#Discography Overview

[thatscarletflycatcher]

So you have heard Rick Astley was the unexpected sensation at Glastonbury this year...

and you'd like to get a taster of his music, but you don't know where to start, because you are only/mostly familiar with Never Gonna Give You Up?

This post is for you!

I'll give you a quick overview of his discography, and a recommendation of what I think are the best tracks of each album and why. Aggregated playlist at the bottom of the post.

Whenever You Need Somebody (1987)

This was Rick's debut album, and the one that included Never Gonna Give You Up. If you have heard the piece of trivia that says "if you drop the pitch Kylie Minogue's I Should Be So Lucky, it will sound like Rick Astley"... there's a very easy explanation for that: both were composed by Stock Aitken Waterman, a trio of music producers that wrote several of the most well known eurobeat hits of the late 80s and early 90s (i.e. You Spin Me Like a Record), based on the principles of... well, being very generic and catchy. Half of the tracks of this album were written by them.

Thematically the album is strangely obsessed with cheating, cheating women, and being in love with cheating women, and being heartbroken over them. I don't know what to tell you, sometimes I forget how common this was around that time for the romantic ballad outside of the US (?)

Anyways, of the 10 tracks of the original album, the best (and also most Never Gonna Give You Up-like) are Together Forever, Don't Say Goodbye, and Whenever You Need Somebody.

The album closes with a cover of When I Fall in Love, that to me feels very out of place. Perhaps it was one thing Rick himself was dead set on singing?

This album had a 15th anniversary expanded remaster in 2010, including 3 ""old-new"" songs and 4 remixes (one of them is an extended version of NGGYU). I'll Never Set You Free is remarkable for being one of the creepiest songs this side of Every Breath You Take.

The 2022 remaster:

This one includes one "old-new" track that is a severe earworm, My Arms Keep Missing You (it does deserve the THREE remixes it gets in this album), several remixes of other songs, three instrumentals, AND, most notably for me, three "reimaginings" of NGGYU, Together Forever, and Whenever You Need Somebody as slow piano ballads, very very worth listening if you are into that sort of thing (these were first released in the compilation album The Best of Me (2019)).

It also includes a new version of When I Fall in Love, that really highlights Rick's growth as a singer and an artist, very worth comparing the 1987 to the 2022 one.

The remixes and "old-new" tracks in these anniversary editions come from compilation albums Rick Astley - 12" Collection (1989) and Dance Mixes (1990).

2. Hold Me In Your Arms (1988)

If you liked Whenever You Need Somebody (1987), then Hold Me In Your Arms (1988) is just the thing for you, because it's more of the same, but louder, catchier, and now with less cheating obsession! This time it's 3 out of the 10 songs that are SAW written, one is a cover of The Temptations' Ain't Too Proud To Beg, and the remaining 6 are all by Rick himself, but the tone doesn't shift that much between them.

The first half of the album is non-stop top danceable tunes: She Wants to Dance With Me, Take Me To Your Heart, I Don't Want To Lose Her, Giving Up On Love (big involuntary "I'm killing off Sherlock Holmes" moment for Rick, the not giving up didn't even last a year :P), and Ain't Too Proud to Beg; the second half is not as strong, but also not bad either. It definitely helps that the tracks are ordered in such a way as to slowly slow down till the beautiful sweet soft ballad that closes the album and gives it its name: Hold Me In Your Arms.

I Don't Want to Be Your Lover, the penultimate track, is the first song that feels more like what Rick writes and sings as a more mature artist.

The 2010 expanded remaster is just remixes of some of these songs, I'll Be Fine (which is, quality wise, between the rest of the tracks of the second half) and My Arms Keep Missing You, again.

The 2022 remaster includes even more remixes, reimaginings of She Wants To Dance With Me and Hold Me In Your Arms (I'm not a big fan of either, but they are interesting, as they are much more modern ballad sounding) and instrumental versions of Take Me To Your Heart and She Wants To Dance With Me.

3. Free (1991)

Almost like a pun, this is Rick's first album "free" of SAW. He even grew out his hair! (probably one of the rare cases of a guy to having gorgeous hair that somehow suits his face horribly). The tone moves away from the 80s eurobeat hit into the soul-ish + gospel-ish ballad, which seems to be more like the territory he feels comfortable in. It's a bit of an "experimental" album, in the sense that he's trying new things and new sounds, but it's all very tentative, and the unsure footing is noticeable.

Even so, Cry For Help, written and sung by him was a hit all the same, although it isn't a favorite of mine. In general it's difficult for me to pick favorites here; none of the songs stick out to me as particularly good or particularly bad. If you like slow ballads, you will probably like Cry For Help, Wonderful You, and Behind the Smile. Really Got a Problem is a first sample of a "social" song in his repertoire. Move Right Out, Never Knew Love, and The Bottom Line are more the essence of what his music evolved into later on, whereas In The Name of Love, Be With You, and This Must Be Heaven are dead on the sort of generic adult-contemporary of the early 90s.

4. Body and Soul (1993)

This album takes a more... lounge-ish turn I do not relish. You'd say, okay, but what sets Rick Astley apart from the general adult standard lounge music of whatever decade he sings in? Difficult question to answer, as all questions about vibes are. To me it is a mixture of A) cringe is dead, long live cringe B) earnest feeling C) plain, direct and sometimes quirky lyrics D) It sounds like he's having a good time singing them.

I just cannot really buy the constant "baby" and "lover" in Everytime, for example. And while none of the songs in this album are bad, most of them aren't even fun. Body and Soul and Enough Love I think are the two most interesting tracks here.

That same year, Rick got on hiatus.

5. Keep It Turned On (2001)

This comeback album is a bit of a rarity -it was released in Germany, but never in the UK (although some of its tracks made it to compilations later on), and it's therefore rare to find, which is a pity, because I think it is one of his best!

It is also one of the most early 2000s sounding things ever. It is to 2000s eurobeat and pop ballad what Whenever You Need Somebody and Hold Me In Your Arms were to 1980s eurobeat and pop ballad, so if you are into it, this whole album will be for you.

I have a particularly soft spot for Sleeping, and the way it just sounds like what a 2001-2007 summer night sounded to me; it's very nostalgic. The lyrics, just like the ones in the ballad Breathe, give heartbreak what I perceive to be a more mature tone that I like much more than the treatment it gets in previous albums.

Other highlights are the very danceable Wanna Believe You and Keep It Turned On (this last one a very pick me up song), and on the ballad front, I think Romeo Loves Juliet has the most delicate, enjoyable sound, but Full of You has better lyrics.

6. Portrait (2005)

This album is a collection of covers of classic pop standards, so there isn't much rickness to it at all, and it is to me, personally, a skip; while I usually like Rick's covers in other albums (and I think his reimaginings of the SAW songs are interesting) these are... off. I just don't think the style he picked for them suits at all.

Between this and his following album, Rick released two independent singles: Lights Out (2010) and Superman (2012) which I think are both peak Rick and worth a listen; earnest, simple feeling and catchy sound.

7. 50 (2016)

This is my favorite Rick Astley album, and it seems I'm not alone in this! It was the first album of his to be number one since his debut one. He sung AND played all instruments for it, and it really feels like a personal project, that brings the artist close to the audience.

From the very title you know you are in for something: the 50, Rick's age in 2016, is a tongue-in-cheek homage to Adele (whose albums have all been titled after her age at the time of release), that also speaks of this sense of being a middle aged artist in an industry and particularly a genre or family of genres that leans so heavily into youth and coolness.

In 50 Rick leans on instead of shying away from the fact that he's not young (In either the heartfelt "Don't fake it, I can't take it/My heart is, close to breaking/It reminds me of my youth" or the humorous "I got to thirty and you show a little wrinkle/One more big plate/Now I'm putting on weight/Skinny jeans but nobody's fooled"), cool, or detached, but that doesn't make him jaded, heavy, or self important; the songs of this album are filled with a sense of hope, gratitude, generosity, and... fun. It's a curious marriage of the lighthearted beat of the pop that made him famous, and a mature version of the soul-ish style he seems to love and that he tried first in Free. Although there isn't a single skip in this album for me, the most representative, and that have what in my opinion is the best sound, are Keep Singing, Angels On My Side, Wish Away, Pieces, I Like the Sun, Let It Rain, Let it be Tonight.

8. Beautiful Life (2018)

There's little I can say about Beautiful Life in general, other than characterize it as an echo of 50. Same ideas, same themes, same tone and sound.

The highlight tracks are: Beautiful Life, Last Night on Earth, Rise Up, and Try.

Since Beautiful Life, Rick has released a compilation album (The Best of Me, 2019), a few remixes and a couple new singles; of those singles I'd highlight Giant (a true banger), Every One Of Us, and Unwanted.

Rick's next album, Are We There Yet? releases in October this year (2023).

