#and also the soundtrack popped up on my Spotify recommended and I listened to some of the songs

[southislandwren]

Ah my poor decision making skills are rearing their ugly head. Guess who just bought cult of the lamb: cultist edition the day before finals week

[do9bessa]

hey so i saw Hozier live and Chappell Roan live and now i just saw your korrasami pop idol post and WOW i can’t stop thinking about these three things.

i work at spotify and my job is literally to make playlists, and im working on one for korra. its not going to be like official or anything lol but if the CEO of korrasami has any song recommendations lmk

haha how lovely thank you <3 hope you had fun at the shows, unfortunately my music taste is a mess and Im so unfamiliar with what the artists themselves are up to so I dont know what to share or not because some people seem annoyed by that (pls dont judge me I just vibe with whatever I vibe and gets me to draw), but I can tell you some stuff I was listening to as I drew my Korra and Asami pieces this April and maybe you can weed them out if you like

// Jungle - Back On 74 // (literally watching Korra dance to this in Fortnite got me back in the fandom kek)

// Doja Cat Streets // Lay Bankz - Tell Ur Girlfriend // Say So - Rainych Ran cover // Frozy & Joyful - bounce (I just wanna dance) (1h loop) // Sofia - Clairo // Space Girl - Frances Forever // Girls - Girl in Red // Strawberry Blonde - Mitski // We fell in love in October - Girl in Red // Beyoncé - Alien Superstar // Doja Cat - Agora Hills // ABBA - Lay all your Love on Me // The Strokes - The Adults are Talking // Djo - End Of Beginning // Lana del Rey - Margret // The Wombats - Greek Tragedy

and of course the actual ATLA and TLOK soundtracks on repeat Anyways that's a lot of them ( I also listened to a lot of nintendo music)

[piece-of-the-pie-if]

Hey author, how are you? 💕

I'm curious to know what kind of music the RO's like. Who are their idols? Any artists/genres that are a guilty pleasure for them?

Any kind of music they pretend to like just 'cos it's popular? *discreetly looks at Kinsley*

Hello nonie~ I'm doing good thank you!

this kind of question is hard for me, personally, to think about because of my own relationship with music and music artists (which is why this took so fucking long) which is to say I love music and don't really pay attention much to artists beyond the fact they make the music I love (lmao I really don't care about celebrities, I find it quite concerning that so many people idolise them so much... like your(general) fave is just a guy at the end of the day lmao) (that being said I can understand having an influence and following the *work* of an artist you really connect to) and I find it hard to make hard line distinctions between genres, aha 🤭

That being said, let's have a look at some music! (This is an excuse to show off my extensive and exhaustive music reach and taste, so thank you!)

Dylan──they're open to all types of music but they only really purchase R&B albums! Artists like Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Prince, Alicia Keys, Frank Ocean, SZA, Kehlani and Miguel are all artists Dyl owns albums (and vinyls!!) for! Dyl introduced Kin to R&B and they usually listen to the artists she likes more when they're together (Beyoncé, Victoria Monét, Lionel Ritchie etc) They like ‘Foreign Language’ R&B too, artists like BIBI, DEAN, Cherrie, Girl Ultra, Adi Oasis, ØZI, Yseult and Lous And The Yakuza.

Shay──the real eclectic listener! He likes next to every genre of music, Rap, Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, K-pop, J-rock, Folk, Funk, Phonk, EDM, Heavy Metal, Grunge, House, Synth, Soul... even Country... Country Fusion! Shay likes artists that kind of... don't have a genre? Like Sleep Token, Twenty One Pilots, Pink Floyd, Oingo Boingo, Lene Lovich, David Bowie, Gorillaz, Poppy, Bring Me The Horizon, Afterlife, Seventeen, Red Velvet and Hannah Wicklund. He definitely love finding new music as well as sharing new music! (Watch the YouTube/Twitch channel that's got a segment dedicated to reacting to new music!! Like HTHAZE!)

Kinsley──lmao she doesn't mind Popular music but, like, the last Taylor Swift album she actively sought out was 1989 (she's partial to This Love) and Kin would rather die than be subjected to Trap music. She's very into genres like Alternative Indie, Indie Rock, Neo Soul, and R&B artists like Hozier, Florence + The Machine, Lorde, Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine, Searows, Reneé Rapp, Ethel Cain and Noah Kahan. Her R&B influence is mainly from being Dylan's friend but she does love artists like Beyoncé (she really loved her self titled album and especially Virgo's Groove off of Renaissance), Victoria Monét (particularly the Jaguar II album) and Khalid as well as older artists like Mary J. Blige, Marvin Gaye or Lionel Ritchie!

J──they tend to listen to music for the beat, the bass, the instrumentals more than lyrics. They like heavier genres like Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Alternative Rock, Punk Rock, Nu Metal, Grunge and other genres like EDM, Synth, Techno and Trance. They also listen to Italian artists quite a lot, mainly because J wants to keep up with the language (because their father refuses to speak it or teach them) so artists like Måneskin, Jovanotti, Lacuna Coil, Max Gazzé, Vanerus, and even Vivaldi. J also listens to anything their sister recommends them, even if it's the most bubblegum pink pop shit they've ever heard─if Bells likes it they're listening. Shay will also introduce them to the wonders of J-rock and K-pop which bend genre all the time!

Theo──a Pop lover! Or rather, Theo tends to stick to listening to the radio or the Popular Playlist on Spotify! They tend to like more instrumental artists like or soundtrack artists like Hans Zimmer, Hiroyuki Sawano, Danny Elfman, Vangelis, Rachel Portman (who was the first female composer to win an academy award for best original score!) and Michael Giacchino over anything else and they 'broaden their horizons' by being dragged to Jazz bars and open house cafés by C (and MC) so it's not like they're stuck in one/two genre's!!

Bonus! Some Modern/Nu Jazz artists C likes: Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, Masego, Cherise, Camille Munn, Blue Lab Beats, Kasami Washington, Esperanza Spalding, Snarky Puppy, GoGo Penguin, Mathilde Widding and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah!

[spoolesofthread]

Would love your Paramore recs and faves!

YAY okay!!

as for my personal faves, my favorite album is after laughter, my general favorite paramore songs are ignorance, that's what you get, grow up, and hard times

as for recommendations... in general i recommend starting with the singles that ended up on the radio but especially misery business & ain't it fun, also decode from the twilight soundtrack

if you like misery business more: go for the brand new eyes & riot albums, and their first album all we know is falling! their style trends more rock imo and i think of them together

if you like ain't it fun more: go for the self titled & after laughter albums! a little more pop friendly than the previous ones i think

their new album is also really great! i haven't listened to it as much, but the first single from that was this is why and i think it's Very good

also i know you're a swiftie, so of course i will recommend castles crumbling, that lead singer hayley features on if you want to just dip your toe in to her usual sound (hayley also makes solo music on occasion that i like!)

i have made a little spotify playlist with the first three recs as well as some songs i like and think represent their sound well, if you want it (:

[the-milk-anon]

hi there

i’m milk 🥛

art by @54prowl

disclaimer anyone under the age of 18 who follows me will be blocked to prevent this please put your age (or an indicator like '20s' or 'early 30s') in your bio

all pronouns go - i really don’t care about the pronouns people use for me so feel free to surprise me

this blog is where i unleash my most unhinged self so apologies in advance

you’ll mostly find recommendations for various fics, art and other stuff (incl nsfw content) here since i haven’t posted any original content as of now (and prob never will lol)

here’s my recommendations masterpost (link) 📝

i also created a simp tier list (link) so you get an idea of which characters you’ll find here

to make it a little easier for you to find stuff i post/reblog here’s a list of all the tags i use (link) 🔖

any and all questions are welcome so feel free to spam my inbox whenever you want

also a quick heads-up - i don’t censor swear words (i’m european after all lol) and i enjoy dark humor so please keep that in mind ⚠️

this blog is a safe space for members of the lgbtq+ community, people of color, people with mental illness and other minorities 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️✊🏾

regardless of that please call me out in case i post things that are hurtful/problematic in any way or if i forget to add trigger warnings to my posts

some general info

23 y/o |  ☉ pisces  ☽ aquarius  asc libra | mbti: intj-t | 5w6 | asexual

my favorite anime

my hero academia | jujutsu kaisen | the apothecary diaries | food wars | attack on titan

i’m a gamer at heart so here are some of my favorite games 🎮

genshin impact | skyrim | baldur's gate 3 | satisfactory | the sims | dead by daylight | astroneer

i also love listening to music (very original ik) 🎧

these are the genres i enjoy listening to the most:

phonk | synth-pop | alternative/indie | soundtracks (movies, shows and games)

here’s my spotify (link) if you’re interested

random info

cat person | i love thunderstorms | french fries instantly restore my hp | you’ll never see me without monster | i tested positive for resting bitch face syndrome 

i also wanna mention some of my triggers - i try to avoid content that includes these but i’m always open to questions about them

heavy alcohol usage | smoking of any kind | drug usage (esp weed)

[specialability]

2022 listening

I don't usually do this, but I'm going to make a music of 2022 list. It's funny, my spotify top 100 and my actual music app (musicolet for android, highly recommend) are very different so there's no point in posting either of them. There were a lot of individual songs, but I am still the kind of person who listens to albums from back to front. Going roughly from most recent to least...

spotify playlist (I tried to make a bandcamp playlist but it wouldn't work. :( if the album is available on bandcamp there is a link in the text)

Redcar les adorables etoiles by Christine and the Queens

I found Christine through the COLORS music channel on youtube. She is apparently a mega-star in France but I don't know how many people have heard of her over here. She sings in both English and French with a David Bowie / Annie Lennox electropop + funk style that I adore. Her previous album "La vita nuova" was full of quite sad raw lyrics, but the theme of this album is more romance. "My birdman" gets stuck in my head regularly.

