#synth’s lyric challenge

[kaylor]

something drastic actually needs to happen to get her off this path of increasingly tone deaf navel gazing faux intellectual lyricism and overdone stale cookie cutter synth production that adds absolutely nothing artistically to the song but demonstrates clearly the lack of creative challenge these people are posing each other

[thelensofyashunews]

BBYMUTHA SHARES NEW SINGLE "LINES"

The defiant Chattanooga-born, Atlanta-based artist and underground staple bbymutha has just shared her new single “lines” from her upcoming album sleep paralysis—out 4/19 via True Panther Records. Defined by colorful lyricism and genre-bending production, bbymutha instantly stood out among other SoundCould-era artists on her 2017 hit “Rules” (6M+ Streams) and solidified her name a year later with "Lately" featuring Rico Nasty, as well as the poppy, R&B-infused banger "Sleeping With the Enemy" (9M+ Streams). A viral performance of “Heavy Metal” on COLORS in 2019 followed by the release of bbymutha’s critically-acclaimed debut album Muthaland in 2020 led to subsequent collaborations with Zelooperz, Baby Tate, Na-Kel, Pink Siifu, Kelela, and Fly Anakin on her most recent album, Muthaleficent 3. Most recently, bbymutha announced a 25-date tour in support of the forthcoming sleep paralysis, along with new tracks “gun kontrol” and “go!”, with Pitchfork praising the former for the “allure and force of [bbymutha’s] voice, a thick Tennessee drawl that she wields like a weapon”. Cementing herself as a staple in the Southern underground scene, bbymutha is continuing to usher in a new era of self-discovery and reinvention on her new single “lines”, and forthcoming album sleep paralysis – out on 4/19.

With its jittery beat and electric-shock lyricism, “lines” finds bbymutha continuing to challenge traditional genre boundaries by experimenting with new sonics and textures – a trend that will continue across sleep paralysis. A unique blend of Punk, Electronic, and Rap, “lines” is a heart-pounding thrill ride packed with lyrical barbs (“Religion, worship, purpose / Love is not enough for me”) tied together with an infectious UGK/Fat Pat-referencing hook (“He wanna cut me / Like the lines on the dresser”). The track is the third offering from sleep paralysis, which compiles beats from nine different Electronic and Club producers including Foisey, Bon Music Vision, and Kilder. Marking bbymutha’s first full-length LP with True Panther Records, sleep paralysis layers steely and hilarious musings over windswept synths and echoing industrial 808s, bringing both an urgency to bbymutha’s words and a glint of experimentation to her ever-developing sound. The album’s inspiration was derived from a post-lockdown tour in the UK on which she was introduced to the sounds of 90's Garage and UK dance music, a revelating moment following a gauntlet of bad luck and creative rut during the peak of the pandemic. The album’s title, sleep paralysis is a literal reference to the syndrome which bbymutha has been afflicted with since childhood. Providing a way for her to dive back into memories she didn’t even know she had was essential in crafting the album. Showcasing why NYLON recently hailed bbymutha as “Chattanooga’s best rapper”, it’s an album fascinated with the dreamlike nature of trauma, personal history, and fantasy.

#bbymutha #lines #fly anakin #tour #spotify #youtube #music #artist #musician #soundcloud #rapper #culture #rap #art #chattanooga rapper #chattanooga tennessee #Spotify

[earlgreytea68]

Host: So where did this one start? Patrick: So, uh, typically I kind of just start with Pete's lyrics and see what that inspires me to, you know, how does this sound? You know, when I read this, what do I think this sounds like? Host: And when Pete sends you those lyrics -- So, is Pete working on lyrics all the time? He's just working on lyrical ideas and then -- Does he ever put a tune to it? Or does he send you a blank page? Patrick: No. He doesn't even send me lyrics in lyric form. He just sends words. And it's interesting when you see it. It's almost like one-liner after one-liner. (chuckle) And I'll just get an email of those. And then you kind of have to-- Neal: The Henny Youngman of lyrics? Patrick: (laughs) Yeah. And then you have to -- Kind of. It's like the -- My dad had a Yogi Berra quote book sitting on his coffee table. It's kind of like that, where it's just one-liner, one-liner, one-liner, and you have to figure out what thematically goes together, what feels like the same song. But then also I do try to keep things together as much as possible, because I feel like he's in a place where it does feel like one thought, you know? And, um -- But yeah, when he sends it, that's all he sends. There's no music or anything. And so when I read there's a kind of, for me, almost passive thing, where I read it and just imagine what it sounds like to me. And so this one scared me a lot because it felt kind of sparse, and I don't really like sparse, I don't really like singing by myself, I don't really like -- You know, I like orchestras, I like being one musician out of, you know, hundreds. I don't really like being so front and center, and I could tell there was something really intimate about this song and that was a big challenge for us. Well, for me. Everybody else seemed convinced. As soon as I finished demo-ing it and I sent it out to everybody, everybody went for it. This I think is the first song that we started, or one of the first songs that we started, Neal, when you and I got together. It's from the first session. And, you know, we had done that first session of "are we going to work together?" This came from that first session. But I think we also spent the longest on figuring out how to actually realize it because I wasn't satisfied with just my voice. With just my voice over keys, it was killing me. It was too naked or something. And I needed more of a story happening with the synths and stuff, with the guitars and all of that. So that took us a long time. Host: Interesting. And is Heaven, Iowa a place? Patrick: I believe so. I don't know if it's real or not. I believe it's the place from "Field of Dreams." Pete was really obsessed with "Field of Dreams." There's something in that story that really, like, set his vision for the whole record lyrically, I guess, so I think that's what it is. But I don't ask. I try not to ask about his lyrics because I feel like there's a thing about it where -- First off, he gives you terr -- He will not explain things. But second off, it also kind of -- I think there's something to that, you know? Where I'll read his lyrics and I'll interpret it one way and years later I'll realize it's another way. There's so many double entendres that I've only gotten, you know, decades later. (chuckle) I'll be singing and I'm like, "Oh, it's a sex thing! I didn't catch that." You know? (x) (this is around 45 minutes in)

#patrick stump #pete wentz #peterick #fall out boy #fob

[mrsdesade]

1 character x 10 songs x 10 headcanons

Loki (MCU)

Songs that I think they might be perfect for our fav God of Mischief because today is Tom's birthday! 🌿 I also leave the LOKI PLAYLIST I've created for him!

The End of the World - Celldweller

If I do, will I be exiled?

I can't base my actions on whether I'm loved or reviled.

Hard to pretend that I'm ok when my heart is breaking. […]

Sold on a dream of a future serene,

Then why does this feel like the end of the world?

Hopes in a dream are not what they seem,

And now it feels like the end of the world.

hc: The whole song has his vibes, the melody, the aesthetic, the words, the tone with which they are pronounced. Heartbreaking and full of hope. I can clearly hear the "The sun will shine on us again, I promise." quotes from it.

