#taylor’s authenticity problem

[ohgaylor]

IT MUST BE EXHAUSTING (AN ANALYSIS)

Hi. Taylor’s the problem. And she knows it. (affectionate)

All right friends. It’s time to dive into an analysis again. I’ve been reflecting on a lot of Midnights and Taylor’s ever-present self-deprecation this era and in my regular fashion, I had to make an extremely long-winded analysis post about a certain motif of hers that I’ve noticed has only grown more apparent this time around. and essentially that is her self-awareness toward her ever-ambiguous signaling in regard to her identity, and where she is positioned in the complicated and delicate journey of coming out, as well as the plethora of emotions that surround that for both herself and her fans and those of us who pick up on the queer coded subtext of her music and art.

to kick off this analysis, may I remind you of this beauty of a quote from Taylor’s 2018 reputation tour pride speech that prefaced Delicate?

I want to send my love and respect to everybody who in their journey and in their life hasn't yet felt comfortable enough to come out ... and may you do that on your own time and may we end up with a world where everyone can live and love equally and no one has to be afraid to say how they feel. When it comes to feelings and when it comes to love and searching for someone to spend your whole life with, it’s all just really really delicate.

That is quite possibly my favorite thing she’s ever said. and what inspired this tag.

Now I need to clarify up front — I am never insinuating a need or even desire for Taylor to come out. Because that’s not our place to say. If you’ve been around my blog long enough, I would hope that nuance would be apparent. I simply point out regular motifs and patterns within her art and how it correlates with queer-coded themes of closets, of almost coming out, of outright queer coding, of rainbows, of keeping a love secret and safe, and on and on and on. The signs are there if you know what to look for (re: “I gave so many signs”) and that’s what I explore on my blog. The point is, I will never demand she come out. But I will stand with her in this complex journey she appears to be on. It’s entirely her journey and however she wishes to navigate that is hers to decide.

but that doesn’t detract from the reality that for those of us who see this beautiful queer subtext of her art and music and visuals and work and self, the ambiguity and constant back-and-forth when it comes to her identity (and the idea of coming out) can in fact be a lot to try and process and understand and ultimately to reconcile as we root for her. Trying to understand where she stands is much like chasing a moving target. (not that she owes any explanation to us, because again, she doesn’t.) her art and creativity are her place of expression and catharsis. however, watching her navigate these complexities and trying to root for her in this sometimes messy space is also, dare I say, exhausting.

hence, the title and general theme of this analysis.

so let’s begin.

First, we have this verse in Anti-Hero which is the perfect setup to illustrate this specific motif,

I should not be left to my own devices They come with prices and vices I end up in crises Tale as old as time

This is essentially the thesis of Taylor’s message, the feeling that her own judgement and actions might be the very cause for certain crises she finds herself in, however enticing those vices and choices may be. In choosing to straddle a glass-closeted lifestyle as an artist at her status and level of fame, all the while heavily queer-coding to her (receptive) audiences, only to be seen by most others as the hallmark of straight women as per her highly publicized bearding, juggling this all can be overwhelming. But it’s also a space that she has essentially curated and perpetuated herself.

An anti-hero is a central character in a narrative who conspicuously lacks heroic, moral qualities:

Although antiheroes may sometimes perform actions that are morally correct, it is not always for the right reasons, often acting primarily out of self-interest or in ways that defy conventional ethical codes.

Identifying herself as the anti-hero in this sense comes as a candid confession, as though she is admitting that maybe she is driven by self-interest. (which again, she is entitled to as we all are in our own lives.) (re: the jokes weren’t funny, I took the money, my friends at home don’t know what to say) Alternatively, and perhaps additionally, acting out of self-interest in this context may mean concealment of parts of her identity for the sake of self-preservation. The nuances behind why she hasn’t chosen to come out are at play here and I doubt any of us can fully comprehend what that is exactly.

I never had the courage of my convictions, as long as danger is near

Pouring out my heart to a stranger but I didn’t pour the whiskey

Combat, I'm ready for combat. I say I don't want that, but what if I do? 'Cause cruelty wins in the movies. I've got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you … Dark side, I search for your dark side. But what if I'm alright, right, right, right here?

You can easily grasp the intense oscillation as she goes back and forth between these decisions while juggling a myriad of reasons and factors, all of which are incredibly weighted. She knows it’s exhausting for us because it’s that much more exhausting for herself.

So, she elects to pursue a route all too familiar to closeted individuals in the public eye, one of bearding and concealing their identity.

I had some tricks up my sleeve … Perched in the dark, telling all the rich folks anything they wanna hear, like it could be love, I could be the way forward, only if they pay for it … the skeletons in both our closets plotted hard to fuck this up

I took the money. My friends from home don't know what to say.

The cost at which this lifestyle comes is worthy of an analysis all on its own. But Taylor seems to be indicating that she has found safety and security in her self-made cages and closets of sorts.

I prefer hiding in plain sight

‘Cause shade never made anybody less gay

If the shoe fits, walk in it 'til your high heels break

My town was a wasteland, full of cages, full of fences*, pageant queens and big pretenders. But for some, it was paradise.

In the darkest little paradise

(also, note the *fences. I’ll come back to that later.)

She brings focus to the fact that her town was full of cages and fences, which initially may carry a negative connotation. But here’s where she turns it around and says that for some, it was place of paradise, that the self-made cages brought security and freedom. That the idea of “forever” is in fact the sweetest con. That the good life she was hustling for through the tricks she had up her sleeve is within grasp. That this could be the way forward. Tell me that doesn’t scream a queer-coded experience?

But knowing Taylor and the complicated nature of this deeply personal topic, there is also a level of remorse regarding the said-cages and choices that had put her in crisis.

I cut off my nose just to spite my face, then hate my reflection for years and years

I’ve got a hundred thrown out speeches I almost said to you

I’d pay if you’d just know me

Now, despite the way she has managed to remain glass-closeted, a large subset of her fans and the general public completely miss what she is signaling in regard to her queerness. (re: “I gave so many signs / you didn’t even see the signs”) but it appears she is feeling some remorse for the devices she’s used and the way she’s navigated things because she knows that she’ll be the one paying for it.

So again, Taylor fully acknowledges she’s the problem. She endlessly dances around the topic, sometimes to an extreme (re: “bent the truth too far tonight,” Bettygate and specifying a male perspective despite widespread interpretation of the alternative; similar thing with Lavendergate, etc etc) She writes from “male perspectives” so as to have a way to write female pronouns. She uses pseudonyms for similar motives. She equates herself with gay pride and places herself adjacent to the community repeatedly, and dances in Gaylor Park and rainbow kaleidoscopes. She dresses in rainbow attire and gives speeches emphasizing the delicacy of coming out and on and on, all while also remaining straight-passing. It’s complicated and messy and indeed exhausting.

sending signals to be double-crossed

I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror. It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero

no doubt these devices and choices have come at a cost. first, the personal cost of remaining closeted (or in the very least, glass closeted) by her own making. The nature by which she has driven her career, of “taking the money” and pursuing a career (and by extension, following heteronormative cultural standards of remaining closeted), all point to the self-made cages she twists in.

recall the Delicate pride speech…

I want to send my love and respect to everybody who in their journey and in their life hasn't yet felt comfortable enough to come out ... and may you do that on your own time

That is a major theme for her. The idea that through a closeted state, certain freedoms can coexist.

We know Taylor has made a point to emphasize the comfort she has found in keeping elements of her life to herself post her apocalyptic summer. And the way she has largely receded her personal life from the public eye is telling. In an effort to protect the “real stuff”, she is withholding from others and has found safety in that.

Privacy sign on the door and on my page and on the whole world, romance is not dead if you keep it just yours.

She knows it’s not always a world that some would choose to be a part of. She describes it as a wasteland, likely desolate, harkening back to cowboy like me. A place where hustling for the good life, perching in the dark as con artists (or pageant queens and big pretenders) and telling all the rich folks anything they want to hear like “it could be love” is all too familiar.

It’s a painful dichotomy she fully explores in The Archer, recognizing that maybe it’s her lot in life to straddle these lines of staying where she is, perched in the dark, while wanting to step into the daylight and let it go.

and that’s where the second cost comes in — in how those of us who see her for what she is signaling herself to be, are ultimately left to ourselves to make sense of it.

It’s the same kind of essence of this fantastic analysis regarding coney island and her apology of not making us certain subsets of her fans and communities her centerfold.

Being left to her own devices, she has ultimately crafted a duplicitous persona, of which she has spoken about specifically when discussing mirrorball…

Everybody else feels like they have to be on for certain people. You have to be different versions of yourself for different people. Different versions at work, different versions around friends, different versions of yourself around different friends. Different version of yourself around family. Everybody has to be duplicitous, or feels that they have to in some ways, be duplicitous. And that’s part of the human experience, but it’s also exhausting. You kind of learn that every one of us has the ability to become a shape-shifter. But what does that do to us?

Is it self-preservation? Or self-made self-destruction? (re: “they told me all of my cages were mental” “what a shame she’s fucked in the head” “lost in the labyrinth of my mind”)

Among the various anxieties that plague her in regard to this subject, Taylor makes one fear very clear. And that is for some inevitable day where we will leave her after we’ve had enough of “her scheming”.

'Cause they see right through me, they see right through me, they see right through. Can you see right through me?

