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local-levitate · 5 years

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“Now, Not Yet” First impressions

Half Alive JUST released their very first full-length album. Here are my first impressions on each song/ the album overall. Please keep in mind that this is before looking up lyrics or talking about it with anyone, and after listening to the album (in full) ONE time! my opinions could, (and most likely will) Change! Also, this was written very, very late at night. Anyway, here is my very unprofessional review of the album “now, not yet” :)

ok ok?: I really like this song and the first few seconds are a BEAUTIFUL intro to the album. It feels very much like “yeah okay, I’m definitely listening to half alive right now!” Throughout the song there’s just,,, such a progression. some parts are super chill and some parts are like WOAH. My favorite part is probably the meaning, though. I love the theme of authenticity through the lyrics (that’s really the message I take from them) and just the overall sound.

RUNAWAY: man, this song SLAPS. I’ve loved it since it was first released. I started to say that I looved the chorus but then, I realized I loved the 2nd verse just as much, and soon enough I’ve covered how much I love the entire song. Obviously, it’s gonna get a little repetitive with all of the saying “runaway”. however, that’s really the only critique I can think of. A great upbeat song to dance to :)

maybe: This song is pretty good! I honestly don’t have a super extensive opinion on it. My favorite part is one of the verses, it talks about scars on the surface? and heat/embers. I really appreciate the use of piano/keyboard. This is what really ties together all the strange sounds and different parts of the song. I have respect for artists who can mesh together lots of very different components, themes, effects, and sounds, without making it sound all over the place. There are definitely a few semi-popular bands I can think of, who don’t do a very good job of this, leaving me saying “I really want to like this song, I just can’t” but this band executed their very unique sound throughout the song, quite beautifully.

the notion: does this count? probably not. I really didn’t gather anything from what this was supposed to mean within my first two times listening. a wonderful transition into the next song, though!

still feel.: ah, yes. the song that got me into this very strange band. I’ve been pretty amazed by this song, ever since I heard it, a few months ago. Every part of it, even the slower parts, are something you can dance to. plus, THOSE BASELINES!!!! THOSE DRUMS!!! everyone really outdid themselves on their respective instruments. Now, I’m not sure if this next praise is allowed, given that this is meant to be a “first impression” type thing, but I’m doing it anyway. the music video is incredible! my friends and I are STILL mesmerized by however the hell they do the very intricate dances depicted in the music video. that room also just looks sick! and they all look so attractive oh my god?! anyways, staying on the topic of the actual music...

TrusT: at first, I was a little wary of this song. I found myself feeling a little bored, keeping in mind I haven’t had a chance to really listen to the lyrics. THEN, the end happened. The lyrics were so... out there! The sound became so much bolder, and everything blended together to form this epic buildup to the very end of the song. The lyrics began to stand out to me so intensely, and when I heard the title of the album mentioned, it felt like I being hit by a truck. I love when artists do that, and this was such flawless execution.

arrow: this song is another bop with a great baseline. I’m pretty sure you could put about half of these songs into that very category. This is probably around my third favorite off of the album (or, just, of their songs overall) It’s 4:20 in the morning and I can’t quite pinpoint what makes this song so special. I do know, however, that the best part of the song, is hands down that bridge. It’s just so...clever and GOOD.

pure gold: alright, so if I haven’t praised this album enough at this point...... this is tied with creature to be my favorite from this album.The continuous” woaah woah ooo” are my favorite parts. This song is completely different to anything I’ve ever heard, and yet, I love it wholeheartedly. One thing, though, which I don’t really care for...the little part around 2:14, and I can’t quite figure out why. It just kinda disrupts the rest of the song strangely. HOWEVER, I ADORE the part directly after that disruption, where the background softens and it’s just josh, singing “wrapped up on pure gold” (and so on,,,) UGH it’s amazing. sorry, kinda lost it there. That part just really makes me <33333333333

ice cold: now, I’m usually not a fan of songs where artists collaborate, for whatever reason. However, I don’t hate this song! It has such a good beat, and I’m loving the acoustic guitar, as well as the faster parts in the verses. Definitely a banger, josh was also just really flexing on us with his voice in this one.

rest: again, very hesitant about this being a collaboration with a new artist. I love the idea of collaborations, just as much as I LOVE the concept of this song. However, I definitely think this could be better. I don’t dislike this song, per se, but it just gets a little boring. Though, maybe I just need to warm up to it. I can appreciate the message of work not being everything!

BREAKFAST: This song seems wonderfully dramatic. I really would love an opportunity to truly break down the lyrics. At first glance, the song is so beautifully written. The sample of pure gold thrown in there yeah, I definitely caught that and am...astonished. The pure gold stan in me jumped out. This song is almost a journey, I could see it being used in a movie. SO incredible and incomparable to any of the other music mentioned. I loved this one, for sure.

creature: I think god himself composed this song. (can you tell I’ve run out of ways to say “oh my god this song is beautiful” ?) The lyrics are powerful and harsh but so lovely, and I can just TELL without even really listening, that they come from such a genuine place. Every completely different part of the song flows together in a way that is so pleasing and overflowing with emotion. The END just leaves me like.... oh? Another cool thing about this song...if you listen to this, and then let the album loop around to ok ok?, it sounds so cool! I’m not sure if that was intentional, or not, but either way. Very good song would recommend.

Overall, these guys have really outdone themselves, especially with this being their very first album. I’m super proud of them and I hope this album really helps them to gain some traction and drives them to create even more. Given that I just devoted about three hours of my life (3am-5am) to this album, I’d say I’m a pretty big fan! I strongly encourage you to give this one a listen, with headphones. really appreciate this art that the band has seemingly poured their hearts into.

so so much love for anyone who read this far, I hope you enjoyed my rant. let me know what you thought!

#half alive #josh taylor #brett kramer #j tyler johnson #now not yet #album review #music #music review #new music #alternative #indie #emo #multifandom blog #textpost #its 5am

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