Andor Original Soundtrack (Vol.1-3) by Nicholas Britell

I could gush all day about this show, but the soundtrack alone is very very good. Deep orchestral stuff with lots of hidden motifs and themes. Sometimes soundtracks for very good shows, which fit the show perfectly, are meh on their own, but this one really holds up. It's worth saying: none of the usual star wars themes or references appear in this album at all. If you listen to the main title theme in Vol. 1 and like it you will probably like the whole thing.

Awakening:Sleeping by MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS

A Japanese band that I believe had one or two anime songs at least a decade ago and has since became more indie. I was super happy to buy all their albums on bandcamp after having pirated them a decade or more ago. They started out with shoegaze / heavy alt rock instrumental, balls to the wall fast guitar and drums, added more vocals and went a bit more pop with their 2018 album No New World and have come back to a happy balance of both. "No need ft. Keita Ebina" is a great sample of the raw feeling that I love from them that feels like they're just on the edge of going out of control.

Profound Mysteries I-III by Royksopp

Royksopp said they were going to retire and I was sad I'd never see them in concert. Then they came back and released a ton of songs and went on tour but it's covid. Infuriating! But seriously it's kind of scary how some of these tracks are so Royksopp they could have been tracks from an album that came out years ago. There's definitely some more pop-y tracks and less of the hard electronica I really like, but there is a range of styles throughout. If I had to pick one it might be "Impossible" with old collaborator Alison Goldfrapp on lyrics.

Palaces by Flume

I discovered Flume only relatively recently despite him being completely in my taste (dance / house). His 2016 album Skin is almost wall to wall bangers and this 2022 album is similarly packed with tracks that can totally stand on their own. I was listening to "Say Nothing (ft. MAY-A)" on repeat for a while.

Be Here Soon by iamamiwhoami

Another artist I'm kinda shocked I haven't run into before. This is a video concept album so it's worth watching the videos on youtube to get the full experience. Her 2014 album Blue, which was also a video album, got indie-famous and Be Here Soon feels very much like a natural maturing from that. In the genre of "female singer-songwriters with idiosyncratic voices and not scared to get weird" an obvious comparison being Kate Bush or Bjork. "Zeven" is catchy while also (seemingly) being about OCD.

Pang by Caroline Polachek

I think she is pretty famous by now, but I first came across her via her cover of Breathless by the Corrs. She has a strong pop voice with a bit of that "weird girl" edge that keeps it interesting. And, of course since this is me, quite a bit of synth/electronica. This came out in 2019 but I only listened to it this year so it counts. She has a new album coming out in 2023 which a bunch of singles have already come out for. She also did a song with Flume up there in Palaces called "Siren". "Hit me where it hurts" is the one I was listening to on repeat.

The Green Knight Original Soundtrack by Daniel Hart

The movie was kinda eh, but back in January I got a lot of mileage out of this album. I feel like I don't know enough about medieval music to say whether it's truly historically accurate, but choral Christmas hymns sound different when sung in middle English with a slightly ominous tone and sparse strings in the background. There are some tracks that seem Jóhann Jóhannsson inspired like "Rest them Bones".

YESTERDAYS PAIN / CUT THE ANCHOR by LORN

Man I love LORN. Every single track he puts out is an instant classic for me. This mini-album is only three tracks but I could listen to it over and over. Music for when out walking on a cold dark night. Atmospheric dark electronica. Random snatches of lyrics. Depression music. "YESTERDAY'S PAIN" is so dense it will suck you in.

Dawn FM by The Weeknd

I don't think listing this is going to get me any hipster points, but I just really like his music. It is very clear where his influences lie and since I love electronic music and synth-pop too it's all good. I also appreciate that the album has a theme of decay and death that runs through all the music videos as well. The "Take My Breath" extended remix on Youtube is my favourite track.

Shin Megami Tensei V Original Soundtrack by Tsukasa Masuko, Shoji Meguro, Ryota Kozuka, Toshiki Konishi

Have I gushed about this game enough? No? Well here's something interesting I didn't notice until after I played Shin Megami Tensei 1, but the first CD in the album is string orchestra remakes of the original game's also amazingly excellent soundtrack. An old school synth sensibility, a mix of electronic and orchestral, atmospheric, dark and the occasional fast rock piece like the Da'at Battle theme, which you listen to a zillion times in the game and yet it still gets me pumped up. If you know me you know I love Etrian Odyssey's soundtracks by Yuzo Koshiro and I think this album is up there with those for me. "Spiral" by Ryota Kozuka is the track for the last area of the game and it is appropriately overwhelming and lofty. When I got into the area I seriously stopped and listened to it for a while because it blew me away.

Some bonus:

Nova/Moth by Burial + Four Tet

Looking at your pager by KH

Cybercism by OGRE

[mytimeinthesun]

Was tagged by @vonlipviig a bit ago (and tumblr didn’t give me a notification for it for some reason 🙄) to do a music tag game! 5 songs I’ve been listening to lately and ten tags.

Some of these might be region locked to Japanese Spotify but here we go:

人間みたいね - キタニタツヤ: (Ningen Mitai Ne [Human-like, Aren’t You]- Kitani Tatsuya)

No idea who this guy is but he popped up in my recommendeds and I surprisingly enjoy a big chunk of his discography. You know when you find a new artist and go “I like this song, I hope he has fifteen that sound exactly like it but not”? He was that for me. Idk how to describe it but it’s fairly standard jpop/rock (? Probably? Never been good at identifying genres)

Keep On Moving - Aurelio Voltaire

I don’t like stanning real people generally but Voltaire is my goth dad exception. If you haven’t already go listen to his latest album Black Labyrinth, a tribute to the late David Bowie, which this song is from!

The Intrepid - Akita Senju

Spotify recently added the FMA:B soundtrack so yeah I’ve had the Roy vs Envy fight track on loop for walks and brainstorming

〜告白〜　純粋な心 - Kenji Kawai (~Kokuhaku~ Junnsui na Kokoro [~Confession~ A Pure Heart])

It’s not weeb shit if you’re Japanese, just nerdy. It’s the MP 100 season 3 soundtrack, specifically the finale bit when Mob is confessing to Tsubomi. For some reason it makes me cry instantly and every time. Also beautifully simple and I’ve been trying my hand at transcribing it by ear. With almost no formal musical training this is very hard, especially while crying lol

The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel

Look. Listen. I have an American Boomer father, and the first portable music I had was a cassette player with two Simon & Garfunkel tapes from his collection. This song was on one of them and I was feeling nostalgic.

Idk who to tag but @mariegoos, @meteor--shards, @petrabasil feel free to play if you like!

[queerprayers]

Hello! Do you have any christian songs and artists to recommend?

Beloved! Yes I do! Thanks for asking! Here's a lot of music I love from lots of genres.

some of my Spotify playlists:

current season playlist: advent (I'm working on organizing my Christmas playlists and will share them soon. I don't listen to Christmas music before the 24th, though.)

my in-love-with-Jesus playlist: Yeshua my beloved

my super disorganized song dump: queer Christian vibes

my leftist mix: can I interest you in some Christian Socialism

a trauma/confusion-inspired mix: weird relationship with Christianity

Contemporary Artist Recommendations

Semler—the ultimate queer Christian music icon. They've topped Christian charts multiple times, and make music about being gay, loving their wife, and finding God.

Sufjan Stevens—a classic. the ultimate "is he singing about God or his boyfriend?". has entirely too many weird Christmas songs.

LGBT choruses (compilation)—there's a lovely tradition of queer choruses—most famously The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. Not usually specifically Christian, but do hymns/Christian choral music.

Peter, Paul & Mary—a group I grew up with that inspired my love of folk and of justice.

Judee Sill—fun bisexual mystic folk-rock from the 70s

Trey Pearson—Christian pop artist who came out in 2016.

The Many—justice/love focused group with indie pop and gospel influences. (x)

All Sons & Daughters—more worship folk, purposefully unpolished.

Page CXVI—want to make hymns "accessible and known again." named after a page from The Magician's Nephew. (x)

Julien Baker—for my indie sad girls.

Vicky Beeching—a classic worship artist who came out in 2014

The Liturgists—part of the art collective of the same name. They also have a podcast.

Liturgical Folk—exactly what it sounds like. Absolutely lovely.

Poor Bishop Hooper—currently working on folk settings of all the Psalms. I also love their Advent/Christmas album.

Albums/Song Shoutouts

Seranade is a pop compilation by various queer artists, collected by the organization Beloved Arise.

The Mountain Goats is one of my favorite bands, and they've made a lot of work inspired/informed by Christianity. Check out their album The Life of the World to Come and their song "Cry for Judas."

