#I actually think there are other Olivia songs that fit them a lot more than this one

[demetriandelibinaryboyfriends]

*Olivia Rodriguo voice*

And now it don't mean a thing God, love's fucking embarassing Just why do I crucify myselffffff For some weird second-string loser who's not worth mentioning MY GOD, LOVE'S EMBARRASSING AS HELL

binary boyfriends season 6 anthem?

[junebluues]

voice claims for s40/41!!!! everyone cheer!!!!

sirius

speaking: mafuyu asahina from project sekai (cv: rui tanabe)

“don’t leave me alone…” as a more emotional way of speaking

“strange? if i’m strange…” (starting at 5:43) when they stop masking

mafuyu self-introduction when they’re masking

singing: mafuyu asahina (aishite aishite aishite solo) and mafuyu asahina (usseewa solo)

note: sorry these aren’t in english!!! for all the pjsk voice claims, unfortunately none of them will be in english. please imagine their voices in english for my sake… i chose a more feminine voice for sirius. i was thinking of my masculine options, but i thought the way mafuyu sang and spoke in both her kinder and apathetic voices fit sirius too well to pass up this chance.

nene

speaking: mahiru koizumi from dr2 (cv: carrie keranen)

singing: villain by stella jang

note: nene’s voice gets deeper after the horrors. please imagine a gritter, lower, more gravelly version of these two voices for post-anakt nene.

numa (made by @/spcells)

speaking: reki kyan from sk8 the infinity (cv: matt shipman)

singing: love in a song by bo en

note: not much to say other than i took creative liberties here since numa is in fact borrowed… dont forget that… but i thought these fit him pretty well for this au, since i actually have full ownership of him (and shichiro) for alnst according to my qpp 😓 i also ask them for permission to do a lot of the things i do and if their ocs are in character in lore even if i dont have to… i love them a lot please appreciate him i love youuuuu if you’re seeing this march

additionally, because i have full ownership of this au for the characters, some inspirations for them and their arcs have changed (with permission)

xael

speaking: langa hasegawa from sk8 the infinity (cv: howard wang) (not linking another video since langa also speaks in the above video for numa’s speaking voice)

singing: bitter choco decoration syudou self cover vers.

note: thought it would be cute if numa and xael matched voice claims… right… its so silly right… also i love bitter choco so i had to

shichiro (made by @/spcells)

speaking: wriothesley from genshin impact (cv: joe zieja)

singing: help its. okay well. well. it’s before i forget by slipknot…

note: shichiro is very different from my other ocs, hence the very different style and such… this isn’t a bad thing, it’s more of a lore thing. he’s not really trained to be a performer, and he was raised to become more of a “weapon.” his owner sent him to anakt for a reason shichiro doesn’t know. it’s a very good thing he adapted quickly…

marin

speaking: nicole from class of '09 (cv: elsie lovelock)

singing: readymade by ado

note: i thought nicole was funny to put as marin especially because of her behavior.. and i also really like ado's voice as marin's because ough i love ado dearly. i just imagine marin's singing to be so different from her speaking voice.

akari

speaking: marceline abadeer (cv: olivia olson) (starts at 0:33, video has spoilers for adventure time: stakes!)

singing: woke up (from adventure time: obsidian)

note: i love marceline and i wanted to use her for an oc.. and i thought akari was the perfect fit for herrrr especially the video and woke up and oh. it fits. i love marceline.

basil

speaking: toya aoyagi from project sekai (cv: itou kent)

singing: toya aoyagi (fragile solo)

note: i didn't think basil would have a higher male voice. i thought toya fit pretty well in terms of personality and the way he presents himself. he's rather soft spoken and lets others do the talking for him, but when he's on stage it's totally different.. ogh..

mira

speaking: mizuki akiyama from project sekai (cv: satou hinata)

"i'm sorry for not being able to face it..." as a more emotional way of speaking (spoilers for mizu5!)

mizuki's character introduction for normal speech

"if i talked about it earlier..." for an emptier feeling? ish? (spoilers for mizu5!)

singing: mizuki akiyama (bug solo)

note: mira... oh mira... they were a mizuki oc from the very start... i love her dearly... mizu5 pushed them here :3333

elodie

speaking: march 7th (cv: skyler davenport)

singing: emu ootori (telecaster b-boy solo) (cv: kino hina)

note: i imagine elodie's speaking voice to be high pitched like march, but when she sings, she's forced to sound a bit more childish like how emu's voice is (but not by much, which is why i chose telecaster instead of for example, tondemo-wonderz) because of her guardian.

AMALGAM

speaking: princess bubblegum (cv: hynden walch) and sunday from hsr (cv: griffin puatu) (help is there still drama with him or. not because i want to use sunday's voice for amalgam no matter what happens to the voice actor)

singing: sweet dream luka & sua mashup (cv: BL8M and C!naH)

note: please imagine bubblegum and sunday's voice overlapping when amalgam speaks. the masculine and feminine voices inside the amalgam mix when it speaks. this is also why i used the luka & sua mashup for their singing voice. amalgam's voice also echoes. also, remember that amalgam only has one body and has its own identity. the amalgam is not ellie, vera, hanno, or chiara. the amalgam is itself.

@4listr @aakaneeee @apriciticreveries @bluemoonscape @rockwgooglyeyes @zerostyrant @pwippy @nottoonedin @paradisedisconcert @starry-skiez

[pokememes]

I have thoughts on ttpd

And I don’t know where else to share them without my criticisms and qualms being written off as blind hatred so here goes

Quantity over quality was definitely the motto with this one. She said at one of the eras shows that this album was when she needed writing more than ever. That doesn’t however, mean that everything she wrote needed to be on this album. Part of what makes an album good is an artists ability to edit their songs into a cohesive work.

Going off of that last point: I blame the vault tracks. Swift and her team saw how much people loved the vault tracks and went overboard with the concept of “give the people more.” The vault tracks worked so well because they felt like a bonus. When the whole album feels like “vault tracks” it loses some of the allure.

The concept is pretty weak overall. The aesthetic that was used to market the album only fits about half of the songs. I was hoping for literary references beyond just name dropping various poets and artists but so far Cassandra is the closest that I can recall that actually references poetry. I’m sure there’s some connections I’m missing so please enlighten me, (my academic background is in art history, not literature).

I feel like conceptually there are at least two albums here. The first is the actual ttpd concept of poetic sad songs, and then there’s a second set of songs that feel much more modern and feel like they belong on a different album (Florida!!!, down bad, imgonnagetyouback, etc.). I wish she would’ve taken the double album concept all the way and grouped the songs into more cohesive narratives.

Imgonnagetyouback is the exact same idea as get him back! by Olivia Rodrigo. I just feel like there’s some irony there because didn’t Taylor sue Olivia for something similar (I don’t know the ins and outs of that whole situation so forgive me if I’m missing some nuance)? Not that two people can’t write about the same thing but something about these two songs in particular seems too similar. They don’t sound the same but specifically the lines “key his car… make him lunch” in Rodrigo’s and “be your wife … smash up your bike” in Swift’s are the exact same “domestic tasks/destroy vehicle” dichotomy. Idk man something isn’t quite right about the whole thing to me.

A lot of the lyrics do not fit the melodies AT ALL. so many lines feel oddly paced, either stretched out where they shouldn’t be or too many words crammed in. The melody should fit the lyrics and it’s just not happening in this album as a whole. So many of the lyrics are just too wordy and awkward. Poetry doesn’t need to be long to be good.

Some of the lyrics are just so bad that they take me out of the song. I’m sure anyone that’s read this far can think of a few instances that made them pause. Hearing the words “finance guy” in a song was absolutely jarring.

Overall I just feel like it’s a poor representation of her abilities. She’s shown that she can write better. Her other albums were better sonically. There’s just nothing about this that is phenomenal. Very few memorable songs. No standout radio hits. It’s not the worst album ever made but it’s just so mediocre.

This album was made for a specific type of fan; someone who is up to date on her personal life and will listen to find Easter eggs, someone who will buy all of the vinyls just to complete their collection, someone who will love these songs just because they are Taylor Swift songs. I think every fan can find a few songs they like but I’d be shocked if anyone could genuinely say that they enjoy every song on this album, or that they think this album is one of Taylor’s better releases.

[fellow-fandom-fruitifier]

(Red songs are ones I feel fit the best, some song are more vibes than anything.)

So I went through every single song I’ve ever downloaded (It’s A LOT, like, it’s a playlist over 30 hours long.) and grabbed all the ones I maladaptive daydream Wukong and/or Macaque to. So, without further ado, I present:

💞✨An Overly Long Wukong/Macaque “Playlist”✨💞

People Eater and Misery Meat by Sodikken

Sober by FIDLAR (makes me think of a v angsty shadowpeach fic from SWK’s POV)

Rät by Penelope Scott

Scrawny by Wallows

Nowhere To Run by Stegosaurus Rex

I’m Gonna Win by Rob Cantor

Poor George by James Supercave

Candle Queen by GHOST

Copycat by VocaCircus

Bury A Friend by Billie Eilish

Can’t Be Erased by Coda

Ghosts by Jacob Tillberg

Maniac by Conan Gray

Snowcone by Rei Ami

OH NO! and Are You Satisfied by Marina & The Diamonds

Good Enough by Atsuover

Two Birds by Regina Spektor

Bird Song by Florence + The Machine

Suki Suki Daisuki by Jun Togawa

Saint Bernard by Lincoln

I Can’t Decide by Scissor Sisters

Ghosting, Wrecking Ball, Hayloft (+ Hayloft II), Arms Tonite (YES IK WHAT ITS ACTUALLY ABT SHUP UP😭), and Problems by Mother Mother

Everybody Loves Me by OneRepublic

Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes

Violent by Carolesdaughter

Troublemaker by Olly Murs

Sweet Tooth and Devil Town by Cavetown

Bust Your Kneecaps by Pomplamoose

Cupid’s Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes

Cloud 9 by Beach Bunny

I Can’t Fix You by The Living Tombstone

Hot N Cold by Katy Perry

Applause by Lady Gaga

She Wants Me Dead by Cazette

Backstabber by Kesha

Hell’s Comin’ With Me by Poor Mans Poison

Paparazzi Murder Party by Vain

‘Cause I’m A Liar by Mcki Robyns-P

Choke by IDKHBTFM

Everything Stays by Adventure Time

I / Me / Myself by Will Wood (Idk y, it just feels so wholesome shadowpeach-y 2 me)

Worst Case Scenario and Goodbye MR A by The Hoosiers

Anything You Want by JAWNY

Stalkers Tango by Autoheart (listen… listen man… just think abt it)

Bad Day by Darwin Deez

Fuck You by Lily Allen (bitter exes💀)

True Love FT. Lily Allen by P!nk

Feels by Calvin Harris

Change The Formality by Infected Mushroom

I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams by Weezer

Villain by Stella Jang

Washing Machine Heart by Mitski

Ghost Busters (bcz I think it’s fun E, just imagine SWK & others like ‘who ya gonna call’ & 6EM is the ghost)

