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tetitous · 1 month

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I wrote a lot, and not everything at the same time, but like brain got too full of Wakfu so yeah, thoughts time. I tried organizing it chonologically.

I wonder if Ruel will end up going back to Arpagone eventually, to me it seems like he decided he was done with her for good. That seems crazy but at the same time I'm pretty sure she did the most toxic thing you can do to an Enutrof. I mean, they haven't been together for a long time, I kind of wish they did talk to each other, set the records straight and left it there, but I'm okay with what happened too. Also good for Arapgone on finding something that makes her feel worthwhile by helping others.

Ruel really said the real treasure was the son we got along the way in the end, and he was so right for that.

Yugo getting the shit kicked out of him because Iops seem to have face blindness is some real comedy, the lightness in the whole scene really helped me feel that Yugo was still very much him. And given how heavy anything about the antagonists is that felt warranted, that made me feel very good. He's very chill though. Retrospectively I think it confirms what a lot of people like me may have been thinking, that Yugo was generally very tense due to body dysmorphia on top of everything else. Good for him.

I'm going to be real, Pin calling for Flopin got me so hard. I said "oh no" out loud.

Eva went full big sister mode upon seeing Yugo ;-;. I always loved their bond, it's at the center of one of, if not the best solo episode of the whole show, s2 ep 16, so the fact that it never weakens has me in a chokehold. I see the little gestures and I think "oh, they're family", with them it's all in the little gestures.

Yugo recieveing a big iop group hug and going :> was so cute. Kind of surprised Goultard also was part of it but Yugo deserves all the hugs so I absolutely am taking it.

Yugo telling Eliatrope to do something or fuck off and being the only one to manage to get her to do something has to be one of the biggest nat 20 on persuasion of all time. She's coming back to deliver the kids once things are safe though, right? And without the eye thingies right? Right?

No more Brakmar? Damn, that feels weird.

King Osamodas can take my fists, the way he just refuses to listen to Amalia and is barely willing to do the same to Armand given the nature of the invasion is really irritating.

The joy of Ad upon seeing Yugo still alive ;v;

Little interesting parallel of Yugo and Eliatrope both using the same force field technique. Not sure if it means anything, but I know it felt relevant to me.

Amalia going "are we about to kiss rn" and Yugo going "nah babe there's a war that'll leave a bad taste. Promise I'm hyping up my game for later though" was perfect. I got scared that they would kiss at that moment because it didn't feel right, but at the same time you cannot tell me they wouldn't want to soo damn bad.

Ad and Armand's eyes turning purple upon using the Eliasphere, huh...

Oh so Dathura is still there and places herself as a last defense for the Tree of Life, interesting but like, she just disappeared in the meantime? Well it's not her story I guess we didn't need to know, but still.

Joris asking Yugo if he knows what he's doing. Joris, he knows about as much as usual, he's just doing his best but thanks for making sure.

The way Eva and Tristepin react to their family being put in danger is interesting to me. Pinpin will jump to their rescue, but he's the one moving, that makes sense to him. Eva is, and has always been, the type to stay in place at the face of danger, whether out of fear or stubborness, so she asks for Pinpin to be the one to move away from the danger, but she won't move. Their dynamic is precious.

I'm curious about Pinpin's hair... burning? What's going on there?

Armand's sacrifice was powerful, he wasn’t a great prince, but he was an amazing King.

Joris! Joris! Joris! Joris! Imma hype that little man. Him and Yugo making the Team Blue Shorties (well, not so much anymore) was great. Team Demigods was also pretty damn cool.

Aurora is building a very bad rep for the Osamodas Kingdom by flying away, but I undertand the pain she must have felt at the moment. Her father still was treating their countries' alliance as something purely strategic, but she loved him. To her that meant something, and Amalia's simple movement of rejection while under intense distress and grief was enough for her to decide to listen to her father and not to fight by everyone's side.

Actually Eva IS very much the one to get people to move. She gets Amalia back up too.

Yugo turning Oropo's words against Toross is interesting. Wonder if it has any weird implications for the future. Maybe not though, maybe Yugo has been warned enough, he's not the type to enjoy the feeling that comes with being extremely powerful too much after all. The Eliacube freaked him out, the 6 Dofus made him scared the whole time and the consequences sucked, and the Eliasphere can litteraly cause his death. I think if anyone can hold that much power, that would be him (or Joris, Joris looks like he can be trusted with pretty much anything)

Big nope on Toross for trying to make Nora his bride. Nopenopenopenopenope go away. I'm surprised Yugo managed to keep a straight face, because I think I would have just gone for the throat.

Also imagine being a walking talking pan flag and people still assume you're straight.

There are definetly implications that Toross is the one being responsible for the disappearance of the gods. If he can tell the difference between the strengh of a god and that of a demi-god, that means he fought both, and won.

Nora going from forcing herself to be distrustful of Yugo to believing him fully did warm my heart. The short time they spent together doesn't mean they aren’t family.

What do you mean Pinpin never told Eva he loved her??? What??? Really?!?!

Efrim's pain and Nora's love are such a beautiful contrast I feel so much for them I'm not sure I have the words for it.

Flopin is developing his hearing, glad that in a way he didn't miss the wedding.

Btw totally unrelated but Yugo carrying Goultard bridal style during the final fight was NOT on my bingo list.

In the end, Toross' pain and loneliness are eternal, and there litteraly no saving him from his own personal hell. In a lot of ways his story is similar to Qilby's, but the one thing that separates them is the choice: Qilby could still choose to stop hurting his own in service of himself, Toross condemned everyone, including himself, and he can do nothing about it anymore.

Are Nora and Efrim stuck wherever they are together for all of eternity or are their Wakfu going back to their Dofus?

Omg. A wedding. My dude it all happened too fast, the worldwide political chaos that's going to ensue, I'm here for it.

I feel like they did originally want to show us the transition from the Era of Wakfu to Waven but they ended up focusing more on the characters, and that's a very good thing, that allows for Yugo to have a truly, undeniable win thanks not just to being overpowered, due to the main antagonist somehow being worse, but also thanks to the power of friendship and plus if affinity.

Overall those last 3 episodes I was hyped the whole way, and it's crazy because I don't think I felt a feeling that strong so regularly for an entire hour. I write that part about an hour after having watched everything and I still haven't come down, but now I'm having a bit of a feeling like I'm about to cry in the back. That means season 4 of Wakfu was even more amazing than everything I hoped for, because when I'm hoped for something there typically always is that empty feeling. Not here. I'm very, very happy.

The ending really feels like there's more, so I'm happy to know that there will be a manga.

#wakfu #wakfu season 4 #wakfu s4

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bengiyo · 7 months

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I Feel You Linger in the Air Ep 8 Stray Thoughts

Last week, we opened with a short about the murder of historic lesbians as a chilling reminder about the era we're in as Euangphueng and Maey almost got caught, and Yai and Jom are so obvious that everyone picked up on it. There is no way to hide who you are when you love someone. Heteronormativity is a constant performance and we will always lose if we love. Looks like the uncle sussed them out and is now angling to arrange a marriage for Yai. Ming and Prik defended the boys. The boys had an erotic scene with oil that can now stand beside the end of ITSAY 3. Unfortunately, Jom is grating under this life of servitude.

Oh fuck yes we're picking up from the consent given at the end of the last episode.

Well that was nice. I really like the way these two look at each other, and the kissing felt really in character. It didn't feel like the two actors just making out. It felt like Yai and Jom.

Interesting. So the first time Jom saw himself in the past in the mirror was the first night Jom and Yai slept together.

I like how we already basically suspected that this is what happened to Euangphueng, but now we see how powerless she felt in the moments.

All of the queers keep promising things I don't think they can deliver.

Ah, here comes the horrors.

It's an interesting choice to cut away from the lesbians entering the horrors to this romantic scene with the gays. It's kind of a messed up reminder that some of us are experiencing the horrors while others are enjoying a nice moment and that much of the joy is temporary. It also acts as a release valve on the tension of the last scene.

Losing it over a flower whose name means misery having beauty and meaning for Yai because of his approach with it.

Of course the dad is spying on them, and harshly reminds Chan of the economic leverage he holds over him.

Euangphueng's monologue lands here from the slow delivery of details over the last two months and the confirmed history from today. This is well done.

Unfortunately, we already knew Robert was a rapist.

Tee is not one to shy away from the realities of the homophobia looming over queer people.

All of the women are going through it this episode goddamn. Robert has turned vigilant, and Khamsaen's mom wants Fong Kaew to stay away from Saen.

This scheming uncle sussed out that Euangphueng and Yai were queer and has clearly used it for his own gains.

This firefly date is so beautiful.

I'm so intrigued by the monk's assessment of Yai and Jom.

Despite my concerns about Jom being sick, I'm nervous about leaving Euangphueng and Maey where we left them.

