#this song isn't even on my mix for them but this line HITS

[imgoingtocrash]

The Last - Ron Pope

[cherrysoulth]

AD LIBS

💕Pairing: Namjoon x Reader 

✏️Genre/au: Canon, Smut, Established relationships, Studio AU

✏️Rating: PG 18+, explicit

📝Wordcount: 2624

⚠️chapter warnings: Smut, explicit smut

A/N: Hii! Did you stumble across this work? Glad you're here 😊 Please share if you like it 💜

Note that English is not my first language, so please if you find grammar mistakes, let me know. :)

Namjoon sits on his chair, tilting it slightly back and forth, with his eyes glued to the screen of his computer while he adjusts the registers in the mix. The little ad-libs give a touch to it but he still feels like it isn't enough, the sensation that he is getting from it doesn’t hype him enough. 

There's a tense atmosphere in Rkive and he almost throws the headphones over the table, exasperated. Sitting back, he touches his lips, eyes lost on the screen but not paying attention to it anymore. Attentive to his every move, seeing his lost stare and his clenched jaw, you clear your throat.

"Do you want me to take a look at it?" you suggest, eyes fixated on the way his fingers caress his lips until he makes the office chair turn. His gaze is narrowed as he is palpably frustrated.

"I just feel like it's not enough, you know? It sounds… weak," he mutters, gesturing with his hand towards the headphones, letting his head fall backwards against the headrest.

"Weak?" you question. "Nothing you do, ever, is weak ." In response, he gestures with his hands, rolling his eyes and sighing, as if pointing out your lack of comprehension. "Let me hear it. Maybe I can find what's causing you to make Jimin and Jungkook re-record every other line for the last hour… and while it's been four times, I personally don't think they had anything wrong the first time, needless to say, the rest," you retorted, standing to get closer to him and placing your hand on his shoulder.

“I know. I've been a jerk. I'll apologise as soon as I get out of here." he sighs, rubbing his eyes.

"At this rate… that'll be never," you mumble. "Let me listen," you urge sweetly. You take a seat in his lap and gently pull the headphones from his ears to yours. You notice how tense his legs are and promise yourself to give him a massage once you figure out how to get him out of Rkive.

It isn't weak. The bass of the beat hits perfectly and your body slowly rolls against him. Although the lyrics manage to make you blush, it’s a really good song. You are just not sure if it will make it out of SoundCloud.

"How did you picture the song to sound like?" you question, taking them off and placing them on your nape. “I don’t really see the problem.”

"I wanted something sexy and rough, raw even," he admits, sliding his long fingers through his short black hair. 

"Let's get into the studio. I've got an idea," you say, standing abruptly and placing the headphones on the table. Namjoon thinks of a better one and stands pressing his body against your back and rear, grabbing you by the hips. Then he lets out a low grunt with his mouth closed and places a wet kiss on your throat, plump lips closing on your skin, warming it. 

It’s then, when you make the mistake to turn around. His mouth finds your parted lips since you are about to speak; he pulls you up on his hips by the thighs, making you melt in his arms. Your arms meet the back of his neck, securing your position further, although you feel like your bones will probably give up sustaining your body for the heat that exudes from him. 

Having his tongue press nicely and tastefully over yours, makes you moan. The tingles on your skin from his hands groping your body to keep you steady against his send an electric shock south. You want him to rip off your clothes and take you over his desk while the song plays. 

His lips part from yours, making you frown slightly, missing them. The way he looks at you, narrowing those dragon eyes, predicts something coming. The way his lips part in surprise only adds to your intrigue, making you loosen your hold a little, to glare at him.

"It would be amazing to record these sounds of yours in the studio," he jokes before pressing his lips with yours again and gently placing you at the edge of his desk. Excitedly, you surround his hips with your legs, expecting things to escalate, since you can feel his erection against your core. 

"I-” you mutter, against his lips but find your way back to his addictive mouth for a second. Missing the moment to tell him you had a similar idea. "Make me," you instigate him with your upper lip still against his, retaking the kiss without waiting for an answer. You immediately feel his smirk when the air escapes arrhythmically between your mouths.

The way he chases you through the hallways to the room where the magic of BTS gets recorded is almost comedic. You can't avoid giggling excitedly when you turn around to look at him taking long and quick steps. Boss-like, his attitude is calm but holds a certain predatory air that plays with your arousal. Simple as it is, being chased by him drives your imagination crazy, at the guess of what he will do to you in the soundproof space to raise those sounds.

On the second turn, when you are about to reach the final destination, you come across Yoongi, stopping abruptly and bowing. Namjoon, caught by surprise, almost trips with you and holds you by the waist protectively trying to avoid a fall.  

"We're going to record a couple of things for the song. It still doesn't sound like how I'd like it to," admits Namjoon, although he hasn’t been asked. You can feel a slight nervousness in the way he still holds you.

"Ok. If you need any help let me know," Yoongi says with a sort of smirk and when you look at Namjoon to guess what is the deal, you see him blushing and failing miserably to conceal it. Looking at Yoongi again you understand he knows what is up and it’s your turn to blush. 

"I think we can manage, hyung. Thank you," says Namjoon with his voice hushking for a second. Yoongi nods and keeps his way but you can hear a chuckle as he turns the corner. 

As soon as he disappears, Joon pins you against the wall, turning you by the waist. “Are you going to run again?” he whispers, playing with his nose against yours, surprising you with his change of mood. 

“No…” you reply, tilting your head to aim your answer against his lips, but as soon as he steps away to let you move, you sprint and open the door of the studio, turning around, alert for his reaction. 

The next second he appears in the door frame and walks in slowly, hands in the pockets of his grey sweatpants. He lets out a silent chuckle, raising his eyebrows, while touching his right fang with his tongue, as he moves forward. Namjoon then closes the door and locks it without even turning. 

“I see we are playing…” he states, dragon eyes on you, dangerously, as he kicks off his flip flops. 

You immediately feel the adrenaline rush through your body, landing lower in your belly and making you clench. You lick your lips before swallowing and he smirks. The “hm”, escaping his throat after making your lips part, has you looking at him with puppy eyes, suddenly obedient.

The next moment, he pulls off his white tee and you see his well-formed muscles, how big he is, and your breath becomes shallow. He throws the piece of clothing to you and you find yourself standing there with it in your hands, without moving, waiting for his next move. To your surprise, he moves towards the mixing set and begins to set it up to work. 

Falling into his trap, you approach him and he suddenly stands straight, looking at you with those hypnotising eyes. “It’s ready,” he whispers and grabs you by the waist, pulling you against his body. His lips get close to yours without touching and his big hands lower to grab a handful of your ass, making you gasp. Then he kisses your right cheek aiming towards your ear. “Let’s go in,” he breathes and then lets you go, taking the lead.   

He loves to tease you like that. The way you just surrender to his whims and the way your body responds to his every move, with betraying blown pupils that tell him you are in for the kill. 

You love it when he overpowers you without the need for physical force. Just with the way he moves, the way he breathes near you, or the way he speaks. With things so simple, he has you on your knees for him, sometimes figuratively and some others literally.

You enter the cubicle blindly and see him waiting next to the microphone, putting his index against his lips, indicating you to keep quiet and you walk closer in silence. He immediately puts his hand on your cheeks to kiss you and you reciprocate, slightly nervous since you know the sound is being recorded. 

However, the hunger for his lips takes over you and you are the one who intensifies, pressing your body against his and eliciting a groan. Oblivious to the recording he moves to push you to the wall in front of the microphone and pulls your legs up his waist. He nibbles your lower lip before descending through your chin to meet your throat, nibbling in it strong enough to make you gasp. 

His hands travel under your shirt, sliding up through your ribs to grab your breasts, his lower body holding you against the wall. You are trying to hold your moans, still too nervous to let go and you hear him hum again before moving a bit away to let your body fall down then pressing his lower body against yours, quickly enough to make you gasp even louder. That earns another chuckle from him but he looks at you from over your nose and becomes quiet. 

Unexpectedly, he uses his hands on your hips and grinds on you, cutting your breath. Then he attacks your mouth as he keeps on moving against you. The way his hard shaft presses against your clit through your leggings makes you moan against his open mouth and he breathes aroused against yours. Starting to loosen in his motivation moves you take advantage of your new position and his grind to sink your teeth on his sensitive throat. The groan he lets go shows he’s as affected as you are. 

If there was any doubt, it becomes clear the moment he lets you down and licks two fingers, sliding his hand inside your leggings and panties. He rubs on your clit making you moan again and keeps you steady with a hand against your collarbones. Sliding down, he finds the moisture between your folds and groans. 

At this point, you don’t care about the recording anymore. You just want to feel him, get him inside of you, feel that thickness of his stretching you out while he groans. Your hands aim directly at his pants and pull them down at the centre, along with his boxers. His shaft springs out, wet at the tip from precum and you smirk through a moan. 

Without a warning, he turns you around and falls on his knees, he pulls down your leggings and panties, tugging you to him. You perk your ass instinctively and his lips find your folds as he holds your cheeks. The sounds coming out of you, turn him crazy, leading him to land one of his hands against his shaft and jerking off. 

Your hands fail to grip the wall in front of you and you turn around, placing a leg over his shoulder when he clicks his tongue in disapproval. His lips find your clit and he sucks and licks on it until you become wild; his tongue expertly hitting every nerve he can get a reaction from.

He groans as he keeps pumping himself and with his free hand he travels up your thigh until he slides a finger inside of you, starting to press right in your sweet spot. After pumping inside of you a few times, having you feel an orgasm build up, he has to stop his hand because his own spikes up quickly.