—————————

2. Fill the Void - Lily-Rose Depp & The Weeknd

Be my voice and I choose you to fill the void. […]

I choose you to fill my void.

I choose you to tell me, you to tell me,

I choose you to fill my void.

I speak my voice and I choose you to fill the void,

Tell me why, tell me why do I feel so free when I'm dead?

hc: Being chosen by him is already an immense honor and privilege, even more so If he considers you the missing piece to fill the eternal void in his chest. This duet is so strangely romantic.

—————————

3. The Apparition - Sleep Token

Why are you never real? Whenever you appear,

You leave me with that grace, I am trembling with fear.

But I know that you will disappear […]

Well, I believe that somewhere in the past,

Something was between you and I my dear,

And it remains with me to this day.

hc: Something has separated you two, and your memories have been erased (TVA vibes) but the feeling you have is so deep that crosses space and time, and although there is only dust remaining, you are always pulled in each other's direction.

—————————

4. GODDESS - Written by Wolves

You're like a goddess in disguise, I'm drowning slowly in your eyes

It's like you kill me by design, you're all I desire. […]

I'll do anything for you, my temptress, even if I'm innocent.

Kill to watch you undress,

Feel your body close pressed up, against mine

Heart beats, in time.

Feel your chest rise, you're all I desire.

hc: This song is pure devotion, he would do anything for you, you are his light, you're the only force that moves his actions and feelings.

—————————

5. Interlinked - Lonely Lies & GOLDKID$

hc: There are no lyrics, just music, but the romantic synth and the electronic base give this melody the right vibes to be the soundtrack to a film/series about Loki and his love interest. (hope to be me honestly)

—————————

6. Funeral Derangements - Ice Nine Kills

I'll see you on the other side.

But I'd kill to bring you back tonight,

Don't give up, don't let go,

I'll make this right. […]

They say that time heals all, but I won't heed the call.

Buried in misery.

Spare me the eulogy.

hc: Aggressive and desperate, in this version of the story, he lost you because of Thanos and he will do anything to bring you back to life, even challenging primordial forces such as Death itself.

—————————

7. Starlight - STARSET

Stardust, in you and in me.

Fuse us, into unity.

We're coupled, born from the universe.

The void is calling, don't fear.

It's ok, I promise. […]

Whenever stars go down and galaxies ignite.

I'll think of you each time they wash me in their light.

And I'll fall in love with you again, I will find you. […]

Don't leave me lost here forever,

I need your starlight and pull me through,

Bring me back to you.

hc: You are the one who loved the God of Stories, and this song is his dedication to you, his eternal love is engraved in these words.

—————————

8. Broken - Falling in Reverse

We are the broken, hoping for a change of heart.

We are the chosen, praying for a shooting star.

And even if the sky comes crashing down,

Even if the world was ending now,

We are the broken, but don't cry for me.

hc: Ouch, bad ending for you, there is nothing left to save, the Apocalypse will erase everything, and you two are embraced seeing the Sun fall on the Earth. He will hold you close until the last moment, until the true end.

—————————

9. VILLAIN - Neoni

Won't make amends, 'cause you did this, yeah

I'm the monster you invented. […]

All the king's horses and all the king's men.

Couldn't undo all the damage I did.

You call me mad but I make perfect sense.

If I can't be your hero, I'll be your villain.

hc: There's not much to say, If your romance happened during 2012, you would have a cruel God loving you, Avengers Loki has definitely his reasons and his charm.

—————————

10. KNIVES - Neoni

No heroes, no villains.

No sympathy, just venom. […]

No heroes, no villains.

Just do it for the thrill and,

Sharpen up your knives.

If you wanna make it through the night.

You better remember that you,

Can never trust nobody.

hc: Let's end with a bit of spice, I couldn't not mention this song, I would definitely associate knife kink to him. Can't change my mind.

That's all for now! Hope you enjoyed! Feel free to suggest more characters, when I'm done with my comfort characters I'll be delighted to please you with music about yours 🤍

#loki laufeyson #loki fanfic #loki #loki marvel #lokius #loki series #loki season 2 #loki x y/n #loki x female reader #loki x reader #loki headcanons #loki x mobius #marvel headcanons #marvel #marvel loki #marvel playlist #loki playlist

[beautifulpersonpeach]

Bpp my love what do you think about people who bias hoseok (knowing hes one of your faves)

***

It’s a bit weird for me to answer this because then I’d also be talking about myself. But you asked, with an odd but sweet endearment attached, so I’ll try.

Deep down, we're all Type A bitches with a specific kind of kink. No point sugarcoating it. And Hoseok scratches that itch.

Whatever he is, we see it and we're mad for it. We’re all gaga for him and shameless about it.

I mean,

Holy Mary Mother of Christ that is a man who is serving cunt sweet and hot.

Not to be vulgar, it's just hard to talk about Hoseok, to think about the choices he’s made as an artist - the way he quietly supports the team with practical advise, the way he chooses when to use music or dance to communicate his point, the way he balances how severe he is in his beliefs and principles, with the emotional and physical needs and limitations of the team, his very palpable ambition as an artist and the skill he exhibits every time he gets in the booth or steps on a stage… It’s hard to talk about this man without wanting to bite my fist.

But one thing I do want to say before I lose the plot is I’m glad to see how healthy he looked at Yoongi's concert. He looked happy and content, alert and savvy, basically himself. And that made me happy. But with Hoseok, it's not like I really worried for him in the first place. You know? I think other Hoseok biases would agree or at least, know what I mean. Military service comes with specific challenges that I don't doubt he's capable of handling. Though it’s also possible he's not exposed to the most extreme risks, so that could be working in his favour as well.

When I think of Hoseok as a person, his conscientiousness is the first thing that grips my heart. It’s something Hoseok biases recognize instinctively I think. That man cares about the work he does. He cares so much about everything in his life, that sometimes I worry that he could burn out fast. But that care is also one reason he’s become one of the best in the field, at just 10 years into his career.

That care he puts into his work translates so beautifully into his music btw. As a quick experiment, I'd like you to listen to Dionysus.

(This is the extended version from Mama 2019)

What do you think? Have you heard anything that sounds exactly like that, anywhere? Have you ever heard a song that combines punk rock, synth-pop, and acid trap, to express the joy, anguish and momentary insanity an artist experiences when making the effort to create something worthwhile… a song that uses Dionysus - the God of fertility and wine, the patron of the arts, as the central lyrical motif. Do you notice the production choices in the pre-chorus and bridge?

Dionysus is easily one of the best made songs in all of k-pop. In my opinion. And it was made primarily by Jung Hoseok.