Sometimes this all feels so suffocating. I feel like I need to hook up with a guy after all this. So much effort and angst to force us to conform. This was a heavy episode. I liked the balance with the honeymoon phase for Yai and Jom, but I'm still thinking about Fong Kaew, Maey, and Euangphueng. I also didn't forget how Yai's mom treats Prik or how she told Euangphueng to suck it up.

#i feel you linger in the air #IFYLITA meta #thai bl #bl series #Ben watches

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dustedmagazine · 1 month

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Sheer Mag — Playing Favorites (Third Man)

Photo by Christopher Grady

The tracks on Sheer Mag’s initial run of 7”s burst out of a recording fidelity too pinched to contain them. The effect was almost a mash-up; sui generis yet familiar, an infectious collage. Something like Michael Jackson circa 1969 fronting the Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal band, taped on a boombox. Those technical constraints haven’t really been present since their first full-length album, 2017’s Need to Feel Your Love — for better (the space and clarity to match the auditory ambition) and worse (a loss of immediacy and, with it, some vitality). Playing Favorites was originally planned as a disco EP, but instead the band fleshes out ideas they’ve touched on before; we hear more of the glossy Earth, Wind & Fire boogie from Need to Feel Your Love’s title track, for example. They embellish old sounds with new textures — dub drum patterns and countrified finger slides among them — and, more than ever, emphasize the dance music that’s always bopped and wiggled under the joy buzzer riffing.

“All Lined Up” is the purest nod to disco of the bunch with a jangle and shake of bright, clean guitar, motoring bass and a rapid bongo line. It’s as close as Sheer Mag comes to CHIC, but doesn’t tip over into pastiche, with vocalist Tina Halladay still lifting off into her trademark yowl over Kyle Seely’s shooting star guitar leads. True to its title, Playing Favorites is still, despite the varied palette, obviously a Sheer Mag album and not without its share of more or less straightforward, beat-up-leather-jacket rockers. More or less, because even these often push the band’s sonic parameters. When the blazing guitar duel that opens the Mdou Moctar-assisted “Mechanical Garden” fades into a string section, or when “Eat It and Beat It” dips in and out of industrial, Frippian shredding and practically animatronic backing vocals, a window opens on a more experimental, sprawling direction. Less experimental, but seemingly destined to close out encores, is “Golden Hour,” made of equal parts Allman Brothers, “The Boys Are Back in Town” and “Reelin’ In The Years.” As Halladay levitates, repeating “streaming down/streaming down,” the Seelys and Palmer match her full-throated, nostalgic delivery with a sun shower of southern rock, right down to the organ break. On an album where the curiosity and genre dabbling can be taxing in the aggregate, “Golden Hour” is a stirring example of Sheer Mag hitting a sweet spot closer to their previous marks.

The centerpiece of Playing Favorites, though, and what might be, given its genesis, the album’s raison d'etre, is “Moonstruck.” It’s where the band’s foray into bringing the funk up front with the six-string heroics really breaks through. Hart Seely’s slapped bass and the swaggering guitars of Matt Palmer and Kyle Seely deliver a stout, shimmering instrumental to which the listener must move, and amid which Halladay does her inimitable, pugilistic thing, switching styles from conversational to commanding (sample interjection: “c’mon you son of a bitch!”). It’s groovy, hard-nosed and glamorous. The relished, gleeful line “I might have started a brawl/When I smashed that disco ball/But the smile on your face made me feel so fancy free” is as good a summation as any of Sheer Mag’s enduring magic and of Playing Favorites at its best.

Alex Johnson

#sheer mag #playing favorites #third man #alex johnson #albumreview #dusted magazine #punk #rock #disco

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cabbageslost · 2 months

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live react of live action AtLA - ep 2

Again with the "here there be spoilers" warning, so scroll on by if you're needing to keep it unsullied for you.

Just like I did with the first episode, my stream-of-consciousness babble about ep 2 will go below. Woop woop!

Yes, Zuko channeling his best Kylo Ren impression with this tantrum to start us off here. LOL

Lemur!

Hm, okay so looking like the pirates part will get skipped over. Gran Gran really stepping up in this live-action adaptation... outing Aang as the Avatar, delivering the iconic "everything changed" lines, and now being the way Katara got the waterbending scroll. And.. as a bonus.. Gran Gran tells her (though not in exact wording) to always remember who she is. Shades of Gyatso telling Aang something similar. Awww.. got some feels.

And more feels with the Gyatso burial.. I'm glad they added more air temple. It felt so rushed at the end of last episode.

Kyoshi warriors, let's goooo!

Sokka doing Sokka things.. lol.. trying to impress with his foot in his mouth.

Commander Sideburns has a much calmer voice/presence - and apparently not as much backhistory with Zuko/Iroh here.

Gah, in love with the playing in the creek moment with Aang & Katara.

Hmmm, trying to decide how I feel about Suki. I mean I like her, but it doesn't feel like original Suki either. It feels like she's absolutely not sure how to flirt with Sokka even if she wants to.

Aang saying he had people scared of him, like Katara and Sokka were when he was in the avatar state.. it's one of the sad things I miss about the changes. In the original, it was more like Katara at least was scared FOR him, not OF him, when he was in that state. Maybe this chat will help it get to that point though.

Oh okay. A little training montage to help with the flirting lol. Looks like they're giving Suki the "help him with his form" that Katara had with Aang in the original.

Avatar Kyoshi guide. Okay. Who needs Roku lol

OMG, Suki Mama is a badass too.. so cool.

So. Making Zhao trash Kyoshi village sort of feels like trying to make Zuko not as much the bad guy. Meanwhile, Zuko fighting Katara while she's trying to protect spirit-journeyed Aang seems like a nod to what originally happened at the NWT, so I wonder if that will be altered now too. And I mean, awesome for Kyoshi Island to get to see "Kyoshi" fighting but.. I dunno, I kind of like the original better. Okay.. reminder to self.. remember your promise to imagine this being an "AU fanfic done big".

Okay, this one didn't feel as rushed pacing-wise. Mainly it just focused on one episode of the original though, with nods pulled in from other episodes. The costuming was super cool, and there was a lot of pretty lighting with the camerawork, and I appreciate the little lighthearted scenes sprinkled in too. I hope we keep getting those because all-heavy, all the time would be exhausting.. and not true to the spirit of the original, where Aang brought light and joy.

#atla #live action atla #reaction

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simslegacy5083 · 3 months

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NSB (Straud Legacy) Gen 8 Ep. 181: The Best Last Day

The morning after his son became a teen, Jack woke up determined to find the absolute most joy he could in his final day of life.

He started by giving his spouse one last snuggly good time wakeup under the sheets. Peachy appreciated his efforts as always and seemed to be making an effort of his own to keep focused on enjoying their final day together, with a sly dad joke between dads, and a sneak tickle attack.

As hard as it was to leave his family now, Jack had treasured every moment of his traditionally constrained lifespan with them. He went to check on the rest of the household feeling pride in the way he had used his one life to live to the best of his ability, confident his forebearers would be proud of him.

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Downstairs they found Luigi preparing for his first day of high school. Jack helped him with his homework while Peachy made breakfast.

They had offered to let him stay home, but he had decided being in class would be better than sitting around worrying about the inevitable. They didn’t discuss it again over the meal, Jack instead helping ease Luigi’s concerns about attending public school with “a bunch of strangers”.

He told Luigi that the other teens wouldn’t be so different from his cousins, and Jack trusted a smart sim like him would be able to figure out the best way to handle tough situations. He saw his boy off with one final hug goodbye and a silent hope to check in one more time if he could.

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Back inside Valentina caught Jack by himself to say her own farewells and restated her promise to take good care of Jack’s boys.

He thanked her as he said goodbye, happy to know that someone would be there looking out for his family once he was no longer able to do so.

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Then it was time for the hardest goodbye of all. They were doing their best to minimize the pain by parting now, before the very end, but that didn’t make it any easier.

Peachy and Jack said their goodbyes on the porch, starting with a deep and long-lasting kiss. When they finally broke apart Peachy smiled, delivering a slightly less corny than usual affectionate joke. As always Jack responded in kind before heading off to spend his last hours in nature with Chance.

Peachy watched Jack until he teleported out of sight before turning to head back inside. The front doors hadn’t even had time to close before he broke down in uncontrollable sobs, finally allowing himself to feel all the things he’d kept tightly locked inside over the last few days for Jack’s sake.

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Jack met Chance at their rental cabin. Chance had been worried by the gray and rainy day, but it seemed the watcher smiled on Jack, delivering fine clear weather for his final outing in nature. The two former housemates quickly got dressed in comfortable clothes for their day of outdoor fun.

Neither man was sure exactly when the end would come but for as long as they were together Chance let Jack lead.

They spent the day swapping stories, laughing about old times, playing horseshoes, and of course, fishing up something tasty for dinner.

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That afternoon Jack did end up having his chance to call home and hear all about Luigi’s first day. Jack encouraged him to try making some friends, suggesting that maybe he could start by looking for a group or club of like-minded sims who enjoyed computing as much as he did.

