#EP reviews

[luuurien]

♥ GOJII ♥ - CURRENTS

(EDM, Progressive House, Future Garage)

On their latest EP, Gojii explores future garage with an unexpected lushness, warm synths and peppy vocal samples driving their club-ready EDM tunes to peak euphoria. CURRENTS’ short length and uniform sound cuts some possibilities short, but what’s here is wonderful nonetheless.

☆☆☆½

Over the past few years, Gojii’s dream-infused dance music has made for some of the most entertaining and purely fun electronic music to grace the underground, primed for club listening with its sturdy drum programming and explosive synth leads but hiding a subtlety and sweetness  if you knew where to look. Their latest EP, CURRENTS, continues that hot streak with four more delightful garage jams, a short but uplifting listen where Gojii’s neon synths and thoughtful builds make both some of their best songs to date and another exciting, if brief, look at what a full album from them might look like in the near future - their music has changed quite a lot since 2020’s All My Heart, and seeing how each subsequent EP after it built off it only makes what they’ve done on CURRENTS that much more of a thrill. A brightly-hued mix of progressive house, melodic house, and the bubblier sides of garage and techno, CURRENTS’ party-ready sound doesn’t discount much of the complexity and depth Gojii’s music has taken advantage of since the start, slick breakdown sections and subtle but deeply felt changes in the drum programming keeping the EP fun all around without sacrificing the unique celestiality their music often has. BLOOM’s speedy techno groove and bouncy synth leads are great on their own, but it’s how they chop up a vocal sample and throw different synth arpeggiators in ways as the song slowly builds up to its glittery end section that makes the song so memorable and rewarding to dig into on repeat listens. There’s a similar sense of movement to VANISHING POINT and EVENT HORIZON, the former’s darker synth pads and heavier presence bringing a lovely thickness to the song even in its loudest moments while the latter’s pulsing arpeggiators and massive final minute of trance madness finds a perfect balance between trance euphoria and smoothly layered EDM bliss, intense enough to put you under Gojii’s spell but with a warmth and sweetness to it the whole way through. They know what makes their music click, and few moments on CURRENTS don’t take full advantage of Gojii’s marvelous production and ear for groovy dance tunes. There’s still a sense of fullness missing from their EP’s that simply can’t be matched by a full-length release - I can only imagine how wonderful a full album of BLOOM’s and EVENT HORIZON’s might be - but CURRENTS is a smashing success for Gojii regardless, another collection of bubbly dance tunes with as much vigor as they have complexity, the detailed inner workings of their prog-EDM fusions of garage, footwork, juke and more technically impressive and always a delight to listen to. At its core, CURRENTS is a collection of fun, joyful dance songs, and it’s impossible not to let that into your heart.

[hoshiina]

pairing: hoshina soushirou x gn!reader (no prns)

summary: in which he realizes you were the one for him

warnings: none i think !

wc: 1100

Hoshina wasn't a player. He wasn't one to say yes to everyone who came his way nor was he one to lightly pursue just about anyone who slightly interested him— not to mention he didn’t fall easily to begin with. He was a busy man in a dangerous line of work so having a relationship simply didn’t make sense most of the time.

However, this is not to say he hasn’t had a few relationships here and there. He loved those he dated, he really did. He did not believe in dating for the fun of it nor did he believe in starting a relationship he knew would end at some point, but subconsciously he tried not to get attached. He kept his distance and locked away his heart to keep from getting hurt. Was it unfair? Well yes, but he was scared. Everyone has something that terrifies them greatly, this just so happened to be Hoshina’s.

Yet, recently he could tell that something was different with you. It had only been a few months since you started dating, but he feared the shift in his feelings. He knew what it was— he knew very well, but as soon as he admitted it, it would be over. There’d be no going back for him. He knew he was being rather irrational, he knew that if he sat down and confronted these emotions he’d realize they weren’t that big of a deal, but he couldn’t. He’s never been able to.

However, while fighting this kaiju, it became plain obvious that he was simply in denial. 