I wake up screaming from dreaming One day I'll watch as you're leaving 'Cause you got tired of my scheming For the last time

These desperate prayers of a cursed man spilling out to you for free, but darling, darling, please, you wouldn't take my word for it if you knew who was talking if you knew where I was walking

Will you forgive my soul when you're too wise to trust me and too old to care?

She will get as close as she can to the topic, (“Gay pride… everything that makes me me!” to name just one) only to pull back or leave it ambiguous and devoid of clarity…

I'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror

And I cut off my nose just to spite my face Then I hate my reflection for years and years

…only to feel guilt for skirting around the topic…

You said I was freeloading … I bent the truth too far tonight, I was dancing around, dancing around it … Your picket fence is sharp as knives, I was dancing around, dancing around it

This to me is the a significant price that comes from her being left to her own devices. Yes, there is freedom that comes from closeting/bearding. But glass closeting brings a more painful mess of emotions for both the closet-er and those seeing it for what it is. This is what she addresses in Anti-Hero with painful clarity.

And sometimes this can come at a painful cost. Take YNTCD for example. In this video, she positions herself within the queer community, dancing in Gaylor Park, and boldly declares herself an advocate for LGBTQIA rights.

But as we know, the video was met by many as out-of-touch (re: “freeloading”), performative and whatever else critics were spewing.

motion capture put me in a bad light. I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone, trying to find the one where I went wrong. writing letters addressed to the fire

Now for a detour.

I want to talk about the purple / blue / lavender glitter for a minute. Here, in the Directors on Directors interview, Taylor describes the glitter as being a metaphor for herself...

It’s supposed to be a metaphor for like, I bleed glitter, I’m not normal, there’s something wrong with me, I’m not a person, I don’t belong, I don’t fit in anywhere.

Recall how I said chasing a moving target?

Let’s talk about the significance of this scene and a handful of others in terms of the lavender glitter.

[For some queer context regarding glitter]

I’d first like to point out Hayley Kiyoko’s purple glitter jacket above, from the YNTCD video. This is Hayley Kiyoko we’re talking about. The proclaimed Lesbian Jesus. And in this moment, while she is wearing the purple glitter jacket, she is aiming an arrow at a target, signifying The Archer. This moment is key.

And then you have the Miss Americana documentary, wherein Taylor explicitly equates herself with gay pride, while talking about the Me! music video.

It’s a line of dialogue that screams at me with such intensity. Irrefutable. As a film editor, I know that every line in a film is deliberately placed and thought out and meticulously addressed. And therefore we can trust that Taylor intended for this line to make it into the film. I can tell that surrounding dialogue is seemingly trimmed and crafted in a delicate way. And part of that is the very direct statement that “Gay pride…everything that makes me, me!”

And it’s within this music video that we again witness a massive “ME!” literally jumping out at us on screen, in none other than purple glitter.

A handful of others could sense that the conclusion of Miss Americana felt as thought it was headed in a different direction than the one it ultimately took. And that for whatever reason, Taylor’s political advocacy took center stage while a deeper analysis regarding her LGBTQIA advocacy did not.

Cut back to the Anti-Hero music video where we get The Archer aiming right for Taylor, and striking her, causing her to bleed, yet again, purple glitter.

Pierced through the heart but never killed… did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism, like some kind of congressman

My covert (secret) narcissism (ME!) I disguise as altruism like some kind of congressman (the political turn and advocacy present in Miss Americana)

In other words, covering up who she is (“gay pride… everything that makes me me!”) under the guise of a film almost exclusively focused on her journey of discovering her political (“Vote for me for everything” pin) activist voice. And what scene depicts this with near precision???

this one.

motion capture put me in a bad light. I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone, trying to find the one where I went wrong. writing letters addressed to the fire

'cause cruelty wins in the movies, I've got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you

The subsequent look on her face of absentminded agony says it all. She knows the confusion that comes from rooting for her as (especially if she is seen as an ally who maybe crosses one too many lines if presumably as straight.)

The inner-turmoil on display for us in The Archer has transformed into a tone all too exhausted in its own right within Anti-Hero. She knows we’re tired. She’s tired too. In a self-deprecating jab, she admits that she is the problem and she knows that everybody ultimately agrees with her on this. Shielded within a pop anthem, her vulnerability is on display. And so, in Dear Reader, with equal parts desperation as well as wit, she concludes…

You should find another guiding light, guiding light. But I shine so bright.

And so it is ultimately within this utterly messy, exhausting, complicated, ever-changing and nuanced journey that Taylor reaches out to those of us who do in fact see through her and who ultimately simply see her, that she asks us in all sincerity…

Who could stay? Who could stay? Who could stay? You could stay.

And I, for one, will stay.

[enjoy my other analyses here]

#myanalysis #mine #anti hero #analysis #how duplicitous of her #taylor’s authenticity problem #this is as convoluted and complex as the issue itself and I am just going to leave it at that because it’s 2am and I’m crying over glitter #enjooooooooyyy #for anyone who survived the #lover era #and the #reputation #era #and made it out alive this one’s for yooou #glitter motif #gaylor #taylor swift #anti-hero #yntcd mv #because coming out is in fact a very delicate thing #closets #taylor honey your gay is loud again #the archer #high infidelity #midnights #dear reader #pride speech

[wumblr]

the way house of leaves has been revived for a cult following is so funny. it's completely backwards! it was a music industry book. the singer poe, who made waves with her debut for having a few tracks produced by j dilla and then if i remember correctly doing a 500+ show tour, essentially tanked her career to promote the book (written by her brother)

not like on purpose but it was supposed to be a paired project and there was a remix with a book excerpt read by mark (the kyrie bmw sex scene) and like, i don't know, a tie-in website -- but then her label got sold or merged or acquired and the project was eventually cancelled after languishing in limbo for a few years. there's also an aspect of this where like, a texas oil executive posed as a friend of her late father (possibly true) in order to manipulate legal proceedings (?) to ultimately own her writing and recording copyrights post-acquisition (dubious allegation, which also relies on her having signed away both types of copyright to her label in the first place, arguably a larger problem spanning the whole industry, even today, still coming up in legal proceedings from kesha and taylor swift and so on)

anyway the album (haunted) and the book were both inspired by the same event (death of their father, tad danielewsky -- as an aside, a professor of theater at brigham young university). the album features samples from a box of cassette tape recordings of his voice. and also some fake samples from a couple of guys pretending to be tad danielewski with an obviously ridiculous accent and a couple of kids pretending to be her as a kid. and it takes place inside the house. the growl is there and everything i swear

it really was one of the top tier 90s concept albums (it was released in 2000 actually) but it is usually FAR too much to handle for casual listening and a lot of it comes across difficult for being so sincere and so unfocused (it is a love letter to her dead father where one of the songs is a list of places she's gotten fucked, because, uh, this is a conversation she wanted to have with him. shrug). and yet it's hard not to take it as it is because it's so consistently well produced

so i know nobody's computer comes with a cd player anymore but to read the book without listening to the paired album implicitly packed in the back of the book jacket is kind of like missing the whole point. there's a whole second act of rashomon you guys are missing. and a third act hello the etsy teleplays. ANYWAY the point i wanted to make is that there are a couple of things about the album sticking to the roof of my mouth as being somehow prescient. there's a distorted "why (are you) so serious" sample that would have come across VERY differently post-joker, but there's also "tell me something dangerous and true," a far more interesting variation on the theme currently circulating. and i'm speaking to an empty room here because it's only the celibate 60% of this website who is reading the book because it allows them a patina of literary validity and several nested unreliable narrators to distance themselves from the sex scenes, but haunted is very authentically, directly and exclusively written in first person and to be honest it fucks too hard for you guys. i'm sorry

#house of leaves

[musicalchaos07]

Fun ask to offset the annoying ask: Why is Jancy so amazing (in your opinion)?

Oh Bless!

Reasons I love Jancy, a non-exhaustive list:

Chemistry (off the charts insane, no one is doing it like them I said what I said)

When the communication is good, it's good like they know exactly what the other is thinking (I mean even when it's bad they know but I digress)

Everything isn't magically better because they're together they both still have individual problems that can sometimes bleed into their relationship (also external problems like the end of the world)

Above point being made, despite their problems they're still very much in love with each other (see running into each others arms at the end of s4)

Sleeping in each other's beds and sneaking out the window

WILLINGLY SHARED A BED AND SUBVERTED THE TROPE

In the same vein: THERE WERE TWO BEDS BUT THEY FUCKED ANYWAY

I love how much they care about each other's sibling like in s3 Nancy calls about Will and in s4 Jonathan is protects Mike during the shoot out / for the rest of the funky little road trip

Their reasons for loving each other aren't shallow like they each list core elements of the other's character: ambition, compassion, etc. There aren't any lofty expectations or "I love them because they do X for me" it's just all the things they're noticed and admire about each other. (unlike some people 👀)

Anyways, they have similar life goals you know like they know what they don't want their lives to look like (the full "screw that" scene in s1 is a beautiful piece of modern cinema)

She has his poster (and mixtapes) in her room and he has her pictures all over his room (gonna throw up I love them so much)

Flirty so fucking flirty their flirting cannot be contained

They aren't afraid to call each other on their shit

They will absolutely go along with each others hijinks (like s3 Jonathan might have hesitated but he drove them to Mrs. Driscolls' and I FULLY believe if he had been in Hawkins he would've been getaway driver an Pennhurst)

BATTLE COUPLE BATTLE COUPLE BATTLE COUPLE

"Free my man he did all of it but I don't care" gf & "free my girl she did all of that + I helped her" bf

Golden retriever boyfriend & black cat girlfriend (fight me on this but canonically she yells at him about the pep talks)

"Most gorgeous big brown eyes you've ever seen + staring into your soul"

She wants to be a journalist and he wants to be a photographer???? hello???? compatible careers?????

