#introspection [about lani];;

[kcilcnij]

aaron pierre, queer, cis male + he/him→ isn’t that kailani? they’re the uncle of the  jacksons. i hear they’re 32  and they’ve been coming to camp for two [2] years. they seem to be charismatic & passionate, but also dominant & impulsive. they’re into nipple play, powerbottoming, & ass worship   but not into scat, vore, gore, bathroom play, fisting.

GENERAL

name kailani jackson alias(es) k. + kai + lani gender cis male age 32 sexuality queer romance homosexual birthday october 31st residence bethesda, md marital divorced [single] f. role uncle

STATISTICS

height 6'4" body type fit - thick hair color dark brown - black eye color green-hazel piercings 4 [r. helix - l.+r. lobes - r. nostril] tattoos 0 [currently] style comfort - casual - themed - fitted

INTIMACY-COMPATIBILITY

alignment dominant [lean] position bottom [power preferred - rare versatility] dick size 7.5 [girthy- singular prominent vein at top - many at base] eros-zones both nipples, behind left ear, inside right thigh, bend of knee

SHORT

Kailani's messy divorce led to the scattering of his life. He still assumes he should've listened to his own siblings and his in-laws when they both grew to dislike him from the very beginning. He'd packed up what was left of his life in DC [proper], sold his shares and portion of their marital investments, and chose to settle in the suburbs. Yet, that wasn't even enough. His insatiable search for love and intimacy failed with every dull date and frantic swipe of an app. It was the slip of beans that revealed his own family had been trekking up to Camp Daylight from a small escape. And perhaps it was his opportunity to see just how quick something could come of a weekend. He's returned for a second year after he couldn't return the previous.

KEY POINTS ↠ Often will present to be a very calloused, stoic individual to keep people away when he is very compassionate at the core. ↠ Prides himself on being the "serious but fun, good-time" uncle. ↠ Tends to forget to push his pride/independent nature aside. ↠ Enjoys sensuality over immediate intercourse. ↠ Can be greedy in particular circumstances. ↠ Loves oil massages and the sweet scent of almond. ↠ Willing to submit but only to a capable man. ↠ MORE TO COME LATER

[lcstbcy]

–– introducing MATTY HAMMOND . word on the street is they are a BOUNCER , having been around for TWO MONTHS . despite an otherwise clear record, sometimes they are known to engage with THE SYNDICATE’s affairs. though they are DISTANT and DEFIANT , they can also be PRACTICAL and LOYAL . in the chaos of new york city, they’re sure to fit right in.

tw: abandonment, heart attack, death .

MEMES | HEADCANONS

═══ BASICS

name : matthew jackson hammond aka : matty age / d.o.b. : twenty seven / august 19th, 1997 gender : cis man pronouns : he/him sexuality : bisexual hometown : camden, maine current residency : brooklyn, ny notable connections: heath morgan – biological father , willa morgan - half sister affiliation : the syndicate (affiliate) job position : bouncer @ pink flamingo education : high school diploma personality : defiant, practical, stoic, distant, judgmental, insensitive likes & dislikes : (+) smoking, being awake at night, driving around aimlessly, getting high / (-) loud crowds, overly excited people, small talk

═══ BIOGRAPHY

── tldr: matty, born in maine to a struggling single mother, faced hardship early in life. his mother's erratic relationships and eventual abandonment when he was ten left him traumatized. raised by his uncle, matty spiraled out of control during his teen years and was frequently in trouble with the law. his side business of selling some w**d to a small amount of local customers supplied him with some pocket money, but money was always tight, and with relentless pursuit for cash it's a surprise he managed to graduate at all. bogged down by his upbringing, he gave up on life before it really started and thought his life would always consist of working in his uncle's diner, but when the latter died suddenly of a heart attack, matty faced true introspection for the first time when he found his father's name on the back of a piece of paper while cleaning out his uncle (and mother's) things. he decided to seek him out – for reconciliation, for revenge, who knows? and shortly after arriving to the city, he started to try and find an in with the syndicate in order to climb up in life. when in rome, right?

── full bio: matty didn’t have an easy start in life. born in maine to a single mother, lani, the woman struggled to hold down a job that allowed her to take care of her baby. they lived paycheck to paycheck for a few years until she saw no other option than to return to her hometown, where her brother had a diner. when she worked at benny’s as a waitress, things were better for them, but lani was perpetually exhausted trying to raise a child all by herself, and to escape the harsh reality she would flutter from man to man, always getting swept up in empty promises that would leave her heartbroken when she inevitably ended up alone again. when matty was ten years old, his mother decided to follow after her then-boyfriend, leaving her child with her brother and leaving both benny and matty in the dark about her whereabouts or plans to ever return. obviously, this abandonment was traumatic for the young boy. benny was good to him, albeit entirely out of his depth, but despite his best intentions, matty spiraled out of control – first out of grief and pain, but later, in middle and high school, he became nearly unhinged as he found ways to deal with the realization he was left behind. benny tried his best to keep his nephew in check, but the boy was tough, skipping school, getting into street fights, and - on a few occasions - getting arrested. nothing seemed to stick to him, until eventually, even his uncle had enough, and gave him an ultimatum when he was a senior: clean up his act, work in the diner and make sure he graduated, or move out. matty knew he couldn’t be self-sufficient yet despite various illegal side hustles, and so reluctantly, he began bussing tables at the diner, doing just enough in school to get by, and keep himself to himself just enough to stay under the radar of the local boys in blue. it worked: he managed to graduate (barely), he was reliable (enough) at work, and with age, he seemed to find some stability. that was, of course, until november 3th, when his entire life was shaken once again. it was incomprehensible, the suddenness of his uncle’s heart attack, but the chaos that ensued over legalities and formalities only added fuel to the fire, though it wasn't until the end of the month that matty reached a breaking point, while he was cleaning out his uncle's house and found some of his mother's things – including a name he didn't recognize on the back of a picture he'd never seen before. it didn't take long for matty to put two and two together, and for the first time in his life, he could redirect his anger to a person he didn't also love. his father. even the word itself sounded dirty. he wasn't sure if it was anger or jealously that he felt when he googled his father's name and saw a successful man, but whatever it was, it sparked a fire for the first time in the young man's life, and before he knew it, he'd packed up his pickup truck and was on the road. without much of a plan and driven only by a desire to finally have a better life, he disappeared into the night and headed down to the city to try his hand at the less than savory world of the big apple. and for a man with few morals, the syndicate might just be the perfect starting place.

═══ WANTED CONNECTIONS / PLOTS

tba <3

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Okay, this one is almost guaranteed to trigger cuteness aggression, me thinks:

There's this kid in EoW's Kakariko (westside) who’s blowing air at a windmill & he’s saying that he’s blowing so hard that he’s making the fans move.

So, now I’m imagining a Darling (maybe Leilani, because this feels like the sort of thing she'd do; she gives off those Lani vibes, the ones where when her younger sibs try to push her away, she pretends that gravity is suddenly increasing & playfully crushes them) going, “Wow! Those are some strong lungs, kid!” In response. To which the little man gets a mischievous look & starts to blow air at her really hard, at which point, Darling starts pantomiming being pushed back by a strong gale (just really hamming it up, grunts of exertion & shaking limbs as she trudges in place & everything; we're talking mime-levels of performance but with sound), even using just a little magic to make her clothes flutter behind her & causing a lightweight accessory to nearly be blown away, but she theatrically grabs it ‘just in time.’ “Please, have mercy, it’s so strong! You'll send me to Seesyde!!”