Fully focused on his task, his slides are precise and he knows how to play both stimuli until you release, coating his fingers with your juices. He then pulls them out and licks them while looking at your hooded eyes. With weak knees, you struggle to keep your balance but when he stands to turn you around and finish the act, you find the strength to fight back, pushing him against the wall. 

Falling on your knees, you grab his member and poke your tongue slightly out; you lick his tip, eliciting a groan immediately. You play with your lips surrounding the puffy part of it, softly, just caressing it and you notice the shiver that runs down his spine. A slight smirk tries to print your lips but instead, in a sucking motion, you take him fully in, until reaching the back of your throat and then pull out, softening the suction once you reach the tip. This time he lets out something that sounds almost like a whine. 

Holding it with one hand and grabbing one of his ass cheeks with the other, you explore him, sucking, kissing and licking, mapping up which touch makes him do what until you find the right motion to have him holding your hair while he moans in pleasure. 

At one moment, he tries to move away, but you know by the twitches and the swell that he’s about to spill and you are not about to let him deprive himself of it. So you hold him with a moan of your own by the waist and keep the sucking motion until he tenses. Then with a much slower motion, you let him coat your mouth with his essence, making sure there’s none left, with one last deep kiss to his tip, you swallow. 

“Fuck…” he grumbles, letting himself slide down the wall in front of you and you move away to make sure his big body has space for it. Still with your undergarments at the level of your knees, you move to sit with him and he kisses your head as you place it against his shoulder. 

You stay like that for a bit, brains blown out from the pleasure before he seems to remember the machinery is still functioning. Pulling his pants up in a struggle, since he’s still sitting, he then stands and walks out of the recording room to work. On the other hand, you let yourself fall lazily over the carpeted floor and find the edges of your clothes to pull them up but not the strength to stand. 

“Ok, I have it. We can go back to Rkive now,” he says, appearing at the door and looking at you from above as you still haven’t moved. “Do you need help or did we miss recording some of your sinful sounds?” he questions jokingly before that beautiful smile of his turns his eyes into inverted moons. 

“I don’t think there’s any more sounds I can do,” you mumble and use your right knee to stand, entwining your fingers in front of it. 

Later on, as he takes his favourite moans and groans out of the recording to play with them on the mix; even adding his last “Fuck”, you can tell by his smile that it finally sounds exactly how he wanted it. 

I hope you enjoyed this. Let me know your thoughts and reblog to let it spread 😊 See you soon! ~

I want to thank @moonleeai for the beta work 💜

© 2018-2024 Cherry Soulth, all rights reserved. reposting/modifying of any kind, translations, unsanctioned adaptations are not allowed.

[bedtimestoriesforbrokengirls]

Hey chief, I know your intended audience isn't men (and I get it, I write for women's enjoyment myself) but you've got experience and a level head so I thought you might be willing to share a bit of advice.

I'm bad at talking down to women. I attract subs with hard kinks (not broken, near's I can tell, but maybe adjacent) and they want me to say degrading things, especially degrading their intelligence, reducing them to toys, you know the drill. But - and I'm sure you know this tune - they won't fucking tell me where the line is. I think there's a fair chance a lot of them are too inexperienced to know where their line is either. I'm very particular in my speech, can't turn my filters off without parameters, and I don't believe a word of the degrading things I do say so finding the right words without guidelines feels impossible. I knew where I was with women who wanted bondage, flogging, and discipline but you throw humiliation in the mix and I'm lost at sea.

You have any tips for escalating or directing downtalk, even though I suspect the best possible solution is to sit 'em down and insist they settle on some limits?

If this is way outside your wheelhouse, that's fair and I don't mean any hassle; I'll just try and learn by observation.

This is a toughie. I’m not sure I have a coherent action plan for you, but I have some suggestions.

RE: “I don’t believe a word”

That’s your first mistake… you need to find a way to believe it.

A girl can tell when she’s being spanked by someone who isn’t into spanking. It feels like he’s singing a song purely for her —one he would never hum to himself in an empty room— and rather than making her feel chosen and aroused, it makes her feel disconnected and unworthy. She believes she deserves a spanking, and she desperately craves the intimacy of agreement… she needs to know she’s not the only one who can see her sins.

Similar things apply to humiliation. If you’re uncomfortable saying it, she’ll know. She wants you to show her that you know where her bodies are buried, and how to exhume them.

I was just reading a reply to Neil Gaiman about the term “going native”, and how anthropologists use it —contrary to its colonialist origins— to indicate that one is observing and understanding a culture by subsuming oneself within it and adopting its norms. And that’s what you should be with a girl: a fuckhole anthropologist, going native inside her head. Or put another way: you’re not showing someone respect by walking into his home and disdaining the crucifix on the wall, just as you’re not respecting a woman by crawling around in her head and telling her everything she believes is a lie.

That doesn’t mean you have to buy in to her worldview. You can —and should— remember that she’s more than her insecurities, and you have a perspective of your own. But while you’re inside her, you have to allow her the dignity of her deepest disdain. Sit at the table she’s set, eat your fill of everything on offer, relish each bite, and then tell her she’s a good girl for sharing the feast.

RE: “they won’t tell me where the line is”

You’re looking for straight lines dividing good and bad, when you should be looking for a circle that unites you and your girl. Because I promise you, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, you’re going to say something one day that cuts far deeper than intended. And what matters most in that moment is her rock-solid understanding that she was just hit too hard by a teammate whose fortunes are tied to her own, rather than flattened by an opponent who has everything to gain by putting her on her ass.

Instead of crafting an arcane map of ever-shifting emotional no-fly zones, try building a framework for understanding and forgiveness — you’ve got to forgive yourself, too, by the way— that makes it easier to pick her up, dust her off, and get both of you back into the game.

[gerogerigaogaigar]

Alright so here is another set of reviews. This time it's my brother who is very much into fun and goofy music so enjoy this selection from my brother Jason!

The Aquabats - Fury Of The Aquabats!

The Aquabats are living cartoons. Concentrated essence of childhood fun. They are a child friendly ska punk Gwar. Even though this album is from long before their purely kid oriented Yo Gabba Gabba! days there is still a distinct family friendly atmosphere to The Fury Of The Aquabats! It has a similar energy to Homestar Runner or The Muppet Show where it is kid friendly media made for adults. And, like those examples, it works because they are having so much goddamn fun with it. It is deliberately and pointedly stupid. Magic Chicken is a song about chicken. I'm laughing because it's funny. The Cat With Two Heads has the line "I was in my laboratory creating what i thought would be we something great for the world, a two headed cat. You can pet one kitty's head and pet the other kitty's head, but little did i know the power of atomic energy would create a

two headed man eating monster!"

So have I convinced you to listen to a 90s ska album yet? Because this is a very pure example of the genre musically. It has the pop punk pacing and fast paced ska rhythm and the horn section and everything. It does admittedly have some, uh, genre diversions I guess I'll call them. Attacked By Snakes is a tango song and Lobster Bucket is a zydeco type thing sometimes. The MC Bat Commander is a perfect vocalist for this kind of music. He's so goofy, but you never really get the impression that he isn't taking it seriously. Or at least he is meeting the music and lyrics on their own terms. It is very endearing. Plus this album has a little bonus that other Aquabats albums lack. Do the drums sound like really competent to you? Like way too much for a pop punk band? Yeah that's Travis Barker of Blink-182 fame. He's probably the most talented punk drummer and he lends a fantastic energy to these songs.

Deee-Lite - World Clique

If you know Deee-Lite already then you probably know them as the one hit wonder who did Grooves Is In The Heart. Well this album deserves more recognition than just having produced a hit single. Deee-Lite channel the 60s flower child throwback aesthetic harder than any other artist of the 90s and they bring that energy to house music. Now I feel like a lot of electronic music fans start to dismiss an artist the minute they hear pop vocals, but this is totally unfair. Dee-Lite use vocals the way they would use any other instrument on a house track. The repetitive vocal lines mesh with the piano samples, drum loops, and funky bass.

Speaking of funky bass, this album has a few performers with a pedigree. Three former Parliament-Funkadelic members feature on this album, trombonist Fred Wesley, saxophonist Maceo Parker, and bass legend Boots Collins. Plus A Tribe Called Quest member Q-Tip gets a verse on Grooves Is In The Heart. That element of P-Funk goofiness is apparent in their peace and love lyricism and overt cheesiness. And while a lot of memorable tracks like Try Me On and Groove Is In The Heart are more hip house to pop oriented the rest is populated by songs like What Is Love that show off a more traditional house style. The album has enough variety and good enough pacing that you don't need to throw these songs into a DJ mix when you can just throw on this whole album and get the same experience.

Shonen Knife - Brand New Knife

I can't pretend this is my absolute favorite Shonen Knife album, I'm more of a Burning Farm or Pretty Little Baka Guy kinda girl. But Shonen Knife doesn't exactly disappoint here either. There's a simplicity to their lyricism and playing that leaves little room to actually fuck it up. The punk rock meets 60s girl group sound feels like it should be influenced by cuddlecore musicians except for the fact that Shonen Knife's sound predates that movement by a decade. This album is smack dab in the middle of the height of that scene though (low heights admittedly) and there is definitely a bit of a cleaner sound than on previous Shonen Knife records that reflects the styles of the time and the rising success of the band. I don't personally believe that higher production quality does much for them, but as long as they are still singing about food and other things that make them happy Shonen Knife will always be a treat to listen to.

Bitch Ass Darius - Follow The Sound

This is the greatest DJ mix ever. Booty bass or ghetto house or ghettotech or whatever you want to call it is a chatic style of house that adopted a lot of hip hop tendencies and then ramped things up to eleven by using the most sexually explicit lyrics possible. Follow The Sound is the most ridiculous example of this already ridiculous genre.