The Oh Hellos' album Dear Wormwood has some great rennaissance-fair-vibes Christian bops. They did "Soldier, Poet, King," for the Tiktok-users out there.

"Maybe There's a Loving God" by Sarah Groves has gotten me through a lot of doubt-filled moments.

"Jesus! (A Communist Disco)" is exactly what it sounds like.

"She Keeps Me Warm" by Mary Lambert—which will be familiar to anyone who's heard that one gay Macklemore song—is absolutely beautiful. I don't cry on Sundays anymore. She and her wife are both Christian <3

I heard "VBS" by Lucy Dacus live, and it healed something in me. For the Vacation Bible School survivors.

Musicals/Soundtracks

I wasn't really a theater kid, but only because I was never good enough to audition... Here are some musicals and soundtracks that give me religious feelings.

Spring Awakening is a coming-of-age rock musical about teenagers discovering sex in a strict religious environment. (Warning for suicide, abortion, and sexual content.)

The Prince of Egypt is my favorite religious movie, and the soundtrack could wake me from a coma.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (soundtrack) (Broadway cast) is a great Disney movie, and has been made into a Broadway show. It's about a corrupt church and deals with sex/race/disability issues. Not perfect, but amazing for what it is, which is a kid's movie. I especially recommend the song "God Help the Outcasts." (Warning for normalized use of the word g*psy and for vague discussion of sexual violence.)

Bare is kind of a camp Catholic school musical? That's the best way I can describe it. Never went mainstream, and insanely long. Full of bops nonetheless. (Warning for drug use/overdose.)

Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway cast) (TV cast)—the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of Jesus' last week, told from the perspective of Judas. I've never enjoyed the movie, but the NBC event slapped. Widely criticized, heavily secular, and my Holy Saturday tradition. (Warnings (obviously) for suicide & torture/execution.)

Fiddler on the Roof is Jewish, not Christian, but is famous for a reason. The prayer songs feel so familiar even though I haven't really been around Jewish music—they just feel like home.

The Prom is centered around a lesbian couple trying to go to prom together. Recently made into a very cute Netflix movie. Deals with with Christian homophobia, especially "Love Thy Neighbor."

Liturgical/Classical/Choral/Hymns:

I grew up with the hymns in the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, and one of these days I'm gonna make a playlist of my favorites. (Here's the best one I've found.)

I also grew up around classical musicians, and there are a million pieces I could recommend, but here are my staples.

Lutheran Daily Prayer (Evening/Morning)—the daily liturgy that I'm familiar with. Simple and beautiful.

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles are an order of nuns who never fail to make me weep.

The National Lutheran Choir does so many beautiful hymns.

Choir of King's College, Cambridge—absolutely unparalleled Christmas albums.

Music of the Passion of Jesus Christ / The London Fox Players

high church hymns (playlist)

Bach's Passions

Rachmaninoff's Vespers

Vivaldi's Gloria

Pergolesi's Stabat Mater

de Monte's Mass Si Ambulavero & Motets

Mozart's Requiem (I think this is my favorite choral piece of all time)

Alright, that's what I got for you today! Happy listening! Everyone reading: drop your recommendations in the replies! No judgement, just vibes.

<3 Johanna

[miekasa]

what kind of music do you think the aot characters listen to in a modern au? everyone on tiktok says eren would be an eminem fan

NOT EMINEM... do they say that because eminem is like, angry rap 😭😭 that’s funny, and honestly, I kind of see it, but I would more so see him listening to more r&b and .... political? (if that’s the right word) rap music. Not that Eminem doesn’t have that, but I don’t know enough of his music to fairly judge I suppose. Anyways, here’s the rest of my thots!

EREN: Aside from his general vengeance drive, Eren’s character is centered around anger, yes, but towards injustice and inequality in his state, imposed by other people with power... That boy is going to eat J.Cole and Kendrick Lamar right up. (Am I projecting a little bit? Maybe, but I’m right, too 😌😌). Other than them, I think he’d like rap in general. Probably listens to Drake from time to time, definitely a Lil Uzi Vert fan. Classic Jay-Z, too.

But don’t get it twisted, when he’s not upset about power and privilege, he’s a hot boy, and he does hot boy shit. Also, this should go without saying, but everyone loves Beyoncé. I won’t tolerate them not liking her. But Eren fucks heavy with Rihanna, too. ANTi is on his most played albums every year 😭

ARMIN: He strikes me as the kind of person to give anything a listen, at least once. Definitely the kind of guy who has a playlist of classical music to help him study when he needs to. Really in awe of people with incredible vocal ranges: Mariah Carey, Adele, Beyoncé. Down with pop music, too, and definitely music in other languages; a little bit of a language barrier isn’t going to stop him. 

JEAN: He is also a hot boy, and does hot boy shit (ah), I absolutely will not debate, he has a crush on Megan, as he absolutely should 😌 Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino, and a lot of other rappers like I mentioned for Eren, too. Here’s the wildcard, though: secret High School Musical fan. Knows the third soundtrack by heart from start to finish. 

MIKASA: On the outside, quite... mellow? Nothing out of the ordinary, listens to relatively popular artists, and is pretty good at keeping up with new music. On the low, is about that City Girl shit. Hand her the mic when a Nicki Minaj song is on during karaoke, and she’ll chew you up. Other people to mention: Lizzo, Rihanna, Selena Quintanilla, Big Sean. 

LEVI: Again, I don’t think anything out of the ordinary. Not the best at keeping up with new releases, but if you recommend something to him, he’ll listen to it at least once. I know Stromae only has one album, but I think Levi would like it. Solange, Rihanna, Jhene Aiko, Janelle Monae, Michael Jackson, more recent Jay-Z, sometimes The Weeknd. And, as I’ve mentioned, Beyoncé; but, like, a lot. Levi could be president of the Beyhive on the low. 

ERWIN (suprise): His playlists are the most all over the place, but hear me out... he really likes pop music. But think of, like, early 2000s pop music; Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream kind of pop, Lady Gaga all the way, a sprinkle of Bruno Mars. Co-president of the Beyhive, along with Levi. But I can also see him relaxing to r&b music, too; Michael Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Christina Aguilera ballads. 

HANGE: If you want to talk about someone who will listen to absolutely anything, then we need to talk about Hange. Everything from Doja Cat to The Neighbourhood. Constantly searching for new music and obscure Spotify playlists. I feel like she wouldn’t be a big Drake fan LOL. Probably very into kpop because there’s so much to offer, and musical soundtracks. Not things like “Les Mis” or “Hamilton,” more on the side of shows like “West Side Story” and “Wicked.” 

SASHA: Once she gets a hold of Glee covers, it’s over for everyone. Sings them loudly, and pretends she’s in an acapella group. Most female artists are her cup of tea, too. For some reason, I can’t help but think she would like... slightly punk pop music? I don’t know if I’m describing it right, but, like, Avril Lavigne and P!nk, and even some Lady Gaga songs. Dua Lipa’s most recent album reminds me of her. 

CONNIE: Why do I get such strong Black Eyed Peas energy from that boy oh my god... This isn’t a specific artist or even genre but, music that gives off “Tik Tok” by Kesha vibes LOL. Songs like “Like a G6,” “Sk8er Boy,” and “Fergalicious” 😭😭 But also challenges himself to learn really fast rap verses. Absolutely red in the face after trying either of Megan’s verses in WAP, but it was worth it. Screams “ANOTHER ONE” and “DJ KHALED” very loudly at the beginning of any DJ Khaled song. 

[cuntresskibum]

I want to get into k-pop/j-pop/c-pop (for LOONA and other wlw-friendly fanbases, basically), but idk how to find their songs? lol I mean idk how to find their new songs on yt and stuff like that? I don’t speak the language, so getting updates and songs and things like that feel incredibly complicated :( help? also girl group recs? :((

I just subscribe to youtube groups, follow some twitters, and check r/kpop and the rest is just follow kpop tumblrs there's quite a few girl group based ones that are decent for letting me know when there's been a new comeback

Most groups have English based social media at this point OR have people posting English translations immediately under all of their posts. Kpop is extremely accessible to English-speaking fans these days. Tumblr, reddit, twitter are great places to start if the youtube channels or spotify pages are too chaotic to follow

Anyways, if you like LOONA, I would recommend GWSN (Like it Hot is their most recent comeback but I really love Red Sun 0210, Bazooka, and Puzzle Moon, too! Wonder Boy, the Aerialist is my fave by them) if you're more into theri solo/sub unit stuff, Everglow if you're more into theri recent stuff (I'm into La Di Da, Dun Dun, and Bon Bon Chocolat with Bon Bon Chocolat being my fave).

If you're looking for WLW/LGBT friendly, a LOT of idols have been into pride flag/voicing support these days, so I wouldn't be too scared of running into like... openly homophobic idols.

Boa is an older solo artist who has actually performed at pride and you might actually know her from her Japanese work (every heart from Inuyasha). Her latest song is "Better" but my FAVE stuff from her is "One Shot, Two Shot" and a song from her Englsih album "Eat You Up."