This causes the kid to laugh out loud & her to stop, but to then 'faceplant' as though the wind had just 'suddenly' stopped & she'd been unable to find her footing in time. Kid asks if she's hurt, to which she thumbs up from her place on the ground, face still in the earth comically, which just causes the kid to bust a gut & Darling to start to get back up as she giggles, wiping the dust & dirt from her, not in the least bit embarrassed. Just the big sister vibes!

And, now, I just need the Dorfs to react to this sort of playful interaction. Like, girl didn't even know this kid, but she immediately saw a chance to brighten this kid's day & potentially give him a fun memory to look back on in the tough times, & she took it by golly!

I love these little ones. They're just so cute! And they help to flesh character personalities out. :D

That is very adorable! I know the kid you are talking about. <3 Very cute.

************************************************************************

This scenario is adorable! The sheer playfulness and warmth your Darling shows by engaging with the kid in such a fun and dramatic way would be captivating to any of the Ganondorfs or Demise. Here’s how each would react to witnessing their SO in such a lighthearted interaction:

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Reaction: Wind Waker Ganondorf, with his more introspective nature, would watch the scene unfold with a mixture of curiosity and fondness. Though he usually carries a calm and composed demeanor, seeing his SO act so playfully with a child would warm his heart.

Scene: He watches from a distance, arms crossed and an amused smirk tugging at his lips. Though he doesn’t approach, his eyes soften as his SO dramatically mimes being blown away by the child’s “gale-force winds.” When she faceplants into the dirt, and the kid bursts out laughing, Ganondorf shakes his head slightly, a deep chuckle rumbling from his chest.

He admires her ability to bring joy to others so effortlessly. There’s something about her warmth that reminds him of what life should be—fun, light, and filled with laughter, even in dark times. He might not say anything right then, but later, he’d show subtle appreciation, maybe a gentle touch or a soft remark: “You have a way of bringing light to others, even in the simplest moments.”

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf

Reaction: Ocarina of Time Ganondorf would initially be confused by her actions, considering his more serious and power-hungry personality. But seeing how the kid lights up with laughter and how naturally she handles the situation, he would feel a strange mix of intrigue and begrudging admiration.

Scene: He stands off to the side, raising an eyebrow as his SO throws herself into a pantomime of being blown away. For a moment, he considers how ridiculous it looks, but when the child’s laughter fills the air, he pauses. His stern expression softens ever so slightly as he watches the kid’s joy, realizing that his SO has a gift for creating happiness—even if it’s through absurd theatrics.

Ganondorf’s jaw tightens, feeling a pang of something he doesn't often experience: affection. He wouldn’t express it openly, but later, he might mutter something like, “You’re good with people.” It’s not much, but for him, it’s high praise.

Twilight Princess Ganondorf

Reaction: Twilight Princess Ganondorf would be somewhat bemused by her antics. He’s used to commanding fear and respect, so seeing his SO act so silly with a child would catch him off guard. However, beneath his cold exterior, he would secretly appreciate her warmth and ability to connect with others.

Scene: He watches silently from a shadowed corner, his gaze unreadable. As she hams it up, pretending to be blown away by the child’s "powerful" breath, Ganondorf can’t help but raise an eyebrow, torn between exasperation and quiet admiration. When the child’s laughter rings out, and she faceplants into the dirt, he almost feels… amused.

The corners of his mouth twitch, as if he’s considering a smile but resists. Though he’d never admit it out loud, he finds her ability to bring joy to others oddly endearing. Later, when they’re alone, he might tease her, his voice low and gruff, “Next time, don’t let a child defeat you with mere air.”

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf

Reaction: Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf, with his larger-than-life personality and commanding presence, would be utterly baffled at first. But seeing how the child reacts and how effortlessly his SO can make others smile, he’d eventually relax, appreciating her energy and the joy she spreads.

Scene: Standing tall and imposing, Ganondorf crosses his arms, glaring at the scene before him. His SO, his fearsome and strong partner, is playing pretend with a child, making herself look utterly ridiculous. For a moment, his eyes narrow, his mind whirring, thinking of how unnecessary it all seems.

Then, he hears the child’s loud, gleeful laughter.

Ganondorf’s expression softens. He grumbles under his breath, “Ridiculous…” but there’s no malice in his voice. He sees how much joy she’s brought to the child and realizes that it’s a strength of a different kind. When she approaches him later, he might shake his head, scoff, and say, “You’re too soft.” But his tone would betray a grudging fondness.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf

Reaction: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf, being far more ruthless and consumed by darkness, would initially feel some confusion and perhaps annoyance at such a display of levity. However, watching his SO’s ability to make a child laugh despite the oppressive atmosphere would stir something deep within him—perhaps even a moment of reflection on what he’s lost in his pursuit of power.

Scene: Ganondorf observes the interaction from afar, his arms crossed and his expression severe. His SO’s theatrical performance of being blown away seems frivolous to him, a waste of time and energy. But then, he hears the child’s laughter—a sound that cuts through the dark cloud that always seems to hang over him.

He scowls, shaking his head. But for just a moment, his eyes linger on her, and the sight of her giggling with the child tugs at something in him, something long buried. He may not express his feelings directly, but later, he might offer her an unusual gesture of affection—a subtle touch, a lingering glance—as a way of acknowledging her warmth.

Demise

Reaction: Demise, the embodiment of darkness and destruction, would be utterly bewildered by his SO’s playfulness. His instinct would be to scoff at such weakness, but as he watches how effortlessly she can make someone laugh, a rare flicker of amusement might pass through him. He would never fully understand it, but a small part of him might be… intrigued.

Scene: Demise watches with narrowed eyes, his massive arms crossed over his chest as his SO engages in what he considers ridiculous behavior. The child laughs, and she pretends to struggle against the "wind." He doesn’t understand the point of such nonsense.

But then, something strange happens—he finds himself almost entertained. The sight of his SO faceplanting and the child’s roaring laughter make his usual scowl falter. His fiery mane flickers slightly, a rare indication that he’s intrigued. Though he remains silent, he can’t deny that the warmth she brings to others is something beyond his understanding.

Later, he might comment gruffly, “You waste your time with such trivial things,” but there’s no real anger behind it. In fact, deep down, he might even feel… grateful, though he’d never admit it.

In each case, the Ganondorfs and Demise would be taken aback by their SO’s ability to effortlessly bring joy and warmth into the world, even if it’s through playful, silly antics with a child. For them, it’s a glimpse into a different kind of strength—one that they may not fully comprehend but can’t help but respect and appreciate.

[just-your-average-tangerine]

Song of the day: August 19 2024

Royals by Lorde

About Lorde:

Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (born 7 November 1996), known professionally as Lorde, is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. She is known for her unconventional style of pop music and introspective songwriting.

(Via Wikipedia)

[wavedearth]

Gemintang Ragnala

Under the stars I have created for myself, I am a dreamer who finds wonder in the simplest moments, meaning in stories, and life in tunes.

Hi, I’m Gemintang Ragnala—just call me Gemi or Gem! I’m an Aquarius and an ISFP, so I’m pretty chill but got some hidden depth. I love spicy food (balance, y’know), noodles are my comfort food, and I live for coffee. Pronouns? Any is cool—kindness matters most!

I’m in my early 20s, just vibing through life with music and movies as my compass. I’m all about TREASURE, RII7E, NCT WISH, IVE, AESPA, and EXO—they’re basically the soundtrack to my day. Add in wave to earth, Colde, JANNABI, and some K-RNB artist, and I’m set!

