#[Authentic | Energetic | Reflective | Open] INTRO

[webglossy]

Web Gloss is a fictional k-pop girl group under Nova Entertainment, they debuted on February 20th, 2023 and are known for their unique aesthetics and quirky concept. They were previously under JYP Entertainment as a pre-debut project, but were transferred just a few weeks after their debut announcement to the mysterious JYP subsidiary Nova.

a story about jealously, friendship, the harsh reality of the idol industry, and more . . .

discography tag . member profiles . writing tag . other media

[forathousanddays]

Pierce The Veil - Misadventures (Review)

For nearly the entire lifespan of post-2000 alternative rock, Pierce The Veil have been a figurehead of the genre. In the two years following the release of their first studio album, they saw two different occasions with the Warped Tour, and widespread recognition. Misadventures is their most traditional venture into pop-punk, with a youthful delinquent flair plastered all over it. 

While Misadventures was by no means their most successful album among longtime fans, it still released to universal acclaim. There are songs off other albums from them I like more individually, like The Sky Under The Sea, but every track off Misadventures is stellar. It cements itself, for me, as the only Pierce The Veil album with zero skippable songs.

Dive in further below the cut.

TRACK 1 - DIVE IN

The opening track sets the Misadventures tone perfectly. The squealing sound of an amp and generally higher tuned guitar gives the record an instant feeling of authenticity, and the mix places the main riff quite a bit below everything else for the first verse. The first minute or so let you feel for a brief moment that you might be listening to a normal Pierce The Veil record, but the pace and energy quickly establish a tone we’ve yet to see from the band. The chorus has a levity entirely new to the band’s discography, a far cry from the dark, full tones of Selfish Machines and Collide With The Sky. We got a hint of this sound in Props & Mayhem off the aforementioned album, but nothing as fleshed-out as the light, grinding quality to Misadventures.

The album perfectly reflects its title and cover, with a sense of clarity and youthful fun. Dive In is no different. 8/10.

TRACK 2 - TEXAS IS FOREVER

Again, a tone is set in the opening seconds. Texas Is Forever is the most immediately pop-punk song off their most immediately pop-punk album. The sound masterfully captures a sparking romance, and the lyrics encapsulate a running theme for Pierce The Veil, of a romance failing. Misadventures approaches that theme differently, though, with a happy(ish) ending. Vic Fuentes describes the song as self-indulgent in sound, and lyrically about a relationship that could finally end in mutual respect for separate lives. Don’t get used to that kind of health, though. (lol)

This is the fastest song in their entire discography, and I’m glad it’s a thing. 9/10.

TRACK 3 - THE DIVINE ZERO

Misadventures is largely unique in its scene, for being able to capture a cold and sentimental atmosphere with high tuning and energetic vocals. The opening feels distinctly lonely in the moments before it’s drowned out by a massive wave of sound, much like the theme of the song itself. The Divine Zero covers the conflict between substances and depression; the swimming high can hide things for a time, but when the feelings come back, they come back worse. The song changes tone frequently and erratically, but in a way that feels intentional. 

The outro feels hazy in a way that compliments the theme perfectly, like coming down as the sun rises. 10/10.

TRACK 4 - FLORAL & FADING

The transition from The Divine Zero’s slow, reflective outro into Floral & Fading never gets less jarring, no matter how many times I listen to it. The story behind the song is touching, but doesn’t necessarily belong in a strictly musical review. That being said, the meaning and idea is reflected beautifully in the upbeat and unconcerned tone. Floral & Fading is the finest encapsulation of the indifferent youthful authenticity on the record. If you told me this was written when he was, like, fifteen, I would believe you.

This is one of the biggest songs on the album, but I don’t think it’s for me. 8/10.

TRACK 5 - PHANTOM POWER AND LUDICROUS SPEED

After the crowded sound of Floral & Fading, the isolated intro is very welcome. Don’t get too used to it, though, because Phantom Power and- I’m sorry, there’s no way I’m typing out the entire title every time I refer to it. The track quickly carves out a space for itself, with the chorus having one of the largest sounds on the album. Less crowded and more filled out, no single part of the mix takes away from the other aspects. Everything is occupying equal space, which gives a fantastic listening experience in surround sound. Title checks out.

Once again, Misadventures excels at the outro. 9/10

TRACK 6 - CIRCLES

Do I think writing a fictionalized love story set in the midst of a real-life shooting is weird? Yes. Did the song turn out well enough that I don’t care that much? Yes! The heavy presence of the amps in the sound gives Circles a nice sense of pre-production processing to it, again serving to champion the record’s authenticity. I’m not crazy about the bridge, but the verses and chorus make up for where it falls short. The pick-up on the chorus after the bridge is incredible, and absolutely brimming with energy.