MATCHING FUCKING SCARS (HOW DID I GET THIS FAR DOWN THE LIST WITHOUT MENTIONING THAT)

Jonathan would rather be miserable than watch Nancy throw her dreams away (like go off King but also get some therapy)

Have I mentioned that they're hot? Like have y'all scene them in the cemetery scene they're serving???

... What if she just doesn't let him go? *muffled sobbing*

I think they have broken the most laws out of anyone one in the show which isn't amazing per se but it is very:

BONNIE AND CYLDE VARIANT/ PARTNERS IN CRIME/ ALEXA PLAY I FOUGHT THE LAW BY THE CLASH.

peace by taylor swift coded

they got married in 3x08 fight me

THEY GAVE US MATCHMAKER MURRAY NEVER FORGET THAT

I feel like they can be themselves around each other you know? like it gets back into the expectations thing they're very natural around each other. Jonathan isn't awkwardly stumbling his way through conversation. Nancy isn't buying tops she thinks he might like. They love each other for their authentic selves (I'm gonna go cry again)

#this list is huge and I know I'm still missing things #stranger things #jancy #jonathan byers #nancy wheeler #anon asks #asks #jonathan x nancy #nancy x jonathan

[black-arcana]

WITHIN TEMPTATION's SHARON DEN ADEL: 'Some People Stopped Following Us' Because We Became More Outspoken On World Issues

On April 5, Dutch metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION will release their brand-new song, "A Fool's Parade", which marks a collaboration with the talented Ukrainian producer Alex Yarmak. According to a press release from WITHIN TEMPTATION's publicist, "A Fool's Parade" "highlights Russia's pretense regarding the war, and condemns its lies, ongoing crimes and brutal intentions."

The song, released as a harbinger of the much-anticipated "Bleed Out 2024 Tour", is a powerful expression of what the press release calls "WITHIN TEMPTATION's commitment to continue shedding light on the ongoing existential struggle that Ukraine is facing against Russia's cruel invasion."

For the recording of the accompanying music video for "A Fool's Parade", Sharon Den Adel — the frontwoman of WITHIN TEMPTATION — recently spent time in Kyiv, Ukraine. The music video was directed by renowned Ukrainian video director Indy Hait.

With involvement in initiatives such as the Ukraine Aid OPS foundation, WITHIN TEMPTATION aims to keep drawing attention to Europe's much-needed support for Ukraine's defense.

During her stay in Kyiv, Sharon spoke to Metal Pilgrim about WITHIN TEMPTATION's decision to use its platform to draw attention to a variety of issues, including the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran.

Sharon said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We never cared about what people wanted us to say or not to say. We always did what we wanted to do. But the older you get and the more confident you get in being who you are and what you stand for, you're more expressive. And I also feel like I have nothing to [lose] — well, of course, you have something to lose when you speak out about things like this, because it can always backlash, of course. And it's very delicate to choose the right words for things. But I try to prepare myself really well. And I hope eventually that pays off, meaning the people get the message. Some people stopped following us because we started supporting [certain causes] and being more outspoken. They say, 'You can't be political as a band.' I don't agree because everybody has an opinion and everybody's loud, and that's also society today. As you see on social media, it's like there's no filter on anything. I'm not saying that I need to overshout other people, but more like I still wanna stand for my opinion and hopefully make people think about it."

Den Adel went on to say that "you also have to choose your battles" in terms of which issues to focus on when coming up with lyrical themes for songs. "[The Russia-Ukraine war] is happening in Europe, and we are a European band. And so we also got a lot of times the question, 'What about this country? What about this situation?' And there's also a lot of awful things happening in different parts of the world. And also in interviews, I will talk about it when people ask me, but I won't do it on the social media because you get in discussion and it becomes one big fight with pro and against certain subjects. For me, in interviews, I do respond to that as well. But I also have to pick my battles. If I take on all the injustice of the world, it will fade away for the thing that I, at the moment, am inspired about most. And the last album that we did, with 'Bleed Out', we have focused on certain parts of the world, like Iran — there's one song, 'Bleed Out', is about that — but a lot of songs, actually, are about the Ukraine, because we're in the same region — it's a two-hours flight from Amsterdam to Kiev. So, I hope people understand that we are picking our battles — something that's closer. Everybody has to do that. But also, like I said, if I talk about every problem in the world, it doesn't come across as authentic and honest either, because it's, like, you're a saint or something, which I'm not."

In a June 2023 interview with James Wilson-Taylor of Rock Sound, Den Adel spoke about the lyrical inspiration for WITHIN TEMPTATION's "Wireless" single: "When the war started in the Ukraine, we were in the studio writing songs, And it's one of the songs that we wrote. And it is about war, of course. It's about a soldier going to war and thinking he's going to liberate people, do good stuff and be a hero and everything, but then he finds out that he's been lied to by media but also government. And then he finds that he can't go back because he's already in his army gear, for instance. You can't go forward, you can't go backward because you have your buddies next to you and you'll all die in the field. And in front of you, you have a mission impossible almost."

The Dutch singer continued: "So that's what we try to do — maybe also shine a light on certain situations within the war. It's just we're storytellers — it's like amplifying a certain kind of emotion that people could feel in this situation."

Asked how she and her bandmates decided to use Russia's invasion of Ukraine as inspiration for one of their songs, Sharon said: "Well, from my point of view, it's not just their war. I really believe what some people are saying — it's really our war as well. Because it's next to us. They already said, they're not gonna stop at Ukraine; they're gonna go further. And a couple of hours flying from my home, it's already Kyiv. So it's also our war. I think we should be aware of the fact that this is a danger for all of us. They won't stop. And hopefully — we wanna keep this a little bit alive in our own small way by writing about it and talking about it and waving a flag on stage about it."

In March 2022, WITHIN TEMPTATION was one of the artists who took part in a telethon concert in support of Ukraine. "Save Ukraine - #StopWar" united more than 20 countries and bring together more than 50 participants. The marathon was broadcast from Warsaw on the Polish TV channel TVP. In addition, broadcasters from many countries around the world rebroadcasted the marathon on their local channels.

In an interview with Greece's Rock Overdose, Den Adel stated about her band's participation in the event: "For us, it was an honor to be asked for it. I think as a band and as people, we really value freedom of speech and freedom and democracy. I think as a band, people sometimes say, 'Don't be so political,' people say, 'Don't be so expressive and don't take a side on things.' But as a musician, I think it's important to represent who you are, not just in music but really stand for what you make and what you are saying in your lyrics in a way. And things that are happening in the world inspire us to write music, and then you also have to take a stance and what side you are. I think when it's so obvious where there's an aggressor and where there is a country being violated, invaded, you should take a stance and then it makes it much easier even to be very clear about where you stand in this whole conflict. Of course, it's something that we are keeping ourselves updated with every day because we find it very sad to see that a country that wants to be a democracy is invaded this way. So we are very honored to be asked also to play for this event, this marathon, and happy to do it."

Released last October, WITHIN TEMPTATION's latest album, "Bleed Out", signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting, and djenty riffs to soaring melodies displaying their symphonic roots, WITHIN TEMPTATION has created a sonic journey that fuses diverse musical styles and thought-provoking themes. This is an album that is as epic as it is unflinchingly outspoken, and now more than ever, this is a band who isn't afraid to make a stand on issues the members care about.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, WITHIN TEMPTATION have shifted their focus from writing about personal emotions and societal subjects to tackling global injustices and reflecting the tumultuous state of the world in a way that other artists seem unable or unwilling to do.

While songs such as "Wireless" and "We Go To War" examine the authoritarian aggression on display in Ukraine and other warzones, the title track itself addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini.

The album also grapples with the complex issues around a woman's right to choose in recent single "Don't Pray For Me" and throughout, this impassioned and political focus is reflected in the intensity and heaviness of the music. Embracing a new era of musical exploration and lyrical depth, WITHIN TEMPTATION have pushed boundaries and showcased their artistic evolution, delivering a fist-in-the-air proclamation of both their moral convictions and their fearless approach to music.

#sharon den adel #within temptation #interview #Youtube

[jiminsass-istant]

https://www.tumblr.com/jiminsass-istant/740934106304626688/bye-bye-old-bts?source=share

There’s a lot of assumptions here I don’t agree with. The west is embracing new jeans and they haven’t had physical promo like bts did. The reason why bts is not getting really embraced by the gp is cos the music they promote to the west is generic meaningless boy band music which is very unrelatable. And authenticity is a big thing in the west. If they gave Mots7 or any of their albums before that the level of promo dynamite or butter had, they would have gotten more of the gp appreciation.