But it doesn’t stop there—I also find comfort in the sad-but-beautiful vibes of LANY, NIKI, Taylor Swift, and keshi. Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Major, and Bruno Mars feel like home, while SZA, The Weeknd, and Ariana wrap me in all the emotions. And on chill days, I vibe with Luke Chiang, Jeff Bernat, and Daniel Caesar—they get my quiet side.

Even while exploring global music, I always come back to my roots. MALIQ & D'Essentials, Laleilmanino, TULUS, Lomba Sihir, RAN, HIVI, and Teddy Adhitya remind me of home—they bring comfort, joy, and calm.

I love horror, mystery, and crime movies—especially Indonesian horror and films like Us, The Platform, The Conjuring, Don’t Breathe, etc. But when it comes to books, I’m all about rom-coms! When I’m not into artsy stuff, I love collecting cute things like Smiski and Hirono—they add a little magic to my room.

This account is my little corner where I share daily life and random thoughts. I love connecting with others, but I also need some space to recharge. Feel free to follow, text me on direct messages, or just linger a little. My door is open to everyone—except for those who racist, homophobic, zionist, problematic. My words might be straight to the point, but kindness is always my goal. Thank you!

[oneminuteleftolive]

1 MINUTE LEFT TO LIVE — LANYERS.

About Us:

Here we're presenting this team to you! ★

LANYERS: Mix Team.

Imagine a group of friends, their creative energies intertwined, their shared passion for music echoing the infectious melodies of LANY — and our team inspired by them: an American pop rock band from Los Angeles. Formed in Nashville in 2014, the band consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Paul Jason Klein and drummer Jake Clifford Goss.

LANY, an acronym for Los Angeles New York — a sonic embodiment of youthful longing, a musical tapestry woven with threads of love, loss, and the bittersweet beauty of fleeting moments. Their sound, a captivating fusion of synth-pop melodies and heartfelt lyrics, evokes the feeling of a late-night drive with the windows down, city lights blurring into streaks of neon as their songs fill the car. It's music for introspective souls, for those who find solace in the quiet intimacy of a shared silence under a starlit sky.

Cause You Have To: Know about the RULES.

We accept any kind of roleplayer but we're sorry to not accept 2D Character, NSFW, RPG.

Twins are allowed! Maximum 3 twins of one character.

We accept uget and alpha users.

No cepu, no cinlok, no circle in circles. Be wise members and embrace each other, that's what we prioritize as Cinnamon.

Maximum hiatus for 14 days (for more information please tell our base account)

Be active in a dorm (post at least one something in 5 days)

There are no restrictions on joining the team and agency you want, but please be wise with us.

Get to know that our base account would be called the Sugar and all our members would be called the Cinnamon. (We use a hidden admin system)

How To Join: Let's meet the Sugar & be a Cinnamon.

Like the 1 Minute Left to Live page, don't forget to leave a trace (give a reaction to our thread post) and invite your friends to like and follow our Page.

Fill in the questions we ask via the Google form that we will provide during the Open Gate on our Page. (Monitor the page and wait for Sugar to announce which members have qualified to become the Cinnamon.)

If you are selected by Sugar to be a Cinnamon, please use the team signature first on your bio, altname or workat account.. then pm the Page with the following format: Hello Sugar! I’m (nickname) as (your muse) falling in Love at First Fight with 1 Minute Left to Live, so would you text me when you feel like i deserve to be the Cinnamon?

If you have entered the dorm, please add friends to the base account and also other members.

Our Signatures here:

Our Display Collections here:

Taken List, here:

[vettzel]

Subsection I.

Allow me to serve as your guide. I am Gregorius Samuel, though you may address me as Gre, Rio, Sam, or Muel—whichever resonates with you. My preferred pronouns are he/him, and astrologically, I am a Gemini sun, Cancer moon, Pisces rising, identified as an INFJ by the MBTI, and legally an adult. I gracefully communicate in Bahasa, English, Javanese, and French.

Subsection II.

To steer clear of certain regulations and related matters, I declare this account to persist as a Cyber Account. Here, I occasionally vent about life, engage in retweets or likes for diverse posts, and anticipate sharing numerous Spotify or Apple Music links in due course.

Subsection III.

Music.

I have a deep admiration for artists like Taylor Swift, whose storytelling resonates profoundly, and Lauv, whose introspective lyrics capture the essence of modern love. The Weeknd and Drake blend R&B with hip-hop seamlessly, while Travis Scott and Metro Boomin redefine soundscapes in contemporary music. I appreciate Lany and Chase Atlantic for their dreamy vibes, and Lil Wayne and Eminem for their lyrical prowess. Each artist, from Lil Uzi Vert to G-Eazy, brings a unique flair that enriches my playlist and inspires my creativity. When I'm in the mood for classics, Sheila on 7, Dewa 19, Slank, Naff, and Jamrud, are my go-tos. I dig the contemporary vibes of Reality Club, indie beats from Arctic Monkeys, and the chill sounds of Cigarettes After Sex. Westlife’s ballads hit me with nostalgia, and Jannabi adds a poetic touch. There are many more artists I enjoy.

Games.

These days, I’m really into Mobile Legends, where I usually play as a gold laner. But I’m flexible and can handle other roles too. Besides that, I’m enjoying Plato for some brainy fun, building cool stuff in Minecraft, and revisiting old favorites on my PS2 like Bully and GTA SA, I love the thrill of parachuting into diverse terrains, scavenging for supplies, and outsmarting opponents, so I’m into PUBG as well.

Youtuber.

I really enjoy watching MiawAug, Windah Basudara, Milyhya, Garit Dewana, EJGaming, itssandwich, and Pupuww— they’re some of my favorite content creators.

Subsection IV.

DNI if you: homophobic, racist, hate my faves, do hate speech, and soon to be new owner.

[analytiic]

               ϟ  ──  was  that  ALEYNA  MACMILLAN  around  the  leaky  cauldron  ?  SHE  disapparated  before  i  could  approach  them  !  what  a  pity,  for  they  are  ASTUTE  and  INVENTIVE  ,  but  maybe  it's  best  to  keep  my  distance  because  they  are  also  PASSIVE  and  CUNNING  .  i  remember  that  they  were  a  RAVENCLAW  back  in  school  but  have  since  made  a  name  for  themselves  as  a  CLERK  IN  THE  WIZENGAMOT  ADMINISTRATION  SERVICES  .  if  this  alleged  war  came  knocking  on  their  door,  it  is  supposed  that  they  would  REMAIN  NEUTRAL  .  (  cis  woman  &  she  or  her  /  yasemin  yazici   /  twenty  four  /  pureblood  )  .