As afternoon turned to evening the men settled around the campfire for dinner and Jack’s face fell. He knew the end was coming soon and as strongly as he felt about his choice, he still didn’t feel ready. Chance offered a kind smile, encouraging him to say as much or as little as he needed to. He remembered being in the same position as Jack all those centuries ago, before he’d accepted the immortality Candor’s potion offered.

Jack’s heart ached, but he knew there was nothing he could say that would change anything. Instead, he simply finished his meal and invited his friend to join him at the game table on the upstairs balcony, the pair completing a scenic island landscape puzzle for Chance to take back as a gift for Luigi.

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When the Reaper still hadn’t arrived by bedtime Jack asked if Chance would mind terribly joining him in camping out under the stars.

Chance agreed without hesitation, and Jack pulled out the two sleeping bags he’d brought along, just in case. They found a nice grassy spot to set them down, and after giving his friend a big hug and a heartfelt thank you for a wonderful last day they settled side by side and drifted off to sleep.

A short time later Jack was jolted awake. Compelled to rise, he found himself gently laying right back down as he quietly breathed his last. Chance didn’t stir as the Reaper came to collect Jack’s soul, whisking him away to his final resting place, where an old friend waited to welcome him to his new home.

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Want To See More? View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

#sims 4 #sims 4 challenge #sims 4 legacy #sims4 #sims 4 nsb #sims 4 not so berry #sims4nsbstraud #sims 4 let's play #sims 4 gameplay #sims 4 lets play

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demigoddessqueens · 2 years

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Cool! So basically I had a Percy x reader where the reader has a story like Renfri's in The Witcher and Percy and VM help her through her situation where the wizard responsible for her life going to shit shows up in Emon? Does that make sense?

Yes! Renfri got me hooked on the first EP and she was interesting 💕

Also Stregebor can get fucked 😝 me and my homies hate him

When you all first met, the party was drawn to your mysterious, aloof nature. You were charming, witty, how you carried yourself suggested you more than just good with a dagger and knife. It was only natural that you stuck around with each other, and helped each other here and there along with the rapport. Unfortunately, the budding friendship is threatened by the arrival of mage who ropes in Vox Machina with an elaborate tale of your birth and past, and the “danger” you pose to others. Seeking to find what is truth, you both meet again and after hearing your tearful account, they are resolved to help you. Along with a newfound hatred of this mage.

Percy - he’s the one you bonded with the most. Seeing as how mages and wizards have both been upheavals in your lives, he knows what that pain feels like. In making a plan though, you’re impulsiveness can be clashing with him being stubborn (“they created me just as much as they created you! We’re not so different!”). But, he’s more than sure in helping you take down this arrogant mage, and helps you and Vax ultimately deliver the fatal blow. Also cue the love scene with Geralt and Renfri

Pike - she’s familiar with others can be, and given her history with Grog, she’s infuriated at the treatment you received in life and is more than willing to help you in your cause. Aside from angering you, this mage’s worse mistake was undermining the war cleric

Grog - your story reminds him of his childhood, and he’s grateful that he had Pike, but given how alone you had been he feels pity for you and wants you to tag along with the group. Plus his arms make for comforting hugs when you need them 🥹

Scanlan - even he’s horrified by what you’ve had to go through; good at intel and helps set up the meeting to where you and Vox can both trick and corner this person. Afterwards, he’s a presence that reminds you to find the joy in life again.

Vex’ahlia and Vax’ildan - your story is one all too relatable to their own; they’re beyond horrified at how your life has turned for the worse, and they’re a comforting/understanding presence. You also closely bond with Vax and he’s determined in helping you and Percy take down this mage

Keyleth - she’s always been wary of institutions and those who blindly follow, and after hearing your story, she’s not backing away from this one. Helping in any way she can, the Druid-elf is such a refreshing friend you’re glad to have met

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consoledacup · 1 year

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Is Jordan supposed to be the most emotionally mature or something? How did he see his father die, and yet he has expressed the least emotion about it? I've seen more struggle on Laura and Liv's end, and they're building up Spencer's spiral gradually. But Jordan literally has nothing to show for his father's death, no emotional moment in the last few eps that makes me know the source of his grief, which makes me question what his grief ep is going to be about?

Hi, Anon!

The thing about is grief is... there's no right way to grieve. But while I do think he's become emotionally mature, I wouldn't say I see no emotion from him.

In 5x11, he's in shock. Plain and simple. There are tears welling up in his eyes, but he's got to deliver this news to his family and be the man of the house.

In 5x12, he looks like he's going to jump out of his skin. Every time he's not supporting his mom or Liv, every time he's not receiving support from Layla, he's constantly moving. You see him adjusting his clothes. You see him buzzing with anxious energy. He can't bring himself to do the normal things, like check a closet with his father's clothes, without Layla's help. He also sees his sister and mother outwardly grieving a whole lot more and stifles his to be there for them. But when Layla offers to cover for him at the repast, he practically runs out of there. And then when he hears about Jabari, he thinks, "Here's something I can focus on. Dad would want me to do this." And then he doesn't have to dwell on his grief.

After his talk with Jabari, he again decides on another project to honor his father. Because time is of the present, and the memorial in Crenshaw needed to happen. And all throughout the episode, Layla is by his side, giving him exactly what he needs to keep going and processing. He has completely opened up his heart to her and is receptive to her support. It makes a world of difference to him. And he's choosing to latch onto joy when he can. And he knows that she knows firsthand how to find her way out of grief.

I still think he's wrestling with some kind of shock/hasn't really processed the loss in 5x12.

And that carries over in 5x13. We have this beautiful side storyline with a box, which... what? But it works. First it's the closet, now it's box. The little things that he expects his dad to take care of... it's up to him now. And what a thing that is.

He was completely focused on his sister at first. Just scared out of his mind she was going relapse again. He's again trying to step in as the man of the house and support these two broken women and feeling like he's coming up short.

Once Liv brazenly and boldly tells her village she needs help and then proves her remarkable strength, he's left to focus on the box again. I wouldn't say he had no emotion with the box. He was immobile and overwhelmed. And his reasoning for not opening the box is, "What if that's the last of Dad?" He's trying to process his grief, but that doesn't always have to look like wailing or picking fights or laying in bed. It can look like going about your day and making sure your loved ones are safe and then freezing in place for hours because of a box.

He also left things on a great note with his dad. His dad wanted him to be his QB1. And didn't ask him out of obligation but because he needed his talent and leadership. His dad caught onto him and Layla and was thrilled and gave him his blessing. Jordan didn't begrudge Billy's decision to stay at Crenshaw. They didn't leave things unsaid. There also can be a quiet beauty to grief, and I'm wondering if we'll get more of that perspective, specifically with his connection to Layla.

That's my take on it. I'm with you though. I'm very eager to see where his episode goes. I can't exactly predict what we'll see with him, but I do think it's been monumentally difficult for him, regardless of what we've seen from him so far.

I think each storyline we've had with him has had a theme of "Dad's not here, so I need to do it..."

"Dad's not here to pick out his blue suit, so I need to do it."

"Dad's not here to talk to Jabari, so I need to do it. I need to tell him it's not his fault. It's my job now."

"Dad's not here to provide space for his Crenshaw community to grieve, so I need to organize it."

"Dad's not here to open this box he ordered, so I need to decide what to do with it."

"Dad's not here to make Grandma Mary's jambalaya, so I'm gonna do it and bring our family together."

Sooner or later, that "picking up the baton" method isn't going to work. And we might see what happens in the fallout.

#all american #Jordan baker #jordayla

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saltygilmores · 1 year

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Thoughts While Watching Gilmore Girls, Season 2, Episode 9, "Run Away Little Boy"

You can read my previous reviews here.

You know what we haven't had the joy of experiencing in a couple of eps? Dean Forrester acting like a jealous, irrational fucklehead. This episode will deliver him in spades. Welcome back, Fucklehead. Welcome back. This episode is a real doozy.

It's Henry! Yay! We stan Henry/ship Henry & Lane here at TWWGG. We learn Tristan has just returned from school after he was suspended. He fell in with some bad apples who aided him in taking apart and re-assembling a teacher's car inside of the school hallway. Huh? But actually, they just paid some mechanics to do it? Double huh? So he literally OUTSOURCED a prank? Jess Mariano would NEVER.

While attempting to enjoy a burrito in peace at the Business School vending machines, Lorelai encounters a time traveling bro from the distant 2010's who entertains her with unsolicited conspiracy theories about how one day we're all going to be slaves to machines, cut off from human contact. Hey, wait a minute... Lorelai brushes his off his totally inaccurate prediction.

Nothing I'd love to experience more than going on a date with a 24 year old dudebro who will unload conspiracy theories on me for 2 hours while I try to eat. Let's delve into the Rory portion of this episode. English teacher gives the class an assignment to form groups and act out a scene from Romeo & Juliet. Predictably, Rory ends up with Paris, Louise, and Madelyn (and eventually, Brad), with Paris at the helm of the group, being her usual godawful nightmare self, and they eventually end up at Rory's house to work on the project.

