#(though that seems more based on the lyrics than vibe of music....I need the sound to be right too)

[aroaessidhe]

I'm not a big playlist maker but when I was making my adadt art I went to look on spotify for a playlist to listen to while drawing, and the only ones there were not the vibe. so I made my own!

[mattypattypinky]

Hi, I saw that you do tons of Vector Headcanons and thats awesome but do you do any other DM villains of characters, If so could you do Romantic Bratt headcanons 👉👈🥺 Also what is ur rankings of the movies? I personally like dm 3 the best I know that's a unpopular opinion though

UMM?!? HELL! YEAH...!! An excuse to write for Bratt? I'm gonna go crazy, he's my third favourite!!!

I think my favorite is the first, then the first minions movie, then dm3, then dm 2,,, i haven't watched dm 4 yet I want too, BUT i have to find a piracy site that has it 💀... I've never been a fan of the second film tho the villain isnt my fave imo no offense to fans of him, anyways yes I can this will b super fun imo.

Evil / Balthazar Bratt Romantic Headcannons <3

First off, Bratt is obsessed with himself and his old show, he's obsessed with the 80s, and he kind of has a hard time disassociating himself from his glory days and the persona he once played.

He peaked when he was a child star, and hasn't been able to let it go. He probably doesn't know the first thing about romance. And, if he did, it would be 80's TV SHOW script romance. He seems like the type to kind of think things will play out like a rom-com episode of a TV show, or a movie.

When it doesn't he'd be shocked he actually has to work to keep a relationship going.

His room is littered left and right, up and down with merchandise and theming based off his child-star show. I do think he would force you to watch every episode of his show with him, multiple times over, and he would laugh and proudly present it, or compliment his own script written jokes.

He would want you to be proud of him and his little show success. And he would actively talk to you a lot about about how his show was THE #1 SHOW ON TV...

I think his ideal romantic date would be cuddling and watching his old show... Roller skating at a skating rink, or dancing to old 80's music with you. Or going to a amusement park or theme park. He'd love the bright and colorful lights.

I also think he'd shit-talk Hollywood to you, a lot. He has an intense distaste for it and it's people since he got shut down and sent out. And, he'd ask you if you think he should have been a long lasting star.

(Say yes, please. It would mean the world to him if you thought he was talented enough to still be a film-star. It'll make him happy! He's extremely insecure.)

If he had a crush on you, he'd tell Clive all about it, and he'd watch random episodes of his show in hopes he'd find some sort of inspiration on how to impress or woo you. If there was ever a episode about a romantic interest, he would have it memorized by season and episode title and number, and he'd go to it in a heartbeat to find inspiration on you.

I think he'd be extremely awkward when flirting, actually. He would use corny quips he heard from 80's romance shows, (or his own show), and it would sound really cringe, but it would be cute. Or, embarrassing. "Are you a peacock, because I want to dance for you."

He, likes to... Sing. He'd probably try to sing to you.

It would be really bad, and probably not the original lyrics to whatever tune he's singing.

Oh, I bet his hair is really soft. It looks silky, I bet it's nice to run a hand through. He seems like he uses so much conditioner??? I don't know why I just get that vibe.

I feel like he's a hs drop out he just seems like one (as one myself)

I think he'd be extremely extravagant when asking someone to date him. He'd find a way to make it way more than it needs to be??? And I think because he's such a 'star' he wouldn't expect rejection, so he's not afraid of doing it in public where anyone can see. He imagines this groundbreakingly large gesture in the middle of a city, asking someone to be his diamond to his ring, and he nowhere expects rejection. If you DID reject him, which I doubt you would, but if you did, he'd be taken aback, and he would just stand there in awe and shock that you would say no to him being your partner.

Why? He's a star. You wouldn't reject a famous actor and famous villain. He's got it in the bag.

He is confident, and he is attractive. He'd lean on a table and talk to you in this low voice, and I bet he's a teaser too. Making light quips and playful remarks to fluster you.

I bet he'd give you merch of himself as a gift 💀

He hugs the diamond when he sleeps, and wears a sleep mask, so I think he'd be a rather cuddly person to sleepover with. As for the sleep mask, I feel like he may have trouble sleeping without it.

He kicks in his sleep, and talks in his sleep, so although you would be cuddling with him, you might get kneed occasionally, or woken up to his mumbling ...

Also, though I HC he may be a HS dropout, he has a fantasy about going to prom with someone... And I feel as though he would want to create a fake prom with you, where you and him win prom queen/king.

He has, so many DVD players and DVD's littered everywhere... Under his bed, at his dresser, under his TV, ETC. I bet most of them are his show, maybe different versions of the three seasons, or perhaps other 80's shows he liked and wished he was apart of. He was cancelled when he hit puberty, I am sure there are shows he wishes he was apart of. I bet he would complain about it to you.

He may be nervous to give you gifts outright when he has a crush on you, so he might send Clive over to do it for him. Imagine you're hanging out with him, and then all of a sudden Clive strolls over and hands you a small bouquet of flowers. And he has to explain that it is not from him, but from Bratt.

I bet he'd also like the barbie movie... But, for the outfits in the film and the aesthetic.

He'd have a playlist smack full of 80's songs, and on a date he'd play some of the corny 80's romance songs with you.

[twistedroseytoesy]

Riddle- Queen of Broken Hearts by blackbear

Trey- Candyman by Christina Aguilera

Cater- What else can I do? from Encanto or Happy Face by Jagwar Twin

Ace- Troublemaker by Olly Murs

Deuce- Best of Me by Neffex

Leona- Be prepared from The Lion King

Ruggie- Last Surprise from Persona 5

Jack- Wolf by Siames

Azul- Deal with the Devil by Tia

Jade- Tangled Up by Caro Emerald

Floyd- I can't decide by Scissor Sisters

Kalim- Sunshine, Lollipops, Rainbows by Lesley Gore or Prince Ali from Aladdin

Jamil- Darkside by Neoni or Arabian Nights from Aladdin

Vil- Lucky by Britney Spears

Rook- Le Festin from Ratatouille

Epel- Try Everything from Zootopia

Idia- Blame by BB Cooper

Ortho- Hey Brother by Avicii

Malleus- No Friends by Cadmium

Silver- Once Upon A Dream from Sleeping Beauty

Sebek- Never Smile At A Crocodile From Peter Pan

Lilia- Life Is A Highway from Cars

Not sure if you agree with these because I just thought of which ones matches certain traits the characters have

first off thank you so much for so many ideas! After listening to the songs I’ve got a few things to say about how well it may or may not fit, I’m honestly happy to try any of these. Might take a while, but I’ll defenetly get quite a few of these done!

Riddle- I really do like the lyrics for this one, can envision overblot riddle singing it as he is overcome with the blot. the beat is pretty cool and I can already see some sort of nightmare that he may have, or I could try and write out an animatic base for the song with him. Very good song and I really like it! perfect first suggestion!

Trey- Would need to change a few lyrics here and there, fun jazzy song though! could have it so the MC is trying to ask him out by singing this. or another story with some other singing. Love the energy, just not into the innuendos in the song.

Cater- The song from Encanto is so, so, so good. Love that song and how it shows how crushing expectations can affect one's life. This definitely fits well with Cater's personality, having the mask of always being cheerful and bright, when in reality he's a bit cynical and hard on his true semi-introverted self.

The second song was deep, it has a wonderful beat and rhythm to it. The lyrics work super well to the deeper side that Cater has to his character, how he "puts on a happy face" despite his inner turmoil. could see this as an animatic writing piece, or the MC gets some sort of potion to get a look at the character's inner music. If I had to choose between the two songs, it would be this one first. Then maybe the Encanto song to help him realize he can be more than the face online.

Ace- Really fun song, with a good beat, and very fitting lyrics for the dumbass that is ace. Can definitely see MC singing this to him when he's pranked them. The energy is great! would change some lyrics here and there to fit him better.

Deuce- A very good song for deuce! very inspirational and shows how he wants to become better than he once was. "I've made mistakes but mistakes make you strong" had me really thinking about Deuce, and how he's become strong-willed due to his past. Despite the world against him, he's still here to become his best self. Another animatic-like thing that I could write. him talking with others and growing over the course of the story sharing what he knows with Epel, supporting the MC and the others, leading up to him getting his unique magic and proving he's better than he has ever been.

Leona- This one is pretty obvious, very fitting for Leona to sing Scars song. Very good idea for him to sing it too, using others to do the dirty work so he can be on top. Could have him sing this as he's scheming with the savanaclaw dorm to take out malleus and the other spelldrive leaders in book 2.

Ruggie- right off the bat the song sounds like something from mission impossible. interesting song, but not really feeling the Ruggie vibes for this one. seems too planned, Ruggie does plan but isn't cocky about how smart he is. I can see a few things in the lyrics but not enough to rewrite it. good suggestion but didn't vibe quite right.

Jack- Really nice beat and rhythm. nice vocals, and the lyrics are pretty good, but not quite the Jack I know. This version seems more obsessive, not really fitting for the standoffish wolf. Also, the first result for the song is a really intence and cool video.

Azul- The lyrics are very fitting for Azuls mindset and the way he does things with his contracts. The only downside is that the song is in another language... I can't really work with that as I'm american and only know english. Really cool song! im just incompitent when it comes to other languages 😭.

Jade- somewhat dark jazz kind of song, the lyrics aren't very fitting for Jade, The tangled-up main section of the song doesn't give his kind of vibe. It's a good song, just not quite Jade.

Floyd- Holy heck, this song definitely has Floyd vibes, with unnerving lyrics and crazed talking, with a jazzy upbeat song. But it's so good just on its own, I wouldn't know what to add or write for this! the only way I could possibly try and write this is by making some horrific dream sequence for him doing all kinds of horrific things to other students to get MC all to himself. amazing choice!

Kalim- Another perfect fit!! could absolutely write Kalim singing this as he and MC are dancing, could make it where he has a crush as he's singing this. Fun short and sweet song for the boy of sunshine!

Listened to both versions of the song, super fun and extravagant parade that Kalim 100% would do if he is able to. But it would be a bit too difficult to change up the words to be fitting to the ray of sunshine, super fun song, and happy to have the suggestion!

Jamil- very deep and booming low pop song. the vibe and lyrics are fitting for Jamil's inner turmoil as being under someone he knows he could be above. Being forced to hide his true better self because of his servitude to someone he hates. A very good and fitting song I could absolutely work with. maybe the potion of one's inner song could come for this one.

Another really good suggestion is Jamil introducing the dorm or the MC going over what happened in book 4. A perfect animatic-like sequence I could write out. The original song is fairly short so I would most likely go with the 2019 version of the song. Perfect suggestion!

Vil- Pretty good song for Vil! Shows how he is super popular and has just about everything a celebrity could want, yet he doubts something, he checks Mira so much and despises the results he gets to his question. Could do this song, but its already so perfect theres not much to adjust. and I cant really think up a scenario where this could be sung.

Rook- I love this song, so much, I just can't do much with it since I have no way to adjust a french song. I'm unable to use songs that use another language, but I can definitely see rook humming or singing this to himself as he watches his friends from afar. The lyrics when translated are pretty lonely and also about food cause of course. good suggestion, I just cant write it out.

Epel- I love this song, and the upbeat feeling it has. Not really an epel vibe though, he's very stubborn and brash at times. As good as this song is, it doesn't quite fit epel, or even someone else trying to help Epel. Good song, but not quite right for him though.

Idia- Really cool base-heavy song with electronic undertones that are very fitting to Idia. The lyrics are fairly fitting for him too, I just don't want to get stuff wrong about his backstory, but I'm trying to wait for the Ignihyde story to come out for us English players. Very good suggestion and song, I just don't know Idia well enough to do it justice.

Ortho- interesting choice but the country song doesn't seem very Ortho-like. The family vibes are good but It just doesn't fit him. sorry.

Malleus- First off and foremost is the title and giving it to malleus is a bit mean, if not fitting. The lyrics are very fitting to our lonely dragon boy... It hurts to say that this song is really him, just the pop rhythm doesn't really fit, but that's okay. Just wow.

Silver- Another character singing their inspirations song. Silver singing this would be very sweet as he probably is with his woodland friends. Maybe the Mc interrupts him similar to how the prince did with Arora all that time ago.

Sebek- HILARIOUS song, could be the first year's smack talking a bit about sebek. really good song, not very fitting of sebek himself but funny making fun of his croc like tendencies and attributes.

Lilia- Loving the meme song being one of Lilias. It's a good rock song that Lilia would love. Very fitting for Lilia's worldwide traveling and the adventures he's been on. The lyrics are fitting for his way of life and how he's happy to go have fun and make friends, helping others and his family. Perfect song for him to sing when he's practicing on his bass.

[yukiakaren]

Kpop title track ranking: Super Junior 

In this series I’ll be ranking kpop groups/soloists title tracks based on my taste.

This time around I actually looked at the lyrics while deciding the order of these songs and it did sway me here and there, I have to admit. I also used this sorter to do most of the work: https://eastseaelfie.tumblr.com/SuJuTitleTrackSorter

A-CHA - For some reason this one has been the one for me for the longest time. Probably due to the incredible catchiness of it. It's a party and I'm here for it! And yes, the lyrics are about not-so-well-going relationship. But hey, the instrumental makes it a banger, so it's a party! xD

Black Suit - Another absolute banger! Only my nostalgia-driven love for A-CHA is keeping this one from going to the top.

It's You - Desperate love song done just right. It's so catchy. Classic for a reason.

SUPER Clap - Seriously, it's so catchy and so much fun! I HAD TO clap along, there was no other option. I had not given this enough credit before it seems.

Devil - I surprised myself with Devil ending up this high. But honestly it's just too catchy for me to deny that this is a fine place for it.

Don't Don - It's so edgy! xD But it just sounds so cool, I love it! xD

Mr. Simple - If this list relied only on lyrical merits of the songs this would probably be the best one. I have to admit it did not know the lyrics before this and wow it's really nice! Who would have thought! Also, it's catchy so xD

Mamacita - This list is just one catchy song after another. The flair that Mamacita has is just so nice and different.

SPY - It's so dumb, I know, I know. But you know what it also is? Catchy. Incredibly so, might I add. So, unsurprisingly, I really like it xD

Sorry Sorry - Iconic. Classic. And... You guessed it. Catchy. xD

U - Quite the basic love song at its core but very SuJu and very catchy as they tend to be.

This is Love - Pretty love song, for sure. I guess just my tendency to gravitate towards more upbeat songs let's this one down a little. There is also the fact that I would have wanted Evanesce to be the title track and get all the love it deserves. That may have some impact here too.

Bonamana - The floor sweeping dance xD Overall quite the ridiculous one, right? Very SuJu though.

Sexy, Free & Single - The terrible high-pitched sounds in the instrumental drop this one quite a bit for me. Again, very SuJu but not the best upbeat one of theirs.

Mango - I need to give it to SuJu for coming back with something that sound so SuJu again. Mango may not be the best SuJu song ever but it's still very distinguishably them. And I do respect that.

One More Time x REIK - The Latin music vibes are cool but also not personally something I go for most of the time. But I do have to say this is the clear winner of the two with this vibe.

Magic - A fine one but there is not too much else for me to say.

Lo Siento ft. Leslie Grace - All is said in the description for One More Time.

2YA2YAO! - This is so dividing for me. Something in it does make me think it works. But at the same time it just isn't SuJu-like at all. Very odd, very hard to rank.

Twins - Unlike Don't Don, that arguably is equally dated edgy-rock sounding song, this one has never really made me a fan. Listenable but not one I would actively go for.

Miracle - Cutesy but quite dated. But hey, better than being dated and uninteresting, am I right?

Celebrate - This was a title track? I completely missed it. Cutesy but very Christmassy so it's hard to put it a lot higher overall.

No Other - Very dated and not very interesting. Also, this one has no nostalgia points coming from me to make it go any higher.

House Party - It's so one-period-in-time-bound that it's actually hard to listen to now, tbh. Instrumentally and with any other average lyrics this would be way higher.

There clearly is a pattern in here: if a SuJu song is catchy there's a good chance that I'll like it. Lucky for them, most of their songs are catchy xD

Lastly, some B-sides that I love:

Evanesce - It's almost ridiculous how much I love this song. Without a doubt my favorite SuJu song. Probably one of my favorite songs of all time. That is not something I say lightly as I'm the type that can't answer the question "What is your favorite song?". Good Day For A Good Day - This one really does put me to a better mood instantly (or I'm unable to listen to it if I'm too down in the dumps because it's too cheerful). Shirt - This is such a fun one! (also catchy) Why I Like You - I quite recently did this grand SuJu discography marathon. This was one of those songs I picked up that day and oh was I correct doing so. I should listen to this more now! Shadow - Another one I picked up that day. A great one for sure.

[ask-serendipity-sky]

Umm that can be still about him ? SMF, alone, letter was soley about him. FACE OFF was about toxic people.. but mostly how he felt betrayed by him. LC was about him too.. isn't that the idea of FACE all about ? Story of self reflection? It was pretty obvious to all who actually listened to him and read everything related to FACE before jumping into analyzing lyrics lol. If you want to understand lyrics 1st you have to understand artist pov very well.

Now to few lyrics which may have confused anon. 1st it's not only JM involved but 6 other people for writing. Second, there are a lot of word plays done. He had 3-4 sample lyrics, like we can see in that preview, and selected BABY, COME AND FOLLOW ME because that's what suits the vibe and melody more, it goes more with the flow, maybe producer though it's more appealing while listening ? Like he didn't even had 'she' in original lyrics drafts but added she to make it even better. Imagine if LC didn't had 'she saying....' it sounds like it lacks something as a iconic starting isn't it ? Rn 'she's saying baby saenggak hajima' is considered iconic opening to a song that you only have to type 'she saying... ' for lyrics to pop up lol. That's what the talent of producer and writer is 🤌

Third, in previous trailer he was in dilemma on which word he should use in FACE OFF... on whether he should use 'ordinary story' or something else. So yeah lot of replacements and corrections were done while reaching the final lyrics.. if you have written story, poem, essays or any type of literature you will know. It's not just about saying your story 100% as it is.. then it will be autobiography lol. This is art.. which is flexible and should please the listener/ viewer also. Just like how they add cinematic moments to 'based on a real story' movies.

So no matter who try to make his album about someome else, breakup or whatever idc because he clearly said what it is 🤷‍♀️ now it's upto others interpretation, ik there will be dummy y/n tweets to get likes 🤷‍♀️

Hi anon,

By "him" you mean Jimin, right?

If so...

Yes, it all comes down to people that consume music just for fun and people who will go deep into it to try to understand what the writer is trying to say. Not everyone will look into song meanings, especially since Jimin has always been vague about FACE and more about Like Crazy.

I agree with all the points you make.

I wish I had written my thoughts on FACE but...

Like Crazy is Jimin singing to Jimin. "She" is Jimin, and "baby" is Jimin.

Thats the entire point of the song and mv..and the choreo. It's the struggle between himself, experimenting that loneliness and wanting to stay in it.

There really isn't room for anyone else in that struggle.

Like Crazy is more complex than people think. You really need to have all the information for it, otherwise, it seems like a basic love/break up song or whatever say it is.

Thanks for sharing.

Edit to add: wait...I just read your ask again. Letter is about Jk.

[ram-de]

june vibes

damn i abandoned this monthly top 10 music of mine tracker thingy since last march. oh well!!! let's do this again. as always the song is rapidly changed one by one... i'm a seasonal listener...