               ──  application  .  statistics  .  pinterest  .  playlist  .  wanted  connections  tag  .

hello  everyone  !  it’s  so  great  to  be  here  with  all  of  you  .  i’m  jc  ,  i’m  21  years  old  and  i  use  she  /  her  pronouns  .  below  is  a  concise  summary  of  the  little  bastard  known  as  aleyna  nazli  evren  macmillan  .  her  friends  call  her  lanie  (   or  at  least  they  would  if  she  had  any  friends  )  .

born  into  one  of  the  sacred  28  families  ,  aleyna  initially  considered  herself  one  of  the  lucky  ones  growing  up  ──  she  had  the  privilege  of  being  a  pureblood  &  her  family's  status  and  old  money  meant  that  she  got  to  grow  up  spending  some  seasons  in  their  estate  in  the  scottish  highlands  and  others  ,  in  a  townhouse  in  istanbul  ,  turkey  .  she  was  still  a  baby  when  she  first  demonstrated  the  ability  to  use  magic  .

at  ten  years  old  ,  after  a  decade  of  lessons  to  mold  her  into  a  proper  macmillan  lady  ,  aleyna  became  aware  of  how  dull  her  life  really  was  .  she  was  moving  aimlessly  from  one  point  to  the  next  without  even  questioning  her  own  footsteps  .  while  still  being  careful  to  meet  her  parents’  expectations  ,  this  is  when  her  wit  started  to  develop  quicker  ──  her  nature  growing  more  inquisitive  ,  and  secretly  ,  less  complacent  .  but  only  in  the  privacy  of  her  own  mind  .  aleyna  never  spoke  a  word  about  her  observations  on  her  present  &  future  .

 she  got  her  letter  to  hogwarts  less  than  a  year  later  ,  and  her  time  at  school  brought  about  a  period  of  relative  liberty  that  at  last  gave  aleyna  some  excitement  .  her  daily  movements  were  not  planned  out  ,  she  stuck  to  no  set  routine  ,  and  everything  became  so  much  less  dreary  .  for  once  ,  she  thought  about  a  prospective  future  where  she  made  her  own  decisions  and  strayed  from  the  path  traced  by  her  parents  .  she  joined  the  charms  and  slug  clubs  ,  yet  it  was  in  the  dueling  club  where  aleyna  truly  found  herself  excelling  .  she  became  president  of  the  club  ,  and  additionally  became  a  prefect  for  ravenclaw  .

however  ,  it  was  during  her  time  at  hogwarts  where  others  got  to  meet  a  very  real  aleyna  ──  not  only  with  her  virtues  ,  but  also  with  her  flaws  .  behind  the  introspective  charm  and  brilliance  hid  a  girl  that  was  complacent  ,  reticent  ,  stuck  in  her  old  lack  of  decisiveness  &  far  too  cautious  to  take  greater  risks  .  she  remained  impartial  in  the  face  of  conflict  because  she  refused  to  take  sides  in  fear  of  losing  ,  and  bowed  her  head  rather  than  standing  up  for  herself  .

all  of  this  is  why  after  hogwarts  she  would  go  on  to  become  a  clerk  at  the  wizengamot's  administrative  offices  .  it  was  her  mother’s  drive  that  let  aleyna  pursue  a  true  occupation  within  the  ministry  of  magic  ──  being  a  clerk  ,  however  ,  was  chosen  for  aleyna  .  she  did  not  choose  this  for  herself  ,  nor  did  she  put  up  a  fight  at  any  moment  .  aleyna  remained  quiet  in  the  face  of  a  decision  that  brought  her  into  the  same  floor  that  she'd  longed  to  be  in  for  years  ──  except  she's  a  mere  clerk  ,  and  not  an  auror  .

now  ,  in  the  face  of  brewing  conflict  ,  aleyna  stifles  the  opinions  that  she  longs  to  consider  .  she  finds  her  heart  leading  towards  one  side  ,  yet  she  is  far  too  rational  to  listen  and  too  cautious  to  even  consider  the  prospect  of  taking  a  side  this  early  on  .  no  ,  aleyna  sees  herself  remaining  neutral  ──  playing  it  safe  until  things  change  .  and  ,  deep  down  ,  she  knows  they  may  .

[amy-issen]

ok so here it is!! i spent the last week solely making and listening to this playlist like i was POSSESED because this ship is lovely and deserved a nice playlist!  if anyone wants to know why i picked each song, i’m going to ramble about it extensively in the read more, so check that out if you want! hope you enjoy it! also thanks again to @birbwell​ for letting me use her art for the cover!

i divided this playlist in a few sections so let’s start with the first one (section one: first meeting/pining) i. in the rain - joe hisaishi i wanted to start with a short instrumental track to set the mood, and i looooove howl’s moving castle score, so i had to pick this one! the fact that it has rain in the title also helps to reference how their relationship began! ii. with every breath i take - frank sinatra “every breath that I take is a prayer that i’ll make you mine” my sister is a big sinatra/jazz fan (and also a yakuza fan) so she helped me with picking a few of the songs here! this one is very romantic, elegant and beautiful and i thought it fit the mood (and it’s what i think tachibana listens to in his free time lmao).

iii. gold rush - taylor swift “what must it be like to grow up that beautiful? with your hair falling into place like dominoes my mind turns your life into folklore i can't dare to dream about you anymore” this one is my FAVORITE song on this playlist, and one of the first i picked because this song just fits them like a glove. it’s basically pining 101, and i love that what taylor said this song is about “daydreaming about someone then snapping out of it.” i feel like the first part could be from tachibana’s perspective and the second one from kiryu’s (also giving a bit of a glimpse into the future, with the mention of a coastal town they’ll never find together) iv. first love/late spring - mitski “so please, hurry, leave me, i can't breathe please don't say you love me mune ga hachikire-sōde (my heart seems like it’s going to burst)” this one was another song i picked very early on because i love mitski, and i needed to include her here. i just wanted something to symbolize the trust that tachibana and kiryu have to share to work together, and the feelings that emerge from it, if that makes any sense. i don’t think this has a specific perspective, because i feel like this could work from both kiryu’s and tachibana’s (mostly kiryu though) v. real estate - adam melchor “every time I wonder how i'd carry on without you i'm runnin' out of real estate tryna make all the right moves i don't wanna hesitate i would bet the house on you “ do you UNDERSTAND how satisfying it was to find a song named real estate for them?? come ooon. ok that’s not all of my reasoning for it but it’s like. most of it, lmao another song i felt was about trust and feelings. (also a bit of a glimpse into the future, because i’m sad) vi. i get a kick out of you - ella fitzgerald “i get no kick from champagne mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all so tell me why should it be true that i get a kick out of you?” another one my sister recommended. i originally was gonna go with sinatra’s version of this, but i love this one and it just wouldn’t leave my brain. again, one from mostly tachibana’s perspective, get this man to sing this on karaoke night right now. vii. like real people do - hozier  “i will not ask you where you came from i would not ask and neither would you honey, just put your sweet lips on my lips we could just kiss like real people do” this is one of my all time favorites from hozier and, again, it just fit perfectly. tachibana and kiryu have both lived some very... troubled lives so far, and while they’re depending on this trust they have in eachother, none of them really care to know about what they’ve done or who they are. this is mostly from kiryu’s perspective, specially with this metaphor of being rescued/dug up from the earth with the whole being found in the rain and saved by tachibana and his poor driving skills. viii. delicate - taylor swift “this ain't for the best my reputation's never been worse, so you must like me for me... we can't make any promises now, can we, babe? but you can make me a drink” y’all are going to have to forgive me for picking TWO taylor swift songs but COME OOOON this is another one that i picked early on because i could draw so many parallels between the lyrics and things that they both said in that car scene on chapter 9 (mostly tachibana though) and i kept harassing my sister with screenshots to prove my point and i’m gonna do it again

ANYWAYS i’ve made my case, and now we enter the second section of the playlist at last ( section 2: actual romantic/fluffy songs because this is a ship playlist) i. good old-fashioned lover boy - queen “dining at the ritz we'll meet at nine (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 o'clock) precisely i will pay the bill, you taste the wine driving back in style in my saloon will do quite nicely just take me back to yours that will be fine” is this a bit of a cliché? yes. did i want to include it because it’s very cute and i’d like to imagine kiryu and tachibana having a nice date night with no people trying to kill them all the time? also yes. i love this song.