I’m not mad this is the most streamed song on the album, even if it’s not my favourite. 7/10

TRACK 7 - TODAY I SAW THE WHOLE WORLD

While it gets overshadowed often by its acoustic version, Today I Saw The Whole World is a total treat to listen to in its original form. The heavy guitar reminds us who we’re listening to, but in a way we haven’t really heard from them before. The chord progressions are super catchy, and the lyrics are incredible. My favourite part is when the lyrics and the delivery match up in “back and forth just like my heart is on a pendulum.”

Refreshing to hear some really gnarly guitar on this album, and I’m glad it’s here. 9/10.

TRACK 8 - GOLD MEDAL RIBBON.

I don’t hand out 11s, because I want 10 to feel like something really valuable, but this is a place for one. Hypothetically, at least. Opening with a solo that gives me genuine chills, Gold Medal Ribbon is a sound Pierce The Veil hasn’t touched before or after. The composition feels otherworldly and longing, and Vic Fuentes’ desperate vocals amplify the latter effect beautifully. Gold Medal Ribbon feels like an ode to grief, more than a requiem. The lyrics once again feel youthful and inspired, with the title line referring to a relatively obscure ice cream flavour. 

The bridge made me cry a little bit when i was relistening to write this. 10/10.

TRACK 9 - BEDLESS

Bedless is, above all else, pretty. The quieter delivery on the vocals as well as the slower, more powerful guitar puts an emphasis on this one that’s absent from most of the album. I don’t consider that a weakness of the album, so much as a strength of this one track. Everything builds off itself, with every shift in tone or delivery feeling earned and set-up previously. The quiet guitar in the background of the bridge makes the track itself feel almost tired, which is helped by the generally slower pace of the chords after it. The outro is really pretty, too.

It’s lagging behind, but not in a sloppy way; the slower playing puts more weight and power behind every note. 10/10. The home stretch gets a lot of those.

TRACK 10 - SAMBUKA

Making Sambuka the shortest song on the record (by almost a full minute!) is criminal. Every second of this song is a treat to listen to, as a perfect crystallization of the high energy of Misadventures. The title itself, even, is a misspelling of a drink Fuentes tried on tour in the UK, which he left that way because it looked easier to say. It feels careless and alive, but the lyrics have a pang of transparent aching to them.

I’m really mad about the length. 10/10.

TRACK 11 - SONG FOR ISABELLE

If you know me personally, you might know that this song means a lot to me. I’ll do my best to leave this out of the rating, though. A running trend with all of my top three albums is awareness of their own construction; if Song For Isabelle was anywhere else on the album, I would have said it needed to be the closing track. It’s the culmination of every sound and style and theme on Misadventures, an ode to youthful indifference and poor decisions. A masterclass in arguably tasteless romantic subplots. A genuinely touching story, even with that presence. You might recognize my display name from it.

The lyrics paint such a perfect picture of the setting, so much so that I can almost feel the California humidity clinging to my skin under a late night breeze. 10/10.

RETROSPECTIVE

Rounding off my list of top threes is, obviously, another 10/10. Misadventures is incredibly well-received critically, but criminally underrated among fans of the band. It’s a style they’d never really indulged in before, and will likely never indulge in again. It’s sad to think about, but I’m glad it stays fresh and unique among their discography. The outro to Song For Isabelle is a perfect outro to the album and its themes, even being a lyric pulled from a song Vic loved growing up. I figured it would fit as a send-off to my top three, too.

[onestowatch]

BigKlit Shines While Taking Risks on Her Newest Record “Fatality”

Released earlier this month, Fatality is the newest record from LA-based rapper BigKlit. Known for her provocative writing and spirited hip-hop bangers, BigKlit has graced her fans with a different sound on her newest project. In the wake of 2020’s Klitorius B.I.G, a record that she described as more “mainstream” and “poppy,” her register is much grittier and punk-inspired. BigKlit told me that she attributed this to working with a new production team, and though her two styles are dissimilar, she felt like both are definitely her styles and a piece of her. Despite the risks behind adopting a new approach, Fatality is a solid and well-executed record full of BigKlit’s signature chaotic performances and calculated writing.

Describing BigKlit’s Fatality is no easy feat, as the project skillfully draws from several musical genres while still remaining cohesive and focused. Though some moments show inspiration from 70’s punk music, others may sound like garage rock, trap music, and a style of hip-hop that is simultaneously industrial and experimental. In the face of these comparisons, BigKlit manages to provide something brand new - an authentic and original sound that pushes the amalgamation to its limits. Across the album’s 22 tracks, she traverses through moments that are both powerful and energetic, as well as ones that are more reflective and downtempo. Even at the most hectic moments, BigKlit writes carefully and remains in control of her manufactured chaos.