Let's start out with 夏霞 / Natsu-kasumi (Summer Haze) by Atarayo. The first time I listened to this duet of a song? Damn... It's ethereal. I like how both of the guy and girl vocalist blend and complements one another. Guess, it's about love in the summer. Purely from sound, it's somber and regretful. I'm reading the lyrics right now. And yes, it does reflect regret. The singer(s) reminiscent about the precious memories they shared one another in the summer, the fireworks, the festival, the confession. Not wanting to be hurt by those feelings, wanting to be wrapped in the haze of the summer. Aww... :-(

Second is なかよしステップ / Nakayoshi Step (BFF STEP) by kinoshita. I'm surprised this song got in, turned out I liked it that much! Kinoshita is a Vocaloid producer that's easily known for his high-paced, energetic and cheerful songs. This one is one of them. The video is also as cute, featuring Una and Rin doing this simple dance steps. Please. Purely from soung, it's about the joy of having a BFF (which I lack) so sing out the joy for my stead!!! The lyrics, is well. It's indeed about having a friend so close and having fun. AHHH the lyrics is so cute. "I know, I know It'll get through you. It's not just words! I'm putting this music together for you, tu-turu-tuu, a BFF melody." It must've been a precious thing to have, a friend... :-(

Flash Forward by Le Sserafim... I swear I've found this song just yesterday. How come it's sitting pretty at third, I don't know. I like this song mainly because it's something I'd listen rather than their more fierce and stronger song. Sakura also got a lot of lines, so it's a plus! The vibe is breezy and chill, and it seems about just, I don't know. Keeping some feelings to a crush kind of song...

Next is また夏を追う / Mata Natsu wo Ou (To Chase the Summer Again) by Atarayo. What's up with this group and song about Summer?! It may or may not be the sequel to Natsugasumi. It's also got similiar vibe, regretful and holding onto something. I think it's about, moving on after a breakup in Summer. The singer is the one who walked away, but they felt it need to be done. Though regretful, they still want to chase another Summer.

Tentang Rumahku by Dialog Dini Hari is one of the song I found on these Spotify spotlight someone made based on a book. This one, I found for Laut Bercerita's playlist. Before this, I was so shallow because I dismissed the song in my native language since they're usually sappy love song which I detest for no particular reason. But I figured I'd be open. And I'm sure there's always some song for each person. At first it reminds me of Mara's character. Her home which lacks an important someone. It also reminds me of Laut himself, perhaps a song fitting when he's deep down in the sea, reminiscing the dear family and home he grew up. Ahh... I need to read that book again. The lyrics are relatively simple to understand, and at the core of it, I think it's about home and how it's truly an important place where one grew and become theirself. A keeper of memories and all the important thing in the world. One can be happy at their home.

まるつけ / Marutsuke performed by Yano Shougo. It's the ending theme for the anime Given. I watched it few months back then, and contrary to popular's opinion I think it's hands down the best song out of the series. (I don't plan to watch the movie so, yeah.) The song is so powerful, and carrying the weight of sorrow in the same place. Reading the lyrics, I felt like it kind of tells a story of the singer with a big amount of doubt about, well, his feeling. Love, I assume. Love, unsure of how it can stay and how it can perservere. Knowing the context with the anime, it seems so depressing. Talk about the anime, I saw some manga spoilers and noped out. The anime itself is so angst-heavy and there's a lot of drama. I don't need more... (Also love triangle trope sucks...) but the song itself is so good. Mafuyu's VA is perfect fit for his hoarse and yet soft-ish kind of voice. Conveying the feeling of desperation and cries of help.

The way I stayed like 40 minutes writing all of this but I can't stay still for mere 10 minutes writing my thesis I'm💀 Okay, I'm going to make the rest quick.

Maigo Hanyuu is another Vocaloid producer with their characteristics of traditional Japanese sounds incorporated for their songs. 鬼の居ぬ間に / Oni no Inumani (While the Demon is Away) seems like it's telling a story about someone staying by another one's side... Wait... It's just a quick interpretation. It could be also about a story when someone is left behind by a passed away person, still, they lived for both of them. Though perhaps they griefed, unable to accept that the other isn't there anymore, hence, preparing meals for two, lamenting the time they spent in the world, can't help until the demon or death itself took them. Wow. Huh??!!?

Next is 阿吽のビーツ / Aun no Beats (Aun Beats), also a classic by Maigo Hanyuu. Angsty tragic pair of love, I assume... From the sounds alone, there's regret, longing, and desperation. "I held up my heart to you. Give it back someday, be gentle, okay? I really wanted to go back. Going back after this is fine too." What I loved about Hanyuu's work for this one, is the usage of English loanswords paired with the traditional Japanese sounds. It's!!!! It's so cool. I think this post described and analyzed the song well...

Next is 死んではいけない / Shinde wa Ikenai (You Musn't Die, stylised Don't Go) by Shimizu Kou. I spent like 10 minutes looking for lyrics for this song and I couldn't find it. Turned out it's because the song isn't simply Ikanaide in the original title... Oh well... The song is a vibe. Len, the vocal, is tuned well. It seems like it's a thematical song, so it tells a story. But I'm running out of time...

I really need to stop here. But Sparkling Daydream by ZAQ is the opening theme for the anime Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! I haven't watched it in forever. But it popper in my mind and it's still a banger. That's it!

That's for June. Wow! I typed a lot. WOW...

[animusiem]

Billboard USA Exclusion Zone Episode 9 (04/22/2023)

Hello there and welcome to my weekly show where I look at the new debuts from the Billboard Global Excluding US chart. Yes I didn't do this last week. Part of it because I had final thesis to revise. But also I didn't feel it with most of the debuts and the less I said about Melanie Martinez...the better.

Anyways this week is definitely more interesting than last week because we have three j-pop songs and one of them came from the most hyped anime this season Oshi no Ko. We also have some k-pop too and even some surprises. Let's do this.

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

16. "People Pt. 2" by Agust D ft. IU

Another day, another new solo song from a BTS member. Now we get Agust D who usually do the rap portion of a lot of BTS songs with this being another rap song. This reminded me of early 2010's rap song where you have a singer doing the hook and it just reminded me that Airplanes is now could be considered as retro...next.

23. "Search & Rescue" by Drake

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (this is shit)

30. "I AM" by IVE

I love a lot of IVE songs and I will say that After Like has the best obvious sampling last year. Which is why it's kinda disappointing that this didn't clicked with me as much as it did. The production is tiring and it's basically "I'm back bitch" singles.

80. "Un Finde Crossover #2" by Ke personajes X Big One X FMK

I was vibing to this...then the farty synth and the laser beam sound appeared.

83. "Baby Don't Hurt Me" by David Guetta, Anne-Marie & Coi Leray

This is just sad now. Like I think this song that made me realized that maybe AI music isn't so bad after all when anything David Guetta made in 2022-23 sounds like AI generated mush.

102. "Mera Na" by Sidhu Moose Wala, Burna Boy & Steel Banglez

First and foremose Rest In Peace Sidhu Moose Wala. Secondly this song is just a well produced Punjabi rap and the addition of Burna Boy here is needed.

135. "Idol" by Yoasobi

And here it is. The song that might be the center piece of Oshi no Ko. Anime series based on critically acclaimed manga made by the same guy that did Kaguya-sama. Now even though I haven't watched the anime, I have been spoiled by the manga and well the reason why I swelled up while listening to the song while reading the lyrics...yeah this song is something special.

141. "Kizuna no Kiseki" by MAN WITH A MISSION x milet

Oh hi it's another Demon Slayer song but tbh might be the worst one imo. Yeah this song is great but it's typical for shounen anime to have banger OP at this point and nothing could beat Gurenge.

146. "Never Felt So Alone" by Labrinth (uncredited: Billie Eilish)

One of my favorite content creators Spectrum Pulse coined a term "Riverdale-core" to describe songs with bombast but no substance tackling social issues but with the gaudiness of a vaudville villain. Well for this song I wanna coined a term "Euphoria-core" which is lowkey mostly RnB song with strings and mechanical production.

154. "Zero" by NewJeans

Now I am interested what NewJeans will follow up after the big success of Ditto and OMG. And seems like they are making...a drum and bass song about Coke Zero....okay then.

162. "Chanel" by Becky G & Peso Pluma

Now we will see more impact next week, but what a year it is for Mexican music. Seems like the sound of the trumpet plus that bassline is caught on (tbh idk what to say at this point like after listening to Idol with subs on I'm a jsdhjkdsh)

178. "LADY" by Kenshi Yonezu

WHY IS THERE TWO COKE COMMERCIAL SONGS???

I highly recommend everyone to listen to these songs.

[lewisdiary]

Amber Lounge

Lewis Hamilton x Reader

WARNING: 18+, NSFW, explicit, alcohol, drugs, unprotected sex.

Word count: 3,600+

What's a beautiful girl like you doing in a club all by herself?

Another party, this time in Monaco. Your glass, filled with what seemed like a very expensive gin, vibrated to the the loud music playing in the club.

Let loose. You thought to yourself slightly lowering your body-con black dress and searching for familiar faces.

You looked around the VIP party you had been invited to. Ever since your dad's business put him on the "Forbes Richest" list your reputation had skyrocketed along with it. You were an A-lister yourself at this point, everyone longed for your appearance at their events, and as if your life depended on it, you attended. Your social media and events presence had helped you befriend the hottest models and richest rappers in the game and you quite enjoyed the lavish lifestyle.

You and your dad had flown down for the Monaco GP weekend, courtesy of the team principal of the most popular F1 team, Toto Wolff. Surprisingly, it was your first Grand Prix, and probably your last. The hospitality was, as usual, amazing but you found watching cars go around in circles slightly boring.

You took a rather large sip of your gin and started to tune into the beat, your body processing the large quantities of alcohol you had decided to ingest.

Because you hadn't been invited to the Grand Prix by a driver in particular and had failed to engage with any during the "boring" weekend, you found yourself attending the party and having to fit in all by yourself. Making your way through the club you encountered a few drivers, whom you recognised and recognised you, and their respective guests. You knew you weren't an easy face to forget, so it didn't take long before a few people started commenting about your presence.

Making yourself comfortable around the younger squad of drivers, your body swayed to the loud music that hit your ears. Your eyes shut as you engaged with the environment, allowing the melodies and strong base to sway you in.

"You're a Mercedes guest, aren't you?" A familiar voice rang through. Russell. Your eyes opened to look at the briton who stood very close to your ear, making sure his words were getting to you just fine. You nodded quickly, downing your drink before replying to him "Well, my dad is. I just tagged along"

His lips turned into a small smile as he took a good glance at you, leaning closer again he chatted a bit more; "and what did you think of it?"

"Not my vibe" You shrugged jokingly. "This though, is!" You put your empty glass down in a nearby table and pulled George into what seemed like a circle of people dancing, as In Da Club by 50 Cent started playing.

You both started dancing to the song, George's friends joined, and in no time you set yourself in the party ambient, drenching yourself in alcohol as more bottles were brought in at the request of Russell, Latifi, and a few other younger drivers you hadn't gotten your way around.

0 To 100 / The Catch up - by Drake came through the speaker.

This DJ knew his set you thought, before excusing yourself from the crowd that had embraced you. Feeling the need for a switch of environment you made your way to the bar. On your way, you drunkly greeted a few familiar faces, Bella Hadid and what looked like some actors who had come down for the Grand Prix.

Sitting on an empty stool at one of the bars in the Amber Lounge you asked the bartender for a glass of your favourite, gin. Your head nodded to the beat, it pounded hard. You knew you were more than tipsy at that point, but there was no sign of slowing down.

"Ayo! Bring us a bottle of your most expensive Prosecco!" You heard a voice yell through a line of people standing at the bar. A familiar voice.

His voice sang along to the lyrics, you were tempted to turn around to check who was yelling right behind your ear but your motion to turn was interrupted by the glass of gin you had requested being brought to you.

As you fiddled with the purse that hung around your shoulder, looking for your card, the familiar voice spoke again: "I've got that for you. On my tab, Mikey!" This time much closer to you.

You turned to your left, wanting to finally put a face to the voice your alcohol-filled brain didn't seem to recognise. Looking at the 5'9 figure standing next to you, it hit you that: you had failed to engage with any driver during the Grand Prix except for one.

It was more than obvious that you weren't going to be at the Mercedes garage and not meet their prominent stars. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. It was Qualifying day and after an amazing performance from both drivers, Toto, at the request of your dad had introduced you to his prodigies. You had gotten the chance to meet the drivers and congratulate them both for their front-row quali positions.

Bottas was the quiet one, after meeting you and your dad he excused himself to his driver room. Lewis was more of a personality, he knew your dad from reading about him and their conversation seemed to flow from F1 to business to possible future lunch meetings. He glanced at you from time to time, the conversation didn't interest you but he somewhat did.

You knew Lewis was quite the party boy and a ladies man, it suited his champion attitude, so seeing him at the club did not surprise you at all. He had won the Grand Prix you remembered, your mind doing a little backflip to being at the back of the garage and giving him a quick hug after your dad had burst into "here's the man of the evening" compliments.

Your altered system forced you to bite your lip at the thought of Lewis Hamilton standing in front of you.

"Hey, it's you!" His eyes widened at the realisation, his breath smelled like nothing but expensive alcohol. He was drunk as a skunk, and to your liking, he looked extremely hot.

You widened your eyes jokingly, following his cue. "It is I!" you laughed slightly, trying to mock his accent.

"I met you on Saturday, no? Your dad is Toto's friend. What's your name again?" He grabbed the Prosecco bottle that had been handed to him and moved an inch closer to you.

"Yep, that's my dad! Y/N!" you yelled through the gap left between the two of you.

"And what's a beautiful girl like you doing in the club all by herself?" He asked before singing to a few lyrics of the song that currently burst through the speakers that were placed at the bar.

"Enjoying herself." You grabbed your glass and, nodding at him as a thank you for the drink, you stepped down the stool and made your way to the dance-floor. Nervously nibbling on your bottom lip at your choice of words you wondered if a little mystery was enough to keep Lewis interested.

Your hips moved at the sound of Ginza by J Balvin and almost immediately, you felt a body swaying along with yours. Him.

Lewis took a sip of the Prosecco bottle he was meant to take back to his group of friends as his own hips fell in somewhat of a sync with yours, his free hand grabbing your left thigh pulling you closer to his body. His motion felt like a cue for you to bend slightly and begin to grind on the "man of the evening", he deserved a little fun after the hard-work he put out on the track.

Eyes started turning to you two, as your bodies got carried away by the effects of the alcohol you had been consuming. You shrugged out the thought of being watched. If Lewis was comfortable, you were too.

"Y yo hoy estoy aquí imaginando. Sexy baila y me deja con las ganas" Lewis sang along to J Balvin but he sang it so close to your ear, he knew it was meant just for you to listen. His raspy voice sent chills down your spine, you didn't know what the words meant but he made them sound sexy and it empowered you. You chewed on your bottom lip as the DJ switched songs and moving away from him you sipped on your gin, cheering at the former drivers that had put you in the mood to party, who shot you back just as happy glances.

"Come to my table! Let's have some fun!" Lewis' drunk voice echoed through the pounds of your head. He was quick to grab your arm and pull you through the crowd to a more secluded area.

"Y/N everyone!!" He yelled once you approached a group of what looked like more mature and older people. Everyone turned their heads at the two of you and cheered loudly at Lewis' introduction of you, almost as if they were celebrating you tonight.

Daniel Ricciardo. Winnie Harlow. Neymar Jr were some of the faces you were able to recognise at first glance, everyone seemed as slapped as you, some of the girls were high as kites twerking on anything they could put their asses to. Now this was more your vibe.

As the night went on; more drinks came, you danced and enjoyed yourself. Sexual tension between you and Lewis had become hard to ignore and the amount of alcohol in your body had you craving him... all over you.

It's now or never you thought to yourself.

Downing your, God knows what number, cup you looked at Lewis who found himself having fun with his mates, his smile widely spread across is face, revealing his perfectly sharpened canine teeth.

If anything, we blame it on the alcohol.

You mentally thanked the Dj as Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled started playing. Lewis' eyes darkened as he noticed you approaching him. Your dress hugged your body perfectly, making your figure hard to look away from. In a blink of an eye you had found your groins against one another's grinding on each other to the beat.

As the song went on, Lewis spun you around, having you against him drove him crazy. His hips thrusted your back, his fingers digging the skin on your thigh. He licked his lips at the thought of you, and almost as if he had been waiting for this moment the whole night, his lips met your bare shoulder.

Without ungluing his figure to yours, his tongue slowly traced your neck, sending chills down your spine. "Have I told you how beautiful you look?" He mumbled in between kisses on your bare skin. He didn't have to win you over with compliments, he already had you.

You could feel death glares from Lewis' female guests because of the moment you and the world champion were sharing. You used the uncomfortable stares as your cue to leave, turning to Lewis for the first time in what seemed like a long night, you stared into his - slightly droopy from the alcohol - brown eyes. Your arms automatically swung to his neck, he had yet another bottle in his hand but did not hesitate to wrap his arms around your waist.

"I don't think your friends are enjoying this little show we're putting on" You mumbled, signalling to the ladies who stood in the corner. Your eyes went from staring into his to looking at his lips, your breathing had become intense as you felt Lewis's body awfully close to yours, his member slowly caressing your upper thigh. He licked his lips, noticing how badly you stared. At that point of the night neither of you could contain how much you craved one another.

"They don't have to watch" Lewis whispered, shooting a quick glance at the models who seemed rather upset with his lack of attention on them; back to you, before grabbing your arm and pulling you through a back door that was close to the VIP area you were in, he mumbled: "I know a place".

You found yourself stumbling through the front entrance of a rather fancy building. Lewis lived conveniently close to the Amber Lounge, and in no time, his body guards had escorted the two of you to the penthouse.

Thanking his driver, you made your way into the elevator, and as soon as the doors shut close, Lewis had you pinned against the back wall. His eyes darkened again, his breathing hard over your lips.

Even drunk as a skunk, he looked and smelled amazing.

You watched him bite his lip as he leaned closer, making you crave his lips on yours even more.

It felt like heaven. When Lewis finally crashed his lips on to yours, his body weight causing you to lean further against the wall... it felt like heaven.

You groaned as the kiss didn't last as much as you wished to, the ding from the elevator interrupting it.

You were given no time to take in the surroundings of Lewis' perky home. He placed his arms on your hips and you automatically straddled him, the heat was back like it had never left, your lips were on his yet again. He kissed you so passionately you thought he was compensating from not doing it earlier. He knew his way through his home, and as your tongues met, he quickly found his way through his living room to his astounding suite.

Lewis dropped you on his bed, his eyes filled with lust and hunger. Behind him, the view of Monaco’s nightlife and beach shone through his large windows, the moonlight setting the perfect ambiance for what seemed like an exciting night for the both of you.

Your thoughts were distracted by Lewis’s touch. He had quickly removed his shirt and tossed it aside, his fingers now rested on top of your wet panties, his thumb caressing your clit. His body hoovered over yours, you closed your eyes and tilted your head back, allowing your body to feel Lewis’ movements on your area.

“Look at me” He demanded, his voice as deep as you’d ever hear it. “You’re so wet” He mumbled once your eyes obediently met his. Starving for him inside of you, you pulled your dress up your waist not once breaking eye contact, which caused Lewis to smirk. He attacked your neck, sucking and nibbling on your bare skin, his fingers slid your panties to the side, and with a small bite to your neck he inserted two fingers into you. You gasped at his sudden movement and your walls clenched in pleasure.

“Fuck!” Lewis muttered as he felt your juices coating his fingers. As instinct your knees bent, allowing Lewis to get a better grip of your inside walls. He picked up the pace, thrusting his fingers in and out of you. As your moans started getting louder, you feared Lewis had neighbours so you instantly bit your lip trying to contain your pleasure-filled screams.

“L-Lewis” you stumbled on your words, he knew just how deep to thrust and how much to curl his fingers. You longed for him inside you, your fingernails digging his tattooed back and your head titled back.

“Yes, baby?” He was enjoying watching you squirm in pleasure, his member hardening at the sound of your voice in his room.

"Don't make me wait" you pleaded, not being able to contain your hormones any longer. You wanted him inside you: “I want you. I want you to cum with me”

As if your wish was his command, Lewis’ drunk figure moved his hand away, he stood in front of the bed, and you took the moment to remove your dress, revealing your perfectly shaped and tanned body. Lewis, on his turn dropped his jeans. Both of you stood in awe of one another for awhile, hunger rising. He observed your breasts, and you engulfed the length of his now erect shaft.

