#and 2022 as well with miley cyrus

[missnxthingg]

every damn year, i never buy lollapalooza tickets and always end up buying one on the eve of the festival because they announce one of my favourite bands as a substitute of an artist that cancelled

and i did it again! I'M GOING TO SEE GRETA VAN FLEET LIVE

[bexfangirlforlife]

That's 4.000 minutes more than last year. I still listen to CDs etc in the car though, so in total that's always missing...

[dezzytheantonioguy]

I keep forgetting that I have a Tumblr account here. Aw well.

Anyways, here are a few drawings that I've done in the past few weeks or so. We have Alzena, Swish Swish P1 coach, Paula & Araceli together, and Greg. The Greg drawing is the most recent one.

Alzena is a coach from the song "Numb" by Linkin Park in Just Dance 2023 Edition. The drawing was a remake of the 2022 drawing that I did a while ago. If you follow me on Instagram/Deviantart, then you should know exactly which one I'm talking about. Best of it all, when I posted that drawing on Instagram, the official Just Dance account liked and commented on the post! Mission accomplished, right?

I drew the Swish Swish P1 coach because he's coming back to another map in Just Dance 2025 Edition; Party In The USA by Miley Cyrus, with Eddie (24K Magic P1 Coach). Definitely wasn't expecting him to come back, but here we are.

I ship/HC Paula & Araceli as a couple. Why? I don't know. I thought they looked cute together. I honestly don't like how I drew Araceli in the drawing, but whatever. I'm glad it's done.

Finally, Greg's drawing was based on a remake that I made of him. Someone said that he looked like a smugged asshole, so I wanted to replicate that. Also, that quote of him saying, "I like French Fries," is from a TV show. It... was the first thing that came to mind, so... Yeah.

[wutheringmights]

New CTB Music (2024 Update)

It's that time of year where I share some of the tracks that I added to my personal CTB playlist that have not been mentioned before on this blog (view (2021, 2022, and 2023 updates as well).

Body to Flame - Lucy Dacus 

Longing for your short hair to grow back to the way you like Thank you for the gesture I regret ever implying that you could be better Didn't mean to empty your perfect body And fill it with my passing will

Hate Me - Miley Cyrus

Go ahead, you can say that I've changed Just say it to my face One drink and I'm back to that place The memories won't fade

Is It Over Now? - Taylor Swift

"Come here, " I whispered in your ear In your dream as you passed out, baby Was it over then? And is it over now?

Halloween - Noah Kahan

But the wreckage of you, I no longer reside in And the bridges have long since been burned The ash of the home that I started the fire in It starts to return to the Earth I'm leavin' this town and I'm changin' my address I know that you'll come if you want It's not Halloween, but the ghost you're dressed up as Sure knows how to haunt, yeah, she knows how to haunt

Growing Sideways - Noah Kahan

But I ignore things, and I move sideways Until I forget what I felt in the first place At the end of the day I know there are worse ways To stay alive 'Cause everyone's growing and everyone's healthy I'm terrified that I might never have met me

Orange Juice - Noah Kahan

You said my heart has changed and my soul has changed And my heart, and my heart That my life has changed, that this town had changed And you had not That the world has changed, don't you find it strange That you just went ahead and carried on?

I Remember Everything - Zach Bryan

Strained words come on out Of a grown man's mouth when his mind's broke Pictures and passin' time You only smile like that when you're drinking

Figure 8 - Paramore

All for your sake Became the very thing that I hate I lost my way Spinning in an endless figure eight

Let You Down - Zach Bryan & Kacey Musgraves

I'll let you down darlin', down babe Just like I did before You'll just keep on slammin' closed hollow unlocked doors I'll let you down darlin', down babe Just like times before You'll just keep on crawin' back and beggin' me for more

No One Else to Blame - Madison Cunningham

For the burden and the stress For the heartache and the mess you entertain You put your money down on which part of you is next To slip down the drain with nothing, nowhere and no one No one else to blame

Golden Age - Ethel Cain 

Do you just want my blood? Am I just that damn hard to love? 'Cause it feels like all I have is still just not enough I guess that I'll just go outside and watch the fire And fields of gold fly farther away from me

Dawns - Zach Bryan & Maggie Rogers

Give me my dawns back Everything that dies makes its way back I lost her last July in a heart attack I need one small victory

Crave - Paramore

I romanticize even the worst of times When all it took to make me cry was being alive Look up and see a reflection Of someone who never gave way to the pain What if I told 'em that now that I'm older There isn't a moment that I'd wanna change?