It upset him how important you were to him, but more than that it upset him that he knew he was important to you. You had made it so painfully clear that he meant the absolute world to you and that broke him to pieces every single time.

To him it was easy being alone— he just had to make sure his job was complete before he died. If he could ensure everyone’s safety or at least help Mina out, there was nothing more he wished for. Yet while fighting Kaiju no. 10 today, when he saw his life flash before his eyes, his immediate thought was of you. If he died you’d cry. And that alone was going to get him home alive.

He’d rather die than make you cry. Especially not alone.

As he stood up again, he could see his blood dripping from his wounds and immediately it made him chuckle. You’d cry anyways when you see the state he’s in. 

I’ll have to be around to wipe your tears at least, he said to you in his head.

He was incredibly lucky that you didn’t work on the battlefield, his heart simply would not be able to take it. But he did, and for you he’d have to get home safe. Even if no one else cared that much, not even himself, he knew you would.

All of a sudden, it was easy to admit. He was hopelessly in love with you, in a way he didn't know he was capable of. He wished that he would spend the rest of his life with you and he hoped you would spend the rest of yours with him. Perhaps he was just afraid and a little flustered to admit that he was important to someone, especially someone special to him too. He had seen how painful it was for those left behind, a little too often. 

But there was an easy solution to that, he’d just get back to you safe every time. He just won’t make you worry and he’ll be there for you. This was supposed to be a dilemma, something he thought he'd stress over, but in the moment he felt eerily relaxed, definitely not like he was fighting an identified grade kaiju. The rest of the fight was a blur, he couldn't remember much. His head was clear but the fatigue had taken over at that point, but before he knew it, the kaiju laid in front of him still.

He was faintly conscious as they rushed him into an ambulance and patched him up. Once he was properly treated and awake, they had warned him to stay put and take it easy, but all he wanted to do was see you.

As soon as he left his assigned room, he immediately bumped into you. You had been waiting to be let in to see him. You took one look at the way he was patched up and tears welled into your eyes. He could tell you didn't mean to, you didn't want to worry him.

“Please don't cry,” he said softly, wiping your tears away. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of you. “I'm perfectly fine.”

“I'm not crying,” you said with a scowl on your face, but the way your voice cracked was not very convincing. “I'm so glad you're back.”

“Can't live without me?” he teased. He knew you couldn't live without him, but he couldn't either. Yet, now he even hated the thought of you living without him, let alone with someone else, so here he was. And here he always will be.

“Shut up,” you said. “You know I can't.”

He knew, but hearing you say that still made his heart flutter. He reached out with his right hand to grab your left and held it carefully. He leaned in to kiss you, but it was so much sloppier than the careful ones he usually gave you. Forgive him, he was terribly exhausted.

“I can't either,” he said, snuggling his face into your shoulder.

“You can't?” you asked, a little surprised. It broke his heart that he had possibly made you feel such way.

“Not for a second,” he said, still avoiding eye contact. “I'd rather die than wake up without you next to me, actually.”

You wouldn’t reply, so he brought his head back up to look at you.

“Oh, don't cry,” he said and chuckled a little, wiping your tears away as he kissed you again. “I didn't mean to make you cry.”

He hadn't let go of your hand and although he was gentle, he held it firmly. He didn't say anything, but he vowed to himself that he'd put a ring on it someday. He wasn't letting go of you ever.

You were the one for him.

[hothammies]

i don't know if any show will ever gag me as hard as jaw's delivery in this scene or the al-anon monologue did

[thoughtsonkm]

Goodbye, for now

BABY? HONEY? BOYFRIEND SHOT? Jikook you're too much!

This episode was truly the best way to end the show, maybe even the best episode of the series. (Neck in neck with episode 2 of course) The way they enjoyed it so much but were also so sad it was over. The hot tension all around, the soft boyfriends mood who can't stop flirting and name calling each other with the most low-key couple-like sweet names. They could not stop laughing, they could not stop touching and they couldn't stop being hilarious without even trying.