You slowly removed your panties and dangled it in front of him, teasing the man that was going to eat you alive, the room smelled like expensive cologne and Prosecco. Lewis jaw hardened, his tattoos made his muscles more prominent... You just wanted to dig your fingernails on his biceps at that stance. He grabbed the panties off your hand and threw them to the side along with your dress and swiftly made his way on top of you. Cupping your breast with one hand, his thumb played with your nipple whilst the other filled his mouth. You lowered your hand and began to stroke Lewis’ cock; as soft and deep moans leaving his throat, your spine shivered.

“I want you so bad” You whispered, placing Lewis right at your entrance, the tip of him rubbing against your wet and now throbbing clit.

“How bad, baby?” He asked, pecking your lips. With his voice in a demanding whisper, you were quick to realise how much of a tease Lewis was, he enjoyed making his victims beg for him. He knew how good he was.

“So… so bad” You moaned into his lips. Just as much as Lewis, you knew what you wanted and you too knew how good you were. Not wanting to waste another second you took charge, placing his shaft at your entrance you helped him penetrate you. Lewis broke the kiss he had engaged in with you, a loud moan leaving his mouth once he felt how tight you were.

It took you a second to adjust to Lewis’ length as he made his way in and out of you, although intoxicated, he noticed your slight discomfort: “Are you alright?” he questioned, his furry brows tightening.

“Shh… don’t stop” You reassured him. With your hand around his neck you brought his head down to yours, you had grown to love his soft lips around the flesh of your neck. At your call, Lewis lowered his weight on to you and steadily picked up the pace. Every thrust brought you closer to an orgasm, his cock rubbing on your perfect spot.

You clenched your walls, digging your nails through his tattooed back. “Fuuuck!” You heard Lewis scream in absolute pleasure at the tightness around him. Lewis’ thrusts became deeper and faster, his forehead had grown sweaty, the room steamy. As he picked up his pace, all you could hear was small grunts from his perfectly sound voice and the clapping of his thighs against yours.

“I’m gonna cum” He moaned through shortened breaths. His warning brought you to your dominance senses. The thought of having Sir Lewis Hamilton begging you to cum extolled your ego. Without thinking twice you shifted your weight to the side, motioning what was well understood by Lewis. It was your turn to be on top.

Lewis, at the realisation that he was sleeping with a woman who knew what she wanted, eagerly obeyed and placed himself closer to the headboard of his king sized bed, not minding that you had interrupted his almost-orgasm.

Feeling good about impressing the seven-time world champion you slowly crawled up to the man that looked at you so hungrily, lust in his eyes only becoming more and more visible. His jaw clenched again as you straddled his waist, his now, thanks to you, cream-full cock entering your threshold again. Another loud moan, this time from the both of you. You bent over slightly, placing your hands on Lewis’ shoulders for support as you started bouncing on him.

“Just like that baby” He sang to you, one hand was tightly wrapped around your neck, and the other slapped your ass as hard as he could bring himself to. It drove you crazy, it made you want more of him in you.

Your breathing had gotten harder and your forehead had met his. “I want you to cum for me” You demanded. Lewis knew he was close to his finish line, but wanted you to finish with him. As you seemed to enjoy, he kept his veiny and robust hand around your neck, giving it light squeezes every time he felt you really deep.

His free hand moved to your clit and you shot your head back in utter pleasure.

“Right there… Keep it right there” You begged, knowing exactly what was going to happen in the next thirty seconds. Lewis, in satisfaction, rubbed on your throbbing bud whilst his own hardened at every movement of yours. His teeth met his bottom lip and his eyes fell shut. You knew he was ready to release, but you weren’t going to let him off easy.

“Look at me” You called. Your ego growing with every sign of obedience from Lewis. His eyes watered a little, you knew you had him, and every thrust brought you both closer to your orgasm.

“Baby…” he whispered, his hand still in circular motions around your clit, his grip becoming weaker “Please” he begged, at no point breaking the eye contact you called for. Pleased with his submission, you mumbled: "Don't stop", and he understood the assignment. You both picked up the pace, his finger on your wet clit in circular motions and you on top of his cock, bouncing up and down.

Before you could say knife you felt your legs shaking, your whole body trembled as you released all your juices on Lewis' hand and cock, a loud moan leaving your throat, your voice echoing in the penthouse.

Sorry neighbours.

And with no time to digest the wonders that Lewis had done to your body, he quickly pushed you off him and you obeyed, his pulsating cock releasing right then and there, on his six-pack filled torso.

You were both breathing heavily, laying on your backs. The comfort of Lewis' bed took you in, your head pounding again from the intoxication, the large amount of alcohol still in your system. He chuckled slightly at the turn of events of that Monaco GP Sunday, his gaze never leaving his ceiling.

Eager and starving for more of you, Lewis found in his deep breaths strength to ask: "When do you leave?"

[randomfandomimagine]

My Thoughts On Ruin

The Amazing Devil’s new album is finally here!! I was looking forward to Ruin and I listened to it twice already (probably will buy it with some money I had saved) and I have a lot of thoughts. The Amazing Devil is my favorite band and it has become very important to me, but even though my expectations were very high, they did not dissapoint.

Feel free to tell me your thoughts too, lovelies, I’m definitely going to be fangirling about this for a while!

Secret Worlds

First of all, the first few notes were already a banger. The instruments sound amazing and to listen to Joey and Madeleine harmonizing a new song again is just magical.

I got super emotional when the chorus started, I almost started crying for real. I think it was because I’m listening to their new album, to that band that reminded me that I’m never alone, but that I’m strongh enough to face this on my own even if I don’t have to, to that band that made me feel seen because those people somehow reached my very soul with their music and lyrics, to that band that made me relate to people like never before.

There’s no need to say that the chorus is amazing despite my emotional state, right? It’s super catchy and the lyrics are amazing and the energy and the vibes are flawless.

The fire metaphor? ‘I’ll give you my fire’ and then ‘watch me burn’ *chefs kiss*

‘I look at those secret worlds you call eyes’ is such a cool lyric!

‘Cos I will suffer silence for the strings you tune And I’ll withstand what’s written for the writer in you’

‘Welcome to Ruin’ was a cool little adition that I enjoyed

With this song they perfectly emulated the vibes from THATW!

The Calling

That transition from song to song? It really feels like this one is the second part of the first one, so seamless!

Madeleine’s voice is a miracle, I’m so enamored with it

Once again, Joey being the second voice while Madeleine is the main one (or viceversa), I absolutely love when they do that, it’s so cool!

Those background noises of people talking and everything are very reminiscent of Love Run and New York Torch Song and I love it.

‘I’d burn so bright it blinded Now I know that light guided me here‘ dude that’s deep and I love it!

‘We’re both unwanted daughters’ Is that a reference to King? Hell yeah!

‘What’s changed I ask’  some of these lyrics have such a mysterious aura, ugh, so good! They manage to express so much with just a few words

‘But now my ink’s blood red not black’ That’s such a bold and epic lyric?

‘Cos I’m between that just one more and drank too much again’

‘Do you like my dress, it’s got pockets’ relatable af tbh

‘The rocks beneath my feet begin to crack’

Have I mentioned that Madeleine’s voice is a miracle? She goes off!!

The ending is so perfect, it’s full of energy and then it slowly fades

It also has this sort of medieval vibe, like the kind of song that you would hear in a medieval fair or something, and that’s a compliment!

Drinking Song For the Socially Anxious

That guitar riff at the beginning with Madeleine’s voice? Beautiful!

Their natural voices and sighs and them talking, it feels so intimate

‘Like a puppet with no strings Untangling my headphones cos sometimes they’re the only thing That keeps my head in place’ Excuse me? Who gave you the right to call me out like that? It really feels like they based that lyric on my life

‘So I’ll sing silence’ is the new ‘screaming in tune’ and I’m in love

‘Cos though my jokes are my armour And my kindness is my sword The party swirls around me in a dress I can’t afford And I do my best to breathe But they’re stealing all the air’

‘Because I don’t find this easy like you’ ooof that’s painfully relatable

‘It’s just sometimes nice to feel what it’s like to be in someone else’s coat’ ugh why do they get me so well?!

‘And we’re bursting at the seams Cos the noise is crushing us We think it’s so much worse than it seems But that voice unsaid is rushing us’  is literally my anxiety put into words

‘And in a moment of total rapture And with every strength I have I ask if you play D&D And your face lights up like you’ve woken up’ that just feels so cozy and domestic, like a story of a nerdy couple who know each other so well and try to be there for one another and I really have no words to describe how much that hits me in the feels

‘From this endless fucking nightmare of pretending this is you, This is us, this is me, this how we’re meant to be But your smile tells me I’m safe And that voice unspoken’s heard‘ more of that, please!

‘Cos if god make us all in his image Then god’s a fucking nerd’ I love that so much? 

‘In the back of a cab, like two puppets with no strings We share a pair of headphones, cos sometimes they’re the only things That keep our heads in place‘ I love the repetition with the little change, it tells so much about that relationship and its evolution and how they’re together through it all

I don’t usually enjoy these songs as much, I prefer the ‘Horror and the Wild’s over the ‘Showe Days’ even if I still adore these type of songs, but this one struck a nerve because I related way too much to it

It’s tender and has so much yearning but it’s so heartwarming in a way

I also love the little things like talking about memes and cats and dressing up the cat and everything, it feels very relatable

‘I totally messed it up’ ‘Did you?!’ ‘Like three times... for fuck’s sake!’ Joey Batey, please marry me, I love you! jk... unless? 😂

Blossoms

‘To the dark I said pour and forgot to say when’ another amazing lyric, this is all poetry!

This one has a haunting vibe that I quite enjoy, I think it’s the base of the guitar along with how they sing

‘As I make myself acquainted with the saint of never getting it right’  reminds me a lot of Farewell Wanderlust and lyrics like ‘just like rubbing wine stains into rugs it’s my curse to try and make it right, but by trying make it worse’

When the chorus breaks with those voices? Hell yeah! The song was already awesome, but it gets even better!

‘And the soldiers march behind me I can hear them beat their spears‘ kind of describes something like a war, and I think everyone can relate to feeling at war with themselves sometimes, it’s another amazing metaphor

‘And for the first time in all my life I know I’m more than what I fear’  this lyric is probably my favorite so far, another that I feel describes me too accurately

The violin! It’s one of my favorite instruments, and I get super hyped whenever it sounds in any of the songs, but in here it’s especially epic!

Joey screaming in tune is honestly so poetic

‘And I run (love run) And I run (love run) And I scream out to the sky‘ has bits of Not Yet / Love Run and I smiled so wide because that one’s my favorite song of all time right now

Chords

Oooooh, this one reminds me a lot of other songs! It has chords that sound kind of like Marbles but also has the softness of Fair and it feels a lot like Welly Boots with the emotions!

‘Remember today you are loved’ aaaw I think that’s something everyone needs to hear every now in a while, just like ‘I know you’re strong enough to do this on your own’

‘Think back to days in hidden caves’  this one feels so hopeful and inspiring, like there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, you may stay hidden in caves for a long time, but you’ll eventually get out of them

It really feels like two parents singing about their love for their child and how they need to let them go in order to let them live, even if they don’t want to leave them. It’s heartwarming and yet a bit sad and beautiful all at once

‘You can’t rehearse the chorus’ another lyric that got me in the feels

‘But know we’ll sing your name when you come home’

‘You are your own magician’ this one kinda blew my mind and I love it

I love that they mention waves like in Battle Cries and That Unwanted Animal, but now it feels like just a memory and not a struggle like they felt in those other songs

‘Ah bollocks to your waves’ made me laugh, they really know how to give all the emtions, huh? Make you emotional, make you sad, make you happy, amuse you...

When it breaks I fell in love with this song even more

‘Walk into your waves my loves Tell them all your names’ is like facing your fears and I’m here for it!

‘Cos life begins by leaving And our love is shown in the letting go’  brb crying :’)

The Old Witch Sleep and the Good Man Grace

This one feels so melancholic, and I’m into it!

That whispered ‘it’s ok’ omg!

‘They’re just shadows searching for light’ duuuuuuuude!

‘Tomorrow’s jokes have yet to be laughed at or said’

I really enjoy this paused pace, it lets you immerse yourself in the music

How it absolutely breaks, almost startling you after a brief pause? Epic!

‘You’re better than this’ Joey going off with his singing, omg! Get it!

‘I can’t do this (you can)’ I really have no words, these lyrics really reach my heart and my soul and something deep inside my being

‘You’re not a coward cos you cower You brave because they broke you Yet broken still you breathe So breathe, breathe just breathe’

That change in pace? Um, yes, please! I’m all for it!

Joey’s raspy voice is so damn attractive and it makes the song even better somehow when you thought it couldn’t improve

‘Cos I’m not trapped With you you see You’re the one who’s Trapped with me’  I’m... literally speechless

The vibes are all over the place! I love how it feels like giving up at first, but it becomes angry and feral and powerful aggresive and it’s so good?

It also kind of feels like the opposite point of view of That Unwanted Animal, like a direct response to Madeleine singing that song

‘Sometimes I fall to pieces Just to see what bits of me don’t fit’ Oh, OH!

How it slowly builds up, little by little, and his voice grows with it too

Joey showing his vocal talents at the end there, his voice is seriously something else and I can’t be more in love with it and with him

‘And I will take my fucking time, cause I know’

This might be my favorite, and that’s saying a lot, because the first two were absolute bangers and I really loved the others as well

Ruin

The beginning is already saying a lot. Flies sound and you feel like it’s going to be dark and gritty but then you hear the rain and the piano starts and you’re like what?

And then the sound of rain somehow feels softer and a mixture between cozy and sad and there’s also birds chirping and it’s wonderful

As always, Madeleine’s voice is absolutely angelical

For some reason, this song is reminding me of Pride & Prejudice!

Not what I was expecting, honestly, they hit us with the misdirect. I thought it would be like Horror and The Wild, all feral and everything, but it’s kind of soft in a heartbreaking way

‘I will bring you ruin, In everything I do, It’s never my intention but it happens all the same’ TOT

Joey joining in, I’m absolutely going to cry

‘We didn’t talk. We made universes’

‘In the wreck of all we burnt Stands our piano like a wound I play our song To see if it’s in tune’  is so heartbreaking and hopeful, like things are worth fighting for despite being in ruins sometimes

‘Nothing quite prepared me for When that piano sang again’ I’m actually going to cry!

‘You’ll make me brave’  fuck it’s so beautiful!! I can’t handle it!!

Inkpot Gods

Their voices harmonizing again is the defintion of music, it’s so perfect and right and beautiful

‘Oh what these, these aren’t tears, It’s just the rain that wasn’t brave enough to fall’  POETRY 👏

That silence after the word is spoken!!! Literal chills!!

‘And what you hear is not silence It’s just the trees waiting to hear what next you’ll hum And what you see is not the dark It’s just the gods upturning inkpots Cos they know what you’ll become’

They way it repeats at the end and very slowly fades gives me such a specific feeling that I can’t really put into words, I just know it deeply moves me

What a way to end the album! It left me so sad and emotional and those last lyrics really stuck with me 

‘If I don’t make it back from where I’ve gone Just know I loved you all along’  Literally shedding tears, literally crying

Also, this song reminds me a lot of one of my original fiction projects that actually started after I was inspired by the song The Horror and the Wild and it fits so well with what I had planned for it, so it’s got a special place in my heart now even more than before

Last thoughts:

I absolutely loved it! It was everything I dreamed of and more, with all the things that make The Amazing Devil great but like doubled! Right now I feel like I enjoyed The Horror and the Wild more, but I think it’s just because I’m not familiar with Ruin yet and I’m too impatient to start singing along to them and memorizing the lyrics and everything. Nonetheless, I know Ruin is the only thing I’m going to listen to for literal days and weeks.

Joey and Madeleine and everyone involved just have a special magic, a special skill to be able to express so much with this music, to masterfully combine the lyrics and the voices and the instruments to create such a unique and wonderful experience filled with emotions, because you understand they’re trying to tell stories and they absolutely do, it feels like they’re trying to reach people through these songs, and they’ve definitely reached me and my very soul.

Favorite songs: Secret Worlds and The Calling

[moonstarinfinity]

✨TXT Group Astrological Chart Analysis✨

What is TXT like as a group? How does their group astrology affect their music, their relationships within the group as a whole, and how they harness success and popularity?

Lets explore their group chart, and find out!

💫 Chart Patterns

First their chart patterns: TXT has a bundle chart concentrated in the Western Hemisphere of their chart and basically this means that they have a very focused and intense energy around them. This energy is likely felt when they perform on stage and helps them attract opportunities for their group. They tend to be exceptionally resourceful and talented, and reap a lot of awards. This can be seen in things like being the highest charting debut group at their time of debut, and their exceptional amount of award nominations and wins as a rookie group. Most recently their comeback is scheduled for May 31st, 2021 and it was reported that they sold more than 520,000 pre-orders for their new album within just 6 days of it being announced. No doubt they will continue to reap rewards and be successful based on their chart patterns alone.

💫 Personal Planets

Sun in Pisces - 6th House

Let me preface this with: Holy heck this placement makes a ton of sense. TXT has a tendency to create other worlds and they are fantastic story tellers. They use metaphors and imagery to connect to their fans, and Pisces Suns are all about being in the world, but not necessarily of this world.

They literally have a song about imagination called "Blue Hour" and Pisces is all about imagination. This placement is the heart of TXT and you can see it's influence heavily in their music and concepts.

Pisces Suns tend to connect to alternate dimensions and explore them to bring back information and understanding. This allows them to connect and help humanity heal, and I know this is more on the metaphysical side of astrology, but I agree that TXT uses their bring colors, stories, and imagination to help people feel understood and to help others see things in a different way.

Now Sun in the 6th is all about routine and health, and this placement displays in their desire to improve the world around them. Pisces is a very nurturing energy in this space, and the Sun is about illumination. It's a very selfless placement and can indicate a massive desire to help others and is also seen as a spiritual placement. One could say they connect to people on a spiritual or soul level through their music.

Within the group this placement helps them to work together well and they all are very caring and helpful with each other. It helps to form a stronger bond between members, and they often times help each other heal while performing and creating. It's a very team oriented placement, and very selfless, which is great for a group. They tend to put work first, which makes sense...because this is a chart for their group.

Moon in Aquarius - 5th House

UNIQUE. That is the definition of an Aquarius. In the 5th house this is especially noticeable because this is the placement that expresses their uniqueness. There's just something about TXT that makes them seem so different...and this placement is part of that.

Aquarius in the 5th can be a rebel, and often times is not afraid to do what feels right for them, even if it feels out of the norm, or is somewhat of a risk. We can see this in TXT's unique sound and dualistic approach to their music.

The 5th house is also about creativity, and there is ZERO lack of creativity for TXT. The Moon being here allows for them to use creativity to express their emotions, as well as help others feel their emotions that are placed into these creative outlets.

The moon in Aquarius loves to be around friends. There is nurturing in feeling a part of the team for each member of TXT, and this is a tight knit friend group that is much more than just coworkers. They feel free and comfortable amongst each other, and this vibe also makes their fans feel cared for like they are their best friends.

This placement can be seen as a trailblazing and independent placement that allows for freedom of expression and emotions in unique and vibrant ways. It creates that friendly, bring, and sometimes even hilarious nature to TXT as a whole.

Ascendant in Virgo - 1st House

Organized. Reliable. Grounded. This is how the group operates. They tend to be very good about making sure that they are doing what is needed, when it is needed. They also are a support system. Not only for their fans, but amongst themselves as well. This creates a really strong foundation. Virgo generally rules the 6th house of routine, health, and coworkers. This really helps ground and bring a down to earth vibe to the team. With their high energy and placements that can tend to be in the clouds a lot, this helps to bring their ideas back down to the ground.

Sometimes the group can have a hard time with trying to maintain their expectations of perfection with this placement. Virgo tends to be perfectionistic and almost too structured when it's in the first house. Thankfully their sun and moon placements DEFINITELY balance this out. They often times have to lean more into those placements to offset the stress that this ascendant can bring.