Bitch Ass Darius is an anomaly to me. I can't find out who they are or if they made any more mixes under a different alias. A friend showed me this mix once and I don't know where he found it. The experience of listening to the mix is kind of similar. In between recognizable samples will be snippets of things that you couldn't place the origin of in a million years. And even if you could they probably fly by so fast you don't have time to parse what he just sampled before the world's foulest lyrics start repeating some shit like "he's not my baby daddy he's just a sperm donor" or "I wanna fuck your mouth". A lot of typical booty bass samples are present which means nothing if you aren't a freak like me, but if You've ever heard that memetic snippet that goes "ass n titties, ass n titties, ass ass ass ass ass n titties" that was DJ Assault who is a staple of the genre and that exact sample is in this mix. But the typical hyper crude samples are interspersed with something way weirder. Random seconds long snippets of literally anything else. I can't explain the experience adequately because everything is always happening so fast. My favorite example that I have managed to catch is that he rapid fire samples Michael Jackson (pitched and sped up naturally) saying "beat it, beat it!" And then without missing a beat counterpointing it with the Weird Al parody lyrics "eat it, eat it!" This happens in maybe one and a half seconds. The contrast of samples is a great vehicle for delivering the comedy inherent in the genre while also delivering a good example of the music. Despite feeling like it's poking fun it still remains respectful of the chaos of booty bass music. The album dwells on nothing. It doesn't care if you heard that because listen to this! Follow The Sound is the purest and most perfect sonic overload. If you have problems with auditory overstimulation then seriously consider skipping this album. But if you have ADHD like me then you are about to find your new favorite thing.

Accept - Balls To The Wall

This album is gay af. It was noted at the time and the band acknowledged it. To quote drummer Stefan Kaufmann "It's a phenomenon that should be taken into consideration. Because it exists on a wide scale and should be demystified. In fact, this is a phenomenon of society that needs to be taken as such. For a long time gay people have been considered as sick or insane. And yet, it's time to respect these people, open our minds which are often closed."

This is the kind of music that I think most people are thinking of when they say "heavy metal". It is riff driven heavy music with corny lyrics about tough guy stuff. Like having sex with men. Accept is like if AC/DC was self aware. And thankfully the only ballad in the album is actually good too. It's hard to review this style of metal without sounding dismissive. The camp is obviously deliberate here so I don't feel as bad poking a little fun because I think I'm laughing with them a bit. But really this is a simple and effective album with no weak tracks and themes that it plays straight. Which doesn't seem like much but in the world of late 70s early 80s heavy metal its really raising the bar for future acts.

Desmond Dekker & The Aces - 007 Shanty Town

Before ska was associated with middle school boys with frosted tips and cargo pants, before the days of London teens in ill fitting suits and checkerboard patterns, before dub and reggae there was Desmond Dekker. One of the 60s original ska artists. With a sound that blended Jamaican mento music with a solid helping of jazz and R&B to create a unique blend of Jamaican pop music.

The unique beat that we all know and love (you love it right?!) is created by muted guitar downstrokes on the one and three beats and loud staccato upstrokes on the two and four. Add in some horns, walking bass, and vocal harmonies and you've got the blueprint for basically all ska. And this combination, the crisp staccato guitar and horns especially, grant a uniquely sunny disposition to basically the entire genre so that even when Desmond Dekker is singing about poverty or crime there is an underlying love for his home in every song. Plus a lot of the gangster aesthetic is pure kitsch and is strangely one of the major aspects of the genre to have maintained throughout the years. Ska artists all wanna be in Oceans Eleven even in back in 1967.

Mastodon - Leviathan

If 17 year old me knew that in the year 2023 I was still going off about how much I love this album I think she would call me a slur and have a weird feeling about being called 'she'. I've liked this album for a while and the more metal I listen to the more I appreciate Mastodon. They are somewhere between being sludge, progressive, and death metal and they navigate that in-between with skill. The chugging skudginess can easily erupt into speedy solos and there is an abundance of complexities in the musical arrangements.

Leviathan is the second in a tetralogy that incorporated their first four albums each being themed after a classical element. Leviathan is a concept album about Moby Dick and therefore is obviously water. If their more aggressive debut is fire and the sludgier Blood Mountain is earth then Leviathan's status as water follows. The riffing crashes like waves and there are a lot more melodic flowing sequences that also suggest water. Although the album is more strictly focused on its Moby Dick themeing. Leviathan crashes forward with an intensity that is honestly too much to just call sludge metal but it never hits the level of screaming that you expect from death metal. In retrospect Mastodon have always been a very progressive metal act and I think this album in particular does the best at blending all of their different styles into one package. That said all four of their original albums, Remission, Leviathan, Blood Mountain, and Crack The Skye are worth a listen.

K.d. Lang And The Reclines - Absolute Torch And Twang

Oh so my son of a bitch brother is gonna be a bigger lesbian than I am by giving me a k.d. Lang album I've never listened to huh? Before she transitioned to a more lounge / jazz style k.d. Lang was a full on country western musician with her band The Reclines. Country music had been in severe decline for over a decade but somehow Lang avoids any of the pitfalls of her contemporaries. Instead she mines decades worth of country music blending rock influenced outlaw styles, singing cowboy western styles, and 60s Nashville sound into a monolithic style that celebrates the history of the genre without just being a period piece. And her voice is just astounding. She can sing tender love ballads and rollicking honky tonk numbers with equal ferocity. Her mezzo-soprano is maybe the richest I've ever heard.

Luie Luie - Touchy

Luie Luie is here to tell you about a new dance called the Touchy. This is going to be a bitch to explain. Luie Luie was an outsider musician from the 70s and understanding that he was almost certainly on the autism spectrum goes a long way towards understanding what's going on here. You see Luie Luie was a nightclub manager who thought that people didn't touch enough while dancing anymore so he tried to make a new dance called The Touchy that would encourage touching but with clear rules for how you were allowed to touch you dance partner. It's strange but all very well meaning. He managed to finance the creation of an album and so Touchy was born.

So after Luie Luie tells you that he's invented a new dance and that he plays all the instruments on the album and that every touchy starts with a "wild horn intro" we get a wild horn intro and holy shit he's actually a really good musician. The touchy is basically a mix of mariachi, funk, soul, and lounge music. The slightly offbeat sound and cheap production are wildly endearing especially when you understand this as a passion project that is composed, performed, and recorded all by one man. Luie Luie is a fairly talented multi instrumentalist and where his technical skills falter he covers with incredible ear for complex arrangement. Some songs like El Touchy make for fairly danceable music, although I would rather sit and listen than dance and touch if I'm being honest. Although special mention should be given to the track Touch Of Light for it's intense layering of up to fourteen trumpet parts creating an elaborate tone poem that recalls the works of Ligeti. I'm eternally baffled and grateful for the Touchy it is the rare piece of outsider music that is actually as listenable as it is intriguing.

Kumi Tanioka - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles OST

Crystal Chronicles is such a weird mess of a game. It has an intriguing narrative structure, but the repetitive gameplay loop makes finding the plot tedious. Plus it isn't really fun to play at all unless you have at least three people with game boy advances and gba link cables. I beat it single player when I was a kid because I'm neurodivergent.

Soundtracks are difficult to review. Should you review it as a stand alone album, pretend the source material doesn't exist? You would be missing crucial context and anyway a soundtrack that does stand alone as an album probably didn't work that well as a soundtrack then. Well the answer for me is to realize everything has context. Nothing exists in a void. If you saw an album with blood and gore on the cover and the title in a death metal font and then the album contained folk rock your opinion of the music would be colored by that experience even though the cover has no effect on theusic. So let your understanding of this music be colored by the fact that it is the soundtrack to a GameCube game.

Kumi Tanioka is mainly just the Crystal Chronicles composer and that's a shame because she is extremely good. Final Fantasy games have a long history of using their music to heavily influence the game's mood, but that is partially because of the efforts of long time composer Nobuo Uematsu. Tanioka manages to outdo even Uematsu when it comes to heavily themeing the soundtrack. The Crystal Chronicles OST features music heavily influenced by a mix of medieval folk styles. Music that plays in towns and in roads will have aspects of Byzantine music while your hometown festival is very Celtic. Some tracks like Twilight In Dreamland show some influence from South American music too. The idea of a world music soundtrack to a game about trying to travel ever farther into an unfamiliar world is quite brilliant.

The music is also melodically beautiful. And catchy. There are tracks that you are severe risk of getting stuck in your head especially Annual Festival or the opening vocal track Sound Of Wind. A lot of games have a vocal pop track tacked somewhere in there and sometimes it does work (I dunno how FFXV pulled off a Florence Welch cover of Stand By Me but goddamn it worked) but usually it's just an out of genre pop song that doesn't mesh with the game at all. Sound Of The Wind is a great song that works as a pop song units own right but also sticks to the medieval themeing of the rest of the soundtrack.

You might not appreciate listening to this as much if you haven't played the game. And honestly I can't in good faith recommend Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, it's not a very good game. But this soundtrack is one of the ones I put on just to listen to and it is probably my second favorite Final Fantasy OST after FFIX.

[itsohh]

Spetsnaz boys encountering their s/o singing

A/N: GN reader. Something that came to me at like 3am, yeah I know all the music is dad music dw bout it.

Word count: 1100

Warnings: None

Alexsandr - Hold the Line - Toto

It had been somewhat late when he settled back into the dorms. Yet he wasn't the only one, for he had been training with his small group of native operators. The sound from the commons was surprising well encased, and the sound only escaped due to the slightly ajar door. Inside the small stage had been brought forward, normally used for assemblies it was turned into the centre stage for the karaoke.