One of BigKlit’s many talents is her mastery of performance, seamlessly creating a union of dynamic singing, rapping, yelling, and even moaning on Fatality. Though some tracks are mixed like a heavy metal anthem, and others like a single straight out of Awful Records, BigKlit’s versatility shines consistently throughout the project. At any given time, she may be shrieking and moaning as we hear on “Fukkd Up” or rapping effortlessly on tracks like “Jet” and “Grown.” Even when BigKlit sings on tracks like “Mirror,” or “Skin,” she still delivers lines that are both simultaneously engrossing and thought-provoking. There are too many to quote, but on "Make a Wish" she yells "Imma make him scream" until her voice starts to falter, except there is no slowing down, no loss of confidence or power.

One thing that is apparent on Fatality is how, in many ways, BigKlit reflects a clear parallel between herself and the early female pioneers in punk rock. Female-led 1970’s punk groups like X-Ray Spex and The Bags wrote about many of the same topics BigKlit covers on Fatality: money, power, sexuality, gender, and identity. Both were subversive and likely labeled as “provocative,” but this title dismisses both those groups’ and BigKlit’s artistry - reducing progressive music into an object carrying one unitary theme of shock. By describing music like BigKlit’s this way, we restrict the art in front of us before we critically think about its intent, message, and relation to us. There is clearly a great deal of intention behind BigKlit’s writing, as even on the opening line to “Make A Wish” (“I fuck him like a side bitch / He think he mine”) plays with ideas of gender roles, infidelity, and power that were just as relevant 50 years ago.

Though Fatality is only 45 minutes long, it is the perfect serving of impactful and abrasive ear candy to start the year off right. Alongside the record, BigKlit also released an accompanying short film, full of intense, demonic, and even surreal visuals to compliment her music. During our brief interview, BigKlit told me that Fatality was partially inspired by the protests that took place this summer. She said that raw emotion was “exactly what the world needs right now” and I couldn’t agree more. As BigKlit wrote on the intro to Fatality, people are now afraid that the world will change, but if the future means elevating music like this, then I am here for it.

[goldenmusicmoments]

Shawn Mendes - Wonder (Album Review):

Intro - The album starts with a piano opening on this short intro that sets the scene and mood for the rest of the album. There are a few lyrics here that Shawn sings as he introduces us to this new chapter. Near the closing the production picks up and heads into chaos providing an interesting transition to the next track.

Wonder - This title track served as the lead single to the album and it really allowed the build of anticipation for the album. Giving a taster of the growth in the music Shawn was about to release, allowing everyone to see that he intended on delivering something more refined and artistic. The opening to the track has a vibe that seems to be inspired by the type of production and sounds heard on Kanye West’s album ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’. The track starts on a chaotic note, but immediately finds calmness just as the vocal kicks in. The pulsating baseline compliments the vocal delivery of the lyrics in the verses. The build in the chorus is smooth till it reaches its peak in which that chaos at the start re-emerges. The lyrics are beautiful as they not only have you wondering those things alongside him, however they also speak to many of our questions when it comes to insecurities or sense of self. The bridge really encapsulates you in which you seem to get lost in. The final chorus hits you giving you this feeling of standing in the sea when the waves are raging. The sense of urgency behind his wonder is really heightened by his vocal in the final chorus. Then the track comes to an abrupt end.

Higher - Here there is an immediate start to the track in which the vocal begins as soon as the track starts. It also changes the tone and mood from the previous tracks, Shawn gives a more fun, sensual and upbeat energy to us here. Not only through the production, but also the vocal delivery which gives off some Justin Timberlake vibes. Instrumentation wise it flows from the previous, although not used in the same way. He sings about getting higher, however that being in the since that the person who he’s with seems to elevate everything when she is around. There is a very short outro and then its over. You are left wanting more once you’ve got into the groove and then the track comes to an end sooner than you’d hope.

24 Hours - This track has a very vintage feel highlighted through the production and it heightens the albums cinematic vibe. Here things are taken down a notch and there is a calmness that flows throughout the song. The production is more minimal and the prominent part to it is the two piano keys that are played spaced out from start to finish. There is an intimate feel to it particularly through his vocals and the lyrical content. He sings about his love, the strength and extent of it. He is certain that she is all he wants and that he’d do anything for it to be. There is choir that comes in on the final chorus which elevates the songs feel. Then the track ends on the play of a few piano notes which were heard at the start of the track, which provide the track with a full circle moment.

