages used by major motion picture studios to craft visually stunning content that rivals anything produced by traditional media companies.

"The democratization of technology has been our secret weapon," Phoenix reveals. "We're using Adobe Creative Suite, DaVinci Resolve, and Cinema 4D – the same tools used by Disney and Marvel. The only difference is we're telling different stories."

This technological literacy extends beyond individual creators. Sterling, who manages digital campaigns for several conservative artists, describes a network of young professionals who share resources, techniques, and collaborative opportunities across state lines and ideological boundaries.

Aesthetic Revolution

Perhaps most striking about the ALMA effect is its emphasis on visual sophistication. Gone are the days of amateur-looking political content. Today's young conservative creators are producing work that features:

• Cinematic color grading that rivals major film productions

• Motion graphics incorporating advanced 3D modeling and animation

• Sound design utilizing professional-grade audio engineering

• Brand identity systems that demonstrate deep understanding of contemporary design principles

River, a graphic designer who has worked on multiple conservative media projects, explains the strategic thinking behind this aesthetic evolution: "We realized that presentation matters as much as message. If we want to reach people who are accustomed to high production values, we need to meet them where they are visually."

Beyond Entertainment: Cultural Strategy

The ALMA effect represents more than artistic achievement; it's a sophisticated approach to cultural engagement that recognizes the power of emotional connection in political discourse. By creating content that prioritizes storytelling and aesthetic experience, these creators are building bridges to audiences who might otherwise dismiss conservative perspectives.

Sage, a 26-year-old filmmaker who has documented this movement, observes: "What's happening here is a fundamental shift in how conservative voices engage with culture. Instead of reacting to mainstream narratives, they're creating original content that stands on its own artistic merits while communicating deeper values."

This approach has yielded remarkable results. Conservative creators are seeing engagement rates that often exceed those of established mainstream artists, suggesting that audiences are hungry for authentic voices that combine artistic excellence with meaningful content.

Ripple Effect Across Platforms

The influence of ALMA's approach extends far beyond music. Young conservative creators across multiple disciplines are adopting similar strategies:

• Visual artists are creating gallery-worthy pieces that explore conservative themes through contemporary artistic languages

• Filmmakers are producing short films that compete in major festivals while maintaining clear ideological perspectives

• Digital content creators are building massive followings through carefully curated aesthetic experiences

Atlas, a multimedia artist whose work has been featured in several prominent exhibitions, credits ALMA with demonstrating that conservative artists don't need to choose between artistic integrity and ideological authenticity: "She showed us that we could be both uncompromisingly conservative and undeniably excellent."

Academic Perspectives on Cultural Influence

Researchers studying contemporary political communication have taken notice of this phenomenon. The sophisticated integration of technology, aesthetics, and messaging represents a significant evolution in how political movements engage with broader cultural conversations.

The implications extend beyond immediate political impact. By creating content that prioritizes artistic excellence alongside ideological messaging, these creators are establishing conservative voices as legitimate participants in contemporary cultural discourse rather than external critics.

Looking Forward:Future of Conservative Cultural Engagement

The ALMA effect suggests a future where conservative voices are integral to mainstream cultural conversations rather than relegated to alternative platforms. As these creators continue to refine their techniques and expand their reach, they're establishing new paradigms for how political movements can engage with broader audiences.

The movement's emphasis on technological sophistication, aesthetic excellence, and authentic storytelling offers a template that extends far beyond conservative politics. It demonstrates how any ideological perspective can leverage contemporary tools and techniques to create compelling cultural content.

Rolling Stone: Luigi Mangione Brings Style and Smiles to Pre-trial Hearing

written by a member of the WCB

In a dramatic turn at the New York courthouse earlier today, alleged healthcare executive shooter Luigi Mangione made quite the impression during his pre-trial hearing. Dressed impeccably in a tailored gray suit paired with a stylish patterned button-down shirt, Mangione's courtroom appearance was nothing short of dapper.