Pride X New Magic (I MEAN C’MON “Loves gonna get you killed, but prides gonna be the death of you.” IDBSIXGSINSEIH, the edit audio ever)

Sucker By Jonas Brothers

Bloody Nose and Kitchen Fork by Jack Conte (this song has the vibes that just scream the past tragedy part of their relationship 2 me, idk how 2 explain it)

Passing Through by Kaden MacKay

Karma by AJR

One Way Or Another by Blondie

These Boots Are Made For Walking by Nancy Sinatra

Bad Idea! by Girl In Red

Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo

Them Changes by Thundercat (same reason as the Jack Conte songs tbh, but it’s more the present tragedy part)

C’est toi qu’elle préfère by Alice et Moi

Break My Heart by Dua Lipa

Jesus On The Telephone by Machinery Of The Human Heart

Too Close and Michelle by Sir Chloe

Another Believer by Rufus Wainwright

Dancin Closer To The Edge by JOHNNH GOTH

Julie VS. Robot Julie by Arthur

She Wolf by Shakira

I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire by The Ink Spots

Plug Me In by Lil Soda Boi

Run, Rabbit, Run! by Flanagan & Allen

Youth by Daughter

Stay Calm by BonBun Films

Exorcism FT. Cyber Diva by Creep-P

Step On Me by The Cardigans

Girl Anachronism by The Dresden Dolls

I’m Not The Only One by Sam Smith (it’s prolly just me tbh)

Shit by Bo Burnham

NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER by Odetari (THE VIBES N SHIT, THE GIRLS R FIGHTIIIING)

[cringelordofchaos]

(for"sendacharacterandilllist"askgame) DREWWWWWWWWWWWWW

YAYYAYAYAYAYA SOMEONE ASKED ME

ok so drew !!!

favorite thing about them

everything. But if I had to choose then maybe his attachment issues or those little spiky strane of hair above one of his ears

least favorite thing about them

just the fact that his backstory is not revealed yet. Like I hope the whole "he has family issues and feels detached from them making him have a complicated and toxic view kn relationships as well as attachment issues" headcanon ks revealed to be canon otherwise, if he's acting the way he is just bc he does, then he makes for a pretty boring character no matter how "realistic" it would be (which it kinda wouldn't but whatever that's a separate discussion). so yeah like the lack of traits rather than the traits themselves ig. Though rosyclozy said season 2 is druffering 2 so I am EXCITED

brOTP

dria. draisy. dracy. idfk which I should pick. endless possibilities. and they all parallel each other in one way or another and I fucking love them platonically but I'm not interested in them romantically if I'm gonna be honest. they'd all fix him

OTP

this is so unfathomably predictive and obvious of me but Drake/PlumPeach like come on a) I relate to Drew's "I'm in love with my best friend but they can't know and they're in love with someone else" situation heavily,there are endless analyses to be made and written, endless fic potential, SO MANY songs about breakups that just Fit Them, they make each other worse and also interesting characters. Someone once called me an abuse apologist that should never date anyone because I shipped them? LMAO. that was like 3/2 years ago though. without drake drew just like... wouldnt have character. Which says a lot. Second OTP is HOT TAKE droey. I made a whole fucking post abt them please don't @ me o can explain themselves - also droey angst. Also they're complicated af as well. But they are also pretty annoying so I'm not sure lmao. Dria rules too but prefer it platonic

nOTP

Idk drelliot .?? It's so unfathomably cliche and stereotypical toxic yaoi material and I hate it but I also think it's funny so idk I don't really have notps unless it's siblings or bad age gaps cuz they make me uncomfortable

random headcanon

do I have to share only one? I want more so I'll do more. I think he's Filipino, he had one of those glow in the dark shoes in elementary school and flexed them HARD, he has major depressive disorder and maybe borderline personality disorder, he hyperfixates on video games, listens to mostly emo rap, spends most of his time inside during summer, gets a new iphone every year, cyberbullies little kids on roblox, also still plays roblox, gets expensive watches just to flex and also bc he measures his worth by wealth his parents give him bc that's the only love they show him LMAO, and thinks furries and weebs are cringe, and also i love him

unpopular opinion

he actually loved/loves zoey

song I associate with them

ok how about I drop my whole playlist for them instead

Alex G - Nintendo 64

Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

Annika Bennett - Boy Who Has Everything

Billie Eilish - Wish U Were Gay

BoyWithUke - Toxic

Conan Gray - Heather

DoshVO - Dear Jake

DoshVO - Do You Wanna Bully Hailey?

DoshVO - Like a Six "Zoey Diss"

DoshVO - Move Along

ElyOtto - SugarCrash!

Fran Vasilić - eyes blue or brown can't remember

5 Seconds Of Summer - Teeth

Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know

Jack Stauber - Cupid

Kaden Mackay - Don't You Dare (Make Me Fall In Love With You)

Kali Uchis - Just A Stranger

Laufey - From The Start

Laufey - Promise

Laufey - Second Best

Liana Flores - papercut

Mitski - Old Friend

Olivia Rodrigo - drivers license

Olivia Rodrigo - traitor

Olivia Rodrigo - vampire

Regina Spektor - Two Birds On A Wire

Rex Orange County - Best Friend

Rex Orange County - Sunflower

Rex Orange County - Television / So Far So Good

Steven Universe - It's Over Isn't It

The Front Bottoms - Be Nice To Me

The Vaccines - Heartbreak Kid

The Walters - I Love You So

...wow. I really thought I had more - whatever, more to be added w time, dw

Also the song "you better move on" I have no idea who made it ???????? I just listened to the cover by Frank Wattkinson lmao

favorite picture of them

ooof this one's heard. I mean hard. shut up

ok ok so I like this one .

cuz he's just done with him. looks angry but probably suppressing his years so fucking much. leaving Jake behind after such struggle and effort to keep him... dam (and it also shows their height difference lmfao)

Or one of these !!

Another ones from the finale, he's just laughing and smiling from the sheer pain he's in and the utter irony that is his friendship with Jake and he's so hurt but he's probably doing this to keep himself from crying but he's also probably just laughing at how pathetic he is for trusting Jake or believing that they really had something when it all turned out to be a huge lie and he just can't believe in himself or anyone anymore

ahahaha

this one's just him being jelly like eurgj. 😠😒

this one's a funny reaction image concept

and I also love this one cuz like, first of all lol at his eyebags he's either been crying or not getting any sleep or BOTH, he'd also in a call with Zoey trying to get him back and he's just looking at the side like he's mad at her and he's hurt by her but he also looks like he's trying so hard to resist idk how to explain it man he can't deal with her but he can't deal without her yknow what I mean

Thank you for asking !!!!!!

[thesinglesjukebox]

TAYLOR SWIFT - "I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART"

Who's afraid of little old meh?

[5.25]

Hannah Jocelyn: Hey, she played something with a fucking beat! [6]

Alfred Soto: An obscenity-laden ode to being as fabulous as Taylor Swift in 2024, "I Can Do with a Broken Heart" is as confident as "My Name Is" and "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)." If the performance sounds cagier, even more tentative than the words and vocal track suggest, blame Jack Antonoff, whose mix turns the instrumental foundation into yesterday's mud. In all the ways in which I imagined Swift developing, "lyrics first" would not have topped my list. [5]

Jackie Powell: Part of why “Anti-Hero” remains one of the best songs Taylor Swift has ever written is that the melody is just as strong as the relatable story Swift tells. There’s relatability here too, but the melody is “made to fit the music, rather than the other way around,” an astute observation that Pitchfork’s Olivia Horn made in her review of The Tortured Poets Department. It annoys me that the kick drum that I can’t stop tapping my foot to doesn’t lead to the appropriate burst of emotion in the chorus. This is a song about the compartmentalizing and suppression of raw emotions, yet the hook feels matter-of-fact. Would these lyrics have been more potent if the melody wasn’t so stale? I know a lot of folks have been saying this, but it’s time for Swift to work with someone besides Jack Antonoff.  [5]

Alex Clifton: Witnessing the Eras Tour was an experience unlike any other. It’s an impressive feat of endurance, and it was surreal to know that 70,000 people (including me) had come to watch this one woman do her show. Every so often I had to remind myself: this is real, she’s actually doing all of this, she’s a real human being and yet I can’t think how she does this and has a life offstage. Well, now we know! As a commentary on the Eras Tour, fame, and the parasocial relationship Swift’s fans have with her, it’s pretty neat, and I like that she goes for the grimmer side of the glamour. She has every right to brag about her professionalism here; I can barely get out of bed on bad days, let alone put on a dazzling show. But sonically it’s just another Antonoff plinky-plonky-blippy collaboration; I definitely ignored it the first couple times I listened to Tortured Poets. To me that’s the biggest letdown: a song full of potential that doesn’t quite get to burst and sparkle the way it could. Instead it’s merely fine, 6/10, I don’t hate it but she’s done better. However, I deducted a point because while I try not to care who songs are about, knowing this is likely about Ratty Healy dampened it for me. He’s not worth wasting these kinds of feelings on! [5]

Jonathan Bradley: The public perception that Swift's oeuvre centers on lovers and feuds is eternal, yet a subject she has returned to throughout her career has been work, both as labor and as something to take pride in when it's done well. Work is different for a 34-year-old woman whose job has been songwriter and recording artist since she was 16, but she approaches her toil industriously. The subject has been present in her work since her debut, which had multiple tracks that used songwriting ("Tim McGraw," "Our Song") as a structural device, but she turned her attention to labor directly in 2010's "Long Live," which wielded the fairytale imagery of "Love Story" and "White Horse" to consider what it means to lead an enterprise — in this case, a touring band — and hope your combined efforts might build a creative legacy. "If you have children some day," she asked, casting her gaze into the far future. "Tell them how the crowds went wild." In 2024, the far future is now, and Swift is still working as a songwriter and a member of a touring band, and still conscious of the transcendence that promises and the dull effort required to achieve it. "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" is a song about being a professional and executing her craft even while she's falling apart emotionally. "I am so productive," she promises, a one-woman economic stimulus package. She is condescending ("I'm a real tough kid") and callous to herself ("lights, camera — bitch, smile"), and offers her disintegrated person ("all the pieces of me shattered") to a public that demands and maybe deserves all of her. What do the thoughts and feelings of Little Old Her matter in the face of the Taylor Swift Industrial Complex? Yet it doesn't sound effortful; this is a party song, and heartbeat rhythm and accelerated tempo feels like the anticipation in the hours before an arena show put on by your favorite pop star. The arrangement's synth-pop pulse oscillates like a radio transmission: dancefloor-ready the way an accelerated revision of Folklore's spotlit slow-jam "Mirrorball" might be. (If this were 1996, the maxi-single would contain at least three inappropriately boshing remixes, and we are lesser for their absence.) But "I Can Do It" calls back to another period of Swift's career too: Reputation, an album that began with a flight to a secluded island and ended with the intimate domesticity of two lovers tidying up the remains of a party. The thesis statement of that album was that, for all her confessional lyrics and public scrutiny, Taylor Swift is fundamentally unknowable even to her most ardent fans. And look! Here she has performed a world-conquering tour, unprecedented in scale, and night after night kept secret this gloom consuming her. "I'm miserable," she crows as the song culminates, thrilling in subterfuge the way a magician might. "And nobody even knows!"  [10]