Teach Me How To Love - You are immediately drawn into this groove inspired track. This is a song that will get you moving your body to its beat and vocal delivery of the lyrics. He sings about wanting the person of interest to teach him how to love them. However you might be a little thrown off, as you may have gone into the track thinking of something else about what he may have wanted to learn about when it comes to loving someone.  The chorus is an instant singalong type. You get completely lost in its funky groove. It hooks itself in your mind with its catchy nature.  Although he may seem to feel a little under studied on how to love, his delivery of the lyrics exude confidence.

Call My Friends - This songs starts on a very sombre note, here he sings about his relationship with his friends. He sings about how his career has altered his life which then in turn has impacted his connection with his friends. He is in one place whilst they are in another. His friendships aren’t strained, but he wishes he could be more close to be able to experience life a little more with his friends, however touring and all that being in the industry brings with it has limited those interactions. Him saying he should call his friends, is him wanting to put in an effort to keep that connection in whatever way he can given his circumstances. A beautiful moment on the album that really makes you not want to take the things we often take for granted, for granted. The track follows a common formula in terms of the calm verse and then the hard hitting chorus that you are totally encapsulated by. His vocal give this sense of reflection and showcases his vocal growth.

Dream - This track starts with a dreamy opening. The song is about his longing for his lover and that when they are apart his way of feeling closer to her is dreaming of her. The moment where he sings ‘I just need to breathe’ after which the track halts and then starts back with him taking a breath is a great detail in the tracks creation. Another moment on the album where you get lost in its vibe. His vocals are stunning on this track and seem effortless. The production brings the feelings of the lyrics alive in such a magical way. 

Song For No One - This guitar led track provides the album with its most stripped back and intimate moment. However you are taken by surprise when the climatic moment of the track hits, due to the pick up in its production. The bridge gives you this feeling of vastness, he seems to be getting something off his chest here but it isn’t clear as to what. Lyrically he sings about writing this song for no one, he is unsure as to why he did so. Although he maybe claiming that this song is for no one, we definitely know that it is for someone. It seems to have this longing for someone, as it focus on a moment spent alone.

Monster (Ft. Justin Bieber) -  There were rumours floating about these two collaborating on a track on the album, however I was still to an extent surprised that they actually did. I was a little hesitant, and wasn’t completely excited by Bieber’s placement on the album. The song has this reflective feel to it, lyrically its about how people build those in the spotlight up only to then tear them down. How they are attacked for their doings no matter what it is, and held accountable to a degree where it seems unfair. We all make mistakes and we should give others the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and grow to be better. However instead people seem too quick to try and ‘cancel’ a celebrity rather than give them a chance to change for the better. It also plays to the way those under the spotlight are often seen as something other than human, whereas putting all that aside they are just like the rest of us. The track has a moody feel to it, with a dark under tone and the production is slick complimenting the lyrics and vocals really well. Even though Justin’s verse in terms of lyrics lacks any sense of genuineness, as time and time again we’ve seen him do the same stuff and then claim he is sorry (all of which to this point has become very exhausted and judging by the performance of his latest single ‘Lonely’ the general public to an extent have as well). So although I don’t feel empathetic to what he sings about, the opening vocal to his verse is rather laid back, however just before the chorus hits the build in his vocals depict a sense of urgency to get the listeners to understand his struggle. It does seem like a cry for help, or for understanding. The concept is rather intriguing, however looking through Justin’s history his feature in a way takes away from the authenticity of the lyrics.

305 - This breezy track has a 80s/90s feel to it, it is about him not wanting to lose the person he is in love with. He fears that maybe the person could end up feeling differently. The layered vocals during the opening of the track and during the chorus seem to be coated by the production, whereas for the verses the vocals are placed more at the front. The track has a funky groove to it, making you feel like you are at a dance. You feel like clicking your fingers or clapping along to the track. The bridge features vocals masked behind the production, making you pay closer attention in order to pick up on the lyrics.

Always Been You - This track starts off with a very cinematic opening. Then once the vocal on the verse begins the production dies down. The pre-chorus build where he starts off with ‘You’re the only one’ sounds very similar to that in the track ‘Wonder’. Then what seems to be a prominent style on some of the tracks, the chorus is where the track has its grand moment. Here he sings about the person of interest having always been the one. Normally a chorus with just a repetition of the tracks title and that being spaced out would make a track seem like its lacking, here it does the opposite and works really well in depicting what he is trying to put forward. You get lost in the grandness of the chorus and bridge.