Hobi biases see that he’s the kind of person to care a lot. He takes constructive criticism seriously, he wants his craft to be assessed with no bias or favouritism. Just honest, raw, expressions and feedback, that’s one of his primary goals and you can see that in the lyrical and stylistic choices in Jack in the Box.

Hoseok biases see all that in him, and we cream our panties.

That’s the truth don’t lie.

This is going to sound so pretentious but it has be said because it’s true: Hoseok’s cerebral intensity, the way he loses himself inside his work, is such a turn on. I’ve said before that I can see why a lot of people in the fandom underestimate him or don’t really bother to look past the giggly, goofy, sweet and social media savvy Hobi cheerleading the members, but Hobi is the only member who could show up wielding a riding crop and I won’t laugh in his face.

Because we all know, he’d know exactly what to do with it, he’d enjoy pushing you to your limits because that is what he does himself, and that you’d enjoy it.

Hypothetically.

Anyway,

Another reason his conscientiousness matters to me, is because I recognize that for Hobi, the 'work' he loves includes his team. His love for his work boosts my confidence in BTS as a lasting unit. Because Hoseok cares too much about his work to risk losing them, simply because they are so connected to it.

It's so simple with him.

Taking it back to Hoseok biases, we like to act superior, like we're not also sluts for his visuals. We act like we appreciate him in a more holistic sense. But the fact is that we see him, and bark.

I'm just going to come out and say it. I'm proof. I barked. On reflex. I don't know how it happened exactly, but I saw this pic one Friday afternoon and the sound that left my mouth certainly wasn't human.

Generally and maybe hypothetically speaking here, toys are nice and all, but completely unnecessary when Hoseok exists and you’ve allowed yourself to be chosen by him. His music, his person, seeing him in his element is all it takes.

I mean…

The details… Sheesh.

*

Everything about Hoseok and his sense of style is a gag.

He’s just always, so Effortlessly himself.

*

….two fingers would be enough. Just saying. Two fingers would do the job.

*

He's too smooth for his own good.

*

Some people somehow forget this happened and well, now I'm reminding them. Look at him, really look at him... isn't he perfect?

*

This isn’t a hot pic but it’s one of my favourites of him. This is the only pic in this post from my top 30 Hobi pics. Enjoy.

*

When he does cute it's a very particular type of cute.

*

…

*

I miss Hobi.

This doesn't happen often, but sometimes I wish time didn't exist for a while and we could be in 2026 now. We'd get to see Hoseok 3.0 and my god will that be a sight. Their performances are already god-tier even in hiatus (thank God for those three encore concerts that showcased the active members in their element), so imagine how unrestrained they will be, how epic their performances will be then.

If there’s one thing I’m nearly certain about with BTS, it’s that the wait will always be worth it. And a big reason I can say that is because the team has Jung Hoseok.

I just hope Hobi biases can keep our shit together till then because heaven knows we’re…

You know.

Stream Jack in the Box, put an order in for your box set version if you haven’t gotten around to doing that yet, get yourself your caffeinated drug of choice (mine today is a flat white with whole milk. I’m not really an Americano gal), and enjoy Chapter 2.

#one more thing #this could be just me #but I love that he’s a scaredy-cat #I love that about him so much #It's the one thing that fully humanizes him for me #hoseok #jung hoseok #Hobi #j hope #BTS #Bangtan #bts rapline #rapline bias

[theprogrockbstheorist]

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY GEDDY!!!!

(meme credit to u/rtphokie on reddit)

OH, AND WHAT’S THAT?!?! IT’S ALSO THE 49th ANNIVERSARY OF NEIL PEART JOINING RUSH?!?!

In order to celebrate these wondrous occasions, I have compiled 70 reasons why I love Rush (especially Geddy):

70. They don't have any unlistenable albums. I can put on any Rush album and at the very least enjoy it, which is saying a lot!

69. ANDDDD they have 19 studio albums!!! 167 songs!!!

68. Alex's iconic Hall of Fame induction speech.

67. The movie I Love You, Man. The main plot of that is just two guys geeking out about Rush and then going to see them in concert.

66. The Bb5 in "Cygnus X-1 Book 1: The Voyage". For the record, the other famous Bb5 sung by a male singer in rock is the high note in "Bohemian Rhapsody", sung by Roger Taylor.

65. Geddy's range in general. Say what you will about his voice, but he had range.

64. Their pre-concert videos.

63. "Hey baby it's 7:45 and I need to go to bed soon, let's fuck"- In the Mood. The debut album was something else, man.

62. They wrote songs during soundcheck when they were on tour. This includes songs like "Tom Sawyer" and "Chemistry".

61. They went to a Yes concert while recording Caress of Steel, and almost quit making the album. I, for one, am very glad they didn't!

60. The "rap" in "Roll the Bones". Sit back, relax, get busy with the facts...

59. Gene Simmons thought they weren't into women because they didn't want to party with KISS. True story!

58. They listed their baseball positions in the liner notes for Signals.

57. Neil wrote lyrics to a song using only anagrams. The song is called "Anagram (For Mongo)", and is on the album Presto.

56. They thanked themselves in the liner notes for Hemispheres. Listed as Dirk, Lerxst, and Pratt, ofc!

55. They would challenge themselves to write last-minute songs. Results of this experiment include "Hand Over Fist" from Presto, and "Malignant Narcissism" from Snakes and Arrows.

54. The mere existence of "A Passage to Bangkok". I wonder what their thought process was to put a song about smoking weed around the world after a 20-minute long dystopian prog rock epic...

53. "La Villa Strangiato". Just... everything about it.

52. The kimonos. You know the ones!

51. Their nicknames for each other!! (see above)

50. They had the second-longest stable line up in rock music! The only ones with a longer stable line up was ZZ Top.

49. They had a 40-year career! Even longer if you include pre-Neil and their adventures since the R40 tour.

48. The synth era. I unapologetically love 80s Rush, especially Grace Under Pressure and Power Windows.

47. "The Necromancer" basically being self-insert Tolkien fanfic. I wonder who the "three travelers" are supposed to be... OH WAIT!

46. They're giant nerds. All prog bands are, but they are especially nerdy.

45. Hugh Syme's awesome album covers. He did every single one from Caress of Steel onwards, barring the front cover for Snakes and Arrows.

44. The 7/8 section in "Tom Sawyer". That was my first intermediate bass line! Thanks, Geddy!

43. They're Canadian icons. Unironically, they're the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions "Canada" to me.

42. The horribly cheesy, terrible, but also really funny music video for "Time Stand Still". That song, btw, might be my favorite 80s Rush song, and is probably in my Top 5.

41. The triple-entendre pun of Moving Pictures. They're filming a movie (moving picture) of people moving paintings (moving pictures), while someone is getting moved by the scene (moving...pictures...).