[midasfm]

hi idols! admin olive here with some restructuring updates. please like this post once read.

soloist psa

there have been some changes to the soloist framework that we are excited to introduce. these changes include a career overview form that will be submitted quarterly, detailing the major career plans of soloists. this includes, but is not limited to, things such as comebacks, major brand deals, acting roles, and concert tours. additionally, we are using a reserve system for soloist comebacks, which will open up “quarterly” booking periods, where soloists can submit their desired comeback date within that quarterly period. for example, in the final week of june, you can book comeback dates for july-september ahead of time. this is to create a balanced approach, and prevent overlap in comebacks. more information regarding this system will be unveiled closer to our reopening, but we believe these new forms and mechanics will help our soloists map out their career goals better and help keep the soloist comeback process seamless.

based on feedback from multiple muns, there has been some confusion surrounding the popularity of the soloists, and their global / domestic impact. to acknowledge these concerns, we have created a soloist information page, which includes the fame equivalents of real-life soloists and more information regarding fandom, marketing, and general popularity. an additional page will be created for our groups closer to reopening. to expand on this further, we have provided a small blurb with each soloist position to provide more guidance on the careers and public perceptions of your muse. this is to prevent any delays in claims in the future, and ensure consistent monthly activities for your muse.

if you have issues with the written blurb, please contact the main and we will try our very best to adjust it as long as it realistically suits the muse and the image. note: these blurbs were created based on company image, current releases, and the image section from your initial application. the fame equivalents, charting positions, and monthly listener statistics were based off the information that was initially shared in your skeleton. if, for any reason, you do have issues with the information listed, feel free to contact the admin team and we will try our best to adjust it to something we both sides are happy with.

discography changes

ANGELIX: removal of cosmic. as communicated with the muns, cosmic has been removed from angelix’s discography. cosmic will be replaced with ive’s eleven and after like. no significant changes were made to angelix’s history or image as a result of this change.

SODAPOP: removal of get a guitar. as communicated with the muns, get a guitar has been removed from sodapop’s discography. no significant changes were made to sodapop’s history or image as a result of this change.

HAUTE PINK:  haute pink, as mentioned previously, has undergone a significant amount of changes. with their new discography, their image has shifted into more of a girl crush image, with an aura of exclusivity. muns have already been notified of this change. all members will be required to resubmit their application to account for these changes.

GIRL CODE: girl code’s discography also got a makeover. with the changes to haute pink, we made adjustments to girl code’s discography and shifted girl code away from the “luxury, mysterious, elusive” image that they currently have since we think it may align too closely to haute pink’s new image. in order to avoid these groups being too similar, girl code’s image now aligns closer to their name and will be leaning more into the “girl code” concept, painting them as a bunch of “girls’ girls.” all muns have been notified of this change, and as such, muns in girl code will be required to resubmit their application.

PHAZE: as mentioned at the beginning of the restructure, phaze's discography has been changed and p1harmony has been removed. image changes and timeline changes have been mentioned below.

claims changes

there will be multiple smaller changes to our claims system to keep things balanced and transparent. as mentioned before, company image sections will be expanded on, so you get a clearer picture of what claims may or may not be approved for your muse. we are also introducing a formatting guide for claims to improve our working speed, which will also serve as an example claims page for you to reference as part of our newbie guide.

production items are receiving an overhaul, with adjusted item costs and rules. you will find these changes in detail when we’re ready to reopen. guidelines - and limits to production that will come with them - have been added for the sake of realism and fairness, and we project that they’ll only impact a small number of claims.

new tiers for viral items with adjusted costs will be implemented, to make it easier for you to work viral items into your muse’s career and build narratives around these claims. tiers will affect how much reach a viral moment might garner, since less popular idols are less likely to gain international attention than idols with a high public recognition.

a new form has been created that we ask muns fill out if they want to claim features on soloist’s discographies. features need to be run by the admin team to ensure they fit your muse’s given image and follow the restrictions their company might be placing on them. we will ask you to submit any current features your muse may have on other idol’s discographies, to ensure that we’re starting on the same page post-revamp.

we are introducing a new item category, quaternary items, for smaller claims like lower-tier viral items and partial production claims. because of this, idol tiers (the ones that determine your muse’s past career item allotment!) will be slightly adjusted. there will also be a couple new rules regarding certain items that are too specific to outline here but unlikely to affect any current muses in any significant way.

further details will be unveiled in our final update post prior to reopening. if you are worried about your idol’s career or have questions about possible or current claims and we aren’t already talking to you about this topic, we ask that you come to us after you read the new guidelines.

current roadmap: groups

MIDAS:  

as mentioned in a past update, yng will be revealed and ready for applications in time for our reopening.

narrative, timeline, and image changes to girl code have been completed, and we will follow up again with all affected muns throughout the week.

changes to phaze have been completed. these changes are relatively small: their debut has been moved to 2015 instead of 2016 and they will be focusing more on luxury brand ambassadorships as their public perception will change to a “luxury / cool” image from their initial “blue chip advertisement” image. one skeleton change was made, but that mun was individually contacted and the changes do not affect phaze as a whole. if phaze muns have specific questions regarding the debut year change or the image change, please contact the main.

changes being made to haute pink are almost complete — all muns have been messaged regarding these changes, and we’ll be in contact throughout the week as we put the finishing touches on their rewrite and do our best to include any requested changes.

NINETY9:

marionette is close to being completed, but we are awaiting responses from a few of our soloists to finalize their history and skeletons.

remedy and nymth will only be affected by minor timeline and history changes. remedy’s debut will be moved back to october 2015. this was a mistake as there were differing dates on the group’s page and the career timeline – 2015 was the intended date. nymth’s history will be impacted with the addition of marionette, affecting the relationship between nymth and marionette’s fandoms. these changes should not impact muses in any major way. we will be reaching out to nymth members with mentions of marionette in their skeleton to discuss any changes, if needed.

YDH:

daybreak will be revealed and ready for applications in time for our reopening.

the only changes being made to sodapop and angelix are the minor discographies changes that have been discussed with muns previously, and no action is required on the mun’s part. the discography changes can be found below. 

current roadmap: companies

for all three sublabels, we will be expanding on our “company image” and “company practices” sections to offer you a clearer look at each company’s restrictions, as well as the activities and behaviors that each company encourages their idols to take part in. we hope the expansion to these sections will help avoid too many conflicts with future career items, and will make it easier for our members to choose future activities for their muses. additionally, we will also be adding a section that goes over each sublabel’s “subculture,” which will hopefully make it easier to plot connections with your labelmates. all mentioned changes in regards to our three labels are close to being finalized.

MIDAS: the only company with major timeline, history, and image changes is midas music. as previously mentioned, midas music will be adopting a “YG-style” image, with a focus on a westernized, hip hop-inspired sound, as well as a more “daring” company image. there will also be a stronger “family” image promoted amongst midas music’s groups. most of the changes to midas music’s timeline occur before any of our playable groups make their debut, so these changes should not affect your muse significantly. 

NINETY9: ninety9 creative’s history will be adjusted to account for the fact that marionette is no longer a disbanded group, but these changes should not affect our current muses in any significant way. 

YDH: no changes.

current roadmap: administrative updates

REOPENING: we have not yet set a date for our reopening as we want to be sure everything is in order before selecting a date, but we do project our reopening date to be within the next two-to-three weeks. an update will be shared to the main and to the discord plotting server when we have officially set our reopening date. however, we did want to share a look at what to expect for our reopening.

PRE-RESERVE PERIOD: once we have completed the restructure, a pre-reserve period will open up. this pre-reserve period will last one week. during this period, we’ll require all current members to submit a “pre-reserve” off-anon in order to keep their current muses and their positions. if you are a soloist mun who is switching their muse to a group (or a mun switching their muse to an open position in another group), you may reserve that new position during this period. no new muses can be taken up during this pre-reserve period. more details about how the pre-reserve period will work will be shared in our final update prior to the pre-reserve period starting, but any positions that are not reserved during this period will be reopened. if you are worried that you may miss the pre-reserve period due to any plans you may have in the next 2-3 weeks, please message the admin team and we can work something out.