Taylor Alatorre: How'd it take Swift this long to have a charting single that uses the word "productive" as the shining centerpiece of its chorus? She's always had something of the overachieving AP student about her, and Tortured Poets is where she finally stopped trying to hide this and instead decided to make big-budget fanfic out of it. The tinker-toy soundscape, showily but not fussily busy, conjures up a Stephen Biesty cross-section of the inside of the Taylor Swift Hit Factory, all the whirring deadlines and clattering headlines that require teams of professionals to help manage them ("don't know my schedule on the 5th," as a smaller-scale pop neurotic put it). In "Broken Heart," Swift is eager to pull back the curtain from the machine further than she's ever done, though she naturally stops short of throwing her body upon the gears and wheels Mario Savio-style. I choose to believe that her lilting inflection of the word "it" is an allusion to sex in the manner of the Cole Porter standard, because that'd maximize the song's fertile intersection between public and private. Even if I'm wrong, though, and this really is just a condensed Behind the Music episode for Every Taylor Swift Break-Up Song, it at least hits the crucial mark of putting entertainment first and autofictional indulgence second. [7]

Nortey Dowuona: "He said he'd love me all his life!" is a frustrating sentence. At first, it's simple and cutting, a reminder of the anguish of losing someone who made a flimsy, insubstantial promise in a haze of heady, exaggerated joy then retracted it. The frustrating part is that this doesn't seem to be the realization -- the realization is the betrayal and anger at the betrayal, not an acceptance of the fading nature of the promise. Worse, it's phrased like "he said -- he'd love -- me all -- his life!", a leap forward over the four hits of the kick that only appears to jog you out of a stupor. The same effect is meant for "he said -- he'd love -- me for -- all time!", but the rest of the prechorus settles into that flat stupor. Swift isn't moved to sing in a deeper or brighter soprano, but returns to the same four measures of quarter notes, so once the chorus appears, it evaporates over the Broadway synthesizers. The synths are also weak, a hidden piano arpeggio flattened by limp pads, and when the drums and real synth line take the forefront, the prechorus synths seem even weaker. The even more frustrating part is that if you have no idea who and what Taylor Swift is, you have no idea who the "he" is who is dragging her into a pit of despair. "He said he'd love me all his life"/"he said he'd love me for all time" appears apropos of nothing and holds no weight; there is no way to make it noticeable unless you phrase it wrong. This is why Jack Antonoff is a bad producer: he can't prompt the songwriter to provide a more rhythmic or better-written prechorus, so the whole song cannot transition from verse to chorus without gracelessly lashing out. [4]

Will Adams: My lingering impression of TTPD was that the songs were all so hazy and drumless it might as well have been a two-hour compilation of the "pop song playing in an abandoned mall" genre. Revisiting "I Can Do It..." is refreshing; the drop, once it finally arrives, is fizzy and percolating. But then there are the lyrics. As ever, the tortured poet rears her head here, seemingly pouring out her feelings about the trappings of fame while never revealing too much. Even the attempts at catchphrase -- "lights, camera, bitch, smile" -- feel guarded. [5]

Ian Mathers: Keeping the count-in from the producer there in the background is the kind of thing that usually works for me, but it never quite gels here; volume? timing? Who knows. But it's the kind of not-quite-rightness that seems to be afflicting a lot of Swift's recent material. The later repetitions of the "birthday"/"plague" lines over the post-Chvrches synths make me think her going full synth pop might actually work in a way I wouldn't have guessed (or maybe I've been listening to too much early OMD recently). Lyrically and thematically this one kind of winds up in the "Anti-Hero" space of... yes, you've got a point, and some of the lines work, but no amount of self-awareness makes the ones that don't clunk any less. As with... everything to do with Swift, it would benefit from everything around her being at least slightly less exhausting/omnipresent. [6]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: Distinctly post-prime in a way that even "Fortnight" didn't hit. It's reminiscent of nothing less than Russell Westbrook on the Los Angeles Lakers; she's hitting all the right poses, putting on a good attitude about the whole enterprise, but nothing ever coheres — the same tricks that worked to varying degrees on the "Mean"-"Blank Space"-"Delicate"-"Anti-Hero" continuum, the intentional conflation of romance, selfhood, and fame, no longer land in quite the same way. What was once clever albeit effortful now is adorned with flop sweat; "lights, camera, bitch smile" and "I'm so depressed I act like it's my birthday every day" would've sounded leaden and cliché even on Lover. Everything is bright and shiny and rather boring — the skeleton of a great Taylor Swift song that in practice can only remind me of past glories. [3]

Leah Isobel: The more time passes the more I think "Dancing On My Own" should never have happened; the long procession of diluted knock-offs makes the original seem more formulaic, watery, and obvious every year. Taylor's take on the concept doesn't bother to invest its mixed emotions with any sort of physical reality: her performance is so Disney-princess smiley, the synth throbs and jittering hi-hats are so wimpy, and that disgusting little piano twing is so... hateful! This is tacky, the performance of performance, and it might work if Taylor had any semblance of camp about her. She does not. This sucks! [2]

Katherine St. Asaph: The year 2024 has brought two attempts to revamp Britney Spears' "Lucky": an explicit cover by Halsey, and this implicit remake by Taylor Swift. Superficially, the three songs are the same: pop stars cry too. Yet in their nuances, they are products of drastically different cultures. The biggest distinction is that unlike Halsey and Swift, Britney didn't write her single; the main writers were Max Martin and Rami Yacoub (plus ambiguous "additional songwriting" by Alexander Kronlund; maybe he just popped in on a session like on "Side to Side"). Some might be tempted to draw the easy #menwritingwomen conclusion here, but I don't think that's quite it. As a songwriter, Martin famously thinks of lyrics as phonics over subtext, and Yacoub is also not a lyricist first. Their skill is to write melodies that sound like they were engraved in the musical scale for centuries; it is not to provide psychological depth. If Lucky has introspected at all on her pain -- why do these tears come at night? -- Britney doesn't let on. The song is narrated in third person; even the chorus is just words "they say." Halsey and Swift, though, write not just in the first person but in a confessional mode. They allude to documented events in their lives, psychoanalyze what drives them and invite you to agree, and openly admit to how they're offering up their pain for public consumption -- all things that are demanded from celebrities far more now than in 2000. Despite Swift's reputation as pop's parasocial princess, though, Halsey's heroine is the one whose hell is basically parasocial: she does it all to be "liked by strangers that she met online." "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" is closer to Spears' idea of celebrity: pop star as remote idol rather than universal bestie. Both songs linger on their sugary hooks, on the glamour and the sequins of it all; they even both rhyme off "winning." The key difference, though, is that Britney's Lucky has no agency; she wakes up to handlers knocking on her door, and what she wakes up into is just more dreamsleep. Taylor Swift -- or at least the autofictional "Taylor Swift" in this song -- is constitutionally terrified of the fact that there are things in life beyond her control. The problem of heartbreak making her miserable is secondary to the problem of heartbreak being a career liability she hasn't yet addressed. She's the girlboss's girlboss; as with "Woman's World," you get the sense that "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" would have killed 10 years ago. In 2024, though, the song doesn't benefit from that hit of zeitgeisty extramusical energy; it must manage to do it with an outdated heart. The chorus is powered by self-loathing melodrama, like @SoSadToday set to the melody of "Guess I'll Go Eat Worms." How much it works depends entirely on how much it gets you to repeat stuff like "I'm so obsessed with him but he avoids me like the plague :D" on chipper singsong autopilot in such situations -- and for that, it admittedly works quite well. But the production is thin, as if the "Dancing on My Own" Jack Antonoff liked and bit was the radio edit and not the album version; besides the bubblegum melody, the chorus hardly registers as pop. This should sound show-stopping and manic and iconic; instead it sounds perfectly professional. [ ] Exceeds Expectations [X] Meets Expectations [ ] Below Expectations [5]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

[foxes-that-run]

imgonnagetyouback is also making it clear that she's really angry at him. But she's not sure how she feels about him rn or what she actually wants. She's either gonna end up with him or she's gonna ruin his life (smash you bike). i think she also means she's not gonna go back to him and she knows it will ruin him forever which is basically saying the car won't touch if he doesn't touch her. Most people think it's about matty but she clearly says she doesn't want him back. But i have seen some people say this can be about Joe which would make sense because he was seen with bike (similar to Harry's i think?) and i believe this song was written later in the year. But i don't think Joe still wants her because that's one of reason they didn't work, he stopped wanting her. So i think it's definitely about Harry.

I also feel like loml and ttpd song are about Harry and Joe both. I don't think mh is there. I think BDILH is about how fans and media and public try to dictate her life choices but base of the song what happened when she was dating Harry and also what happened last May. So it's about both of them. There are other songs that can be about more than one person though.

But what makes me wonder is TSMWEL. She mentions him buying pills, which i think is drugs, from a friend of her friends. Why would mh buy drugs if he's been sober for so many years!!! Because there's not proof that he started using them again. I don't know if it's actually drugs or just metaphor but since drugs runs through this album i thought it might be

Imgonnagethimback is the same story of Olivia Rodrigo’s song by the same name, but yes I think it’s about Harry

There’s a lot on the main album I think are about more than one muse, maybe started for one and ended for another, that happened on reputation.

I think TSMWEL has some references I think fit Harry but it is clearly directed at MH now with these parts, the suit and stage lights. As you say she refers to drugs a bit, maybe it’s literal, maybe not? I’m wondering about the scenario that Taylor has a better drug connection than these muses.

[louisisalarrie]

do you think that harry’s olivia tattoo is real? and if it is than it is crazy to think that he would get a tattoo for a stunt (and holivia was the least believable stunt out of all of his “relationships”) - it’s just so crazy!!!

i may have mentioned it before i think, but the Olivia tattoo threw a lot of larries (myself included for a second) and made a fair few leave the fandom/stop believe in larry. It was a far more obvious tattoo (that would disappear and reappear lol) than the ‘e’ on louis’ hand which was supposedly for Eleanor, so it really riled us all up. Ive mentioned in the past about tattoos and what meanings they have and how it’s different for everyone, but I mean… to quote Harry, when talking about the song Olivia off MITAM, “is Olivia even a person? Is Olivia an emotion? Is she a place? We don’t know!”

And that song, Olivia, was talked about heaps by larries because it’s a way to say “i love ya” without actually saying it. It’s a very cute and lovely play on words, so yeah. There was speculation he got it because of that song and it’s Larry ties, and it fit the narrative pretty naturally. My argument is that of all tattoos Harry has gotten that match Louis’, as far as we know, there’s never been louis’ actual name on him. Matching and beautiful, all of them, but i just really don’t think he’d be that stupid to get a huge tattoo of a “girlfriend”’s name on him. It’s a stupid thing to do of anyone, and if we believe Harry is truly the womaniser he is and fucks everything that moves, and is chaotic in his relationships, I don’t think he truly would’ve done it. And you’re correct, Holivia was the messiest and most unbelievable stunt we’ve ever gotten, and if they were actually together and had a relationship like that, I doubt a tattoo of her name was in Harry’s mind.

