!! WARNING: SPOILERS LIE AHEAD !!

It’s back! The Hawkins gang of teenage dweebs are once again in the Upside Down looking for monsters, when they should really be looking for a child psychologist after the trauma they have gone through. Speaking of trauma, this season was horrifying. I had to turn on a nightlight after watching it; I mean, just look at this guy.

He could really use a good old 80’s makeover to match everyone else in the show. Someone get him a perm and leg warmers ASAP!

Anyway, fans have waited three years for this season and it’s the biggest one yet. And by big, I mean huge. The budget of each episode was over $30 million… can you say bitchin’? Seven episodes dropped on May 27, 2022, and the Duffer Brothers keep fans waiting with two more episodes dropping on July 1, 2022.

Seriously, watch this season and see what the hype is about if you have the time. The shortest episode is 1 hour and three minutes and the final episode reaches two hours and 30 minutes. So grab some popcorn and your TV dinners and be prepared for a series of movie long episodes.

Although the episodes are long, it doesn’t feel long. This season grabs your attention with exciting plot lines, interesting new characters, and no shortage of bad guys, bowl cuts and bisexuals––for the sake of alliteration. To no one's surprise, the show sticks to that retro vibe many viewers fell in love with from the start with this season, taking place in 1986. Not only does the aesthetic take you back in time, but the 80’s music plays a big role too.

As I was watching the show I noticed that each character, packed with their unique stories (and traumas), kind of has their own 80’s theme song. So instead of talking about the actual songs the show uses, I thought why not experience each character of the new season of “Stranger Things” through an 80’s song that reflects their “Upsides and Downs?”

Max - Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

Starting out with the song that plays a major role in the show, this is a fitting theme song for Max because Kate Bush is her jam and changes her life. Like actually, this song changes the trajectory of her life in this season. And thanks to “Stranger Things,” Kate Bush is now running up the charts with this song hitting number one on iTunes. I guess Kate Bush is changing everyone's lives at the moment.

Jim Hopper - I’m Still Standing by Elton John

He’s ALIVE! After the beloved sheriff and father of El, Officer Jim Hopper, was seemingly dead due to an explosion at the end of season three, he is still standing. Alive and well (actually, not that well). It’s hard for him to thrive when everyone still thinks he’s dead and he’s trapped in a Russian KGB prison. But Hopper always finds a way. Plus, he still has that dinner date with Joyce he needs to catch. Watch out Commies, here comes the crazy American.

El /Eleven/Jane - Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie

Once again, the fate of the world all comes down to the 14-year-old girl with superpowers (but this time she’s got a killer mullet inspired ‘do). She’s back sans powers due to events at the end of season three. Still, her friends in Hawkins are facing doom, and she needs to help. Now she has to worry about going to a new school in California, a long distance relationship with her boyfriend Mike… and saving the world. For a 14-year-old, that’s a lot of pressure!

Will Byers - I’m Coming Out

Has the show flat out said that Will is gay? No. Do they want you to think that he is gay? Yes. The show has been hinting at it since season one and in this season they are waving it in your face. I mean, the kid did a school project on Alan Turing being his hero. Therefore, “I’m Coming Out” is his theme song. And who knows, maybe he will come out in volume two. Happy pride month, kiddo.

Jonathan, Nancy, and Steve - Tainted Love by Soft Cell

Uh oh…. Do I smell trouble in paradise? Yes, Nancy and Jonathan are a power couple, but there seems to be a lack of communication between the two. Plus, Jonathan living in California really doesn’t help either. The love between them really becomes tainted when Nancy reignites the flame with her ex-boyfriend, sexy Steve Harrington. But can you blame Nancy? I mean just look at that hair volume compared to the Edna Mode bob Jonathan has going on.

This Season - It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) by R.E.M.

To sum up season four volume one, it's the end of the world. Vecna is gnarly (not in a good way at all) and going after teenagers with trauma. El is reliving her trauma to get her powers back. Hopper and Joyce are still in Russian KGB territory. And for me, I’m petrified of clocks. Cheers to looking forward to volume two on July 1st.