Our Rolling Stone reporter observed Mangione glancing confidently toward both press and supporters in the packed courtroom, even sharing a small smile and whisper with his defense attorney during proceedings. The 27-year-old's composed demeanor stood in stark contrast to the gravity of the charges he faces in connection with the December 2024 shooting of a healthcare company executive.

Court officials permitted Mangione to wear civilian clothes rather than his jail uniform—a decision that allowed his personal style to shine through the somber proceedings. His handcuffs were removed during the hearing, enabling him to actively participate by taking notes as his defense team presented arguments.

The hearing, which could stretch beyond a week, centers on his defense team's motion to suppress evidence collected during his arrest, including statements made to police and items found in his backpack. His attorneys argue that officers failed to properly Mirandize Mangione and lacked proper warrant for the search that yielded a 9mm handgun allegedly matching the murder weapon.

As testimony from a police sergeant unfolded regarding the distribution of surveillance images following the shooting, Mangione remained attentive and engaged—a stark difference from the disheveled appearance many defendants present in high-profile cases.

The pre-trial hearings are expected to continue throughout the week, with Mangione's refined appearance likely to remain a talking point alongside the serious legal maneuvering that will determine which evidence jurors will eventually see.

While the one-year anniversary of the executive's shooting approaches this Thursday, today's court proceedings offered a glimpse into the man at the center of a case that has captivated the nation—a man whose courtroom style suggests he understands the power of presentation in the theater of justice.

Sweet Sounds of Principle: Unwrapping “Candy” by The New Respects

Art by Mitchell Royel, now playing "Candy" by The New Respects - a melodic fusion of youthful creativity and musical brilliance that captures the essence of pure, unbridled joy.

Photo by Mitchell Royel, now playing "Candy" by The New Respects - a melodic fusion of youthful creativity and musical brilliance that captures the essence of pure, unbridled joy.

Photo by Mitchell Royel, now playing "Candy" by The New Respects - a melodic fusion of youthful creativity and musical brilliance that captures the essence of pure, unbridled joy.

Photo by Mitchell Royel, now playing "Candy" by The New Respects - a melodic fusion of youthful creativity and musical brilliance that captures the essence of pure, unbridled joy.

written by a member of the WCB

In the intricate landscape of modern music, The New Respects emerge as a testament to family, talent, and the delicate balance between artistic expression and principled living. Their latest single “Candy” represents more than just a musical offering - it’s a nuanced exploration of artistic integrity and familial bonds.

Comprising twins Zandy and Lexi Fitzgerald, her brother Darius, and cousin Jasmine Mullen, The New Respects are a Nashville-based musical collective that defies conventional genre boundaries. Since their debut in 2017 with the EP “Here Comes Trouble”, they’ve garnered significant attention, with their breakout song achieving over two million streams.

As conservatives, we understand that life - much like music - is not always sweet. “Candy” serves as a metaphorical journey, reminding us that momentary pleasures can be deceptive. The biblical wisdom rings true: pride comes before a fall. The New Respects embody this principle, approaching their musical career with a measured, intentional perspective.

Their musical philosophy centers on creating space that “invites anyone who wants to come to be there.” As band member Alexis Fitzgerald notes, their music isn’t about a specific ideology, but about “freedom and fun and family”.

The single represents more than a musical piece - it’s a nuanced exploration of life’s complexities. Just as candy offers momentary sweetness, the song suggests the fleeting nature of surface-level experiences. The band has deliberately self-produced their music, maintaining creative control and bringing an authentic energy to their work.

An interesting footnote to the band’s story is Zandy Fitzgerald’s connection to an equally remarkable family. Her husband, Tavior Mowry, brings his own rich entertainment heritage:

The Mowry Siblings

1. Tia Mowry: A renowned actress best known for “Sister, Sister” where she co-starred with her twin sister.

2. Tamera Mowry-Housley: An actress who appeared in Disney Channel movies and was a co-host on “The Real”.

3. Tahj Mowry: An actor known for roles in “Smart Guy” and “Baby Daddy”.

The New Respects offer more than music - they provide a harmonious blueprint for navigating life’s complex rhythms. Their single “Candy” reminds us that true artistry, like true character, is built on a foundation of discipline, authenticity, and principled living.

