#I think I make a good Homela though

[wonda-ch]

"Happy Valentine's Day, Tishlia and Daeran!

May the day have been full of bright passion and love between you both - though I am sure Daeran made sure of that. Did he drown you in roses? He always struck me as the type to go excessive in a genuine relationship. I apologize this letter is so late but that doesn't stop you from having some wonderful evenings together with Dae. You don't need a holiday just for that. I'm sure he showers you with plenty of love each and every day, regardless.

I've sent along a few bottles of wine, I heard you have quite the sophisticated palate and love the stuff. Unfortunately, I've had far too much of what the Egorian nobility prefers that I can longer really distinguish between good and bad wine anymore. Apparently it's some of the best quality wines in the region, aside from Andoren, but I can't give an unbiased opinion on it anymore. Included is both the local gold-standard from the Chelaxian heartlands along with some wines from Ravounel, Andoren, and even a rare Irriseni ice wine I picked up on my travels. I think you would appreciate it far more than we would. I've also sent a bottle of limoncello from my hometown of Westcrown - it's wonderful with dessert!

I heard from Dae that you are looking for someone? A dragon? I would be happy to lend my expertise as a former investigator and detective, should you welcome it.

I hope you two are well! I would love to come and visit some time, though I don't expect Regill would join me. Reforming the Order of the Vice has been taxing and kept both of us quite busy, but I can step away for a few days.

Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

-Warm regards, Minovae"

Dear Minovae,

I am very happy to receive these lines from you, such a wonderful surprise.

Dae and I actually spent a wonderful day together, although you are right that no occasion is necessary. I didn't feel it was too excessive, I enjoyed the evening very much. Our gardeners would disagree. They spent two days fishing all the rose petals out of the big swimming pond. But it was wonderful to float in hot water on a carpet of roses on a cold night.

Thank you so much for the fine selection of wines you sent. It saddens me that you are no longer able to enjoy them yourself, because wine is so much more than just a drink. When you recognize its soul, it becomes a pleasure for all senses. But I will not lose myself in too many words now. Maybe one day we will have the opportunity to walk through the vineyards of my homeland. Then you will understand me better and maybe I can seduce you to a sip that will make you rethink your opinion.

I will send you some of the first results of my new project to breed sheep that can withstand the conditions of the healing world wound.

The wool is already of good quality, I don't know if you knit, but I'm sure you can find someone to do it for you. Regill has always had useful skills, I find the idea of him knitting for you very amusing. The wool is soft and will keep you wonderfully warm no matter what it is made into. This soap is made from sheep's milk and rose petals. It is a creamy treat for your skin every time you bathe. Inside the jar is Oesypus, a skin care substance and very effective for sore skin, small wounds, old or fresh scars. It lubricates well and can be used on ALL parts of the body. I think you understand.

Thanks a lot for your kind offer of help. I am happy to report that Milvirvilan is already with us. He is not yet enthusiastic about Jharsygax's presence, but I hope that in time the two will understand each other better. I think I will use your Irriseni Icewine tonight, it should be just the thing to create some common ground between them.

I am glad that you seem to be doing well, and I hope that your duties leave you both enough space to find time for each other. A visit from you would be a great pleasure. I may give you an opportunity sooner than you think.

After spending the last few months sorting out a lot of things in my homeland and taking Daeran on a short, delicate journey, we are back in Mendev and have finally begun planning the wedding. It won't be long before you have an invitation in your hands. We would be pleased if Regill would be willing to join us too.

Kindest greetings

Tishlia

[sporadicsanity]

Parents: "So what have you been doing at college lately, Mel?" Me: "..." Me: "Art."

[nicole-gasbarro]

Brent Faiyaz: Unique or doing the bare minimum? My thoughts on "Fuck The World" 

Infamous for his gorgeous vocals and narcissistic lyrics, Brent Faiyaz released his album "Fuck The World" in 2020 and I am just now getting to it, I know. But for me, his standout tracks did not give me enough reason to do a deeper dive into his music taste until I recently received a recommendation to review this album from a friend claiming it was a "must-listen". The overall opinion on Brent is that he is unique. Judging from other articles I have read about this album, critics claim both his sound and lyrical approach set him apart from the competition.

However, I personally do not find Brent to be all that different from the likes of rappers who take on the same egotistical attitude in their lyrics. The only difference I see in Brent is the R&B landscape his tracks exist under and his gorgeous vocals. I think Brent has a lot of potential that until this point, is unfortunately unrealized. Many reviews also note his consistently witty lyrics, describing them as "caption-worthy".

Is having lyrics such as "If you ain't nasty don't at me" good enough for Brent to be regarded as an exciting prospect in R&B music though? Not necessarily. To reference another R&B artist similar to Brent, Frank Ocean creates complex song lyric structures which narrate stories making larger social commentary. On Ocean's track "Pyramids" he discusses the fall from grace African American individuals have experienced, starting their lineage in royalty just to arrive in America and experience slavery, oppression, and the degradation of their humanity.

Lyrical breakdown of "Pyramids":

This is just one example of another R&B artist who is creating music that is more meaningful and unique than Brent without the need for egotism or an over-indulgence in sex and money reflected in the lyrics. So while what Brent is doing on this album is not anything particularly unsavory or offensive (Although some may argue the chorus on the title track is), his approach to R&B is simply not as innovative as reviewers make it out to be. If all you can say that is positive about an album is that it has the ability to create a "cool vibe", maybe it is just not as groundbreaking as you think.

Overall, this album is sonically very minimalistic and allows for Brent to put his voice on full display. Don't get me wrong, his vocals do not fail to impress, but this minimalism is a lot of the time, to a fault. For most of the tracks off of this album, I feel as though there is not enough going on from an instrumental standpoint. The album reads as more of a soundtrack to play in the background while getting high with friends or driving late at night to an unknown location. Other than this album evoking a specific "vibe" that his fans really gravitate towards, I am afraid there Is not much else besides occasional impressive lyricism and a soulful voice that make Brent stand out. Not to mention, the brevity of this album and some of the songs coming off of it unfortunately make it even more of an insubstantial experience. Not only are some of the songs lacking in creating a dynamic musical landscape, but the runtime of some of the tracks are too short to even develop a real opinion on. Due to the majority of disappointing aspects in this album, the positive ones are unfortunately overshadowed.

Rating: 6/10