Piece Of You - This JT inspired track is pulled of effortlessly by Shawn, this funky moment on the album revolves around the girl being someone who everyone is drawn to. Here he sings about how his insecurities come to life in regards to his relationship, when he sees all the attention she gets from everyone when they are with others. The vocals go from being laid back in the verses to more energetic in the chorus. A well produced track that gets you vibing to its mesmerising nature.

Look Up At The Stars - This reflective track provides the album with the such a full circle moment. The intro introduced us to this wonderland and now we seem to be in that place. He seems to finally reach the place he was hoping for, he’s dreamt of being with her for a moment now and they are together now. His vocal delivery showcases his emotions really well, making you the listener get a sense of how he must feel at this point. The dynamic between the feel of the verses and chorus on this track in particular stands out. The verses feeling a little more on the emotional side, then the chorus has a more more upbeat feel.

Can’t Imagine -  Now we get to the closing moment on the album with this rather stripped back guitar driven track. Both in terms of production on the track and vocals. Here he sings about not being able to imagine a world without his lover. He sees it being very lonely and dull with her. A simple end that closes on a point of where he is at right now. 

A solid effort from Shawn Mendes, that seems to be thematic and cohesive. His main focus on the album lyrically is his relationship with Camila and his feelings for her. It is personal and is very true to his journey, his life and who he is as both a person and artist. Some of the tracks do a feel a little to short though. I still do feel that Shawn has a lot more to offer as an artist and I look forward to his next album.

[i-am-obscuram]

Obscuram Stories Citadel - The Emotional Walls we Build and How to Overcome Them

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Click Here For Video This is an Obscuram story called Citadel These walls have stood for thousands of years. These walls have stopped invasions. These walls have withstood the test of time. These walls hid Beauty. These walls kept secrets. These walls the wrong people out these walls inhibited connection. These walls prevented innovation. These walls created disconnect. These walls created loneliness. These walls created misunderstanding. These walls kept everyone out. These walls prevented visions from manifesting. These walls became a burden. These walls that you created to protect yourself, became a Maximum Security Prison for One.

Most emotional walls are built from a space of pain, hurt, and trauma.

These walls or emotional barriers, are evocative of the feelings physical walls give; feelings of security, autonomy, and protection. Much the same as emotional walls yet these keep out connection, intimacy, and vulnerability in exchange for feeling safe from harm. Sometimes the walls are like an energetic dam holding in life giving water; this water represents your life lessons or the gifts you get to share with the world. This is essentially when you hide yourself and who you are.

Other times the energetic dam holds in a shadowy superfund site with a cesspool of unspoken uncleared unhealed festering baggage. There's the phrase of “time heals all wounds” it does to an extent like the fluid of the cesspool will evaporate, yet there’s still a toxic dumping ground of a wound.

Wouldn't it be great if I could say, “just take down the walls and enjoy your freedom!”

That would be a disservice peddled by those who would rather dissociate or bypass, than dive deep into what healing can look like. It’s similar to telling a depressed person to “smile” or “just be happy,” maybe that helps a bit, but it’s not healing the core wounds of depression nor creating healthy coping mechanisms and lifestyle changes. 

The truth is it can take time, the wounds get to be addressed and healed with awareness, shadow work (cleaning up the cesspool) and support.

"I’ve discovered, with the way I was raised, that I lack certain social and emotional behavior skills. Which many with a significant form of nurturing in their youth, receive the benefits of and are unconscious of or unknowingly take for granted. "  -- Brettney Perr

I have my own walls and I've been granted some huge awareness around this recently. My childhood includes emotional and psychological abuse, and it has severely impacted my life and decisions leading up to now. The drawbacks, discussed above, have taken a huge toll. I was raised with no one to go to for support, actually when I would cry was when most of the abuse would happen. Nurturing was not a thing in my multi-generational household, my grandmother was mostly tapped out on watching TV, my mother dealt with divorce in my first years of life and being a single mom having her own unhealed unspoken of abuse, she could not be there for me either. My father was barely present in my childhood and not even my paternal side of the family knows of or has any knowledge about his whereabouts since the 1990’s. Naturally feelings of abandonment, feeling worthless, unlovable, not being accepted, and not good enough were fostered. Praise was not a thing in my household, yet calling me names and commenting on my weight was common.  My weight was a physical padding protecting me from the world. I leveraged it to be intimidating with tactics developed to keep people away, which worked so well I never dated in school. More on my weight loss journey can be found HERE In my early 20’s I went into a marriage with that baggage and got the same results of what I was raised with, more pain, more trauma, ultimately abandonment as he hid affairs and ultimately he jumped into marriage with a woman he had an affair with. Asking for emotional support was a terrifying concept, dropping my walls has led to panic attacks, and even receiving praise and acknowledgement was uncomfortable, awkward, and challenging to let it all in. My walls became a citadel, an insurmountable fortress to the outside world, lacking trust with a foundation of, “I can do it myself.”  I’ve discovered, with the way I was raised, that I lack certain social and emotional behavior skills. Which, many with a significant form of nurturing in their youth, receive the benefits of and are unconscious of or unknowingly take for granted. When I’ve received coaching around this, it's been a catch 22 of misunderstanding and a challenge articulating what I’ve been struggling with which has brought about support that is like asking a blind from birth person what color your shirt is, telling them it's blue and expecting them to know what blue is besides a 4 letter word and a description of a color that they have never seen. This played out the old cycle of feeling, unheard, misunderstood, and back in that space of thinking, “those walls look pretty good; I can do it and figure it out myself!”