They are likely VERY hard on themselves when schedules don't go as planned, mistakes are made, or they are in a rut. Time is really important to this placement, but thankfully it also helps them create plans and stick to their schedule.

They are honest and extremely stable because of this placement, which sets them up to be around for a long time. Which is exactly what we like to hear and see when we look at group placements. They also LOVE to work with this placement, and because they are living their passions it's a very harmonious placement as a group.

Observant, intelligent, and love to share knowledge and wisdom. This displays in their music. They are clever with their lyrics, concepts, and sound. This placement really supports their Moon's need to create new things, and creates a stable feeling when experimenting.

Mercury in Pisces - 7th House

This is the placement that shows what their content is about and how they like to communicate, and what they like to communicate about. First of all let me just say this is the 7th house. Mercury in the 7th is all about communicating love, commitment, partnership, and beauty.

Mercury in Pisces as a group expresses through lyrics and sounds that are soulful, deep, intuitive, and compassionate. In this case extremely compassionate.

Pisces is DEEP and it's usually about your inner world, so as a group they have a deep understanding of the inner workings when it comes to relationships, love, and beauty.

This is a naturally artistic placement and is SUPER conductive for art and music. It's like a supercharge for their sound. This creates melodies, lyrics, and visuals (music videos, concepts, art, etc.) that are extremely attractive. Think about how "Runaway" was so catchy right out the gate and how the music video was super aesthetically pleasing.

This is why their music videos and concepts are so visually stunning. This is why their songs are so catchy. This is why you can listen to the same song over and over.

As a group they also may be less likely to be direct with their lyrics (hence why they use storytelling and metaphor) because Mercury is technically muted in Pisces. I don't really see this as a negative for a musical group though, because honestly it just makes them that much more magnetic.

Venus in Aquarius - 5th House

ENERGY. This is a placement that exudes energy, and we can see this reflected in their upbeat and catchy music style. They love to make songs that are high energy, and that you can dance to.

This is a very good placement for love and in Aquarius this is the love of a team, of the group, and a love for their fans. It's all about love and living life to the fullest.

They have a HUGE desire to create ultimate happiness. They use their music as a way to spread positive vibes, and to help people feel pumped up, or cared for.

This also brings a very playful nature to the group. This placement can be seen in songs such as "Cat & Dog." Bright colors, childlike wonder, humor. It's all a part of this placement.

They love to work as a team, and they find that in their team they are more inspired and create more freely than when they are on their own. It brings them energy and drive and passion to work together.

This placement also makes sense with how young they all were at debut, and even as they get older, their music will continue to draw in people that are younger than them. They are fresh and playful. Think the flirting with a crush vibe, and that's what this placement is for them.

Mars in Taurus - 8th House

Mars in Taurus is all about strength and stability. But in the 8th house this can almost come off as overly aggressive. Sometimes their passion can be very strong and this can cause there to be a lot of fire under them.

This is actually good for the most part because it can help them be expressive, and they actually have a great outlet for all of their passion. It simply means that as a while they have a lot of passion and as long as they channel it into their music and art, then it's a powerhouse placement.

They do need to make sure they are keeping any materialism and greed in check, but thankfully it's not really just their choice as a group when it comes to what they do. Ultimately since this is a group placement they are less likely to give in to the shadow sides of this placement.

It can actually benefit them to communicate about struggles with materialism, drama, and their outspoken nature through their music. They generally HAVE to share these things, and they will find that the more that they grow the more that they transform, and this is something that they find is necessary to communicate.

They can be influenced by those around them, so pressure from society or other groups can be a little hard to navigate at times, so there is a challenge to stay true to themselves, and to let go of styles, and people that aren't meant for them.

This is another HIGHLY spiritual placement. They love to explore the occult, mysteries, puzzles, paranormal, and the spiritual world. Just look at their entire collection as a whole and you can see these influences playing a HUGE part in their work.

They are led to follow their instincts, and their instincts are usually right. Their purpose as a group is to live authentically as themselves and to use their power as a way to live their fullest potential. To follow their passions and to let themselves transform as a group over time. This is what will keep them going and will give them the greatest success as a whole.

Jupiter in Sagittarius - 4th House

This is so lucky. Like I'm jealous of this group placement honestly. Jupiter is at home in Sagittarius and it is the planet of luck, abundance, and expansion. Think BIG. They attract luck, opportunities, and abundance.

Confidence, positivity, enthusiasm, optimism. This brings all of those things too. Yet another placement that helps them with that energetic, upbeat sound.

The 4th house is all about family, and this means that they value family and with this being Jupiter and Sagittarius they see the whole world as home. They see their fans as their family, and their music as their creations.

Speaking of creations they are aspected to have a LOT of creations. They probably are constantly creating, even when they are not having a comeback. These creations tend to also continually bring more and more people to them.

This placement makes them appealing among a worldwide scale and for large crowds because they make people feel like they are a part of their family. They love seeking the largest scale of possibilities for outreach, and this is part of why they are recognized around the world.

They have boundless energy, and this is wonderful for them, but they also need to make sure that at times they are taking a step back and looking at the big picture. They need to respond to their intuition, but they also need to make sure they are taking calculated risks.

Saturn in Capricorn - 4th House

This is all about ambition and making your mark. Saturn is not necessarily happy in the 4th house, and it can feel overbearing sometimes for the group to go the traditional route.

This placement directly conflicts with their needs and desires to go against the grain and be unique. It can be very difficult for them at times to ignore what other people expect of them, and they may feel like the weight is on their shoulders as a group sometimes.

This is a challenge in the sense that they often have to break away from making things appealing based on what they already know. They need to challenge this placement and be nurturing towards their creations. At times they may find that they are drawn to play it safe when it comes to emotions and their stability.

A challenge for them is definitely to go with the flow, and to not give in to their perfectionistic ways when it comes to safety. Things in life constantly change, and playing it safe will often times make them feel trapped or uninspired if they let it.

Saturn is helping them to build maturity, a foundation, and a "family" with their fans slowly over time. We will see their music develop and mature as they get older, along with them as people.

They will always have a sense of responsibility, and they need to make sure they don't take that feeling too seriously. It's about learning to be responsible, while still staying nurturing and loving as a group.

All of this development is also seen on a global scale, as far as they will continue to grow in fan base size, and this will increase their feelings of responsibility, and continue to challenge them as a group. (This is due to Jupiter being here.) Thankfully they have so many lighthearted and loving placements to lean into, that this is a beneficial grounding force for them as a whole.

One piece of advice for TXT: You are already loved and appreciated and successful. Allow yourselves to be children at heart. Keep expressing your inner children in your music, and know that your fans are here to support you. You are not responsible for the world, or for everyone else. Find happiness and fulfillment by continuing to express your hopes, fears, dreams, and emotions through your creations.

💫 Transpersonal Planets:

Uranus in Aries - 8th House

This is a boss placement! This is the placement that drives them to go where nobody has gone before. They are visionaries as a group. They are instigators of change, and they love to blaze their own path as a group. They may partake in using new technologies, diving into projects that have never been seen before, and creating new ways of doing things.

They NEED their freedom. They are courages, brave, daring as a group. They don't fear much when it comes to change and being different.

They have strong view points as a group and sometimes can be a little stubborn when challenged, but ultimately it's because they are meant to go their own way and be different. They are meant to defy tradition and go against the grain.

They may at times break taboos or traditions, and this can be a challenge for them if they either let their Saturn placement stifle them, or on the other end, if they don't observe before acting. Their impatience could potentially cause them to jump too soon, or to do things in a rush, so they need to make sure to slow down sometimes, but to continue to chase the new.

Neptune in Pisces - 6th House

"'Cause imagination, in that moment. Can you feel the rush? Freeze this moment." - Blue Hour. This is exactly what this placement is about.

Neptune in Pisces blurs the lines between imagination and reality. They have a way of bringing dreams and imagination to life. Really this is their entire chart basically. Like it's just part of who they are.

This is what brings the magic to their music. It allows them to really infuse their music and work with imagination and dreams. It's an ideal placement for working in art, music, emotions, and the subconscious. It's another spiritual placement, so again they may speak on metaphysical things or show imagery related to the spiritual side of life and the inner world.

They will not likely create music that has to do with normal life things. They don't generally do the "normal" stuff and their topics will always be very deep and transformational.

As a group when relating to their careers as a whole, they need to make sure that they take care of the practical stuff sometimes. Thankfully they have managers and staff that help them with this, so they have a lot of freedom and less challenges when it comes to the more difficult parts of this placement.

Pluto in Capricorn - 4th House

This is a beautiful placement honestly. It gives them the drive to be efficient and bring their ideas to life. This is the placement of determination and achievement. This is resourceful and will give them an organized approach to success.

The downside is that they may tend to clash with authority and control. They may need to find ways to slow down, and build over time instead of trying to do everything at once. They need to be careful not to cut corners, and they need to make sure they are doing things one step at a time, instead of trying to rush to the finish line on projects.

They can find that they have exceptional focus and are able to harness their ideas and energies and emotions and use them to propel their group. They have always, and will continue to, skyrocket in success, especially if they can continue to ground their ideas while allowing themselves to be creatively and emotionally free.

Their music will help people break free from societal norms when it comes to control and power. It encourages people to be free, childlike, and to express their own viewpoints and feelings.

💫 Aspects:

Cancer North Node - 11th House

For group astrology this tells us the group's impact on the world and what the purpose of the group is.

This placement tells us that TXT has a destiny to nurture themselves and their fans and to help people to trust their intuition. To express their emotions and dreams, and to find a place within themselves that feels like home.

Let go of control and know that the earth is still beneath your feet, even when you allow yourself to fly. Believe in wonder and imagination, encourage your inner children and don't always try to be the responsible one.

They encourage people to soften and be playful and loving. That's their ultimate purpose. To create a safe space and help people heal and connect to themselves emotionally, and to be their own home regardless of what is going on in the world.

Finally they teach the world about loving, and authentic friendships, about what real community is, and how to find your tribe of people.

Aries Chiron - 7th House

Basically with this chiron placement the group gives people a place to feel a sense of inclusion. They help people feel as thought they have a purpose. To make those who feel like outcasts, feel like they belong. As a whole the group is inclusive and has a childlike energy. This energy attracts the inner children. This can attract other people with Chiron in Aries in order to help them heal. This is how they use this placement to their advantage.

Now as a group they may also seek approval at all costs, and they rely a lot on MOA to support them. They are very sensitive to bad feedback and criticism and would have a hard time if their group took a hit in any way via media. They may get discouraged sometimes as a group if they don't feel like they performed well, and this can cause tension within the group, but if they channel this into their music it will give them the boost they need to move forward.

Aries is very upbeat, so their music is naturally upbeat to offset the Aries and 7th house Chiron wounds that they attract. This can help people by getting them to dance and expend energy that is no longer needed, and their lyrics are usually about growing up and fitting in, while learning how to be yourself, which is exactly what the Aries Chiron needs.

They also have Chiron in the 7th house which means that they attract the energy of people who feel like something is missing. Which means that TXT as a group treats their fans like their best friends or relationship. MOA literally is TXT's significant other. that's what completes them and allows them to continue making music and helping others heal these wounds.

They have a strong focus on friendship (see North Node in the 11th, and their Aquarius placements in the 5th) and this can also help those with the 7th house Chiron to feel included and to fill the void they feel just a little because it shows that someone else understands them, and their need to feel included in a personal relationship.

Midheaven (MC) - Gemini

It should come as ZERO shock that this placement indicates a career in public influence.

They are meant to drive others and inspire passion when it comes to their world views and interests. They are meant to communicate their thoughts and feelings and emotions on a large, public scale.

Global change through their music. Their lyrics, sound, and aesthetics reach on a global scale in order to inspire and change the world.

💫 SUMMARY:

Hopefully this gives you an idea of who TXT is as a whole. They are a transformative, upbeat, passionate, and impactful group. They connect to childlike, playful, and energetic personalities. It's their purpose to help people become inspired, imaginative, and to connect to their inner worlds on an emotional and transformational level. They are extremely talented and lucky as a whole, and as long as they keep following their passions and hearts they will continue to grow and be a game changing group. We've attached their group natal chart below for anyone who is curious as to what it looks like.

Now go Stan TXT, listen to all of their albums, and enjoy their new comeback: "0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You.)"

🎶✨💜

[jeongjaebae]

No mistletoe required

⇢ Jaehyun x reader  ⇢ 9.3k | AO3 ⇢ a cute and funny holiday college AU (lowkey enemies to lovers)

To your utter surprise and dismay, there's your neighbour. The one directly across from you who keeps turning the decorating into a competition, who happens to be setting up the next batch of lights on their door at this very moment. And that kind of ruins the previously good mood you were in, so you open the door to give them a piece of your mind. 

Why are you still here? Why are you still putting up decorations? Why are you turning this into a competition that I never asked to join— 

"Why are you shirtless." 

Or: There were three things you did not expect to encounter this holiday season. The first was to have someone else staying on campus over the winter break with you. The second, to have this person as your neighbour who tries to one-up you in Christmas decorations. The third, that this said neighbour would be hot.

Not going home for the holidays really wasn't the worst thing in the world. In fact, part of you was looking forward to doing whatever the heck you wanted without your roommates in the dorm, and not having any extended family members around to lie about having a good GPA or significant other to. Not that your GPA wasn't good, but the significant other category might need some work. Either way, you were excited to be able to finally bake Christmas cookies, decorate the entire apartment, and marathon your list of Christmas movies all while wearing your comfiest (ugliest) clothes and being sufficiently inebriated. There would be no one around to judge you while you screamed the lyrics to All I want for Christmas is You while dancing around in your pajamas. There would be no one around you for miles as even the RAs go home for the holidays.

It was like a dream come true.

"Today's going to be the day the rest of the door decorations go up," you announce to no one in particular. That's definitely another benefit of being all alone in this residence building—you could talk to yourself without sounding crazy. "They are long overdue so let's get this party started!"

There really weren't too many decorations left in your possession. You'd brought only a few things from home when you first moved in, like the cute ornament that looked exactly like your dog back home, a bow (for your hair but holiday decor takes priority right now), and a string of fairy lights that was originally for decorating your room but will now be taped onto the front door because you refuse to lose this unspoken decorations contest to the neighbour directly across from you.

This contest had begun a couple of weeks ago when you and your roommates had first put up a wreath on the door. It was already December at that point, so it wasn't exactly too early to start with the decorations, but with finals coming up none of the other students had decorated their doors. You'd thought the wreath that your roommate Rose brought was such a nice touch to remind everyone that the holidays were coming soon and that you'd all pull through with finals. Just a sign of hope and love and all the warm and coziness that you loved about Christmastime.

So when you opened the door later that afternoon and saw an identical wreath on your neighbour's door, you were stunned. You almost thought they stole it at first, but then seeing how yours was still there, that made you question some things. Maybe it was just a coincidence that they happened to have the same wreath, and they only put it up when they were reminded by seeing your wreath.

That was the first time, anyway.

A few days later, your roommates had brought out some pretty Christmas lights to wrap around the wreath. Again, it was just to lift the spirits of everyone during the dreadful time that is finals season. So you guys wrapped the lights carefully around the wreath, making sure that no one would trip on extension cords or anything like that. It ended up looking really nice and you were kind of proud of your festive door.

Until you saw your neighbour's door that also had an added string of Christmas lights.

Even worse, theirs did not simply wrap around the wreath like yours did but framed the entire door instead. It was as if they drew around the door frame with a highlighter because now all the attention would go straight to their door and leave yours completely drowned out.

The third time it happened was with the ornaments. You'd put your dog ornament on the wreath along with the other objects that your roommates had brought, some of which were pretty questionable (Rose's sparkly bottle cap, Jihyo's homemade felt gingerbread man, and Miyeon's earring?), but the overall vibe was still nice. It made the hallway feel more Christmassy than before and you knew that your copycat neighbour would not be able to mimic this.

But somehow they did.

You'd been trying to catch a glimpse of this lame neighbour through the peephole of your door all day, but the moment you stepped away for a much needed bathroom break, that's when their ornaments went up. You had come back from your under 30 seconds of a break and looked through the peephole and gawked at those twinkling ornaments—proper Christmas ornaments! The neighbour had hung them on the string of lights framing the door so that the lights bounced off and looked even brighter, shinier, warmer.

It also made you want to punch a wall.

That had been the week before finals. Your roommates were out of decorations at that point and you wanted to channel your anger into studying, so nothing had been done about the decorations. Unsurprisingly, your neighbours also did not add anything else to their door decor, which definitely squashed any chance of coincidence.

But now that everyone has gone home for the winter break, you were determined to put up the most extravagant decorations and have your neighbours come back to their defeat. The fairy lights in your room were ready for the world to see as you blasted a playlist of Christmas songs at decibels much higher than normally allowed. You had the tape in hand and were ready to go into battle. The door still had a ton of space below the wreath, so you started there and created a Christmas tree shape with the lights, taping them at every corner with the little battery holder acting as a base of the tree. Your bow hair accessory went at the very stop as a makeshift star, and you ripped out a sheet from your spiral lab notebook and cut off the ripped side to use as tinsel for this makeshift tree. It looked nice and cute and was definitely cooler than any traditional decorations.

"Okay, now that that's done I can finally get on with the Christmas cookies," you say to yourself.

The rest of the day was spent on baking some cute sugar cookies using Miyeon's cookie cutters of various non-holiday shapes, and some red and green food colouring which turned your icing into pink and green. So much for Christmas vibes. They were still cute though.

But just after you put the cookies in the oven, that's when you hear the creaking of a door and some shuffling sounds. You even turn down your music the slightest bit to hear what was going on because who could possibly still be here in this building? You had been certain that everyone would be going home and you hadn't heard a sound in days.

To your utter surprise and dismay, there's your neighbour. The one directly across from you who keeps turning the decorating into a competition, who is setting up the next batch of lights on their door at this very moment. You watch for a few seconds through the peephole as this mysterious competitor adjusts the lights on the door just slightly below the wreath, so all you could see was a hand.

And that kind of ruins the previously good mood you were in, so you open the door to give them a piece of your mind.

Why are you still here? Why are you still putting up decorations? Why are you turning this into a competition that I never asked to join—

"Why are you shirtless." You eye him up and down, the sight in front of you temporarily distracting you from the long speech you were planning on bombarding him with. "Um, that's so rude? You're basically giving everyone totally unsolicited naked pictures of you and your...abs, embedded into their minds forever."

That doesn't seem to startle him at all, as he simply stares back at you without missing a beat. "And," he looks at you up and down too, "your ugly Christmas sweater will be ingrained into my mind forever."

"Excuse you?" You weren't even wearing an ugly Christmas sweater though; this was just one of your regular cozy sweaters. "Well, is it hot in here or is it just you?" you spit out, the words dripping with sass.

Wait. What.

That came out totally wrong and was not at all how it sounded in your head.

He pauses for a second too but just breaks into a chuckle. "Why, thank you."

"I meant hot! In your apartment! You're the only one feeling the heat since you're clearly hot enough to be shirtless in the middle of winter!"

The corners of his lips raise the slightest bit along with an eyebrow, and that's when you knew he caught on to the last bit of what you said. "I'm hot enough to be shirtless?"

"You are not hot, okay? Like, opposite of hot. You're so freezing cold that I am going to leave before I get hypothermia" you lied through your teeth. Anyone who could say that he's not hot would be lying but that doesn't mean you'd ever admit it.

"So I'm too cool for you?"

"Bye, boy."

And with that you slam your door shut and collapse right against it.

That's the neighbour who's been secretly competing against your holiday decor? You hadn't pictured anyone in particular when you thought about the lame neighbour putting up decorations on their door, but this guy has got to be the farthest thing possible from anything in your realm of expectations. Even though you spent most of that interaction avoiding looking at him at all, you definitely saw enough. More like too much. But surely a guy who looks like every girl's quarterback frat boy crush with muscles like The Rock couldn't possibly be interested in being less than five feet away from Christmas decorations? And what was he still doing here anyways, away from all the friends and family back home?  