Why does this feel familiar? Oh, yes. It's because in the not so distant past, Paris, Rory, Louise and Madelyn were forced to work together on a school project where they had to form a government with Paris at the helm, being her godawful nightmare self and ended up at Rory's house to work on the project. Diet Logan (aka Tristan) barges into the first planning session of the play at school and through the art of some manipulative mental gymnastics (MMG) he hijacks the part of Romeo away from Brad, leaving Rory to end up as Juliet to Diet Logan's Romeo, much to Rory's displeasure. "Diet Logan & Juliet" just doesn't have the same ring to it. Louise: I can be Juliet. Paris: You can't be Juliet. Juliet is supposed to be chaste. OUCH. Sookie to Michel after presenting him with a plate of blueberry pancakes: "Raise your right hand and say, "May Destiny's child break up if I count these blueberries." It took another 6 years for Destiny's Child to break up, but still. I guess he counted the blueberries.

Wow, this shirt is the most gorgeous color. It's true, she does name everything, including Luke's toolbox. Speaking of. We interrupt this squeaky clean WB Network show for another extended conversation involving penis metaphors. Lorelai is talking to Sookie about moving on from Max to going out to dinner with the Time Traveler.

Lorelai: We have this bit going about me stealing his burrito. Sookie: "Stealing his burrito"? Oh, you kids! Lorelai: No, a real burrito. Sookie: You've stolen his burrito! Rory is telling Lorelai that the theater group has decided to meet at her house (again), which means Diet Logan will be coming to town, so, sadly and predictably, Rory is now fretting over Diet Logan running into Dean and telling him that they kissed at that party and that Dean will be upset that Rory was hiding it from him, so she has to get ahead of DL and tell Dean first. Run, Rory, run...ahhh. Fuck it. I give up. You're on your own girl. Lorelai: Try it out on me first. Pretend I'm Dean.

The only person who'd ever dare to utter such cursed words. I'm surprised she didn't open up some portal to the Underworld by saying that out loud.

No, that won't do it. Try to sound more constipated.

But it's always a good time for Dean to yell at Rory, right Mom?

Lorelai: I know you are Miss Honesty, I've seen the banner. But this is going to screw up this really good thing you have going right now! I swear for someone who is all up in every inch of Rory's business it feels like Lorelai lives on another planet from her daughter and not the same house. Lorelai then proceeds to do the worst Dean/ JarPad impression in the history of ever, turning him into some deep voiced narcissist obsssed with his hair who says "cool" over and over? I'll cut her some slack. It is pretty hard to do an impression of someone with no personality whatsoever. Let me try: *deep voice* I built you a car! I wear the same stupid leather jacket every day that probably smells! Saying I love you doesn't get you pregnant! My mom cooks dinner for us every night! Hur hur hur. Better.

Coping tactics while watching episodes with both Dean and Diet Logan. Rory: Where's Tristan? Louise: He went to the market for cigarettes. As if we didn't already know he was bad. Sooo bad he has to outsource his pranks. Can anyone else actually picture Taylor Doose selling cigarettes? He sells pregnancy tests and that already feels too scandalous for Taylor and Stars Hollow. No less "illicit substances" like tobacco.

*long agonized groan of despair* Both of you should jump on the Tide Pod craze 15 years ahead of time.

Wowwww. I have no words. (Diet Logan is the flour dropper).

Uh oh, DL. Dean's doing that thin-lipped thing again. You should be scared.

This little shit. This little bug. I want to squash him under my shoe. Gonna call this the Rinse and Repeat becasue it happens in every episode: Rory swoops in and drags Dean outside. Having heard almost none of the conversation happening between DL and Dean, she makes an assumption that they were arguing about her, and immediately starts apologizing profusely to Dean. While his lips get super thin and his face gets scowly and constipated. He blathers angrily at her for having the gall not to tell him she was in a play with a male classmate (we didn't even get to the part about the kissing yet).

Dean's mom should have swallowed. Then Dean threatens to strangle DL to death with his apron strings because that's very a rational response to hearing that your girlfriend is in a fictional, mandatory school play with a classmate. Although I'm not gonna lie, I was mere seconds away from writing that I hoped Dean would get strangled by his stupid apron. I'm allowed to think he should drink laundry detergent. It's okay when I think it.

Rinse and Repeat. No really. This is just so, so sad. Let me guess, Lorelai's going to hear what happens later and she'll think Dean's reaction sounded cute. I'm putting my money down on this. Let me repeat: Rory is not apologizing to Dean for for kissing DL. She still hasn't told him about that yet. She's apologizing to Dean because she was given a school project which is 50% of her grade to put on a scene from a play where Romeo was originally going to be Brad, and she never wanted Tristan in the play in the first place, he hijacked it and forced his way in. She forgot to tell Dean she would be working on a school project with a classmate Dean doesn't happen to like and who is a male. That is why she's apologizing.

Me putting a whole two dollars on Lorelai having a completely wrong reaction to the events that are unfolding.

Little too late, Bucko. Your mom should have a retroactive abortion. This tactic Dean always uses on Rory where he belittles her and then when he runs out of steam he suddenly does a u-turn, gets all "nah I guess it's not your fault actually" all fake-like with contempt for her in his voice gives me chills. It's manipulative, and abusive.

Look at this pathetic puppy face after Dean treats her like dog shit and then tries to kiss her like nothing happened! This is the most pitiful thing I've ever seen. Why am I in tears for her! She's fictional! Ahhhh! Dean tells Rory he's going to take a walk and she has to kick DL out of the store herself. I hope Dean encounters a rabid mountain lion on his walk. A mountain lion with a taste for the flesh of teenage boys who treat their girlfriends like last week's garbage.

Here it comes. *grabs a bag of vintage Doritos and waits in fevered anticipation for whatever idiotic thing is about to come out of Lorelai's mouth*

No alarm bells whatsoever are going off in Lorelai's mind that her teenage daughter had to "pull apart" her boyfriend and her classmate to prevent them from fighting. Again, this is the second time in a short period of time that Dean and Tristan nearly killed each other. Lastly, what Rory actually says here is "I pulled them apart without any bloodshed." Allow me to summarize Lorelai's response:

Heh heh. I win. *collects money*

Guess the mountain lion spat him out.

Damn too bad you didn't choke on a chicken bone.

We're well aware of his domestic mother. Try to keep up with the rest of the class, Lorelai. Rory (like she's just learning this today as well): That's so nice. Uh?

Dean insists on attending the play reharsals even though Rory and Lorelai repeatedly try to tell him she doesn't need him there. Lorelai just smiles at it all and says "Dean is fine" as he gets up to leave. So now not one but two people have hijacked their way into this play against Rory's will. (later): Rory to Tristan: Dean's coming to rehearsal tonight. DL: Can they spare him? I heard they're having a run on baked beans. That's such a stupid comeback but I'm heartily laughing. Just sitting here thinking about stupid Dean Forrester the stock boy stacking cans of beans, and then maybe the cans topple over and suffocate him and then they bring in those dogs that sniff for people buried under rubble and even though the dogs find him they pretend they don't and ignore him.

Again, I'm going to miss the Rory that says "shut up" to people. Rory asks Diet Logan not to tell Dean that they kissed at Madelyn's party, but DL didn't even remember it happened, so if she had just kept her mouth shut things would be hunky dory. My girl really just dug her own grave here. DL: I won't tell Dean, he's gonna find out anyway. As soon as he sees us kiss on stage it's gonna be pretty obvious it's not the first time. I'm a good actor but I can't hide that kind of passion. I hope a wall of lockers topples on top of him, and then they bring the dogs in that sniff out bodies that are buried underneath the rubble, but they ignore him, and... etc. etc. etc. Ran out of screen shots, part 2 in another post, you know the drill.