Boa has just dabbled in Japanese tracks (as have most kpop artists) but if you want an artist who does Japanese and English tracks, Utada Hikaru si AMAZING and is nonbinary and bisexual! Some lesser known tracks that I would recommend outside of their more famous stuff (just look up Utada + Kingdom Hearts for That) is their new Song "One Last Kiss" for the NGE Soundtrack, "Too Proud," "Nijikan Dake No Vacance" (WHICH HAS A WLW MUSIC VIDEO!), "On and On" which is about gay parades lol, and "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence." The last two are English releases!

Shinee has a large LGBT audience but is a boy group but if you can brave that, 95% of their discography is just... fucking amazing but off the top of my head, I LOVE Odd Eye, View, All Day All Night, and Who Waits for Love. Key did a collab with Years & YEars (lead singer is gay and nonbinary) called "If You're Over Me" if you want more explicitly like... LGBT associated but the sound is more Years & Yaers than Shinee or what you'd get from Key's solo work.

And to just spit out a lot of my faves atm, "First Love" by After School (disbanded, rip), "Easy" by WJSN, literally any song by Sunmi who is the queen of accidental gaybait and is VERY pro-LGBT, "Thank you Soooo Much" by Yubin who was in a group with Sunmi and has posted gay things before debuting, "Free Somebody" is by Luna who feels very WLW-adjacent, "Touch" by Anda has a VERY WLW heavy music video abotu implied pussy eating and her stuff with Primary is AMAZING, the Irene & Seulgi MV for Monster is WLW baiting of the nth degree but better songs from them and Red Velvet would be Kingdom Come, I Just, Sunny Side Up, and Psycho.

Brave Girls put out sound of the Summer with "Chi Mat Ba Ram" but Fever and Pool Party are better songs off that mini album and if you want their older stuff, Deepened and High Heels are fuckign AMAZING songs. And We ride is a fucking BANGER

Listen to Soul Lady by Yukika, Touch by Sori (but please know she quit the idol life), Like You by Rakiyah, Scandalous and Whatever by Keembo (two ladies singing together!!!), and Party Feel Love by Hyuna (which does feature her bf but I swear the song is worth it).

All of the idols I've listed so far hve pretty strong LGBT/WLW followings. IDK if Apink does but if I look at Eunji and feel gay if that counts. If it does, check out Dumhdurum, %% Eung Eung, and I'm so Sick. OH and I THINK one of the Weki Meki membres has come out like 50 times, I don't follow their career much but I LOOOOOVE Picky Picky. Also, Twice haev full of gay-conic bops but I feel like listing them was a bit overdone? I have specific recs for their songs if you want tho

I recommend just throwing allof these songs onto a playlit and skipping any song you hate. I am sorry for recommending Shinee when you asked for girl groups but they are my boy group exception and Jonghyun was such a beautiful advocate for the LGBT community and mental health and I miss him so much that I coulnd't leave them off the list, even fi I mostly put newer releases. Shinin' by Jonghyun is honestly an incredible song and you might like it if you like Loona's sound!

[radramblog]

And you don’t seem to understand

A shame, you seemed an honest man.

Duvet, by bôa (the British band, not BoA, the Korean pop artist) was my song of the year in 2020. According to Spotify, at least.

Most people who have heard Duvet know it as the opening to the cult classic anime Serial Experiments Lain. Like many things about Lain, the opening is iconic, matching Duvet’s acoustic meandering and haunting vocals with the mysterious and a e s t h e t i c visuals to create something unique that looks nothing like most anime openings these days. The average anime opening is energetic, introduces all the characters, has shenanigans and funny animation, and Lain is out here just giving nothing away. She’s on the TV and then walking down the street and then time stops and huh????

As a show, Lain is esoteric and confusing and doesn’t answer nearly as many questions as it sets up but manages to maintain interest through these mysteries somehow, through a combination of a slow build and sheer fuckery. Lain herself being a surprisingly endearing protagonist helps a lot; as a fish out of water with the computer systems the series centres around, her curiosity helps drive much of the early developments and worldbuilding. While the largest mysteries about the show surround her personally, by the time the audience is exposed to them they are likely comfortable enough with her to feel as unsettled by the implications as is intended. As comfortable as anything in the show could be, anyway- the show’s limited budget was used masterfully to create a stark, harsh atmosphere, with scenes where you’d expect that one anime cicada loop instead carrying the drone of power lines, and backgrounds painted alternately with sheer white and an excess of shadow, making the city feel as unnatural as the events taking place in it.

The show is also incredibly predictive about the nature of the internet and what online culture would look like for an anime released in the late 90s- the themes of online cliquing and personae are more relevant than ever in an age of social media and its role in modern politics.

Serial Experiments Lain happens to be available for free on funimation’s website in some countries (and Youtube where it isn’t), so there’s no excuse not to watch it! Unless its not your thing, which I could understand. Frustratingly, the Youtube version doesn’t appear to have the opening or ending attached, let alone the little bit before the opening (haha look it up its so great), so I wasn’t exposed to Duvet for much longer than I would have liked in retrospect. Because this song and album fuck so hard.

I suppose part of having a less than ideal budget meant using a song from an obscure alternative band than commissioning a new one for the opening, but I’m certainly not complaining about the result. Following the anime’s release, the album Duvet was sourced from, The Race of a Thousand Camels, would end up being reorganised and rereleased internationally as Twilight with a few bonus tracks on the end (I’m still hunting down a CD of either of them, but they had a pretty low run and such are hard as hell to get).

I’m not sure what the best comparison would be to get an idea of what Twilight sounds like- spotify’s recommended artists appear largely to be other composers associated with anime soundtracks (as well as the artist behind the VA-11 Hall-A soundtrack, you go mate) so that hasn’t been much help. If I’m honest, its not too out of the ordinary- while a very very solid album, I don’t think it strays too far from what would be considered late 90s British alt-rock, which makes sense considering that’s where they originate from. The Cranberries but less folky and less Irish? I dunno.

Particular songs on the list do resonate more with me than others. Perhaps it is a little presumptuous to say that Fool is relatable, as my experience does not quite line up to that of the lyrics, but there are connections I can draw there so it works pretty well on me. Bonus tracks Drinking and Little Miss both do it for me (wow, really?) with Little Miss’s unexpected aggression and emotion underlying the abusiveness of the second person protagonist of the lyrics and that little unexpected breakdown at the end reminds me of some of my other favourite tunes (Twelve Foot Ninja, of all bands, comes to mind). Drinking, on the other hand, mirrors Little Miss as an acoustic closer that could be from the titular woman’s perspective, mirroring the lyrical relationship between the two. It’s a great way to finish an album with as much emotion as Twilight does, and considering the latter half of The Race of a Thousand Camels was its weaker one, a good addition to the record overall.

I don’t really have much more to add, other than go consume these underrated pieces of media. It’s free content mother fucker (edit: was listening to the Lain soundtrack while writing this and its fuckin wiiild. Theme of Lain? Hella. Theme of a Hilly Road? Is that a didge mate?)

[boyswhocry]

Haikyuu Spotify Habits | Karasuno Pt. 1

The First Years! Hinata, Kageyama, Yamaguchi, Tsukishima & Yachi

Favourite Songs: 

Walking on Clouds - Esthie

Haircut - Ryan Beatty

Antidote - Orion Sun

Slow Down - Taichi Mukai

Favourite Genres:

Bedroom Pop

J-Pop

Habits:

listens to music recommended by EVERYONE he meets

follows everyone’s spotify’s but no one follows him back except for Suga and Akaashi #bestmoms 

publicly saves other people's playlists but prefers to listen to his own MASSIVE collection of liked songs rather than making a playlist

however, has one really popular playlist for his favourite favourite favourite songs, but it’s only popular bc people thought his playlist was dedicated to hinata hyuga T^T

has a playlist strictly for non-explicit songs so that Natsu and him could listen to it without getting yelled at by Mama Hinata UwU

he himself doesn’t like listening to super explicit songs, but it’s too common to avoid - he’s BABY

usually listens to music on his way to school while riding his bike

he remembers the melodies of songs really well but never remembers the lyrics, so he’ll make it up on the spot and improv a whole concert

listens to nothing but different variations and covers of All I Want For Christmas Is You as soon as november and december roll around

his favourite user is Akaashi!

My Favourite Playlist About Them: hinata. by hebees_

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5p33ROYi22Xf3KwOxiqTZ7?si=3vk2qT6NQ1GH9qxVyy9v4w

Favourite Songs:

My Favourite Part - Mac Miller ft. Ariana Grande

Yah. - Kendrick Lamar

The Kids Aren’t Alright - Fall Out Boy

Obsession - EXO

Favourite Genres:

Chill Hip-Hop

Alternative/Indie

Ariana Grande

Habits:

kinda hooked on ariana grande after listening to ‘7 Rings’ and feeling like a bad bitch

prefers to listen to instrumentals and nature noises to focus on training and keeping calm when he’s practicing volleyball at home

has a dedicated playlist full of chill hip-hop when he’s manicuring his nails 

uses the most boring and generic playlist names and never changes his playlist covers ;-;

“nails songs“

“running songs“

“volleyball songs“

utilitarian spotify user rather than one who uses it for fun

suffers through ads cuz he doesn’t have premium 

his favourite user is Iwaizumi!