Chairs had been pulling up in front. At the front he could see Jordon leaning back, his head swaying back and forth to the music. Yumiko sat next to him, her arm leaning on the table and giving support to her head. Eliza watched from the back of the room whilst other chairs were occupied. A few of them had been abandoned in preference for dancing. Grace and Néon were an example of this as they danced together. Up on the low stage there you were, a smile on your face as Collin twirled you around. With mics in hand, the pair of you sang together. It was hard to hear your individual voices as they were mixed with the backtrack of the music. His lips were curled upwards while there was a massive grin on your face. Alexsandr could see that your focus was more on each other than the audience. Hold the line, love isn't on time. 

The pair of you moved in sync, unpracticed and impromptu yet still as a team. With your faces away from each other your backs hit each other while the pair of you sang slightly odd key.  Alexsandr had leaned on the door frame, only Eliza noticed his presence. Not that she said anything about it. The song to an end and you gave Collin a dramatic over-the-top high five before you walked off stage. With such little care in the world, it warmed him to see you sing. He didn't care if you were good or bad yet he decided he liked watching you sing- for it made you happy. 

Maxim - All I want is you - U2

It had been a long weekend. Empty streets passed by the car window. The orange sky signalled the change from day to night. There was little sound except for the light hum of the car and the radio. Maxim had slept in the passenger seat throughout the day while you drove. His body had been slightly slouched with his head on the corner of his seat and the window, a blanket on top of his legs. You hadn't noticed when he awoke. His eyes fluttered open to see your focus on the road, your hands tapped lightly on the steering wheel in tune with the song. 

Your voice has joined the radio in song. Well, all the promises we make, from the cradle to the grave, all I want is you. Your voice was soft and quiet not to wake him. While you were still obvious to his woken state h e adjusted himself a little and pulled the blanket up slightly. Maxim wasn’t one for singing too much himself but he did enjoy the carefree look on your face from doing so. He knew that he had about an hour before you would switch and so he was happy for you to sing him back to sleep. Maxim certainly wasn't going to stop you. 

Timur - Avalon - Roxy Music

"You're out of my vision." He was to give you cover encase something went wrong. Yet the silence of your coms had him on edge. Timur knew that you couldn't just stop what you were doing and answer him though, for if you did any attempt to use the com your cover would blow. He was lain down on an advantage point while he looked down to where the gala was been held. Outside on a late evening, rich gardens surrounded the white pop-up building. Timur was a patient man, he could certainly control his emotions and keep calm. That didn’t change that he wanted you in his sights.

He needed not to worry as your voice came through the coms. A light hum of the background music that you sang along to under your breath. And your destination, you don't know it. Avalon.  Your hums filled the coms in moments when there weren’t lyrics. A constant reassurance that you were fine. His shoulders untensed easily, a slight readjustment of his position to get comfortable again. Had it been any other situation he might have even joined you in song. The corner of Timur’s mouth curled up at your singing.  He liked your singing because it meant you were alive.  

Shuhrat - Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads

Not many people had seen the inside of his dorm room, let alone unlimited access. Yet it didn't surprise him when he heard the water running from the bathroom upon entrance to his room. His room wasn't too overly decorated yet it was obvious that it was his own room. Small changes had been made, the arrangement of the room, the curtains swapped out. His jumper lay on the back of his chair, with scrap material on his desk. There was evidence that you too shared the room on occasion. A different pillow and a second toothbrush in the bathroom

Yet all of that was pushed to the side of his mind as music and your voice mixed into the sound of running water. The bathroom door was slightly ajar, a silent unspoken invitation if he were to come back to the dorm room.  And you may ask yourself, how did I get here? He paused to listen before he stripped down, Shuhrat’s clothes thrown into the hamper in the corner. His bare form opened the bathroom, yet the foggy glass door and your direction to the side prevented you from seeing him. It wasn't the first time he had joined you in the shower, he often found you borrowing his. You had claimed that his shower was larger than yours, yet he couldn't tell the difference. One day he would be tempted to measure it, just to find out for sure but this wasn't the day. 

Your voice continued, an echo in the steamy room while you washed. A gasp left your mouth in surprise when he opened the shower and stepped in behind you. His arms found their home around your waist as you stopped singing to greet him. "Hey, Shuhrat." His lips replied with a kiss on your neck and rest his head on your shoulder. 

"Please, continue." 

[you-turn-it-into-light]

KEIKO - CUTLERY (2023) Album Review

I was thinking of giving this album a review immediately after it came out but I had very lukewarm feelings about the new songs and wanting to let them sink in a little so I left my review for a little bit. Anyway, without further ado:

Overall:

Similar to dew's Album covers, I think these are really boring. The dress is really nice, but I really hoped the album cover wouldn't be just Keiko sitting in front of a plain background like all the single covers, but alas. Again, doesn't really relate to the title or even the themes of 'ordinary people' throughout the album.

The Analog edition only coming with two songs is silly. Charging basically 7k more Yen for I'm assuming enlarged album art, a photo book and a vinyl with two songs on it is embarrassing. This could've been a stretch, but maybe an audio version of the Blu-Ray tracks or just a couple of acoustic tracks on there? Even just increasing 2 songs to 5 from the original album would be better.

There seems to be a few issues throughout the album with the quality of the vocal recordings. In Hitori Janai Kara and Yoru no Uso to you can frequently hear pops that the pop filter (the small shield in front of professional microphones) are supposed to hide. In situations like this, I'd expect the staff or even Keiko to realise this and redo the lines, but it didn't seem like they noticed or cared. This isn't as egregious as Hikaru's microphone peaking during basically the entirety of Kawaisou da yo, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

They decided to do the opposite of dew's album, where instead of making a music video for every song they made none. I'm very disappointed by this, would have liked to see at least one. Because of the structure of this album's release though, I'm not sure what the lead single would even be. If I chose one it'd either be Alcohol or Hitori Janai Kara. (I'd like a music video of Amanojaku though tbh)

Even though I like most of the songs of the album, I'm personally disappointed almost all of the songs have Keiko singing in this higher tone with very little emphasis on her heavier tone and lower notes. I get this is how she likes to sing these songs, but I can't help but gravitate to why I fell in love with Keiko's voice in the first place. This has been a running issue with Keiko's solo music for me, but I'd rather her continue to sing the music she wants to sing or hear rather than singing Yuki Kajiura-discount/rip-off music.

Watashi Update (私アップデート) - (6.5/10)

This song seems to be a mix of Amanojaku and Kirai to me. The opening in particular sounds very Amanojaku-esque, while the synth aspects are very Kirai. I appreciate a few parts of this song, like the part right before the chorus, that guitar hits very nice. I like the melody of 「No,それを決めるのは今の僕たちじゃない」 and also the three-part harmonies throughout the song. Random belted D5 as well? Good stuff. Other than that, this song is kind of mediocre to me, not fun enough to dance to but not rock enough to head bang too, just kind of in the middle. I also wish the instrumental mix was a bit louder, it sounds like Keiko is overwhelming the arrangement.

Alcohol - (4/10)

This songs grown on me a little since I first listened to it and I appreciate what it's trying to do, but similar to Latte from dew, it's just not my thing. I find the repeated synth phrase and chorus melody to be a bit grating and overall this song just doesn't do much for me. I appreciate the harmonies in the chorus, especially the low octave. The lyrics are fun and carefree and I find the control of Keiko's vocals, singing a fast melody in a carefree way, to be very impressive, even if a couple moments seem to be autotuned.

Yoru no Uso to (夜の嘘と) - (8/10)

This song sounds very Kajiura-esque, especially with Keiko's vocals and I really appreciate it. I like how the arrangement increases to a crescendo, starting with piano then acoustic guitar, then adding electric guitar, drums and strings and ending with adding another harmony for the last chorus. It's simple, but I appreciate it. I don't think I'll ever get over the chorus' melody and how Keiko subtly adds emotion to it, especially the 「この愛をどうすればいい」 in the last chorus. The richness of her voice really brings the entire song together and elevates the song for me. The only things I wouldn't say I like about the song is that the melody and structure of the verses and bridge are a bit boring and don't add much to the song except to elevate the chorus, which is fine but I'd like if they gave me more to chew on.

Kirai. (キライ。) - (5/10)

This song has gotten a lot of hate (hehe) and I didn't like it at all at first either, but comparing it to the other song most similar to it (Alcohol), I like it more than than that song for sure. I appreciate the vibes of this song a lot more and very much delivers the city-pop feeling Alcohol kind of failed to bring for me. I like the switch between the lower toned verses and the very high chorus. I will say the chorus is a little grating on the ears, and I'm sure most of it is autotuned a little bit. Given Keiko most likely isn't going to sing that D#5 live, I don't know if I'll ever figure out if she ever sang it or if it was autotuned. At the end of the day though, this type of song still isn't really for me and I don't find myself listening to it much.

Close to you - (6/10)

Similar to Kirai, didn't like this song at all at first. Thought it was very boring and forgettable for a long time. But after many listens, I kind of like it? Doesn't hit as much as Yoru no Uso to, but I'd say it's a good song. I like the blend of the piano and Keiko's gentle singing with the electronic elements (they kind of hid the string synths lol), even if I would appreciate a more pulled back version. I quite like the first verse and bridge/second-verse, sounds kind of romantic. I don't have much really to say about this song, it's kind of a cheesy chill love song that's just kind of okay I guess?

Amanojaku (天邪鬼) - (8.5/10)

This song catchy as hell! Took me a bit to warm up to this song, but this is definitely my kind of song. The fun guitar arrangement and relatively heavier mix is really my kind of tea. It makes when it pulls back and explodes back in even more effective. I love really all of this song, it's so fast-paced, interesting and catchy. I also love the lyrics with the theme of following Japanese folklore, interesting stuff. If there was anything I could complain about, it'd just be usual of Keiko not singing in a heavy-enough tone for my taste. Makes it sound more poppy than intended in my opinion. Probably my favourite song on the album ngl.