#gilmore girls #rory gilmore #lorelai gilmore #gilmore girls season 2 #run away little boy #diet logan #Denise Rewatches Gilmore Girls

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lesbaurinkos · 8 months

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6, 9, 20 :)

6. Which musical episode is your favorite?

oh this one is so tough because i love them all in their own ways. before archie the musical i would prooooobably say the heathers episode- it's the one i default to showing friends when they want to catch a glimpse of the show's campiness- but in a post-archie-the-musical-world, well, how can i not say archie the musical <3 but every one of them is so beautiful in its own merit. i remember watching carrie air when i was like idk 16? and being forever changed by cheryl dousing herself in blood. heathers i've seen so many times i could quote it line for line. hedwig has one of my favorite songs the cast has done (origin of love) and i listen to it a lot bc like wow... jughead's verse is so genuinely good the whole thing just REALLY gets ya. next to normal has some of the most fun numbers imo like u can tell they had a lot of fun with it. the pussycats ep is SO GODDAMN FUN every moment of it is a joy to watch. american pyscho was admittedly my least favorite but they did make up for it with betty gay moments (and i think it's funny ras did his own musical). AND THEN THERES ARCHIE THE MUSICAL MY BELOVED ARCHIE THE MUSICAL AND WELL ARCHIE THE MUSICAL IS LIKE MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE <3

9. Which character has your favorite costuming? What's your favorite outfit they wore?

i answered this here but im answering it MORE because i want to talk about how i want these jugkets (jughead jackets) too. this isnt even about costuming anymore its about i can never own too many things that are plaid. YES they all look pretty much the same but YES i would wear all of them on rotation. give me your jackets and sweaters and such, jughead

20. What is your favorite quote?

of course i have to go for a classic because camila is a fucking STAR for delivering "word of my exploits serving nick his comeuppance has seeped into the demimonde of mobsters and molls my father used to associate with" she literally should have won an emmy for that. also forever a fan of "im cuckoo bananas for you, obvi!" because it's another beautiful classic. and also every single time betty has ever said "bitch" it's always delivered so passionately. so beautifully. emmys all around

#also im genuinely fond of epic highs and lows of high school football because it's so... like it's so ARCHIE. is the thing #the absolute sincerity the painful earnestness as he says something that yes is ridiculous. is the POINT of it!!!#it getting memed to death doesnt matter its supposed to be campy and it was supposed to be like archie after everything is still EARNEST!#i will always defend you epic highs and lows of high school football #THANK U FOR LETTING ME TALK ABOUT THE MUSICAL EPS I LOVE THEM DEARLY (insufferable theater kid at heart)#thejugheadparadox #riverdale #ask

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luuurien · 2 years

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Sheldon Agwu - Seeds of Sanctum, Vol. 2

(Nu-Jazz, Neo-Soul, Jazz Fusion)

A quick, loveable collection of breezy hip-hop grooves paired with jazzy guitar and saxophone performances that keep the vibes smooth and the production smoother. Similar to the lighthearted, colorful jam sessions he often participates in, Seeds of Sanctum Vol. 2 doesn't need to do anything crazy to pull your heart in.

☆☆☆½

You've more than likely heard Sheldon Agwu before, but he's only recently heightened the volume of his singular voice. A beloved player in the London nu-jazz and neo-soul circuit whose credits include work with the lovely neo-soul singer Ego Ella May and alt-R&B darling Jordan Rakei, Agwu's guitar playing is at the forefront of his music, liquid-smooth and never throwing in a ton of notes and instrumental embellishment for the sake of it - he knows that oftentimes using less notes makes things even more interesting. On the second installation of his Seeds of Sanctum EP series, he expands upon the jazzy blends of hip-hop and electronica from its predecessor, programming plush drum pads and layering some of the most engaging and enjoyable guitar work this year on top of it. Its seven short tracks and singular mood means Vol. 2 doesn't cover a whole lot of new ground for Agwu, but what's here is more than enough to make for another wonderful outing. Simple as these beats may be, Vol 2. is a joy to listen to simply because of how charismatic and lively a performer Agwu is. The EP's hazy midnight mood of slow grooves and sensual instrumentation doesn't ever waver, but the real power of Vol 2. comes from the way he slowly approaches the high note at the minute mark of Nightlife and then finds different paths back up and down the fretboard, or treats Dracula to a regal array of saxophone harmonies and light improvisation before bringing back his guitar and tracing the saxophone's path with it - the EP is less about trying to wow you with crazy technical complexity as it is showing off Agwu's ability to set a mood and deliver it perfectly. HAVE A GREAT MORNING even throws in a bit of a breakbeat kick with its choppy drum loop, complimenting the creamier sound of surrounding tracks Disconnect and Dracula with a short but fresh take on his hip-hop/jazz fusions. I can only imagine what it might be like to see Agwu working on a larger scale with bigger and bolder concepts, but the honesty and warm heart at the core of Vol 2. beautifully pays tribute to all his inspirations and gives a colorful bird's-eye-view of his different musical influences and experiences poured into every song. Through and through, Vol 2. is simple, wonderful music. And there always could be more: Agwu could incorporate a wider range of instruments or explore different kinds of beats and moods from his usual late night neo-soul, but Vol 2. is focused entirely on being the most pure and genuine showing of his music's core tenants and what makes listening to his songs such a joy: because you can hear how much he loves playing every time. When he's exploring the rich mid-range of his guitar on Oakley Gardens, every note is thoughtfully placed and given Agwu's full attention; when he's digging deep into the earthy low end and gleaming high end on Disconnect, the transitions between each are so natural and suave you'll barely even notice just how much the texture of his playing has changed in only a few seconds. You don't need to do anything to get the fullest from Seeds of Sanctum, Vol. 2 but let Awgu's music fill your mind for a while, and with songs as delightful as these, it's an offer you can't pass up.

#sheldon agwu #seeds of sanctum vol 2 #electronic #hip-hop #jazz #jazz fusion #neo-soul #nu-jazz #soul #2022 #7/10 #album review #album reviews #2022 albums

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stallithehooch-12 · 2 months

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Renaissance the revolution

Welcome to the Renaissance

In a world where systems often refuse to acknowledge black musicians only a handful are given the title of genius. Beyonce Giselle Knowles Carter is a cross cultural and intergenerational icon that has rightfully been bestowed the title of musical genius. She is a once in a lifetime pop megastar that has given us multiple projects that keep us listening and also shift culture in a momentous way. With her 7th studio album, the masterpiece “Renaissance” Beyonce delivered a juggernaut record that through sheer musical excellence carves out a judgement free dancefloor. Through various genres pulled from around the globe Beyonce establishes a maximalist tour de force of a record that does more than just make you move. Renaissance isn’t just a group of songs, it is a statement on the power of choice and reinvention. It is a beautiful homage to communities that have learned to dance through hard times, to sing through painful experiences and find joy in music.

The music industry has become what many feared years ago. A predictable game of algorithms and uncontrolled capitalistic greed. So when the pandemic hit and the manufactured sadness of soft spoken balladeers like Billie Eilish became what they always were hollow boring nothingness, the industry responded. Dance music came roaring back to life with albums like “chromatica” and “future nostalgia.” House, however, would be where Beyonce and another major musician would be looking at as their next musical mountain to climb. Drake dropped “Honestly Never mind” , a rushed slop of half thought out songs that take inspiration from the Chicago born genre, and to say the world took notice would be an understatement. As the internet hopped through endless amounts of aimless discourse Beyonce dropped break my soul. A shimmering dance track, break my soul tore through the dullness of the decade and with both hands on the neck of the genre pulled house back to it’s black, gay roots.

On renaissance the Houston Luminary is at her fiercest. She’s sleek, cool, dominant and so cutting edge that with one full length Ep she makes every other release seem redundant. The beginning trilogy of songs usher us into a maximalist, futuristic, progressive soundscape where all are welcome, and the darkness of ignorance is discarded as easily as trash is. From the glitchy and braggadocios “I’m that girl” where Beyonce proclaims her status as a queen. To the confident and ferocious cozy, bey has come out of the gate swinging. Alien superstar the standout on the album doesn’t walk, it struts, it doesn’t just shine , it radiates. A pulsating pop record reminiscent of hit records like “bad romance” and her own “diva” the popstar states lines that we should all internalize. “ I’m one of one, I’m number one, I’m the only one. Don't even waste your time trying to compete with me (don't do it ) No one else in this world can think like me (true)” On this track she’s a diva through and through, Miss Knowles means every word and by the time we arrived at energy we see that she’s showing no signs of slowing down.

The next records take us on a multi genre/ country trip where we realize that the renaissance isn’t limited to just her country of birth. We travel to Nigeria with afro beats on the song energy, We take a trip to the dancehall clubs of Jamaica on move and we even got to the underground discotheque of Germany with the experimental all up in your mind. Beyonce is completely uninhabited and has little limitations on her with this album. Countries have no borders and genres crumble to nothing in her palms. With songs like Virgo’s groove and plastic off the sofa she proves that even time can’t hold her back. These songs serve to be the slow grooving wonderful throwback to the hey days of Diana Ross, Micheal Jackson, Donna Summer and other powerful sensual, groundbreaking, powerful diva’s of the 70’s. But with multiple trips through time and space what do I think Beyonce is trying to say with her newest studio effort.