My Favourite Playlist About Them: stealing milk from vending machines with kageyama tobio by tsxukei

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Xey47Wm43Ufq8Y9kFeQvO?si=LWOB9nDqQs-Tr4aYFJS12Q

Favourite Songs:

Put Your Records On - Ritt Momney

Sunflower - Post Malone ft. Swae Lee

Save Me - BTS

You Know How We Do It - Ice Cube

Favourite Genres:

Alternative/Indie

Whatever Tsukki listens to

Habits:

literally will follow all of Tsukki’s playlists, critique them without a HINT of negative comments, write about ‘em his personal journal, take a shit to ‘em

likes to listen to anime soundtracks whenever he finishes watching one

his favourite OSTs are from tokyo ghoul cuz it gives him anxiety and is a closeted masochist : )

no but seriously he’s trying to listen to more anxiety inducing songs so that he could get over his nerves with exposure therapy, someone give his bb a hug ;-;

publicly follows Tsukki’s playlists, but also makes super aesthetic playlists based on his moods

his favourite user is TSUKISHIMA!

My Favourite Playlist About Them: lord and savior, punk yamaguchi by Paige

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0lM5Bjnw3atBoN041DBK2x?si=Xt30Otb0TDONygKB2t0iyw

Favourite Songs:

Moondance - ADOY

Put Your Head On My Shoulder - Pauk Anka

The Hills - The Weeknd 

Slim Shady - Eminem

Favourite Genres:

Old Skool Hip-Hop

RnB

LoFi

Habits:

ofc out lil salty boi would be listening to Eminem 

a man of many tastes 

listens to classical music every now and then but it’s only when he wants to release steam by fuggin’ JAMMIN to chaotic piano music

has a playlist for new songs that he keeps interchanging whenever he gets tired of the old ones

doesn’t even try but has hundreds of followers

A++ in music curation, he carefully thinks them out to create out of body listening experiences whenever you listen to any of his playlists

playlist covers and titles are based off of different extinct creatures 

has a study playlist with lofi and instrumental songs from documentaries that he’s watched

has a secret playlist that he listens to incognito so that no one knows that he’s a mushy little lover boi on the inside 

his favourite user is Kenma!

My Favourite Playlist About Them: tsukishima’s headphones by april<3

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1vO8OVraTdfDMeAxOgDVeI?si=kH1rlUekRF-Dxk8iBVEf7w

Favourite Songs:

Sofia - Clairo

Fireflies - Owl City

midnight love - girl in red

Fantasy - Fei

Favourite Genres:

Pop

K-Pop

LoFi

Habits:

has the MOST aesthetic playlists names and covers out of ALL of karasuno, absolutely no one could even come near her level of artistry, the closest being Suga

changes her aesthetics based off of the season

secretly follows Tendo’s crackhead playlist filled w inappropriate songs  o.O

only listens to it when she’s tired of listening to songs that makes sense

also has a broad range in terms of music taste and is constantly listening to new music, especially when she’s doing her hw and starts jammin’ to some bops

she’s part of the beehive

has a joint premium account w Yamaguchi

makes playlists for all of her closest friends, including her neighbours cat who is very cuddly and loves her UwU

cried listening to the Stevens Universe sound track - she’s so BABY T^T

her favourite user is Sugawara!

My Favourite Playlist About Them: yachi hitoka by alyssa 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2F0okvUsF6pHJ6LB7c5fwv?si=-nW7r6AcQ0K64CWTW7jPMg

[taste-in-music]

taste-in-music’s Year End Wrap-Up

Hello everybody! We’ve finally reached the end of 2020. While I’m glad to leave this miserable year behind, one of things that undeniably got me through it was the vast amount of awesome music we got. In past years I’ve made favorite album and EP lists, but this time around I’m going to tackle them all in one go, giving reviews on the projects that had some significances to me over the course of the year. I’m going to make a post for my favorite songs too, so keep an eye out for that in coming days. Now, without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?

folklore by Taylor Swift: This was an incredible year of growth for Taylor Swift. As much as I’ve enjoyed her past music, the way she constantly felt the need to address what people thought of her always irked me, (though after watching her documentary, I do understand why she did it.) It wasn’t Taylor Swift the public persona that was most interesting, I thought. It was Taylor Swift the artist, the songwriter, the storyteller. What I wanted was an album focused on that. This year, I got one, (well... more on that later,) and it’s my favorite project she’s ever done. The tales Swift spins on folklore span across love triangles, heiresses, and battlefields, and she nails each and every one. While the chilly indie-folk influence from the likes of Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon is prominent, Swift’s warmth and charisma always cuts through the fog like a beam of sunlight. So yeah, this is my undeniable album of the year.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple: I only started listening to Fiona Apple last year and had thoroughly enjoyed her music, but this album cemented her as one of my favorite songwriters and performers of all time. Everything about Fetch The Bolt Cutters is so idiosyncratic yet fits together in just the right way, like watching an entire house being dropped from the sky and falling perfectly into place. It is a testament to the creative process, emotional honesty, and breaking free from all the cages you may find yourself in, whether they be societal, personal, or those of your own making. And in a year that was so isolating, it felt like Apple was whispering everything I needed to hear right into my ear, just when I needed it. In short, my boltcutters have been motherfucking fetched. 

Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers: When Punisher was announced, I had no clue how Phoebe Bridgers would match the quality of Stranger In The Alps. Upon first listen, I wasn’t sure she had. By the fifteenth time I was listening to this album and every lyric was hitting like Cupid’s arrow to the jugular, I knew she’d surpassed it. Punisher presents a sonic scope that both comforts and crushes all at once, like with the upbeat yet mournful horns on “Kyoto” or the cathartic swell on standout “I Know The End.” In my opinion, Bridgers is one of the greatest songwriters of our generation in the making, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings for her. She may know the end, but she’s far from it. 

SAWAYAMA by Rina Sawayama: This is the album I see becoming a new shorthand for the true potential of pop excellence, a cult hit that never got its time to shine but is beloved by pop music geeks to the ends of the earth, like EMOTION by Carly Rae Jepsen. SAWAYAMA so effortlessly blends diverse genres and influences like disco, nu metal, and arena rock, and it yet it remains cohesive due to Rina Sawayama’s sheer strength as a performer. She deserves a spot on the pop girlie hierarchy, and one near the top. 

Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa: I really enjoyed Dua Lipa’s debut album, but even I didn’t expect her to come through with such a fully realized, consistent, downright fantastic follow up. Future Nostalgia is a pop album that feels studied, like Lipa did her research of pop’s past as she made it. The result is an album that synthesizes several different sounds under her vision, one that is always trained ahead, and it simply slaps. In a perfect world, nearly every song on this album got spun off into a hit single. 

evermore by Taylor Swift: 2020 was already my year of listening to Taylor Swift, (I went through her whole discography, cultivated a favorites playlist, and at the end of the year I was in the top 2% of her yearly Spotify listeners.) evermore was a lovely cherry to top it all off. While folklore enchanted me with its stories, evermore captivated me with its melodies. I haven’t been able to get snippets of this album out. of. my. head. for weeks now. It’s a bit less consistent than it’s older sister, (and likely to live in its shadow,) but there is still so much to love. 

I’m Allergic to Dogs! by Remi Wolf: This EP is so much goddamn fun. It’s a blend of many different sounds, indie pop, electronic, maybe hip hop, I think reggae at points? It’s such a colorful, textured, quirky listen bristling with energy and undeniable hooks. “Woo!” conquered my Summer, and months later the bridge of “Photo ID” conquered TikTok. Keep your eye out for Remi Wolf in the coming year, she’s going to make a big splash. 

Good At Being Young by Charli Adams: Good At Being Young was the first EP this year that I could not get enough of. It drifts through dreamy indie-pop sounds, with melancholic guitars and cloudy synths, and Adams has a deep vocal timbre that delivers tales of adolescent tribulations with just the right amount of wistfulness. Overall, it builds the perfect soundscape for a late-night drive.

Cape God by Allie X: Allie X has been keeping us FED with content. It seems like only yesterday that Super Sunset came out, and yet her output remains impressively consistent. This album has impressive highs, some lower moments, but the danceability, duets, and enticing darkness under its shiny pop veneer make it a record you won’t want to skip. 

La vita nuova by Christine and The Queens: Perhaps the biggest flex of 2020 was Christine and The Queens dropping a fantastic EP and accompanying short film right out of the gate. The grooves on this are infectious, wiry, and air-tight, (the Caroline Polachek feature was another added bonus,) but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of emotional weight too. 

Lighter by Donna Missal: This was one of my most anticipated albums of the year, and it’s hard to determine whether it disappointed or not. I think the only thing holding Lighter back is that This Time was such a formative album for me, (my favorite of 2018, to the uninitiated.) In fact, this album flows way better than This Time, more cohesive with its storytelling and more consistent in folk-rock sound. And, of course, Donna Missal’s vocals stun on both the bangers and the ballads. 

SURF by BLACKSTARKIDS: There was no record this year that was more instantly likeable than this one. The blend of low-fi indie pop and hip hop makes for a whirlwind of sunny fun and youthful malaise that would make the perfect soundtrack for a road trip to the beach. Standouts include the opening track “SOUNDS LIKE FUN,” the chill “WIGS,” and blissful title track “MUSIC TO SURF TO.”