Your Hate Could Power a Train - Madison Cunningham

I'm not messin' around, not ready to laugh about it I don't worship the ground that's holdin' you I think it's wrong, the way you harm But no one ever looks too hard at it What does it say about you? Your hate could power a train

Head In the Wall - Ethel Cain

Sometimes you make wanna put my fucking head through the wall Sometimes I wonder if I even know you at all

thousand eyes - FKA Twigs 

If I walk out the door, it starts our last goodbye If you don't pull me back, it wakes a thousand eyes

teenage dream - Olivia Rodrigo 

They all say that it gets better, it gets better the more you grow Yeah, they all say that it gets better, it gets better, but what if I don't?

You First - Paramore 

Everyone is a bad guy And there's no way, no way to know Who's the worst Karma's gonna come for all of us And I hope, well, I hope, I just hope She comes, comes for you first, oh

Vampire Smile - Kyla La Grange

I want a scar that looks just like you, 'Til then I gotta learn to be a wiser fool.

[drarryspecificrecs]

H/D Wireless 2022 : (fics only)

@hd-wireless || official masterpost || AO3 || ∑ = 58 works (art, fic, podfic) The Mods : @candybarrnerd, @gnarf & @maesterchill Banner © : @iero0 (official banner) + @honeyrinee's sweet lips on my lips

★ The playlist : Youtube | Spotify

Across My Memory by @cluelesspigeons [E, 4k] ♫ Once Upon A December (2017) by Christy Altomare

Anymore by @famoustruth [T, 2k] ♫ Anymore (2021) by Jeon Somi

Away by @sky-is-torn [T, 16k] ♫ Sleep on the Floor (2016) by The Lumineers

Become a man, but I need a man by @somberraven [E, 5k] ♫ Stay with me (2015) by Sam Smith

Bright Side by @floydig [T, 2k] ♫ BRIGHTSIDE (2022) by The Lumineers

Butterflies in Winter by Justlikewriting [M, 19k] ♫ Suspirium (2018) by Thom Yorke

A Case of You by @epitomereally [E, 97k] ♫ Blue (album) (1971) by Joni Mitchell

Closer by @pennygalleon [M, 5k] ♫ Something to Talk About (1991) by Bonnie Raitt

Delicate Dealings by @drwhoisginnyholmes [M, 11k] ♫ Delicate (2017) by Taylor Swift

Draco Malfoy Absolutely Does Not Need to Be Loved by Harry Bloody Potter by @nv-md [E, 18k] ♫ Midnight Sky (2020) by Miley Cyrus

An Emerald In The Sky by @corvuscrowned [M, 6k] ♫ Lost in Time and Space (2018) by Lord Huron

Everything We Have by @thesleepiesthufflepuff [E, 5k] ♫ Heart (2016) by Sleeping At Last

Eye of the Storm by @stargazing-enby [?, 26k] ♫ It’s Alright (2018) by Mother Mother

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by @sleepstxtic [T, 5k] ♫ Careless Whisper (1984) by George Michael

The Heart and the Salt of the Soul by @cupofsquirrelfan [T, 23k] ♫ Like I Can (2014) by Sam Smith

I Wanna Be On You by @thebooktopus [E, 6k] ♫ Dance to This (2018) by Troye Sivan ft. Ariana Grande

I Won't Let You Fall Apart by @xanthippe74 [M, 49k] ♫ We're In This Together (1999) by Nine Inch Nails

I'll Be Loving You (Always) by phdmama [T, 10k] *restricted ♫ BWU (2016) by Tegan and Sara

if the world was ending by @talkingtravesties [M, 4k] ♫ If The World Was Ending (2020) by JP Saxe - Kurt Hugo Schneider cover