So, in my opinion, it’s absolutely not for her. Also the ‘Colazione’ (Italian for breakfast) tattoo directly underneath it, is interesting too. Italy has always been a big thing for HL, and… idk. Getting those two tattoos in the same font next to each other was kinda weird, so I’m sure it has some deeper meaning.

Anyway, maybe he loves breakfast. Bc, same.

[monzabee]

i was wondering if you associate any songs with the drivers? other than the obvious ones like smooth operator or that one friday song. just more like “this is written about them” or “this song is their vibe”

there’s this song my boyfriend loves called CHERIE by darius and it reminds me of charles. also taylor swift’s sparks fly for some reason? i think it’s the green eyes lyric. plus feather by sabrina carpenter and karma by taylor. HES TAYLOR CODED TO ME??? and im honestly not even her HUGEST fan so idk why. anyways, these are more songs that remind me of him then ones he’d listen to.

adele reminds me of lando cause i can just fully imagine him knowing every adele song. also greedy by tate mcrae, never be like you (idk who that’s by), blame it by t-pain (i literally have no reason for this one😭), meet me halfway by the black eyed peas, and we found love by rihanna. oh and fireball by pitbull

dangerous woman by ariana, fetish by selena gomez, and moonlight by kali uchis for carlos

voulez-vous by abba and mamas boy by dominic fike (maybe cause it says maxa maxa million or maybe cause the sad tiktok edits) for max.

the real slim shady and without me for seb vettel

5SOS always gives me danny ric but i think that’s cause i accidentally mentally mashed all my fav aussie’s together. also life is a highway and this one rap song i actually got FROM him that’s so stupid but it’s like “i feel real good today.” paper planes by m.i.a and sunflower vol 6 by harry.

i have so many more but this is too long already. i’ll end it by saying i genuinely think the entire sport of F1 gives viva la vida and that “all the birds of a feather” rio song

👻🤍

OKAY WAIT THIS IS A PRETTY GOOD LIST??

i do totally agree that charles is taylor swift coded, but i was listening to folklore the other day and he's so mirrorball coded and it definitely breaks my heart, but i also feel like mirrorball can also be fitting for a lot of other drivers😭 he's also so fearless coded if you know what i mean😭 but i feel like adele is more charles' lane because he's a sad boy at heart and he said he does enjoy her music👀

GREEDY BY TATE MCRAE IS SO LANDO CODED AND I WILL NOT SHUT UP ABOUT IT EVER😭 for some reason i do associate a lot of olivia rodrigo's songs with lando, at least the upbeat ones, like i feel like he's just a teenage girl at heart and i love him for that. also, in a weird way unwritten by natasha bedingfield reminds me so much of lando, i guess he also gives me romcom vibes🫠

i've been saying this for months, i even have fic based off of it that i have to finish but maroon by taylor swift is carlos coded!! i do have to finish that fic but yeah😭 also, he's so lana coded?? like million dollar man, off to the races, lust for life... HE EXUDES OLD MONEY ENERGY FOR SOME REASON (probably because he kinda is)

there's this one song that my dad used to play for me called sun goes down by david jordan and i associate that song with seb a lot, but honestly he can be anything coded really?? taylor swift? fits. eminem? also fits because he used to be a little menace. i also kinda think panic! at the disco and seb could be a vibe🫡

to me daniel is definitely country coded and that's it😂 like i'm talking dolly parton😭 9 to 5? definitely his anthem. also, PITBULL😭

OKAY THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING ME THINK ABOUT THIS BESTIE

[stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale]

uh oh, I goofed- there are actually 10 new teaser pages for Clementine Book Two

Yeeeeeeah, so remember how I said there were only four new teasers from Tillie’s insta? I was deceived, and it’s all Skybound’s fault >:[ I place all blame on them. Couldn’t be my fault. :/

@arielsprospera informed me that Skybound posted the pages on twitter, and since I avoid twitter like my entire existence depends on it, I never would’ve known had someone not informed me, so thank you! 

So for real this time, let’s look over the new pages and discuss.

Okie dokie, I think it’s safe to say they got away from the two dudes who grabbed Olivia. It was a close one, but they’re three young girls so it’s easy to underestimate them and that’s always a good advantage. 

I love that Olivia has a wound on her face and Ricca just sticks her fingers in it like, “Scars are cool.” Girl don’t do that, you’re hands are dirty, that’s how infections happen!

Speaking of-- for me the big thing with this page is Clementine saying, “My other leg hurts more, though. Something’s up with it...” 

....Clementine. What do you mean something’s up with it? Something as in you’re not caring for it properly and now it’s swelling with infection??

You’ll change the world, Clementine? “It won’t be like this forever”?

Interesting, that’s the kind of attitude I’d expect to see from S1 and S2 Clementine. ANF Clementine is where she lost a lot of that hope that the world would get better and believed things would get better, which made sense given all the shit that happened to her to lead up to that. 

She was a little more hopeful in TFS, like when Tenn tells the group he doesn’t believe the walkers will be around forever, but at this point she’s mostly accepted that this is just how the world works now and you have to do what you can to survive. 

So, what’s changed? 

Oh, and hands... Clementine and Ricca’s hands are touching. Much romance. 

Not much to say about this page other than it looks nice. I like it. Tillie does establishing shots well. 

Again, Clementine... I have a hard time feeling too bad about your leg. I get that y’all want to keep moving to get... wherever it is you’re going, but you’re not going to get far if your leg kills you. 

The group’s a mess, really. It’s not great when Olivia is the most stable, given Ricca’s vision is deteriorating and Clementine’s leg is in terrible condition from lack of proper care.

Also, I see two strangers and horse in the corner. They could just be random people they want to avoid, or maybe those two dudes had a bigger group that’s in the area and it’s best to avoid them. 

.......uhhhh

”Don’t, I’ll n-never get him back on.”  ..........what do you mean? Clementine, you took it off on page 19, you’ve taken your prosthetic off plenty of times? Unless her leg is so swollen now that it no long fits, which is not a great sign. 

And she has a fever. Because of course she does. 

Also, blegh... I still cannot get over the fact that she named her leg Kenny. This is a great example of “bad fan service,” I actually hate it so much. 

I’m just going to paste what I wrote before about this section:

Clementine’s got a fever and they’re covered in mud, shit, and blood...not great things to have on an infected leg, y’all.

Also, “We’ll eat fish.” .....insert AJ’s “I like fish!” line here.

Oh wait, you can’t, because AJ’s not here. Because he’s back at Ericson. Because Clementine left. I bet her leg wouldn’t be covered in mud if she had just stayed... just sayin’.

Not a great sign that she’s practically passed out and can’t form words. 

I looked up the song Ricca’s singing here since you never know, might have some good ol’ symbolism and pertain thematically to the story, why else put a song in, y’know? And: “a Jewish hymn recited on Friday night before the Sabbath (Shabbat) meal. The poem is based on the legend of the sages in the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat.”

And yeah, from what these translations tell me, there are angels.

Oh boy, Clementine’s not doing so good. She won’t wake up, Ricca’s crying, and Olivia’s...still not doing much tbh. 

Oh boy, a boat... I wonder if that boat will take them to an island community, hmm? 

I actually really like this page, but mostly for everything except the characters. The sky is lovely and I like the texture of the sand. The characters don’t look too bad, even here they look better than they might’ve in Book One, but still. 

Also I wonder if we’re going to get another dream sequence? I mean, is it really a Clementine story without a Lee dream shoved in? And if Clementine’s passed out, this is the perfect opportunity. 

Unless Tillie decides to give her a different dream involving AJ, or Kenny... actually I’ll be surprised if AJ gets another appearance or a mention in the rest of the trilogy. He’s not important, y’know... blegh. 

There we have it. 

Clementine, Ricca, and Olivia got away from the two dudes who grabbed them, Clementine’s leg is probably infected and she’s sick with fever, and they’re going to get help from a boat in the distance who will likely bring them to the island community. 

Once again: Do y’all have thoughts? Are you excited for Clementine Book Two? I doubt you are since most aren’t, but you never know.

Personally, I’m excited to be disappointed, but hopeful to be proven wrong. Either way, I win.

[theoreticslut]

「 jealousy, jealously 」

eddie munson x henderson!fem reader

summary: you were a part of hellfire long before your brother and his friends got to high school, yet they fit right into the club while you get pushed aside. 

requested: no

word count: 6.4k

warnings: light angst, jealousy, brief arguing/raised voices, lots of fluff, kissing, fake gagging, few curse words

a/n: i apparently can’t write short fics for eddie, but i don’t think anyone is complaining about it. plus, i think the fics are freaking adorable & i’m highkey kinda proud of them. so i hope you continue enjoying them, as i’ve got plenty of ideas for him with more coming daily. if you’ve got an idea you’d like done (for eddie or any other st character) feel free to send it my way & i’ll give it a go. also, i couldn’t think of a better title than this, but the actual fic has no purposeful inpsiration from the olivia rodrigo song. i hope you enjoy it regardless! Xx

Part 2 out now!

You groan as you see your brother and his friends make their way through the cafeteria towards you. Knowing it was their first day of high school, you had no doubt they’d try to sit with you. It’s not that you don’t want them to, but you’re terrified that they’ll embarrass you in front of your long-standing crush and dungeon master.

It had been a few months into your freshman year of high school when the small group of friends you’d found yourself in started ranting about how weird and creepy the Hellfire club - and their leader, Eddie Munson - was. You didn’t quite hold the same opinions, though, since you’d been playing the game for a few years by then. In fact, you had only recently given it up when the friend you played with moved towns.

It was during one of your free periods when their ranting became a bit annoying to you. You had started correcting and fact-checking them, forgetting that Eddie shared the study hall with you. You never even gave it a thought that he could hear the four of you talking until he stopped you at your locker after that period - the day, luckily, being over.

He wanted to know how you knew so much about the game which is when you admitted you had played. Of course that knowledge completely floored him. 

When he was able to pull himself back together, though, he offered for you to join them at lunch the following day to meet the group and see if you wanted to become their newest member. You agreed, and within the week found yourself a permanent part of hellfire with your own shirt and everything.

It’s been two and a half years since then and you were still a part of the group, happily devoting your Thursday evenings to play the game. Within these past couple years and all the Thursdays you’ve spent in his presence, though, you found yourself falling hard for Eddie.

It’s nearly impossible not to when he’s so charismatic and funny. Not to mention how kind, passionate, and beautiful he is. You’d swear he was a fucking angel, regardless of the image he tries to portray.

“Y/n! Can we sit here with you? Please?” You hear your brother almost beg, catching your attention as your heart starts to race.

You’ve never mentioned to the group that you have a younger brother, especially not a younger brother that also plays D&D. You knew they’d want to be introduced to him, and you fear that he'd slowly come to replace you in the group.