CLAIMS: as mentioned, there have been significant changes made to our claims guidelines and claims tiers, as well as new items and item categories being added to the claims document. there are still adjustments being made to the guidelines document, but we are considering having all members resubmit their claims to adhere to the updated tiers and guidelines. the updated tiers will include extra items for all muses, thanks to the addition of our quaternary items. in the event that we do ask all muns to resubmit their claims, all past claims will be reserved to ensure nobody loses any of their current claim items, since resubmission is only being considered in order to ensure fairness and to make it easier for all members to add on any of the new items that they are interested in. however, the admin team is still debating this and exploring all possible options. we will include our final decision and all related details in our next update post.

admin note

if you’ve read our response to yesterday’s ask, you already know the reasons why communication between us and you might sometimes be slow. we’d like to take this moment to reiterate that we are working hard on the revamp, even if not everything we do is immediately visible to you. replies to messages might still be delayed at this point - there are many aspects we are working on and many muns we’re talking to, so if you don’t get an immediate reply while we are discussing changes to your muse, please rest assured that we will loop back to you when we can. we will (of course) also get back to you if you had any other concerns or questions! what we ask for at this stage is a little patience.

we have been trying our best to accommodate all muns that are affected by the revamp or have come to us with requests or concerns for their muses, and we will continue to do so. communities like midas thrive through collaboration, and we want to work with you to ensure that your vision aligns with ours. that said: we may not be able to approve every request you make. there are certain aspects we need to prioritize in making decisions: the guidelines of the roleplay that we hold every member to - to ensure fairness across the board - and the worldbuilding and narratives - to adhere to the internal logic of the midasverse and make planned storylines possible. as much as possible, we invite and encourage you to create this little universe with us. if we reject your ideas, or we ask you to adjust your muse’s career trajectory or image, we never do so maliciously or without reason. we are very aware that this might be frustrating to you, but please allow us to work with you to come to a solution that suits all of us.

we'll share another update when we're closer to the completion of our final tasks. thank you for your continued patience and for sticking with us.

[neochan]

NCT GROUP CONCEPT - THE SLEEP CYCLE

warning: I am not making this up, this is actual facts, some is speculation, but this is a very real concept within the group and not a work of fiction.

(finished writing this back in 2020 and now it's relevant again so i'm adding to it and reposting it)

Concept Overview

The NCT members are going through sleep cycles, which are portrayed in music videos and extracurriculars. Every time they complete a ‘dream cycle’ they add more members into the group and when they complete a sleep cycle they make a new subunit. Now SM is straying away from this concept, but for the first two and half years its very evident this is happening.

Alternatively  - NCT only exists within our [fans] dreams, and each music video is a different dream. This explains the different themes in music videos, some not making sense. 

Debut

It starts with, “The synchronization of your dreams.” [SOYD] In this, the members have already fallen asleep, and the ‘synchronization’ is the members coming together to form NCT U. Lets not forget the concept of NCT U is for any members, from any sub units to come together and entertain you [consumers/fans] in your dreams. This also can work with the synchronization of each sub unit to form one whole dream, or NCT as a whole.

After this, NCT U is debuted with the hit song seventh sense. The seventh sense? Lucid dreaming - the ability to control your dreams. There’s more to this song than people realize. 

In the SOYD we have haechan vocals, but he isn’t in the final debut song seventh sense. People think this is in fact a hate crime SM committed, but it is only because he has fallen back to his own dream scape AKA NCT DREAM. 

After the SOYD and Seventh sense, NCT DREAM debuts. This is the first dreamscape, and the main one. The next section explains more on their sub units

NCT DREAM

They have a whole concept within their dreamscape which is why they get a whole section. NCT DREAM implemented a graduation system for the members, but no this isn’t to torture fans lmao. 

They debuted with the song Chewing Gum, which is very juvenile. Throughout NCT DREAMS discography you can watch their hits turn from juvenile bubble gum kpop to mature themes, most significantly turning after their song GO. 

The idea for this group was, the older the fans get the more they change. When you’re a kid you’re going to be dreaming about bubblegum, but when you’re older you’re going to be dreaming about driving with your friends etc (WE GO UP). 

Their whole concept stems from the brain patterns and dream growth in growing kids. This is why they implemented the graduation concept. The older you get the less you are to dream about kiddy stuff, and that’s their whole sub unit concept. 

NCT 127 

After NCT DREAM debuted, NCT 127 made their appearance with hit song FireTruck. Now the song means absolutely nothing to me, it’s just a bop, but the video means everything for the sleep cycle context.

In the video we are met with a young girl, and one of the first things the members do is destroy her sand castle. This symbolizes how they are one step up from dreams concept aka repping the dream patterns and growth of teenagers to young adults.  The destroying of her sandcastle has obvious connection to how when you grow up, all the kid stuff is no long relevant and your dreams (in life as well) change. 

Throughout the video we see the female protagonist grow up through her teen years and even into her working years. The concept is so plainly obvious but yet so hidden because why are they rapping about firetrucks (maybe because growing up puts out the fire, aka passion, that we have for our dreams?)

NCT DREAM LAB -> EMPATHY 2018

There are a series of videos titled NCTmentary, which fully back up my theories and show this concept in depth. This also predicts the new members that would be joining us a couple months after the first video was uploaded. 

They basically spell out that NCT is in the deepest sleep (REM CYCLE) at the moment and that anything can be possible, aka them debuting new members, or to us, the fans, creating new members in our dreamscape. 

The third episode title is Empathy, hinting at the new album that would dropping and again, hinting at new members. They debut three new members, but don’t make a big deal about them being debuted because NCT is in deep sleep right now. 

The entire series perfectly describes the entire concept and I could write an entire 60 page thesis on it and its meanings but i’m going to spare you. 

WAKEY WAKEY

So this song is them waking up, yep. The time between Empathy 2018 and this EP is nct going through their dream cycle, and then this is them and us finally waking up. A couple months before this, WAYV debuted, and I’m still not sure what their role in this concept is. Remember in the beginning where i told you that SM is straying from this concept, well WAYVs debut is the first big plot hole.  

There isnt much more to say, because this is kind of where SM dropped the sleep cycle concept, but!!!!!!!!! they ended up dropping the concept when they appointed a new company president so I think thats the reason. 

THIS IS WHERE I STOPPED WRITING LAST TIME. TIME TO CONTINUE THIS SHIT

WAYV

okay so wayvs concept is pretty much right there for everyone to see. it's some kind of sci-fi, space themed dreams, and i think it's awesome. that's all there is to say on their topic lol.

GOLDEN AGE

so between loveholic and golden age, we get a bunch of random music videos and albums for each subunit. again, this is because they're each in their own dreams right now...they're not really coming together. until we get to golden age. now we have everyone together, forming a multi-dimension dreamscape basically. everyone is meshed together again.

AND WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THIS? THEY DEBUTED A NEW SUBUNIT. NCT WISH.

now i don't know anything about this new subunit, BUT my theory is that because nct dream has now matured in their concept, they need to bring back the original concept of bubblegum kiddie dreams. this also fills in the plothole of them cancelling the nct dream graduation thing. now they'll have another kiddie friendly group or kiddie friendly dream scape.

AND WHAT NOW?

now they're back to being awake again. this is detailed in nct dreams new concept ()SCAPE films. they're being awoken. finally.

EXTRA - CHART

falling asleep

↓

beginning of rem sleep / individual unit albums

↓

deep sleep / album with all members / debut new ones (or take away some)

↓

end of dream cycle /making their way out of main rem sleep and having smaller individual dreams aka music videos

↓

waking up - this usually follows a japanese album (wakey wakey & gimme gimme)

↓

fully awake now and then they debut a new sub unit

EXTRA - how nct fits the chart

SLEEP CYCLE #1

synchronization of your dreams (falling asleep)

↓

a few individual unit albums (nct#127, limitless, the first, cherry bomb & we young.)

↓

they debut lucas, kun, and jungwoo and we get the first multi dreamscape album (empathy)

↓

more albums (chain, we go up, regular-irregular, regulate)

↓

awaken album (japanese) (it's important to note that the last song on the album is end to start, which means they're now going back to the start which is falling asleep again.

↓

debut of wayv

SLEEP CYCLE #2

falling asleep again (take off)

↓

a few individual unit albums (we are superhuman, we boom, take over the moon, neozone, reload, neozone: the final round)

on the same note, then we get wayvs, awaken the world (they're trying to get everyone to wake up)

↓

they debut sungchan and shotaro and we get the second multi dreamscape album (resonance)

↓

this time we get the japanese album first (loveholic)

↓

more albums (kick back, hot sauce, hello future, sticker, favorite)

↓

then we get a second multi dreamscape album, universe.

↓

then they undebut sungchan and shotaro

↓

then we go back to the albums, which coincidentally starts with glitch mode. i think this was intentional. because the order of the sleep cycle got messed up this time around, i think nct dreams glitch modes indicates there was a glitch in the dream world.

this is followed by (beatbox, two baddies, candy, phantom, ay-yo, perfume & istj)

↓

then we get another multi dreamscape album (golden age)

↓

then more albums (fact check, on my youth)

↓

debut NCT WISH (a moreso japanese unit so we don't need any more japanese albums from the other groups for the sleep cycle to continue)

SLEEP CYCLE #3 (FINALLY BACK ON TRACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND)

starts with nct dream waking up (they're new album coming out in which they're literally waking up from their dream in the video teasers.)

and thats the end......for now.

[vcstasy]

and…⠀♫⠀WHO do you work for, again?