In Free Fall by @kbrick [E, 81k] ♫ Bonkers (2009) by Dizzee Rascal

The Island Assignment by @makeitp1nk [E, 10k] ♫ Yonaguni (2021) by Bad Bunny

Just Between Us by @phoebe-delia [T, 13k] ♫ All Too Well (10min vers. - Taylor’s vers. - 2021) by Taylor Swift

Kept in Cages by @sweet-s0rr0w [E, 76k] --- ART by @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm ♫ Dela (1989) by Johnny Clegg

Lights Down Low by @skeptiquewrites [T, 4k] ♫ Sign of the Times (2017) by Harry Styles

like freedom by @softlystarstruck [M, 4k] --- ART by @babooshkart ♫ Dead of Night (2019) by Orville Peck

Meet Me at Midnight by @the-starryknight [T, 56k] ♫ Sunlight (2019) by Hozier

Mens Rea by @lqtraintracks [E, 3k] ♫ Laid (1993) by James

Nothing compares by @maesterchill [T, 3k] ♫ Nothing Compares 2 U (1990) by Sinéad O'Connor

Open Fire by @slytherco [E, 38k] ♫ Lion (2017) by Saint Mesa

The Pact by @meandminniemcg [E, 12k] ♫ Deep Water (2019) by American Authors

Paper Rings by @lettersbyelise [E, 50k] ♫ Paper Rings (2019) by Taylor Swift

Plant your hope (rain down on me) by @bluesundaycake [M, 9k] ♫ Thistle and Weeds (2009) by Mumford & Sons

Put Some Time Aside (To Fall Apart) by @gryffindorhearts [T, 3k] ♫ Mansion Door (2018) by Shakey Graves

Say You Will by @janieohio [M, 3k] ♫ Grow Old With You (1998) by Adam Sandler

The Siren and the Sailor by @gracerene [E, 13k] ♫ The Siren and the Sailor (2010) by Kristin Allen-Zito

Staring Into Open Flame by @lumosatnight [E, 25k] --- ART by @kairennart ♫ Arsonist’s Lullabye (2014) by Hozier

Stuck Inside the Silence by @bunnimew [T, 2k] *restricted ♫ Papercut (2015) by Zedd ft. Troye Sivan

Take the Moon by @tackytigerfic [M, 15k] ♫ 4-Hour Store (2003) by The Handsome Family

taste you like a drug by @drarryruinedme7 [E, 3k] ♫ Daddy Issues (2015) by The Neighbourhood

Ties and Knots by @iero0 [G, 2k] ♫ Mr. Brightside (2004) by The Killers

To Make A Way by @cavendishbutterfly [E, 5k] ♫ chinese new year (2014) by SALES

To the dust again I fell by @steampunkserpent27 [M, 2k] ♫ Wishing Well (2012) by The Oh Hellos

Two Found Souls Swimming in a Fishbowl by @quackquackcey [E, 10k] ♫ Wish You Were Here (1975) by Pink Floyd

Wild Things by @coffeedrgn87 [E, 118k] ♫ Main Title (Wild Things OST - 1998) by George S. Clinton

You Don’t Owe the World a Thing by @orpheous87 [T, 17k] ♫ Celadon and Gold (2020) by Maggie Rogers

You Know the Feeling by @sorrybutblog [M, 12k] ♫ Official (2019) by Charli XCX

—

✔ other fests in 2022 ✔ fests in other years ✔ H/D Wireless : 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

[thornsofthefuture]

an interview with lucy lamb — a talk about couchsurfing, australia and the afterlife

today's thorns of the future guest is lucy lamb, a rising star of modern post-crystal castles electronic music, inspired by early 2010s fashion. lucy is an artist from melbourne, australia. she describes her music as "alt, indie, electronica, dance-pop and witch house with elements of darkwave". lucy is a producer and a singer, as well as a lyricist. her first ever release was a single titled "hello", which was self-released by lamb through distrokid.

thorns of the future: how did you start your journey with music?

lucy: I’ve always loved making music ever since I was a little kid. Started singing lessons when I was like 7 years old, fell in love with Miley Cyrus which was the reason I wanted to become a singer lol. Started making music when I was about 16, and released my first EP when I was 18.

thorns of the future: what are some of your favourite songs right now?

lucy: My favourite songs right now are Canary Wharf Drift by Bassvictim and Your Face by Wisp.