Hybe is not just only promoting jk, but they were also hampering other members promo. Look at how lackadaisical they were with shipping jh, Jin & RM albums. How poorly they scheduled Face, the many issues we faced during Face era that jk never experienced. We had to tag them for basic things that a label should already know about. How they shaded jm in their own article and are several times refusing to acknowledge his no1. It goes beyond promoting one member and more into trying to stifle the rest to present an image the label has the power to make a pop star. And is probably also why they give this promo to songs the label premade and not the artist’s authentic music that the artists makes

Thanks for the ask, anon. I'll share my thoughts to your ask in parts: (and sorry for the long essay in advance, kindly read, i swear i get to a point lol)

Western GP (New Jeans vs BTS): Can I be very very honest? New Jeans music is extremely catchy and has that hyperpop element that western audiences eat up. With rise of artists like PinkPantheress, hyperpop is gaining even more popularity, and Y2K aesthetic is back. NewJeans are all that- the music and aesthetic both. I'm not sure what were their digital promo methods, but perhaps playlisting on streaming platforms? And the collab with Apple was very strategic too. Let's also not forget they have english chorus in their songs and went viral on tiktok. New Jeans are in top 5 kpop groups in tiktok. I cannot speak for NewJeans much, because I have only listened to their songs, and do not follow them.

Let's talk about OT7 songs promoted in the US first- as in Dynamite, Butter and PTD. Let's take Dynamite - a very well crafted product, basically a completely American song with American references and MJ inspired choreo. It was meant to catch western attention and did its job. But the problem was- it was a single, not an album and it didn't really showcase the range of their artistry. Yet it did the job of exponentially increasing the fanbase. It was pandemic time, people were in their rooms, with internet and Youtube. Those who were meant to find BTs, found them.

Could BTS have achieved long lasting attention with MOTS 7 promotion? Honestly, it's hard to say. BTS's music is not conventional. You will never hear a BTS song and think- 'oh! i've heard something similar', in fact, sometimes it is even difficult to comprehend what genre their songs are. A different language, a different genre, 7 different voices, with no two albums that sound similar, no viral tiktok songs. Do you know how difficult it is to crack the western market? It is a lot of information to feed. I will come back to the MOTS 7 issue later.

How does one build a fanbase for a band like BTS?

BTS's popularity and long lasting fanbase has always been formed by the story they sell. Bang PD, right from the start, wanted to show the world 7 authentic, real boys who wanted to share their original thoughts, happiness, feelings and struggles. Added to this, their underdog story. Yes, their struggles from older days are all real and valid, but knowing that story makes you relate to them. Because, aren't we all some type of underdog before we achieve something big? People have often been drawn to BTS via word of mouth, friends, 'i just wanted to know their names' and ending up watching the Taylor Guide, 'my wife took me to their concert and now all my friends love BTS', 'they taught me how to love myself' etc etc. BTS has always inducted fans who were searching for something in their lives, or are curious, or are 'willing to learn'. You cannot sit an American down and show them a BTS US interview and ask them to listen to the album and make them a forever fan. Do you know how people in the west don't watch an international film just because they refuse to read subtitles? The language barrier might be easy for armies to overlook because we are invested, but it's not easy to convince a monolingual westerner to start reading subtitles to get into an entirely different fandom.

To sum up my points above:

BTS sell their story and relatability and group dynamics, which is not possible just through basic promotion. One has to dive into BTS voluntarily and go through the plethora of content, one by one.

BTS songs are usually not tiktok viral for some reason, considering how big of an act they are. Barely any bts tracks have gone viral- BST remix, black swan instrumental (maybe), PTD dance challenge to name a few. I don't know the reason why because I have barely ever used tiktok. Because armies only interact with each other on that app and even then, they don't use bts songs as audio.

The pre-requisite is to be backed by a western label for radio, playlist, western ads etc. Because the US won't allow an outsider label to make money off their GP, simple. It just takes away the money that could have stayed with western labels.

Coming to individual member (JK) promoted in the US: I did mention in the post of mine you have linked- that Golden lacked depth. Quoting my own words directly - " While they paid attention to heavy promo, charts and playlisting for Golden, they failed to create a connection with the music- which seems highly non-personal and lacking in depth and has a non-interesting concept. The promo did do the work of making jk a common name, showcasing his talents and introducing him to the industry. But for a lasting impact, they have to create better stories with the music. Idc, army are acting too defensive when people are disappointed that he didn't write his songs. It's okay to not write, but the very least singers can do is connect to song meanings and relate to personal experiences during the promos."

And anon, you are right, to have a lasting impression in the west, one needs authenticity. Actually let me list down the non-compromisable parameters required for success in the US-

Affiliation to US based label/Connection to industry mammoths. (Give money to US/US based part of the company)

English song/ lots of english lyrics + recognizable genre

Character/ brand of the artist (which the audience calls 'authenticity', but is actually the 'brand' of the artist created by the label. People hear the artist's name and know what to expect. You hear Olivia Rodrigo and you know you will get teenage, angsty, heartbreak tracks.)

Last but not the least- tiktok push. (somehow extremely essential today)

Hybe gave JK 1,2 and 4 from above list. They tried to build up on his character, but it is incomplete and lacks depth. The character they have built for him is- Korean hearthrob who can sing and dance, inspired by Michael Jackson, the ONE member to look out from the massive band BTS (Justin Timberlake trajectory). They gave him catchy songs directed at het women, dressed him up in clothes fitting that image and made him perform live at TSX. Thanks to the massive ads and promo, people know him now. But unless he shows the true depth of his character and brand to the GP, a lot of people (non-army) won't look forward to his future works. And whether we like it or not, him not being being able to interact freely and share his thoughts in english in the interviews is still a drawback for him. (personally, i wish that was not true).

Even when some celebrities of colour get the limelight in US pop culture, it's because they are connected to the US. They emerge as this messiah for their 3rd world country, can speak english and work for US labels and production companies. The US gets to keep the money and awards, and also gets to flaunt 'diversity'. It has always worked like that when the west opened the doors for a POC.

MOTS 7 would not get GP acceptance without being backed by a US label. And would a US label ever accept a full Korean album with all Korean artists? Why would they invest in an artist of a foreign language? Can Bang PD's assistant call up US radio and get them to play Dionysus? No. But if Scooter does it, they will pay attention.

An English speaking artist can convey their feelings through words on a radio, but how will a Korean artist do that on the radio with no subtitles, to an audience who refuses to read subs in the first place? You know how the US GP reacted when Parasite movie won an Oscar, right?

Ever since 2017, BTS have tried for that hot 100, did everything they could, backed by their Korean company, tons of US interviews and what not. But at the end of the day, they had to compromise with meaning and depth and churn out an all english, MJ inspired, disco pop track which finally gave them their #1. I am not downplaying the significance of Dynamite, or saying that it's a bad song. But I simply mean that only a marked shift in genre and strategy gave them that #1.

Anon's words: "Hybe is not just only promoting jk, but they were also hampering other members promo."

You are absolutely right. The only properly done solo work was that of Yoongi I feel. He knows his priorities and influence on the company, and has always had a very strong connection to both inside and outside the company. I'm not sure if D-Day was mismanaged, though am sure some yoongi biased army will have things to point out. All the other members have faced mismanagement. Jimin the most, I feel. Even recently, there's a Weverse article where they wrote that "jhope led the contemporary dance with Jimin", in spring day. All respect to Jhope where he deserves because he is the dance leader indeed, but he did not lead the contemporary dance in spring day, as amazing as he is, respectfully.

Anon's words: "It goes beyond promoting one member and more into trying to stifle the rest to present an image the label has the power to make a pop star."

I felt the same thing. I share the same sentiment with you here. The way they downplayed Like Crazy's achievements was disappointing and hurtful. That day it became crystal clear to me that Bighit did NOT see that achievement coming. None of the member's releases was meant to make this much noise, not before their Scooter backed project. They grossly underestimated the extent army can go even for 1 member (arguably the 2 most popular members in US are Jimin and Jungkook). Honestly the type of promotions JK got would never be given to other members because the other members would NOT agree to singing english songs that have zero depth and zero connection to their own feelings. JK was willing to take up that offer because.. well it's his choice. It was a golden platter, why not take it up? His image is moldable, he can sing whatever he is given and has the talent to pull it off. No matter whom we bias, JK has been the center of almost all BTS songs, a non-replaceable voice. But at the end of the day, the reason he was the one member who Bighit wanted to stand-out from the group was, it was his consent and agreement to everything the company planned for him.

I do wonder what it would have been like if all members received that kind of promo with their own artistry. But the entire premise of them being backed by Scooter/US collapses because they refuse to sing songs written by Scooter's writers. So I also agree with anon when they said "And is probably also why they give this promo to songs the label premade and not the artist’s authentic music that the artists makes."

Instead, Hybe is focusing on the other kpop groups under them. It's like the 6 members were just given their own individual management teams to manage their solo works lol. At least, let's be glad that the 6 members are getting full creative freedom for their work. I just want their solo works to be better managed. And I hope their managers, and planners, especially those on Jimin's side have learnt their lesson and come up with a foolproof promo for their next projects. I don't expect anything from BangPD, that man has been showing a certain pattern I don't want to discuss. (solely because i refuse to think what goes on in his mind).

As fans, all we can do is support the solo works we feel connected to and support BTS as a whole in future OT7 projects.

#bts analysis #bts chapter 2

[9w1ft]

Hey 9wing!! Hello and I hope you're doing well <3

I've seen a couple of your posts mentioning this sort of sentiment and now I'm genuinely asking with curiosity; how would one think that Kaylor is a romantic love story?