On top of that, now you had to continue this dumb contest for the rest of the break since you refused to let someone like that win at this.

***

The next day consisted of waking up to a drained laptop battery, your list of Christmas movies marked as complete, and no memory of having watched any of them because you'd fallen asleep near the beginning of the movie marathon. Cookies were left half eaten on the plate with crumbs everywhere and your mug had stains from the dried remnants of hot chocolate. It takes you a minute to collect yourself and for a good while, you'd forgotten about the awkward encounter with shirtless neighbour.

Until you hear him singing.

It wasn't a song that you recognized but that didn't matter because you were dazed. Firstly, that boy could sure sing. Yesterday his talking voice hadn't left any impressions on you probably because he hadn't said much and you were too busy noticing the insults that came out of that mouth, but his singing voice today is a whole different story. It's fairly deep but somehow still soft, and its timbre fits perfectly with the smooth R&B song he's singing. Of course you'd never admit it, but this was such a turn on and you did not know how to handle this information.

And secondly, it turns out the walls were not as soundproof as you thought, which meant he probably heard everything from your high notes screaming session to you talking to yourself about beating that dumbass neighbour at this stupid decorating contest. It was embarrassing, to say the least, but on the other hand, if he'd heard you through the walls then maybe he would know better than to sing and risk having you hear. Well, unless he's turning that into a competition too which may be a good possibility given how competitive he seems.

After eating an abnormally late breakfast at 3pm, you went to take out the large pile of trash that was overflowing the garbage can. It was long overdue but had just become an object in the background as everyone went through finals in the past few weeks. In short, it stank and was ruining your holiday mood.

There was something else that was ruining your holiday mood though. The first thing you see when you open the door to go take out the garbage... was your shirtless neighbour. Only he wasn't shirtless this time; he had a tee on but was still exposing those toned arms as he was, to your disbelief, still putting up some more decorations on their door. It seems like he actually did not copy your fairy lights idea yesterday because today he's taping up Christmas gift wrapping paper on the door. As if his apartment was a gift to anyone! You were sure that was a fire hazard or something but there were no RAs around to even report this to.

He freezes when you open your door and makes the most awkward eye contact with you for a few seconds too long.

"Wow, nice to see you in a shirt today," you say with heavy sarcasm dripping off those words. "Feeling kind of cold?"

"Nice to see you too." He doesn't take the bait but entirely changes the subject, a neutral but inviting expression on his face. "Hey, are your roommates here too?" And the dimples. Ugh, you could not look away from the dimples.

"What?" You pause. "Why?"

"Oh it's nothing, but I just keep hearing you talking to someone."

That's when it was your turn to freeze like a deer in headlights.

The thin walls. The singing this morning. Was it all so that he could make fun of you talking to yourself?!

"Excuse you? Just so you know, I still have more decorations that are much better than your corny wallpaper here. You aren't a gift, boy."

He simply chuckles but then gives you such a blinding smile. You hadn't paid attention to his face yesterday but with the shirt on today, it was a little easier to observe this competitive neighbour. And his smile, wow. "I'll be looking forward to seeing those."

Then you close the door and completely forgot about taking out the trash. Not the way this happens each time because of how much he infuriates you! But now it was too late to go out there because you'd be forced to run into him again, so you decided to wait until after he was done his door.

***

The video call comes at a good time as you'd finished a couple of Christmas movies and your fancy homecooked dinner of mac and cheese. It's not unexpected as your best friend and roommate, Rose, probably has some updates for you after her wild family gatherings.

"Hey, girl! How's it going?" You pick up on the first ring. You were surprisingly glad for the human interaction after being alone for nearly a week, but you suspect that her main motive for calling was to sneak away from her family holiday party.

"Wow, look at you all dressed up in festive pajamas!" She squeals. "They're so cute!"

"Thanks girl! Gotta be festive around here." Maybe you'd be embarrassed if it were anyone else on that video call, especially if they were all dressed up like Rose today, but she's been your best friend since middle school and you've all seen each other in plenty of embarrassing outfits on the daily. "How's your holiday going?"

"It's been good but pretty tiring. You would not believe the amount of drama my cousin has been trying to start." Rose breaks out into a chuckle. "But how have you been surviving there all alone without us?"

"Christmas movie marathons and cookies all day! It's been so nice to finally get a break from school and people, you know? Oh, except there's this annoying neighbour still here who keeps trying to compete with me for best decorated door or something." You roll your eyes. "Can you believe it? Who would do such a thing?"

"Oh, he's still doing that?"

"Yeah, unfortunately? I keep running into him too, like every time I step out—wait. You know him?"

She stares at you for just a second too long before responding. "W-what do you mean?"

"You asked if he's still here, but I hadn't even mentioned this neighbour's gender or anything yet."

"Oh nah," she brushes it off, "I didn't mean anyone specific but... Y/N?"

"Yes?"

Her voice drops down to a whisper as she leans in towards the camera. "Are you talking about Jaehyun?"

"Jaehyun?"

"You know, the one who looks like he should be walking the runway even in sweats and a tee."

You don't say anything but shoot her a questioning look.

"Oh come on. Broad shoulders, toned arms, probably has abs. Dimples and a nice face to top it off?"

"His name is Jaehyun?" you say lamely. "Wow, I was expecting something cooler. Like even Jay or something."

"So he is who you were talking about? Isn't he so hot?"

"Well," you hesitate. You would never admit that you actually saw the abs that she was imagining. Or that he does indeed belong at a photoshoot way more than he does in front of his door hanging ornaments. "He's okay I guess?"

"Just okay?"

You nod slowly. "Why? Don't tell me you... like him or something."

"What? No, Y/N, of course not! He's in my bio tutorial and we happened to bump into each other while walking back to the dorm one day, but that's it. Nothing to worry about."

"Okay, sure?" you say, unconvinced.

"Seriously! He's interested in someone else, okay?"

"You guys are close enough for him to tell you that?"

"I—" Rose stops and turns around to look behind her. "Shoot, my cousin found me. Sorry Y/N, I gotta go! Bye—"

Then the call ends. Even though you definitely did not see her cousin in the background.

It was nice to talk to your best friend again, but that conversation leaves you feeling strange. You're confused as to why she would word vomit about how hot Jaehyun was, then immediately try to convince you that she didn't like him in that way. You've all had crushes throughout the years and told each other eagerly about them, so why was she adamantly denying this one? If this had been a conversation in person, you'd probably be able to tell whether she was telling the truth or not based on the appearance or absence of stars in her eyes, but it was difficult to tell since it was a low quality video call after all. Maybe you'll grill her about it once she gets back.

That wasn't all though. There was a feeling you couldn't quite pinpoint, but it wasn't positive. Maybe you were slightly bothered by the fact that Rose hadn't told you about this crush? Or maybe you were feeling left out because she somehow knew this rival neighbour really well while you were left in the dark, trying to figure out who kept copying your Christmas decorations. That's probably it—you were disappointed that Rose hadn't told you that she knew the culprit all along!

Then another thought hits you when you're least expecting it. He's single. It's something that never even crossed your mind since you just started assuming that hot people at this age were all off the market and you'd die all alone. Not that him being single has anything to do with you not dying alone, but maybe Rose has a chance now if she really liked him. Nah, she's too good for a cutthroat Christmas decorator like him.

After washing your stack of dirty dishes in the sink, you finally take out the trash but not before checking for enemies through the peephole. Luckily enough, shirtless neighbour, Jaehyun, was not there. Unfortunately enough, his door actually looked quite nice with the wrapping paper on it. He chose one on the simpler side so that it wouldn't clash with the ornaments but it matched with the lights on the doorframe so well that it made you feel warm and fuzzy inside for just a second until you remembered whose door this was.

And then you remembered the bluff you so confidently stated earlier today.

So now you find yourself staring at the storage box at the top shelf of your closet because of that bluff you'd made so confidently earlier. The reality was that you weren't sure if you even had anything useful in this storage box but had to check for the sake of that bluff. You refused to lose to him at decorating, but even more than that, you refused to admit that he was right. So up the step ladder you went, standing so carefully as to not tip over and fall while dragging down everything with you. The top shelf was still quite high despite your height boost and tiptoes were still needed to reach the big cardboard box. You hoped that it was at least light but don't quite remember what you'd packed in there, so you grabbed it by the two sides and began slowly shifting it towards the edge of the shelf.

The last thing you register was hearing your own voice. Screaming very loudly.

Adrenaline coursing, blood roaring, heart pounding. You don't feel the impact as you hit the carpeted floor, nor the step ladder and the storage box and all the other items in your closet tumbling after you. It becomes a big mess on the floor of your room, looking like the closet vomited out half its contents. Unfortunately, most of it was on top of you so the clothing did nothing to cushion your fall. You would probably be feeling the ache tomorrow but for now, there was something even worse to deal with.

"Are you okay?" a voice suddenly asks. You nearly scream again. "What's going on?"

"I—um." The state of shock was still affecting your mind, so you simply decided to point up for your not-shirtless neighbour to see. "Spider."

And there it was, all of its eight legs attached to your wall right beside the box you were getting. You could've touched it! Your hand totally could've brushed it! The thought of it makes you squeeze your eyes shut and suppress a shiver.

"Wow, a big one," he says as he looks around and finally decides on some random tissue you had lying on your desk. He kills it in one swift motion, making sure not to leave any of its... bodily remains on your wall. Then he goes to dispose of it as you sit there wondering if this was all a dream and that someone actually dealt with your spider problem and made it look so easy.

Despite the rivalry between the two of you, at that moment, there was nothing more attractive than a guy who could kill bugs for you. The abs were just a bonus.

"All gone; nothing to worry about now." Jaehyun reaches out a hand. "But are you okay? That sounded like quite the fall."

"Yeah, just fine." You gingerly take his hand as your head is still spinning and he pulls you out of the giant pile. You're thankful for his firm grip but what you notice instead is how soft and big his hand is.

He catches you when you stumble. "Careful," he puts his arm around you and guides you to the bed. "Wait, you're bleeding."

"What?"

"Stay right here. I'll go get a first aid kit."

You sigh as he leaves, suddenly feeling exhausted and actually glad to be taken care of for once. The thought of Christmas decorations leaves your mind and is replaced by the feeling of his arm around you, the faint smell of his body wash, how he reached the spider so easily without even stretching too far and certainly without using the step stool. And now he's getting a first aid kit for you? This definitely must be a dream.

"You didn't hit your head, right?"

Oh. Right. That was probably why your thoughts are all strange.

Jaehyun settles into the chair opposite you, alcohol wipe and cotton swab in hand. "This cut must've been from the corner of the box. Might sting a bit."

You hardly paid attention to anything he just said because suddenly there's the way he leans towards you so, so closely. The rest of the world starts to blur into the background as you feel his hand gently brush your skin, the worry and care in his eyes so genuine. Any feelings of self consciousness seem to melt away, the close distance between you not uncomfortable but rather perfect for slowly leaning in and—

"Ow!" you hear in your own voice again. He'd started cleaning the area on your left cheek with the alcohol wipe and it was the sting that seemed to jolt you from the strange thoughts.

Maybe you really did hit your head because what was all that?

"Sorry," he flashes a smile and has the audacity to laugh at your pain. "Need to make sure this won't get infected."

"You brought this first aid kit from your place?" you ask dully.

"Well, didn't know where you keep yours so..." He opens a tube of ointment and squeezes it carefully onto the cotton swab.

"Wait, how did you even get here in the first place? No, why did you come here?"

The smile on his face only grows. "Your door was unlocked, obviously. And I heard you scream followed by several loud thuds. Is that good enough?"

"Yeah, but why did you come here? I would've been just fine."

"I had to make sure that my lovely neighbour wasn't dead, alright? Otherwise who's going to continue our little holiday contest and lose?"

"Okay, first of all, you would lose. Second, you should've left me for dead," you grumble. "No one wants to participate in your stupid contest."

"Oh, come on. I thought you were enjoying it since you promised to show me all the decorations you still have." He opens a bandage and places it ever so gently on your cheek. "All done."

"I could've done that myself you know."

At that, he raises an eyebrow at you, grin still plastered on his face. "You really would've killed that spider that caused all of this?"

"How dare you—I might've? But you caused all of this actually. If it weren't for that dumb competition then why would I be up in my closet looking for that box of stuff?"

It was true enough. You wouldn't have looked for this box and you wouldn't have seen that spider. And he would absolutely not be here dealing with you battle scars.

"Oh." Surprisingly enough, that smile he had on disappears and he actually looks kind of guilty. "I'm sorry."

"Right."

"No, really. I feel bad that this happened because of something so silly. Let me make it up to you; no more competitions, no more decorations."

You almost heave a sigh in relief after hearing those words. It was like a dream come true as you've wanted nothing more than to have this decoration obligation off your back, though not if it was because he assumed you were going to lose.

So you're still suspicious.

"And how exactly are you going to do that?"

"Hmm. Let me treat you to a meal?"

You look him up and down. "I'd rather stay in."

"We can stay in and get takeout or delivery?"

"I'd rather eat alone."

"Oh come on." He has the audacity to pout at you now. "What's the point of spending the holidays alone?"

"Well, actually I've been having a lot of fun on my own."

"But doesn't it get... lonely?"

Maybe. You shake your head. "Not really."

He heaves a dramatic sigh. "How about just one night? And if you really hate it that much then I won't bother you again."

You sigh too, equally as dramatic. "Fine. But only because I'll get to beat you at whatever games you have planned."

"I'd love to see that." The grin is back on his face in full force, dimples and eyes both seeming to twinkle.

"But why do you even want to spend time with me?"

"Well, we're the only two people on campus and we happen to be neighbours?"

You stifle your laugh at his goofy expression. "Okay, fine. Please don't make it weird though."

"Weird how?"

"You know, those apocalyptic stories about the last two people on earth having to do you-know-what in order to survive and procreate and all that."

If he had a drink in his mouth, you're sure it'd be sputtering out by the way he half laughs and half chokes.

"Um, no. I have not heard of anything like that, but I think we can confirm that I'm not the one making it weird right now."

"Hey, you were the one rude enough to go walking around shirtless!"  

"I'm just kidding." He smiles that dazzling dimpled smile again. "No competitions, no decorations, and no weirdness. Deal?"

You purse your lips. "Deal, but also, shirts are a must. And pants. Don't you dare pull anything funny."

"Deal. Oh, but before I forget," he pulls out his phone and unlocks it. "I hope this isn't considered part of the weirdness."

"Hmm." It's the 'add new contact' page on his phone that he hands you, of course. "I'll let you off the hook just this once."

You add your name and number as well as a description of 'your amazing neighbour who's better at decorating' before handing it back to him.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N. I'm—"

"Jaehyun."

"You remem—you know my name?" His eyes widen, an eyebrow raised.

You shrug. "Yeah, Rose gave me your name."

"Rose talked to you about me?" Eyes flicker briefly and the corners of lips settle into a sort of frown. "What else did she say?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because—why were you guys even talking about me?"

"She literally called to say that there is absolutely nothing going on between you guys." You roll your eyes at just remembering that strange conversation. "But in any case, I'll have you know that I think she's way too good for you."

"And I'll have you know that there's absolutely nothing going on between her and me," Jaehyun crosses his arms, eyebrows furrowed. Yet at the same time he somehow looked relieved, body slack against the wall and not tense like a moment ago.

"Whatever you say," you shrug. "Oh, but she did mention there's someone you're interested in."

"What?!"

You definitely save his name in your phone as 'stupid shirtless decorating neighbour'.

***

The next few days consisted of some simple exchanges through text. The hangout was planned for Christmas Eve which was still a few days away, and as much as you didn't exactly want to be talking to him, you find your gaze wandering to your phone whenever it lights up with his name flashing across the screen.

Yes, it was just a hangout, not a date. You'd be staying in, acting casual, and there would be no weirdness involved as the two of you had agreed. Besides, you didn't even like him. At this point you could only bring yourself to admit that he was quite attractive and that your annoyance with him might've died just a little when you watched him save you from the spider and treat your wound. But now there was a new annoyance stemming from how rudely this guy was showing off all of his perfection (all six feet of it!) right in your face. Who does he think is he? You just know that you're lucky he isn't in any of your classes because this competition might've started way earlier with test grades or whatnot.

The point was that you couldn't wrap your head around why he would suddenly want to hang out with you. Based on his previous actions, it was to probably beat you in various video games or in something that should not even be a competition.

You decide to video call Rose to ask her for advice on how to better prepare you for this war.

"Did I interrupt?" is the first thing you say when Rose's face comes on the screen. She seems to be at the table in the middle of a meal, but it didn't look like a restaurant nor did you recognize it as anywhere in her house. "I can call back later."

"Nah, it's fine! How are things going on your side?"

Before you could answer, you see a guy walk into the frame. And recognize him immediately. You lower your voice, "Are you with our TA?"

"Um..." She only shrugs at you but you could see her flashing a smile at the guy who walks out of the frame. Who you're sure is the TA of your psychology class.  

"Rose, are you on a date with our TA?" you whisper.

"Sorry, I'll be right back," she says to him, before the background changes and you could see her walking to a different room. "Okay, yes, you caught me."

"How long has this been going on for?"

"Not long at all! It's a long story though and I'll tell you in person first thing when I get back. But hey, didn't I tell you that there was nothing going on between me and Jaehyun?"

"That's the first thing you decide to bring up?"

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew." She rolls her eyes. "Anyways, how are things going over there?"

You sigh deeply, ready to launch into the drama that is your life. "I may or may not have a hangout with him in a couple of days."

"What?!" she shrieks, making you nearly throw your phone. Her loud voice also invokes an 'are you okay?' from your TA, which you still could not wrap your head around. "Wow, that was quick."

"Calm down, girl, it's just a hangout. And yes, it's way too quick because I don't even know him? Don't know why he would want to hang out but I'm guessing it's probably to turn everything in a competition."

"Just because of that thing with the door decor?" She laughs. "I think you're reading too much into it. Just enjoy the holidays with some company! Besides, how do you know he doesn't want this to be a date?"

"Well, we agreed that there would be nothing weird, and also, doesn't he like someone already? So it'll just be chill and casual."

"Where are you guys going for this?"

"Literally nowhere," you stifle a laugh at the thought, "just his place right across the hall."

She snorts, "Oh man, good luck to him cleaning that up."

"Why, is it like super messy or something?" You wouldn't be surprised as it's a boys' dorm after all.

"Y/N, it's a next level mess in there, and nothing sparks joy. Trust me, Marie Kondo would definitely lose her mind seeing that mess of a place."

"You've been over to his place?"

"For a bio project! You'd think he could've picked the library or something but no, I had to trip over multiple piles of clothes lying around." She rolls her eyes, a smile on her face. "Sorry, I shouldn't be talking to you about all this. Don't worry! It'll be fun."

"I sure hope so?" You raise an eyebrow at her.

"Well if you really want to keep up with this contest of yours, I have an idea. I mean, only if you want to get back at him for the decorating thing or whatever stunt he pulls. Just in case."

"Um. I'm listening."

She leans closer to the camera, looking ready to spill some big secret. "You guys should make it a formal event. Get all dolled up—don't give me that look; I know you've missed dressing up since before finals. Anyways, get your fancy dress and makeup on and see who can clean up better. I know you've got some skills, so this is something you'd definitely win."

"But we're not even going out," you whine, "it's literally going to be twenty feet away."

"It's just an excuse to dress up, Y/N. Besides, if it's at his place you won't be freezing in your dress."

"I don't know—I feel like this kind of violates our 'nothing weird' rule."

She shrugs, "Well, it's only a competition if you're winning." Then she flashes you one of her hundred-watt smiles. "Just ask him. Okay, I gotta go. Talk to you soon?"

"Yeah, sure."

***

Jaehyun agrees to it, to your surprise.

You're not sure what kind of reaction he had as it was all done through text, but he didn't ask anything and just went along with it.