40. They quote the 1812 Overture in the overture for "2112".

39. Geddy taught Les Claypool how to properly play "YYZ".

38. The Permanent Waves era glasses!

37. The opening of "Xanadu".

36. The weird stuff Geddy would have on his side of stage after he stopped using amps. This includes rotisserie chickens, washing machines, dryers, and popcorn machines.

35. "Music by Lee and Lifeson, Lyrics by Peart" on almost every single Rush song.

34. The ending of "Spirit of Radio". OF SALESMEN!!!

33. Their inside jokes. Example: The Bag.

32. They took French classes together, and began announcing their songs in French in Quebec.

31. The progressiveness of Counterparts. What other 40-year old rockstars were talking about healthy relationship boundaries and openly supporting gay people in 1993?

30. Their vaults are practically empty because they scrapped songs that weren't up to their standards. This is why we have no sub-par Rush material!

29. Choosing to end their careers with grace.

28. Ending the last show of their career with "Working Man", the song that got everything started.

27. "Dreamline"--"Learning that we're only immortal / For a limited time".

26. Geddy and Alex inducting Yes into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

25. Then, of course, Geddy playing "Roundabout" with Yes during their induction! (Unfortunately, he did not play his Rickenbacker :( )

24. No decisions were made regarding the band without it being unanimous.

23. "Closer to the Heart". To me, that song is like a musical representation of their friendship, and it always leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling after listening to it.

22. Neil's books. Ghost Rider, in particular helped me get through a rough time earlier this year.

21. Geddy's Big Beautiful Book of Bass. I love that thing, and I am looking forward to his memoir in November!!!

20. That incredible Rickenbacker. I know it hasn't been his main bass since the early 80s but...

19. All their other creative projects. Geddy and Alex have a solo album each, Alex is involved with Envy of None rn, and Neil had his blog.

18. All their other stage interactions.

17. "ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION! WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL!" -"2112". Just... all of "2112".

16. They got me into prog. I wouldn't have this blog right now if it weren't for Rush.

15. The Lifeson chord. The F#7add11 voicing that you can hear in so many of their songs (it's the opening to "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres").

14. Neil's drumming. They call him The Professor for a reason!

13. Geddy's bass playing. And his singing. And playing keys. And... yeah, we would be here all day!

12. The Dinner with Rush video. I make daily references to this that no one notices...

11. "The measure of a life / is a measure of love and respect"- "The Garden". The final song on their final album, and possibly the most amazing closer of all time.

10. Their charity work. IIRC, this includes giving away the aforementioned rotisserie chickens, as well as various fundraisers.

9. Their constant strive to improve themselves. Including Geddy working with a vocal coach, Neil working with Freddie Gruber, and of course, disavowing that Ayn Rand shit.

8. They give me something to strive towards, both as a musician and as a person. If I could make records half as good as Rush, and handle the fame with half the grace that they did, I would consider myself well-accomplished.

7. Neil's lyrics inspired me to get back into writing.

6. They inspired me to become a musician, and to pursue a career in music. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have stayed in choir or picked up bass, and I would've never considered a career in audio technology.

5. Their music helped me bond with my dad.

4. Geddy talking about his family's story of survival during the Holocaust. I think that's really important to talk about.

3. Other Rush fans. Well, okay, some of them like to brag about how many concerts they've been to, or tend to be a little gate-keep, but most of them are really chill people.

2. Their music helped me get through the toughest times in my life. Without getting too personal, I even credit them with saving my life on multiple occasions.

However, what I admire about Rush, above all else...

1. Their friendship with each other.

Once again, happy birthday Geddy! Your music has inspired me in so many ways, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.

#not an essay #rush #hbd geddy!!

[tomorrowxtogether]

Tomorrow x Together Talk Rocking Out, Voguing and Why They Loved Making Their New Album (Exclusive)

The K-pop stars had a ball sampling genres from new wave to metal on their latest release, 'The Name Chapter: FREEFALL'

The themes of Tomorrow x Together's latest album may be about facing the realities of adulthood, but making it was a sweet indulgence for the K-pop stars — and listening is sure to be one for their fans.

The 10 tracks on the group's third full-length album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL (out Oct. 13), represent an almost shockingly diverse range of genres, from indie rock and new wave to disco and metal. Yes, metal.

Getting to experiment with their sound and break out of some pop stereotypes, they say, was their favorite part of the process. "We really love to try out new genres and I think that's why a lot of people are enjoying our songs," Hueningkai, 21, tells PEOPLE.

"I think nothing's more fun than experimenting with a new genre. We don't want to be confined to a single one," Taehyun, 21, adds. "I think we have our own team color and we can put our color into different genres, so I want to go down this path and keep on trying new ones."

The five-member group — which also includes Soobin, 22, Yeonjun, 24, and Beomgyu, 22 — have dabbled in more rock-influenced songs in the past, in particular on The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE, which spawned the head bang-worthy "0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)." But the opening track of FREEFALL, "Growing Pain," goes much harder.

The five-member group — which also includes Soobin, 22, Yeonjun, 24, and Beomgyu, 22 — have dabbled in more rock-influenced songs in the past, in particular on The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE, which spawned the head bang-worthy "0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)." But the opening track of FREEFALL, "Growing Pain," goes much harder.

Their latest single, "Chasing That Feeling," is just about the antithesis: a driving, synth-filled '80s pop track that would feel at home as an OST for Stranger Things. The song also provided the group with the opportunity to try out another new genre — this time, in dance.

"For the choreo of our lead track, we added some voguing into the dance. I think that was a new challenge," Yeonjun explains.

"Back for More," their collaboration with Brazilian superstar Anitta, has a decidedly disco vibe, which they were able to showcase at the MTV VMAs in September. While they were "a little bit nervous because we were performing our pre-release song for the first time," says Soobin, he got a boost of confidence from a famous friend.

Bebe Rexha, who was also in attendance, and Soobin become friendly after realizing they were mutual fans. So when his nerves flared up at the award show, he says, "Bebe would smile at me, and it felt like somehow she's rooting for me without speaking. I think I kind of relied on her and I was very thankful for her energy."

Their most memorable performance of the summer, however, was likely in Chicago, where they headlined Lollapalooza, a festival they'd performed at for the first time on a smaller stage just last year.

"I think it was very meaningful that we got to showcase our songs and our music to a bigger crowd. It's our second time around, so I think we had more fun and we were enjoying the stage more," Hueningkai says. "I remember that [the fans] were using their flashlights on their phones to make the light for us, so that was something that I will hold dear to my heart."

The group involve their fans in every part of their work — not just when performing in front of them, but keeping them at the center of the creation of their music as well.

While the members were involved in composing and writing the songs on this album, as they have for their previous releases, one track stands out as incredibly personal to the group: "Blue Spring," a song composed for their fans, known collectively as MOA (for Moments of Alwaysness).