thorns of the future: who inspired you to make music?

lucy: Literally Miley Cyrus in the Hannah Montana tv show I was so obsessed.

thorns of the future: what is your craziest experience during a live show?

lucy: I played in this club in Tokyo which was a wild experience for me. There was no stage so I was just on the danceflooor with the crowd and kind of just walking around like weaving through everybody with my microphone which I definitely wasn’t used to.

thorns of the future: what software do you use to make music?

lucy: I use Logic Pro, I’m still learning how to use it properly though.

thorns of the future: what's "the other side" about?

lucy: The Other Side is about crossing over to the after life pretty much. It talks about being scared to die and the things you would miss. It can kind of be interpreted as being about any sort of transition from one thing to another, any sort of change, but I think the obvious one (especially when watching the music video) is the transition to death. It’s just a fictional sort of story if you will.

thorns of the future: are you planning any new releases?

lucy: I have 3 singles coming out in the next few months all with music videos. ‘Bed of Snow’ is coming out on September 20th and I’m so excited for it. All the songs are of course dance/electronic but I’m leaning a little bit into like indie rock elements in two of them, with the third being like a full commitment to witch house.

thorns of the future: what's a country you would never travel to?

lucy: Probably North Korea for obvious reasons.

thorns of the future: tell us about the things you enjoy most, except for making music.

lucy: I love travelling that’s my second favourite thing in the world after music. I went on a year long trip around the world in 2022 which was absolutely amazing. I went on a 5 month road-trip around Australia earlier this year too. It’s a little hard to travel like that while also doing music so I think for now I’m taking a break from travelling. I also love animals, especially weird exotic ones. The weirder they look the more I love them because it just makes me thing how weird and amazing the world is.

thorns of the future: have you ever met anyone famous from the electronic scene? who was it and how was your experience with them?

lucy: I can’t say I have yet. Someone I’d LOVE to meet is the guys from Air. They’re a huge inspiration for me and one of the most talented electronic duos I know.

thorns of the future: what's the riskiest thing you've ever done?

lucy: The riskiest thing I’ve done was probably when my friend and I did couchsurfing through Europe. There’s this app called couchsurfing where you can arrange to stay at strangers’ houses for free while you’re travelling. We were pretty nervous every time we stayed with someone because there was always the question of like what’s in it for them? Why are they letting random people stay at their house for free? The people we stayed with sometimes turned out to be weird and kind of put us on edge but a lot of the time they were really cool people too so. We were literally on such a tight budget we had no other option but to do our accomodation this way.

thorns of the future: are there artists you truly hate? why?

lucy: I don’t really hate any artist in terms of the kind of music they do like I respect all genres and whatever kind of music you wanna make even if I don’t like it. Like it’s got nothing to do with me so I don’t really care enough to HATE any artist.

thorns of the future: what is the best live show you've ever been to?

lucy: There’s this experimental electronic duo from Melbourne called Npcede. I played a show with them and they were really great. It was a guy singing and a guy playing bass. They both had like really amazing stage presence and interacted with the crowd so much. The lead singer started playing the electric guitar with a violin bow halfway through as well I loved it. I also have to mention seeing the band Film Noir in Berlin, they’re an indie rock band and the lead singer’s energy was so compelling it made the whole thing sooo immersive and fun.

thorns of the future: name one thing you really hate about australia.

lucy: Honestly I think Australia is a great place to live I think it’s beautiful, it’s diverse and it’s very liveable. If I had to say one thing I hated about it I guess just how far away it is from everything lol because it’s always so hard and expensive to travel anywhere.

thorns of the future: tell us about the weirdest thing that has happened to you as an artist.

lucy: The weirdest thing that’s happened to me as an artist is probably when someone randomly approached me on the street when I was in Tromso, Norway, and told me they recognise me and love my music. Was superrrr weird for me because Tromso is a pretty small town with not many people and it was just really random to meet someone who knows me there.

we would like to thank lucy lamb for answering all of our questions. we really appreciate you. that’s all for now.

images & videos: lucy lamb

spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1fLl0QDFau1trbJkpjvyEt

instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/luucylamb/

hyperfollow:

https://hyperfollow.com/lucylamb

peace.