“Who’re these kids?” Eddie questions, hands clasped in front of his face as he looks between you and the three younger boys standing behind you.

“Uh, Dustin, here, is my brother.” You start, nodding towards him as he smiles.

“A-and these are his friends, Mike and Lucas.” 

“A young Henderson…hmm? Tell me, do you guys play?” Eddie asks the three boys, catching them off guard, their mouths opening and closing as they figure out how to answer.

“They do. They’ve been playing for a few years.” You answer for them, motioning for them to just sit down.

“Thank you.” Mike and Lucas mouth, having sat on the same side of the table as you with Dustin.

You sigh, smiling lightly as you nod to them. Of course you don’t want to upset Eddie, but you’re also not going to leave your brother and his friends to fend for themselves.

Wanting to move on, you take a bite of your lunch, hoping that Eddie leaves the topic of the boys joining you alone. Having known him for three years, though, you should know that he can’t.

“You’ve never mentioned having a brother, Henderson.” He comments, and you can practically feel his eyes on you as you stare at your food.

“The topic never really came up.” 

“Not even when I’ve mentioned wanting to find new members?” He lightly smirks, curious as to why you’d keep such a thing secret. 

Surely you realize how great having a brother that plays D&D is? Within the year most of you will be graduating, and he needs someone to pass the dungeon master title on to. Your younger brother and his friends just starting high school couldn’t be a better option.

“Figured you’d find him and his friends soon enough anyways.” you comment, still not looking up to the curly-haired adonis.

“Hmm, well they’ve saved me the work of searching them out by coming over here. Welcome to hellfire, boys.” 

“Wait, you’re just letting them join?” Gareth questions.

“Yeah. You’ve seen Henderson play. If they know her then they’ve got to be good.” Eddie smiles, making your cheeks flush.

“They’re good, but not on my account.” You mumble.

“Nonsense. Still can’t believe you wouldn’t tell us about them before now, though.” 

“How come you haven’t, y/n? I mean, you talk about them all the time.” Dustin asks, before taking a bite of his food. 

At his statement, the rest of the group seem to perk up, curious to know what you say about each of them. 

“I do not. I’ve only mentioned the club a few times.” You huff, feeling your cheeks heat up a bit more.

“Only a few times to mom and I, but I hear you on the phone with your friend talking about them every week.”

“First off, why’re you even listening to me on the phone? Secondly, the only reason I talk about the club is because I’m updating her on my life.” 

“Got a rather boring life then.” Dustin quips and you simply gawk at him, not believing him right now as a few surprised chuckles leave the rest of the boys.

“Shut up and eat, Dustin. No one asked for your input.” 

You watch him shrug before turning to Mike and Lucas while you stick to staring at your food, feeling the group's eyes on you. It’s bad enough you’re the only girl in the group, you didn’t need them to know you talk about them on a weekly basis.

Little do you realize that Eddie can’t help but find himself smiling at this new side of you. He’s been intrigued by you ever since he first heard you correcting your friends back in your freshman year. He couldn’t believe that such a beautiful girl would play the game he loved.

Of course, after watching you play and just spending time with you during lunch, he’s found himself crushing on you, even if you still remained a bit of a mystery to him. He couldn’t bring himself to tell you of his feelings, though. Not once in the three years he’s known you.

Hearing that you talk about the club, though, makes his heart race. You really enjoy their company so much that you’d talk about them to a friend? It’s insane to him, and yet it makes him feel giddy. He can’t help but wonder what you’ve said - about the club or about him.

~.~

“Lauren, I’m telling you! For as long as I’ve been a part of the club, my brother joins and suddenly that’s all they care about. They all like my brother and his friends better than me.” You sigh, turning onto your back as you stare at the ceiling.

“I highly doubt that, y/n. I’m sure it’s just that your brother and his friends are still new.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Laur. I mean, it’s not like I really bring anything to the group.”

“Y/n, you’re the only girl.”

“That doesn’t mean anything though.” You almost whine. 

You hate to admit it, but you’ve been feeling left out of the club ever since your brother and his friends joined a few months ago. You had the feeling that this would happen, even though you hoped it wouldn’t.

It’s not like you really bring anything to the group, though, now that you’ve introduced Dustin, Lucas, and Mike to the club. Your character isn’t super powerful or helpful or anything. You’re not the best roller. You’re just there...seemingly wasting space.

“Pretty sure it does. I mean, the way you’ve talked about…what’s his name, Eddie?”

“What about him?”

“The way you’ve talked about him, it sounds like he likes you.”

“No. No, he doesn’t. I’m sure of that. He barely talks to me.” You sigh, rolling over onto your stomach as you bury your head into the pillows.

“Y/n, hon, boys are terrible at talking to the girls they like!” Lauren laughs, and you know she’s shaking her head at you.

“Not Eddie. He usually can’t stop flirting, and yet he doesn’t flirt with me. I don’t even think he’s ever actually called me by my name, Laur. I’m just...Henderson to him.”

“Maybe you make him nervous.”

“Me? Make him nervous? Laur, you’ve lost your mind!” You scoff, knowing you could never make a guy nervous. 

Guys don’t even notice you, for crying out loud. How can you make them nervous?

“I don’t make guys nervous. Guys don’t even notice me, Laur. I’m not you.”

“Okay, now you’re just being down on yourself and I’m not going to have that. If this Eddie guy can’t see how fucking amazing you are, then he just doesn’t deserve you. Alright?”

“Not alright. I want him to like me. Like, a lot.” You pout.

“I’m telling you he does. If I’m wrong then I’ll drive myself down there and let you have free go at me. How’s that?”

“You know I’d never do that to you, but I’m telling you that you’re wrong.”

“Sure, I like him, but I know it’s never going to happen.” You sigh, twirling the cord as you stare at your bedspread, still laying on your stomach.

“What’s never going to happen?” You hear Dustin ask, making you jump and drop the phone.

“Dustin, get out of my room!”

“But it’s time to go! We’re going to be late if we don’t leave, y/n, and I don’t want to upset Eddie by being late.” He rambles, and all you can do is roll your eyes.

“Fine. Go get in the car. I’ll be right down.”

“Don’t forget that we’re picking up Mike and Lucas. And don’t forget your folder!”

“I won’t. Now go.” You groan, rolling back onto your stomach and grabbing the phone.

“I’m sorry, Laur. I’ve got to go.” 

“Time to go see your man, huh?” She teases and you roll your eyes, attempting to fight back a blush.

“He’s not my man. Never will be. I’ll call you later, though, okay?” 

“You better! Love you.”

With a ‘love you’ of your own you hang up the phone and roll off of your bed. Grabbing your backpack and a sweater, you slip your shoes on before grabbing your keys and leaving the room.

You really kind of hope tonight’s game goes by quickly, not wanting to be in Eddie’s presence longer than necessary.

~.~

Eddie can’t help but frown as he watches you tonight. He’s been noticing how you’ve been seeming more and more down, almost seeming to pull into yourself and away from the group this past month.

You’ve been quiet lately, which isn’t terribly out of character for you, but it seems different than normal. You don’t quite have that same brightness to you that Eddie’s come to look forward to each day.

“Henderson, is everything alright?”

At his voice you’re pulled from your thoughts, turning to look at the beautiful, curly-haired man that makes your heart race and palms sweat.

“Mhm. Fine.” You hum, nodding and sending a small smile in his direction.

“You’re sure?”

“Mhm.”

As you hum, you turn your attention back to your clasped hands on the table as you zone back out to Dustin and the rest of the group chattering around you.

“Little Henderson, is something up with your sister?” you hear Eddie question as he turns his attention to your brother. 

“Unbelievable.” You huff, shaking your head and crossing your arms as you slump back in your chair.

“Excuse me?” 

“Nothing. Never mind.” You mumble, staring at the table in front of you as you chew on the inside of your cheek.

All you did was zone out for a moment. You don’t understand why he’d have to ask Dustin what’s wrong when that’s all you did. It’s not like he’s ever actually taken notice of your emotions before to know that something is wrong.

“I think she’s upset about a guy.” Dustin speaks up after a moment and you can’t help but scowl at him, brows furrowed in shocked anger.

“A guy?” Eddie questions, almost seeming surprised.

“Yeah.” 

“It’s not about a guy, Dustin. Maybe try keeping your head out of my business.” You retort, jaw tensing in anger.

“But you were saying something about liking someone and how it’s not going to happen.”

“And I told you to stop listening in on me when I’m on the phone.” 

“Then what’s wrong?” Dustin questions, seeming like he genuinely wants to know which irritates you slightly. Why does he have to be so caring when you’re trying to be angry with him?

“Doesn’t matter.” you state, wanting the conversation to be over.

“Yes, it does.”

“If I wanted to tell you, Dustin, I would. Just leave it.” 

“G-guys, can we…can we get playing again?” You hear Mike stutter out and you let out a deep breath.

“Yeah. Sorry for getting off topic. Let’s play.”

“Are you going to be alright to play?” Eddie questions, looking you over, seemingly studying your body language.

He’s never seen you upset before, and he can’t help but wonder what’s going on. It’s not like you to be angry and short with others. Not when he’s always seen you as the happy, upbeat one of the group. 

Could it be a guy like Dustin suggested? Or is it just that you’re not feeling well? Either way he can’t help but want to know.

“I’ll be fine. Let’s just get this going again.” you answer, not bothering to look at anyone but rather as the table and your hands. 

“Henderson-“ Eddie starts, but you quickly cut him off, taking him by surprise at the sheer frustration coming from you.

“Do you not want me playing right now? I said I’ll be fine. Believe me, will you?” 

“Alright. Where were we?”

You let out a breath as you all slowly get back to the game, although you can feel the tenseness of the air still lingering. Attempting to ignore it, you force yourself to focus on what Eddie and everyone else is saying, hoping to god the campaign isn’t much longer.

~.~

Taking your seat at the lunch table, you feel Gareth and Jeff’s eyes on you. It’s like they’re not sure how to talk to you, almost afraid that you’re still as touchy as you were last night during the game.

“I’m not going to bite your heads off, you know.” You comment, not bothering to look up at them as you shove a forkful of food into your mouth.

“You’re sure?” Gareth questions, eyes wider than normal as he still seems cautious.

“Mhm. I just wasn’t feeling great last night.”

“Okay. You’ve just…never been like this.” He states and you know he’s not wrong. Ever since you first joined the club you’ve been quiet and almost demure, not wanting to create any issues. 

You shrug, acknowledging his statement, but leave it unanswered. There’s not really anything to say to that. Not when the entire reason for your irritation is kind of embarrassing and childish.

The two of them don’t seem to mind though, going back to talking amongst themselves as you eat in silence, waiting for everyone else to join the table.

It’s not like anything really changes once everyone is there. They all chat amongst themselves while you keep to yourself, only giving short replies when talked to. You simply eat in silence as you let yourself fall into your thoughts, not wanting to make the atmosphere tense like you had last night.

No one seems to mind, though. At least you don’t think they do. Not until Eddie slides into the empty desk next to yours in your shared study hall at the end of the day.

“Hey, Henderson.” He greets, voice lowered so as to not get yelled at by the teacher or to potentially get on your bad side.