~

SK Spotify daily chart end of November 2023 :

Jimin Jungkook Jimin Jungkook Jimin Jimin

~

It would be such a full circle moment if Jimin posted the boyfriend photo (which won't happen). Would almost be like a soft launch of some sort.

Not the underwear too?? Gosh I love my little gay freaks!! (didn't understand why Jimin would quote their 'yet another inner joke meme' right at that moment but I've learned to not question their inner workings)

~

Sorry but i have to be pretty one last time and say that I kinda had enough of seeing so much from the crew around or even in Jikook's shots and angles. It breaks the fourth wall a little too much and ruins the whole bubble idea. Ok I'm done lol

~

Returning to the issue at hand, the "seeing the beds for the first time" scene keeps getting funnier and funnier. As if they don't already have designated sides of the bed 😏

~

Ah the never ending bickering gives me life. Peep the half korean half english talk when they playfully get on each others nerves 👀😂

I better not speak on the scuzzi jacuzzi shenanigans cause otherwise.. Let's just say the photo speaks for itself..

NO YOU KNOW WHAT IMMA SPEAK. We all know that jacuzzi time is always intimate, relaxing and personal for people that's why I wish Jikook had enjoyed it fully without cameras. Yes I'm pissed on their behalf, that they had to film the whole thing with 382929 different angles. lol

His face is literally saying "oh so you're really gonna make me do it huh? if I was in your place I would've folded immediately and would've never let you go through with it!!" 😂

~

No one ever:

Jikook every 2sec : HONEY OH HONEY

(I was actually listening to the song while writing this and idk why it's so funny to me even tho it's a sad love ballad)

~

They must've loved getting the chance to at least see one episode of the show, plus the idea of watching it together..

Jungkook being so entertained by it meanwhile Jimin being mortified about half of the things that happened. HILARIOUS

HAHAHHAHAHA all parties were concerned if they'd be able to pull it off, I can't

BEST BELIEVE they're always gonna find a way to touch. Consciously or unconsciously.

~

This show made me realize that my favourite thing ever is Jk making food for Jimin, then making him hysterically laugh and therefore getting to hear Jimin's adorable giggles.

~

"Hello it is I the one and only, the only one who can touch Jimin's head ble ble ble ble" - JK

Jk was like: How can you imagine Jimin without me in your dream? Are you crazy? What is this delusional dream world you live in Jin hyung??

~

Tbh it's so meaningful and a huge thing saying that these trips were literally the best trips of your life. I think the statement almost went over people's heads.

I can't get enough of Jimin looking pretty and cuddly and Jungkook's immediate thought being: I HAVE TO FILM YOU

Them saying they can do a reboot when they come back gave me some hope that maybe just maybe this is not the end of AYS 😭

The ending bonus clip left me fulfilled but also sad and with goosebumps all over.

Thank you Jimin & Jungkook for letting us peek into this trip and getting to witness some of your precious moments.

Signing off, J&J 🥹

Ps. So I'm guessing the 52 minute video that comes with the photobook is probably the 3 bts videos combined that they've been reviewing for 48392 months right?

[marley-manson]

Hawkeye not being emotionally repressed as a person, but still being emotionally repressed because he's in a situation that causes him to feel impossibly intense emotions that can't be fully expressed without ruining his or others' lives.

Because to really express his true feelings he'd have to scream until his voice gave out, desert, kill a general, etc. Constantly feeling like he's barely holding himself back, keeping himself from exploding through the relatively minor shows of rebellion and antagonism towards people like Frank, and his humour. "Joking is the only way I can open my mouth without screaming."

Hawkeye's breakdown in GFA is a fitting cap for his character for many reasons, and I think this is also one of them. It just makes narrative sense, as someone who does need to express his feelings and who is trapped in a war zone, that at some point he had to fully snap and drive a jeep through a wall.

[nerd4music]

I felt him. I still feel him. THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE | S1E2: Gone

[thecitybee]

Five pizzas and a wedding ring...