The core four of JAGUAR’s main creative team (presently headed, of course, mainly by creative director Choi Eunhee)—that being their two main producers, their head stylist, and main choreographer—consists of Seol Daejin, Kwak Joosun, Son Sebin, and finally Yoon ‘Vicki’ Miryung. Both Joosun and Sebin have been with the company since 2012, the year of YOON’s debut, despite their ages (19 and 18, respectively). Miryung came on four years later, in 2016, shortly before JUST4U’s disbandment and after then-soloist Daejin’s debut date under SM Entertainment. He only lasted three years before going back to his producer roots and leaving for JAGUAR in 2019—the same year former ALGORYHTHM members Jalen and Haeil did the same—and completing the team most know today.

Seeing as it took them a good seven years to be brought together, and there’s a smaller gap of three years between JUST4U’s debut and Joosun and Sebin’s arrivals, a few people have asked the question of this: Who was doing it all before them? And, the answer is simply that no one knows, except from maybe a few of the main executives and the people themselves. The first few years of JUST4U’s discography are largely uncredited production, composition, and arrangement wise, and the only names that get mentioned are Yeseul’s and Insu’s themselves—they took on the lyrics themselves most of the time, and on a few occasions contributed to the production process also. These ghost producers are likely due to the fact that JAGUAR, in 2009, was still very new in the idol scene (only two years into it after jumping ship from the PR business in 2007). Quick payments for releases most likely seemed easier than spending the time building a dedicated team from the ground up—which is also likely why Joosun and Sebin were hired so young and so early into their careers.

They’ve all grown alongside the artists, and have all grown particularly close to CHERRYADE over the months they’ve spent working with them. Below is an overview on each.

Dead-eyed, perpetually bored, and at times too dry for his own good, people usually avoid making conversation with Joosun at all opportunities possible. And sure, he’s only really there to do his job, but making nice while doing so has never been something he’d be opposed to. He actually thinks he can be pretty funny when you get to know him. Not that many ever make it to that stage.

Joosun never wanted to be in the spotlight. All Joosun ever wanted in the music world was to be used as what he believed he was: an asset. A cog in the machine, sure—but an essential one. Something that things just wouldn’t feel right running without. He grew up the primary caretaker for his three younger siblings while his mother racked up credit card debt and his father lay in ashes, sealed in a columbarium that he never bothered to visit on any separate occasions other than the day they went to put him there, and if you asked him he’d tell you that was where the need to be needed came from.

Others may say they were drawn to music as a child and that was why they chose to pursue it, but Joosun never really found the time for that. The most he interacted with music as a child was through the radio and when he was making up tunes on his youngest sister’s toy piano for her entertainment. He wasn’t an experienced musician—much less an experienced producer—in the slightest by the time he was desperately searching for jobs of all kinds, and the only reason JAGUAR took him on in the first place is because they’d come to the realisation that they couldn’t keep hiring no-names to make music for them and then keep their mouths shut about it. Joosun called it mutual desperation, Seungdae called him a ‘baby bird they could nurture.’ The man had been weird since the day they met.

He learned on the job, and his first few mixes were nothing short of abysmal. It took a lot of overtime and a lot of begging for lessons from his newfound contacts in an industry he knew next to nothing about to get him on track to becoming the artist he is now, and he’s thankful he’s managed to dig out a space for himself in the music world. If he could give his sound a colour, it would be red—a deep, dark, wine shade. Mature, promiscuous, dark, at times. But it’s less of a case of that being all he knows (he experimented with just about everything on his journey to find what really fit him) and more a case of that being what’s his. He’s best at it, he flourishes within it, and he knows his way around it even with his eyes closed. It’s glaringly obvious whenever you’re listening to anything Joosun, and that’s just the way he likes it.

NAME⠀ㅇ⠀KWAK JOOSUN  ( 곽주선. )

BORN⠀ㅇ⠀FEBRUARY 17,  1993

POSITION⠀ㅇ⠀PRODUCER

PLAYED BY⠀ㅇ⠀CHOI WONBIN

Accommodating but no-nonsense, Daejin is always considered the kinder of the two producers. He always has a few words of encouragement even if on the inside he thinks you’re awful, always delivers any criticism he does deem nice enough to say out loud with a sweet smile and little motivational fist-pump, and never fails to get at least one smile out of whoever’s he’s worked with that day. His own dreams of being an idol might not have worked out, but as long as he can help others in their own careers he’s happy. 

A child of divorce, Daejin turned to music (and basketball) as a semi-coping mechanism to block out all the arguing before the split became official. The last he saw of his father was the month before his seventh birthday, sitting beside him on the balcony of their cramped flat with his legs dangling through the gaps in the railing while the man smoked through a pack and gave him some half-hearted life advice. Take care of your mother. Try and get along with your older brothers. Do something with your life. He did his best to follow along with it all, although the second was the hardest. Him and his oldest brother had next to nothing in common, constantly coming to blows, so for the most part he stuck to his older brother or kept to himself. They only became closer during the messy divorce period, while his parents were duking it out over custody and money. That was also where he really got into music, picking up both the guitar and the keyboard as things he could teach himself to keep himself busy when his mind was driving him crazier than usual.

He was never all that academically inclined, bunking off to shoot hoops or waste away the day’s hours in arcades for the majority of his school years—but his mother didn’t really care. She would’ve been more surprised if he was a perfect student, seeing as her two children before him were just as unwilling to show up to school. SM came about when he was thinking about what to do to make good on the ‘do something with your life’ part of his father’s advice. It was quite a rash decision, but it involved music, and if it went well he could safely say he had done something worthwhile (and, he would admit, he was looking forward to lording it over his brothers if it went well also). He didn’t tell any of his family until he got the confirmation that he’d passed his audition, and then off into trainee life he went. Daejin kept his head down and himself to himself during his two years of training, and was perfectly happy with his solo career as it went on—not just for the success it brought him and fun he was having with it, but also because along the way he got the chance to contribute to it more and more, until by 2018 he was fully self-written and self-produced.

The end of his idol career came about of his own volition. He felt he was content with what he’d produced, grateful for the people he’d met and things he’d accomplished, and simply wanted to step back and focus fully on the aspect he loved most: the production. JAGUAR was only his first choice because he’d been a fan of JUST4U growing up (he still has all their albums to this day), and when they accepted him he was packing his SM bags as quick as he could and happily leaving the idol life behind. It took a while to get through Joosun’s shell, but they’re thick as thieves now. He lives his life making music and having fun doing it, trying out all sorts of genres and sounds but always leaving them that little something that makes them truly his. Daejin’s sound doesn’t have one specific colour, as he likes to think it’s an explosion of every single one of them.

NAME⠀ㅇ⠀SEOL DAEJIN  ( 설대진. )

BORN⠀ㅇ⠀MAY 27,  1998

POSITION⠀ㅇ⠀PRODUCER

PLAYED BY⠀ㅇ⠀MOON SANGMIN

DISCOGRAPHY (2016–18)

JUL 2016⠀CALL YOU TONIGHT⠀(FROM MINI ALBUM: “DIAL TONE”)

DEC 2016⠀TRIGGER⠀(FROM SINGLE: “TRIGGER”)

SEPT 2017⠀WANT FROM ME⠀(FROM MINI ALBUM: “COMPONENT”)

MAY 2018⠀2FACE⠀(FROM FULL ALBUM: “PUZZLE PIECE”)

OCT 2018⠀SOBER THOUGHTS⠀(FROM SINGLE: “SOBER THOUGHTS”)

Stretched so thin you’d think she was a rubber band on the verge of snapping, Sebin treats life like she’s on the run. Constantly moving, always talking, never taking a moment to breathe in fear an idea dissipates or her concentration dissolves. She’s a force of nature when she’s in the zone, but her everyday sunny disposition is one that makes her all too easily likeable. All-around lovely—as long as you don’t get in her way.

Sebin thinks she got all her neuroticism and need for over-perfection from her mother. She hadn’t known much about their state of living as a child, but apparently it meant lots of too-long dinners with other adults she couldn’t remember the name of even if her parents reminded her three times over, wearing clothes that always felt too new to break in, and keeping up appearances at all times. Once she’d grown up, she realised they were just wealthy. Clothing was her father’s business of choice, and she thinks she shares his love for beauty, for seeing visions come to life by their own hands—although for her it channeled in different ways. While he loved intricate stitching and the feel of expensive fabric against his fingers, Sebin was always more enamoured with make-up (although fashion never truly left her heart). The heaps of tubes filled with lipsticks and glosses and mascaras her mother owned (which she helped herself to more than a few times over the years), how one shade could compliment one person and insult another—she felt there was a way to learn it, and she very badly wanted to.