So what does it really take to let down the walls and heal?

Deep Rooted Insight and Awareness

When there is a wall there is something you are protecting yourself from and one way that wall comes down is when what you want to create and achieve is greater than the protection being provided by that wall.

Know how the wall was built; fully see and acknowledge it.  Some questions to ask are:

When did I start putting up a wall to emotional intimacy and connection? If it’s from trauma where does it originate? Go way back into your childhood.

What is the core wound of the trauma? A core wound is usually one word that sums up what a person is dealing with, mine is abandonment, with others I've worked with it can be anything from pain to shame. If this is something hidden from you seek support  Schedule an Intro Session Here https://www.obscuram.com/intro-session

Have an idea of the outcome you want to create in your life, and how has this emotional barrier inhibited that?

Gratitude

Once through the walls, what is learned and unique talents are what you take with you. For me personally there are benefits from what I experienced in my past, that I honor and acknowledge have made me who I am. I learned to be an autodidact, a polymath, resourceful, creative, multitalented, self coaching,  near unlimited individual as I got to do and figure out so much on my own. Giving support is something I do very well, although receiving the love and support I’ve given has been chaotic in the process of trial and error.

Let The Compliments In

Getting hit on or getting compliments in public was a source of judgment, frustration, upset, suspicion and hell-naw. Overall I couldn't take a compliment and even worse was subversively seeing it as a threat! I’ve since learned to navigate that by being open, curious, and gracious. Compliments in passing are seen just as that, and actually being asked out by someone I’m not interested in is met with a considerate,” thank you but I will pass.”

Other Considerations

Lean in or stay present and aware, when you want to pull back, hide, or retreat. Become curious and don’t force it.

Forgiveness for yourself, others, and situations; events that occur that are beyond your control if this is a tough subject for you CLICK HERE for support on how forgiveness can look for your situation.

Healing Fully Does Not Happen Alone

You can have the knowledge, do the inner work, and yet still have challenges. With emotional walls you can only do so much on your own, it takes others to see where you are at with your internal healing and to truly open up. Find a trustworthy person, support group or program This can be a therapist, coach such as myself, or a program such as transformation programs, domestic violence support groups, or addiction support groups which are even for family members of those dealing with wall creating trauma inducing addiction.

Supporting LOVED ONES

If you are reading this and it reminds you of a significant person in your life, here's some ideas on how you can support someone who has their walls up! Just as with one exploring healing on their own If you do not have an understanding of what the wall is, you could get cut on some emotional razor wire!

Empathy

See them, hear them, understand, connect and reflect!  It's one of the key components described by Brene Brown in her audiobook “The Power Of Vulnerability” Avoid jumping to conclusions, listen and be curious by asking open ended questions not leading questions! Click Here for some info on what open ended questions look like

Empowerment Over Sympathy

People have cried for me over things that I've gone through and that’s weird, I’m here, I’m alive, and healthy, I made it though ...why are you crying? I told a friend about how much money I made in a year, and she told me she cried! How about highlighting that it's impressive to live as a single mom on a low income, maybe consider asking, “How do you do it? How on earth do you make this work?” I was left feeling like I couldn't be authentic and open around my friend. It seemed to hurt her, I felt unseen, and odd like there was something wrong with me. I also had a therapist who would listen to me and respond with “that's traumatic!” I admit I mitigate or diminish my experiences, however, I question whether that made the ordeal I was dealing with worse in the long run. Yet overall having someone to talk to was helpful! The truth is: How do tears or sympathy support another in a similar space? How does that support someone to grow or overcome their challenges? If it's tough to hear what someone has gone through, acknowledge your feelings with that, and acknowledge that they’ve gotten through it. The unrevealed fact is: They have mastered something you have not! Ask them how they got through it, and stand with them for their strength, resilience, power, etc.! Would you cry for David Blaine and his stunts? He intentionally made his choices to do the stunts, but at the end of the day he got through it and most people marvel afterwards. A challenge overcome is a challenge overcome no matter how it’s undertaken or what it specifically is. For a significant person in your life to share with you what they’ve learned, brings them out from behind the emotional wall and you will learn something in the process! Comment below on what came up for you and if this is something you need support with Click Here to set up a session Now!