As proven with the last wave of dance, we as modern consumers only like to move when times are hard. When life has put so much pressure on our backs we have no choice but to let go of our worries and pick up the one thing that connects us all, love and reinvention through music. Beyonce has shown the ability to reinvent herself multiple times over the decades, effortlessly maneuvering through different sides of who she is to let us know that she isn’t just a one trick pony. However, have we ever considered how much capacity we have to change? How much power we have to look inward and decide to become something more than what we currently are. The Renaissance isn’t just dance, it’s freedom. The freedom to be who we want to be and the freedom to change that perception of ourselves at the drop of a hat. Beyonce tells us that we have multiple versions of our inner being and restricting one side or sticking to only a single aspect of who we are can lead to us killing that adventurer inside our souls. With this record she shows us that even through the harsh political climate and almost world ending antics we can find joy and not just find it but use that joy as a revolutionary tool. As the world has decided to oppress us and others, to use the tools of victimization to crush our individuality. That spark that makes us humans, renaissance reminds us that joy is resistance. It reminds us that we can shed our skin and become better, to become the future. Renaissance paints a time in which our joy and ability to evolve is resistance. Our ability to decide who we are when we want to will always be more than any algorithm can serve us. Our love is superhuman, and as we listen and dissect and maybe even internalize. Let us never forget this fact and let us appreciate Beyonce for bringing us this message. Joy is resistance, reinvention feeds the soul and The renaissance is the future.

“Bend your soul to intuition. Renaissance the revolution. Pick me up even if I fall let love heal us all”

-Beyonce, My House.

#Beyonce Dance music Reviews Renaissance

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existentialmagazine · 5 months

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Review: Koalra’s new dreamy single ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ captures nature’s whimsicality with a narrative of love and heartache

The 90’s influenced four-piece Koalra first stepped into the music scene in 2019, growing throughout the release of their follow up EP ‘Surprise Lights’ and now entering a new chapter ‘Disasterclass.’ With the second single from this upcoming album ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ fully opening its listeners eyes to the diversity this record holds, there’s never been a better time to support a group with so much evident care for their craft.

Filled with Koalra’s distinct hazy sound, ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ embraces you like you’re within a mist slowly rolling over the hills, a dreamy envelopment filled with mystery and magic around every turn. From a scattered electric guitar riff, intermittent deep bass twangs and steady tumbling drum beats, the aura is mesmerising and a little eerie all at once, a bright appearance with melancholia and unease dripping in dark undertones. This drawn-out introduction is in no rush to go anywhere, whisking you away and offering you respite in a world that never seems to stop, delivering a moment of guaranteed calm. The vocals commence with a distance, quieter than the instruments but lingering in the air with every word, a haunting but signature style for Koalra as they embody the sense of an ethereal empty arena performance. Things slightly shift with a pounding bassline and quickly strummed guitar, all the while the vocals while still airy and whimsical, become a little more audible. Pushing forward with more dominant resounding bass twangs, darker more moody vocals and bursts of an electric guitar riff ringing out into the open air with a guitar solo eruption, ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ is unpredictable at heart. Moving and fluctuating like a storm, you never quite know if you’re amidst the torrential rain, the lightning strikes, or the parting clouds as the sun once again shines, but the beauty of its sound falls within that unforeseeable nature. At nearing six minutes in length, it’s incredible how Koalra makes the time pass with such ease, guiding you through its dreamscape with no sense of night or day.

Singing of both love and heartache, the lyricism of ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ carefully cradles its words with an equal poignance to its instruments, at times distant and hard to understand but always enticing you to listen deeper and make your own inferences. Opening with the line ‘sky’s not clear’ , the imagery within ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ almost feels very centralised around the natural world, comparing a love to the passing seasons, the growing of plants and the differing weather both in its titling, its sound and many passing lines. From the admittance that ‘I’m not falling again’, there’s however a seemingly hesitant essence indicative of fear and insecurity, perhaps held up by past heartbreaks even while their heart deep down seems to long for this love. This is further represented as they sing ‘my heart aches slow’, weighed down by experiences that left them afraid to open up again and still patching up their wounded heart from the aftermath. Only allowing themselves to love from a distance, Koalra share ‘Love the sun till it’s on me, riding off in the whole thing’, keeping themselves secure and guarded from afar while they find joy in others happiness, a sombre but relatable message woven within. The title itself even seems to allude to this mix of love and grief, with ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ almost a direct way of saying they still find themselves hung up on someone they once loved or still love, perhaps hoping and wishing they’ll return to them or allow them the patience to open their heart once again. It’s all so muddled and illusive though, intentionally leaving you with unfinished thoughts, snippets of information and an overshadowing blur of sound, perhaps shielding their heart from the hurricane outside. Whether you can understand or relate, or just want a song that’ll make you feel regardless of the words being said, ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ is the moving yet soothing experience you’ve been searching for.

Check out ‘The Clouds Still Hang On You’ for yourself here, and don’t miss out on picking up an exclusive limited vinyl for the full album release!

Written by: Tatiana Whybrow

Photo Credits: Unknown

// This coverage was supported and created via Musosoup, #SustainableCurator.

#tatiana

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newmusickarl · 7 months

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youtube

5-9’s Album of the Month Podcast – Episode 8 Out Now!

The August review episode of the 5-9 Album of the Month Podcast is here and as ever I will take a seat alongside 5-9 Editor Andrew Belt and Check This Out’s Kiley Larsen to review five high profile album releases from the past month in music, and ultimately name one as our Album of the Month at the end of the discussion.

For this latest episode, the five albums we discuss are:

WEEDKILLER by Ashnikko

Death Is Nothing To Us by Fiddlehead

STRUGGLER by Genesis Owusu

The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons by The Hives

No Joy by Spanish Love Songs

If you want to listen to the August episode or any previous episodes on Spotify simply click the link below, but also be sure to follow 5-9 Blog on Instagram and Twitter for more news and polls relating to the podcast, along with other great content like film reviews, sports articles and more.

Listen to the August 2023 episode here

Album & EP Recommendations

For That Beautiful Feeling by The Chemical Brothers

It’s time we gave The Chemical Brothers their flowers – like properly.

For the past three decades, the duo of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons have been a constant - delivering iconic, instantly recognisable dance tracks and some of the best electronic music the world has ever seen. Whilst some guitar bands are often put on a pedestal beyond their worth, The Chemical Brothers by comparison don’t always get the recognition they deserve for their longevity and consistently excellent output. Now 10 albums into their career, the Brothers are aging like fine wine, with this latest opus - titled For That Beautiful Feeling - right up there with their very best work.

As ever, the Brothers have crafted this record as a mesmerising sonic journey, with each track able to stand alone as a magnificent piece of art whilst also seamlessly segueing together to form one mind-altering experience too. It’s a balance that only the best can muster and it seems like the duo have taken the best parts of their 30 year career to forge the inspiration for this new effort. The Weight plays out like Block Rockin’ Beats Version 2.0, a hypnotic blend of hip-hop and pulsating electronica. Skipping Like A Stone is then their latest collaboration with Beck, with it’s choral-like beat ensuring it hits every bit as hard as their previous classic together, Wide Open.

Those two tracks would be enough to recommend this one, but honestly this album is littered with incredible moments. Singles Live Again, No Reason and The Darkness That You Fear sound even better in the context of the whole, with the latter having been reworked to better fit the mould. Feels Like I Am Dreaming is then a heady 7-minute colossus, transporting you across several new dimensions during the song’s duration. Goodbye is then my pick of the whole record, with a gorgeous soul sample immersed wonderfully within transcendent beams of synths at every turn.

This is without a doubt one of the records of the year so far, with the duo building on 2019’s No Geography to deliver yet another late career highlight. Not only are The Chemical Brothers one of the UK’s best live acts, but after this album we should recognise them for what they are – one of our most enduring artists, period.

Listen here

Dream Big by Soda Blonde

Back in 2021, Irish indie-pop outfit Soda Blonde emerged out of the ashes of the excellent Little Green Cars, with the four remaining members of that band releasing their debut album under the new Soda Blonde guise. That Soda Blonde debut, titled Small Talk, would finish in my Top 30 Albums of 2021 and even receive a nomination for the Irish Choice Prize (the Irish equivalent of the Mercury Prize). Now with this sophomore outing, they may have even surpassed the predecessor.

Full of confidence, Soda Blonde are sounding more assured in their new skin, with Dream Big presenting a stunning collection of songs full of breathtaking musical variety and killer hooks. The opening run of Midnight Show, Bad Machine, Boys and the title track is particularly mesmerising, as the band guide you through glorious arrangements full of strings, rhythmic guitars and clusters of memorable moments. That’s not to say the back half doesn’t deliver too though as the gorgeous An Accident strips things back for a beautiful moment of vulnerability. After that, My First Name sees frontwoman Faye O’Rourke’s majestic vocals stand out amongst a magnificent collage of strings, bluesy guitars and stomping drums for one of the record’s biggest highlights. Going Out then gives the album the grandstand finish it richly deserves, a towering 7-minute epic that sees every member of the band operating at the highest possible level.

This is a phenomenal record from start to finish and another effort that goes straight towards the top of the pile for 2023 so far. So if you haven’t heard of Soda Blonde before, now is the time to get yourself acquainted.

Listen here

All Those Things I Thought I Knew by Emzae

When it comes to up-and-coming pop musicians, there are few that I have come across that are as inspiring as Derby-based singer-songwriter, Emzae. Not just because of the vibrant, synth-soaked personal tales that make up her dazzling debut album, but also the grit, determination and DIY-attitude that went into getting it made.