"I wrote the track for the song, and all of the members participated in writing the lyrics," Beomgyu says. "I think that's why we could really tell MOA it's about how we feel about them. I think it's really special that we get to write our own songs and talk to MOA straight out of our hearts."

The Name Chapter: FREEFALL is available to stream now.

#txt #tomorrow x together #231014 #article #people #soobin #yeonjun #beomgyu #taehyun #hueningkai #freefall #the name chapter: freefall

[heartsoulrocknroll]

Streetlife Serenade Ranked

Since this album is apparently vastly underrated, allow me to start this by saying that I absolutely love every song on this album. There isn't one that doesn't do it for me.

1) The Entertainer

I don't think I can adequately describe how much I love this song. I have always been so blown away by it. The instrumentation is so masterfully done, and each verse gradually builds on the last. There is the opening acoustic guitar, then that iconic synth riff that later repeats between verses throughout the song. The acoustic guitar continues on its own for the first verse, then the drums and bass come in on the second verse, then the steel guitar comes in on the third verse, then the banjo on the fourth verse, then the fantastic piano on the fifth verse. Then they all come together for the big crescendo of the sixth and seventh verses, while Billy absolutely goes nuts vocally. The cynical lyrics are some of the best that Bill has ever written, and I have always been obsessed with the rhyme scheme he used. It's poetic in a way that is reminiscent of Piano Man, but more impressive. Also shout out to the lost verse, which I love so much.

2) Weekend Song

This is an absolutely fantastic rock 'n' roll song, and I just love it more and more with time. I love that guitar riff, as well as the organ toward the end. I am obsessed with the gospely, bluesy piano riffs that are reminiscent of Ain't No Crime. And I think this is one of the best vocal performances Bill ever gave. I mean wtf!!!!!! He is so good, it makes me angry. I have seen this song compared to Take Me to the Pilot, but I won't go there other than to say eat your heart out, Elton. All those comparisons, but one thing Elton and Leon could definitely never do is sing like the great Billy Joel.

3) The Great Suburban Showdown

This is one of my favorite Billy Joel vocal melodies. It's one of those songs that just gets me right in my soul. The combination of the beautiful synth solos, the fantastic piano, the wistful pedal steel guitar, and the nostalgic lyrics alone would make me a little emotional, but add Billy's gorgeous vocal, and this song can easily bring me to the verge of tears.

4) Root Beer Rag

This is an incredible ragtime piano piece that sticks in my head for days after hearing it. I love everything about it, but I particularly love the part containing the dissonant, alternating major and minor seconds that comes out of nowhere and contrasts fantastically with the rest of the song. And I really love listening to live performances of this song and hearing Bill play it as fast as humanly possible, challenging the band to keep up.

5) Last of the Big Time Spenders

This is a song that I never hear anyone talk about, and I'm not sure why. I am obsessed with the piano on this song. It has a great, sort of jazz/blues flavor that provides an interesting juxtaposition to the country undertones of the pedal steel guitar. Bill has some incredible, soulful vocals here. And I think the lyrics are so clever, with the comparison of spending money and spending time. It's just a great song all around, and I think it leads really nicely into Weekend Song, which comes next on the album and has a similar feel.

6) Los Angelenos

This is an awesome rock song that goes harder than a lot of the songs on Glass Houses, with a great combination of electric piano, electric guitar, bass, excellent vocals by Billy, and some vintage, sardonic Billy Joel lyrics.

7) Roberta

I love the prominence of the piano on this song. The piano throughout the whole song is beautiful, but I especially love the intro and the piano break before the last verse. This seems to be a theme of this album, but there are more particularly great vocals from Billy here as well.

8) Streetlife Serenader

I absolutely love the classical sound of the piano in this song. The intro is just gorgeous. Billy's vocal here is great, and the rare appearance of his falsetto is delightful to me.

9) Souvenir

This song is short and sweet, but it is so good. The melody is gorgeous, the piano intro/outro is beautiful, and the wistful lyrics can really make me emotional.

10) The Mexican Connection

This is a beautiful, relaxing piece of music. I love all the piano work here and how it is complemented by the guitar, the congas, the organ, and, later on, the marimba. I especially love the big crescendo of piano chords at 2:03.

#billy joel #streetlife serenade #personal

[myc0smosism1ne]

"Some Great Reward": Depeche Mode's Synth-Pop Evolution

British band Depeche Mode’s fourth studio album Some Great Reward released in 1984 was a turning point in the band’s sound that resulted in their first US chart success, with their single “People are People” reaching no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Some Great Reward was a transitional phase for Depeche Mode, where the aspects that would come to define Depeche Mode’s signature sound in the years to come were starting to develop. Songwriter Martin Gore was coming into his own, with his lyrics reflecting relationships and the human condition, grappling with skepticism of religion, sex, politics, and love, from the perspective of an intelligent and cynical soul. Gore’s lyrics exhibit a depth often overlooked in music; notably, as they avoid common love tropes and present a more honest and realistic portrayal of relationships

Often the band’s earlier lyrics were backed by a more pop-style arrangement, Some Great Reward still contains those pop hooks and arrangements, but they are created to be in a more foreboding style. The album’s instrumentation sounds like they clash at first listen, but with further listening, this combination of thought-provoking lyrics and the industrial, loud dynamic music, sometimes coupled with soft and sweet sounding instrumentation, are done masterfully, where these seemingly contrasting ideas come together seamlessly. Depeche Mode became more playful and musically innovative with Some Great Reward, testing the boundaries of sound and the machinery of electronic instrumentation, redefining the genre of synth-pop in the process, into something more industrialized and tinged with subtle elements of darkness in the album's atmosphere.

Some Great Reward, saw Depeche Mode stepping out of the youthful, more energetic, and brighter synth-pop sound of their first couple of albums, signaling the member's maturation into being young adults and grappling with different complexities. One of the most prominent examples of this is the song “Master and Servant,” taking the theme of capitalism in society and subtly revealing this from within the song's lyrical themes of sex and BDSM, bringing the first musical taste of the new turn Depeche Mode was taking, a turn to something more earnest, more sexual, and more darkly cynical.

The lyrics explore the interplay between control and submission, drawing parallels between intimate desires and the broader societal structures influenced by power imbalances. The provocative nature of "Master and Servant" extends beyond its lyrics, with the music itself contributing to the song's edginess. The juxtaposition of alluring melodies with darker, more industrial elements exemplifies Depeche Mode's willingness to challenge musical conventions, foreshadowing the innovative approach they would further develop in subsequent albums.

The synth-pop-filled, often naive lyricism that defined their earlier albums is still subtly present but now takes on a more nuanced and complex role, with it being a backdrop to the band's lyrical exploration of power dynamics and societal structures.