Beauty school felt like her calling, and it only took a little bit of begging for her parents to agree to let her go—with the catch that she’d have to take night classes to get a more standard education alongside it, which she agreed to easily. She enjoyed her time there to the fullest, finally beginning to learn all the ways around the thing she’d been so fascinated with as a child. Of course, she became aware that the standards in Korea weren’t the same everywhere, and so on their yearly summer vacations to whatever foreign country her mother was dying to visit she’d find a way to steal a few afternoons to herself to try and get a few more tips and tricks from people who’d had a completely different perspective on beauty than she had over their years. Broken English and hastily scribbled drawings on the notepad she’d dedicated to carrying around with her was all she could communicate via for the first few years of these trips, but over time she brushed up on a couple languages to have at her disposal also. Sebin was determined to ‘master beauty,’ as she called it, in every way possible. Hairstyles for all types of hair, looks for all types of faces, clothes for every type of body, beauty for every type of person.

Her job at JAGUAR came about due to her want to get out into the real working world, and the idol industry was the best fit for her dream. Her looks on people’s faces? On their bodies as they performed for all their fans to see? She would do anything for it, and when she walked into the interview room she said just that, eagerness spilling out of mouth as she spoke a mile a minute. She jumped for joy (literally) when she was accepted, and threw her all into the job from the first day. Her and Yeseul got along like a house on fire from the first time they met, which was another thing she was over the moon about. Sure, getting to know Insu and Yoonhae was a little hard at first, and she felt a tad intimidated by Joosun, but she soon warmed up to all of them, and they did the same with her in kind. Her and Joosun got particularly close, seeing as they were the only official creative team members at the time—everything else being mostly outsourced—and he’s still one of her closest friends today. While she’d ditched the rather childish dream of ‘mastering beauty’ a while ago, what she gets to do today is everything she’d hoped for and more.

NAME⠀ㅇ⠀SON SEBIN  ( 손세빈. )

BORN⠀ㅇ⠀JULY 8,  1994

POSITION⠀ㅇ⠀STYLIST

PLAYED BY⠀ㅇ⠀HEO YOUNGJI

Often referred to as Joosun’s female counterpart (if he ever went down the dance route), Miryung—or Vicki, as she uses at work—has quickly become known for her gruelling sessions and little sympathy for stragglers. She’s perfectly pleasant after work hours are over (if a tad standoffish at first), but if the only place you’ve been face-to-face is the studio, then chances are you don’t like her much.

Miryung doesn’t quite know where she got her tough-loving nature from. Her mother and father were as doting as they could afford to be when mostly living paycheck to paycheck in order to support both her and her younger brother, and it wasn’t as if she was put through any particular torment at school. But her brother was bullied quite relentlessly, and so she got used to pulling her hair back and getting sharper acrylics in order for it to hurt more when she went to scratch and kick and belittle the perpetrators right back, so she supposed it may have rooted around that time. Her skin got thicker and her eyes got colder, and in some ways she became a bully right back—but she didn’t let herself think about that too hard. She was just doing the right thing as a sister, even if her acts of violence were sometimes a little too far over the top.

As she grew older, she realised that maybe putting all the pent up anger she seemed to be housing into something else would be better, and that was how she found dance. She found a class, picked it up quick and got better quicker, and by fourteen she was standing in as an assistant instructor for the younger kid’s classes on weekends. That was where the desire to teach came from, too. She saw more and more people like herself over the years, people just looking for an escape or to channel everything negative brewing inside them into something more productive, something better for their peace of mind. Her mean streak calmed down the more and more she threw herself into both performing and teaching every style of dance she could think of, although her no-nonsense way of teaching remained—she found it was just.. Easier to keep it that way. Praise and comfort never fell easy from her mouth, always sounded too stilted to be genuine.

JAGUAR came about when Miryung was looking to expand her teaching abilities at places other than the multiple classes she was now handling as a nineteen year old. She wasn’t about to bite off more than she could chew, so a relatively small scale company was what she was looking for—and found, in JAGUAR. Wrangling trainees into shape was easy after all the practice she’d had, however rude they were to start with. What was first simple instructing soon began to morph into choreographing, and after years of making up routines for her classes to follow along with that didn’t come as any particular hurdle either. She felt like she’d finally found her true calling, something she was born to do. That’s where Vicki came from—victory. She’d won.

NAME⠀ㅇ⠀YOON ‘VICKI’ MIRYUNG  ( 윤미령. )

BORN⠀ㅇ⠀APRIL 30,  1997

POSITION⠀ㅇ⠀CHOREOGRAPHER

PLAYED BY⠀ㅇ⠀CHOI ‘YUJU’ YUNA

[gingermintpepper]

For the longest time, the quintessential song describing Apollo's wrath and consequent murder of Coronis for me was Marah in the Mainsail's 'Your Work isn't Done'.

It's dark. It's seething. Its image of Fate pushing the scorned speaker to complete his foul, terrible work of killing the man who stole his lover away from him is particularly powerful and it's always evoked this gruesomely tragic evolution of a glassy eyed Apollo stumbling through the streets, weak-legged and trembling from the betrayal growning more and more wrathful 'til he can think of no other course than to aim his bow and shoot. The price of betraying his trust is death and Coronis betrayed so much more than just his trust by taking Ischys as her lover.

The song itself captures that sensation of building wrath so well too. From the lonely guitar and vocals at the beginning which evoke this lonely, stripped back but distant grief to the way the singer is practically screaming his refrain of "Your work here isn't done" by the end, accompanied by the full blasting of instruments and an omnious chorus at his side, everything about this song is centered around building stakes, building realisations, building tensions and it creates this feeling of the speaker growing closer and closer with each new verse and chorus that adds to his anger.

There's also the absolute treasure trove of lyrics that work so well for specifically this tale. A brief overview of some of my favourites include;

- There's a crow overhead singing "Oh, Death is my friend."

- And though you think your time has come, the wheels of Fate have spun. Death has declared your work here isn't done.

- There's a girl on my heart safe ashore in her lover's arms

There's just such a vivid image to be drawn here - of Apollo's emotions being swallowed by his rage, of his resolve to end everything the more he bears witness to Coronis' brazen affair. There's even a strong female voice in the first two verses which seem to egg the speaker on in his spiral - a perfect opening to include Artemis who wishes for her brother to hunt that which brought him such pain alongside her. An Artemis who reinforces just what Coronis has done, an Artemis who does not want her brother to repress his anger after such grave an insult just because love was once there.

To me, it was perfect. Apollo's killing of Coronis was a crime of passion, an execution he sometimes cannot even bring himself to commit according to who is telling the tale. It's a wretched situation, harrowing, suffocating and cruel but if not by Apollo's hands, Coronis would simply die by another's. She cannot live after what she has done. The gods simply would not allow it.

AND THEN MY BIAS WAS COMPLETELY WRECKED BY LORD HURON.

Now, let it be known, I am a huge Lord Huron fan. Strange Trails is perhaps the most Apollo-coded album I've ever heard and songs like Yawning Grave and The Balancer's Eye capture such a visceral, gorgeous portrait of cosmic grief and anger that they haven't really left my brain since I first listened to them. Still, 'Setting Sun' from their Lonesome Dream album completely flew under my radar. Maybe it's because the commercial version is so much snappier than the Alive from Whispering Pines recording, maybe it's because I just hadn't listened to Lord Huron's discography in a while but my god. My god.

This song has it all; a quiet menace in its music, a strong male singer who sounds only barely restrained, an absolute HOST of lyrics that are so wonderfully perfect for the scenario -- after getting over how wonderful the song itself is, I immediately dethroned Your Work isn't Done because ultimately, 'Setting Sun' has something in abundance that 'Your Work isn't Done' minimised in order to focus on the wrath driving the song forward.

And that's love.

Setting Sun is so powerful because it's not just a revenge ballad - it's a dirge, a breakup song, a lament, a regret manifesto. So many times during the song, the speaker wonders when his lover stopped loving him. He recounts intimate moments and wonders if his lover was thinking of the other man when she was enjoying herself, wonders if anything she'd said was even real. And I love that so, so much.

Ultimately, Apollo adored Coronis. As inevitable as her death was, he regretted every second of it. No matter how angry, no matter how betrayed, no matter how intensely he was shamed, he still loved her. He weeps for her when she dies, he screams and grieves and cries when he's faced with her corpse. In some tales, no matter the cocktail of emotion driving him, he simply cannot bring himself to kill her. He'd rather cry in Artemis' arms and take his anger out on his own servant than hurt her. His own father has to dispatch Ischys since Apollo can't even bring himself to hurt that which Coronis once loved. Of course, in this case, Apollo's going to kill someone but the point is, it's not a decision of pure anger so much as its this complicated, horrible mix of resolve and lost love.

And my god does Setting Sun capture this conflict, passion, grief and love so well. UGH, I'm vibrating just thinking about it -- there are so many points where I hear its lyrics and can vividly picture Apollo, jaw clenched looking Coronis in her eyes and quietly confronting her.

Coronis, returning home at twilight after spending the day with Ischys to Apollo stringing his bow, "Oh? Is he ready to die for you baby? No, but you know I would."

Coronis lying to him about who she's spent her time with and Apollo's soft, near pained, "Does it hurt when you lie to me? If you asked, I would set you free."