When Christmas Eve finally comes around, you pick out the most glamorous dress in your closet with some pieces of jewelry to match with it. The silvery material shimmers and glitters, bouncing light in so many directions it seems to make you radiate a type of confidence you could only wish you had. It was something you've never even worn before because of how revealing it was, but you'd brought to college with you in case of special events. And well, even though this was definitely not a special event, it still turned out to be a good decision because maybe you'd be able to beat him at his own game of so rudely showing off.  

But the moment you knock on his still gift-wrapped door is when you knew that these contests never go very well for you.

"What. Is. All. This." were the first words out of your mouth as you stood there in shock. In fear. In awe.

"Hmm? You said you wanted it to be a fancy event, so I just made it fancy...?"

"I—"

You had no words for this.

The lighting was dimmed with only the flickering candles on a tabletop and fairy lights swirling right above it creating a soft glow in the room. There was a beautiful red tablecloth with expensive looking plates ready to be served with whatever food was behind the delicious smell remaining in the air. A bottle of red wine and empty wine glasses. His apartment was spotless and not at all what you imagined it to look like, especially after Rose's spiel the other day about how messy it was. You don't doubt he spent a lot of time and effort to clean the place and set all this up, but this was way beyond anything your imagination could've thought of.

And lastly, there was him. If you'd just expected him to simply have a shirt on, he definitely went above and beyond the low expectations you had. Here he was standing in a white dress shirt tucked into black dress pants. Sleeves rolled up. Hair gelled up and slicked back. There was no ounce of imperfection in him or in this entire set up, and suddenly the outfit you picked out seems so insignificant. You could already taste the disappointment of losing a battle you'd had all intentions of winning.

Another thing that worried you was that this didn't look like the setting for a hangout. This looked like the type of place rich people eat at, where proposals happen, where anniversaries are celebrated, where you might even run into a celebrity. You definitely shouldn't have listened to Rose's advice because now it just seems like you played yourself.

"Do you not like it?"

"No, it's fine but Jaehyun, it's just—a little weird."

"A little weird? Yeah, I thought so too." He looks down, leaning against the wall as if unsure where he was supposed to go, what he was supposed to do. Not that far from your own situation.

"I shouldn't have asked for this fancy hangout," you say under your breath, then quickly change the subject before things continued down this slippery slope of awkwardness. "Anyways, I don't see a tree in here. What happened, Mr. I-have-better-decorations-than-you?"

"No tree this year, but I do have a gingerbread kit?"

"And what, were you going to put that on your door too?" You roll your eyes at him. "Let's put it together it right now."

"It was definitely an option but you're the one who wanted the fancy date." He shrugs at you innocently.

"I just wanted a chance to dress up, okay? You can't possibly comment on this," you gesture at the dress, "the way you made fun of my sweaters."

There's no expression on his face as he gives you a glance over then quickly looks away. "You look...good."

"Thanks, I know." You do a hair flip in his face just for emphasis. "Okay, let's get to it! And would you turn some lights on already?"

It turns out, decorating a gingerbread house became a lot like decorating the door to your apartment. Unintentionally. It's not like you were highly competitive by nature, but there's something about his calm demeanour, his laidback gaze, and the way his lips curl at the corners that irks you because you wanted to break down those walls and see something real. Who does he think he is, looking and acting so perfect on your supposedly casual hangout?

Besides, it wasn't your idea to see whose side of the gingerbread house looks better.

"We must look so silly doing this," you comment. "Two people all dressed up in fancy clothes just to build a gingerbread house."

"It's totally part of today's itinerary of fancy activities. Just look at how fancy my side is?" He turns the tray so you could see it. "It's looking like a mansion over here."

You resist the urge to roll your eyes at him but you'd expected nothing less. "Then I guess it would suck if someone decided to ruin it."

Holding his gaze as if a challenge, you take the tube of pink icing in your hand and squeeze it generously all over his side of the gingerbread house. It was like a thick coat of fluffy pink clouds on the roof, in the yard, and all over the windows.

His jaw drops. "You. Did. Not."

"I think I did," you tease, the biggest smile you've worn in days on your lips from just getting a reaction out of him. "And I'll do this too." He definitely does not expect it when the huge blob of the pink icing on your finger gets dabbed onto his cheek.

"You're not getting away with this, Y/N." That's the last thing Jaehyun says before he starts chasing you down with a tube of blue icing in his hands.

Then it becomes a game of running around the apartment in circles, occasionally getting close enough to place another wad of icing on him but also for him to cover you with it. Until you decide to grab the icing sugar and use that as your next weapon.

The first pinch of it lands on his face and coats it like a foundation far too light. The image of him— stopped in his tracks, lips pursed and trying to blow the sugar off, blinking with disbelief—was enough to supply you a year of happiness so that's when you let your guard down and pause to wholeheartedly laugh at him. But that's also when the icing sugar came flying at you.

In the end, both of your fancy clothes and tidied hair ended up being coated with icing sugar, as well as the apartment he'd put so much effort into cleaning. And you didn't mind at all for it worked in giving you a glimpse of someone real behind the mask of perfection that he had been wearing in the few times you'd seen him so far. Someone who isn't just abs and a pretty face, nor just competitions and winning.

Basically, someone you could like.

Dinner passes by in a breeze with delicious foods and surprisingly easy conversation. Maybe it should've felt like an awkward first date with how little you knew about each other and how you've barely seen each other before this point, but it wasn't like that at all. It was hard to define because it wasn't quite like talking to an acquaintance, yet friendship would be too tight of a term to describe this relationship. He felt familiar, like an old friend that you knew you could share everything with despite knowing him no better then a stranger. But perhaps that was from the amount of wine you both drank; while it wasn't your drink of choice, it was definitely helpful in facilitating a lot of laughter as you kept breaking out in giggles and he definitely couldn't keep a straight face.

Time was slowing as the two of you collapsed on the couch afterwards, satisfied from a hearty meal. You found yourself suddenly dreading the inevitable end to your time here, though the warmth of the wine pushes that thought away.  

"If we were outside, that would've totally been a snowball fight," you mention, looking out the window where fluffy snowflakes started to float through the air. It seemed like a Christmas miracle for it to be snowing so unexpectedly but maybe this year will give you a beautiful white Christmas.

The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles so brightly even with the dim lighting of the room. "Then we could've also been making snow angels or a fort."

"Sorry for dirtying your floor though." You couldn't help but giggle. "It was so clean before all this."

"Don't worry, this isn't even as bad is it usually is," he confesses with a laugh.

"Yeah, Rose told me all about that."

"She did? Oh I'm so going to kill her."

The two of you burst out laughing at that, leaning over in a way that has your hand lightly brushing against his.  

"It's not all terrible though. It almost looks like it snowed in here too," you say, admiring the sprinkles of icing sugar scattered all across the floor that looks nothing like actual snow, but it's nice to think of it that way. "Icing sugar everywhere."

Everything you look at seems to glow and sparkle with the heat of the wine still swirling through your body, heart racing, cheeks hot, the world spinning just slightly. And it's not like you were completely drunk, but instead it felt more like you were drunk on life with small, happy thoughts bubbling through your veins—how cozy this place was, how it's the holidays, how you actually enjoyed spending time with Jaehyun and how things turned out much better than you could've possibly imagined. It was nothing like the image of competitive gaming with the frat boys that Rose had put in your mind; this was the most romantic thing that anyone's ever done for you even if it wasn't intending to be more than a casual hangout.

Then there was how attractive Jaehyun looked as he's seated right beside you, hair dishevelled from earlier, a faint pink dusting his face, shirt unbuttoned just low enough to expose the top of his chest. Icing sugar at the corner of his lips where a faint smile rests.

When you look back up, his eyes meet yours and you have to urge to quickly look away, cheeks blazing from knowing you'd been caught staring a moment too long. But instead, a sudden stroke of courage compels you to hold his gaze, perhaps to see a reaction, perhaps as a question silently lingering in the room for much of the night.

"Mhm, it's beautiful," he says softly, still not moving his gaze from where it rests on you. "You still have some right here," he says softly, leaning in slightly as his hand brushes across your heated cheeks. Everything seems to happen in slow motion when he reaches your bottom lip, thumb grazing gently.

And suddenly it was like a repeat of what happened just days earlier. When he meets your eyes again this time, his dark pupils are twinkling in an answer to your question, luring you into their gravity until you're sinking, eyes closing, slowly getting lost in him.

Sparks fly at the slightest brush of his lips on yours and that's enough to abruptly drag you out of the moment you were swept into.

"Wait, Jaehyun—we agreed not to make things weird."

As much as you wanted to just kiss him right then and there, there was still some part of your mind that was telling you to stay away from this slippery slope. That things will be different after the rose-coloured lenses of alcohol and lust fade, that the weird that you both had tried so hard to avoid would end up happening and ending badly.

"Um, right. Sorry." He looks away, refusing to meet your eyes as his cheeks redden, unrelated from the wine. "Y/N... it's just that I've liked you for so long."

Out of all the things you thought he would say, this was nowhere near any of it. His words catch you totally off guard and seem to immediately sober you up.

"What? What do you mean?"

He sighs softly, a hand running through his hair and a hand on yours, tentatively.

"I'm not sure if you remember but we went to the same middle school." Jaehyun pauses, his eyes searching yours for a reaction but you don't dare breathe, waiting for him to continue. "I know this was so long ago and it shouldn't even matter anymore but middle school wasn't really a good time for me."

You take his hand in yours, encouraging him to go on.

"Kids could be so cruel back then, you know?" He smiles sadly. "But you were the only person who showed me such kindness. I could never forget that, Y/N."

"Middle school?"

He confirms with a small nod and that's when you think back. Middle school wasn't a good time for you either and it probably wasn't for anyone, but nothing in particular stood out in your mind. You had a small group of friends back then and got good grades. You were in the school's band and might've been teacher's pet one year. There wasn't exactly anyone bullying you, but there was one girl who was mean and made up rumours about you and some guy you didn't even know. That guy turned out to be really nice though, and the two of you ended up as good friends as a result of that rumour. But all that ended when his family moved right before high school and you never saw him or contacted him again.  

"Sorry, I don't really recall. Were you in my class? There really weren't any boys in my life back then, like the only guy that I can recall is Hyunnie." You smile just thinking about the memories. "He was a good guy. Not sure what happened to him but I kind of liked him."

Jaehyun says nothing but you could see a hint of a smile that he was trying to hold back.

"What, you also know Hyunnie?"

He still remains silent, this time shrugging his shoulders the tiniest bit as he bites his lips.

"Then? Wait—" You gasp when it hits you. "Wait. We all called him Hyunnie but... Hyunnie. Jaehyun. That's—no," you shake your head, "there's no way. That's impossible."

"Y/N," he weaves his fingers with yours.

"You're joking." You stare at him to try to put the pieces together. The Hyunnie you remembered was a small, chubby boy with glasses so big they seem to cover his whole face while his bangs would cover the rest of it as if seeming to hide him from the world. Maybe initially you just wanted to support him as the rumours tied the two of your together, but after getting to know him better you realized he was very kind and genuine. And that's when your admiration for him started.

"Remember the secret code names we had? And the glow in the dark watch? And our mad minute competitions?"

"You're Hyunnie," you breathe, still shocked.

"Yeah," he whispers.

"But—why didn't you say anything at the time?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't feel the same," he looks away, not meeting your eyes. "I thought moving away would help me get rid of my feelings...but it didn't work."

"Why were you so sure about that? Why wouldn't I feel the same?"

"Is it not obvious? I—wasn't exactly someone you would be proud to be with. You were so sweet and popular and gorgeous. You had so many people wanting to be with you, and I—I was nothing.

"Don't say that! I was so happy that you were one of my closest friends." You pause. "Also, how could you be so wrong?" You roll your eyes at him, at all the silly things that once felt like the end of the world but are now so trivial when looking back.

"Was I wrong?"

"Yes! I liked you too, okay? I don't care what you look like. Jaehyun, you don't know how hard it was for me after you left without a trace."

"I'm sorry. I can only promise you that it will never happen again." Then he pouts. "Also, I worked so hard for these abs just to hear you say you don't care what I look like. Wow, I'm hurt."

That makes you burst out laughing. "They're definitely nice, but you are worth so much more than what you look like. And don't think that I wouldn't like you for who you are."

He brushes a strand of hair behind your ear, leaning in just a little closer.

"Okay."

"Never think that you're not good enough."

A hand cupping your cheek, tracing your jaw. Even closer.

"Okay."

"And don't ever leave me like that again."

His lips hesitate just for a moment.

"Okay."

Then they're crashing on yours, the electricity between you crackling so loud it blocks out the rest of the world as your mind is only filled with Jaehyun, Jaehyun, Jaehyun. His lips are sweet like the cotton candy you had back in seventh grade, lingering on your teeth at the amusement park, turning his tongue bright blue. His touch is gentle, ebbs and flows like the ocean during the eighth grade beach trip, water gently lapping at your feet, sand between your toes and between entangled fingers. His scent surrounds you like a warm hug on a cold day, like a hoodie too big to fit your shoulders while sitting outside of the school after the dance. All the memories flooding back make your mind spin; the things you've forgotten, the ones you've buried, and the fragments that he'd taken when he left, now brought back to their rightful place.

As the clock struck twelve, there were only whispered words of Merry Christmas in between lingering kisses, racing hearts, brushes of bare skin.

It wasn't weird like you were afraid tonight would go. What you once thought to be awkward and strange turned out to be so right, so perfect. Sure, it might hurt to know that there was all this lost time between you, but now you could make up for that by spending the rest of it getting to know each other again. Learning and relearning each other until there was only a seamless connection between the past and the present, an invisible red string tying the two of you together.

And maybe you did lose all these competitions to him but they never really mattered to you anyways especially when you gained back an old friend, a first love, a soulmate.

[baekhvuns]

No the song was not GOOD I mean have you heard the original?! It's hilariously bad so the Eng version is even worse better idusjdhdhdusbdbs. Yeah we can be his cats 👁👄👁

Hwa is a siren HE LURES US WITH HIS HIPS! Vampire Seonghwa is always on my mind it's just peak Hwa for me

Yessss I think he used to be too shy to do those "cool" things, but now despite feeling embarrassed he goes for it anyway because HE LIKES WHEN ATINYS ARE FOOLED 😭 and the reactions yeah he loves that and good for him. Pls leave Jongho alone 💀 also Hongjoong HE DOESN'T WANNA SHOW YOU HIS ABS MAN HATES EXERCISING TOO

There seems to be some spiders epidemic going helpppp. Also there are so many bugs in general 😭 why can't they leave me alooooooneeeeee, get your own houses! Shockingly there aren't many mosquitoes these days?

I heard from my Exo-ls friends that some things haven't been continued and they're still waiting for more clues. Yeah Skz doesn't rely on their storyline as heavily, but you can see elements of it throughout their MVs like Side Effects, Astronaut, Levanter. Noeasy and especially Oddinary had huge story behind them with the sound monster, then Felix was the main character in Oddinary we theorised they referenced Alice in Wonderland. Some people dislike lore which is fine, but I don't get the complaints? I think Aespa and Kwangya is a bit cringy and SM is trying too hard to incorporate Kwangya in other artists' music, but the AI and black mamba ideas are actually not bad

I saw the leak I wonder which one is the title? So many leaks with this cb, kinda sad. So the pre orders dropped and tbh I'm not too happy we're back to squares RIP MY SHELF DESIGN also it means smaller photobooks...whack, not to mention they got rid of the lyric postcards and replaced them with ID PHOTOCARDS?! Yeah I get it the whole government thing, but those are so useless. I saw people on twt being happy and I'm like huh? The covers are... whatever, I gave up on interesting Ateez cover designs, lmaooooo. I woke up and I need to complain maybe it's the period and I need to deal with my GO too 😭 I saw USA has some exclusive versions like jewel cases 💀 and the amount of fan signs/video calls already. Maybe I'll win one 😭

Omg really?! I forgot about The Great Seducer, but now it makes sense that bb!Hwa was based on him

Size kink when she's 2cm taller than San 😭😭😭 you'll never catch me with that kink too.

Lmao but people are on much higher levels though. I play during work when I'm bored which is almost always hhahahdahaghaga. I know bestie I'm going to another party this weekend COME OVER. I missed two ATZ songs because I arrived late I was big mad :////

That sucks you can't see her even though she's coming to your city, fuck uni who needs to be a lawyer! Yes and her response after the backlash was a bit, hmmm... tainted her image for sure, but it was probably her company so it's not her choice, but yeah some companies actually see the backlash and cancel their NFT plans, like A.C.E's company for example

The fake tweets are funny, but yes sometimes I'm just like???

NEED TO SINK MY TEETH INTO SEONGHWA'S COLLARBONES BUT HIS ARMS ARE NEXT! My friends went to Uni Kon and said it was scorching so no wonder the artists were sweating buckets 😭😭😭😭 but I also hate seeing Hwa in the Wang shorts again because that man is 💀💀💀💀💀 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10736079/Designer-Alexander-Wang-returns-accused-sexually-assaulting-male-transgender-models.html sorry for the Daily Mail link but yeah. So when I saw someone say @ AW on twt PLEASE HIRE SEONGHWA AS YOUR MODEL I WAS LIKE NOOOOOOO DO NOOOOOOT.

Oooooh I saw that miss tenelkadjowrites published another Seonghwa fic 👀 I think I need to wait until I'm period-free to read it cause now the vibe is ruined khdhsudhjsbshshs - DV 💖

hello hi!!

No the song was not GOOD I mean have you heard the original?! It's hilariously bad so the Eng version is even worse better idusjdhdhdusbdbs. Yeah we can be his cats 👁👄👁

FBWMFBWK WORSE BETTER 😭😭😭 his cats??? what type bESTIE theres categories fbwhhdjd

Hwa is a siren HE LURES US WITH HIS HIPS! Vampire Seonghwa is always on my mind it's just peak Hwa for me

FORGET SIREN HWA BELLY DANCING AU FT.MISS SHAKIRA FBWNFHS 😭😭😭 vampire hwa omg,,, i don’t think there’s many out there tbh ive seen someone but it’s usually that period sex thing and 😭😭😭???? 🔫🔫

Yessss I think he used to be too shy to do those "cool" things, but now despite feeling embarrassed he goes for it anyway because HE LIKES WHEN ATINYS ARE FOOLED 😭 and the reactions yeah he loves that and good for him. Pls leave Jongho alone 💀 also Hongjoong HE DOESN'T WANNA SHOW YOU HIS ABS MAN HATES EXERCISING TOO

YESSS BRWNDHEK EXACTLY HE FUCKING DOES IT ANYWAY ITS LIKE A ENEMIES TO LOVERS CAT MOUSE RELATIONSHIP AND WE ALL KNOW HE MF LOVES THAT no fr pls leave him alone,,, i knew someone who would constant say “i wanna lick their abs” bestie pls it’s been 2 mins 😭😭🤚🏼 FBWNDHSK EXACTLY JUST APPRECIATE THE SONGS 😭😭

There seems to be some spiders epidemic going helpppp. Also there are so many bugs in general 😭 why can't they leave me alooooooneeeeee, get your own houses! Shockingly there aren't many mosquitoes these days?