Gore’s lyrics explore complex and provocative themes, such as on some of the album's standout tracks, "Blasphemous Rumours," "Stories of Old," and "Lie to Me," that delve into poignant narratives that contribute significantly to the album's emotional impact. In "Blasphemous Rumours," the lyrics address the weighty subject of suicide, offering a stark commentary on the struggles of individuals and the moral implications surrounding life and death. The combination of dark lyrical content against the backdrop of an upbeat musical arrangement creates a haunting contrast, enhancing the emotional impact of the song, and aligns with the album's broader examination of societal and personal challenges.

"Stories of Old" introduces a different facet of Depeche Mode's lyrical prowess, with its delving into themes of desire, intimacy, and vulnerability. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of romantic entanglements, showcasing Martin Gore's ability to convey complex emotions through evocative storytelling. As the track unfolds, the listener is immersed in a narrative of passion and longing, adding a layer of intimacy to the album's overarching exploration of human relationships. Similarly, "Lie to Me" explores the dynamics of deceit and self-deception within relationships, the lyrics are filled with longing and vulnerability, and contribute to the emotional depth of the album, as the music skillfully weaves a narrative that complements the broader themes of love, power, and societal critiques found throughout Some Great Reward.

Instrumentation on the album also marks a notable departure from the band's earlier sound, with the incorporation of newer band member Alan Wilder into Depeche Mode’s lineup bringing a fresh perspective, that is evident in the meticulous layering of synthesizers, drum machines, and the albums innovative use of samplers. The sonic landscape becomes more textured and sophisticated, with Wilder's influence pushing the boundaries of the electronic sounds in the album. This departure is particularly noticeable in tracks like "Somebody," where the subtle interplay between instrumentation and emotive vocals reflects a newfound depth and complexity.

The album heavily relies on synthesizers and drum machines, complemented by inventive samplers that capture sounds from everyday life, such as pans falling down stairs and working it into the album's soundscape. Some Great Reward’s unconventional use of sampling provides an intriguing layer of complexity with the album’s attention to detail in the sampling process, adding depth with the transformation of seemingly mundane sounds into integral components of the album's sonic identity.

Each track on the album has a disjunct yet harmonious sonic landscape, where the separation of vocal and instrumental layers is remarkably clear, allowing listeners to distinguish each element while still experiencing the cohesive flow of the music, resulting in an exhilarating listening experience that showcases Wilder's mastery in blending technical precision with artistic creativity.

The album's contrast of dark lyrical content against upbeat musical arrangements, along with the evocative storytelling, enriches the album's overarching story of societal challenges, human relationships, and personal struggles. Some Great Reward not only solidified Depeche Mode's position as pioneers of synth-pop but also laid the groundwork for their continued exploration of mature, provocative, and innovative musical expressions in the years to come.

#writer #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #music #depechemode #somegreatreward #alan wilder #davegahan #martingore #andy fletcher #writerslife #writerthings #journalism #journalist #musicrecs #album #albums #review #musicreview #albumreview #musicblog #blog #music recommendation #Spotify

[cosmiccannibalcamille]

Dua Lipa's "Houdini" is a Gemini love anthem

 Let’s get one thing straight: Dua Lipa is a Leo, not a Gemini thank you very much. (And her Leo Sun is placed in the penultimate Leo Fame Degree at that). Still, with her Rising Sign sitting pretty in the sign of dexterous airiness, the global pop sensation has got a celestial passport to Gemini's love playground. And she’s flashing that passport proudly with her latest single, “Houdini.”

     "Houdini" isn't just a pop song with over 10 million views and counting on YouTube; it's a sonnet to Gemini's love, creative, and flirtatious nature, as well as a sneaky peak into Dua Lipa’s birth chart and Rising Sign. The chorus lyrics of the singer’s latest hit, dripping with Gemini vibes, declare: “I come and I go / Tell me all the ways you need me / I’m not here for long / Catch me or I go Houdini.” 

     If that doesn’t scream Gemini's escapist approach to love (and life, really), I don't know what does. Gemini, the maestro of impermanence, the sultan of spontaneity – here today, charmingly elusive tomorrow. Unless, of course, you entertain them enough to keep them mentally engaged. Gemini, being an air sign (air being astrology’s element of mental activity) is all about the intellect, communication, and as Dua Lipa’s song proves, a dash of flirtatious banter. 

     Dua Lipa's vocals, riding the wobbling bass, throbbing beat and pulsing synth of "Houdini," echo the mutable air sign's essence – light, breezy, and about as committed as a cat to a laser pointer. As a mutable sign (i.e.: a sign made to move, shift, and spread the word), Gemini is the perpetual motion machine of the zodiac, constantly oscillating between excitement and novelty. The mutable mode of Gemini means flexibility is their middle name. They're not afraid to embrace change, and commitment isn't a cage—it's a playground. This is also a message we get out of Dua Lipa’s newest track, which barely makes it past the three-minute mark, as the singer with Gemini Rising is part playing, part challenging her would-be crush to catch her before she flees. 

READ MORE, HERE:

#houdini #dua lipa #astrology #zodiac #zodiac facts #gemini #aquarius #aries #leo #sagittarius #astrology signs #zodiac signs #rising signs #gemini rising #gemini sun #gemini facts #gemini astrology #gemini mercury #gemini moon #gemini man #gemini moodboard #gemini mars #leo sun #cancer moon #dua lipa birth chart #dua lipa lyrics #fame degree #fame degrees #astrology degree theory #music

[thelensofyashunews]

BBYMUTHA SHARES NEW LP SLEEP PARALYSIS

The defiant Chattanooga-born, Atlanta-based artist and underground heavyweight bbymutha has just shared her new album sleep paralysis—out now via True Panther Records. Fresh off a Washington Post feature that hailed her as a “prolific rapper [whose songs] mix Southern rap menace with the bump and bounce of underground clubs”, bbymutha's highly-anticipated sophomore LP arrives just as she kicks off a 25-date international tour (ticket link here). The album’s title “sleep paralysis” is a literal reference to the syndrome that bbymutha has been afflicted with since childhood – providing a way for her to dive back into memories she didn’t even know she had, an essential component in crafting the album. Defined by her colorful lyricism and genre-bending production, bbymutha has continously stood out among other SoundCloud-era artists since her 2017 hit “Rules” (6M+ Streams), and solidified her name a year later with "Lately" featuring Rico Nasty, as well as the poppy, R&B-infused banger "Sleeping With the Enemy" (9M+ Streams). A viral performance of “Heavy Metal” on COLORS in 2019 followed by the release of bbymutha’s critically-acclaimed debut album Muthaland in 2020 led to subsequent collaborations with Zelooperz, Baby Tate, Na-Kel, Pink Siifu, Kelela, and Fly Anakin on her most recent album, Muthaleficent 3. Earlier this year, bbymutha shared new tracks “gun kontrol” and “go!”, with Pitchfork praising the former for the “allure and force of [bbymutha’s] voice, a thick Tennessee drawl that she wields like a weapon”. bbymutha is fresh off the album's third single “lines”, which HotNewHipHop lauded as “a drug-drenched banger” – continuing to set the tone for sleep paralysis, which bbymutha is using to cement herself as an artist at the forefront of Southern underground scene, while ushering in a new era of self-discovery and reinvention.