“Hey.” 

“What’s…what’s going on lately?”

“What do y’mean?”

“You’ve been quieter than usual. Not as happy either.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about Eddie.” You mumble, not wanting to share what’s been going on.

“No? See, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. Something’s bothering you.” 

“So what if there is? I’m not telling you unless I want to.” 

At your reply, Eddie simply sighs, and you can’t help but feel a little rude. It’s not like he’s done anything, it’s just your stupid thoughts and feelings getting in the way.

“Alright then. I’m not going to push for an answer. I just...I need to know that whatever it is won’t be interfering with the campaign.” 

“It won’t be. Not from here on out.”

“Here on out?”

“I’m quitting the club. Been thinking about it for a while now.” You admit, watching his face fall at your words.

“Henderson-“

“It’s y/n, Eddie.“

As the words leave your lips, the bell rings to signal that the day is finally over. Without hesitating a second, you’re up from your seat and walking away, leaving Eddie confused and scrambling to catch up to you.

“Y/n?” He calls, chasing you from the classroom and towards the doors, not caring that he needed to stop at his locker.

You see Dustin, Lucas, and Mike waiting by the trash can at the edge of the parking lot, and you sigh. You really can’t wait to get home.

“Y/n?! What’s brought this on? Why do you wanna leave the club?” Eddie calls as he continues to follow you towards the parking lot.

“You’re leaving hellfire?” Dustin questions, him and the other two boys having heard Eddie.

“Just get in the car, Dustin.”

“But you’re leaving hellfire?! You can’t just do that!” 

“Exactly! Why’re you trying to leave?” Eddie questions, panting lightly as he finally catches up to you at your car.

“I’m not trying to leave, Eddie. I am leaving. I don’t want to be a part of it anymore. Sorry.”

“No. You can’t just leave. We haven’t finished the campaign yet.”

“You’ll figure out how to continue it without me, I’m sure.”

Of course he’d just be upset about the game getting messed up and not about you actually leaving. Why would he care when he’s still got Little Henderson there? 

“I’ll return my shirt next week.” You state, moving to get into the car.

“Th-that’s not necessary. Hold onto the shirt. Keep it for memory’s sake, I mean.”

“If that’s what you want.” 

Eddie nods, watching you, seeming as if he wants to say something else but he can’t bring himself to.

“Is that everything?” You question, wanting nothing more than to leave.

“Yeah...Yeah, I guess. I’ll see you around?” 

“Yeah. See you around. Come on now, Dustin.”

“You two need rides?” You question Mike and Lucas, almost seeming to ignore Eddie as you get in the car. They shake their heads and you nod, closing your door as you wait for Dustin to do the same.

Soon as he does, you’re putting the car in reverse and backing out as you had already started it. You really didn’t want to be there any longer than you already had been.

As you pull out of the parking lot, though, you can feel Dustin wanting to ask questions, but he seems scared to anger you, so he stays quiet. His questions simply swirling around his head, instead.

~.~

“Wait, you did what now?!” Lauren questions, almost screaming into the receiver.

“I quit the club. I couldn’t keep pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.”

“But you enjoyed it.”

“I enjoyed it when I hadn’t been shoved to the background. I enjoyed it when I actually felt like a part of the club.” 

“So talk to them? You don’t just quit something because it stopped being fun.”

“I think that’s precisely what you do when a club stops being fun, Laur. Besides, it’s not like they miss me.” You huff, pulling your feet towards your body as you lay on your stomach, softly kicking them in the air.

It’s been just about a month since you quit the club, and while it saddens you a little, you’ve also felt the tiniest bit of relief. You don’t have to try so hard to keep your crush on Eddie hidden anymore. You don’t have to spend every lunch period listening to the guys talk about whatever it is they do while you sit to the side. You don’t have to feel like the outcast in the group of outcasts. 

Sure you miss playing the game, but it’s not the end of the world. You’ve found other things to keep yourself preoccupied. Mostly just listening to music and doing your homework, but you’ve found yourself picking up art as a hobby as the days dragged on, slowly starting to fill and old sketchbook you’ve had lying around.

~.~

“It’s still so weird that y/n isn’t here.” Gareth comments as the boys watch you sit at a different table once again. They don’t know why, but they keep hoping this has just been some kind of nightmare and that any day you’ll actually sit back down with them. It just doesn’t make sense why you’d leave them all so abruptly. 

“Yeah. It is.” Jeff agrees, sighing as they see a smile form on your face with a laugh falling out right after. It’s been way too long since any of them have seen you like this, and it kind of hurts.

“She still wears her shirt a lot.” Dustin informs, looking at the older boys - Eddie included - as they watch you.

“She does?” Eddie questions, the bit of knowledge somehow lifting him up a little.

He hated hearing you say you were quitting, and he hated it even more when Monday came around the week after and you didn’t sit with them. Nearly three years you had sat by his side and suddenly you weren’t there anymore. It felt beyond wrong, but he didn’t know what to do to fix it, if there even was anything that he could do.

“Yeah. She seems to wear it all the time now. I’m honestly not sure when the last time was that she didn’t wear it.”

Eddie nods, smiling lightly at the thought. He can’t help but wonder if there’s anything different he could have done to keep you from leaving. Was it something he had said? Or done? Was it just him?

“She’s been acting weird since she left. I heard her on the phone the other day-“

“You really should stop that, Dustin.” Eddie pipes up, but the younger boy doesn’t seem to hear.

“She said something about how she couldn’t keep pretending everything was fine after mentioning to her friend that she quit.”

“What?”

“Yeah, I don’t know. I’ve never known her to pretend about anything. I don’t know what she was talking about.”

“Because then she said something about enjoying the club when she felt like a part of it? She’s always been a part of it though.” Dustin continues, frowning as he eats his food.

He may not understand what you were talking about, but Eddie has a sinking feeling that he does. He really hopes he’s wrong though. 

He doesn’t want to admit that he was giving your brother and his friends more attention than he’s ever really gave you. It’s not that they’re better than you in any way, honestly. It’s just that they’re boys. 

He’s always hesitated in giving you attention during meetings or at lunch, because he didn’t want anyone to catch onto the crush he has on you. He was afraid that if Gareth or Jeff knew he liked you, that it’d make the atmosphere awkward. 

Even by keeping you at a distance, though, the two guys picked up on Eddie’s crush. It’s not in his character to be quiet or reserved in the slightest, so when they noticed how he constrained himself in conversation with you, they knew something was up.

Still, Eddie could never allow himself to act the same way with you like he does with Gareth and Jeff, and now your brother and his friends. He wanted you to like him, so he kept himself from being sarcastic and outspoken with you. Hearing Dustin talk though, Eddie has the suspicion that his plan may have backfired.

“Your sister still picks you up from the meetings, doesn’t she?” Eddie questions, already planning out what he wants to say to you when he can get you aside for a moment.

“No. Nancy’s been dropping me off or I’ve just been riding my bike.” 

“I’ll be driving you home tonight then.” 

“O-okay?!”

Eddie chuckles lightly at Dustin’s excitement, but he never takes his eyes off of you across the cafeteria. He needs to talk to you, and he’s hoping that tonight he can do just that.

~.~

“You know it ain’t easy, running out of thrills. You know it ain’t easy when you don’t know what you want.” 

You hum, laying on your bed as you listen to the drums, guitar, and vocals of Europe fill your room.

“What do you want?” You question, mirroring the song, your foot tapping against your bedspread as you close your eyes.

“Woah-oh-oh, you want to rock now, rock the night, ‘til early in the morning light. Rock now, rock the night.”

“Woah-oh, woah-oh, yeah!” You sing, smiling lightly. 

It’s been awhile since you’ve been able to just relax and enjoy listening to your music without worrying about homework or being late to hellfire. One of the plus sides of quitting the club - you finally get time just for yourself.

Hearing a knock on your door, you hum loud enough to acknowledge whoever is at the door.

“y/n? You’ve got a visitor.” Dustin calls, gently opening your door.

“Who?” You question, sitting up on your bed, nodding as Eddie comes into view behind Dustin.

“Oh…hi.”

“Hi. I-is it alright if I come in?” He questions, pausing in your doorway.

“Yeah, I guess so.” 

As he makes his way inside, you situate yourself in your bed so you’re comfortably sitting up.

“Do you…” 

At Eddie’s voice, you look up to see him questioning you about your door, going to close it before swinging it open.

“You can close it if you want. I don’t care.” 

He nods, softly shoving the door to close it, not quite giving it enough force to close all the way so there’s a little crack left open.

“So what’re you doing here?” You question him, watching him as he looks around, seeming a bit out of place with your soft white walls and contradicting decor.

While he may fit into the plethora of rock band posters covering your walls and the many records and cassettes you’ve got laying around, he doesn’t fit in with the florals and stuffed animals you’ve got elsewhere in your room.

“I, uh, I was hoping we could talk.”

“About what?”

You can’t help but chuckle as he spots the bralette hanging out of your dresser, you having been too lazy to tuck it back in earlier, and seems to pale in horror. For seeming so confident and cocky, he sure doesn’t look it being in a girl’s room.

“You can sit, you know.” You offer, motioning to the chair you’ve got in the corner of your room.

“Yeah, okay.” He mumbles, taking a few steps over towards the chair before sitting on the edge of the seat.

You watch as he takes in your room, fidgeting with his hands and rings as he does so. If you didn’t know better, you’d say he was nervous to be here.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Uh, well, w-we really miss you being in the club. G-gareth, Jeff, and I. I mean, s-so do the younger ones, but…”

“But you three miss me more?” You question, eyebrow cocking in disbelief.

“Well, yeah…yeah.”

“Okay.” You deadpan, not sure what he wants in reply to that. It’s nice to hear that they miss you, but it doesn’t really change anything.

A brief moment passes where you watch Eddie, waiting for him to say something else. Taking in his mannerisms and body language, you can’t remember a time when Eddie’s ever looked so nervous and unsure of himself.

“D-dustin was saying you felt left out? Of the club?” Eddie clarifies, drawing up just enough courage to look at you.

“He was listening to me on the phone again, wasn’t he?” 

“Y-yeah. I tried telling him to stop, but I don’t think he heard me.” he sighs, chuckling lightly in nerves as you shake your head.

“I don’t think he’ll ever stop, if I’m honest. He’ll be traumatized one day or another I’m sure.” You laugh, shaking your head at the thought as you smile.

“It’s true though? You…you felt left out?”

“Yeah. It’s dumb, I know, but you guys took so easily to Dustin, Lucas, and Mike.”

“I get it, they’re great kids, and they play D&D…but it’s like they didn’t even have to try to fit into the group.” You sigh, knowing it’s about time you share at least part of the problem.

“No. No, it’s not dumb. I’m sorry we made you - I made you - feel that way.” Eddie sighs, catching your line of sight in his, wanting you to realize how sincere he’s being.

He never wanted to make you feel left out, it’s just his stupid feelings that got in the way.

“It’s fine. It doesn’t matter anymore, anyways.” 