NO FR SPIDERMAN : EVERY ONES HOME 😭😭😭 GORRRRL THE MOSQUITOES ARE THOSE THIN ASS ONES THOSE ONES THAT GO STRAIGHT THRU THE NET WINDOWS 😭😭😭 u are a spider whisperer <3

I heard from my Exo-ls friends that some things haven't been continued and they're still waiting for more clues. Yeah Skz doesn't rely on their storyline as heavily, but you can see elements of it throughout their MVs like Side Effects, Astronaut, Levanter. Noeasy and especially Oddinary had huge story behind them with the sound monster, then Felix was the main character in Oddinary we theorised they referenced Alice in Wonderland. Some people dislike lore which is fine, but I don't get the complaints? I think Aespa and Kwangya is a bit cringy and SM is trying too hard to incorporate Kwangya in other artists' music, but the AI and black mamba ideas are actually not bad

EXACTLY THAT !!!! been waiting ages for a proper comeback so we can get answers but sm 🔫🔫 aHHHHHH is what is their universe called?? AYO ALICE IN THE WONDERLAND?? 👁🤚🏼👁 why is it disliked? is seems too coolio??? tbh i didn’t think jyp would be a group to ever have theories yet here we are dbdbd YEAAAH THAT KWANGYA SHIT i get the idea but why not just let groups have their own universes 😭😭😭 i liked the black mamba concept esp!! the two world between AI and them,,, bc kwangya don’t make sense 😭😭😭

I saw the leak I wonder which one is the title? So many leaks with this cb, kinda sad. So the pre orders dropped and tbh I'm not too happy we're back to squares RIP MY SHELF DESIGN also it means smaller photobooks...whack, not to mention they got rid of the lyric postcards and replaced them with ID PHOTOCARDS?! Yeah I get it the whole government thing, but those are so useless. I saw people on twt being happy and I'm like huh? The covers are... whatever, I gave up on interesting Ateez cover designs, lmaooooo. I woke up and I need to complain maybe it's the period and I need to deal with my GO too 😭 I saw USA has some exclusive versions like jewel cases 💀 and the amount of fan signs/video calls already. Maybe I'll win one 😭

YEAH SOMEONE SENT IT TO ME 😭😭 it looks intimidatingly good tho esp the songs,,,, no.2 (this for anyone wondering is not the name no im not gonna reveal it fbdb) sounds better be some bombass beat drop,,,, FBWKDHWK NO BC WHY ARE WE BACK AT SQUARES THEY FUCKING NEVER FIT AND ARE SO THICK 😭😭😭 omg i forgot,,, smaller photo books but watch the photos be so pretty and we can’t even see half of it 😭😭😭ID CARDS RIGHT??? LIKE SOME GOVERNMENT JAIL CELL OR SOMETHING omg did u see the blue version, the poster looks like them in their halateez outfits yeah gave up on the designs 😭😭😭 saw this one by an atiny and the way id buy it all in an is at buy if they were like this,,, BESTIE DID U GET THE SIGNED ONES????

Omg really?! I forgot about The Great Seducer, but now it makes sense that bb!Hwa was based on him

YES ESP FROM THIS GIF

Size kink when she's 2cm taller than San 😭😭😭 you'll never catch me with that kink too.

Lmao but people are on much higher levels though. I play during work when I'm bored which is almost always hhahahdahaghaga. I know bestie I'm going to another party this weekend COME OVER. I missed two ATZ songs because I arrived late I was big mad :////

FHWKDHWK HEY SIZE KINK BUT WITH YUNHO AND MINGI 🔫🔫🔫 JDBWK BESTIE DAMN UR FAST AT GAMING AYO 😭😭😭 I WILL COME HAVE A SEAT FOR ME PUT UR BAG ON IT SO I KNOW ITS RESERVED FBFB 😭😭😭🤚🏼 if u missed fireworks id literally never forgive u 🔫

That sucks you can't see her even though she's coming to your city, fuck uni who needs to be a lawyer! Yes and her response after the backlash was a bit, hmmm... tainted her image for sure, but it was probably her company so it's not her choice, but yeah some companies actually see the backlash and cancel their NFT plans, like A.C.E's company for example

LMFAOOOO 😭😭 i tbh would rather go see dean bc he comes here often dbdbd rEALLY?? omg i just saw it and the ratios of the twt’s fbwnfbsn oH YEAH DEF PPL ARE SAYING GASLIT?? GIRLBOSS?? 😭😭🤚🏼 ACE FTW TBH AT LEAST THEY ACKNOWLEDGE WTF IS WRONG WITH THEM NFTS u know kun was my bias but that mofo also got an nft 😭😭😭 for jay chou 😭😭???? disgrace???

The fake tweets are funny, but yes sometimes I'm just like???

LMFAOOOO RIGHT FREE LIKES I GUESS HIT TWEETS 😭😭

NEED TO SINK MY TEETH INTO SEONGHWA'S COLLARBONES BUT HIS ARMS ARE NEXT! My friends went to Uni Kon and said it was scorching so no wonder the artists were sweating buckets 😭😭😭😭 but I also hate seeing Hwa in the Wang shorts again because that man is 💀💀💀💀💀 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10736079/Designer-Alexander-Wang-returns-accused-sexually-assaulting-male-transgender-models.html sorry for the Daily Mail link but yeah. So when I saw someone say @ AW on twt PLEASE HIRE SEONGHWA AS YOUR MODEL I WAS LIKE NOOOOOOO DO NOOOOOOT.

JFVWDE DV ANON VAMPIRE ERA STARTING FBFBF 😭😭😭 omg no wonder it must be like one of those hot wind days 🔫🔫 one of my friends korea met btob’s minhyuk (at a fanmeet outside) aND HE WAS SWEATING ALL SHINY BUT HE STILL LOOKED SO FINE FBFBF oh man yeah,,,, when i see idols w him i just want to log out 🔫 i also understand that some idols have to end up being civil to them at events bc they also cant directly say shit,,, the when he first wore it a while back?? in fireworks era and did that one sigh 😭😭 NAURRR PLS NOT AS THAT BRANDS MODEL FBEN SEONGHWA EITHER FOR DIOR OR CHANEL OR YSL NO IN BETWEEN

Oooooh I saw that miss tenelkadjowrites published another Seonghwa fic 👀 I think I need to wait until I'm period-free to read it cause now the vibe is ruined khdhsudhjsbshshs - DV 💖

OHH BESTIE I READ IT IT SOOOO GOOOD 1000% BEST FOR RAINY DAYS DBDB man’s a fuckass tho but <3

also

ALSO

[fatmclassic]

Ceremonials time, and this one seems to be the favourite of most people, especially American fans. I rarely listen to this in one go, it's exhausting but I needed to see how it flowed. A huge album, darker in tone compared to lungs. Florence wanted to explore that huge sound she'd started in lungs with drumming song and cosmic love create a cohesive album. A science concept album was quickly scrapped, as was a drake collaboration. Originally titled violence, it was renamed ceremonials after an art exhibit flo saw.

Only if for a night is a strong opener that sets the darker tone for this album. Mix of supernatural metaphor and personal issues. It's a dream like song which is apt as it's based on a dream. Very different vibe to dog days. The church bell tune at the beginning is a lovely touch and goes well with this album heavy with religious imagery. It's heavy drums and echoey piano make it sound huge and that will be the recurring sound here. 8/10.

Shake it out, another hangover song. The most commercial song with a catchy hook and upbeat mood. More church references with the organ opening and the beat is like a European marching band. The video for this is one my favourites and perfectly captures the 1920s art deco theme the album was going for. This is the dog days of ceremonials and there's a great remix too. During this era I found the live performances a bit disappointing as she let the choir do the heavy lifting and kept doing a weird goat warblee at times but in recent years it's been improved. 9/10

What the water gave me. Here come the water and literary references. Again, it's huge and I was so excited when this came out. There's a lot going on here and the ending is euphoric and overwhelming. The live version has a cool electronic but added to it as well. 8/10.

Never let me go is a song I know loads of people love, but I'm not a fan of the slower ballads. Music wise this song isn't interesting, a bit of piano and some echoing drums the real focus here is the vocals. She veers between delicate and strong here, and the lyrics are some of her best. The big finish is my favourite part but I still don't love it as much as most people. The video was so weird too, an ice rink and weird black goo and I still don't get it. 7/10

Breaking down feels like it was put in for a breather. Most low key track here, but only by ceremonials standards. A bit spooky. It makes me think of London at night but it got a shitty Lana del Rey type video. Not really a proper single or anything but still. It's fine, the acoustic is better. Nothing special here. 6/10

No light is one of my favourites here. I think it was one of the first songs written for this album and I've heard it described as the bridge between lungs and ceremonials and it sounds like it. Lyrics here are hard hitting for me personally 'tell you what you want me to say' especially. Lots of drums,harp and heartbreak lungs style. And then the organ like synths for ceremonials. A really great track, unfortunately marred by that ill advised video. 10/10

Lover to lover is a song used to dislike. Coming back to it now it's alright. But it sounds like a generic soul song. It feels like a cover but I know it isn't. Lyrics aren't very interesting either and it's just a painfully average song. And vocal wise it's not great either. It's video was very hbhbhb I thought. 5/10

Seven devils is probably a bigger parody of Florence than anything on dance fever. So melodramatic and loud with loads of religious imagery yet again. It's also goes on for about 2 minutes too long and a lot of it is unintelligible. I can still enjoy for what it is though. I actually wrote a story for school based on this, where a nazi set a barn on fire to smoke out partisans. I got an A, so thanks Flo. Still a bit below par for her though, despite the Halloween release so 5/10.

Heartlines now and she's straight into the augury. This song struck me as something a person who was inspired by Florence would make, it reminds me a lot of castles by Freya riding. It's a poor man's dog days and very forgettable. The chorus is boring and it goes on too long. It's not bad, but not interesting. It feels empty despite the heavy drums.The metaphors and water references are here but it's just mediocre at best. A filler track, feels like someone realised the album was a bit heavy and from and they needed something inspiring. It's just kind of there 4/10

I personally think spectrum is a leftover from her science album idea that was scrapped and it's great. This is what a Florence dance song sounds like. Fast paced, driving drums and the harp getting some time to shine. I love the video for this song and I quite like the Calvin remix as well. It's basically everything heartlines tries to be but it's just better. It's a more claustrophobic song with so many instruments but it works. I admit I was disappointed with it live, again she skips parts or leaves it to the choir but she did say it's a hard song to sing. 9/10

I thought I was going finally come round to all this and heaven too for a moment. It's a slower, sweeter sing song that's fairly meta, a love letter to language. Fairly light and airy song. But then it got to the last minute and I remembered why I don't like this song. That final minute is a big jumbled mess of noise and it sounds awful on an otherwise perfectly produced album. 3/10.

Leave my body is something I wasn't impressed with at first. It's no blinding. But I gave it another go after my sister found it almost too scary to listen too. It is a bit spooky I suppose, and the lyrics about history pulling you down is neat. The ending is nice and mysterious. I've warmed a bit, but it's still just an ok song for me. Also by this point I've had so many big echoing soul songs that I'm tired now. Hard to even find a decent live recording 6/10.

Strangeness and charm is a song I've had the privilege to see live. Part of the science album concept. I remember being shocked seeing it relegated to the deluxe version but it makes sense. Quite similar to spectrum, harp, drums, fast pace and long. I can see why she felt she had to choose and I think spectrum was the better choice. I still kind of have a soft spot for it, even if this feels like a demo 5/10

Bedroom hymns

I love this. One of the first songs performed from this album and then it was just a deluxe track. Lmao. Guess the standard album needed to be family friendly 😂 8/10

Remain nameless is a controversial song. One of the few songs I see fans activity dislike. And those people are tasteless because this song is great 😌. Reminds me of fever ray. It's a very sinister, spooky song. Like making a deal with a demon who agrees to hold back unless you want them to act. A foreboding electronic track that is still unique in her discography, and if she ever decides to explore this area in future she has my full support. 9/10.

Landscape is odd. It's a demo but feels like a finished track. Sounds like it belongs on lungs imo, metaphors about the weather. And it's unusual as it's sing partly in third person. The usual tribal drums. I like it, and wonder why she never finished it. Guess it doesn't fit on the album. 7/10.

Breath of life. This is exactly how I imagined a song made by Florence given an enormous budget would sound. Massive and dramatic. Some say it strayed into self parody but if she never got to do a song like this you'd be disappointed, admit it. Massive drums, full orchestra, big choirs, it's Florence turned up to the max. Shame it was for a shite film. She does love doing cool tracks for shite movies. I remember hearing this and wishing she'd use brass and male choirs in future. One wish was granted. 8/10.

Sweet nothing. Saw a lot of snobby reactions to this being announced at first. But it's great, loads of fun and a perfect dance track. Calvin usually delivers and iirc he was desperate to work with Flo, and she only agreed in exchange for a remix. Food Idea because she got 2 number one hits. The acoustic live version on Florence's tour isn't amazing,it's fine, but this is meant to be a dance track .Calvin's tour version is a blast. 8/10

Over the love is from a film that slots perfectly into ceremonials art deco, 1920s theme. And seeing as Florence is currently doing a great Gatsby musical, she love it too. Baz luhrman also interviewed Florence a year before. But it's a ballad and quite sharp on my ears. And I only really enjoy the last 30 seconds about the green light and I wish this part was longer. 5/10

I really do love this era. Florence found ' her' sound and cemented it. It is far more cohesive and that was her intention. It's a big, big album and I remember being worried that she'd struggle to perform it live. And she did, between this and lungs she had little room to rest during gigs and the choir she had took up some of the slack. It's very heavy on religious and mythological imagery and I love that. She said she wanted a 'catherdral in the sky' sound and she achieved it with church bell intros, echoing drums and piano, organ music and constant references to god, devils and angels. But I admire, it's difficult to listen to as a full album, and I mostly return to select songs. There's also some filler tracks here that drag on a bit.

[cherry-interlude]

Lana Del Rey Unreleased Ranked (2)

This is a re-ranking of Lana's unreleased songs, after making a first a few years ago. This is all my opinion, which I don't mind anyone disagreeing with but don't come for me for it - honestly, I like every song, despite any criticism, and this ranking is very vague. It's based on objective and subjective opinion.

This is the second of five posts, going past my least favourites.

Money Hunny

Lana details the downside of money, detailing the ways it ruins lives and causes more problems that good for some. However, it’s simplicity isn’t what makes Money Hunny fall short – it doesn’t resonate at all compared to Lana’s countless songs where she is either rich and famous or she is desperate for money (or men with money). As thought-provoking as Money Hunny is, it feels too twee and out of place in her money-adoring music to really hit hard. If Lana has spoken on the topic of how money can literally damage lives more, it would perhaps gel better with me, but with songs like Money Power Glory, National Anthem and Off To The Races (among many, many others), it doesn’t hit the mark as a Lana Del Rey (alternate names included) song.

Strangelove

Strangelove is hypnotising, from Lana’s mesmerising voice that gives her the impression of a Las Vegas desert temptress, seducing strangers and wishing for the simple pleasures of Christmas lights and mint juleps. It hits best for the first opening chorus.

Stoplight Delite

Opening with a tuneful mechanical whir, Lana’s song wouldn’t be amiss in a teen romance film. I’m not convinced by the mishmash of music – the more classical band instruments with unrelenting whirring begins to overwhelm the song. Lana’s at her sweetest in this however.

Daddy Issues

The music is a bit too harsh but it’s a nice enough song, referencing Baby Blue Love among others. It isn’t Lana’s best by far, messy with lyrics that go all over the place, but (yet again), it would be more promising if it was completely remade and produced properly. The demo, I Was In A Bad Way, is a lot more maudlin and less enthusiastic, so it does fall behind Daddy Issues.

Catch and Release

It’s another song that’s kind of creepy, with an eerie vibe thanks to the relentless, whining music and Lana’s razor-edged warnings in her lyrics. Lana is practically a megalomaniac in this song, completely selfish and unafraid to ask for – and get – what she wants. Yet it’s quite a hypnotising track that, with further production, could be more cohesive and dramatic.

Marilyn

One of her old live performances, Marilyn is too simple in its lyrics but is a strangely erotic tribute to Lana’s icon. Lana owns the stage in this performance, a more carnal honouring than some of her other outputs.

Noir

Lana really goes for it in this furious song of crushed self-esteem and badly treated lover. Lana lets her vocals rip and tear as she growls about her “papi”, her being merely his dolly to do as he pleases. It's not her most perfect song but she doesn’t hold back from letting her hurt and frustration spill over.

Bellevue

Lana utilises haunting harmonising in Bellevue and though she seems hung up on her lover not wanting her around (she repeats it, as if she can’t let go, throughout the song) she still convinces herself she could go back to the old days of drinking and not being hurt. It helps – her chanting – to bring out the emotion of the lyrics, and maintain that broken feeling she is so good at conveying whilst saying how happy she is.

Put Your Lips Together

Taking on the character of a femme fatale who can hold her own, Lana seduces the listener on top of a chilled instrumental. Her lyrics are little bit dirtier as much as her vocals aren’t their best in the choruses (of course, it being a rough demo might have something to do with that). It’s definitely a song that, if completed, could rank alongside Beautiful Player and Ooh Baby in her seduction library.

Starry Eyed

Starry Eyed is a romantic enough song, with a gentle plinking intro that leads to a rumbling, Born To Die-esque track – complete with Lana’s pretty vocals. However, it does tend to drag, a slow song that I find majorly skippable. The dragged-out choruses get tiring after a while of listening so I don’t frequently listen to this song.

Breaking My Heart

Lana is fully materialistic in this song, referencing multiple designer companies as well as her desire to be loved and party. It’s not too imaginative in its lyrics, instead pure pop with a mixture of lyrics that never quite come through with a particular meaning, but it’s a good enough bop.

Butterflies Part 1

A little love song about a tumultuous teen romance, Lana plays off the lovestruck teen ultimately in love with a guy not good for her perfectly. It’s heady and full of the rushes of love, emotive enough to get the feeling of a girl going mad from her relationship.

Ben

Lana, using the rain to her advantages, moodily comforts her executive love in the full femme fatale façade, quietly passionate. Lana, as much as she loves him, is still her own woman, insisting she will smoke if she wants and playing with her voice to showcase such control.

All Smiles

Lana puts on a happy smile as she mopes over Jimmy in this small-town, fifties-painted tale of a girl who wants a man she can’t have. She mostly hits the mark in this acoustic track and has the right foundations for a decent country ballad.

My Best Days

My Best Days is a short song of cleverly utilised trap beats, autotune and slowly layering instrumental in which Lana isn’t happy without her lover. The organ outro is gorgeous, and it’s a track that can perk you up or calm you down.

Get Drunk

Restless pace, whispered mocking and an overall darkly seductive tone – it’s unembellished and, in some ways, could play as Lana dealing with her past alcoholism (demanding whomever the song is directed to should get drunk). It’s a vibe Lana should explore more over a decade since Get Drunk and the like were made.

Let My Hair Down

A simple and spooky track, Lana has an acoustic jam session consisting of unsettled guitar, bongos and her voice. It’s rather repetitive but it’s something different that works well. It shows Lana doesn’t need too many fusses and frills on her tracks to make something captivating, much like her Sirens album.

Every Man Gets His Wish

The intro of upbeat whistling climbs into a lowkey track that goes from sensual stuttering and a sad chorus that still sounds like Lana has a smile on her face. The mood shifts along with the tune but it is altogether cohesive.

Dance For Money

As stripped as the pole dancer Lana plays, Lana gently teases and cajoles in her ode to older men, lemonade and motorcycles with little else.

Back To Tha Basics

Much like the title, this track is a little bit basic but it’s still zesty with a wonderful instrumental and some pop-inspired vocals.

Butterflies Part 2

Production isn’t perfect on this track but Lana has such promise in this song in which she compares to lured in girls to butterflies pinned to a wall, all at once melancholy, knowing and cheeky. It’s unfortunate that the lyrics are so hidden beneath the dominating instrumental, but with tweaking this stormer could be even better.

Children of the Bad Revolution

The kind of song that would be found on one of her albums, Children of the Bad Revolution is a pacy dedication to Lana’s life as a delinquent a la the 1950s starlets. It’s good but it’s not anything too impressive, instead a chilled track that is simply about being free.

Beautiful Player

Lana mopes in the track about a somewhat disliked girl (perhaps they’re all jealous of her) who is in love with one of her players, giving the feel of a villain club performer smiling with red lipstick on and black mascara staining her cheeks.

Lift Your Eyes

Lana takes control in this song, instructing her lover to lift his eyes, rise above his demons and join her in self-respect. It’s a fine alternative to her gushing and moping characters, and with machine-like music running under the song, Lana sounds stronger than ever.