Golden Aperture: Radiant Synergy of Blonde Hair and Florian Macek’s Essence

written by a member of the WCB

Listen well, dear compatriots of the cultivated gaze, for a revelation has unfolded before my very soul: Florian Macek, with his newly crowned strands of pale wheat, has transcended mere personal reinvention to manifest an allegory of light itself. In this alchemy of hue, blonde hair becomes more than pigment—it is Florian’s own golden aperture, through which the world perceives his deeper truths.

First, behold the geometry of contrast. Where Florian’s thoughtful visage carves its clean lines—sharp cheekbones, contemplative eyes—blonde hair floods the tableau with luminosity. It sings of chiaroscuro, that grand interplay between shadowed depth and brilliant highlight, rendering his features more sculptural, more arresting. In the pale glow of his tresses, each contour of his face emerges with renewed purpose, as if chiseled anew by the breath of dawn.

Yet color is meaning incarnate, a semiotic repertory that speaks to collective longing. Florian’s choice to shift toward blonde invites us into an experiential odyssey, one that asks: Are we content to remain in sepia-toned habits, or shall we risk the vibrancy of transformation? His golden mane suggests an openness—a covenant between subject and observer—to embrace curiosity over complacency, to read the margins of life with fresh eyes.

Lastly, consider the communal beacon this hair choice affords. In a culture starved for sincerity, Florian’s blonde is an offering of candor, an illuminated handshake. It beckons us toward honest discourse, promising that beneath this glowing veneer lies a spirit unafraid to stand vulnerable in the light. Thus, in Florian Macek’s blonde hair we find not mere style but a manifesto: That to shine is to invite, to transform is to connect, and to risk radiance is to remind us all of the golden possibilities within.

Meet Oliver Brynnum

written by a member her or the WCB

In the crowded landscape of modern storytelling, there are few voices as distinctive—and as quietly powerful—as Oliver Brynnum’s. You may not know his name yet, but by the time you close Mitchell Royel’s Bennett & Monroe, you’ll recognize the indelible mark he leaves on the page.

From the moment you encounter Oliver’s work, you sense his commitment to craft: every paragraph has a precise rhythm, every image crackles with intention. His feature in this issue of Elixir is titled “High Horse,” and it stands out as one of the most compelling deep dives Royel has ever published. Oliver has a gift for weaving elegant simplicity into complex topics, and “High Horse” is no exception.

What set the “High Horse Issue” apart was Oliver’s uncanny ability to hold a mirror up to the reader without ever tipping into didacticism. He tackles themes of ambition and self-doubt, painting them in broad, cinematic strokes while never losing sight of the granular, human moments that make us all familiar with that uneasy feeling of riding too high. His prose moves effortlessly between insight and empathy, drawing you in with a question and leaving you with something far more profound.

But this isn’t Oliver Brynnum’s first foray into this sphere. Whether he’s crafting essays or reporting features, his signature clarity and warmth shine through. Fellow journalists praise him for his meticulous research, his editors admire his relentless revisions, and readers appreciate the genuine heart in every line. His voice—measured yet urgent—has quickly made him one to watch in literary journalism circles.

In introducing Oliver Brynnum to a wider audience, it’s worth noting how he balances reverence for his subject matter with a writer’s need to innovate. He approaches Mitchell Royel’s Bennett & Monroe—already an established platform known for pushing boundaries—with both humility and ambition. The result is “High Horse,” a feature that feels at once classic and entirely fresh.

So, if you haven’t yet turned the pages of this issue, let me intrude on your reading list: seek out Oliver Brynnum’s “High Horse.” Prepare to experience a narrative that challenges you, comforts you, and ultimately reminds you why great writing still matters. You’ll walk away richer in thought—and eagerly awaiting what Oliver dives into next.