ii. stay with me/mayonaka no door - miki matsuraba “you in your gray jacket with that oh-so-familiar coffee stain just as you always are the two of us reflect in the window display stay with me knocking on midnight's door i beg you not to go home tonight” (translated lyrics) is anyone not obsessed with this song lately? this is the only song here i’m blaming tiktok for making me listen to it lol. in any way, this song is deceptive because it sounds really happy but is actually quite melancholic. i thought it fit their relationship well, and it seemed like a good addition to the playlist with it’s 80′s city pop vibes.

iii. on melancholy hill - gorillaz (covered by matt forbes) “just looking out on the day of another dream where you can't get what you want, but you can get me so let's set out to sea, love 'cause you are my medicine when you're close to me" this is a gorillaz song but i went with this cover because it fit the feeling of the playlist a little better. another song that i just love very deeply and i thought fit the sentiment of kiryu being like “hey i know we have Big problems and you’re very sad in the moment but i’m here for you” iv. (i love you) for sentimental reasons - nat king cole "i think of you every morning dream of you every night darling, i'm never lonely whenever you are in sight" surprisingly, not one that my sister recommended, but one i found for myself while looking for quiet  romantic songs. i feel like this is tachibana's reply to kiryu being there for him and helping him. plus, idk i just wanted to imagine them slow dancing to this. v. positions - ariana grande (covered by travis atreo) "perfect, perfect you're too good to be true but I get tired of runnin', fuck it now, i’m runnin' with you" i picked this cover because i felt like using ariana's one would be a little goofy for this section lmao, but i really like this song and how it's about commitment and doing everything to make a relationship work. i just wanted to throw some sexy vibes before this playlist delved into depressing stuff. also if you telling me tachibana wouldn't absolute body a tiktok set to this song you're lying to yourself. (section 3: oh no this is getting sad) i. forever - labrinth "i'll live forever" i love everything labrinth makes, the euphoria soundtrack lives in my mind rent free and this is my favorite one. this barely has any lyrics so, again, mostly a track i picked for its intrumentals and feeling overall. mostly preparing you for the sad stuff ahead. ii. hong kong - gorillaz "you swallow me i'm a pill on your tongue here on the nineteenth floor the neon lights make me calm" this is my favorite gorillaz song, by FAR, and i think it's introspective vibe really fits tachibana's character. not really a song about relationship but i really wanted to include it because it's just such a GORGEOUS song. iii. fragments - severon another instrumental track! this one i stole from a playlist my sister made for a fic i wrote last year. again. sad vibes. iv. sign of the times - harry styles (covered by LANY) "remember everything will be alright we can meet again somewhere somewhere far away from here" i loved the synth-y vibe this cover had, while still keeping this song's sad "our lives are dangerous and i'm about to die" vibes. i mostly wanted to evoke the vibe from the scene where tachibana agrees to go with lao gui after kiryu gets shot. just really sad all around. v. so close - jon mclaughlin "we're so close to reaching that famous happy end almost believing this one's not pretend let's go on dreaming though we know we are so close, so close, and still so far" me? picking a song from disney's enchanted??? for a playlist??? it's more likely than you think. idk this song just gives me that vibe of being so close to being happy and together, almost reminiscing and wondering what could have been. but it just... won't happen. vi. as the world caves in - matt maltese "yes, it's you i welcome death with as the world, as the world caves in" oops, yes, i had to go there. just couldn't resist including this song, and i feel like it's really self-explanatory. vii. places we won't walk - bruno major "neon lights shine bold and bright buildings grow to dizzy heights people come alive at night in places we won't walk" again, i feel like this song speaks for itself. a bit of a meditation on kiryu's perspective on things that could have happened, things they would have done, that kiryu will just have to do alone from now on. viii. carry me out - mitski "i drive when it rains at night, when it rains, i drive and the headlight spirits they lead me down the styx so black it shines and carry me out carry me out"

possibly the saddest and the most powerful song in this playlist, because i just had to put a mitski song again. the image of kiryu carrying tachibana's body is just constantly in my mind when i listen to this, but i could also see this song being from the perspective of tachibana's spirit. ix. arms tonite - mother mother "i died in your arms tonight i slipped through into the afterlife it was nice" lmao this felt a bit like a cruel joke to include, but i didn't want this playlist to end TOO depressingly. it's a nod to tachibana dying in kiryu's arms, sure, but also it's romantic and possibly a little hopeful (tachibana lives au!!! orpheus and eurydice au!!! fuck it, idk!!)  xi. everybody wants to rule the world - tears for fears "there's a room where the light won't find you holding hands while the walls come tumbling down when they do, i'll be right behind you so glad we've almost made it so sad they had to fade it everybody wants to rule the world" not a recommendation from my sister, but it is her favorite song, and she was happy that i included it. another 80's bop with sad lyrics! i feel like this is a lovely summary of their story together and it feels like a nice little bow to wrap up the playlist.  i hope you enjoyed my long ass explanations! i might add songs later (or make an entire second playlist altogether for the fic i'm writing rn, but let's not get ahead of ourselves)

[jensungf]

I saw this and want to ask you too because you are a cutie pie, assign your mutuals a member from nct dream!!

oh my gosh THANK YOU anonnie!! i’ve been dying to do this actually hehe i thought no one would ever ask <33 thank u ur a cutie pie as well

disclaimer: i literally have SO many moots so if i dont do u please dont take any offense! i’m trying to do ppl i talk to a lot bc its a lot easier since i have a better grasp on ur personality but if ur a moot and u want me to assign you a member from dream lmk <33 also if mine is inaccurate im so sorry I SUCK at this and im struggling so much hhhhh

@markeussi​​ / anie: my precious loml anie i think u remind me a lot like jaemin or sometimes jisung bc ur very caring and precious <3 like u notice peoples feelings and do ur best to take care of them! ur very warm and affectionate and u have an effect on everyone honestly and so much love to give,, and a bit of jisung bc i feel like u have a lot of thoughts about the world but even so u know how to have fun and joke around but ur very hardworking and would do anything for others <3

@neostains / mary: ok so i def think of mary as jeno bc she looks super intimidating at first and jsjsj for the longest time i was scared to talk to her and even when i did was like ((am i annoying)) but shes actually super sweet and thoughtful and she has bad-ass vibes bc she has confidence in herself that i rly admire bc she takes no bs even tho deep down shes lowkey a softie as well <3 

@j-woosderland / amanda: amanda gives me renjun vibes fo sho!! and jeno too haha i alr told her this before but its bc she is so good with words and she knows what to say without sugarcoating it and shes honest yet kindhearted. shes hardworking but also shes the person to prefer to stand and laugh w her friend and just be a comforting figure in the back who everyone can trust and rely on <3 overall tho i see her as renjun

@nanasarea / nana: oh my gosh not to be cliche but nana is literally like a second nana/jaemin bc shes super caring and kind and affectionate and i honestly see her as a motherly figure whos always looking out for everyone and she has a heart of gold!! shes super easy to talk to but also they allegedly both share the same brain cell when it comes to the concept of time and math hehe

@lideria / dilara: honestly i think that dilara gives off jeno vibes bc i see her as a comforting figure who i can always turn to if i have worries and also a bit of jisung bc shes very introspective and mature. also i believe that once she opens up and becomes comfortable with a person which might not be very easy, if she truts you then she’ll be so much more open and expressive and free (like jeno’s trustworthiness + jisung’s initial reserved nature but openness)