Valley of the Dolls

In this compact track Lana is once again frustrated by her lover. It’s pained but pretty with her vocals once again taking the forefront.

C U L8r Alligator

Just an acapella demo, C U L8r Alligator is simply Lana’s voice with her beating a rhythm in time. However, I really do like this song. I think it would sound even better polished and complete, but for a rough demo it’s promising. The Kristijan Majic remix is the version I most listen to, which makes it sound even more eerie (and if anyone remembers the D1ETPUSSY video that went with it, you’ll get why this song doubly haunts me). It’s not Lana’s finest but it’s a song I would have loved to see developed.

In The Sun

In The Sun is so hot it burns, more heatwave than refreshing sunshine, as she scorns her ex-lover. It’s not the finest instrumental but Lana sticks her fingers up with incredulous shock that someone could betray her so. She keeps the vibe great paired with blue skies and swimming pools with the upbeat music.

Hot Hot Hot

Big Bad Wolf, a slightly different demo track, is what I favour – stripped back, sexily uneasy, the lyrics letting the vivid imagery of red skirts, red cars and devilish men shine. Yet Hot Hot Hot is a decent, if not cheesier, song too, the chanting great for singing along.

Trees

Lana and The Rich Whores strike out with this kickass band-driven track that showcases Lana’s feistier vocals strongly. The lyrics are sparse but the overall feel of Lana going nineties-rock-chick keeps me wanting more of her in this style.

Push Me Down

Rather than being like the controversial Ultraviolence, Lana keeps the ‘violence’ fun in this pacy song, demanding her bad boy treats her badly in the best way possible. With a mildly rock edge, it’s still distinctively party-Lana, reminding of a pop-ier True Love On The Side.

She’s Not Me

It isn’t particularly imaginative pop but Lana lets the guitars do the talking as she whispers her warnings to her ex-lover. Lana owns this track, and though it feels a bit amateur in comparison to her discography and some of her stronger unreleased music, it shows she would have been great even if she went for the noughties chart pop scene. Fun and punchy, it’s a song to play on repeat.

I Don’t Wanna Go

The tentative and tight intro gives me the vibe that Lana wants to avoid going home rather than simply wanting to hang out with her lover, and her pain-tinted vocals in the chorus only add to the theory. She compliments her fascinating guy throughout the verses, a little more restrained but ultimately tense in delivery, before confessing how much she wants to stay out.

St Tropez

This is a great track for dancing and a celebration of being a party girl with plenty of attention. Best played when you want to imagine yourself as the main character.

Summer of Sam

Lana has yet another song of being a cutesy bad girl, comparable to the likes of Dangerous Girl and Playground, but it’s still fairly generic, standard pop fare. Summer of Sam is still quite fun however, drenched in pop and even with a hint of rap-talking keeping the song lively.

I Talk To Jesus

Lana returns to her religious roots in a less blasphemous way (Body Electric, for example) and instead sings a sad ditty about wishing she could have her old life. Solemnly it remembers her past (as seen in her older music) where she had the trailer parks, Christmas lights and her equally holy boyfriend.

Axl Rose Husband

The imagery is rich and gorgeous, not to mention the reference to one of Lana’s idols, but Axl Rose Husband doesn’t always do it for me – despite her strained, desperate vocals that perfectly exemplify her emotion.

Ooh Baby

Sampling Sexual Healing, Lana ramps up the sex appeal as she lets the listener know how much they want her, all while keeping it a little but more upbeat than the original song.

Other Woman

Lana’s tired of being the other woman in this track, and I like the way the lyrics flesh out the story a bit more rather. However, the chorus does get a bit tiresome sometimes.

Girl That Got Away

Lana shows you exactly what you’re missing as she mopes for her ex-lover with a smile on her face, taking the reins and knowing she has something he misses in a bubble-gum pop song about being the it girl you’ll regret letting go of.

[radramblog]

Album Discussion- Floral Shoppe

Haha why do y’all let me do this.

It’s been almost a decade since Macintosh Plus (aka Vektroid, aka Ramona Xavier) popularised and codified vapourwave as a genre with its first actually popular release in Floral Shoppe. Since then this sub-sub-genre has developed its own subgenres and become its own flourishing marvel of internet music culture. But Floral Shoppe itself is worth examining- not to see where it all began (I haven’t even listened to Chuck Person’s Eccojams or Far Side Virtual yet), but where most people got into the genre. The lifting off point, as it were.

So grab your Arizona ice tea (don’t, it’s fucking awful) and lets dive in.

The first track, ブート(Boot), opens with a buttery smooth cymbal and saxophone line, obviously slowed down, but evoking a level of chill few songs manage to get to for their whole duration, in a total of approximately a minute. It’s a genuinely masterful piece of music. As the vocals come in, you hear them get twisted and chopped, distorted and looped, almost jolting you out of that trance, until it’s clear that the lyrics aren’t lyrics but another instrument, you get used to the nonsense, and you’re back in the zone. The looping with some of the instrumentation makes parts of it feel almost clockwork-like, in a very satisfying manner- especially as the majority of it gets muffled and you realise that opening bass/sax line has been running through the entire time. While the next track on this album tends to get most of the attention, I genuinely think Boot deserves just as much praise.

リサフランク420 / 現代のコンピュー (Lisa Frank 420/Modern Computing) is another one of those tracks where it’s just like, what could I possibly say about this that hasn’t been said. If you’re reading this, there’s basically no way you haven’t heard this song, so you know what I’m on about. It’s the quintessential vapourwave track, even if it’s showing its age a bit. It’s just so perfect. When I decided to write about Floral Shoppe, I didn’t really want to spend too much time here- me saying “hey I like this song everyone knows” isn’t the most interesting thing on the planet, I guess. I will say, it’s one of the few vapourwave songs you can actually sing along to, and that’s fun as heck.

Also, the lyric is “it’s all in your hands”, not “it’s all in your head”. To be fair, though, the distortion doesn’t help.

The album’s next track is 花の専門店 (Floral Shoppe, hey I didn’t know this album had a title song), a track that heavily relies on this really panned synth (you can’t even hear that on the left ear) and a lot of looping the same bit over and over again. Honestly, the first minute of this song gets a little grating, but it really picks up after that. It’s really fun and jazzy for a solid minute there, a lovely instrumental you can just groove to in your head. The fade out on this piece lasts wayyy too long for my liking, though- a full half minute of outro feels a little indulgent for this one.

Track four, ライブラリ (Library) is lowkey one of my favourites on the album- The slowed vocals work really well, and the instrumentation feels extremely deliberate and methodical. I think my biggest complaint with this song is just that it’s too short, considering Lisa Frank 420 is literally triple it’s length. But I suppose part of this project is how variable the track lengths are- it seems Vektroid was keen to work with these until she was out of ideas, and no longer, and I can’t help but respect that.

地理 (Geography) sounds substantially darker than the previous tracks, with incredibly low drones and a main line that… I mean I dunno how low it is but that shit is definitely in a minor key, you know. It’s also the sparsest track so far, with much more restraint in layering than anything else I can think of on the album. The atmosphere of this is heavy- I don’t know why, but it reminds me of that really creepy loading screen on the fuckin Magic School Bus goes inside the body Edutainment game. That’s probably a bit of a weird connection, but if you played that shit, you know how fucking eerie it’s soundtrack was, and that’s a bit of the vibe I’m getting from this track.

Our next track is a direct nod to Floral Shoppe’s predecessors in ECCOと悪寒ダイビング (Chill diving with ECCO), a reference to the aforementioned Chuck Person’s Eccojams Vol. 1 (itself a reference to the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game Ecco the Dolphin), and Chill is absolutely right. While many vapour/synthwave pieces are more about entering an aesthetic or a vibe than actually listening to the music, as far as Floral Shoppe goes, that’s most true with this track. It’s also the third longest track here (behind Lisa Frank 420 and the next song), and while it doesn’t develop as much as one would hope based on that (or much at all), spending so long vibing out in a track like this is completely appropriate.

I’m going to be honest, I don’t care too much for the next track, 数学 (Mathematics). It might just be because it comes on the heels of ECCO, but the meandering in this doesn’t hit the same chord as that does. While I enjoy the saxophone on this song, all the shit going on in the background just kinda gets my anxiety going eventually. And by eventually, I mean about halfway through this near 7-minute monster. You’ve got these very chill elements that slowly get drowned out by the steadily rising and accelerating chaotic parts of the instrumentation that just take over eventually, and while it does chill back down again, that’s still a long time focussed on the worst parts of the song. This also really didn’t need to be as long as it is, considering the second half of the track is just, like, the same thing again…

We’re at track 8, and at this point I started looking at the Wikipedia page for the name translation and realising that I have no idea which song this is supposed to be. Like, the track lengths on the bandcamp suggest that this is the 2011 release and therefore this is 待機 (Standby), but it has the name of track 8 from the 2017 release, 外ギン Aviation (Foreign Banks Aviation)? This is confusing as fuck, but since this is the only track here with that issue, I’m assuming it’s actually Standby and someone fucked up somewhere. Oh right, the song itself. Well it’s fucking short, barely past a minute long, and doesn’t have too much going on. I’d call it short but sweet, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Jazzy, loungy, kinda chill. I dunno.

て(Te) feels almost out of place on this album. I mean, the vibe is similar, but the birdsongs really come out of left field. This sounds like the track you’d hear in a video game after you’re finally out of a cave you spent hours in. If the build in this weren’t so intense, I think it’d fit right in on the Minecraft OST. That’s a compliment, for what it’s worth. It’s also worth noting this light at the end of the tunnel bit was absolutely intentional, because this used to be the final track of the album. However, there’s two more here, added in a 2012 reissue (originally they were unnamed bonus tracks), so we might as well check them out.

…under no circumstances should you check out track 10, 月 (Moon). I don’t know what vocal sample that is, but it is loud, and grating, and obnoxious, and the instrumentation is not doing enough to carry the repetition through. Holy shit, this is 6 minutes long. I’m going to be honest, I skimmed through this one, and it never changes what it’s doing. This is… a bold play, I’ll give her that, but it absolutely does not pay off. This has gotta be one of the worst songs I’ve heard in a very long time. What the fuck, Ramona?

Finally, 海底 (Seabed). This… is just like Moon, in that it’s a fucked up vocal sample that is looped over and over with little changing instrumental. The key difference is this one is less bad- the vocals aren’t as jilting, the instrumentation is chiller, and it is mercifully only 2 and a bit minutes. It’s far from good, but it’s not as immediately awful. Okay, it is pretty bad. These should probably have stayed as extras- and seeing as they apparently weren’t on the physical versions of the album (in fact a bunch of these songs changed for that), Vektroid appears to agree.

So that’s Floral Shoppe, and it’s really one of those albums that kinda drags on at the end. Frontloaded with the good shit, I suppose. Moon and Seabed aside, it’s not like anything is completely awful, but after 25 or so minutes you’ve kinda gotten the point. With that said, the album is as influential as it is for good reason- the first couple tracks are phenomenal, and once you’re drawn in by those, you’re probably going to appreciate the rest of it at least a little.

Modern vapourwave basically sounds nothing like Lisa Frank 420/Modern Computing, or Floral Shoppe at all- the genre has moved past plunderphonics almost entirely at this point, and the aesthetic has shifted to a more consistent, less memeable tone. Even Macintosh Plus is going new directions- the single released in December 2019 as a teaser for Vektroid’s next project under the name sounds nothing like this album, though it is completely fucking awesome (and completely fucking batshit). While it seems like the genre itself has moved past Floral Shoppe, though, it’s still the touchstone the majority of people, especially those unfamiliar with the genre, recognize as the herald of Vapourwave. I’m pretty sure this was the first album to do the whole pink aesthetic, marble bust, computer graphics style, and clearly that’s the style everyone thinks of when they make bad vapourwave art. That’s the aesthetic this album inspired. Long may it reign.

(Ok seriously though guys go listen to VAPERROR or George Clanton or something)

[callmebrycelee]

Album Review: Confetti by Little Mix

During one of the bleakest years in human history, Little Mix has delivered us pure joy and happiness in the form of their sixth studio album: CONFETTI. I became a fan of Little Mix, a Mixer is what we’re called, a few years ago when I clicked on one of my coworker’s Spotify playlists. The first song of theirs I can recall listening to is “F.U.” from their fourth album Glory Days. After looking up their other albums I then ventured over to YouTube so I could watch a few of their music videos. I instantly fell in love with the choreo-heavy “Touch” and the slumber party-themed “Hair”. I then started looking at their live performances and I was blown away. For me, Little Mix is everything I ever wanted out of Fifth Harmony. Now before I get some hate, Fifth Harmony is/was a great pop group and without them we wouldn’t have Normani, but whereas some of the girls in Fifth Harmony are/were more vocally talented than others, each of the members of Little Mix - Jade, Jesy, Leigh-Anne and Perrie - have amazing voices and those voices blend together so perfectly.

I’m so glad I discovered Little Mix when I did because it gave me enough time to binge their albums, music videos and live performances just in time for their fifth studio album LM5 to drop. If I had to rank the albums prior to CONFETTI, LM5 would definitely be at the top of my list. Realistically-speaking, the album didn’t perform as well as their other albums but the album is damn near perfect in my opinion. I then later learned the girls were going through a separation with their then-record label Syco which is a major factor in why the album didn’t perform as well as it could. 

CONFETTI is Little Mix’s first album since leaving Syco so many of us were very much looking forward to what the girls were going to deliver without having Simon Cowell standing on their neck. Our first taste of a newly emancipated Little Mix came in the form of the 80′s-inspired “Break Up Song”. They released their second single “Holiday” in the middle of the summer and their third single “Sweet Melody” was released a few weeks ahead of the album’s November 6 release. Being in the United States, I stayed up past midnight so I can listen to the album and since it’s release it’s been in heavy rotation on Spotify. I thought it would be fun to review the album and rate each of the tracks. There are 13 tracks on CONFETTI and I will be giving my thoughts on each track as well as a score based on a scale of 10. For those of you reading this, keep in mind, I am one of way too many Little Mix fans to count so if there are tracks that you like that I do not rate as high, just remember this is my opinion so forgive me, HAHA. Without further ado, here’s my review of CONFETTI:

BREAK UP SONG: The first track on the album is also the album’s first single. Break Up Song is not only a total vibe, it’s a total 80s vibe. I was delightfully surprised when Little Mix released this song earlier this year. I love that this song is yet another reminder of just how freakin’ talented these ladies are. My favorite part of the track is Jade’s bridge towards the end of the song. The song is bright and fun and I simply cannot resist busting out some serious 80s dance moves every time the song comes on.  Rating: 10/10

HOLIDAY: While Break Up Song gives up 80s pop vibes, Holiday sticks its toes in the contemporary pop pool. It makes sense that this song was released smack dab in the middle of the summer because it is the perfect summer jam. I especially love the accompanying music video which features the girls luxuriating in a spa somewhere on the moon or maybe Mars. It’s sugary and sweet and just like Break Up Song it’s one of those songs you can’t resist dancing to. It should be noted Holiday is the second single off of CONFETTI and it is one of my top 3 favorite tracks off the album. Rating: 10/10

SWEET MELODY: When I first heard the reggaeton-infused Sweet Melody, my initial reaction was meh. Thank God I listened to the song again ... and again ... and again ... because on the second, third and fourth listening, I realized just how truly epic this song is. The lyrics are quite brilliant with my favorite being the Perrie-led second verse: “He would lie, he would cheat, over syncopated beats.” Not only is the song a banger, the music video is one of the best visuals Little Mix has ever released. The choreography is fire and you can tell they put their blood, sweat, tears and spinal cord into their dancing. Sweet Melody is my favorite track on CONFETTI. Rating: 10/10

CONFETTI: Prior to the release of CONFETTI, this track was made available. This song gives me late-90s/early-2000s R&B vibes and I quite enjoy it. It doesn’t hit as nearly as hard as Sweet Melody but this is yet another song I can picture being played in a club. If Little Mix releases any more singles from this album, which I believe they should, I think Confetti is a strong contender. I imagine the music video will be very heavy on the choreo.  Rating: 9/10

HAPPINESS: Category Is: Songs That Could Have Been Released By Britney Spears in the Early 2000s. Happiness is yet another track that was released ahead of the album. Unlike the first three tracks of the album which are very much songs about relationships, past and present, Happiness is the self-empowerment anthem we never knew we needed, especially in the year of our Lord 2020. Happiness is a splashy pop song but it doesn’t elicit the strong emotions I felt when listening to Break Up Song or Sweet Melody.  Rating: 9/10

NOT A PROP SONG: One of the things I like about Little Mix is every so often they’ll release an acoustic version of their popular songs, i.e., Black Magic, Touch, Holiday. This song is acoustic rock and it is not a sound I was ever expecting from Little Mix. If there was a sequel to National Manthem, it would be Not a Pop Song. I like to think of this as Little Mix’s emancipation proclamation after fleeing the clutches of one Simon Cowell. My favorite lyric from the song is in the chorus: “No more singing songs bout breaking my heart or my lonely nights dancing in the dark.” I absolutely adore this song and it gives me early Kelly Clarkson vibes.  Rating: 10/10

NOTHING BUT MY FEELINGS: This song from beginning to end is an absolute treat. I love how lowkey the song starts off and after the chorus, you assume the song is going to keep amping up but at the start of the second verse it goes back to being lowkey again. I love a song that keeps me guessing. I especially love the theme of the song, the struggle of wanting to keep things super casual with someone when deep down you are developing strong feelings for them even though you know you shouldn’t. If there was any doubt the ladies of Little Mix are not grown, this is proof. Rating: 9/10

GLOVES UP: One thing I like doing whenever a new album by one of my favorite artists is released is heading over to YouTube and watching people’s reaction the albums. It seem likes Gloves Up is a favorite off of this album and I just don’t get it. I don’t like to skip tracks, especially on Little Mix albums, but admittedly this is the one I’m tempted to skip when I’m listening to CONFETTI. I like the message but the song is a bit cliché. I hope that repeatedly listening of this track will make me like it, especially since I have a very strong feeling this is going to end up being a single. Rating: 6/10

A MESS (HAPPY 4 U): If Break Up Song had a sequel it would be this track. I love the lyrics and I love the instrumentation. It’s a gorgeous track and again something unexpected from Little Mix. I love Jade’s falsetto on this track.  Rating: 9/10

MY LOVE WON’T LET YOU DOWN: I feel like in addition to giving us great dance bops, Little Mix also delivers when it comes to ballads. The gospel-tinged My Love Won’t Let You Down is absolutely gorgeous and will be the perfect closing song on one of their tours. There are Little Mix songs where I think, wow, I’d love to see what the music video would look like and then there are Little Mix songs where I think, wow, I’d love to see how they’d perform this. This track is definitely of the latter variety. All four of our queen’s vocals are on point.  Rating: 10/10

RENDEZVOUS: Remember how I said there are three songs on this album that are my favorite? Sweet Melody is my fave track on the album and Rendezvous is my second-favorite. Rendezvous is sexy and sleek and reminds me of something Ciara would’ve released early on in her career. I also love that it samples the song Sway. I cannot wait to see how they perform this song on tour and I would love for this to be a future single because I would love to see Little Mix turn up the sex on one of their songs. This song reminds me of Notice for some reason from LM5. When Little Mix does sexy, the do sexy right! Rating: 10/10

IF YOU WANT MY LOVE: Like Gloves Up, If You Want My Love is another meh track on this album which sucks because it’s literally sandwiched between two perfect songs on the album. Perhaps this is another one I’ll have to keep listening to in hopes that it will grow on me. Right now I’m feeling pretty blasé about the track. Rating: 6/10

BREATHE: Yay! We get not just one ballad on CONFETTI but two! This is the perfect close to a pretty awesome Little Mix album. I’m happy to report the album ends as strong as it begins. Of the two ballads, I prefer My Love Won’t Let You Down but that shouldn’t suggest I don’t like this song. I love it and it’s another one I’d love to see performed live. Rating: 10/10

ALBUM OVERALL RATING: 9