Fly, Black Swan - (7.5/10)

Keiko's lower range and tone is back (for one more song) baby! I don't know how I'd describe this, sounds a bit jazzy and I like it. I really like the arrangement and instrumentation of the verses, the fast-paced percussion with the scattered guitar and bass phrases created an interesting vibe. The muted and subtle sound of whatever brass instrument is present is nice as well. This track is kind of sexy as a whole, especially the pre-chorus. I don't usually like multi vocal layering, but I like the choice in this case. I've got it as 7.5 because while I really like it, I don't absolutely love it. I wish there weren't any electronic elements like the synths and keyboard and didn't rely on electronic percussion at times, I feel as if it clashes with the rest of the song at times. Also, overthrill definitely isn't a word lol.

Yura Yura (ゆらゆら) - (6.5/10)

Similar to Close to you, took a while for me to warm to this song but I like it more than that song to be honest. Thought it was very forgettable. I think I keep getting disappointed after not hearing a more dramatic or heavy song and forgot to just appreciate the song as it is. And this song is very sweet. Keiko's singing style in this song isn't off-putting and in fact fits the song very well. I love the arrangement with the strings, especially in the bridge, sounds very dreamy. The verses are very sweet and cute, adds to the whole vibe of the song. While I really like this song, it isn't a song I'd listen to a lot and I don't like the chorus as much as the rest of the song.

Your (ユア) - (1.5/10)

Here it is, the Revolution of this album. At this I've listened to Revolution a few more times and like her singing in that song. This entire song just screams 'cheesy' to me, and not in the charming way. It's trying really hard to very uplifting and bright, but none of it hits for me. I hate the electronic elements and especially the English sections. The 'I will fall in loooooooove' line is.... ugh, it sounds like Keiko's just shouting it (I know she's not, it just sound just she is). I don't like the verse, the chorus, the bridge, the arrangement or instrumentation. Keiko's singing is impressive as usual throughout most of this song, so I'll give it that.

Hitori Janai Kara (ひとりじゃないから) - (6/10)

I definitely like this song more than when I first heard it, but I don't have overwhelming positive feelings for it either. I like the melody most of the song and my favourite part is definitely the bridge, definitely the height of the song, especially the 「変わりのいない君と」. Keiko sings that entire part with such power. Despite that, the song is mostly a bit boring and the issues with the recording bring me out of the atmosphere of the song a bit. It's a nice song, but nothing too memorable to me. Looking forward to hearing it in every single live performance from here out.

Bottom Three Songs: 3. Kirai, 2. Alcohol, 1. Your

Top Three Songs: 3. Fly, Black Swan, 2. Yoru no Uso to, 1. Amanojaku

[martianbugsbunny]

MartianBugsBunny Reviews: The Music of Wish

I'v been working on this for the past week or so and I have now seen the movie...eight times I think? Four on one Sunday and four on the next lmao

Let’s get the basics out of the way first! Overall, a lot of these songs were mediocre but probably would’ve been things I’d sing in the shower ad nauseam if it weren’t for one or two really horrible lines. That’s kind of the overall theme of the music from Wish, to be honest. I liked the music/tunes of most of these, though. I also noticed that the lyrics have this weird dichotomy of “let’s rhyme these things even if it doesn’t make sense�� and “let’s just not care about the rhymes,” both of which were kind of off-putting to me.

I think the voices they got to sing this stuff were MEGA wasted. Ariana DeBose has the most heavenly voice; her higher register has a gorgeous sound. Chris Pine is better at singing than I would've expected. Both of them are good at those subtle shifts in pitch (I think it's called melisma? but don't quote me on that) that I can and will go nuts over. They deserved better material to work with. Now onto the specifics! I’m gonna rank each song out of ten (totally arbitrary lol) and ramble about why for a while. It's not too long, so if you have a little time on yours hands, read on and enjoy!

Welcome To Rosas 5/10 Not bad. It terms of tune, it has some decent flavor, but the lyrics are pretty forgettable. I think using a song to set up the concepts that they did was a good idea, like the first song in Encanto, but I just don't like it much. I think part of that is the informal tone??? like when Asha says "so like, we have this king" or "I'm totally kidding" or "oh hey, did I mention," that kinda gets on my nerves. and yes, I'm well aware that's a little hypocritical bc The Family Madrigal did some of the same things, but WTR isn't super strong to begin with so I instantly become more annoyed at the little details. Also, Asha's literally being a tour guide for the kingdom and that's not professional imo.

At All Costs …… I’m not scoring this one. I don’t know how to. I’m addicted to the chorus, that’s the first thing I’ll say; I watched Wish four times on the first day I watched it, and that was the first part I started singing along with. The harmonies get into my gut. But honestly, in terms of context, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The lyrics sound like they should be directed at a person, not inanimate objects, which takes me out of the moment when I’m watching the movie. Some parts are a little clumsy, but if I’m viewing it as a love song it’s stunning, and DeBose and Pine's voices are heavenly together. I will say that subjectively, it's my favorite song in the soundtrack, I fell for it so hard and fast. <3

This Wish 7/10 In terms of Disney “I Want” songs this is at the bottom of the rankings, let’s be real. I like the sound of it, especially the non-syllabic vocalizations at the end of the chorus, but a lot of the lyrics just do not hit. Now, I will say that I saw a lot of people ragging on “to have something more for us than this,” and that’s actually one of my favorite parts of the song. It captures that feeling of longing for more without knowing exactly what that means or how to phrase it out loud so neatly. On the other hand, I definitely agree with the critiques of “throwing caution to every warning sign,” that’s one of my least favorite lyrics in the whole movie.

You’re A Star 6/10 Oddly, this one was less horrible than I expected. It delivered absolutely nothing, don’t get me wrong. It tried to tackle the idea of people and stars being made out of the same stuff and basically living as different notes in the same symphony and failed spectacularly. The big question “have you ever wondered why you look up at the sky for answers?” was one of my favorite lyrics in the entire soundtrack and there was NO payoff. (Plus, if I mixed up “elegant” and “eloquent” in a multi-million dollar movie I would never be able to look myself in the face again.) The entire second half of the song was pure lyrical garbage. But I like the tune and the animals are pretty cute, and despite being relatively hollow I found myself enjoying this one.

This Is The Thanks I Get 7/10 I’ve already said this but I’m gonna repeat myself: tonally this song was all wrong. 0/10 for that if I’m being perfectly honest. Something more along the lines of Hellfire or Be Prepared would’ve hit a lot harder—more sinister, more in line with the descent-into-madness thing that was occurring in the plot, would’ve improved this section of the soundtrack SO MUCH. With that complaint out of the way, the song we got was fine. Some of the lines were either poorly-written or repetitive, but as a whole I kind of enjoy it and would definitely dance around amateurishly in my room to it. It’s just too silly.

Knowing What We Know Now 1/10 This was my least favorite song in the entire movie. I just hate it. The lyrics are so sloppy.

This Wish (Reprise) 7/10 Honestly I think I liked this part better than the original song. Asha starting by herself and gradually being joined by her friends and the entire city was incredibly moving, and I might go so far as to say that this was the most powerful moment of the movie. I also enjoyed the twists on the original lyrics, particularly “we’re past dipping our toes in, we know it’s do or die, it’s sink or swim.” That part just felt really well done.

[here2bbtstrash]

ALRIGHT. i got my brainrot list of 50+ songs down to.... still too many, probably 😂 but i'm decently satisfied with these finalists 🥰

tiny disclaimer that these are just MY favorites! this is in no way meant to be all-encompassing so don't come yell at me about forgetting something. there are some obvious songs that aren't on here bc i had to pare the list down, and frankly i live in the back half & japanese albums of bangtan's discography so that's gonna be where most of my favorites are!!! you can MAKE YOUR OWN LIST if you disagree with me 👹

with that out of the way, i present to you, my hobi hoes: ~my favorite hoseok vocal moments~ - join me under the cut, won't you? 🌹

jamais vu: starting here bc this is the one that gave me the brainrot 😵‍💫 his super low melody on his verses at 0:23 and 1:46 (sounds even better in this live version omg) and then the backing vocals on the final chorus???? slut me all the way out. i'm obsessed with this subunit frankly

for youth: A PERSONAL FAVE I JUST WHEIUGHRKRJGDFG he's so smooooooth with it !!! and giving srs milf energy in this performance lmao (i'm also obsessed with his dance moves in this one !!!)

i like it: clears my skin every time 😩 just such a fun little bop of a verse, and he fucking eats it live!!!

tomorrow: listen, if there's one thing hobi's gonna do it's have insane breath control. bc tell me how my man went from rolling around on the floor doing choreo for his life to hitting notes at the BOTTOM of his register like 30 seconds later? do you know how much fucking air that takes???? ok i'm done being a voice nerd i'm just never not impressed at his vocal stamina. that shit is HARDDDDDD!!!!

spine breaker: this is just one of my favorite bangtan songs i won't even lie lmao 🙈 i live for them nasty low notes ty goodbye (and tae and jin sound SO GOOD here too wweeeeoooowww)

equal sign: i mean come on, i can’t not mention it. i’ll never forget hearing the chorus and those sweet high notes for the first time - i fell out of my damn chair lmaooooo. love that he traverses nearly the whole range of his voice in this one - and the technique on his mixing up there makes me so happy like that shit has some weight to it!!!!