No doubt, the songs are amazing masterpieces, the long-term perseverance is admirable and there are certainly many aspects of Kaylor that are poetic and remind me of the magic of 'soulmates,' whether that is practically real or not

However, even as a third party observer who has no stakes in this, I find it bleak and tiring sometimes

Constant backlash and scrutiny from the media, the people and most often your own fans; having to communicate in cryptic language; having to engage in unpleasant PR stunts; having to hide a central part of yourself just to survive in this world; not having the liberty to be yourself and love whomever you love loudly and proudly; being constantly misunderstood by a large fraction of the world; being loved but not seen; living in uncertainty about your own rights and freedom when the political climate's so unstable

I understand that life is not without problems and sometimes you have to do what you have to do with whatever choices are at your disposal. And these two will always have my support, and I make sure to respect my own mental health and step away from this site of the internet when things get too much

But how would one see the beauty in this? The light in the darkness? I would love to know and hear your and other's perspectives and what keeps you optimistic despite it all. Thank you and good day

i would love to hear from others!

i think that everyone will have their own definitions of beauty or romance, so i understand where you are coming from, and your impressions are valid for you!

for me, there are aspects of their story that i just cannot find in other places in the world, and it’s always been something that brings me opportunities reflect on my own life and life philosophy.

i think that there is something to be said for the amount of unconditional love that they show one another that appears when picking haven for one another at the risk of their reputations. i recognize that it probably doesn’t look that way for many people but from my perspective, it’s how i see it. there is something singularly authentic about it to me. as a enneagram type 9 (where my username comes from), i gravitate to the concept of holy love like a moth to a flame, and the dynamic of seeing taylor push her lovers away all her life and then meeting karlie and being inspired by karlie but still fighting doubt and ultimately trying to push her away only for karlie to vehemently refuse to leave is just.. something that really speaks to me. it sort of embodies the human struggle not just to give love but to accept love. i’m not sure if i’m explaining it well but there is so much depth to the love that she writes about in these albums, separate from the heavy external factors that have shaped their story.

but for me, those external factors only work to heighten my interest and appreciation for their journey. in my career i’ve done a lot of executive coaching work and study in leadership theory and i find the study of defining moments (sometimes called crucible moments) incredibly interesting and for taylor and karlie, at the top of their game, the stakes could not be higher and their navigation of everything is very interesting to me.

and i think that the struggle is a part of the beauty because i don’t always find easy things beautiful, and by that i don’t mean that pain is beauty in some voyeuristic way but that success after pain feels more spectacular than success without struggle.

if you are a fan of literature or philosophy, i would recommend the seminal work of junichiro tanizaki called “in praise of shadows” — there’s a fairly well known concept in japan called wabi-sabi which is the idea that true beauty is found in the transient and the fleeting. that a falling cherry blossom is more beautiful than a tree in full bloom, or that cracks in pottery ought be to celebrated (there a tradition in japan of fixing cracks in ceramics with gold called kintsugi). tanizaki’s writing is very formative to this concept and it’s something that has giving me a heightened appreciation for things with complication and age.

#kaylor ain’t for everyone but i think it’s got incredible depth that a lot of people can appreciate

[lialovestayswift]

Taylor Swift, The Music Industry

Hi! I'm Lia! My favorite artist is Taylor Swift. I admire her for her talent in songwriting and singing. She has been part of my childhood since I learned to talk. Her songs have impacted my life, helping me stay calm during challenges and difficulties. I hope reading this blog will inspire you to listen to her music!

Starting her songwriting career at 14, Taylor signed with Big Machine Records in 2005, launching her journey as a country artist. Over six studio albums with the label, her self-titled debut album in 2006 introduced her to country music. Followed by the country-pop blend of "Fearless" (2008) with chart-toppers like "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me." She then released "Speak Now" (2010), embracing rock influences, while "Red" (2012) experimented with electronic sounds and delivered her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one track, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

Moving from her country roots, "1989" (2014) showcased synth-pop hits such as "Shake It Off," "Blank Space," and "Bad Blood." The later released a Media scrutiny influenced the hip-hop-inspired "Reputation" (2017) featuring the chart-topper "Look What You Made Me Do." She then signed with Republic Records, releasing her album "Lover"(2019) and the personal documentary "Miss Americana" (2020). She explored indie folk and alternative rock in 2020 with "Folklore" and "Evermore" and ventured into chill-out styles with "Midnights" (2022). Then, she re-recorded four albums as Taylor's Version after a problem with Big Machine. Her tracks like "Cruel Summer," "Cardigan," "Willow," "Anti-Hero," "All Too Well," and "Is It Over Now?"(one of my personal favorites) soared to number-one spots. She went on a tour called The Eras Tour and released its accompanying film.

Taylor's music connects with people because it speaks to common feelings and experiences, making it relatable. Fans like me love Taylor's honesty about her life, making her relatable and genuine, which builds a strong bond with her fans. Her ability to explore different music styles keeps her music fresh and appealing to an audience. I admire Taylor's strength, advocacy, and empowering messages in her music.

In conclusion, being a Swiftie is about more than just enjoying Taylor Swift's music; it's about feeling a deep connection to her as an artist and a person. Each fan has unique reasons for admiring her, but this combination of relatability, talent, and authenticity makes me love her.

#taylor swift #swifties #taylornation #the music industry #1989 taylor's version #red taylor’s version #speak now taylor’s version #the eras tour

[jewishbarbies]

Hi! So I just recently found your blog and I think it really helped me with the validation I needed by this new light I looked at Taylor.

So long story short I've been a swiftie for a long time now and trust me I WAS A BIG FAN like a total HARDCORE swiftie. But apparently I started to question stuff about the girl I put on a high pedestal for years after midnights was released and I'm not gonna lie that I totally like Would've, could've, should've but then I was like, miss girl wasn't that was approximately FOURTEEN YEARS AGO? Then I realized this pattern of her that she just can't seem to move on from the past like ever and the songs on midnights kinda solidified that and I think it's also because I really expected the sleepless nights of her to be yk not about her PAST relationships but it was 🫤

Then this M*atty Healy thing happened and I went down to a rabbit hole of why people may or may not like her music but don't like her and it just CLICKED. And tbh I kinda felt betrayed because of how deep I was in the whole parasocial relationship thing that apparently she encouraged and perhaps for the sake of sales and not for the sake that she probably really appreciates us Swifties. Like at that moment I just started to question EVERYTHING then I realized that this image of Taylor that I know is just a brand. That's it. I don't know her and I bought this image of her and somewhat became a part of her mob mentality. It's really devastating because I really thought she was being her authentic self in front of us but turns out it's probably all a show for the capitalist mindset of her and her team.

And it's such a shame because I still like her music but I am learning to separate it from the Taylor Swift TM but it's lowkey is pretty hard. Also such a shame in her part because I feel like if she was some underground singer that just focused on making music and didn't care about being number one on the charts or the sales or her public image - she wouldn't be the way she is now and wouldn't have half of the problems she has and had in her life (e.g. Kanye, some of her squad friends turning into enemies, her codependency (she seriously can't stay single and that screams codependency and not being able to be alone with yourself), constant seeking of validation and many more) and I feel like she would've been more humbler.

Another thing is that I don't blame swifties for the way that they are, I mean she cultivated it herself like if she had called out their disrespectful behaviors, they wouldn't be harassing people. Another is that if she had been more accountable for her actions, her fans would be too. The way she controlled the narrative during 2016 affected the entire fandom the way it is now. Such a shame that if people have a shit ton of money it's either that they give it away and yk not hoard it or let it go through their heads I mean despite the way she is now, I can't lie that though her rich ass parents jump started her career, all she wanted to do was just play songs but when she got super famous and earned a shit ton of money, that's where it all went down. It's like her fame emotionally stunted her. I seriously think she needs a therapist other than her mother because she literally sang a line about her mother always being on her side despite her being the wrong one. Andrea swift may have made her a nice child that said her thanks and showed appreciation but teaching her to take responsibility for her actions and take accountability for her wrong doings, she kinda slacked there perhaps.

That was when I realized that being famous and achieving the same level of influence as her... isn't always a glitz and glamour or cool enough for me to be jealous now (sure I would be about 'forever is the sweetest con' line (her writing) and her loving parents but still' like imagine spending the rest of you life just calculating every move that will contribute good in your image? And thinking about how to earn a million more dollars from your personal life and antagonize some people in it through your songs? Losing that one guy that really showed you what a healthy and loving relationship is because you wanted to continue your career built upon lies and deceit and capitalism? I'd rather continue being an invisible middle class.

Okay the scariest part of it all is how all the people she antagonizes don't have a say without being called sexist, misogynistic or a hater. But the most TERRIFYING part is how her legacy as this 'best' singer-songwriter of the 21sr century will live on without her entire fanbase seeing her in this light that I did. It's like brainwashing.

Everything I'm feeling right now is like Colors by Halsey as it's about a song of falling out of love with a person after the colors that you once loved about come out of them after they changed a lot negatively. Funny cause that song was about M*tty Healy.

Thanks for reading!

omg I was reading the last paragraph and I was like “lmao that song was about matty” and then you said it in the next sentence 💀

glad you’re free of it all bestie! it gets better, I promise.

#Asks #anonymoose #anti taylor swift #swifties dni #long post

[new-sandrafilter]

Technikart Magazine interview translation with Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell for 'Bones and All' (x)

At 26, Timothée Chalamet is on top of the world. He is shooting in the most exciting films of the moment, he is making the social networks go wild and redefining the codes of masculinity. In the midst of promoting the poisonous and sublime Bones and All, which won two awards in Venice, we met him in London, along with the revelation of the film, Taylor Russell.