Diagnosed with M.E. in her teens and having left school at 14, a career in music would simply have been left as a pipedream for anyone else. The fact Emzae’s debut album is now out in the world, is a testament to her unrivalled passion and fortitude. The culmination of 6+ years of graft, her life savings and nothing more than sheer will, it’s even more incredible when you realise the entirety of the record is all entirely of her own making. That’s right, everything was written, recorded, performed, produced – and even promoted – all by Emzae herself. So to have this album at all is a complete triumph, but for it to be this excellent is damn near a miracle.

For fans of CHVRCHES, Lorde and Let’s Eat Grandma, Emzae’s brand of pop is both warmly familiar yet carrying her own unique stamp. The contemplative Overrated is a sublime welcome to Emzae’s world, before the stuttering groove of As This Day Fades To Another and soulful melancholy of New Construction show the diversity of her sound. Around the midway point the album then hits its peak, with the atmospheric heartache of Another Lesson Learnt, the catchy chorus of Some Kind of Cliché and bluesy ambience of Lucid Dreaming three of the album’s finest moments.

That said, the final stretch of the record also packs in the audio splendour too. I Guess, Anyway is a near six-minute mini-epic, with Emzae’s self-motivation and confidence beaming out of the lyrics as the music increasingly swells around her. It’s All Cyclical then takes things up a notch with spoken word passages and a trance-like outro, leading perfectly into the pulsating pop of Extraordinary. As Emzae sings “This is what it feels like to be free” on addictive and uplifting closer Thrive, it’s evident how cathartic the process of making this album has been for her and it radiates out of the music.

By the end of the record, Emzae’s infectious positivity will have fully taken hold, leaving you with just the biggest smile on your face. A truly excellent debut and I already can’t wait for the next one. Take a bow Emzae, you should be nothing but proud.

Listen here

Stoned & Supremely Confident by Childe

Sticking with the pop debuts and another impressive first outing so far this month came by way of Childe, whose soulful vocals and catchy hooks make his music impossible to ignore. First discovered at Dot-to-Dot festival in Nottingham earlier this year, Childe’s natural talent was evident from the get-go and I’m pleased to say this vibrant debut really makes it’s mark.

At just 9 songs and 23 minutes long, there’s really no reason not to dive into this one especially when there are so many great moments to be found. Just take a listen to the synth-soaked rush of Chemical Balance, the plucky guitar groove of Better Friends, the raw emotion of Death Wish and the nostalgic charm of My Reply, and I’m sure you’ll want to discover more of Childe’s music.

Listen here

Strange Disciple by Nation of Language

“Releasing their first two albums (2020 debut Introduction, Presence and 2021 follow-up A Way Forward) at the peak of the COVID-pandemic, Nation of Language could have easily faded back into obscurity as quickly as they emerged out of it. Yet through seemingly nothing more than word-of-mouth recommendations alone, music fans started to discover the dazzling indie-pop being crafted by the New York-based trio. Quickly building up a cult following of devoted fans, they emerged out of lockdown an unstoppable force, putting on enigmatic live performances whilst boasting an enviable collection of nostalgia-soaked synthpop anthems. Now in just three short years, they have gone from album No.1 to album No.3 and, if Strange Disciple is anything to go by, they are showing no signs of slowing down their momentum.

On this latest opus Nation of Language very much give the fans what they have come to expect from them, which is retro-inspired tunes in the vein of great bands like New Order and OMD. There are no radical sonic direction changes, so if you enjoyed their first two records the good news is you’ll likely love this one as well. This is simply Nation of Language having now mastered their sound, taking it to grand new heights. Some of their finest tracks to date can be found here, songs of romantic adoration and unhealthy infatuations backdropped against playful synth melodies that just make you want to groove.”

Read my full review for HeadStuff here

Listen to the album here

Sea of Mirrors by The Coral

Indie legends The Coral may be best known for their classic early 00s output, but those that have stuck with them will know that in recent years, they’ve very much been delivering the goods as well. Their last outing, tenth album Coral Island, was a highly ambitious double album that struck a chord with fans both old and new, going on to become one of 2021’s most acclaimed projects. Now back with another two projects, released separately this time, the first part Sea of Mirrors has arrived and it sees the Liverpudlian band continue their hot streak.

Full of soaring, cinematic instrumentation, The Coral prove once again they are in incredible form right now. Singles Wild Bird, That’s Where She Belongs and Oceans Apart are wonderfully constructed and sonically impeccable, whilst the string-tinged Child of The Moon and widescreen, Ennio-Morricone-infused North Wind also demand repeat listens. Overall, another fantastic outing from The Coral and I hope they keep delivering albums as stellar as this one.

Listen here

Australian Carnage – Live At The Sydney Opera House by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

Then on the live albums front, seeing Nick Cave & Warren Ellis perform was without a doubt one of the most memorable shows I’ve been lucky enough to see in recent years. Pulling together the best moments from Ghosteen and Carnage, with a few other Bad Seeds classics sprinkled in, it was a powerful, emotionally hard-hitting live performance like few I’ve seen.

Now if like me you wish to relive that show, or indeed hear it for the first time, a new live album from the final performance of the tour at Sydney Opera House is now streaming. Well worth the nearly two hours of your time but please – have the tissues ready!

Listen here

Freak Show EP by ALT BLK ERA

And finally on the EPs front, ALT BLK ERA have long been one of the thriving Nottingham music scene’s most promising up-and-coming acts. Now it seems word is finally getting out about this alt-rock sister duo, who fuse mind-melting electronica, heavy rock and razor-sharp bars for a sound that is entirely of their own making. If you are yet to hear their hypnotic genre-defying sound, then this debut EP is the perfect introduction, with the opening trio of I’m Normally Like This, Misfits: SOLAR and the horn-backed title track all well worth checking out.

Listen here

Also worth checking out: HELLMODE by Jeff Rosenstock, Hit Parade by Roisin Murphy, Mid Air by Romy, Playing Robots Into Heaven by James Blake, KILLJOY by Coach Party, This House by Pale Blue Eyes, GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo

Tracks of the Week

Angry by The Rolling Stones

Arguably the biggest music news of September so far, the legendary Rolling Stones announced their first album of original material in 18 years will arrive on the 20th October. Accompanying the news of the release was the album’s opening track Angry, a vintage Stones outing propelled by a stuttering guitar riff, a stellar solo and Jagger’s ageless vocals.

Listen here

Only by Sampha

Six long years after his Mercury Prize-winning debut Process, electro-soul singer Sampha is finally back with a new album, Lahai, which also arrives on the 20th October. Spirit 2.0 was a great lead single and now second single Only just adds to the album’s promise, with a smooth groove, Sampha’s soulful vocal tones and exquisite production.

Listen here

Wishing Well by Sundara Karma

Also arriving towards the end of October will be the third studio album from Reading rockers Sundara Karma, their first full-length since 2019’s Ulfilas’ Alphabet. After some more experimental and somewhat uneven EPs, the singles so far have suggested a return to form for the band, with the dreamy Wishing Well easily the best of the bunch so far.

Listen here

Victim / The Bear by Lonely The Brave

Elsewhere, Cambridge quintet Lonely The Brave are also readying their fourth album due for a November release – their second since the arrival of Jack Bennett as their new vocalist. It’s another record where the signs are promising so far, with this latest double A-side release unveiling two soaring new cuts from the tracklist. Victim sees Bennett’s gravelly vocals surrounded by an impressive wall of noise, whilst closing track The Bear steadily builds to an uplifting, string-tinged crescendo.

Listen to Victim here

Listen to The Bear here

Date Night by Lossline

Off the back of their first two records Fading Affect Bias and When I Look Out I See No Stars, Manchester band Lossline have started to build a decent following across the country. Listening to new single Date Night it’s easy to see why, a wonderfully sparse track that steadily builds into some tremendous swells, drawing shades to local acts like James and Bill Ryder Jones in the process. One to watch!

Listen here

Diving (Acoustic) by Bombay Bicycle Club & Holly Humberstone

Without a doubt my most anticipated record for the final quarter of the year, every song off Bombay Bicycle’s forthcoming sixth album My Big Day has been sensational so far. Whilst in recent days they have released their excellent fourth single from the record, Turn The World On, I actually want to recommend this acoustic version of their Holly Humberstone collaboration, Diving. The main track itself is fantastic but when the song is stripped back to just an acoustic guitar and the voices of Jack Steadman and Holly Humberstone, it is truly goosebump-inducingly special.

Watch the live performance here

Listen here

Big Shot (Live At Glastonbury) by Fontaines D.C.

And finally this week, Irish post-punk titans Fontaines D.C. have recently released a deluxe version of their highly acclaimed third album, titled Skinty Fia go deo. This new version includes live session performances as well as remixes and interesting covers of both U2 and Whipping Boy. However, the track to dig out if you have not heard it yet is the Glastonbury 2022 performance of Big Shot, which strips the song back to just Grian Chatten, a piano and a string quartet. Utterly sublime, it was one of the performances of the whole festival that year and it’s great to finally have an audio copy to revisit again and again.