[deadcactuswalking]

REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 17/08/2024 (Chase & Status/Stormzy)

It’s a new #1 the second week in a row, as Chase & Status of all acts launch their hit “BACKBONE” with Stormzy to the top of the UK Singles Chart, it being the first for the drum and bass duo and the fourth for the MC. Perhaps unexpected but an ultimately exciting shake-up, it does not reflect the rest of this dull week. Welcome back to REVIEWING THE CHARTS!

content warning: celebrities complaining

Rundown

As always in this series, we start with our notable dropouts, those being songs that exit the UK Top 75 - which is what I cover - after five weeks in the region or a peak in the top 40. This week, we bid adieu to “you look like you love me” by Ella Langley featuring Riley Green and “Pour Me a Drink” by Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton which may rebound given the album’s release, as well as some bigger hits like “LUNCH” by Billie Eilish and “i like the way you kiss me” by Artemas which lasted longer than it ever should have.

As for our returns, other than Noah Kahan’s “You’re Gonna Go Far” re-entering at #74 after peaking at #63 earlier this year - it often just bubbles under like this - we have a big resurgence at #27, as Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” gets a boost from being featured in the Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack. It was the pop icon’s sixth #1 and stayed at the top for three weeks back in 1989, thanks to firstly being a fantastic song as well as having a controversial, larger than life music video that angered the Vatican… like all great artists have at least once. Whilst a classic, it’s not exactly my ultimate favourite of Madonna’s hit but with a catalogue like hers, that’s inevitable, and naturally, the track has seen success in several cover versions. Trbute act Who’s That Girl! released a version alongside “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” that reached #88 in 1997 and Miley Cyrus reached #79 with it in 2022, though between those were the biggest versions in the UK, the first being from Eurodance outfit MadHouse who took their “Like a Prayer” all the way to #3 in 2002, when Darius’ “Colourblind” occupied the #1. In 2010, the cast to the musical sitcom Glee created a Madonna tribute episode that obvioussly had to contain “Like a Prayer”. It reached #16 in 2010 on its debut week, the same week that Roll Deep debuted at #1 with “Good Times”.

And now that history lesson’s over, we also have a few notable gains, those being “Double Life” by Pharrell Williams at #56, “Carry You Home” by Alex Warren at #51, “Black Friday (pretty like the sun)” by Lost Frequencies and Tom Odell at #50, “Sailor Song” by Gigi Perez at #43, “I Love You, I’m Sorry” by Gracie Abrams at #38, “Big Dawgs” by Hanumankind and Kalmi at #21, “Somedays” by Sonny Fodera, Jazzy and D.O.D at #19, “Move” by Adam Port, Stryv and Malachiii at #11 and finally, “Angel of My Dreams” by JADE at #10 thanks to a new version. I honestly can’t complain about much of that batch.

As for our top five, well, “BACKBONE” is at #1, we know that, but otherwise we see “Stargazing” by Myles Smith at #5, “Guess” by Charli xcx featuring Billie Eilish slip off the top to #4, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan at #3 and just pipped at the post once again is, also Billie Eilish, with “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” at #2. Now we have a small batch of new songs, but it seems we’ll actually be starting where we started and will be ending. If that wasn’t too convoluted.

New Entries

#72 - “Gunfinger (Salute)” - IRAH featuring Chase & Status

Produced by Chase & Status

So Chase & Status have naturally gotten an algorithmic push they didn’t really get before the massive success of “BACKBONE”, which has not only boosted their back catalogue but also this bubbling track they just produced with a feature credit for IRAH, an MC who hass worked with the two before, most notably on last year’s #5 hit “Baddadan”. I generally like the jump-up intensity of Chase & Status production, and “Gunfinger” feels pretty traditional with IRAH’s deep-voiced intimidation and the reggae sample starting off the song, later warping into a rolicking drum and bass clatter decorated with a sparse, windy atmosphere, stray vocal samples and an array of alarming synths. Whilst I appreciate the details in the drum fills and sound design here, there is a certain emptiness to this that really is evident from IRAH’s general incapability to make much of an impression, sticking to a pretty basic, unmoving delivery that could really do with being more energetic when the production is going to try and rally for minimal intensity over anything. It’s fine, I just wish there was something more to it.

