having moots is nice cause wow were following each other neat but it’s also weird cause are we friends?? can i act like a friend with you?? or are we just following each other on accident and i shouldn’t get too comfortable???
It now seems clear that Face and Muse were recorded in parallel, overlapping and intertwining. It's a situation which creates a thread of connection between the two albums.
It's largely the same production team as FACE with Jimin again participating in writing most of the tracks on the album. He has also turned his hand to producing on Rebirth and Interlude: Showtime.
Track 1: Rebirth
The first track seems connected to and leading on naturally from Set Me Free Part 2. Thinking back to the end of the MV where Jimin's clothes change from black to white, from leather to softer materials and his gaze is at last peaceful and penetrating, it all seeks to communicate release, reemergence and renewal.
Rebirth therefore is the moment beyond, when Jimin determines to embrace life and love again. It could be a declaration of intent to start telling the story of Muse.
Track 2: Interlude: Showtime
Which would make Showtime, the first step to embracing that new found freedom. It's an Interlude sure, but I keep getting a very theatrical image in my head, very bold, very Cabaret (if you're in London, I recommend you see the show).
Track 3: Smeraldo Garden Marching Band (feat. Loco)
We will get to hear Smeraldo Garden Marching Band in less than a week (aggggghhhhhhhh i'm not ready ......but at the same time so so ready). The track description says it "draws inspiration from a marching band, blending hip-hop elements with the big band sound characterized by a large-scale orchestra, creating an upbeat, lively rhythm and dynamic atmosphere." This gives me a stepping up, stepping out kind of feel.
Given the focus on The Beatles and St Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band during Face era and the involvement of Nick Lee in Set Me Free Part 2, I'm expecting more big brass and a full sound which Jimin seems to be drawn to - brass and choirs all the way baby.
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I'd also expect to see some choreography here something like On but that might be asking too much.
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South Korean rapper Loco is the featured artist. Looking through his back catalogue one of his most successful songs featured RM's long time collaborator Colde. It'll be interesting to see how their voices and styles combine here.
Track 4: Slow Dance (feat. Sofia Carson)
With Slow Dance, the seduction really begins. Arcades are Matt Thomson and Max Lynedoch Graham, a British electronic music production duo who we saw in the studio with Jimin in 2022 along with Gabriel Brandes and Alex Karlsson. Now we know what they were doing there.
Also involved in this one is Like Crazy co-writer BLVSH. Oh yes this bodes very well for this track.
So we're thinking EDM, maybe with a Latin feel. Sofia Carson has a unique voice which I think will pair well with Jimin and she has also been known to sing in Spanish and we know after SoWooZoo that Jimin is not adverse to that.
Track 5: Be Mine
Be Mine is still a bit of a mystery to me, given its placement on the album it would suggest that Jimin has found the objective of his affections and wants to solidify the attraction into something more. Will it be a ballad? The production is giving no clues and I haven't seen any credits yet. However, some eagle eyes on TwiX spotted a Be Mine reference from ID: Chaos.
Track 6: Who
This is the main track and the production team includes Jon Beillon who worked on last year's summer smash Seven so we can expect some focus on elements for commercial success.
There are more echos of ID:Chaos with he colour scheme for Who matching that from the Freedom shoot. It would be nice to think that Who reflects that particular sentiment i.e. this is who I am and knowing this has set me free to live and love as I choose.
Track 7: Closer Than This
We round out with Closer Than This which given its position on the album and the way it was previously released solidifies the message, this is me until we meet again. Our love is strong enough to weather the storm of this enforced separation. It is a message for the fans but also for the BTS members.
HURT/COMFORT (as long as it's Ladynoir)I have several other favs, like aus are WOW (dance aus, @buggachat's bakery au, spies aus) but hurt/comfort never gets old!!
Make it DOUBLE AMAZING when they're adults and there's angst hurt/comfort W. O. W.
6. What’s your favorite episode, your go-to to watch?
Eum....... I'm REALLY indecisive. But I could rewatch Glaciator over and over again and wouldn't mind. Or sandboy (ladynoir moments). Or literally any episode where there's a bunch of Ladynoir moments. Or maybe just one but a significant one that would make me wanna watch the episode. (you probably couldn't tell but I stan Ladynoir)]
I mostly rewatch specific scenes more than an entire episode, actually!
7. Who’s your favorite Kwami?
Either Plagg or Trixx (or idk Tikki??). They're just really fun!!! And Tikki is quite helpful but idk ("Eum....... I'm REALLY indecisive.")
11. Out of all the side-characters, who do you like best?
Alya/Rena Rouge or Alix. (nino is amazing too but not my fav)
15. If two characters were to swap bodies for a day, who would you like it to be?
LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR BUT with no identity reveal. Like, they just don't detransform for a day (that could work, right??)
ORRRRRR PLAGG AND TIKKI!!!! I absolutely LOVE Plikki/Plagg & Marinette interactions/Tikki and Adrien interactions!!!
Just imagine it: Marinette is stuck with Plagg in the body of Tikki (and... idk maybe gets to know Cat more thanks to that?? Plus I would love to see them together) and Adrien with Tikki as Plagg and he tries to get to know his lady more and Tikki is just hoping Plagg doesn't destroy anything-
OKAY THIS IS AN AMAZING FIC IDEA BUT I KNOW THAT IF I START IT I WON'T FINISH IT AGGGGGHHHHHHHH
19. What songs do you associate with a certain character?
Can't blame a girl for trying / Nervous / jealousy, jealousy / brutal (?) for Marinette
20. What do you really want to see in season 4?
LADYNOIR ANGST WITH HAPPY ENDING AND HOPEFULLY ROMANTIC-