@sichengsgf / lanie: honestly lanie reminds me a bit of chenle who brings up the mood whenever she’s around and she has so much appreciation for everything in her life not to mention shes very sweet and just kind of a bright person who despite all the things that might happen remains positive about so much in her life and i rly appreciate her updatesor just hearing about her day cus its relaxing and i feel like chenle isnt the most talkative either but lanie can do both cus theyre both people ppl lol 

@gohyuck / raya: hmm honestly i kinda struggled with this for a bit but i believe that raya is super chill and laidback and she likes to go with the flow like chenle! shes an extrovert but not always SUPER talkative but she loves to help bring ppl out of their shell cus shes always vibing hahah and also her strong moral compass leads me to mark haha hes very hardworking and he does whats best bc he knows how to be a leader but also a teammate and he knows how to let loose

@glossyjaems / louna: i think louna is a lot like hyuck bc shes the type of person to be very expressive with the ppl she cares about and is comfortable with but i feel like in the nicest way possible she needs attention!! and she deserves all the attention in the world <33 she loves bringing ppl tgt (aka w the discord server) and while shes talented she holds herself up to high standards like hyuck lol 

@heyy-sicheng / kara: oh my gosh my lovely beb i see her a lot as chenle bc shes very bright and sweet and adorable and i love her a lot like i bet if i heard her laugh the whole world would light up and if we met chaotic energy everywhere and screams in the street but also she has a kind of energy where i feel like shes not the most talkative but she has a way w supporting and uplifting the ppl around her to make them feel loved and comfortable and shes so humble!! shes very successful w 1k followers but she is so so humble about her achievements

im kinda super tired so i didnt do anyone else ;-----; but if any of my moots r curious just send me a msg in my inbox and ill be more than happy to match u w a dreamie!!! <333333 

[withoutanaestheticc]

tagged by the lovely @landofnorris , thank you 💕

Rules: You can usually tell a lot about a person by the type of music they listen to! Put your favorite playlist on shuffle and list the first 10 songs, then tag 10 people. No skipping!

1. Crime Poetry - Young MA

2. Introspection - UMI

3. Better Love - Hozier

4. Dinner & Diatribes - Hozier

5. Sinner’s Prayer - Lady Gaga

6. Hurt Feelings - Mac Miller

7. FEAR - Kendrick Lamar

8. Hopelessly Hopeful - Asking Alexandria

9. Super Far - LANY

10. Honest - Shawn Mendes

tagging @ricciardosea @itsjustnotmilk @dicciardo @volimborris @perantonis @mountmason 

[nyxetoile]

State of the Fic Feb 202

Currently Posting:

Live My Life As It's Meant to Be - Clint/Nat/Laura Poly fic in the Brush With the Devil series. Nine chapters, posting 1-2 times a week.

Current WiPs:

Untitled Stand Alone Loki/Syn fic - Based on a prompt from diggerkaren on Tumblr. Post-Endgame 2012 Loki runs into original timeline Syn mourning her Loki. A galactic road trip and a lot of introspection ensue. Includes a Boe/Colm wedding. About 25K words in, should finish this month.

Series Statuses:

Brush with the Devil: Active

We have two WiPs for this series, a Steve/Sharon and a Bruce/Violet. Both are begun but Steve/Sharon's has more plotted out. We also hope to do a Sam/Lani story for this universe, but are waiting for the Falcon and Winter Soldier show to launch to get some plot ideas.

Tales Through the Looking Glass: Active

Currently working on a multi-POV story about the team taking down Hydra (basically the events  of CA: Winter Soldier). Currently stuck on some plotting issues, but very excited about this series and want to continue.

Tales from the Tower: Legacy: Active

Currently have AJ and Annie Bennet's stories mostly done/plotted, just need to finish them. Have begun Joey Rogers and Judith Taschengreggor's stories but are stuck on plotting issues and/or distracted by other stuff.

Have Gun, Will Travel: Active-ish

We're pecking away at a MJ/Peter story in the Western universe, with bonus Kate/Wyatt. Not much past the first couple chapters and some general plot points. But we like this universe a lot so hopefully we'll return to it soon. We’re also working on a file of ficlets or untold stories for some of the couples that didn’t get the spotlight in the bigger stories.

Tales from the Tower: Next Generation: On Hiatus

While we love these guys, a lot of other things had caught out attention away from this series. It's possible some of the new Marvel content will make us want to come back here, but for now, you shouldn't be expecting more from this series.

Back Burner Stuff:

We have a collection of AUs that we occasionally peck at, including a sci-fi/space one and a Regency/Napoleanic Wars series. We have to be in the right mood for those, though, so I don't include them in the main WiPs stats.

If there's anything specific you're curious about, feel free to ask, I'm trying to keep up with asked when I can. Also, we are always open to ideas or prompts. Can't promise to use them, but will credit when we do.

[dreamsinmytotebag]

Personal favorites- poets and artists

Personal favourites- poets and artists

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s.

Some of his famous works include, “A Fragment”, “The Ballad of Reading Gaol”, and more.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her biographical songwriting, artistic reinventions, and cultural impact, Swift is a leading figure in popular music and the subject of widespread public interest.

Some of her famous works include, “folklore”, “The Tortured Poets Department”, and more.

Lana Del Rey

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer and songwriter. Her music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, with frequent references to pop culture and 1950s–1970s Americana.

Some of her famous works include, “Violet Bent Backwards Over Grass” “Norman Fucking Rockwell”, and more.

LORDE

Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, known professionally as Lorde, is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. She is known for her unconventional style of pop music and introspective songwriting. Lorde expressed interest in performing at local venues in her early teens.

Some of her famous works include, “Melodrama” “Pure Heroine”, and more.

Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. She is credited with advancing the genre of confessional poetry and is best known for The Colossus and Other Poems, Ariel, and The Bell Jar, a semi-autobiographical novel published shortly before her suicide in 1963.

Robert Frost

Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New England in the early 20th century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes.

Some of his famous works include: “The Road Not Taken”, “Fire and Ice”, and more.

Viginia Woolf

Adeline Virginia Woolf was an English writer. She is considered one of the most important modernist 20th-century authors. She pioneered the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device. Woolf was born into an affluent household in South Kensington, London.

[onestowatch]

Postcard Boy Explores His Love/Hate Relationship With Art in “Dazed” [Premiere]

Photo: Charlie Alexander

Life is naturally made up of highs and lows, but, arguably, nowhere is this innate duality explore more so than in art. The faulty idea of the pained artist. Seminal masterpieces made from explosions of passion and their ensuing heartbreak. The same holds true in music, where artists routinely let themselves bleed onto the record for the world to peruse, dissect, and ultimately find a sense of unique, shared comfort.

Postcard Boy explores his own tumultuous relationship with art and music in his latest single, “Dazed.” Postcard Boy is the project of Garrett Seamans, whose roots lie in film and photography, where, under the alias of phylm, he shot subjects including Gus Dapperton, Emma Chamberlain, and LANY. Wherein phylm sought to capture the world around him, Postcard Boy sees the San Diego native turning his lens inward.

The lead single from Postcard Boy’s forthcoming EP, Limbo, “Dazed” is a largely introspective affair. Against an array of modulated, layered vocals and melancholic acoustic guitar chord progressions, we bear witness to the San Diego native battling with his love/hate relationship with music and art. It is a swell of emotional turmoil that is difficult not to immediately get swept up in, in part thanks to its dreamlike soundscape.