sleep paralysis, bbymutha’s full-length debut with independent label True Panther Records, finds her continuing to challenge traditional genre boundaries by experimenting with new sonic landscapes inspired by a trip to the UK. A unique blend of Punk, Electronic, Club, and Rap, sleep paralysis compiles beats from nine different producers including Foisey, Bon Music Vision, and Kilder. A visionary artist who’s steadily built her cult following through a strong run of independent releases, sleep paralysis layers steely and hilarious musings over windswept synths and echoing industrial 808s, bringing both an urgency to bbymutha’s words, and a glint of experimentation to her ever-developing sound. The album’s inspiration was derived from a post-lockdown tour in the UK on which she was introduced to the sounds of 90's Garage and UK dance music, a revelatory moment following a gauntlet of bad luck and a creative rut during the peak of the pandemic. Showcasing why Clash Magazine recently hailed bbymutha as “a staple of the Southern underground scene”, sleep paralysis is an album fascinated with the dreamlike nature of trauma, personal history, and fantasy.

#bbymutha #sleep paralysis #chattanooga tennessee #chattanooga artist #chattanooga rapper #female artist #female artists #female rappers #female #artists #artist #spotify #youtube #music #musician #soundcloud #rapper #culture #art #rap #underground rapper #underground artist #underground #underground music #tennessee #tennessee rapper #tennessee artist #Spotify

[derwahnsinn]

31 Days Rammstein Challenge - Day 19: Favourite Herzeleid Song

I really like the Herzeleid album. It has a raw, unpolished energy to it, there is talent and ambition, and there are really good songs. This first album had songs that Rammstein had toured with and thus tested in front of an audience. When I listen to Herzeleid, I don't skip any song.

Among my absolute favourites on the album are Asche zu Asche (great example of how strong riff makers Rammstein are), Heirate mich (which for me got a renaissance after seeing it live so many times last year), and Das alte Leid.

Still, the song that is my favourite, is Laichzeit.

In the beginning the song actually sailed under my radar, however, once I started really listening to it, it stuck. The riff is powerful, the synth is great, and I love the energy of it. Too bad Till doesn't want to perform this song anymore, because I would have loved seeing it live.

Illustration: Photo of Oliver and Schneider, and photo of Paul, Till and Richard, taken by Katja Wedekind in Hamburg.

--

Day 1: Favourite Song Day 2: Favourite Era Day 3: Favourite Single Day 4: Favourite Album Day 5: Favourite Music Video Day 6: Favourite Member Day 7: Favourite Lyrics Day 8: Favourite B-side or Unreleased Track Day 9: Favourite Remix Day 10: Favourite Live Photo Day 11: Favourite Live Video Day 12: Favourite Making of Day 13: Favourite Picture Official or Unofficial Day 14: Favourite Vocals Day 15: Favourite Bass, Guitar, Drums, or Keyboard Work Day 16: Favourite Outfit Day 17: Favourite Live Moment Day 18: Favourite Pyro Effect

#Rammstein #31 Days Rammstein Challenge #Rammstein Challenge #Rammstein Favourites #31dr+c #Oliver Riedel #Paul Landers #Richard Z. Kruspe #Till Lindemann #Christoph Schneider #Spotify

[fcntasmas-archive]

i was tagged by @canonicallyanxious (ily sarah!! bee tee dubs they had some really cool tracks if you’re interested their songs are here) for the following challenge: 

🎶✨when you get this you have to put 5 songs you actually listen to, publish, then send this ask/tag 10 of your favourite followers (non-negotiable, positivity is cool) 🎶✨

so, sarah said we don’t have to do blurbs of the songs we choose, so if you’re tagged and you just want to list them out sans commentary, that’s super fine. i just kinda looked into my spotify top played and chose from there and then just blabbed shortly about why they Hit for me. here are five songs i ~actually~ listen to and will always highly recommend:

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1. i know the end - phoebe bridgers 

song of all time. will never not inspire me to sit down and create an entire world in my head. pretty sure all my world/fic ideas have been born of sitting my ass down and listening to this song over and over. she talks about the ending of all things in a big metaphorical nostalgic way and then she SCREAMS. phobe bridgers owns my ass and she knows it, too

2. the view between villages - noah kahan

when this first came on as the closer to his newest album i simply did not replay the album. i continued to listen to it. over and over and over again. if i don’t listen to it at least once a day now i’m pretty sure i will deteriorate. disappear. spontaneously combust. this song gained (rightful) popularity later on but i want to say i was its First Big Fan i have receipts

3. civilian - wye oak

i’m pretty sure this has been in every single tv show in the last decade but like. why wouldn’t it be?? vibes? immaculate. lyrics? powerful. melody? insane. when jenn wasner said “i wanted to give you everything but i still stand in awe of superficial things” i knew she Understood Me on a personal level

4. halloween - novo amor

john meredith-lacey walked straight out of wales and said “i’m gonna write soulful masterpieces that you’re going to cry to from teenagedom to adulthood” and he DID. halloween is one of his most straight-forward songs lyrically, but it still Hits Home when i have a bad week/month fr

5. i wanna get better - bleachers

jack antonoff, even though your stage name is the one thing in high school gym class i familiarized myself the most with, this song feels like it’s hitting my happy brain waves for the very first time every single time no matter how often i listen to it. it’s about the synths 🤌 it’s about the dichotomy 🤌 it’s about the layers 🤌 etc etc (it’s pretty tied with don’t take the money for my most-listened to by him tbh)

tagging: @boxesfullofthoughts, @calnovas, @renecdote, @mellaithwen, @littlespoonevan, @nymika-arts, @ghosthunterbuck, @tripleaxeldiaz, @octobertulip, & @catdadeddie​ if you’d like to share <33

#tag games #about me

[heyitsellebell]

elle’s diary - Page 70 - 24/01/24 @ 8:13pm

heya, hope you’re well :) Today I spent the day pottering at home. I didn’t wake up early so I’ll upload the tracks of ‘elsewhere’ for distribution tomorrow. I did have some yummy blueberry jam on toast for breakfast, which was divine.

Also, I worked on some final touches for ‘Apollo Bay’ late last night and I’m much happier with how it sounds. A few high chordal synth were a bit too loud, so lowering them by 2 decibels each did the trick. Sometimes it’s the small things haha. I also listened to the entire album in order and I’m loving how it sounds!! Each song is as memorable as the next, and there’s a good distribution of long songs to short songs and dramatic songs to mellow songs. The album clocked in at over an hour and ten minutes long, which is what I was looking for.