“It does matter, though. We’d - I’d - really like you to join the group again. It’s not the same without you there, y/n.”

“I’m sorry. I just, I really don’t think joining again would be good, though.” You admit, knowing that if you joined again you’d still just be upset that nothing will ever come from your crush on him.

“How come? I-is there something else that’s been bothering you about the club? I want you to feel welcome.”

“No. No, It’s nothing about the club, Eddie. There’s just a lot of things going on personally that’d make it hard.”

“That guy issue?”

“What?”

“Is it anything to do with that guy issue Dustin mentioned?” Eddie questions, and you can’t help but gawk at him.

“Does he not like you playing or something?”

“What? No.” you answer, shaking your head incredulously, wondering how Eddie got it into his head that you’d ever be wanted by someone. Has he never actually watched how other guys interact with you?

“Then what is it? Why won’t you come back to the club?”

“It doesn’t matter. I just...can’t. It’s better if I let you guys enjoy it yourselves.”

“It’s not better, though. We all want you back, y/n.”

“I’m sorry.” You sigh, not knowing what else you can say. 

A moment passes where neither of you say anything and you start to think that maybe you’re done talking. Before you can say anything of the sort though, Eddie’s asking a question.

“Tell me, is there anything I can do? Anything that would make you want to come back?”

“No…no, there’s nothing you could do, eddie, I promise y-“

“There must be.” He argues, wanting nothing more than to find something he can do to get you to come back. 

He misses you more than he thought possible, and he just needs there to be something - anything - he can do.

“There’s not, though.”

“How come?”

“What?”

“How come there’s nothing I can do? Are you just that dead set on not coming back? Even though we all miss you?”

“If I could, trust me that I would join the group again. I just, I can’t right now, Eddie. I’m sor-“

“Why can’t you?”

“Because…because of you.” You sigh, fed up with him pushing for an answer.

“Me?”

“You, Eddie. I can’t come back because of you. Because if I did then I’d just get all upset again because my heart is dumb and doesn’t know how to listen.” 

“What do you mean?”

You sigh, taking a deep breath as you look at him. You can’t seriously be getting ready to tell him this, but you are. You don’t see any other option right now.

“I like you, Eddie.” You sigh, fidgeting with your fingers.

“I like you, but you don’t like me. I mean, it’s obvious between you never talking to me or looking at me and how you’ve always called me Hender-“

You gasp, moaning lightly as you get cut off by a pair of lips on yours. Eddie was kissing you to shut you up.

At the realization you can’t help but panic, not understanding why he’d do this when he doesn’t like you. 

“Eddie!” 

“Fuck! I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just, you were rambling and saying I didn’t like you but I do! I do. I like y-“

It’s his turn to gasp and groan into the kiss as you pull him to your lips, one hand tightly grasped in the front of his shirt while the other drapes around his shoulders, holding him close to you.

As he realizes what’s happening, he relaxes into the kiss, his one hand coming up to caress your cheek as the other holds himself up on the bed.

It’s not until you’re both out of breath and gasping for air do you actually pull away from each other, your hand relaxing against his chest as he lowers his from your cheek.

“Woah.” He sighs, trying to catch his breath as he chuckles lightly, studying your face.

“Yeah.” You murmur, ghosting your fingers over your lips as if trying to remember if that actually just happened.

“Uhm, so I like you. If-if that wasn’t obvious.” He stutters and you chuckle, smiling at the curly-haired dork.

“I like you too.”

“I’m sorry I pushed you away. Made you feel left out when I was just too nervous to admit I liked you.”

“I’m sorry I got all moody and quit the club because I was jealous of my brother instead of just telling you how I felt.”

“So…does this mean you’ll come back?” He asks, hopeful, as he kneels in front of you.

“You’ll stop treating me differently?”

“Mhm. Trust me when I say there’ll be no pushing you away after that.” 

“Mm. Don’t be treating me specially either just because we kissed.” you lightly chuckle, cocking a brow as you chew on your lip to hold back the smile wanting to light up your face.

“Can I treat you differently if I ask you to be my girlfriend?” he questions, a wide, goofy smile filling his face as he looks at you.

A smile grows on your face at his sheer happiness, drawing a light chuckle from you as you reply to his question.

“Not during game play. We don’t wanna be unfair to the guys, do we?”

“Mm, you’re right. If I promise to not treat you specially during gameplay then will you be my girlfriend?” he asks, really wanting to hear you say yes. He’s only liked you for nearly three years, frequently imagining you as his girlfriend the entire time.

“I would really love for you to be my girlfriend, and I your boyfriend. It just. It sounds really nice.” 

“You ramble a lot. You know that?” You giggle, tucking some hair behind his ear as a blush dusts over his cheeks.

“Is that a good thing?”

“Sometimes.” You smile, biting your lip to keep from kissing him again.

“So…?”

“If you promise not to treat me specially during the game, then I’d love to be your girlfriend, Eddie.”

“Yeah?” He questions, as if he doesn’t believe that you’d agree.

“Yeah.”

With the word out of your mouth, his lips find yours again, pulling a chuckle from your body as he slowly lowers himself on top of you, pinning you against your mattress as he kisses you, one hand cupping your cheek as the other rests on your waist.

“Did you-ew!” You hear Dustin call from your doorway, fake gagging as he sees Eddie on top of you, effectively startling the man back into kneeling at the end of your bed.

“Did we what, dustin?” You ask, leaning around Eddie’s body to look at your brother still standing at your doorway, one hand plastered over his eyes.

“I wanted to see if you two had figured things out, but it seems like you did.”

“Yeah, we did, little henderson. Your sister is coming back to the club.” Eddie shares, smiling at you as he situates himself on the bed beside you, Dustin uncovering his eyes in excitement at the exact same time.

“Can you please get off of my sister?” he begs, shielding his eyes again as eddie places a soft kiss to your lips in his own happiness of you coming back to the club.

“But I like being close to my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?! You’re dating my sister?!” Dustin exclaims, a look of pure shock and disgust on his face.

“Is there a problem with it, Dustin?” You question, watching your brother almost seeming to pout.

“I guess not. Just…don’t be gross when I’m around. Please?”

“We’ll try not to be.” Eddie states, smiling at you as Dustin nods, giving a small okay before leaving the two of you alone.

As the door closes, Eddie’s looking back at you, both of you chuckling.

“Guess you were right in saying he’d be traumatized one day.” He chuckles, leaning down to give you another kiss, never realizing just how amazing it’d feel to have your lips on his.

You can’t help but smile into it, enjoying the feel of his body on yours. You’ve only been imaging this moment for nearly four years. You’ve got to say that nothing you imagined could ever live up to the reality, though. Kissing Eddie is like a little slice of heaven, you swear.

It certainly took you long enough to get here, but now that you’re here, you don’t ever want to go back.

pls like & reblog the fic if you enjoyed it! 

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[mobiused]

korean pop music is very uninspired. is it horny reasons that attracts the western geek to kpop or is it like hm what is it

I feel like this question has two be answered in two parts, early kpop vs present day kpop.

In my opinion it's entirely untrue to say kpop was uninspired - one of the biggest draws for older kpop stans is that Korean music didn't sound like anybody else's music. Usually, especially from SM, it consistently brought outstandingly well produced songs with innovative experimental concepts and ideas to the table. Novelty is exciting, and you don't get much more exciting than the music producer's playground. You may have noticed a lot of "serious" producers have credits on Kpop songs (Dem Joinz for example produced 'Don't U Wait No More' by RV as well as multiple songs on Kanye's DONDA, just as an example) - this is because the bar for what's allowed for release is a lot more flexible, so producers enjoy unloading their creativity. There are many seriously good songs created as a result, so it's not strange that people enjoy them.

But this only counts for actually good k-pop (which good releases seems to be dwindling in number year by year.) People who stan groups who make bad music are obviously just attracted to the members. This is why Kpop group members are called idols and not singers/performers; they have a responsibility to show an attractive persona to their audiences as much as they have a responsibility to sing and dance. I don't think it needs to be characterised as horny, sometimes lonely people just like having a person or group to spend time with. If they're constantly on TV or even better interactive mediums like VLIVE, IG live or Fab Bubble, you can feel even closer to them. Being a fan is a good way to fill the time if you're lonely, I think.

There's inevitably an element of Asian fetishism involved though. Japan and Jpop might be too "weird" for a westerner, but because of Korea's long history with America and active attempts to use soft power/hallyu to become more digestible for westerners, they seem more "normal" by comparison - we're just like any American boy band / girl group except we just speak and look Korean! If you hate American girls because they're all skanks, or you hate American guys because they're all jackasses, then look no further to Korea, where they're all polite, charming and of course attractive, without being too culturally different. (Of course, this is a racist and fetishistic attitude, and Korea has so much culture that its Hallyu wave tries to 'dilute' to be seen as more digestible for the West - this is one of many side effects of American occupation and imperialism which persists to this day).

Moving to present day, in the world of globalism and having twitter accounts aged 12, I think the "appeal" of Kpop is far more social. America has failed to meet demand for homegrown popstars for teenyboppers (Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez are all out of fashion now - is Olivia Rodrigo meant to singlehandedly replace them all?), so people are looking to Korea.

Imagine it like this, you're a tweenage girl and your friend just invited you and another friend to a sleepover. You both go up to her bedroom and your other friend goes SQUEEEE IS THAT THE LIMITED EDITION STRAY KIDZ ALBUM??? WHOS YOUR BIAS??? and the girl who invited you round also screams and they start talking about Stray Kidz for 20 minutes before even acknowledging your presence. You obviously feel left out right? Wanting to be included and fit in is motive enough for people to become kpop stans. You don't even have to like the music, you just pick a person you think is attractive and boom suddenly you fit in. Now you can collect photocards, know all the inside jokes and lingo, go to concerts together, tag your friends in memes, you're included now. Fandom is a social thing, and if the hot topic is kpop groups, then to fit in, you should also stan kpop groups. Sometimes it's really as simple as that.

Of course this isn't just a teenage girl thing and can apply to 30 year old redditors with their circle of friends just as much, though I'd imagine with significantly less pure intentions since they're probably on r/kpopf--*GUNSHOTS*

Bottom line is that there are a lot of reasons, probably including some I didn't cover, but I don't think it's any one thing. And kpop music isn't uninspired, at least certainly not worse than american pop.