Y'all this man's SWEETEST dream for the past six years has just been getting to meet her, share a meal with her, and fall in love with her in a world that never died.

Like real people do.

[ssstarscream]

earthspark reminds me of rescue bots and RID15 in a way - where they don’t dismiss the hardships of the war or baby-fy pre-existing characters, which I really appreciate! that’s what keeps me watching

Instead, they bring in new naive non-traumatized main characters that never participated in the war, and that really helps to maintain the child-friendly focus.

I can appreciate the different POVs as long as they’re faithful to their true characters!

I think one of the biggest strengths of rescue bots and RID15 is the fact that it took place in the aligned universe. Transformers Prime was entirely canon - and we SAW how rough the war was there. so seeing it censored from an outsiders pov but seeing them still acting the same and KNOWING what they went through - ohhh!!!

Although Earthspark doesn’t have that connection, we can imply they endured similar hardships. based on the flashback animation style it was likely closer to whatever happened in G1.

either way, I’m really enjoying the new concepts they’re bringing forth as well.

- reformed megatron? let’s GO! love to see it for the first time outside the comics :] however, I’m hoping it comes later but I really need them to walk through how/why he reformed. like how did this Happen. just hoping it’ll happen later. (edit: OH and combiner wars!)

- I like how bee isn’t the stereotypical blabbermouth. maybe he USED to be that way but it’s obvious that war has yknow, made him more jaded and responsible.

- decepticons ACT like decepticons. (such a relief compared to RID15! that drove me insane. every transformer that caused trouble was labeled a decepticon when like none of them even knew who megatron was 🙄. At least Swindle in earthspark actually ACTS like swindle)

- I like how the mom was already part of the EDC or Ghost or whatever. we’re so used to seeing humans have to get used to living with transformers but NAHHH her and op and megs & co are already besties. love that! we jumped to the chase! hope I can see some war flashbacks

anyways can’t wait to see more earthspark and I’m glad my TF hyperfixation is back thanks to transformers one :]

[appldino]

Columbo doodles

[marciliedonato]

So... Apparently UA s4 is a massive flop.... I'm not saying we need to start bullying* showrunners and writers and networks/streamers (*putting pressure on them to do right by beloved pieces of media with passionate fan bases so much so that they feel they'll get the guillotine if they do anything less than perfect and justice by the story/characters) but.... We need to start bullying showrunners and writers and networks/streamers again. These mfs have gotten too comfortable

[luuurien]

toadmilk - breaking mind

(Jungle, Breakcore, Atmospheric Drum and Bass)

A darker, noisier take on the jungle and atmospheric drum and bass sounds that have been blowing up in the electronic underground, toadmilk’s breaking mind shows off their unorthodox sampling styles and knack for making songs that are as playful as they are mesmerizing.

☆☆☆½

There’s a handful of upcoming artists within the indie breakcore scene giving their own take on the jungle and ambient stylings that built the style up throughout the mid to late 90s, but toadmilk is easily one of the most interesting within that sphere, favoring a moodier sound with muted synth pads and heavy drum breaks that seem to shatter the mix with every bass and snare hit. Their latest EP, breaking mind, brings about five more tracks each with a unique sense of motion to them, the way toadmilk sends a drum sample sputtering upwards in pitch or buries it underneath gloomy synth pads to create an atmosphere that feels both club-influenced and a bit surreal at once - breakcore seen through a cracked camera lens outside of the nightclub. breaking mind is a short listen, but it’s a mighty impressive one. One of drum and bass’ fundamental elements are its samples, and though toadmilk throws around the same amen and think breaks many of his contemporaries do, it’s in how they contort and mess with both their pitch and their timbre that makes breaking mind such an interesting listen. Drum samples fly up the DAW piano roll in the title track, their ever-shifting pitch allowing the percussion to be both a rhythmic and melodic element of the mix, and the amen break placed at the far back of regret’s mix makes space for some surprisingly lush piano leads and subtle synth pad changes more often buried under the madness of toadmilk’s D’n’B grooves. Though the EP just barely clocks in at 18-and-a-half minutes, the five tracks have enough time to make their presence known and try new ideas without becoming tiring from it: god’s trap includes everything from a Tucker Carlson snippet to a Jersey club breakdown, but benefits from the complete madness of all its different elements hitting you at once; shattered thoughts is more standard breakcore fare with slight glitch embellishments to poke at your senses throughout. breaking mind doesn’t stray far from toadmilk’s usual style, but it’s the little details that give the EP such character. Early on in the year, an EP like breaking mind is always a good way to kick things off, a collection of tracks that promise more for the future and simultaneously provide a deeper look into the artist’s process and what makes their music so gratifying to listen to. Its slim length doesn’t provide the depth toadmilk’s music could bring out with extra time, but nonetheless breaking mind is a memorable, energetic and rewarding listen with all the best parts of toadmilk’s music within it. You’re only left wanting more, and that’s only ever a good thing.