lights: the japanese singles will always do what needs to be done i swear!!!! i fucking love this verse i want to eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner. so effortless, so bouncy and pretty 🥺 (i also feel this way about stay gold and for you but i was trying to have self-control and not put every japanese single on here BUT THERE U GO)

save me: these lines always put a smile on my face but like SPECIFICALLY this tiny desk version - that live hopekook harmony just lights up every fucking atom in my body 😩 they sound incredible

rain: IT'S ONLY LIKE TWO SUNG LINES BUT I PROMISE THAT SHIT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

born singer: i fucking can't get enough of the tone of his voice in this one and i die over how emotional he looks when he does it live??? and ~we go, we go, we go~ is hobi all over, so catchy and fun

you never walk alone: there’s a lot of stuff showcasing the ends of hobi’s range on this list but i looooove me some MID-RANGE HOBI and my god. he belts this so open and free with so little tension wheuihegkdjg. if he ever wanted to take his solo albums in a more pop or even rock direction i’d eat it the fuck up, he absolutely has the voice for it!!! (for further evidence, see this part of outro: wings)

24/7=heaven: HONESTLY i blush when this song comes on my headphones and i’m in public lmaoooo. he’s so smooth, so playfully teasing, the “daaaaarling”????? would scream like a fangirl if i heard this live, bark bark bark

airplane pt.2: ahhhh yes. this will forever be the verse that makes me a whore. it’s a pavlovian response at this point. i hear gureum wireul maeil and my tongue is out, it is what it is. (also further evidence for hobi's insane vocal stamina bc he literally does NOT STOP MOVING lmfao)

path: it is literally HOMOPHOBIC that this song isn't on spotify 😩 but wooooof his entire verse is just insane, the flip from gorgeous low notes to growly rap to lovely open chest voice in the span of like 4 lines????? HOW HOBI! HOW!

mama: TAKE ME TO CHURCH!!! i am gonna be so real, i cannot watch this video without crying omg. talk about heartfelt and singing with your everything. plus the ad libs he throws in like it's nothing???? ALL ROUNDER SHIT!

blood sweat & tears: I MEAN this chorus is just iconic and then he came back and killed the verse too?!?! HELLO!!!!! i couldn’t not include this song, BST was like THEEEEE jihope era imo

epilogue: young forever: SPEAKING OF SONGS THAT MAKE ME CRY LOL - it makes me so happy that they gave hobi the emotional BUILDUP of this song because man he fucking sells it. this song makes me sob like a baby and his verse is entirely to blame 😭

OKAY I AM FORCING MYSELF to stop here 🙈 what do you think??? what's on YOUR list???? let me know~ 💌

[monsata]

2- 1001

Today's album: Alanis Morrisette - Jagged Little Pill (1996)

Another album where i know all the singles by heart, but had never heard the whole album all the way through, and I'm actually kinda mad at myself for that fact, to be honest.

This album brought me right back to junior high/high school, for good and ill. A weirdly large amount off memories seen to have one of the songs on this album as a part of the background, but then again it was pretty ubiquitous (33 MILLION copies sold worldwide, the singles were fucking EVERYWHERE).

Also, i don't think I've heard Head Over Feet since the late 90s and damn if that isn't one of the prettiest "i didn't think i wanted to be in love" songs out there.

I'm pretty sure I could have gotten a solid jump start on healing from some personal trauma had i heard "Perfect" ~28 years ago (which almost had me ugly-crying at work with how close to home it hit). Also holy shit, this album is almost 30 years old. Time ever marches onward, huh.

But yeah, every song on this album kicks ass to some degree, from the anxiously triumphant Right Through You to the beaten-down and traumatized yet still hopeful Forgiven, every track shines in its own way. There's no "polished singles mixed in with dull refuse" here, everything is solid and tight.

Favorite Track: There are a serious number of contenders here, but i think it's gonna be a tie between You Learn (the lyrics are every bit as true now as they were in '95, and goddamn that bass line is so smooth yet still funky as all hell) and Hand In My Pocket (the contradictory lyrics mixed with the overall sense of "things CAN still get better, god damn it, even if we have to drag them kicking and screaming" is basically "every day existence in the 2020's").

Least Favorite Track: ...i don't really have one?

Nothing on this album stands out as noticeably worse than anything else, which is honestly amazing. Every song could have been a single just as much as any other. This is a perfect album.

But, if i have to have a least favorite, I'll just say Ironic, and that's not a fault of the song as much as it is a condemnation of the radio industry in the 90s for playing it incessantly for like 5 years straight.

[penncilkid]

Got tagged by the bringer of amazing headcanons and provider of gorgeous, jaw dropping interpretations @mr-laveau to assign some ships songs. Did my best here and 100% picked songs I already associate with other ships and characters because listen, sharing is caring. Let's get into it!

[D.A.M.N. Polycule]

This is all the boys @ FL and simultaneously FL @ all the bots. All of them are grateful to be in each other's lives and wouldn't have it any other way. They can't imagine things being different. Lyrics that specifically stick it: "It feels so good to know ya"

[Sam/Darlin']

It's a tad upbeat from what I envision the vibe of this pair to have but the lyrics fit to me. I'm also a sucker for any song that's like "I'm scared to love you but I love you too much not to try" so here we are /pos

[Huxley/Damien]

If there's one thing you need to know about are the blueprint to me. Alright, this is my top ship, can't be beat. I like to think that this song is from Damien's perspective once they get together. In general, I think they bring out the best in each other and this song fits that.

[Avior/Starlight]

LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN (/LH)— Avior is one of my favorite characters. Starlight is one of my favorite listeners. Their storyline is one of my favs overall. That being said, I also love a little pain and this song cuts me deep. It feels like it sums up where they're both at mentally when it comes to the meridian stuff.

[Cutie/Geordi]

Much more from Cutie's perspective, but I feel like this captures their inner turmoil and how that conflicts with their love for Geordi. I love them and their story in general, and I think this song shows a certain will for their relationship to work out while still highlighting how Cutie has their own stuff to work through.

[Vincent/Lovely]

This specific version. The almost quiet feel to it compared to the original draws you in, pulls you close. Gendering aside, it's even more fitting post-Inversion.

[David/Angel]

Reminds me of quiet nights and healing as you go, which I feel is a major part of their relationship development. To me, this gives off "I want to be there for you and help you when the darkness clouds your mind". Again, always a sucker for.

[Vega/Camelopardalis]

This is an ultra specific pick based entirely off of the fic "And That’s Why We Broke Up" by @dominimoonbeam (your writing is >>>). I get that it's canon divergence, I get that this ship ain't for everyone, I get that I'm 99% certain it'd never happen in canon. That doesn't change the fact that this is 100% what I think of when I think about this pairing in the context of this fic.

[Elliott/Sunshine]

Beginning of the song reminds me of Elliott showing Sunshine dreams dreamscapes and stuff. That mixed with the friends to lovers vibes from the beginning of their relationship/dynamic and overall energy this song has made it fit for me.

[Alexis/Sam] (LET ME EXPLAIN /LH)

This ship isn't for me and I debated adding it at all, but this is one of the first songs I thought to add for this. I think it absolutely fits from Alexis' perspective and, if you view her as a more complex character rather than one dimension, it makes you hurt in a "It is what it is but damn" kind of way. Especially the line "strangers to friends, friends into lovers, then strangers again". Like come on, it fucks me up to imagine that pain after everything that transpired between her and Sam.

[Bonus Honorable Mentions]

Hit my audio limit whoops but Friendly Dark by Ollie MN for similar reasons as Die Trying assigned to Avior/Starlight. Also Our Love by Curtis Harding and Jazmine Sullivan from Arcane for Milo/Sweetheart (gendering aside). The girls that get it get it, and the girls that don't don't (/lh).

This was a lot of fun, even if I had to rack my brain a bit. I hope you enjoy my selection~ Tagging @thefablefoxart because I'm always in love with your musical suggestions (and don't know anyone else to tag /lh)

[bazzybelle]

🎶Discography Tag🎶

Rules: pick an artist or a band and share your favorite song from each of their albums, then tag some mutuals!

Thank you for the tag @nausikaaa and @yellobb! I had initially wanted to go with Fleetwood Mac, because they're right on top when it comes to favourite bands, but I'm always going straight to them. Besides, I'm more familiar with this artist's discography, having loved them since I was in my late teens/early 20s.

So... Metric it is! For those who are unfamiliar with Metric, uhhh go to Spotify and fix that. They are a Canadian band from Toronto, and their sound is a mix of electric pop/dance and rock, with poignant, political lyrics. They're just so great, and front-woman Emily Haines was one of my early bi crushes.

Album: Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (2004)

God this song is so much fun! You just want to get up and dance like mad to it. From the beginning with the feedback and the drums beating, leading to the guitar picking up speed, until Emily comes in and hits you with the lyrics. God, it's so good!

Album: Live It Out (2005)

Another fast paced, hyped up song that makes you want to get up and scream the lyrics "I FOUGHT THE WAR BUT THE WAR WON'T STOP FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" Again, the song begins with a distorted Emily scream-singing a beat (it sounds odd, but trust me, it's brilliant).

Album: Grow Up and Blow Away (2007)

This album has a different vibe, from the previous two albums, and as far as I know isn't as popular as their other albums. I mean it's a shame because there are some really good gems in here. The vibe is a lot slower and less jump-up and move around. This song sets a really good almost-vintage vibe. I dunno, that's the feeling I get whenever I put it on. Also, I can't get over the line "Somebody put me back in school; I forget everything; I used to know how to leave the boy behind; Without having to watch him go."