The Baby by Samia: I’ve had my eye on Samia since “Milk” dropped years ago. Seeing her live sparked my belief that she was an indie darling in the making, and The Baby confirmed that she definitely was. The lyrics on this album mix quiet contemplation with just enough sardonic wit and raw emotion throughout a varied selection of sunny rock bops and gut wrenching ballads. If you enjoyed Punisher, then I can’t recommend this enough.

Season 2 by Nasty Cherry: Nasty Cherry is a group that I will not stop rooting for. Their EP from last year showed their potential for nailing monster hooks, but this sophomore effort shows just how versatile they can be. This EP covers everything from Dylan Brady produced hyperpop to early-2000s reminiscent pop rock to emotional balladry, and they pull it all off flawlessly. 

A Little Rhythm and a Wicked Feeling by Magdalena Bay: This album became a fast favorite way late in the year, there is such a sweetness to Magdalena Bay’s music that makes it stick in your brain like a piece of blue raspberry bubblegum. This EP is spacey, catchy, and filled with electronic synthpop mastery, with countless catchy hooks that’ll make you feel like drifting and dancing all at once.

Miss Anthropocene by Grimes: The bubblegum bombast of Art Angels fully redefined my taste in pop years ago, so I was fascinated to see how Grimes would follow it up. On Miss Anthropocene, she leans into darker, more industrial textures, but also anchors it back to Earth with acoustic touches and some of her most introspective lyrics to date. Grimes painted a version of a world on the brink of disaster on this album, a picture that was hypnotically beautiful. And in a year where the word was a certified disaster, that was strangely comforting.

Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus: I’ve been wanting Miley to go rock for so goddamn long, Plastic Hearts was bound to make this list by pure validation alone. But what can I say? This breed of glossy 80s rock suits Cyrus’s rougher voice so well! I hope she stays in this lane a bit longer, but as we know, she’s one of pop’s most chameleonic figures. Only time will tell. 

Where Does The Devil Hide by Zella Day: I have been patiently awaiting new Zella Day music ever since getting hooked on Kicker back in 2017, so this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. This EP sounds nothing like Kicker, and I couldn’t be happier. It shows Day leaning even more into her influences from the past, (the 60s/70s vibes are intense with this one,) but also breathing a refreshing new life into them. 

SOUL LADY by Yukika: When I imagine the ideal of pop music, what it would sound like in a perfect world, this is what it sounds like. SOUL LADY is full of pristine, glossy production and catchy hooks that feel like they’ve come down from the clouds. I’ll admit that I can have trouble forming a connection with music when I don’t understand the lyrics, (it’s something I’m working on,) but this album cleared that hurdle with ease. If you’re curious about city pop or K-pop this is a great place to start. 

Heaven Is Without You by Love You Later: Give me lush pop production and heartbroken lyrics finished off with a heaping helping of nostalgia and I’ll eat it up with a spoon. Love You Later has been feeding my addiction to this genre for years, and this latest helping is particularly sweet. 

IN A DREAM by Troye Sivan: Troye Sivan has always supplied the bops, but it was about time that he started experimenting with his sound a little bit more. This EP offers some harder-hitting electronic textures, but also the addictive hooks that’ll keep you coming back for more.

Ungodly Hour by Chloe X Halle: These women are so TALENTED! If there is any word I’d use to describe this album it would be “effortless,” the harmonies, grooves, and chemistry between Chloe and Halle feels so natural and free-flowing. Charisma just rolls off of them in droves, I see full-blown stardom and several Grammys in their future.

Watching You by Robinson: This EP was one of the first on this list to arrive this year, and it still hits months later. Robinson’s confessional lyrics work wonders over the buoyant pop grooves, and “Don’t Say” remains one of the best pop songs of recent years. 

Manic by Halsey: I respect Halsey for dipping her toes into a myriad of different genres, (synth pop, rock, hip hop, and acoustic balladry,) but it does make for a jumbled listening experience. Still, I appreciate that this album features some of Halsey’s strongest tracks and writing to date, offering greater experimentation and emotional imtimacy than album’s past. 

We Don’t Stop by Aly & AJ: Should this count? It’s more a compilation of their past EP and singles... I don’t care, I’m counting it because there’s some new stuff too. This is an excellent display of Aly & AJ’s pop prowess in recent years, the hooks, vocal chemistry, and shimmery production are undeniable. 

Under My Influence by The Aces: The Aces returned in 2020 with a more laid-back, groovier record than their debut, exploring a wider variety of sounds. They’re as magnetic and likeable a group as ever, each member giving it their all, but I think I’ll return to the debut more often. 

Strangers/Lovers by Dagny: I’ve been anticipating a longer Dagny project, as she’s been drip-feeding us singles for a while now. This was a lot of fun, with Dagny pairing her upbeat earnestness with stories of romantic tribulation. While the hooks aren’t as memorable as her past offerings, there is still so much to enjoy. Lead single “Come Over” and “Let Me Cry” are my favorites.

DUALITY by Tatiana Hazel: I came across this via recommendation on Tik Tok and it’s a solid pop record! The music is swooning, synthy, and tinged with disco and Latin influence. The record doesn’t waste a second of its runtime, clocking in at less than half an hour and grooving the whole time.

After Hours by The Weeknd: The sonic palette of After Hours is so engaging, a neon-drenched blend of synthwave, electropop, and R&B. I’ve always felt lukewarm on The Weeknd’s musical persona of brooding, villainous party monster, so the strongest moments on this album tend to be when he subverts that in some way. Still, in full, this album is an undeniable force of smash hits, stadium-shaking ballads, and cinematic flair. I can’t wait for his Super Bowl performance. 

Petrol Bloom by LAUREL: It’s no secret that this year was chock-full of 80s revival albums (there’s what, five others on this list?) LAUREL wasn’t an artist I was expecting to go in that direction after the brooding folk pop of her debut album, but her deeper timbre works great alongside the synthy soundscapes. 

positions by Ariana Grande: I’ve just come to expect that nearly all of Ariana Grande’s albums are going to be growers to me. My first listen to positions was underwhelming, but the songs have grown on me more and more. This album feels like being let in on a giggly, fun slumber party with Grande and her friends. I wouldn’t call this her strongest album by far, and while I tend to prefer when she favors the more powerful parts of her range, (and her enunciations could still use some work,) there is a lot of good material here. 

THE ALBUM by BLACKPINK: We may just have to stan. I checked this out after watching their Netflix documentary, and while this breed of cacophonous, in-your-face electropop isn’t something I can listen to all the time, the hooks and charisma are undeniable. It certainly makes me feel like a bad bitch whenever I’m working out. 

Kid Krow by Conan Gray: Conan Gray burst onto my radar offering dreamy tracks rich with teen malaise and suburban restlessness, and a good amount of that initial appeal carries over onto this album. Kid Krow has both a larger instrumental scope and more stripped-back moments. In the end, it still feels like Gray is finding his voice as an artist, but he's giving up great bops to jam out to as he does.

Petals For Armor by Hayley Williams: Hayley Williams is one of my favorite vocalists, so seeing her venture out for a solo project was exciting. This album offers a mixed bag of danceable jams, emotive moments that showcase Williams’s powerful voice, and a few skips. But overall it showcases Williams’s strength as a performer as she tackles her past with vulnerability and versatility.

Apart by LÉON: Oh, man. This one was kind of disappointing. For context, LÉON’s self-titled debut was my favorite album of last year. This follow-up is by no means bad, but every song on her first album was instantly memorable. This one, not so much. LÉON’s vocals are beautiful, and there are some stand-out tracks, but I don’t see myself returning to this nearly as much. 

Blush by Maya Hawke: Maya Hawke’s Blush was to my 2020 what Tōth’s Practice Magic and Seek Professional Help When Necessary was to my 2019, (and that makes sense, as they’ve collaborated in the past.) This album is so blissful and nonchalant, and Maya Hawke has a gentle, soothing voice that feels wise beyond her years. While the writing isn’t as hard-hitting as, say, the Phoebe Bridgers album, sometimes I just want to listen to something that could rock me off into a dream world. If you like folksy, down-to-earth ballads, you’ve got a solid collection of them right here. 

Dedicated Side B by Carly Rae Jepsen: Of course Queen Carly would pull through with B-sides for Dedicated, did we expect anything less? Jepsen’s brand of controlled yet carefree shimmery poptimism drenched in 80s nostalgia that never fails to put me in a good mood. This album has some lusher, more tropical instrumentation than Dedicated proper, but works great alongside it.

Missing Person by Kelsy Karter: To the Plastic Hearts fans out there, your homework now is to give this record a listen. This rock album presents pop hooks, but a lot of reckless rock fun too. Kelsy Karter has so much irresistible swagger and carefree spirit as a performer, speeding through the emotional highs and lows like she’s burning rubber in a cherry red Cadillac. 

how i’m feeling now by Charli XCX: I’ll admit, this album was a bit abrasive to me on first listen. But tracks like “anthems” and “forever” made me return, and it’s a huge grower. If you listen closely, you’ll find the sugary-sweet hooks and relatable sentiments nestled deep in the crunchy hyperpop textures, begging to be discovered and eventually loved. 