#59 - “Why Why Why” - Shawn Mendes

Produced by Mike Sabath, Shawn Mendes, Eddie Benjamin and Scott Harris

The in-demand Mike Sabath seems to be the go-to for pop singer-songwriters who wish to go for a more serious and ambitious direction, since it worked so well with RAYE, and I can’t blame Shawn Mendes wanting that same level of control and detail given how much of his earlier output was nearly insufferably manufactured. A song like “Stitches” plays out much more like a Disney star’s song than the maturer side Mendes has been wanting to show since at least “In My Blood”, and whilst he has been hit-and-miss in that like he has his entire career, he at least has the dignity to not flail out into failed hyperpop experiments like the ex-partner who I have no doubts he’s still writing about because I know she is too. In this new comeback single, Mendes is constantly thinking of his ex-partner, waking up in a sweat having visions of her naked, and just asking… “why”.

So the song has a general focus on a hopeless state of mental health, but plants ideas without ever expanding on them: the anxiety he feels on tour, the over-dramatic relationship drama and feeling writer’s block all coalesce into that one hook of “I don’t know why”, over a more organic, reverb-drenched folk instrumental that feels very blatantly a trend-chase, even if it does make sense for the acoustic-focused Shawn Mendes to hop on the sound. The bridge makes the childlike confusion Mr. Mendes even more transparent: as soon as he thinks he can be a father, he getss the grounding realisation that he is still a child inside and sometimes even pleads with his mother for help, though does not seem to really do anything to help or prevent any of this? In fact, the only problem resolved is that he “chose himself” instead of his ex-partner, which may be telling that the only recurring problem in his life he can entirely dismiss is those close to him, as everything else described in the track is either cyclical or unresolved entirely, hence his clueless wandering through those underwritten choruses and wow, this is insufferable. For once, I think he knows, and that restless whining about problems is undoubtedly intended to be further frustrated by his refusal to, or maybe even no awareness to how he can, fix those issues. It’s just also not something I really care to hear from, well, anyone. It doesn’t display any temptation to fix his problems, the lyrics aren’t poetic in expressing such, and half of them are informed by his accessibility to experiences I simply cannot access. A self-obessed wobble or spiralling down through the woes that come with “more money, more problems” would be interesting if there was actually any clear progression or detail, but Mendes and co. seem much happier in just leaving the song as is: an unneeded yet unspecific venting session from a wildly successful musician wherein you’re left in the dust to core elements that could actually resonate, and justify the frankly dumb writing. This new lead single ultimately just shows a disconnect that isn’t particularly worth caring about, and I’m not even sure Shawn wants us to, given this sonically has “fulfilling my contract album” kind of written all over it. I’m sure this will be nice for the diehard fans, but to me, this is just useless.

#58 - “Active” - Asake and Travis Scott

Produced by Sarz and MIKE DEAN

Nigerian singer Asake, best known on the UK charts for “Lonely at the Top” and its recent single “Wave” with Central Cee, has released his newest record, Lungu Boy, which has landed on the UK albums chart at #15. I have yet to listen to that full album yet but Asake has impressed me before with their bright, melodious take on Afrobeats, and this new track is actually very interesting, using a sample of fellow NIgerian Jazzman Olofin’s “Raise da Roof” and cutting the vocal off into a stuttered riff against the almost 90s house groove that quickly tumbles into a tighter, minimal bass that feels so full in the mix, to the point where the cowbells and vocal loop end up kind of extraneous to just how good that bassline is. Asake’s melody seems somewhat out of place in his verse given how percussive the production is, but it plays off really interestingly off the busier drums in its second half, and that chorus is so simple yet worms its way into my head, especially when surrounded by the pitch-shifted vocal loop that is just as sticky. If I have a problem, it’s Travis Scott, who once again confuses laziness for being interesting, cutting off elements of his vocal take for no functioning reason other than sounding awkward and “different” for a few bars before quickly dipping into typical flows he has always used to flex vapidly and take me out of just how fun the song should be, though he quickly disappears after. Frankly, both artists do end up disappointing in the core part of the song, even if I have no expectations for Travis other than substanceless garbage nowadays (“fetish for the money”? Seriously?), as both fail to truly make the best use of the instrumental possible, I think becaue Travis is useless and Asake just needs more space to go for the melodic approach, and is given so in the outro, where that rushed vocal loop is placed against smooth, spacey keys that Asake can croon and riff off of. I wouldn’t be surprised if that beautiful section is what MIKE DEAN contributed to the beat, but even with that, it feels like it was tacked on to grant the song more depth than it needs, and I end up pretty much torn damn near 50-50 on it despite a great instrumental. Maybe this would just be better-served by other artists, and not even because of talent dsparity, just because the limitations of the production would fit more frenetic artists than two Auto-Tune crooners. Overall, I do think I’m teetering positively on it, but I wanted to enjoy it way more given what Sarz and DEAN cooked up.