Warner's publicist and agents had warned us, Timothée Chalamet is incredibly cool, an ultra-talented, simple and modest young man. A star! While the shooting of the sequel to Dune is taking place between Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy, Timothée is in London for a promo day for Bones and all, where it is about crazy love and... cannibals, a black diamond signed by Luca Guadagnino, that Timothée produced.

In Luca Guadagnino's new film, Timothée Chalamet plays an "Eater", a cannibal who devours his victims completely, "bones and all"... For his role, he has created a rebel redneck look, with an improbable mullet haircut, dyed hair and ripped jeans. With the revelation Taylor Russell, he crosses the desert landscapes of the heart of rural America, in search of prey and especially love.

In London, the interview takes place in the company of the Canadian Taylor Russell, discovered in the series Falling Skies, then in the nanar Escape Game. When he sees me with my Marvin Gaye T-shirt, Timothy lets out a thunderous "Oh man, what a cool T-shirt!" and starts singing at the top of his lungs "What's going ooooon...". Here we go!

"I MADE MY CHARACTER WEAKER, VULNERABLE, LESS CONFIDENT, MUCH LESS ALPHA MALE." - TIMOTHÉE

More than a cannibal movie, can we think of Bones and all as a crazy love story?

Timothée : It seems obvious to me that the two main characters live from day to day, they break the law, they are wildly in love, they have no money: so yes, it looks like crazy love. It's even beyond crazy, passionate love; they are safe with each other, they trust each other completely, they support each other, they are real, it's pure love, very mature.

How does your generation look at crazy love, love without judgment? And do you think there is a demand among young viewers for this kind of stories?

Taylor: This generation is really smart and they want sincere, authentic, original work.

Is it hard to play the crazy love?

Taylor: Timmy knows Luca well from Call Me By Your Name, as well as the producers. They are like family, and I was the newcomer. Timmy made me feel comfortable right away, like I was part of this great family. It's very important on a shoot to feel accepted, loved. Timmy was a rock for me. He is a generous actor, but he is also and above all a generous person, with a very big heart. Qualities that you don't find all the time, I think...

The film takes place in the 1980s, in a world without Internet, but it speaks of today's youth, isolated, abused, abandoned or mistreated by adults, of youth in search of care, kindness and love.

Timothée: I hadn't thought of that, but it's interesting. I'll speak for myself. The Covid epidemic has hit our generation hard, it has isolated it socially. But there's also global warming, global conflicts, inflation, nutrition problems... I feel like young people are watching this old world die. They are isolated. As you said, Bones and all captures the essence of all of this, even though it is strangely a cannibal film. I really agree with you, there is something absolutely contemporary in this quest of the two characters in the 1980s, in this urgency to live despite everything.

How was the shooting?

Taylor: We shot in Ohio, Kentucky, Nebraska... We shot for 48 days, in April 2021.

Do you like horror movies?

Timothée: To be perfectly honest, ....

The interview can be read here (it's in French)

#timmy #timothee chalamet #taylor russell #bones and all

[ohgaylor]

i have many thoughts on the lavender haze discourse that i won’t get into here. i simply want to analyze some thoughts about her quote. but i first want to emphasize that it’s worth recognizing we haven’t heard the song yet so we don’t entirely know how she’ll explore the topic. and as such, i think it’s too early to be frustrated with the situation or to point fingers at anyone (on any side of the debate) because we simply haven’t heard the song yet, so we can’t be sure what it will be about, particularly given her quote about it. and i’ll get into why.

first of all, as is often the case with Taylor, she may likely be saying one thing publicly (referencing her 6yr relationship, rumors, etc) only to have the lyrics point in an entirely different direction. (as was sort of the reverse case with Betty, where many people instantly interpreted the song through a queer lens before she suggested it was written from a male-James’ perspective.) i’d argue that Taylor often allows for this ambiguity and even encourages it surrounding her art (is pronouns, tropes, etc) it’s something she has long done throughout her career.

so with that said, before i address her quote about the song, it’s important to note two key definitions that have to do specifically with lavender and relationships:

lavender haze — a slang term coined during the '50s, referring to being in love.

lavender marriage — a male–female mixed-orientation marriage, undertaken as a marriage of convenience to conceal the socially stigmatised sexual orientation of one or both partners.

note the first definition, which Taylor has explicitly referenced, is purely positive in its description of the status of said relationship. it’s a time of joy and optimism. Taylor alludes to as much in this first half of her quote…

Lavender Haze is track one on Midnights, and I happened upon the phrase “Lavender Haze” when I was watching Mad Men and I looked it up because I thought it sounded cool, and it turns out that it’s a common phrase used in the 50s where they would just describe being in love, like if you were in a lavender haze then that mean that you were in that all encompassing love glow and I thought that was really beautiful.

again, a very positive description of said love. not a care in the world. just pure love.

well, then things shift in her quote. she takes a deliberately different direction by suggesting that the lavender haze is state of one’s relationship that is fragile and is worth protecting. she says that if this love is found out, that people will weigh in on it and ultimately bring it down. so she must do what she can to protect the real stuff.

that’s not only extremely queer coded if you ask me, but also this shift instantly caught my attention because it doesn’t necessarily have to do with lavender haze whatsoever. but more so with the definition lavender marriage, as you’ll recall from above. here is exactly what Taylor said in this second half of her quote…

And I guess theoretically when you’re in the lavender haze, you’ll do anything to stay there, and not let people bring you down off of that cloud and I think a lot of people have to deal with this now, not just like quote unquote “public figures” because we live in the era of social media and if the world finds out that you’re in love with somebody they’re gonna weigh in on it, like my relationship for 6 years we’ve had to dodge weird rumors, tabloid stuff and we just ignore it and so this song is sort of about the act of ignoring that stuff to protect the real stuff.

quite a specific perspective wouldn’t you say? again, it has nothing to do with the simple definition of lavender haze, of blissfully being in love.

but rather, i interpret this as her articulating a much more nuanced closeted relationship, where dodging rumors is a reality (skeletons in both our closets plotted hard to f*** this up), where this relationship is worth protecting in every possible way because if people we to discover it, they would bring it down (something happens when everybody finds out, see the vultures circling, dark clouds, love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out, whispers turned to talking and talking turned to screams, our secret moments in a crowded room, cynical clones, hunters with cellphones)

i simply think it’s fascinating this secret love motif is ever present in her work.

we know Taylor loves to take a common phrase and give it a new meaning, or simply to twist its meaning with a sense of literary license she proudly holds as a songwriter. perhaps this is a case of that, where she is aligning herself with lavender-esq relationship terminology deliberately, by using a decoy of lavender haze for a lavender love that is far more secret.

because afterall, every bait and switch was a work of art.

for reference: all my analyses; mad men dialogue / scene / overall context

ps. i think it’s worth navigating these spaces with delicacy. we can’t assume what exactly it is she meant by “weird rumors”. because seconds later she mentions “tabloid stuff”. we simply don’t know much yet. i think it would be beneficial for everyone involved on any side of the debate to refrain from going at others and instead wait until we hear the song before we judge the situation.

pps. i’m not suggesting that concealing one’s relationship is an exclusively queer experience. certainly many celebrities encounter that. however, it absolutely is a reality within the queer many face. and given her track record and the continuous themes of her music, it speaks for itself. i am simply pointing out themes i see and addressing them through my lens.

#myanalysis #i haven’t even really gotten into the details of certain implications people are throwing around #it’s just interesting the way she starts talking about a love worth protecting #like out of nowhere?? #i simply think there may be more to the song and her intentions than people are catching on #because coming out is in fact a very delicate thing #queer*discourse #lavender haze #taylor swift #taylor's authenticity problem #lgbtqia #gaylor #mine #analysis #midnights

[septembersghost]

i wrote some of this in a message to someone, but i feel like actually posting it publicly.

earlier today, i watched a video analysis/response to midnights from a french lit professor (i've seen a couple of the ones he's done before, he started with lover and is very admiring of her talent, and his analysis is engaging even when we have different opinions), who called this her best album, but what was interesting to me is that even though he loved it and praised its artistry/lyricism/sonic qualities, he also doesn't (by his own admission) really "get" it insofar as relating to her not only as the artist, but as the human being she is. he kept mentioning he's not a swiftie, ie: he knows very little of her personal life, he doesn't know if she's with the "same guy" that was mentioned on lover (someone please tell him about joe and the william bowery of it all because he was so moved by sweet nothing!), doesn't know much of anything about her, he's just responding to the music. which is lovely and usually totally fine! there's no other album where i'd say, "well, actually, you really do need to know!" (maybe rep, but not to this degree), because every other album could, in a sense, be depersonalized for the casual listener and still appreciated and enjoyed. i think knowing about her elevates them all, and is valuable to understand the meaning of her writing, and taking that away altogether can be dehumanizing and diminishing of her, but still, the music is enjoyable independently of that.

but on midnights? you need to fundamentally know her stories, and something of the journey of her life, to be able to comprehend what she's talking about, why it affected her, why she's revisiting it, why certain things haunt her, why certain things sustain her, where she is in her life and love now. why some of it is so reflective and raw and visceral. why "i'm the problem, it's me" isn't some admission to hold against her, or only a wry joke, but also profoundly self-loathing and wounded, what the "everybody agrees" signifies in her head, or the admissions and hurt and then resilient tonal shift in "you're on your own, kid." midnights is all her. it's from her entire life and soul, laid out unflinchingly. and i just keep thinking about how brave and almost audacious that is of her, when she knows she's been so scrutinized and so speculated about, when she knows that those of us who care about her as a person AND as an artist follow her individual stories and path, for better or worse, and when she knows that critics praised her for pivoting into "fiction" (even though folklore and evermore have so much of her and her reality in them), as if it was superior and easier to take her seriously only if she wasn't explicitly talking about herself.

this, to me, is hugely taking her power back, as much as the process of re-recording is. taking ownership of how her life and her art is hers. there are her stories, and this time she's asking us to step into her world and her perspective, to accept that as her daily existence and her history, in order for this album to be fully effective, to have its intended resonance. she's asking us to remember and recognize what she's written about before, as she explores it with a more mature and raw and intimate sense.