Watch the live performance here

Listen here

Also worth checking out: KPR by Yumi Zouma, Cousin by Wilco, Turn The World On by Bombay Bicycle Club

REMINDER: If you use Apple Music, you can also keep up-to-date with all my favourite 2023 tracks through my Best of 2023 playlist. Constantly updated throughout the year with songs I enjoy, it is then finalised into a Top 100 Songs of the Year in December.

Add the playlist to your library here

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519magazine · 9 months

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offbeatmusicuk · 1 year

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Albums Of 2022: 50-26

Welcome to another year, another countdown. My music listening time has shrunk once again, but there’s still plenty of great releases that have got multiple listens.

I’ve noticed a trend that releases are getting shorter, and people are still calling them albums when they are an EP or mini-album. So my criteria is this. If it is 9 or more tracks, it is an album. If it is 8 tracks or less and 30 mins or longer, it is an album. Any less than that, it is an EP or a mini-album and not eligible for this list.

Honourable mentions to some artists whose albums very nearly made the list but just missed out:

Eye Of Melian, Andy Gardner of Plump DJs, The Birthday Massacre, Chase & Status, Let’s Eat Grandma, Mall Grab, xPropaganda, Riya Sawayama, Yumi & The Weather, HALIENE, The Hunna, White Lung, Witch Fever, Taylor Swift, Arcade Fire, The Anix and Röyksopp with the second volume of their “Profound Mysteries” trilogy.

Let the countdown begin.

50.

The Barnum Meserve "Designs"

3rd album of cinematic alt-rock from the Nottingham band, mellow songs building to string laden crescendos.

49.

Nova Twins "Supernova"

The self described 'Urban punk' duo, of whom Tom Morello is a big fan, deliver their 2nd album, and it's a blend of punk, hip-hop and electronics mixed up to deliver a huge amount of energy.

48.

Volturian "Red Dragon"

The Italians deliver another album of symphonic, melodic and easily accessible metal. Though there are other genres too, "Torn Asunder", for example, is completely electronic, inspired by trance and house.

47.

Tinlicker "In Another Lifetime"

A blend of deep house, progressive house and trance, on the 2nd album from the Utrecht based duo, which is hypnotic and a times beautiful.

46.

Bis "Systems Music For Home Defence"

The Glasgow indie-popsters return, with cheeky lyrics, catchy hooks and danceable beats. It's not quite up to their "Social Dancing" - "Return To Central" peak, but it's a big improvement on everything else released since then.

45.

Confidence Man "Tilt"

90s dance influenced pop bangers are the order of the day here, with tongue firmly in cheek but with a clear love for the era and the tunes from it. As a comment on one of their videos on YouTube (written by an Andy Brennan) put it "They ride that line between sincerity and parody SO WELL".

44.

Silversun Pickups "Physical Thrills"

6th album from the LA alt-rockers. Always reliably good, this might be a more varied and inventive collection than normal, and it works a treat.

43.

Sick Joy "We're All Gonna F***ing Die"

I like the band's own bio... "Cutting together malign heaviness with acidic melody then tying into place with the reigns of contagious pop." It's a good description, for this band that mix a bit of grunge, a bit of punk and a whole lot of hooks, that wouldn't have felt entirely out of place in the 90s, without being a retro throwback.

42.

Ciaran McAuley "Permission To Exhale"

Debut album from this rising star of the trance scene. The first half is a bit more mellow, seemingly taking inspiration from Solarstone's pure trance sound, the second half a bit more euphoric and club leaning (but only slightly). A few excellent guest vocalists on here too, such as Audrey Gallagher and Lisa Gerrard.

41.

Fonzerelli "Silent Dreams & Misguided Stories"

Lovely mid-tempo trance and house (and a splash of breaks), beautiful synths and pianos and some great guest vocals.

40.

Bloods "Together, Baby!"

3rd album from Sydney's Bloods who are on fine form with their punk-pop-meets-riot-grrrl tunes. Big melodies, bouncy riffy fun.

39.

Cold Kingdom "Life // Love"

Powerful, big chorused hard rock from the Minneapolis band. Fans of strong female vocals mixed with big riffs should check them out.

38.

Daxson "Face The Future"

Trance producer and DJ Dan Dobson releases his debut artist album. And it suffers from the same thing a lot of modern trance artist albums suffer from... too many tracks which are consequently too short (in order to fit them on the equivalent of a single CD). This means the tracks don't get to breathe, and some just get lost while you are listening. But regardless, there is some quality uplifting trance on here, so it's well worth an effort.

37.

Röyksopp "Profound Mysteries III"

Their third album release of the year and the final part of their Profound Mysteries trilogy, they finish the project strong. Some cracking tunes on here.

36.

Pale Waves "Unwanted"

Starting off as a goth-synth-indie-pop-rock band (is that a thing?), they changed their sound for album 2 and became an average Avril Lavigne soundalike. Tweaking that slightly here for album 3, they are now a very good Avril Lavigne soundalike. Songs filled with big choruses, singalong hooks, some joyous, some heartfelt, every track worth your time.

35.

Kasabian "The Alchemist's Euphoria"

Kasabian's first album with Serge Pizzorno stepping up to the frontman role, and it is an interesting beast. He does a good job as vocalist, and musically the album has influences of rock, hip-hop, dance, even Pink Floyd-esque moments.

34.

Bush "The Art Of Survival"

Only Gavin Rossdale remains from the original line up, but the rebooted Bush has been putting out passable albums since 2011. Their last album, 2020's 'The Kingdom' was suprisingly good, and this one is even better. Full of big choruses and chunky riffs, and though it doesn't sound exactly like 90s Bush, it feels like listening to Bush of the old days.

33.

The Crystal Method "The Trip Out"

Kicking off with an electro-rock stomper, you'd wonder if TCM have radically changed direction, but don't worry, there are plenty of breakbeat and electro stompers with various guest vocalists on this short but varied album.

32.

Muse "Will Of The People"

Ah, Muse. I loved Muse. 4 brilliant albums, one of the best live bands on the planet... then it started going a bit pear-shaped. Yes, there was still the occasional great song, but they started veering into either being too bland, or far too theatrical Queen pastiche. And then came the entirely misjudged 'Simulation Theory', essentially an electro pop album, still with the Queen influences. It was lacking in punch, credibility and tunes. So, while flawed, 'Will Of The People' is a very pleasant surprise. Yes, it still contains some strong glam rock and Queen influences, giving it a sense of spoof, but it also has some of the best songs they've done in years. 'Won't Stand Down' and 'Kill Or Be Killed' are monsters that will go down very well live, 'Ghosts' and 'Verona' are actually rather pretty, overall it's the strongest Muse album since 'Black Holes & Revelations', so there's some hope for another classic yet.

31.

Mass Sky Raid "Calm In Chaos"

Epic, melodic alt-rock from this Aussie band. Rock enough to not be middle of the road, mellow and radio friendly enough to be huge if given the right exposure.

30.

Blood Command "Praise Armageddonism"

Blood Command's 4th album and first with vocalist Nikki Brumen. There are less electronic influences this time round, but still huge energy, chunky riffs, powerhouse drumming, screams and almost poppy melodic hooks.

29.

Charlotte Wessels "Tales From Six Feet Under Vol. II"

The former Delain singer continues her solo career, full of all sorts of styles, from the symphonic metal she's known for, to rock to art-pop. This collection might not be quite as strong as Vol 1, but it still further proves we have a very special artist here.

28.

Subjective "The Start Of No Regret"

Goldie & James Davidson bring us their 2nd Subjective album, and it's a winner. Beats that range from drum & bass to trip hop via breakbeat and house, deep bass and soulful vocals, it's a fabulous listen and is arguably Goldie's best album output since 'Timeless'.

27.

Avril Lavigne "Love Sux"

Avril goes pop-punk for her best album in over a decade. Punchy, upbeat, and catchy as hell. I don't know whether it would necessarily win any pop-punk fans over if they weren't Avril fans to begin with, but it should work a treat on people like me who were Avril fans but were unimpressed by the last couple of albums.

26.

Giuseppe Ottaviani "Horizons (Part 1)"

The trance legend releases a 2 part (well, 3 if you count the remixes) album for 2022, and this first part is full of lush, mid-tempo trance that mixes in elements of deep house and almost Jean-Michel Jarre like synths. It's warm, it's uplifting, you could certainly dance to it but it also feels perfect for chilling to on the beach or by a pool on a sunny day.

--------------------------------------------------

For the first time, Tumblr didn't allow me to add everything I wanted to to a single post (by refusing to save my changes) so this year's list is split in two.

Part 2 (numbers 25-1) including links to Spotify and YouTube playlists for the Top 50 is here:

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