Album: Fantasies (2009)

So I knew that when I came to this album that I'd have a problem. I kid you not, EVERY SINGLE SONG ON THIS ALBUM IS AN ABSOLUTE BANGER! Fantasies is regarded as Metric's most successful album, and honestly I have to agree. It's so FLIPPING GOOD! Choosing a favourite song from this album was near impossible, but in the end it came to the song that ALWAYS gets me hype. And how can you not, with that KILLER drum beat at the beginning??

Album: Synthetica (2012)

Another absolute banger of an album. This album is a CLOSE second when it comes to my favourite Metric albums. I even named my Dark-Baz fic after a song on the album. However, Youth Without Youth is not my favourite song on the album. That honour goes to the song. The etheral "ah ah ah ah" superimposed over the "faith don't fail me now"... Like.... the way this band mixes their music is GOD-TIER.

Album: Pagans in Vegas (2015)

"With eternal love, the stars above, all there is and ever was. I want it all. I want it all. I want it all. I want it all. A blade of grass, a grain of sand, the moonlit sea, to hold your hand. I want it all. I want it all. I want it all." Just those lyrics are enough, but you add the synths in the back the catchy as hell beat... SO GOOD.

Album: Art of Doubt (2018)

Admittedly, I got into this album a couple of years ago. I just, for some reason, stopped following any new music Metric was putting out. What a mistake that was, because this is such a good album. I love how this song starts out slow and choral, and then become more outerwordly (if that makes sense...)

Album: Formentera (2022)

The lyrics of this album... You guys! Released at a time when the whole world is going to hell in a handbasket, these songs hit the vibes of the last few years PERFECTLY. I found myself listening to this song over and over after the song was released.

Tagging: @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @f-ing-ruthless-baz @giishu @amywaterwings @ninemagicks @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @namistrella @facewithoutheart @martsonmars @raenestee @stardustasincocaine @artsyunderstudy @theearlgreymage @ivelovedhimthroughworse @excalisbury @messofthejess @fight-surrender @tea-brigade

[rodeoromeo]

okay here it is nobody asked for it BUT. my top 10 George Harrison tracks

10. Hari's on Tour (Express)/Simply Shady

I am simply cheating immediately and smushing these tracks together because I love the opening to Dark Horse so much and Hari's on Tour is such a great instrumental track that is SO well followed up by Simply Shady. I almost just put Hari's on Tour on here alone because I am so enamored by the double meaning in the title and the idea of Hari as a little nickname for George that he called himself there. It's also such a great example of what George is best at as a guitar player- using his slide guitar as a voice in the music. Simply Shady is such an emotional track and the audio and vocal quality so perfectly supports the message and lyrics. It's just a great composition and sets the tone for the album so well. I couldn't embed them both so please go listen to Simply Shady if you haven't

9. Dark Horse- Live in Japan / 1991

The first but not the last Live in Japan recording on this list. I like this live version even more than the album because I feel like his voice rises above the music more. My main complaint about George's overall catalogue is honestly that sometimes his vocals are too low in the mix, which is why I think I like his live album so much. I prefer the production on it. I also just love the quality of his voice here and the energy behind it. Dark Horse also a great underrated song.

8. Cosmic Empire- Day 2 Demo / Take 1

I love this song as a stripped down folkier version as opposed to the full album. I love his voice and volume dynamic changes in the demo work so well for me. Also just the phrase cosmic empire... hits right.

7. Any Road

Brainwashed is an incredible album and this song is a bop and I love the message and lyrics and also LOVE the story behind it which is that George and Dhani were walking in Hawaii and saw a sign saying something along the lines of the lyric "if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there". The fact this was written and recorded so close to the end of George's life makes me love and appreciate the lyrics even more, and the care Dhani took to produce it makes me emotional.

6. Isn't it a Pity - Day 1 Demo / Take 2

Similarly I just like to hear George's voice more than the whole production. The lyrics to this song devastate me but I don't really need to explain why anything on All Things Must Pass is good. I was torn between the demos and full versions for every one of them. I love these freaking demos. Also this was almost the I Dig Love or Awaiting on You All or Run of the Mill demos.

5. Give Me Love - Live in Japan / 1991

I LOVE hearing George sing this live. It feels like a prayer and a plea and it has gotten me through some rough rough days. This song means too much for me to say much more about it. It just is.

4. All Things Must Pass

Do I need to explain?

3. Behind that Locked Door

I love that this song was for Bob- it made it a 1000x better than I even initially thought it was to find that out. It's such a heartfelt message to sing so sweetly to a friend. Impassioned loving pleas to a friend should be a more common theme in music. I cry every time and I also just love the gentle winding quality of George's voice on this track. It's my favorite off of All Things Must Pass.

2. Crackerbox Palace

This was very very nearly my favorite, but my love of it is also informed by my love of the music video, and this is really a list about the music. I love the silly whimsicality of this song, and the funky slide guitar that is so classically George. I like his goofy voice and the way he bends it all around. One of my favorite things about George as an artist is how unique his vocal is. I am a long time appreciator of an interesting vocal performance over a technically pretty one, and the funkier George gets with his sound the more I love it. "May have no other choice than to deport you" and "no matter where you roam know my love is true" have two of my favorite deliveries of ALL TIME in pop music. I also think that as goofy of a song this can appear to be, the message itself is really comforting and true and just speaks more to how George saw the world. It's easy to feel seen and understood in his world. YOU'RE a part of Crackerbox Palace.

1.Here Comes the Sun - Live in Japan / 1991

Cheesy as all hell to have a Beatles song as number one, especially THIS of George's Beatles songs, but the way that he sang it on this tour tears me to shreds and heals me all at once. Obviously I have known Here Comes the Sun since I was very young- so I was shocked to suddenly feel like I understood the message anew when I heard this version for the first time. I had never thought about it or connected to it in the way that I do now. I know he didn't tour a lot, but I really love George as a live performer. I'm so grateful we have this album. I feel so connected to him and his music within it.

Tell me your favorite George tracks please I love to talk about him and his music <3

[noodleincident]

the ask meme thing but only prime numbers

asking me to know MATH? a pox on your house!!!!! (if i get these wrong shh no i didnt)

1. Museum date or aquarium date? Why?

aquarium! i just really want to stare at the fishies. also the new england aquarium's octopus is a buddy.

3. Name a subject/topic you know a lot about.

oh god um. i dont know much about anything tbh. but get me to go off about house plants and i can NOT shut up.

5. What’s something most people love that you hate?

this is specific but its on my mind rn. that book 'where the crawdads sing' suuuuuuucked. but they made a movie of it?! taylor swift loved it?! like??

7. If you could create ANY mix-up or mythical animal and have it be brought to life, what would it be?

those little animals in spy kids 2, specifically the pig with wings. but frankly there are so many magical animals currently in our world.

11. What is your favorite Studio Ghibli film and why?

i havent seen all of them but its obviously totoro. wait i want to change my previous answer. i want totoro to be real.

13. Have you ever self-harmed?

ugh, yeah, but in a fake way. its complicated.

17. Is there something you currently want, that you can’t have?

i want to go to the eras tour sooooo bad. i know thats not probably what this question is about but like. i want it so bad. i have so much fomo :( this feels like a historic concert i'm missing

19. Think of the last film you watched. Who was your favorite character in it?

honestly it was mission impossible fallout and my favorite character is henry cavill bc he's my superman

23. What is something you are most confident about?

hm. my legs are pretty good.

How about something you're really insecure about?

ugh i dont do insecurities anymore. i mean i obviously do but i dont give them a voice. so i'm dodging this question.

29. Do you find smoking unattractive?

sorry no but january jones with a cig and a gun is so hot. i dont make the rules.

31. What is the 10th picture in your phone gallery?

all the fabric swatches i was deciding between for my bridesmaids

37. What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

"life begins at the end of your comfort zone" which is fine advice but i also make a little joke about it in all my interviews and it thus far has a pretty decent success rate. so.

39. What's your favorite lyric from your favorite song right now?

i dont know spanish but shakira's diss track is on repeat rn. that line thats like 'a she-wolf like me isn't for guys like you' (but in spanish) hits

41. Is it true that if you can't love yourself, you can't love another?

oooh meaty. no i dont think thats right. you can absolutely love another even if you hate yourself. but i think its hard to get what you deserve if you dont have some level of self respect. ideally you love someone who will respect and love you anyway and you can build your own self respect and self love on that. but its risky

43. What time of the day feels the most magical to you?

morning. i hate mornings and am not a morning person but when i AM awake early its sooo magical. the birds and stuff.

47. Do you think you'd make a good teacher? Why or why not?

hmmmmm. i have been a good teacher in the past. there was a long period of time that i think i would not have been a good teacher. i think its better now but i still dont think i could do it for real as a career. i need to be able to phone it in sometimes and that sounds hard if you're a teacher.

i think those are prime numbers. dont tell me if i'm wrong

[thankstothe]

1. Denmark. Literal child? Voice doesn't have enough power to hit those notes. Like that pink to green change on stage

I SEE THE DADI FREYR IN THE BG OMG ICELAND BABY (btw did they bleach their flag?)

2. Armenia. Laying on the floor. Classic. Somewhat continued pink theme at start. The thing I love, no sarcasm, is that sometimes you can't tell if they actually sing in English. Oh it wasn't a floor, it was a wall. Revolutionary.

Ew, showing Beatles statues. Have to shove your famous boys against a poet and clowns? This is why no one likes you UK

3. Romania. Oh let's go, native language, cool voice, pink suit, playing with genres. This is why im here. Staging is a letdown, you could literally just follow with the camera on foot.

4. Estonia. Oh piano plays itself, no fire yet. Now she plays it. I hope it ends with piano retaliation and attack. Average ballad and in English, boring. Go off piano, love that it has a mic too.

