Inspired by the competition’s themes of “Reflection and Reinvention,” we crafted a cohesive 10-minute set for the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival (LAAF) that explores introspection and seeking clarity following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The set opens with “Lights Up” by Harry Styles, arranged as a mashup that builds on musical motifs of “Meteorite” by BANKS to give the song a “reinvented” 6/8 groove, and particularly highlighting the lyrics “Do you know who you are?” as a central theme. We then move into “Fishbowl” by Alessia Cara, an uptempo pop/R&B song that further dives into feelings of seclusion, introspection, and uncertainty. Following this, we seamlessly transition into “00000 Million” by Bon Iver, a folk ballad that features a powerful duo declaring acceptance of the unknown. Finally, the set closes with a gospel/R&B-inspired arrangement of “Salvation” by Kevin Ross, where we emphasize the strength and support we can find in each other in dark times, and we call back to motifs from earlier songs in the set (e.g. “Step into the light, so bright sometimes” from Lights Up).