Jaguar by Victoria Monét: If you enjoyed positions, then check out the debut from one of that album’s most prominent co-writers. Jaguar’s concise collection of silky R&B slow-burners show that Victoria Monet’s is a superstar in her own right. 

Some great albums I listened to that didn’t come out this year: Blue by Joni Mitchell, BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA by BLACKPINK, I Need to Start a Garden by Haley Heynderickx, Plastic Beach by Gorillaz, Out in the Storm by Waxahatchee, 7 by Beach House, Dummy by Portishead, Lovers Fevers by Babygirl, and Red by Taylor Swift. 

Whether you liked, reblogged, or commented on a post, sent me an ask, or interacted with this blog in any way, thank you so much for all the support throughout the year! I can’t express how much I appreciate it. 

What were your favorite albums from this year? Did I miss anything? Send me an ask and let me know. I’ll tell you my thoughts, or put it on my to-listen-to list if I haven’t heard it. 

Here’s to 2021! May it clear the extremely low bar set by this year. 

[bangtan-madi]

Top Albums of 2020

I was tagged by the amazing @joonni to list my top nine twelve albums of 2020! This was honestly so hard, but so fun. I love any tags to do with music xD (Your music taste was amazing btw! Sorry I went a little crazy and did a few extra lol.) Thanks lovie 💓

I went with the albums that I loved as whole (aka I loved most, if not all, of the songs) and listened to the most this year. Some choices have deeper meanings, while others were just flat-out enjoyable. I also stuck with albums that came out this year only, but I wasn’t sure if that was inherently part of the challenge. I wasn’t too picky on the criteria, just went with the ones that made up the score for my 2020. All albums have Spotify links incase something catches your eye! (Apologies for my extra-ness; I added recommendations from each album and a brief...ish explanation as to why it made the list.)

Also, they’re in no particular order, because this was difficult enough...

Map of the Soul: 7 by BTS

Explanation — This album was my first comeback as part of the BTS Army. There are so many tracks that I adore, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I was so excited for music. It breathed life into my Spotify, it was the album I listened to the most this year, and Black Swan was my most listened song. The differing music genres that they played with, all the way from orchestral to trap to hip hop and synth pop, left me more and more excited as the songs progressed. If there was a #1 on this list, it would be MOTS:7.

Highlights — Interlude: Shadow, Black Swan, ON, We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal

Zero: Fever Part.1 by Ateez

Explanation — This was the soundtrack to my summer. I hadn’t heard much from Ateez, but what I had heard, I wasn’t a huge fan of? Maybe I hadn’t been grabbed yet, but oh boy. Zero: Fever definitely did that. Every track is such high energy and memorable, so it was so hard to pick favorites! I’ll always think back on this one for summer, and will be transported back to plenty of sunset commutes.

Highlights — Fever, Thanxx, One Day At A Time

The Dream Chapter: Eternity by Tomorrow x Together

Explanation — Until this mini album, I had only listened to TXT in passing. I liked their stuff, but I feel like this is where they really found their stride. TDC:E caught me totally off-guard, in the best way possible. To me at least, this one is a work of art. Each of the six tracks is so entrancing, and so different from each other while still working together as a cohesive story. And don’t even get me started on the MVs! This is an album that I listen to for feels and fun, which to me, TXT are just brilliant at. 

Highlights — Fairy of Shampoo, Maze in the Mirror, Eternally

Dystopia: The Tree of Language by Dreamcatcher

Explanation — It took me forever to find a girl group that I could really stan, like hardcore. This comeback for Dreamcatcher was when I realized they were it for me. This album in particular is so diverse. Their voices are both haunting and beautiful, and the way they interweave rock/alternative elements into their music has always turned my ear. They are so different from so many other girl groups out there, from the sound to their stage presence to their aesthetic. I will never stop talking about them, and this album really shows the best of their work thus far.

Highlights — Red Sun, Sahara, Paradise

BE by BTS

Explanation — How could BE not be on this list? What a perfect end to a shitty year. There’s something so comforting yet uplifting about this one, and I will happily admit I cried when I first heard Blue & Grey. Who am I kidding, I still do. There’s only one other artist I have listed on here with two albums, so BTS is in good company. What more is there to say other than BE was the warm hug we all needed.

Highlights — Life Goes On, Blue & Grey, Dis-ease, Stay

Heng:garae by Seventeen

Explanation — This is another group that I hadn’t listened to much before this album. I was so surprised and excited. Every song that passed, I found myself smiling more. Their voices are astoundingly beautiful, and the songs are sickeningly catchy. Another album that I go to just to have fun. It’s one of my favorites to just put on when a day is good, but doesn’t Seventeen make it a little better regardless?

Highlights — Fearless, Kidult, I Wish, Together

The Untamed by various

Explanation — If you’ve seen the Chinese drama The Untamed, then you know exactly why this is on there. This album is a collection of songs that are themes for the characters in the show, most of which are sung by the actors themselves. Let me tell you; I don’t know a lick of Mandarin, but these are some of the most stunning songs I’ve ever heard. It’s one of the things that drew me to the drama to begin with; everything, including the music, is breathtaking. The classical Chinese sound plays so well with the character’s stories and singer’s vocals. They tell stories all on their own and give the drama so much depth. Even if you’re not a fan of the show or webtoon it’s based on, give this one a listen. You won’t be disappointed!

Highlights — [Wen Qing] woodland, [Wen Ning] Chi Ni, [Lan Xichen] Bu You, [Jiang Yanli & Jin Zixuan] Yong Ge, [Interlude] Yi Nan Ping, [Nie Minghao & Nie Huaisang] Qing He Ju

Humanity (Chapters I & II) by Thomas Bergersen

Explanation — If you know anything about me, you know how important orchestral music is to me. It’s been a huge part of my music journey ever since I was in middle school. Thomas Bergersen has been my favorite composer for years; the way he integrates the classical with the modern is just...there are no words. These two albums cannot be listed separately; they’re part of a seven-part project titled Humanity. Chapters I & II came out in 2020, and honestly, I have no words. The way he tells a story through almost entirely lyric-less work is just immaculate. I’ve never felt more powerful, emotional, or inspired than when listening to these two. I cried when I first heard Your Imagination and Materialize. No matter how I am feeling, whether I need inspiration or hope or just some peace of mind, I go here. I’ve never felt more healed than when listening to his work. If you take a chance to listen to anything on this list, PLEASE. Give these a try. 

Highlights — We Are One, Wings, Humanity, Your Imagination, Materialize, Innocence, The Stars Are Coming Home

Brightest Blue by Ellie Goulding

Explanation — I don’t listen to a ton of western music that isn’t orchestral or lofi, but I used to adore Ellie Goulding. Halcyon was my entire teen-hood. When I saw she came out with a new album this year, I gave it a listen for sentimentality reasons. And boy, I still love her. Her voice is both angelic and haunting, and her sound is so unique. The messages given in these songs are powerful, potent, a tad bit bittersweet, and especially valid for young women navigating adult life. Also the instrumentals backing her vocals are often big and grand and symphonic, filled with piano and violin. That’s enough to get me to listen. And to top it all off, the collabs she has on this album are so fitting for each track, it’s absolutely beautiful.

Highlights — Start, Cyan, Ode To Myself, Woman, Flux, Overture, Slow Grenade, Hate Me

Beneath Your Waves by Sleepy Fish

Explanation — If there’s one kind of music that shuts off the little anxiety bug in my brain and gets me to work, one that isn’t as intense as orchestral music and that doesn’t put me into sensory overload like orchestral sometimes does, it’s lofi. And Sleepy Fish does it so freakin’ well. This album that came out this year is one of my most often repeated over and over. When I’m struggling with sensory issues at work, I put this one repeat and my mind just...goes...quiet. It’s like medicine. And the tunes are so catchy and sweet. I’m instantly transported to someplace magical, some seaside city straight out of a Ghibli film, and far away from the things that are troubling me. Then I can finally get some work done, get to sleep, or just quiet my mind. If you struggle with sensory issues or anxiety like I do, give this album a shot. Also, the album titled My Room Becomes The Sea from 2019 is excellent.

Highlights — Velocities, Sunbreak, Swimming, Nights Like These, Winter Winter

WOOPS! by Woodz

Explanation — Another mini album that is just a blast to listen to, but it also has such a soft side that hits me in the feels. I don’t see a lot of people talking about Woodz, but you all should give him a listen. He’s so talented, and his voice on this one is just *chef’s kiss* everything. The mixing is also impeccable and pairs so well with his vocals.

Highlights — Bump Bump, On my own, Sweater, Tide

D-2 by Agust D

Explanation — I mean, we all knew this one was gonna be dope. Yoongi did not disappoint. This mixtape is so different from most of the stuff I listen to, but I absolutely adored it. The truth and rhythm and pure talent in each and every verse stuns me still. I find myself especially drawn to this one when I’m frustrated (not exclusively, but often, ‘cause 2020.) Both his truth and sound give me a safe place to feel that frustration and anxiety and vent/work through it. I don’t know what it is about Yoongi, but to me, all of his work is like a comforting friend going, “Hey, you’re totally valid and okay for feeling this way...but it sucks, doesn’t it?” 