5. Belgium. Pink is back, yas. Love asymmetrical hat. Okay back up vocals have more power that main man, like damn, turn them up! Kinda like that low beat. Fun.funfun

Graham yooo, the only uk host im excited to see in final. So weird to see him and hear him at the same time lmao.

6. Cyprus. wooo. Didn't get memo for the pink theme. woooOOOooo. English, but accent is thick so I'll take it. wooooOoOoO. Gets some shoes boy, barefoot look didn't add shit. I wonder how warm is the floor tho, lights and all the pyre prob heats it up good. Woooo

7. Iceland. Everyone shut up its iceland. Im biased. Laying on the floor, brilliant move. Oh red lining in the coat, great. Some pink light's so were in the clear there too. Asserting more dominance over the floor and laying on in some more. She jacked, wow. Good voice. Song? I felt nothing.

8. Greece. Laying on the floor. Waiting for the pink to cross it off my list. Oh no your voice isn't there to jump or even move and sing, sorry. Also no pink. ФEELINGS. Why are you doing that with that alphabet shuffle. Causing me pain, that's what. Do that with sung word and we'll talk.

9. Poland. Pink hell yah. This is makes me have flashbacks to the 00s radio. Everything, voice dance, costumes, underwhelming. Oh so her dress was shitty because it was hiding another dress and not 00s reference? Makes sense. Fuego attempt, sorry you're not HER

10. Slovenia. Not English + nasty bass, okay boys! Some pink clothing. Raided their parents closet from 80s. Can't pinpoint the high singer sadly.

11. Georgia. I was excited that she was yelling at me and then she stopped... Obsessed with the instrumentals. Pink appears on the screens briefly, if you care. Amazing voice, blew the dress away.

WELSH FLAG YES BITCH

What is that actor forgor here, he's not here to talk about anything substantial I bet. Alluding to Ukraine, not even head on mention, are you kidding me?

12. San Marino. Rocky. What's with the sound mixing this year, they let this one down. Oh eyes on the walls, ok. Laying on the floor gives you some kind of points, at least I can have list. No pink, but there was like only red.

13. Austria. Okay fun start, go queens! Very interesting vocal turns and melodies. Staging is immaculate! Costumes are great. UGH. Edgar lmao. A lot of red, we moving the spectrum it seems.

14. Albania. I swear Albania sent this before. Sorry, deja vu is insane for me here. Flashing aggressive red lights solidified spectrum change. Native language is an automatic W. Wait, I thought the limit was 5 people on stage, they had 6.

15. Lithuania. Pink and red, bold choice, bringing it all together. Okay more of a purple and orange, shut up. Back up is overpowering her when they sing chorus, at least it mixed better.

16. Australia. Oh I liked thier postcard bridge. Doing interesting thing with camera, lights. Some pink and red. Oh was that a brief breakdown, alrighty. Crisp guitars and synth. Ending with headbang, very energetic!

Pretty fun semifinals overall

[the-fading-stars]

Ok, idc idc you will now get my live reactions to the new FOB Album.

Love from the Other Side is a great Song. We been knew. I love the lyrics, I love the melody and I know it by heart already. This Was the Song that got me excited for this Album. Also I live for racoon Joe. I am especially in love with the prechoruses. But the 'give up what you love before it does you in' in the bridge Hits hard too.

Heartbreak feels so good is the other track i already knew. It is fun but for me personally the post-chorus is a bit to empty and take away from the rest a bit. Like the part with lyrics is great but then the 'ooooh' Part just makes me get tired of the Song quicker which is a bit sad because the rest of it is dope even through it is very repetitive.

Hold me like a grudge: The Bass line is really dope. The buildup towards the chorus progresses really nicely. Ooooh, the chorus hits hits. I love this. Even tho it is simplistic and very Pop and Patrick Sounds like Michael Jackson in some lines. The claps and Percussion give it a nice dynamic. I really feel the chorus lyrics wise. Very nice.

Fake out: oh this is giving One Direction vibes lol. It's a bit boring. Nah, this sounds like another boring love Song. Bit dissapointing. Ok, some of the lyrics are pretty. But it's just too generic overall. Oh, there was a bit of acapella, it's such a cheap move but I love it Every time. But Yeah, this is not it.

Heaven, Iowa: is this a balad? Oh it's a pretty epic balad. Sounds like a movie soundtrack. Oh no, this was a straight up Panic! line. Ok, I love the gitar in the second chorus. This might grow on me a lot. Nah, I don't like the bridge. Hm, this is quite the mixed bag. I'll have to See about this in a Week I'll either love or hate it. But the gitar is beautiful and Patricks' voice is of course also gorgeous so they got that going for them

So good right now: that is a fun Song right out the gate. This is a cleaning Song. And that says a lot because i need the brigh test Songs i can find for cleaning. Oh this makes me wanna dance. Yes, the chorus is lyrically also not very complex but it is fun and it matches the Song and sometimes that's all we need. Great Song.

The Pink Seashell: oh, interesting sampling of Ethan Hawke. It's a nice speech.

I am my own muse: Violin? Violin. Oh, this is a whole orchestra! Woooow, I love this. The harmonies?! Hell yes! This Song is legitimatly amazing. It is also sampling a really famous peace of classical music I think. And the guitar coming in with the orchestra? The Horns with this Bass line? I am in love. Wow, applause. This Was a journey and I ascended.

Flu Game: this is a fun track. It's in line with Dance Dance vibe wise. Very Fall Out Boy. Nothing New, solid Song. Weird Video game waiting screen outro

Baby Annihilation: hm, the speech is a bit too 2012 Tumblr girl melodramatic but that is Pete at his core, isn't it?

Zen years: Ok, the Song itself starts beautifully. The Electronic Sound is a nice Touch to an other wise familiar sounding Song. Hm, it's a bit forgettable in big parts. Ha! This part is the melody of 'what makes you beautiful' by one Direction. I knew it sounded familiar. Lol.

What a time to be alive: this is a fun track. The plucked Bass is dope. Very Disco track. I really like it. Ye, this is a Song for going to uni in the korning. Yes, I too am ready to livestream the apocalypse. This is a great summer Song. The lyrics are also pandemic inspired which is rather ridiculous on such an upbeat Song.

So much (for) Stardust: Violin, Piano, moody Song. Sudden trumpet. James Bond Song vibes. Subtle keychange i think. I want to hear this Song played in a church. It is a very specific vibe that I really enjoy. Great ending for an album. Ooooh, reference to the first Song of the Album. They're going full circle. Another sublte changeup and we're going back to a last chorus. Oh they brought in a choir for the end. I just kinda wish they hadn't done a fade out end.

[just-here-for-the-art-shit]

SPOILER WARNING FIRST OFF FOR FILM RED

I have NOT seen the movie yet so these are just my speculations from the music videos and glimpses I've seen, but I really love how deep and complicated Uta's feelings are, especially in Blacklight, the lyrics in one part of it talk about both (not exact lyrics) "I only know how to turn this pain into art," while also saying "Picturesque Suffering, It's not what you would expect as far as bad endings go," as well as other lines. I interpreted this as Uta only knows how to express her pain by romanticising it through song - and she knows that, and hates it at the same time, that the pain of abandonment and empty promises is not a pretty song, it's not art, it's just hell.

And from the song Fleeting Lullaby it's pretty easy to guess that she is going to use her singing abilities to put the world into a trance of peace and happiness.

"I’m sick and tired of being alone, Wanna be connected, Have a bond to hold on to Just gonna lay it all out, how I feel." She's grown up now and she's finally going to put it out there - exactly how she feels. She's angry, confused, alone, etc, but she's kept that to herself, probably due to mixed feelings.

Shanks says, "No matter where I am, you'll always be my daughter," Hits me hard. It's just about the same thing my dad said. Shanks left Uta to give her a better life and to protect her, but despite wishes, it did not. She was in absolute pain and misery from it all - she knows her father loves her, but why is he never there? Why doesn't he visit? Why can't he even send a fricken letter? But he loves her. That is an inner turmoil I know all too well. A dad who cares nothing about his kids is one thing, but one who does, truly loves them, but is never there to show it, that is hella' complicated. You can make ultimatum statements like "A dad who doesn't make time for his kids doesn't love them/isn't a dad." Or, "If your father really loved you, he would visit." But that's just not the case, and it doesn't make that inner questioning go away.

"He still loves me, he just can't visit."

"But why can't he make time to visit?"

"Shouldn't he visit? If he loves me?"

"I still love him - I can't cut him off - but this is also killing me."

(Again, haven't seen movie) I'm guessing there's other people in Uta's life too that have appeared and disappeared again and again. People who love you but leave. You give them your heart and they rip it away each time they go. It aches in my chest, because I too wish for a bond that doesn't leave, but the way my life is, almost everyone comes and goes.

And besides her own turmoil, she's looking out at the world around her and seeing much worse. War, death, a dictatorship of a government, the rich doing as they please and literally killing the poor while the Marines protect them. It's either live under the government or become a pirate, and as seen with the Marines as well, some are good like Luffy, and many are downright evil. There's the rebellion, which also involves becoming a wanted criminal. There are only select islands still out of the government's grasp, but that number is dwindling. If you're a regular everyday civilian, something is going to fuck you over.

In summary - The world sucks. Her life sucks. So screw it, "I have the power to make people happy so we're all going in a Dreamland."

Uta has stolen my heart and I want to hug her real bad. I love that this is a deep character and not something superficial and just made up for a movie - no, this was planned out excellently. It really makes me wonder what inspired Oda to make this character, or perhaps who. I also really like (while it may not be canon) showing that Shanks has flaws like any character, and despite it, makes me love him more overall, because it really gives him more depth and personality behind the mask of a jolly smile. He too has suffered from this, even though it is his fault.