Very excited to be distributing it tomorrow! I’ll let you know how that goes. Also, my sister asked for a drawing commission along the theme of the lyrics “and the monsters turned out to be just trees” from ‘Out Of The Woods’. Attached is the draft sketch I whipped up, and I’m very excited about how it’s gonna go. I haven’t drawn landscapes in a while so this will be a nice challenge for me. Anyways, that’s gonna be all for now. Thanks for reading and take care of yourself <3

lots of love,

elle xoxo (36 days until ‘elsewhere’ is out!)

#music producer #indie artist #blogger #sketch #drawing #new music #electronic music #musicprodution #sketchbook #taylor swift #chill day #daily blog #rest day #dayinmylife #artists on tumblr #original art

[dancing-to-architecture]

35 - Elastica - Elastica (1995)

Never heard of them, but all their top songs are on this one album, so... Let's go.

Line Up-

Interesting, discordant guitar but I'm digging it... Except for the guy that sounds like he's puking in the background.

Pretty blatant "anti-groupie" lyrics but some interesting turns of phrase and i can absolutely see the line up in line line up in line part of the chorus getting stuck in heads.

Annie-

I'm digging this, kinda late-punk vibes, everything feels really good, just goes.

Connection-

This one has an order of magnitude more plays than anything else they have. (27 million vs the next highest being 6 mil)

Cool 90s edm noises and synth drums, then a computer has an orgasm and the band kicks in.

The lyrics are interesting but I'm not getting much out if it.

Starting to think I'll never really understand the kind of music British people enjoy.

Car Song-

Cool guitars but the lyrics land somewhere between "Tawny Kitaen" and "actively fucking a shift knob" level of car lover.

Catchy, though.

Smile-

The Ramones fan in me will always love a punk song started with a screamed "1,2,3,4!". ESPECIALLY if it's not screamed in the actual time of the song.

The lyrics listed are incredibly wrong, which is a shame because it's a song about a cheater getting busted. And it's pretty great.

Hold Me Now-

Sounds like Garbage (affectionate).

Tonal whiplash from the last song, from "you cheated, get lost" to "I'll do anybody/everybody at this party, i don't care"

S.O.F.T.-

I really like the intro.

The lyrics feel a bit too pointed to feel so vague, like I'm wondering if s.o.f.t. stands for like someone one of the band members knew named like Shirley Olive Frimbley-Twumpshire or something.

Indian Song-

(Okay, it's a British band, which "Indian" are we referring to... Ah, sitar. Okay.)

Ah, shit, did George Harrison write this one? Who let him in here?

Blue-

The almost shoegaze-y intro just makes me think they could have totally gone shoegaze and pulled it off.

The rest of it feels pretty similar.

All-Nighter-

"Yeah, sure let's hang out all night!"

Five hours later: "oh, so, we weren't gonna take our clothes... Oh. Okay. Gotcha. Your loss."

Waking Up-

As a dedicated night-person who nevertheless wakes up at 5am every morning, this song can kiss my ass, but also i wish i had that easy of a life.

2:1-

A bit slinkier and more laid back than a lot on this album. Kinda wondering why this one isn't the one that blew up.

The dual singing is pretty neat.

See That Animal-

Gotta get that scale practice in somehow.

Also, i cannot abide by the pronunciation of the word tattoo as "tuh-TOO". It's "TAH-tu".

Stutter-

Girl, why are you whining that he's not going to stay with you? You didn't have to let him in and fuck him, but you did. That's on you.

Never Here-

I do like the idea of fighting gaslighting with gaslighting. "You fucked with my head and now you don't even exist and you never did."

Vaseline-

I get it, but actual lube is always better.

Once again, a British album has one vastly more-played sing on the album and i cannot for the life of me figure out why. It didn't stand out in any way, and many of the other songs on the album are objectively better, catchier songs.

I can only assume UK radio is just as much of a wasteland as Florida's is.

Favorite Track: 2:1. It kinda grew on me as a standout from the raunch of the rest of the album, like a classy burlesque performance in a tacky strip club.

There's a difference between being sexy and just shoving a vagina in my face.

Least Favorite Track: Indian song. White British musicians stop appropriating India challenge (impossible).

#1001 albums #dancing to architecture #elastica

[elliottwritesreviews]

Paramore- This Is Why Paramore has never shied away from evolution. While a significant number of their sullen and introspective contemporaries have relied upon (and cashed in on) nostalgia, the trio has openly embraced the challenge of reinvention and creative growth.

Titled for the lead single of the same name, This Is Why is an aspirational amalgamation of indie and new wave. The moody but danceable opener ruminates on sociopolitical upheaval, contrasting existential dread with an infectious, grooving rhythm. While it isn’t the strongest effort, it establishes the tone and overall mood well.

Running Out Of Time finds indelible front-woman Hayley Williams employing the full intensity of her phenomenal vocal range amidst a backdrop of flourishing art rock. The exploration of perpetual lateness isn’t the most engaging subject but allows for the talent of guitarist Taylor York to take centre stage.

Despite the experimentation, This Is Why is not without fault. The jagged guitar of C’est Comme Ça evokes early Bloc Party though the immature chorus proves detrimental, turning the song into an obtrusive misstep. The most notable flaw however is the lack of cohesion. The lyrical themes are thematically disjointed and this fosters a feeling of inconsistency. It also lacks the relatable sincerity that defined the group’s early work. While it’s not entirely fair to draw comparisons to this period, it is reasonable to assert that something is missing.

Fortunately, things pick up in the latter half. You First is a scathing ode to pettiness, while Figure 8 pairs chiming synths with an unexpected but not unwelcome woodwind section as Williams bemoans her inability to emotionally divest. It’s dynamically interesting, pushing the boundaries of exactly who Paramore are in the current year.

There are moments sensitivity too in amidst the attempted innovation. Liar is a gentle ballad that acts as a through-line to Williams’s intensely vulnerable solo work and closer Thick Skull is arguably the album’s highest point. Visceral, bloodied imagery creates an almost unsettling aura as the intensity builds to envelope the listener entirely before dissipating, leaving an almost contemplative quiet.

This Is Why is something of an off-centre record. It won’t appeal to everyone, certainly not those opining for the angsty, emotionally driven pop punk of Riot! or Brand New Eyes. While it isn’t without positives, they don’t quite negate the chaos of juxtaposition or the back-heavy track-listing. The social commentary also lacks the intended emotional resonance, focusing more through a lens of internal conflict as opposed to an outright stance.

While things may translate better in a live setting, on its own, This Is Why is a somewhat lacklustre addition to Paramore’s discography. The vision is admirable but execution is largely disappointing.

#this has been in my drafts forever #paramore #this is why #music review #album review #the stans might kill me for this #ellie writes