@cowboylikedean and i were talking about how this is taylor at her most honest, and how moving it is that the response to this album has been so massive. she is being embraced in her truth, as her whole, authentic self. she doesn't have to be polished or perfect, she only has to be taylor. i said, "the real, true taylor is so special and brilliant and beautiful, and that's her best self," and zoë said, "she was always enough, just as she is." it's an extraordinary thing to witness. i feel so blessed that i got to be here to see it happen. i love her and am in awe of her, and that's nothing new, but it's so profound here. it just, well, hits different on this record.

#taylor swift #midnights #bubble wrap around my heart #* #i want your midnights

[piglet26]

A Year In the Mess and the Millennial Cross Rory Bears. WINTER

Let's address the elephant in the room while I have you front and center. Rory in A Year in The Life was a commentary on millennials. Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator, confirmed this was the inspiration for Rory's turn in AYITL. Rory was saddled with all the complaints the previous generations have of millennials such as millennials are spoiled, entitled, privileged blah blah blah. Hey now, now that we have not one but two generations under us I do understand the desire to complain (and be terrified). Gen Z and Gen Alpha general aesthetic is to be Billie Eilish lite as in angry, depressed, violent, or, antisocial. They have the lowest attention span recorded in human history and Taylor Swift is their greatest philosopher. Jesus take the wheel

The problem? None of this was in Rory Gilmore 1.0-character DNA. Matter of fact who the hell was Rory in the revival?! What the hell happened to her? We don't know. The Palladino's don't even bother expanding on it, but who does?! When it comes to Millennials we're to be mocked not understood. Most millennials came of age where there was a horrible job, house market and were in an economic recession. Our lives were being taken over by technology and social media. Rory picked a profession that was still mostly print at the time of her college graduation.... this is an entirely digital market now and one readers now pay for if they want something of substance. How lucrative is a real authentic journalism career? Not just think pieces or a seat on CNN or Fox News roundtable?

This is why A Year in the Life was a Mess

Believe me, I wanted to love it. This is my childhood we're talking about here. I loved Stars Hallow. Love my Gilmores. Yet, when I finally tuned I did so when just a hint of dread.....gradually all my fears were realized. Thus after 6.2 hours concluded somehow, we got somewhere, nowhere, found out little, nothing at all, were satisfied and just plain frustrated. So, let's break this mess down by episode. While mainly I will cover how the revival failed Rory - I will mention other frustrations because I can.

Winter

Why is Rory only in town for a day?! She's gotta leave for London soon. What has she been doing?! Ok, she's written a piece in the New Yorker, but how does that work?! Are you on staff? Do you submit freelance pieces and they choose them? She's a good writer, she's always been a good writer, and she's shown she is capable of running a paper - why is she struggling?! They doubled down on the millennial annoyance by having Rory abandoned Brooklyn as it was going condo and Lena Dunham. Subtle.

Super-Proud Luke is and always will be cute and Rory is so his kid. He's now a subscriber to The New Yorker which he reads every week just to support Rory. Also, he's attached her article to his menus so everyone can read it. Which she treats as cringe instead of sweet and supportive, but I'll let it go. Luke, Lorelai and Rory really are found family and super adorable.

Yes, the bit about everyone forgetting Paul is funny but THIS ISN'T RORY?! Paul seems genuinely sweet and thoughtful not just to Rory but her whole family so why are we doing this? Again, this is someone's depiction of a millennial. I guess we're really shitty to great guys. Rory had never been previously depicted as self-centered jerk just slightly oblivious as well all are.

It's a thrill to see all the old characters make a cameo.

The loss of Ed Herrmann was a gut punch to his cast. You can tell. It's also serves as a gut punch to the audience. We will miss you old chap. Rory following Emily around at the repast is the first hint of old Rory we've seen on this show yet.

It also serves as another wasted opportunity. No one except Emily seems to be genuinely affected by Richard's passing. The Gilmores are a small family, but a tight one. The patriarch passing surely would've affected all three gilmore girls deeply. It would've been better had we found Rory on a cooperate writing staff in London (employed by Logan) that she quit to spend more time at home to support her mother and grandmother. It would've been nice had Richard's passing compelled her into finding meaning beyond professional success. It would've been nice if they showed her pursuing something related to Richard from a journalistic perspective. They could've showed her on the road chasing a story to run into Jess or Dean or hell any of the countless characters. SOMETHING. Instead, we got spiraling millennial which is continuing to just seem misguided.

Berta and her roving family is trash and I didn't need them.

Emily starts in on Rory current state of homelessness which bring me to my next point of contention..... How is Rory broke?! She's had Trixie/Gran, her grandparents, Logan, Luke and her father?! I don't care that she's privileged unlike a lot of the privileged but not as privilege youtubers who enjoy spitefully and bitterly complaining. Despite what these grips say no, Rory's success has never come easily to her. The reality she was studying and investing her teenage years in academic pursuits while Rory's haters were partying or watching TV. Rory's always been resourceful and yet can't find a way to make a steady income in addition to writing. What's going on?

April/ Knock-off Rory is annoying, and it doesn't escape me that Luke prefers Rory. I'm glad hehehe. I mean he has a kid biologically and yet he considers going to Rory's graduation as going to his kids graduation. Side note: I know the creators would like to pretend that season 7 never happened but what are we doing here?! LnL have seriously never talked about having kids in the last 9 freakin' years?! Well at least we know why..... miscommunication and we needed a way to write medical Paris Geller into the story. Surrogacy is actually perfect for a medical student that doesn't actually like sick people.

Paris Geller ah I love this cold-hearted little psycho.

Okay Rory is writing a book with a queer drunk brit who steals food from other people, this is who she wrote her New Yorker piece on. This is the depiction of the feminist on the show.

I love Logan and I Love Rogan, but WHAT ARE WE DOING?! Why are they both having affairs with people they don't care about. Rory cheated once? twice?......okay Rory is a cheater, but why?

Paris and Doyle but of course they did! Can't have a happy couple in Stars Hallow or anywhere near it for long. I can see them having problems though because they've always had problems and sexually resolved them. Plus, in Paris's ideal functioning world she's married to Rory and Doyle.

WHY DOES RORY GILMORE HAVE ALL OF HER SHIT ACROSS FIVE HOMES?! How much stuff does she have? Honestly. Rory was always organized. At this point we've just got a personality transplant.

Once again, this is the main problem with the revival. None of this is behavior or characteristics we've associated with Rory. It's insert millennial here from a jaded baby boomer.

This is exhausting....................................... and I'm gonna have to take this in shifts. Next up spring.

Side note: Christmas here would be amazing and so charming.

#gilmore girls #rory gilmore #emily gilmore #happy gilmore #lorelai gilmore #logan huntzberger #luke x lorelai #luke danes #a year in the life #gilmore girls a year in the life #rory and lorelai #netflix #literati #jess mariano

[foreveryournameonmylipss]

I think I know what my problem with ttpd is: the whole tortured poets thing just seems like an aesthetic, nothing more. Don't get me wrong, some songs are truly beautiful and I can only imagine the hurt and confusion taylor must have felt during that period but the whole tortured-poet image she gave herself just feels.. off and not authentic, especially because that was just a phase that as she wrote "now over, closed and borded up" and after she's just gonna put all of this aside. I don't know, probably I'm just annoying and taking everything so seriously but after learning about some who were defined as tortured or "maudits" poets, the tortured poets department just feels like an attempt to give a merely fancy frame to an album that is pretty much like her latest ones, musically and lyrically wise. She talks about nothing new, no new perspectives,  and also the mentioning of writers like Aristotle or Dylan Thomas but writing about heartbreak is in the same old way just convinces me of this even more.

Maybe I hoped this album was going to be a painful and sad reflection about people and relationships, a new acquired perspective about life but instead I just find that she talks about love and heartbreak like she did ten years ago, just with "fancier" words, you know what I mean? For an artist that was known for taking risks and never making the same album twice, ttpd was a tiny bit disappointing, what do you think?