From Postcard Boy’s Ryan Beatty-evoking vocal register to the sudden explosion of a growling electric guitar, which appears to exist just beyond the haze, “Dazed” moves forward at its own pace. It urges you to fall in step with its sauntering self-analysis and euphoric vulnerability. Postcard Boy spoke further on the underlying inspiration behind “Dazed,” sharing,

"I had just come off the release of my Scrapbook EP and was having lots of highs and lows associated with music. I decided to write this song about my love/hate relationships with art itself. Though sometimes it brings out the worst in me, it keeps me coming back and sometimes art the only thing in the world that can bring me joy. This slowly expanded into me realizing how many relationships in my life possess this duality, even the best of them. Now, I have a full track dedicated to this realization."

“Dazed” is sudden clarity given transfixing sonic form.

Listen to “Dazed” and check out its accompanying music video below:

[fearsmagazine]

WOE - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Gravitas Ventures and Kamikaze Dogfight

SYNOPSIS: A year after their father’s death, Charlie endlessly repairs the old family house while his sister, Betty, decides to sell their father’s car without her brother’s consent/ It is the same car their father committed suicide in. As the two avoid confronting their prolonged grief, mental health, and each other, a hunchbacked creature shadows them. Their estranged Uncle Pete, believed to be dead, claims to have answers. If only Charlie and Betty would get out of their own heads and accept help

REVIEW: WOE is the feature directing debut of Matthew Goodhue, as well as feature screenplay debut. The film is a dark, moody, supernatural thriller about a dysfunctional family that is being stalked by this mysterious force.

The film mainly focuses on the character of Charlie. Betty is a presence, but when the film opens Charlie is the focus of this supernatural force. The film has this tone that was reminiscent of Terry Gilliam's “Tideland.” Charlie is dealing with this lingering presence of his dead father’s suicide and has entered this surreal realm that he has just surrendered too. The darkness begins to take root in his life as it begins to remove things he cares about. It’s interesting how everyone around seems to perceive this darkness hanging over him, except for his future brother-in-law, who is supposedly a park ranger. You would think that someone so close to nature might be a bit more attuned to the forces surrounding Charlie, and slowly reaching out to Betty. Goodhue crafts a compelling tale as he doesn't offer any easy answers. The viewer is constantly off balance as there is a certain amount of the plot that transcends expectations. The most energetic character in the film is Uncle Pete. He offers some insight without much clarification as to what this entity is. Maybe he is a ghost, or possibly a project of Charlie’s mind. However, during the film’s climax he flees in a car, which left me wondering what the hell was that all about? It just felt disjointed. Granted he has survived this long, but given what we are presented about this creature I don’t know if it makes any sense.

WOE has an atmospheric look and feel that adds to the engagement of the story. There are some interesting locations, the costumes are basic, and the score is minimal, but effectively used. I liked the simplicity of the dark hooded figure. It was all about how the fabric was draped over the actor. It looks like a death shroud, and there’s not much else to the character. There is a nice visual effects sequence when Charlie goes with Pete into the woods and there are these glowing red eyes in the trees. In the film’s climax there is a special effects sequence that was well executed and I think in some ways better than the results of the ark opening in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

This is an eclectic cast of characters. Adam Halferty brings this smoldering intensity to the character that feels like he is sleepwalking through this nightmare, only to go into overdrive when he comes awake and is driven to try to bring it to an end. It’s a fascinating character study. Ryan Kattner is engaging as Ben, and brings this innocence and simplicity to the role that was reminiscent of Lou Costello. Still, there are times I’m not sure if what I’m experiencing is a performance or just someone trying to act. James Russo brings an energy and intensity to the character that is a nice contrast to the rest of the cast. Jessie Rabideau is a fresh face that brings mystery and introspection to the character. You know she is connected to the family curse, yet she remains aloof to horror for the most part. She is able to convey a strength and a vulnerability, and I think the most complex performance in the film.

WOE is an interesting atmospheric tale of siblings attempting to deal with a family tragedy that stems from a curse they were not aware of. At times it seems like a contemporary take on an Edgar Allen Poe tale, at other moments it feels like a story that might have been more effective if condensed down into a short. Regardless, Matthew Goodhue delivers an smoldering narrative that is engaging, creepy, and a compelling view. I’m very interested to see what he does for his second feature.

CAST: Adam Halferty, Jessie Rabideau, Ryan Kattner and James Russo. CREW: Director/Screenplay/Editor - Matthew Goodhue; Producers - Lanie Albin, Ryan Gibson & Marco Rodriguez; Cinematographer - Michael Lincoln; Score - ; Production Designer - Elizabeth Godar; Costume Designer - Michelle Elizabeth OFFICIAL: N.A. FACEBOOK: N.A. TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/LLdkma-M_vk RELEASE DATE: On DVD and Digital June 15th, 2021

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay),  or 👎 (Dislike) Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[aaronmaurer]

Music I Liked in 2018

Every year I reflect on the pop culture I enjoyed and put it in some sort of order.

Are alternative and indie rock viable formats anymore? What do those labels mean in the year 2018? (What did they ever mean, really?) My favorite sonic moments of the year appear to be more out of step with the general populace and critical circles than ever before, and yet, I still go to a lot of concerts and seeing many of these acts live this year in sold-out venues proves that there is still an audience out there for guitar-based music. If that’s your thing (and no worries if it isn’t), give some of these records a shot.

15. Ruins / Tender Offerings EP – First Aid Kit

Sweden’s harmonic folk sister act returned at the beginning of the year with the accomplished Ruins. It may not have hit the heights of their career-best Stay Gold, but it still provides moments of sweeping beauty. However, it’s the 4-song collection of outtakes from the same sessions that cements this album cycle on my list: Tender Offerings is even more immediate and quietly affecting than its parent record.

14. Arthur Buck – Arthur Buck

Personal favorite singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur teamed up with former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck this year for a collaboration that hews more towards Arthur’s influence than Buck’s. That’s not a bad thing and this is a recent highlight of Arthur’s prodigious output. If the collaboration continues to foster such energy and inspiration, I hope it extends well into the future.

13. Malibu Nights – LANY

I’m not quite sure how to classify LANY; in my analysis they have as much in common with emo as pop music, and their synth-heavy sound doesn’t readily slot into rock formats. Regardless, I find their music easily approachable and their lyrics to cut with a similar sincerity as the likes of Jimmy Eat World. Malibu Nights is concise and consistent, two things that cannot be said of 2017’s self-titled full-length, and it is all the stronger for it.

12. Black Panther the Album – Various Artists

Black Panther the Movie was one of the highlights of the year (see my film picks coming soon) and its companion soundtrack follows suit. A mixtape curated by and featuring Kendrick Lamar, this album of original material manages to form a cohesive unit as opposed to a collection of random tracks (i.e. last decade’s Spider-Man 3 soundtrack – which I actually liked, on the whole…). Wakanda forever!

11. Love Is Dead – CHVRCHES

The third LP from Scotland’s CHVRCHES was viewed as a letdown by much of the critical community, and as someone who ranked 2015’s Every Open Eye as that year’s favorite album, I would have to agree – to a point. Love Is Dead still has plenty of fantastic arena and festival-ready anthems to its credit and I don’t blame the trio for leaning into their pop side for this one. The album is incredibly front-loaded with “Graffiti,” “Get Out” and the Matt Berninger collab “My Enemy” coming in the first third, but there are strong moments all the way through and it’s definitely one of the most enjoyable listens of the year.

10. Wildness – Snow Patrol

After a 7-year hiatus, Snow Patrol returned with Wildness and I have to admit I was initially disappointed. However, I have found that with repeated listens this record has really grown on me. The emotional transparency of Gary Lightbody’s songwriting remains intact and you can feel his authenticity on songs like “Life On Earth,” “Heal Me” and “A Youth Written In Fire.” Definitely worth spending some time with.