[bellshazes]

in my heart there's another probably worse universe where instead of the watchers taking off after evo, etho's writers from 404 became the highly misunderstood "i am fictionalizing and poking fun at my relationship with my audience & their perceptions of me and how i am motivated by them but not in a 1:1 cause and effect relationship and they are kind of obnoxious but i also care abt my literal audience liking what i do bc i do make stuff for youtube" fandom staple.

there's something substantial in here abt grian being SUPER particular abt things in a different but parallel way to etho (grian not watching other smp member's POVs and being open abt that bc it allows for genuine surprise, etho's like everything ever? but top of mind his old insistence against modded stuff, comment of the day, etc.) but honestly. can anyone who actually cares abt the watchers or whatever write me a 404 crossover. thats what i want

[oliviabear]

i’ll be so upset if the acolyte only gets one season and it ends badly like we deserve at least 3 seasons, especially oshamir full on corruption and then being evil together

[fracturediron]

Was looking through the trigger warnings for Magnus Protocol ep 15 and:

Is the understatement of the century lol

[korixae]

i want an episode of doctor who where someone important to the doctor dies and all the pain and heartbreak of all their lives piles up and they get so broken and so full of hate that this keeps happening and why can’t they just be happy and why is the universe so cruel that they turn evil and then while out and about being evil and not giving a fuck about saving people they run into the master and the master is shook that the doctor has changed bc how? that’s impossible the doctor and the master are opposing forces! it’s their whole dynamic now everything’s out of balance! and so they make it their mission to show the doctor how much good there is in the universe and the doctor is cold and harsh and vulnerable and heartbroken but the master whisks the both of them off on an adventure to demonstrate all the brilliant wonderful extraordinary happy parts of the universe but what finally gets through to the doctor is that it’s the master showing them all this. they’re so far gone that the master is trying to fix them. and they realise that the both of them have more in common than they think and that they can see it from each other’s perspectives. and then they kiss

[fanatic-freakshow]

I admit that I had my reservations about Monster Next Door...

That was because the chemistry between the main couple didn't hook me since the first episode but... I have to say that I'm now hooked on both the main and secondary couples.

I've always recognised the quality of this BL for many reasons. That (and the 2nd couple) was what maintained me until ep 9. And today I'd like to talk about its brilliance.

I've seen many people commenting on how amazing it was to have Diew talking directly and in private (without public explosions and consequent humiliation) with God about how he was making him feel. An open conversation? Out of this world!

Now, take a look at this...

What? A guy you don't like tried to kiss you and you didn't get upset? Instead, you guys hug it out? What?!

Like the great creator ramalauv says: Escándaloo!!

But there's more. Check this out!

Is this a guy who likes a guy and brings another guy who he knew the guy he likes liked (at best!) so they can sort out things between them and make the guy he likes feel better?

Was Beer insecure about his crush's feelings as much as I am about the correctness of the last sentence? Yes. But did he make a scandal when he saw them two hugging? No! What?!

And these two? Relationship goals.

Beautiful!

Everything about this episode was absolutely beautiful!