#the tortured poets department #unpopular opinion #don't kill me pls #i still like some songs #but overall #it didn't hit like i thought it would #maybe it will grow on me who knows

[s-c-l-n]

is this a safe space to say i dont believe taylor swift really cares about her music anymore ? maybe its because ive matured over the last decade and have come to realize her songs are mid, but especially with this album i cannot find it in me to see any care done well for it. all the songs sound similar, the flow of them is never changing, and the mixing is mid. (see tl;dr at the end if you dont want to read 9 paragraphs of deep dive ranting)

if you look at her debut album, its not great. its lyrics are fine, the instrumentals and mixing are whatever, and it just generally is a find/mid album. if that album was released in 2006, why 18 years and 9 albums later does this album seem to have similar issues ?

personally i think it all boils down to a general lack of care and a need to make herself seem more sophisticated than she actually is. in times of her generally most loved albums (speak now->folklore) you see the lyrics are not trying to be anything more than lyrics. of course there is deeper meaning, but it is not convoluting itself for you to find the main meaning. it is pop and electric songs through and through.

when taylor tried to break into a more folk sound it is in my opinion what broke her. she had a hit with folklore, lyrics not yet super convoluted in meaning, and definitely holding a more folk sound as opposed to her usual pop sound. her voice became softer and the instrumentals followed.

the problem with this though, is that folk music is typically little instrumentals but with deep and meaningful story telling lyrics. taylor saw this is something thats is 1) getting popular again (see noah kahn) and 2) something that she has vaguely done before. so she writes evermore.

evermore is not as good as folklore, point blank period. swifties still adore it though. it is the true beginning of convoluted lyrics trying to seem deeper than they really are. it makes her seem more “folk” if you will. filling spaces with long sat words tat make the listener confused as opposed to her prior style of basically just sitting you down and telling a story like it was a casual chat between friends.

with midnights this same issue of lyrics comes up again, but also the question of what the hell is the sound of this album. its like a poppy folk album. very confusing and not very good. people are not huge fans but will listen anyways cause its taylor swift.

finally with this album i believe we are finally seeing the result of what trying to appeal to an audience as opposed to yourself while also seeming much more than you really are has done to her. almost all the songs on ttpd sound the same, her ow has become not only predicable but nearly the same throughout most all her songs.

the beauty that used to be taylor swift was that she could do a thousand different genres and have mediocre but fun lyrics that people could enjoy. after the initial failure of reputation taylor began appealing more to the public rather than what she wanted. she made another pop album that did fine. she kinda went off and made a folksy album, but has yet to shake off the folksiness of folklore because the people like it and she does not want to get massively ridiculed again or lose money/not make a hit album.

taylor swift is a sellout and a mediocre lyricist, leading to “deep” lyrics like “I'd say the 1830s but without all the racists” and “You know how to ball, I know Aristotle/Brand new, full throttle/Touch me while your bros play Grad Theft Auto” which are just horrendous lyrics.

the thing of it all, my tl;dr, is that taylor seift got so ridiculed for reputation and to an extent lover that she wound up only doing music that appealed to the people rather than what she did before which was make music generally more for herself. red and speak now are some of the peoples favorite albums of hers, because they felt authentic. midnights and ttpd do not feel authentic, and to some extent evermore as well. taylor swift is a sellout and is scared to do anything that might make her lose money or fans. she does not care for the music as much as she cares about numbers. numbers of listeners, of money, of awards. it has become a game to her and it is a game that will cause her to implode on herself and i think we are seeing it now

#does any of this make sense #also sorry for the divergence from the typicaly haikyuu content this is a very important topic to me #but anyways #i wish taylor would start making music out of love rather than to make money #its a teue shame what happens when people sell out #taylor swift #ttpd #taylor swift ttpd #the tortured poets department

[alarrytale]

my biggest grief with the larry denial is that it puts louis in the spotlight, but not for the right reasons. when he talks music and his thoughts on the industry and his other projects and what he likes and dislikes and when he’s his silly self onstage and with fans and when he’s soft and flamboyant and yes sarcastic and funny and just louis, that’s when he’s his best. that’s the louis we know. he’s so much more than his relationship with harry, but well, many people are more interested in reading some quick cheap gossip than what this musician has to say about his career experiences. i want to be optimistic and think this is the end of the denials, at least the harsh ones, as it’s being spread like wildfire and his wording looked final. i want louis to succeed, and i’m not really talking about taylor swift or harry levels of fame, but just have a good stable career with his own accomplishments and being a respectable name. while i think he’s getting there slowly, many times his team has lacked and i’m afraid that if this pattern continues he will be stuck forever. but well, as i said i’m optimistic and i’ll keep supporting louis because i know he has the ability to get far

Hi, anon!

It's difficult for him, that's for sure. He is a musician, a songwriter, has a fashion company, he's touring and he's got his own festival. The problem is that his artist image is so fake that no matter what you ask him about you won't get a straight answer out of him. You ask him who his inspiration is, you'll get a rehearsed answer that is in line with this fake laddy and indie image. You ask him about his documentary and he'll answer it's 110% authentic, when we all know it's not. You ask him about his career experiences and you'll get a fluffy answer, because he isn't allowed to talk about the abuse, manipulation and the dark sides of the industry that he's experienced. People are able to recognise that he isn't being genuine and authentic, so they don't tune in. He needs attention on him to be able to sell tour tickets and festival tickets. The one thing that's guaranteed to give him said attention is larry.

I would love to see Louis being himself fully, like you said his silly self, sarcastic, funny, flamboyant and soft. He hardly ever get to show those sides of himself because of the image he needs to uphold. Those are also sides that will show he's an interesting person and attract an audience without having to pull the larry card to get attention.

As long as he isn't in a postition where he can be himself he'll only attract those type of fans who knows he isn't being himself and knows the reasons why he can't be. To other people he looks like someone who either needs to drop H's name to get attention, an absent father, a boybander who wants to be an indie artist for male validation, a homophobe and someone who's fans irritate him. That's not good at all. They don't get to see those sides of him that makes being a fan worth the gaslighting, lies and lash outs.

I'm happy you're optimistic. But i think as long as he has this image among the gp, he'll face an uphill battle. The gp who didn’t previously know of him will now know him as the artist who's rumoured to be in a relationship with Harry Styles. People know Harry Styles, so that makes them curious about Louis. If they do some research and check him out they'll no doubt become larries if they decide to stan him. Because of his image i don't think Louis is able to have gp fans or casual fans. His fake image is too repellant to them. You need to look past the surface to find him likeable, interesting and a good guy.

There is no way forward for him with this current image i'm afraid. The only way forward is for him to be allowed to be freely himself, and that would entail coming out and reveal his relationship with Harry. After a few years as an out artist the novelty of larry would wear off in the gp and he'd be able to build a broad fanbase who is fan of him for different reasons, like his music and artistry, and not only larry. He'd be able to build some independence then.

#solo louis #louis image #lthq #larry denials #so be it

[i-met-scooby]

Headcanon's about Dean

(These are just some HC's about the Dean Winchester I'll be writing. This post might just be for my own benefit..😅)

-Graduated from Dork University with a degree in fanboying -Pretty much closeted but is curious. -He's shy and he doesn't know it. Manifests as attitude -Doesn't like chick-flick moments because he's reserving them for that special person -When he does meet them, he WILL 100% be a cliché romantic. And will secretly desire for that person to do cheesy things for him too. -Cheesy one-liners even after marriage. -Pretty skilled at hand-to-hand combat -Handling weapons is second nature to him -Loves explosions (Imagine Seamus Finnigan as a hunter and the explosions are intentional) -Sam hates his explosiveness but is inwardly thankful for it -Huge music nerd (In his dictionary, music means classic rock) (But he low-key is in love with Taylor Swift, 'cause she's a genius) -Sometimes, Dean likes doing things slow. Like going for a slow walk in nature. Nothing but the rustling of trees as background noise. No running. No jogging. Definitely, no sweating. Just a gentle breeze through his hair, as he hums some slow rock tune. -But he also likes things extremely fast sometimes. No in between. He'll speed down a highway with the radio on full-blast and be full of road rage. -He likes his cartoons, ok? Is he an adult? Yes. Are cartoons made for kids? Sure. Does he care? Not one bit. If Sam can have an obsession with serial killers, he can obsess over Scoob. (And Daphne) -He is a FANBOI. He likes discovering new fandoms and things to obssess over. He also very secretly loves cosplaying but has never gotten the chance to do it. (Guy wears an ascot ONE TIME) -He wishes he could play an instrument like an expert. He'd love to be able to get lost in  music of his own making. Guitar is preferrable. -But he still has so much rage. It's all corked up inside of him. And when it leaks, it comes in waves. It consumes him and messes him up. He NEEDs to break things; to punch something; to scream until he's passed out with a bottle of whiskey. -He LOVES Baby. He treats her with the utmost care. That counts as a hobby. He makes sure she's always spruced up and ready to go. But he knows when she needs her rest too. He won't let anyone else TOUCH her. Nobody can fix her, except him. When he isn't hunting, the next most important thing to him, is tending to his car. -He loves the idea of being as authentic as possible. He loves making things his own. He'll decorate his room even in his 50's. -He's learning how to cook. He sucks. But he's learning. -Superhero nerd, for sure. -Ok. So, he's a little bit addicted to alcohol. Bit of a problem there. -He's polite. He can be. When he wants to. -He loves the idea of being a teacher. For some reason, he likes the idea of a room full of people having to listen to what he has to say. He likes the idea of getting to adopt 30 kids at once.

-If you are a kid, he will adopt you. He will protect you. He will be strict. He will not give you a curfew later than 10. He will make sure you eat good. Like your uncle Sammy. So, you can be big and strong like him. But he will also watch Frozen with you. And take you on the best rides.

-He's very good at taking care of people. Experience resulted from all those years of patching up Sammy and himself after a hunt. He just has a natural instinct that's always looking out for people around him. He might even make a decent nurse.

(Will add more as they come to mind.)

#dean winchester #dean winchester rp blog #dean rp blog #Supernatural #Spn rp blog #spn rp blog #Dean winchester headcanons