9. [untitled] EP / [Untitled] – mewithoutYou

Philadelphia’s post-rock luminaries made a surprise return this year with some of their best work to date. An EP arrived in August and rather than a preview of October’s full-length release (only a single song is repeated, in a different version), it functions as a compelling work in its own right and finds the band embracing their more meditative and melodic tendencies. By contrast, the LP leans a bit more into the band’s harder edge – but not completely eschewing quieter moments – without sacrificing any of the lyrical depth or deft musicianship they are known for. It feels like a creative renaissance for a group soon to enter their third decade.

8. boygenius EP – boygenius

The only negative to this stellar collaboration between singer/songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus is that it’s only six songs long. The artists are each given space to shine and when the harmonies kick in, it’s transcendent. Here’s hoping it’s not the last we hear from them as a trio.

7. Be More Kind – Frank Turner

A blazingly earnest call-to-arms for hope in the face of the current political and social landscape, Be More Kind is filled with rousing sing-alongs about decency and making a difference. “Don’t Worry,” “Little Changes,” “Brave Face” and the title track are among the most positive and affirming songs I’ve heard in recent memory, but it’s the rousing and reclaiming anthem “Make American Great Again” that marks my favorite moment on this near-perfect record.

6. Come Tomorrow – Dave Matthews Band

Old habits die hard, and even though my enthusiasm has waned since my obsessive high school & college days, I’ll still go to bat for much of Dave Matthews Band’s music. Their first studio album in 6 years is somewhat a catch-all of songs they’ve been playing live for a while but hadn’t recorded, and as such, is a bit overlong and slightly disjointed. Even so, there is a melancholic wistfulness that pervades many of the record’s highlights including “Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin),” “Virginia In the Rain” and “Come On Come On,” which rate with their best work.

5. Upside Down Flowers – Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Andrew McMahon’s latest effort is a very nostalgic look back at not just his early career in Something Corporate (“Teenage Rockstars”) but to his childhood as well (“Ohio,” “House In The Trees”). What could come across as navel-gazing or self-mythologizing instead becomes universal in its specificity and his most impactful work in years.

4. Art of Doubt – Metric

Every few years, Emily Haines and Co. grace us with an album of self-empowerment anthems, some of which make more of a personal impact than others. This year’s Art of Doubt was initially a sleeper that I find I keep returning to, discovering new layers of resonance each time. It now ranks alongside Fantasies and Synthetica in the band’s discography to me.

3. Mirror Master – Young the Giant

On their fourth record, Young the Giant deliver some of their most diverse and hooky tunes yet, including the Eastern-tinged “Superposition,” the introspectively moody “Glory” and the soaring anthem “Simplify.” While I’ve counted myself a fan of their previous work, this one coheres in a new way for me that is immensely rewarding.

2. Vide Noir – Lord Huron

Lord Huron have yet to make a misstep and their third full-length proves their most sonically wide-ranging yet. From the driving energy of “Ancient Names, Pt. I,” to the old-timey crooning of “Wait by the River” to the blown-out guitar of “The Balancer’s Eye,” a range of styles are employed. Even with these varied modes, everything hangs together to create an atmospheric quest into darkness for meaning beyond this plane.

1. Layers of Us – Mimicking Birds

There is a spacious ambience to the latest from Portland’s Mimicking Birds, on which acoustic guitars are traded for splashes of mood-setting synthesizers and lyrics pondering humanity’s place in the cosmos and impact on the planet. Despite the dread and existentialism that permeates some tracks, I find a lot of beauty and hope shimmering through the record. It is by far the album I listened to the most in 2018 and perfect for the winter months (during the Winter Olympics I found myself daydreaming alternate realities where the gorgeous and haunting “Belongings” could soundtrack a gold medal figure skating performance).

Here’s a sampling of songs from each of these records if you want an easily-digestible mix:

 Bonus! An additional mix of other singles, b-sides, covers and more from 2018 that I really like:

Double Bonus! 7 Best Live Performances I Saw in 2018: 

7. U2 – Experience + Innocence Tour at the United Center, May 22nd

The companion to 2015’s Innocence + Experience Tour shared a stage and some common songs, but for the most part was a unique experience that stood on its own. Still telling a loose story of the band’s history through the lens of their Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience albums, this arena tour centered around the newer material of the latter, which – being one of my favorite albums of 2017 – I was quite happy with. Closing the show with the same excellent two-song final sequence as that album, and a beautiful visual element that formed a bookend with the I+E Tour, was an inspired and moving choice.

6. Lord Huron – Pandora Presents The Stack at Concord Music Hall, September 20th

I was lucky to see Lord Huron twice this year during the Vide Noir tour cycle, and the second time was even better because A) it was a free event (put on by Pandora) that included free Sam Adams!, B) it was in a small venue and C) they reached all the way back to their first EP to end the night with “We Went Wild.” It took me right back to the night I was introduced to them at an intimate Lollapalooza pre-show at the Double Door in 2011, where this then-unknown band captivated me with their atmospheric percussion and guitar rhythms. They’ve yet to let go.

5. The National – Lollapalooza Aftershow at Metro, August 2nd

The National are at a point in their career where they headline festivals and play large theatres, so it’s rare to see them at a 1000-capacity venue like Chicago’s Metro anymore. Fortunately, the concert hall often hosts huge bands on Lollapalooza weekend for late night “aftershows” (which are always nearly impossible to get into) and I somehow scored tickets to the National’s performance there the night before they headlined the fest. It was great to see the band tear through a setlist spanning their whole career that was significantly different from what they did the following evening. The finale of an acoustic “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks” – at around 2am – was a beautiful communal moment.

4. Beck – Riot Fest, September 15th

I’ve seen Beck a few times over the years and I think his current setlist might be his best ever, a great mix of all his musical permutations (though missing any songs from Mutations…). Latest record Colors was one of my favorites of 2017 and that material was fantastic live alongside classics like “New Pollution,” “Loser” and “Girl.” The stage and lighting design were a lot of fun as well and provided a visually engaging and exciting backdrop. While the festival setting meant a truncated show, I won’t hesitate to catch him again whenever he returns to town.

3. Mew – Frengers 15th Anniversary Tour at Brooklyn Steel, October 14th

Mew are a Danish indie/prog rock/dream pop band that have a number of great albums to their credit. One of my favorites is Frengers, which I didn’t actually discover until a few years after it was released in 2003. Imagine my good fortune to discover one of the few US dates on its anniversary tour happened to coincide with my trip to New York this fall. Hearing the record performed in its entirety, from the opening guitar+drum salvo of “Am I Wry? No” to the final soaring cacophony of “Comforting Sounds” was a moment out of time in the best possible way.

2. boygenius – Thalia Hall, November 13th

A truly transcendent night of music that began with each of the collaborators – Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker – playing her own masterful set, then all coming together for a finale of their entire EP. The vocal control evident in the contrast between the raw power unleashed on “Stay Down” and the restraint on the acoustic and un-miked closer “Ketchum, ID” proved these ladies really can do anything.

1. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight 10th Anniversary Tour at Thalia Hall, February 16th

This is incredibly bittersweet, in light of frontman Scott Hutchison’s death in May. Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit played two nights in Chicago during a brief album anniversary tour, hosting what turned into an audience sing-along of Midnight Organ Fight in its entirety along with a mix of other favorites including “Holy,” “The Woodpile” and “The Oil Slick.” Losing such an honest and powerful voice this year hurt a lot. I’m so thankful I had one last evening of catharsis with him.