Highlights — Daechwita, People, Dear my friend

Now, I’ll tag these lovely people! Only if you wanna :)

@kooala​ @cultleaderyoongi​ @yoontopia​ @hobicomeholla29​ @helenazbmrskai​ @moon-write​ @dreamcatcherjiah​ @ditttiii​

[chikicha]

2, 14, 15, 35

2. (What are your favorite singers?) - Hmm, this is a hard one to answer since there aren't many artists (whether it be bands or individual singers) where I like more than one or two of their songs. Lorde is the first answer that comes to mind because she's the very rare exception where I like pretty much every single song on both of her albums. (I'm nervous about whether or not I'll feel the same way when her third album releases next month.) I also love Steven Wilson's "Insurgentes" album, and Vanessa Carlton's "Rabbits on the Run" and "Liberman" albums. (You probably know Vanessa Carlton from her single "A Thousand Miles", but her later music that she's worked on independently is her best.) But uh.. those are pretty much the only individual singers where I listen to a good number of songs from them.

If this question is supposed to be interpreted like "Who has your favorite SINGING VOICE?", I think Amy Lee, the lead singer of Evanescence, has an absolutely angelic voice.

14. (If someone asks you what music they should check out, what are your go-to recommendations?) - Oh gosh.. depends on what type of music they're into! If they're into alternative rock, then I suggest Metric's "Fantasies" and "Synthetica" albums. If they're into dark/prog rock/ambient noise sort of stuff, then I suggest Steven Wilson's "Insurgentes" album. If they're into synth pop, then I suggest Man Without Country's "Foe" album. If they're into dubstep remixes, then I suggest Flux Pavillion. If they're into shoegaze, then I suggest My Bloody Valentine. If they're into emotional piano pieces, then I suggest Maxence Cyrin or Philip Glass. I'm a lot more likely to recommend individual songs based on what someone likes, though, since again, I listen to one or two songs from 234093284 different artists!

My biggest music suggestion of all is to use Pandora's custom station feature instead of using Spotify's recommendations.

15. (What songs give you the most nostalgia?) - The whole entire album "Return to Pooh Corner" by Kenny Logins, since that was the CD of lullabies I listened to from my infant years up until.. some age in elementary school, every single night, to help me fall asleep. My favorites included "The Horses" and "To-Ra-Loo-Ra". THE NOSTALGIA IS SO HARD IT HURTS, IT'S LIKE I'M 5 YEARS OLD AGAIN IF I LISTEN TO THIS STUFF

35. (What are your favorite songs/soundtracks from movies?) - Oooh! Well I absolutely LOVE Interstellar's soundtrack (like this song and this song) composed by Hans Zimmer, even more than I love Inception's soundtrack (like this song and this song). Some individual examples include "Phone Call" from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and "Truman Sleeps" from The Truman Show.

..And today I discovered that Philip Glass is the composer of "Truman Sleeps", which is funny since I mentioned him as a recommendation earlier, heh.

Thank you for asking!

[shoshie]

hi poosie 💞🌺💘 im going w 3 nights by dominic fike; emotional by okaywil; honest by the neighborhood; devil i know by allie x; sweet disposition by the temper trap; very nice by seventeen; moonlight by dhruv; rain by ben platt; home by phillip phillips; just friends by jordy; timebomb by walk the moon; cross my heart by marianas trench; shatter me by lindsey striling; paris is burning by st vincent; arrival of the birds by the cinematic orchestra; nyc girl by the orion experience; relay by fiona apple; dnd by glaive; sympathy by vampire weekend; december 1963 by frankie valli & the four seasons; and step with me by mika.

if ur thinking ‘h what the fuck’ you & i would b thinking the same thing. i kept adding songs bc im like ‘ah shit what if they hate the one i suggested?’ so i added 2 more. and then yk . i kept adding until my spotify app weirdly refreshed and i took it as a sign from god to stfu and finish the list so !!! that’s what i have !!! i hope ur having a lovely lovely day & that u like at Least one on this list 💓❣️💘🌺💞‼️

i’m gonna tell u what i think of each song BUT i’m putting it under a read more lkdhfbf

1. 3 nights: i realized i’ve actually heard this one BUT not the whole song so it’s ok! i like it it’s v chill v vibey it sounds like streetlights reflecting off a wet road <3 (i am incapable of describing songs with adjectives)

2. emotional: the instrument in the background of this is rly cool idk it’s like. it kinda sounds like hitting spoons on a glass but more musical & almost piano like? i rly like it tho, this song sounds like bright colors & peaches :D

3. honest: this one kinda sounds like one of those ones that makes ur brain go brrrr ‼️ its like. laced w something kfjbjsbfksnv musically it’s not rly my thing but i can appreciate it as a song <3

4. devil i know: i only know one allie x song (can’t stop now) so i wasn’t sure what this would sound like but it’s kinda insane??? the background vocals r so cool i love the humming :0 v sexie nd her voice is so beautiful omg

5. sweet disposition: this feels oddly familiar. i don’t think i’ve heard it tho. it kinda reminds me of say geronimo if u know that one? it sounds like adventure kind of, like it could be used in a travel vlog (complimentary)

6. very nice: aju NICE babababdadadabbabda!!!! i’ve heard this one but i don’t mind listening to it again <3 bop banger etc. good vocals amazing horns in the chorus also if u haven’t seen the choreo i would definitely recommend it it’s so fun

7. moonlight: this is so pretty omg 🥺 i got a mental image of like. sitting on top of a car w someone u love & watching a meteor shower on a clear night. very chill his voice is so lovely

8. rain: ben platt’s voice is gorgeous. this is not the type of music i would have expected from him though??? idk he doesn’t seem like the pop music type of person. i think i prefer some of his other music (cough grow as we go cough) but this is a solid song

9.. home: ive heard this but not since i was like 10 so the nostalgia i got from it,,,, :’) home also sounds like a travel vlog song a bit! i think its the oooohhhhhohohohs in the post chorus (?). this song just reminds me of my childhood i used to hear it all the time on the radio sitting in the backseat <3

10. just friends: I HAVE ALSO HEARD THIS BUT IDK WHERE the beginning played nd i was like wait a minute. OH!! its so nice i love how simple the instrumentals are & jordy has a rly pretty voice as well!! the melody is so addictive as well

halfway done! this is fun<3

11. timebomb: bop?? this could be used in the soundtrack to a romcom tv show directed at teenagers (once again. what are adjectives) it reminds me of when shut up and dance came out nd everyone was obsessed with it.. that was a better time i think

12. cross my heart: headbanging songs > the lyrics to this one r a little basic but thats ok not every song has to have deep profound lyrics that make u feel existential. this is certainly a banger yessir. the ending is cool too i love harmonies

13. shatter me: scawy... the imagery in this is insane "i pirouette in the dark" UM?? this sounds like a movie hello. imagine WAI HISNFVNKDNV THE DROP???? THE VIOLIN?????? i litrally just had to interrupt myself that was not an exaggerated reaction. ANYWAYS i was going to say: the movie scene im imagining is like. it keeps cutting between a girl doing ballet in dark, foggy lighting & a fight scene

14. paris is burning: dark alleyways & vintage movies!!! i enjoyed this more than i expected to? im picturing a girlboss character, maybe a spy? in all black & carrying a purse walking down the street. but she has to be wearing one of those black hats w a veil in the front & a flower on the brim, an ankle-length velvety black coat, & heels that go plonk on the cobblestone

15. arrival of the birds: THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! OMG! blue skies & green grass at a state park!!! i love it so much actually this went in my healing playlist <333 the way it built up in the best way.. tears

16. nyc girl: ok the guitar in the intro??? this is fuckign music truly one of the most songs ive ever heard. the bass fucks as well i rly like this one :D its so catchy im already bopping nd ik later im gonna b going "im gonna make u ma ha hine"

17. relay: the lyrics are so good???? its not a song that id probably listen to very often just bc its musically not my type of thing BUT i respect it a lot. shes obviously a super talented artist like i looked up the lyrics nd apparently she wrote the repeated line when she was 15??? i love what the song is about!

18. dnd: the production on the vocals is a lil bit strange but i like the song itself if that makes sense. its like mitam where the songs r mixed weirdly but i enjoy the songs anyway? i did think for abt a minute that the title referred to dungeons & dragons tho,, also i just looked up the artist and he is ALSO 15 what the FUCK

19. sympathy: the GUITARRRRR omg omgogmomg!! i rly love the whole intro like the first 30 seconds r just *chefs kiss*. OOH bass solo sexyyyyy i love prominent bass :D the instrumentals r really nice too & it reminds me of like. a heist? like a found family of thieves. this song would play as they were breaking into a museum or smth

20. december 1963: GROOVY! simply a fkin tune idk dude like this IS fun nd makes me think of roadtrips during the summer & also of walking along a dock in a harbor under the moonlight. very much floaty yellow dress vibes this song is just a mood booster

21. step with me: domestic. domesticity. thats it. no but the chorus is rly nice omg i like the melody!!! its so cute too the lyrics r so wholesome.. this sounds like an old couple thats been married for 50 years dancing to the radio in their kitchen <333 life goals