#1 - “BACKBONE” - Chase & Status and Stormzy

Produced by Chase & Status

Now this is how to go for pure intensity: there’s a screeching lead synth, a heavily elevated build that relies not on the instrumental to gather its swell, as Stormzy is much more of a unique presence than IRAH, mostly due to his switches in flow and cadence that convince you on his smug flexes and macho posturing which is honestly mostly just dedicated to defying “you” - not the listener, but an imagined sense of authority to rebel against and insult. That kind of relentless energy in the content may not translate perfectly when he’s still flexing materialistically, but it’s easier than ever to ignore the less populist elements of Stormzy’s bars when the intensity is just this high. The spiralling synth in the build wires down into a canvas of thumping bass tones in the drop, with the drums jumping off of pitch-shifted vocal fragments and stretched backing strings propelling from the back of the mix. The song refuses to commit to a copy-paste structure, with Chase & Status adding great, small details like the break fill before the second verse, the brief but absolutely cavernous, industrial-sounding drums behind Stormzy prior to the final drop, and those horns bursting with not just bombast but a real sinister tone by the end that helps bring back some of the immersion. This is honestly a really simple song structurally, especially lyrically, but the execution is so powerful it trumps the need for anything all too complex, and that probably would have ruined its chances at #1 anyway. It’s exactly the kind of straightforward banger you’d expect the trio to make and whilst like “Guess”, the other likeably obnoxious, arguably garish EDM collaboration to debut unexpectedly at #1, I don’t see ths lasting too long at the very top, I’m sure it can find its space below, and whatever run it has doesn’t take away from that initial spark that gave the production duo a long-overdue reign on the singles chart they’ve called home for over a decade now.

Conclusion

This should be the easiest episode ever for you to figure out who gets what. Shawn Mendes takes the Worst of the Week for “Why Why Why”, “BACKBONE” by Chase & Status and Stormzy gets the Best of the Week, we’ll probably see the new Bruno and Gaga collab shake things up next week alongside Hozier and Post, but we’ll see. For now, thank you for reading, long live Cola Boyy and I’ll see you next week!

[daydreamerandmoonwalker]

Are we bringing back the 80's?

As I was shopping at Macy's for some slacks, I noticed there were clothing garments that had the color scheme of the 80's: bright purple, pink, and blue. My boyfriend even pointed it out and asked the same question I did: are we bringing back the 80's style? And Macy's wasn't the only store that had clothes styled like those in the 80's- Target did too! I wish I would have taken actual pictures from when I was in the store but going to Target's online shopping site was second best. I found multiple swim suits, a dress, and a skirt that I felt like were influenced by popular 80's outfits. You can tell by the designs, the purposeful cuts, and, predominantly, by the color scheme that this is so.

But it's not just in the clothing industry that I have noticed this trend. I have also noticed in the music industry. Labrinth released his song titled "Kill for Your Love" on September 9th, 2022 (about 6 months prior to date) and everything about it screams 80's: the color scheme of the music video and his poster for the song, the use of the Linn Drum, and it's use of beats that "clash" with each other but still sound so good that it makes you want to groove! This is similar to Miley Cyrus' new album titled "Endless Summer Vacation" (2023). Most of her songs in the album sound like they were influenced from the 80's, as well. The ones linked in this post are "Rose Colored Lenses", "Flowers", and "River". With these songs, the "1 2 3 4" beat that was mentioned in the "Why The Weeknd & Dua Lipa Sound Like the 80s | Genius News" YouTube video is apparent with other "clashing" sounds that just go right together- not to mention how the swim suit she is wearing also has cuts similar to the ones in the first few pictures and how she is working out in her "Flowers" music video (which is something common in 80's music videos).