[downbeatz]

Sayntt – Clockwise

Sayntt has just released his much-anticipated new album, a collection of groundbreaking tunes titled “Clockwise”. The songs on this release certainly live up to the expectation, with a unique blend of rap punch and R&B swing.

What makes Sayntt stand out from other artists in the industry, is that he is able to blur the lines between different genres, experimenting with electronica, jazz, funk, and R&B, among others.The sheer variety of sound you can expect from this project really makes for a unique, engaging and interesting release, where the project recalls their traditional hip-hop and R&B roots, while also bringing a modern twist and edge with electronic influences.

This album is a particularly great example of his sonic variety, stretching out and experimenting with different influences for each song on the record.

Sayntt focuses on dynamic and engaging storytelling: when you listen to this album from top to bottom, your first instinct might be to push the replay button right away, so you can get back to the lyrics and pick up anything you might have missed out on during your first listening experience.
 Hailing from Denver, Colorado, the artist draws on eminent influences such as No Limit Records, Master P, and Ice Cube, to name but a few. This is the kind of music that you will listen to while cruising down the street, or at a full house party: it brings a great energy to any setting!

The opening number, “Alchemy” is an absolutely perfect intro, immediately driving deep into the album’s atmosphere. The second track, “Testify” has a very iconic and energetic feel, making for a dynamic and forward-thinking twist. “Authentic Over Here” is another exciting tracks, bringing a more modern feel to this release. “Bracelets” is notable for its progressive and innovative arrangement, while “Fade” and “OnDatLiquor” serve as a perfect middle section for this album.

“Night Shift almost seems to me like a track that splits the album in two, making for a different twist and a different listening mood. “What Can I Do” is among my favorite ones on this release, for its explosive and catchy hooks.

One of the highlights on the album is certainly “On My Own” a track with a cool and unique arrangement. Here, the saxophone plays an integral role. It’s amazing how the saxophone seems to play back and forth with the vocals, it almost feels like the rap lyrics and saxophone are having a living musical conversation. The saxophone lines are always complementing the lyrical flow in a very human way, which makes for a very organic vibe in the production. The kick drum is heavy and deep, so much so that when you listen to this song with headphones, you can feel it vibrating in your chest. However this driving beat doesn’t overpower the vocals, and somehow it blends perfectly with the stunning ambient sounds that color this phenomenal track.

The closing trio of “Simple Dreams”, “Revolution” and “If I Die 2Nite” make for an excellent album coda, going full circle and reflecting the mood of the first part of the release as well.

To listen to “Clockwise” and keep updated with Sayntt’s upcoming releases, activities, and tour dates, follow them below!



https://open.spotify.com/album/37kMyIkhAcjmK6ZXwpf7JK?si=cqUXsNrFQAy6SkGdRf-WbQ @Sayntt_St

[webglossy]

MEET MILLIE ! WEB GLOSS’ SWEET ACE !

Jang Yoonjin, known by her stage name Millie, is the ace and main rapper of Web Gloss. She made her debut as an idol on February 20th, 2023 as a member of Web Gloss under Nova Entertainment. But, before that, she was known to be into many pre-debut projects under JYP Entertainment, before moving to Nova to become part of WG. She’s known as the group’s Sweet Ace due to her sweet personality and amazing set of skills, her specialty being rapping, making her WG’s main rapper…! 

stage name . millie birth name . jang yoonjin birthday . march 12nd, 2001 roles in the group . main rapper nicknames . sweet ace, mimi

Little Yoonjin was born into a family that was financially well-off, her parents loved each other and their only daughter very much. Since early in her life, she’s always taken interest in performing, and her parents made sure to support her and show up to all her plays, shows and performances overall. It wasn’t a surprise to them when she came forward and told them she wanted to become an idol just like the pretty girls she saw on Tv.

She joined JYP Entertainment through a audition in Seoul in 2012 at only 11 years of age, though she was already really talented and charismatic at that age. Since then, she’s done a little bit of everything - dancing competitions, recording singles for Tv, acting on Tv commercials, performing on the streets - anything you can think of, Yoonjin has done it. She has worked really hard and slowly but steadily she rose through the trainee ranks at one of the biggest entertainment companies in the country.