I even really love the image of a Coronis who runs away from Apollo upon realising what will soon happen, not to escape his arrows but to warn Ischys who does not know what will happen. Of Apollo getting into his stance, taking aim at them and gathering his strength as the final refrains rings out "I know I'll never reclaim your love and that's as hard as it gets, so I'll be taking a life when the sun sets."

Other favourite lines of mine include;

- Oh, is he ready to die for you baby, now that the deed is done?

- Tell me when did I lose your love? Was it him you were thinking of?

- And I could never betray your love, you had me heart and soul. You might never have known it girl, but I was all yours.

And ultimately, I just like this conflicted portrait of premeditated murder much more than the crime of passion 'Your Work isn't Done' paints. Crimes of passion - especially when Apollo is concerned - are tragic in their own right, but in Coronis' case, I think I prefer it so much more when there's no way for Apollo's action to be misconstrued for anything other than what it is, especially since he goes on to cut Asclepius from his mother's corpse then carry on with building her funeral pyre. I think there's something so much more impacting about Apollo being unable to hide away from Coronis' blood on his hands and him having to raise Asclepius with those selfsame hands.

Love of the mortal does not supercede the responsibility of the divine. If Coronis' sentence no matter what is death, who better to lead her gently to the knife than he who still loves her?

[jimin-bangtan]

BTS Discography highlight: iBigHit.com

All 7 members are reuniting this year - 2025! Yaaay!!! Bangtan Year!! 2+5 = 7 -> Year '25 brings all 7 back together again! The remaining 5 members will be discharged in June, so let the festivities begin!!!!

One of the activities that has been talked about for years is BTS wanting to revisit and celebrate the HYYH era (Hwa Yong Yeon Hwa, which is Korean for "The Most Beautiful Moment in Life"). This was the breakthrough series for BTS that really started their successful rise to the BTS we know today. This year is the 10th anniversary since the release of the albums produced within this theme.

Rumor has it that BTS plans to use the celebration of this series in part of their comeback project. It's a great idea to use this important yet familiar theme for them and the fans, as we are all reuniting after such a long time. This series was also a turning point and significant topic for them personally and professionally.

So if the rumors are true, it would be a great time to freshen up or learn about this album series, which contains some of BTS's most iconic, early hits. Today's lesson will be useful whether you have heard the songs but aren't sure how or where they fit into BTS's discography or you just need a reminder of some details or you have never heard of this series at all.

There are many official resources provided by BigHit that document BTS's work. Today I want to highlight iBigHit.com, and I'll be using the HYYH series as my timely example to navigate the site.

To get to the opening black screen seen below, you will need to click the 3 line icon in the upper left corner (green), and if needed, select the appropriate language on the upper right corner (orange). [Your browser might automatically take care of the language translation for you.]

All photos belong to BigHit Music from the iBigHit.com website.

Once there, click BTS. There are several categories, but for today's purpose, under discography, your selections are BTS as a group or each individual member.

When you select BTS, you will see every BigHit-released album or single, each represented by the official album or single cover picture - from most current to past.

Scroll down to the older albums to find the 2 albums that make up the HYYH series, HYYH part 1 and HYYH part 2, in English they're called The Most Beautiful Moment In Life part 1 and Part 2.

If you click on each album, you will generally see a description of the album, official pictures, and the track list. Each selection could also offer additional items. Be sure to click around the pages because more items can often be accessed by clicking on arrows or words that don't appear to be links. You also can find BTS's first special album - HYYH: Young Forever, which concludes the HYYH Series (below). This album combines the 2 HYYH albums and adds new iconic songs like Fire, Save Me, and Epilogue: Young Forever.

Again, clicking on this icon will show the new album details.

iBigHit.com does not overwhelm you with a huge amount of information at once, but it does provide an overview of BTS's timeline. It provides official photos and allows you to see the progression of their amazing career so far.

There is a great deal of official information on the Internet that allows you to research accurate information for yourself. In my past posts, we discussed the BTS - Topic playlist page that provides audio files for these albums: HYYH pt1, HYYH pt2, HYYH: Young Forever (only new songs).

We also discussed BangtanTV YouTube page [under Playlists tab] that provides video files for the entire HYYH series (music videos, photo shoots, dance practices, etc.).

I hope this is helpful to you. The guys are as anxious to get back to us as we are to get back with them. They want to reflect on their journey and celebrate this pivotal work that catapulted them into the stratosphere of success and achievement they've earned. And they want to celebrate with their fans.

BTS and the company have taken time to document the journey so that new fans can catch up and embrace BTS's efforts, and old fans can have resources to verify and share information with new fans along the way.

I'm so grateful that BTS and BigHit have shared so much information with us. I'm sure they'd appreciate seeing those sites being used and shared. It might cut down on some of the misinformation about them and their story, as well as provide a way for their lives and music to reach more people.

Enjoy!

💜

[ultrakdramamama]

they already made the perfect boygroup: a long and unhelpful overview of SHINee's discography

New to SHINee? Want to learn more about them? Here’s 3 freaking hours of songs, facts and info to deep dive into my favorite group. Enjoy!

[birdofmay]

do have metal recommendations? I'm new to it. really completely new

*typing up a storm* You just activated the autism in me! 😄

Alright, here's a brief overview. Followers, feel free to recommend songs in the comments, if you listen to metal.

What bands you should know, at least their names:

Black Sabbath, Sepultura, Kiss, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Pantera, Anthrax, Helloween.

No need to know and like their songs, just know that they exist. There are some more, but you'll encounter them eventually anyway, I'm sure. Note that certain old bands are controversial now, for example Pantera and Metallica.

Some recommendations:

Heavy Metal:

The "How it began" part. Just check out Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath. You should know

Thrash Metal:

The earlier albums of Metallica, Testament, Exodus, and of course Slayer. "Raining Blood"

is well known, and I connect "Bloodline"

with long road trips as a child.

Doom Metal:

Some Black Sabbath is also considered doom metal. Apart from that I recommend Pentagram and Witchfinder General.

Black Metal:

Not mine, personally, except for certain derivatives, but they'll come later. I like very few black metal songs. They are:

Death Metal:

Many subgenres, I personally prefer Melodic Death Metal. Cannibal Corpse is well-known and also Obituary. Check out Debauchery, some In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and Arch Enemy too. Recommendation:

But to be honest, most Children of Bodom songs sound alike 😂

Dark Metal/Gothic Metal:

Hard to sort the whole discography of one band into this subgenre. Some Cradle of Filth, some Sirenia, some Samsas Traum, Type O Negative. I also like

Power Metal:

Sabaton, Powerwolf, Manowar (not everything), HammerFall, Grave Digger (not everything), Sonata Arctica, some Blind Guardian. Power Metal often has characteristics of Symphonic Metal in some songs, so it's hard to put one band in one strict category.

Symphonic Metal:

Nightwish, Xandria, Within Temptation, Epica. Too many favourites to recommend a specific song.

Progressive Metal:

Dream Theater, Opeth, Tool, Symphony X. Specific song:

Folk Metal:

Some Ensiferum, Eluveitie, Týr, Finntroll, Svartsot, Korpiklaani. Also The HU for Mongolian representation 😎 Folk Metal is huge, I just focus on "northern" stuff because I'm "northern" too. Song recommendation:

Viking Metal:

This is actually a "Whatever, as long as it's about Norse stuff and the Viking age" genre. This is why many death metal, folk metal, and power metal bands ALSO are considered viking metal.

Amon Amarth are very well-known, I'd recommend

Pagan Metal:

Also a "Whatever, as long" category. Most folk metal bands are simultaneously pagan metal. Moonsorrow are more black metal but also pagan metal, which is why I'll briefly mention them here.

There also are Varg, but if I'm not mistaken they had some right wing stuff going on, so be careful there. I'm not sure what happened, but I think some of the band members openly supported a neonazi group. Could be that the members were kicked out after that, but even if everything is alright now, they still have a negative connotation.

Somewhere in between all this, there's Alestorm. They're also considered pirate metal, btw. But I'm not actively into that, which is why I put them somewhere in-between.

Industrial Metal:

This is your outsider, and I think every band considered "Industrial Metal" is at the same time considered 5 genres more. Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails, Eisbrecher (some would say it's Gothic), Ministry.

Nu Metal:

Some people would say "Nu Metal isn't metal!!!", but I like it anyway. Check out Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Disturbed. "Duality" by Slipknot is the song of a common meme ("I push my fingers into my eyes") 😄

Also Machine Head, but it's hard to categorise them. I just checked, Wikipedia says they're sometimes considered "neo-thrash". Well I guess they're a bit of everything, but their newer albums definitely have nu metal character.

Metalcore:

If you say you're a metalhead but only listen to metalcore, metalheads will hate you for this. Just so you know. ☝🏼 It's a valid genre, but you're on thin ice if you don't listen to other metal genres. There are many overlapping genres here, which is why, again, it's difficult to label bands.