[ndlesswoods]

SPOILER first thoughts on SGE film pt 1

this will be in bullet point but will be quite wordy, and it's just part 1. also not proofread so fair warning! first time giving Actual Opinions and it's just me spitballing but anyone can take it as they wish

listened to the first 4 songs on the OST when it was released, and after watching the movie, the OST still SLAPS

brutal, however, does not slap. as much as I love olivia rodrigo, brutal did not need to be there. and when the ending was okay, the accompanying modern music definitely ruined the okayness. couldn’t stand the credits and I watched all of it hshshsjks

costumes overall are so good. some were questionable (that initial theory that Agatha's poofy pink-purple dress in the trial by tale was early on in the movie and that it represented her not fitting into good that well yet? I believed that, and yea I don’t think it's symbolising anything now), choices in the makeup department are also questionable (hello Sophie nude lip, cannot get over you + never!Tedros facial scars??) - but overall, loved them I swear. Beatrix and Millicent were my favourites

somehow the characters were more… underdeveloped in the movie than they were in the books. a typical and forgivable choice yes, but why add new *characters* for certain one-liners when you could’ve just given them to the existing, underdeveloped ones?? (Chaddick, hi, I’m so sorry. you too Reena, Anadil)

uhhhh story progression. or rather, story fragments they chose to take away that I find are actually important to understand the twist later on? i.e. the whole nemesis thing and the Good and Evil rules. - like yes I totally get that they wanted to be subtle, that they wanted the viewers to be like “oh wow I totally forgot about that” but MAN. people will not remember smth that just seems like ordinary Dovey Being Good. and the nemesis dreams & symptoms weren’t even mentioned! from a non-fan’s perspective, that one wart was nothing. I dunno I dunno but the impact just wasn’t there

speaking of important lines. actually so disappointed “you were beautiful all along” didn’t make it. I understand why they didn’t dwell on it as it would make the [already 2.5hr long] movie dragging but there probably was some other way that I cannot cite right now

that said, I guess they really wanted to shift the message of the books? from messages about inner beauty and breaking standards, it’s really now focused on their friendship and that gray area between good and evil. which is nice in its own way

hahaaaa I did expect that a lot of class scenes would be cut, but erm. we literally only get 3 classes, and one wasn’t that useful. really thought they’d change the coffin scene into smth else that conveyed the message but guess not. again, dragging movie concerns

how could I forget the point of Sophie being Evil. or was she really? Gavaldon Sophie wasn’t that bad. in fact, she seemed like every other teenage girl until she came to the school. her Evil started to show there at least, esp in Room 66 - but that full 180 with Hester. I did not like that. how did they go from Sophie almost killing both Hester and her demon to Hester suddenly being okay with a truce through facials?? just because Sophie got a haircut?? and started being… less princess-looking? please

I’m aware I’m being too critical and nitpicky now so here are some things I liked

I've mentioned the OST and the costumes BUT OH the set! we've seen it all in stills and trailers but it really is as magical <3 kudos to the set design & production team!!!

Gregor Charming. cute. when I saw/heard his name, I remembered seeing it on the OST but I hadn’t listened to it yet. I liked the short character buildup, comedic timings and all, and actually showing the viewers how messed up the school can be with his “expulsion”. also it makes the whole Tedros killing the just-mogrified stymph even more jarring for Agatha

Tagatha! adorable babies. I liked their friendship. definitely the same, if not a little more than what was shown in the books. you can really see how Agatha gets comfortable with him, as does Tedros - cute inside jokes. love that. AND A KISS - I cackled when Tedros said he loved Agatha at the ball. It was a very book!Tedros move and I approve

Trial by Tale was fair. it’s made more minor and more swift but the point was taken across

Anemone's more complex personality and background BIG YES! You go Michelle Yeoh

I also liiiiked The Never Ball! Sophie turning up as a hag, the whole Nevers become Evers and vice versa, and the fight that broke out between the schools. Very nice, very good, and the modern music here was g

the whole cast really, but Sofia Wylie and Kerry Washington in particular. I love them. The way they portrayed Agatha and Dovey was straight out of the book imo, but they made it their own at the same time. Obsessed.

can't think of anything else atm bc I went out and am tired as heck but would rate 7/10! enjoyed it well minus the qualms I mentioned that's it for now? will make a pt 2 when I've really processed everything tomorrow

[mazzystar24]

I am warning you right now up front that if you let me talk about music I won’t shut up and if you let me talk about music AND something I’m obsessed with then you’ve signed your own death certificate

Maisie peters selection cos I literally have a draft saved of all the buddie coded songs for her but I’m just gonna give you a quick few: helicopter, the last one, details, two weeks, cates brother, neck of the woods, funeral, take care of yourself (there is also an acoustic version if that’s more your vibe), glowing review

Now for a few others:

Lover you shouldve come over- Jeff Buckley

Halleys comet- billie eillish

I know- Fiona Apple (yes the real meaning is an affair but in my head it can be about just being there for someone and seeing the worst parts of them, like think the energy buck was giving at the back door kitchen conversation)

Lyrics if you’re curious why I say that:

Boygenius selection and their members individually- we’re in love, souvenir, waiting room, please stay (Eddie breakdown era but also with bucks lack of care for his life I feel like it also fits there) , true blue

Mitski- two slow dancers, pink in the night

Hozier selection- take me to church, work song, Francesca, first time, Jackie and Wilson, to be alone, in a week, like real people do, it will come back, wasteland baby, talk, to be alone, foreigners god, from Eden, movement, would that I

Basically any hozier song actually because that man invented love

Keep me warm- Ida Marie

Truly truly- grant Lee buffalo

Someone to watch over me - Ella Fitzgerald

Angst in my pants- sparks

High and dry- radiohead

Talk tonight- oasis (the chorus is quite literally I want to talk tonight about how you saved my life)

Lucky- Jason marz

Nothing- Bruno major

Ho hey- the luminneers

Until I found you

Sea of love- cat power

Iris- the goo goo dolls

Farolito- agustin Lara

Scared of my guitar - Olivia Rodrigo

He could never love you - Henry morris

Reflecting light- Sam Phillips

Taylor swift selection: (I’ll try to keep it brief cos there are so many) gorgeous, the Great War, lover, paper rings, don’t blame me, long story short, gold rush, New Year’s Day, dress, afterglow, you are in love, the archer, false god, call it what you want, maroon, sweet nothing, mastermind, cruel summer, delicate, electric touch, cardigan, you belong with me, guilty as sin?, the alchemy, so highschool, the other side of the door, the way I loved you, king of my heart

And wow that was a lot more recs than you signed up for

what’s your favorite buddie song? i need some new stuff for my playlist!

[scarsbloodandleather]

okay rant post.

when i realize i have the objectively best music taste and aestehtic visuals for hbo spn even though im two years late, its worth it. man ive seen some playlists and “aesthetic” images for “hbo” spn with lots of likes and reposts and im thinking like. these images are grainy and not even the same filter or really dont make sense. the playlists are the worst. literally theyll be like “because hbo spn is grimey and punk” and then the first song is olivia rodrigo. just smash my head with a brick please.. like none of the songs make sense. theres like fucking billie eyelash and mother mother on so many playlists…… do we even watch the same show…. hbo spn is literally the first 5 season aesthetics, just these raw contrasted close scenes of random cryptic objects and symbolism. the music is the first season and how they had a bunch of underground 2000s metal like so underground you cant even find most of it on spotify and if so they have like less than 100 monthly listeners. LITERALLY THE SHIFTER EP. hbo spn still gotta be strictly pre-2005 songs as much as possible. theres a few songs i have in mind that are more modern that i might just try to slip in if i dont go until their year. shhh its my universe. Someone Else’s Bed by Hole actually came out in 5 years before the release date because i needed it to. in this alternate universe dean lives up to this scary accurate song that definitely came out 2002. didnt come out 2010. what are you talking about.

and the fact that ive only JUST now found one other person who agrees that they cant be SUPER body modded because… theyre fucking fugitives for gods sake. their fits in the og show are actually genius bc they look like the most basic white men ever. hbo spn just needs a little flair and unique-ness. they can still go out in public wearing jackets to cover up tattoos or dress up as feds and put on makeup to cover up scars and a few stray accidentally badly placed tattoos you know. and when their not hunting or doing something where they could get caught, hell, give them some punk jackets with patches galore. they still dye their hair but not crazy colors, or maybe they do like what if sam gets arrest and they put out an warrant for someone with bleach blonde hair but also have another warrant for sam with black hair at the same time, okay, easy, go green for a while or something. idk.

[strawberryshortcakegirl]

Thoughts on It's On (HSMTMTS)

I've watched this video many times by this point so I decided to make a post about it.

Firstly, I was just at a camp and we did Color Wars. ALL of my friends were so fed up with it and we thought it was just really immature. None of us cared. Literally.

But I mean I guess this is the HSMTMTS/Disney world so I shouldn't even be surprised that all of them somehow brought blue/yellow clothes (not just shirts, but like pants too.... I even saw hairclips) just for the Color Wars.

I strangely like the way Meg sings "Buckle up"

Joshua's voice is so great!!

OKAY WHY DID THEY AUTOTUNE SOFIA'S VOICE SO MUCH?!? Sofia Wylie is an excellent singer who doesn't need autotune -_-

Julia sounds amazing as always

Haha if anyone rewatches, watch the way Ricky runs after singing that one bit.

They changed the chorus of It's On SOOO much. Even without Ashlyn's high harmonies, it's still all wrong. But I will admit Julia Lester's high notes are legendary so maybe it's a good thing they changed it

The guy who copies the dance move and says "so good" actually freaks me out

I love Maddox counting down with Jet in the "1 2 1 2 3 4" part. Maddox is already gonna be one of my favorite characters, I know it.

JET'S VOICE IS HEAVENLY. After watching this, I literally went and watched Adrian Lyles' singing covers and things and I really encourage anyone who hasn't to go check them out.

Of course Saylor slays. I did hear some weird autotune at "Imma pass it to you" but that's not Saylor's fault at all. I'm really over the autotune in this season. Remember when Olivia and Julia sang Wondering live back in Season 1? What I would do to make Season 3 like Season 1...

Random question: I don't know but in my experience, if there's Color Wars at a camp, everyone participates. There are NO fans and NO one makes literal signs cheering the teams on. The only people who would do that are the counselors but the people in the back cheering look the same age and there seem to be more people cheering than people actually doing the Color Wars. I'm confused.

THE FIRST ADRIAN RIFF ALREADY HAS ME DYING

The rap part is cringey. In the Camp Rock version, the rap kinda fit in well. But here it's offbeat at some points and "rockin' the place droppin' the bass" made me cringe really hard.

So after the rap part when Meg sings "it's on, it's on," is she hitting that low note? It doesn't sound a lot like her but if it is, that's pretty impressive that she has a pretty high range but can still hit the E with clarity (no breathiness).

When Meg and Jet do that one part where they circle each other and sing riffs, is something... romantic happening? Like I mean if this happened in real life (though this musical number would not happen in real life but ignore that), I don't think it would show much romance but this is a TV show. Anyways, even if it does happen, I will probably still stand by Casval (since the Portwell ship is evidently sinking, from what I see in both the fandom and the trailer).

Meg did some awesome riffs but they were autotuned a bit too much. The reason why I like Jet's voice and his riffs is because they didn't seem to over-autotune it. If they did less autotune on Meg's voice, it would sound even better.

They weirdly seem to be showing this cameraman everywhere. Are they documenting the camp because Corbin is there? Idk it seems lowkey weird to me.

JET'S LAST RIFF GETS ME THROUGH MATH HOMEWORK AND LIFE

I promise I'm mentally stable. Ish.

Anyways, those are my thoughts on the song. I'm now gonna support Jet through this whole series, and I don't care if he's one of the guys who "break the Wildcats' dynamic."