Being a trainee at JYP, Millie has joined quite a few survival shows, finally giving up on them after Girls Planet 999. She was almost giving up debuting in a group when the company decided they needed another girl group - that’s when she joined the predebut project “43R0”. Eventually, the creative directors of 43R0 were sent to the JYP subsidiary Nova Entertainment, and she debuted as a member of Web Gloss!

As a member of WG, she’s seen as the bubbly, hardworking girl that keeps the engine running when the girls get too tired. She’s constantly seen giving motivational speeches and encouraging the other members to work harder each day. Outside idol life, she’s yet to have her solo debut, but she does work as a model and acts for Tv commercials from time to time.

[webglossy]

MEET EMMA ! WEB GLOSS’ LITTLE MIRACLE !

Lee Yoona, known by her stage name Emma, is the leader and vocalist of Web Gloss. She made her debut as an idol on February 20th, 2023 as a member of Web Gloss under Nova Entertainment. She’s known as miracle due to her story as a girl who fought many health issues and hardships before she finally made it to her debut on WG, she is now loved by many fans around the world as WG’s little miracle…! 

stage name . emma birth name . lee yoona birthday . october 16th, 2000 roles in the group . leader nicknames . miracle emma, miracle idol

Before her life as an idol, Yoona had a rough start to life - being born with a serious lung condition, she spent the first weeks of her life battling for it at the hospital, which she kept doing throughout childhood. Towards the start of her adolescence, she started feeling much better, and her passion for singing was born. She spent hours every day learning new songs and showing it off to her family, who despite the financial struggles, made sure to support their little girl as much as they could.

It came as a shock to her family when Yoona decided to drop out of school to focus on her idol career, at the time, she was in a very small and unknown company who was barely holding on, but she was happy. After many fights, her parents didn’t let her drop out, which only fueled her to do better and prove to them she could make it. After many sleepless nights, she passed into JYP Entertainment through an audition, but her parents still didn’t let her drop out and she graduated highschool a while later. Recovering from her illness, she worked ten times as hard as the others to make up for her previous lack of practice due to hospital visits.

Even if her health was still fragile, she managed to rise through the ranks and made it to a predebut project that later became ITZY. However, due to circumstances unknown to the public, she was pulled out of the final ITZY lineup and placed under JYP’s subsidiary Nova Entertainment, eventually joining Web Gloss as the Miracle Leader we all know and love. Her story is an inspiration to many fans around the world, an example of discipline, hope and strength, earning her the title of a miracle idol…!

In WG, Emma is the inspiring leader, not letting frustrations get on the way or hurting the group’s morale. She leads them with joy and confidence, and is often seen guiding them through crowds and red carpets like a shepherd guiding her sheep. The girls love her, and are constantly praising her skills and caring personality. Due to the hardships she has faced, she shows a much more mature perspective than the other members, making her the perfect advice giver of the group. She is loved by the members, staff and most fans around the world. She doesn’t do much outside of WG other than the usual photoshoot for a magazine or ad.

[webglossy]

MEET PINKY ! WEB GLOSS’ IDOL PRINCESS !

Lee Soojin, known by her stage name Pinky, is the vocalist of Web Gloss. She made her debut as an idol on February 20th, 2023 as a member of Web Gloss under Nova Entertainment. She’s known as idol princess due to her connections to the idol world, dating from even before she was born. Her mother was a member of a popular 90s k-pop group, making her a queen and Pinky, well, Pinky’s the princess…! 

stage name . pinky birth name . lee soojin birthday . june 24th, 2001 roles in the group . vocalist nicknames . princess pinky, idol princess

Lee Soojin is the daughter of Lee Youngsun, member of 90s fictional k-pop sensation 5DOLLs. At the time, she left the group in 2000 due to unknown circumstances, which fans speculate might be because of her pregnancy with Soojin, though nothing was ever said about the matter.

Due to her mother being an ex-idol, she had a good start to her career with great mentors, that eventually lead her to joining JYP Entertainment. There, she always ranked high among trainees and was considered to many previous group formations before landing in Nova Entertainment for Web Gloss. Having an idol mother comes with a price, though, as people have always wondered if she had come this far due to her natural talents or due to her Youngsun’s influence.

Despite the accusations of nepotism, Pinky is a pillar in Web Gloss due to her strong vocal abilities and charismatic stage presence, wondering fans all over the world with her charms. She’s the moodmaker of the group, managing stress like no other and always making sure the girls are taken care of, and stands up for them when unfairness happens, making her hold the odd record of WG member with the most apology videos. She’s adored by many, even through the nepotism accusations…!