Parkway Drive (some would scream that they're post hardcore), Silverstein (some would scream that they're hardcore punk, others that they're emo), As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Bullet For My Valentine (some would scream that they're emo, others would say they're heavy metal), Bring Me The Horizon depending on the song, August Burns Red.

Lamb of God are considered metalcore too, but in my opinion they're more metal than metalcore. Anyway I'll mention them here for the sake of classification.

Yeah, that's about it, I guess. This post is already very long, so I guess I better stop at this point. I hope from here on you'll manage to navigate through the big metal genre yourself 😄

P.S.: I forgot Trivium! "Feast Of Fire" is currently stuck in my head

[theaspiemusicnerd]

Congrats to Steven Wilson on the success of his new album the Overview it doesn't disappoint and is one of the best releases of 2025 and another brilliant album in his solo discography.

[roastie]

roasties guide to the legendary pink dots

'eras' arbitrarily invented by me; many would disagree ig. dates are in no way definitive!!

this list is full length studio albums only but even then so many recordings have been omitted for the sake ov manageability. ive tried to include what i would consider all the "major releases"

personal favourites from each 'era' are pink

this post is a vanity project but also i love the legendary pink dots so much

⭐ ERA ONE (1981- 83) 1982 brighter now; 1983 curse

⭐ ERA TWO (1984- 89) 1984 the tower; (live album 1984 the lovers); 1985 asylum; 1986 island of [sic] jewels; 1988 any day now; 1989 the golden age

⭐ ERA THREE (1990- 92) 1990 crushed velvet apocalypse; 1991 the maria dimension; (1995 chemical playschool vol. 8&9); 1992 shadow weaver; 1992 malachai

⭐ ERA FOUR (1994- 98) 1994 9 lives to wonder; 1995 from here you'll watch...; 1997 hallway of [sic] the gods; 1998 nemesis online

⭐ ERA FIVE (2000- 08) 2000 a perfect mystery; 2002 all the king's horses; 2002 all the king's men; 2004 the whispering wall; 2006 your children placate you...; 2008 plutonium blonde

⭐ nu dots (2010 onwards) ive only dabbled here myself...

BEGINNERS' GUIDE

start with ERA THREE; listen in chronological order by year except for chemical playschool 8 & 9 (1995) - listen to after the maria dimension (1991) before anything else

next listen to ERA TWO from the beginning in chronological order, including live album the lovers (1984) after the tower (1984)

next ERA ONE. crusty and old but worth listening to for a robust overview of the dots' discography and also i love curse and SOMA BATH! this is is the 'essentials' done in my view but don't write off late 90s/early 2000s weirdo psychadelic dots

the tower is the best lpd album

yayy i love the legendary pink dots

ffo krautrock psychadelia industrial experimental and most ov all weird and whimsical things

[wantbytaemin]

I'm not into shinee( do love taemin though) but from what I have seen they're basically chaos incarnated like 99% OF the time .

Also also any tips for someone who wants to get unto them they have such a bug discography it's kinda scary ngl.

hehe yes they absolutely are 🙂‍↕️ best dynamic of any group of people i have ever had the joy to witness. i see how it’s a bit intimidating with their five million songs—when i got into them in 2015 they had 10 years less songs and it still took me weeks to listen to everything and process what i’d heard 🥹 i started out from first album to most recent and i stand by that method bc i firmly believe that the best shinee-listening experience is going full album by full album, just because their entire concept is the fact that their entire concept changes from comeback to comeback (and if i might add in my extremely biased opinion: they do each one masterfully so a shinee album is a neat little thematically coherent delicious package). so i’ll give you a few of my fav albums and you can play a few songs and see what you like! if you come up with some songs you enjoy and wanna hear more of the vibe just lmk and i can expand on my recs.

if you prefer rnb (especially the 00s absolutely desperate ice box by omarion style which just so happens to be my personal favorite) i would go for their first album (the shinee world), with my faves being romantic, replay (ie their debut song and THE quintessential shinee song), graze, and (plug for jonghyun aka one of my fav vocalists ever) y si fuera ella (highly recommend you watch the performance! the thing about shinee is their live performances will always beat the studio versions literally every time)

another shinee classic and prob among my top 3 albums too is 1 of 1 - the concept was broadly ‘retro’ and has sounds reminiscent of mostly the 90s (with some 80s vibes definitely mixed in there if you ask me). the title track is a DELICIOUS nostalgic type (called 1 of 1) and i LOVE shift (this song is mainly why i don’t like to stick to the 90s shtick while describing 1of1 bc it is SO 80s to me—produced by LND noise!) and prism (co-produced by jonghyun and a must-listen if you ask me. again. i encourage watching a live performance bc they’re just. so. good)

also top 3 shinee albums for me and one i have a tattoo for no less so im legally obligated to mention it: Odd! it was a musical turning point for shinee and a comeback to their rnb sound (you must understand between this and their first album they’d BEEN on their eurovision grind with music such as lucifer, ring ding dong, and everybody which is absolutely still enjoyable and arguably got them the most awards/fame/recognition which is why i won’t mention those bc i assume you’ve heard them however! if you haven’t give them a listen you won’t regret it… i think!). anyway odd gave us the summer mega hit that is VIEW.. another must listen if you don’t already know her. and ODD EYE written and produced by jonghyun (are we sensing a pattern here?) which truly.. live performance.. please.. (pattern sensors? anyone?). PLUS i have to mention the repackage that features married to the music as one of their most fun concepts (halloween in the middle of the summer! only shinee 🙂‍↕️)

honestly i feel like i need to stop here because otherwise we will be here all night which i obviously don’t mind but my goal was to make this whole thing LESS intimidating. if you prefer listening to the most popular songs first someone made this great playlist which gives you a good overview of how their vibe changed over the years. happy listening and please do get back to me with thoughts and opinions if you so wish! 🩵

[literaryxbones]

Goth History-Episode 1: Brand New Series!

Today I am starting a brand new series on my @literaryxbones blog. As a history buff, 80's enthusiast, and aspiring author, I decided to focus on the formation and evolution of goth.

Most subculture blogs focus on the makeup, fashion, and music; while I'll cover these aspects too I want to pivot towards focusing on the past. It's not something I've seen a lot of people do on here. Archiving our scene is important and there's a lot that can be learned from remembering and preserving it.

General Overview

The goth subculture is centered around its distinctive, bleak, and poetic music. It's emergence has almost no relation to the Germanic Tribes or the medieval architectural period of the same name. Rather, it is a scene swayed by its sound. Music is the priority. Fashion, overlapping interests, and politics are second in line. That is precisely why I'll be overviewing the humble beginnings of gothic genres.

During the rise of punk in the 1970's, post-punk was born. Despite the similar-sounding names, these two styles are sonically different. Post-punk sought to break free of established cliches; combining low-toned bass with funk, synth, and disco elements. A common misconception is that Post-punk came AFTER punk, when it was really created at the same time. The name really doesn't cement that idea. Post-punk musicians, while all different, possessed some similarities. They strove for independence. DIY, upcycling, creative multimedia, and indie record labels signaled a divergence from mainstream industries, consumerism, and conformity. What separated them from the punk scene was their lesser emphasis on politics and innovative new sound.

Siouxsie and the Banshees, Soft Cell, Joy Division, The Cure, and The Talking Heads pioneered the 1980's. Each of them set a precedent for what "pop music" became.

A band called Bauhaus, fronted by Peter Murphy; was among the first to incorporate "Gothic Rock" in its discography. "Gothic Rock" is best illustrated by its bass and minor tones. Its scales lend to its darker atmosphere, complimenting the melancholic lyrical themes goth music is so well-known for.

Though associated with Post-punk, Gothic Rock branched out into a fully-fleshed genre. As you may have guessed, many macabre concepts were inspired by gothic literature, written during the mid-to-late 1800's. Think Jane Austen or Edgar Allan Poe.

Some of the goth subculture shares their interest in cryptids, horror, oddities, and classic poetry with these long-dead writers. This historical evolution influenced the modern goth subculture, as it is today.

Thank you reading the first installment of my new little series. New episodes will be posted every 3 days, so make sure to check back in every once in a while. If you have any topic you want me to cover please let me know Credits: divider made by @animatedglittergraphics-n-more , written by SORDID from @literaryxbones

[elkkiel]

Favorite This Place Will Become Your Tomb song?

Oof ramble alert here we go:

Descending. Descending will always and forever be my most precious baby girl from Tomb and I will defend her to the ends of the earth. It's a bit of an acquired taste (I didn't like it until after a few listens) and people don't really get it, but I genuinely think that it's one of the best songs on the whole discography. It's dark, sexy, ominous, off-putting, and utterly enchanting in the best ways possible. It makes my skin-crawl but also I want to go crawling on the ground too looooool

It's a good overview into the dynamic between Vessel and Sleep, the characterization of both, and maybe some insight into Vessel's experience with romance up to that point. Like, idk, it just summarizes the whole thing really effectively imo. You've got this toxic relationship where both parties know it's toxic. One keeps coming back despite the hurt and potential degradation they'll face because of it, and the other knows this and likes it.

The thing that really does it for me is the vocal style. I think there's a bit of a difference between music that's consumable vs music that communicates, and Descending def falls into the latter category for me. As in, it wasn't made to sound "good" or "pretty" in the way that most people would consider something "good" or "pretty" sounding. The choices made were the most effective in communicating the story Vessel wants to share (imo), even if some of those choices sound kinda "weird"

Setting up a dialogue of sorts using different vocal styles is such an interesting creative choice! I've never seen a song do something like that before, so the uniqueness alone captured my heart. Like you've got Sleep as this pretty high-pitched tone, and Vessel representing himself through a super uncanny, nasally, just kinda *weird* deeper register. And!!!! The thing I REALLY love is the pitched-up pre chorus!!!!!!!!!!!! Like the difference between Sleep sort of "telling it like it is" in a high tone to manipulate (ex. "you come crawling back to me" — like yup, isn't that proof of how much you need this?) vs Sleep just bullshitting (ex. "I've been left no choice, can't you see that?") in a *faked* high tone to manipulate is SO cool to me!!!!

I still want to do some more deep diving to really solidify my analysis, but this is my rough interpretation as of right now. Anyways stream Descending because she is so beautiful and gorgeous to me, and she's probably the most underrated song on the whole discography

[paulmusicblog]

George Harrison | Remebering the Quiet Beatle

November 29 holds a somber yet celebratory place in the hearts of music lovers worldwide. It’s the day we remember George Harrison, the “quiet Beatle” who left an indelible mark on music, spirituality, and countless lives. This date, marking his passing in 2001, brings together fans to commemorate not only his music but also his wisdom and understated brilliance. What is it about George that still resonates so deeply?

When we think of George Harrison, the first word that comes to mind is often “depth.” Unlike his bandmates, George was less vocal in the spotlight, but his contributions to The Beatles were undeniably profound. Tracks like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Something” showcased his ability to marry vulnerability with technical skill—a blend that continues to inspire. His growth as a songwriter was a slow burn, yet when it ignited, it added layers of complexity to The Beatles’ discography.

George’s influence extended far beyond The Beatles. After the band’s breakup, his solo career flourished with his October 27th, 1970 album release All Things Must Pass, which featured the timeless anthem “My Sweet Lord.” These works revealed his personal journey—a search for meaning and peace in a chaotic world. To learn more about the history behind this landmark album, Live For Live Music provides a fascinating take on its enduring impact.

On this day in 2001, George succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 58. The news of his passing felt like a global void, a reminder that even legends aren’t immune to the fragility of life. His death marked the end of an era for one of music’s greatest icons, yet it also became a time for reflection and gratitude for what he left behind.

George’s wife, Olivia, and son, Dhani, have worked tirelessly to preserve his legacy. They’ve spearheaded projects like the Concert for George, held on November 29, 2002—exactly one year after his passing. This event saw friends like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, and Tom Petty come together to honor George’s music and spirit. You can explore more about this remarkable tribute by visiting the official page for the Concert for George.

George Harrison wasn’t just a musician; he was a seeker. His love for Indian culture and his friendship with Ravi Shankar opened a portal for Western audiences to explore Eastern philosophies. Who doesn’t remember The Beatles’ trip to India in 1968? That journey deeply influenced George’s approach to music and life. Songs like “Within You Without You” reflect his spiritual depth, blending traditional Indian instrumentation with thought-provoking lyrics.

Meditation, Hinduism, and a commitment to inner peace shaped his perspective on fame and artistry. In George’s own words, “The biggest thing in my life is to try to help others—by helping myself.” His philosophy reminds us that fame alone isn’t fulfilling; instead, it’s about finding balance and purpose.

For personal reflections from George’s family and collaborators, you might enjoy browsing GeorgeHarrison.com’s tribute, where insights into his peaceful mindset resonate with fans worldwide.

Each year, fans find unique ways to honor George’s memory. From tribute concerts to screenings of the Concert for George, the day becomes a celebration of his artistry and humility. Events like the upcoming George Harrison Evening provide opportunities for fans to come together and relive his masterpieces. These gatherings are more than just performances—they’re reminders of how deeply George touched our hearts.

Additionally, theaters occasionally re-screen the Concert for George, offering a chance to witness the collaborative brilliance of his friends. For more details on worldwide screenings, check out this insightful overview.

Why do we still feel George’s presence so strongly, even decades later? Perhaps it’s because he spoke to something universal—a yearning for connection, self-discovery, and beauty in the mundane. His music, often introspective and wistful, strikes the perfect balance between personal vulnerability and universal appeal. It’s as though he invites us to join him on his journey, even if we don’t have all the answers.

George’s ability to bridge cultural gaps and shatter stereotypes was revolutionary. Through him, many of us discovered a broader worldview, one that valued harmony over discord. The Current’s tribute captures the essence of why his life and work still resonate today.

As we remember George Harrison this November 29, it’s not just about the music—it’s about the man. A man who transcended labels, pushed creative boundaries, and nurtured a spiritual path that influenced millions. His contributions to the world of music and his introspective journey remind us to look beyond the superficial and explore the depths within ourselves.

George once said, “Everything else can wait, but the search for God cannot wait.” Those words, much like his songs, continue to echo in our minds and hearts. Whether you’re listening to All Things Must Pass on vinyl or attending a tribute concert, let this day be a chance to reflect, connect, and honor a truly remarkable soul.

By Paul Whatley | COMO News and Radio

[postpunkindustrial]

A good basic overview of the works of K.K. Null and his various projects.

[cj-6]

Xdinary lore

What is their project of the year - the closed beta project. This will need most updating along the next couple of months and is currently the most incomplete.

Ok so around the 2nd of April Xdinary heroes changed their banner and profile picture on YouTube. It spelled out Xperiment project, which at the time didn't know anything about, but here is what I've been able to find.

On Twitter (or X whatever you want to call it) they made an official announcement that are doing a series of solo concerts. If you go on to the JYP official site you can find all the specific dates, but it ranges from April to September.

Now for literal meaning of the title, closed beta refers to a software release where versions are released to a restricted group of individuals for a user test by invitation. In the current context it refers to that they play unreleased songs there. The pattern which has been prevalent so far is that they play three shows in one weekend (from Friday to Sunday), and that they play something unreleased, which is then released the Monday after.

Here is one of the pictures from this announcement I mentioned.

This diagram is the earliest version we had, but has been updated with each notice we have gotten. From this we can see the months in which they will perform concerts, and then an increment in the version for each set of concerts (version 6.0 is in April, version 6.1 is in June,...). This poster is a type of flowchart, which is a diagram that is also commonly used for computer systems to display the processes / the steps it goes through.

Also the squares in this diagram (all named closed beta) are concerts, whilst the circles mean a single release, and the diamond shape might mean an album release. If this last thing is correct, we might get another album/ep at the end of the year, which could contain all the digital singles released throughout 2024.

4 single releases and the album release

I will just quickly write down an overview here of all the releases:

Closed beta v6.0 - April - Where No matter, Little things, Money on my mind, Dreaming girl, until the end of time, and Night of the fireworks were played before the official release.

Closed beta v6.1 - June - Boy Comics (solo stages of Jun han and Jungsu)

Closed beta v6.2 - July - Love and Fear (solo stages of Gunil and Gaon)

Closed beta v6.3 - August - Save me (solo stages of O.de and Jooyeon)

Closed beta v6.4 - September - iNSTEAD! (cover stage of the hyung line and unreleased song by the maknae line)

Comparisons to the EveryDay6 project

I would like to make this crossover because these two projects show quite some similarities. Day6 are the seniors of Xdinary heroes, and have done their own project of releases at the beginning of their career. I'm assuming this similarity exists because they are both under the same music sublabel. Day6 set out to create a new title track for every month of 2017, after debuting in 2015. This has two exceptions, as they released an album at the end and halfway through the year, which included all the singles they accumulated and some rebooted versions and such. All the singles of the first half of the year are on Sunrise, and the second half is on Moonrise. This also makes me more likely to believe that XH will do the same with their releases.

One of the biggest things I found to be the same is the way they deal with the album covers. In the every Day6 project you can clearly see the cover being more filled up with color with every release, in a clockwise motion (; a bigger share of a pie basically). You can see this very easily if you open up their discography and put them all side by side. Now we can look at what Xdinary heroes has been doing. Their album covers for open beta have been exactly the same, but more filled out with each release. With each release so far, a graphical line in the color of the theme of the release has been added, as well as a part of progress to the progress bar that you can see below it.

I know the picture is not much but here you can see that the release of Love and Fear made the completion of the bar about half full.

So, I think these projects are overall still unique but find similar traits in their way of releasing and their cover art.

Music videos #2 << Xperiment project >> Additional sourcing