The Genius Youtube video that I linked in this post definitely sealed the deal for me that the 80's trend is coming back. I felt relieved that I wasn't making things up lol. Even though it was made 2 years ago (as of 2023), I think they may have sparked something or were part of the spark that has led me to this observation.

All in all, this is motivating me to listen to songs/artists from the 80's and appreciate them because I appreciate the current artists that are being influenced by this era!

But what do you think? Are my observations similar to yours? Are you appreciating the 80's coming back or would you like to skip this part? What did/do you like from the 80's?

[supernutellastuff]

I posted 315 times in 2022

7 posts created (2%)

308 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@taralkariel

@xue-mei

@leafy-m

@missmorwen

@austennerdita2533

I tagged 204 of my posts in 2022

Only 35% of my posts had no tags

#me irl - 23 posts

#buckynat - 14 posts

#klaroline - 10 posts

#fanart - 8 posts

#i love tumblr - 8 posts

#politics - 7 posts

#mcu - 7 posts

#seriously - 6 posts

#just human things - 6 posts

#art - 6 posts

Longest Tag: 94 characters

#the scariest point was about not being able to digest my favourite food sometime in the future

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Tag game!

Tagged by the amazing @diaz-eddie

Favourite colour - funny because I recently had a very in depth discussion about this with a friend, but anything in the blue-green family

Currently reading - I'm rereading The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel in preparation for her new novel The Sea of Tranquility (btw her Station Eleven remains one of my fav all timers, esp during the pandemic)

Sweet/salty/spicy/bitter/sour - spicy any day, though I do like sour as well

Last song - 2 AM by Lykke Li & Mark Ronson, also Nothing Breaks like a Heart by Miley Cyrus & Mark Ronson (these songs hit them feels like nothing else)

Last movie - Everything everywhere all at once (such an original movie)

Currently working on - it's supposed to be the second chapter of my Picturesque prequel but alas I have a presentation for work 😭

Tagging @recyclingss @xue-mei @mallosoar @taralkariel @missmorwen @highgaarden and anyone else who wants to play!

10 notes - Posted July 7, 2022

#4

Ok so I’m in early season 4. I’ve always really liked Bonnie, but she never gets anything to do and when she does it’s always just “here’s a random guy for you to have a relationship with and that will be your story for a while” (her and Jeremy 🤮) and it’s never interesting (although I wouldn’t mind if they went anywhere at all with her and Damon tbh).

I also very much like Damon, by far the better brother. I really don’t care about anything Elena-related anymore and I think it’s mostly because they’ve played everything out with her several times through already. Also sorry to Nina Dobrev but she’s not a great actor and I’ve kinda had it with the character by now. The less said about Stefan the better. Jeremy and Tyler too.

Now that I’m several seasons in though it really is feeling like they’re stretching for content. The world and season threats got too big and they have no idea how to stop the power creep so they just keep adding stuff that totally breaks established lore. One of the things I love about Caroline is how well she grounded the story (sure she’s a vampire but she’s also still really into regular high school drama and trying to be a normal person still).

(Also sorry for sending anon before. I didn’t realize I’d clicked that until it had sent)

Hello!! It's been a long time since I watched the show so I apologise in advance for any inadvertent spoilers or vague plot recall.

Okay so Bonnie has legit been done the dirtiest even though she's one of the coolest characters. I like some of her plot lines where her witch roots means she's actively opposed to the vampires but she still wants to be on Elena's side, the conflict could have been interesting but it's never mined deeper. I hate her and Jeremy too and I agree that she and Damon have some legit chemistry (explored in further seasons, so you do have something to look forward to!)

Yeah Elena is annoying, and I got tired quickly about how everything was always about her. I'm not sure if I prefer Damon over Stefan, but Stelena is defs more boring. I prefer Stefan as a stand alone character or his friendship dynamic with Lexi, Caroline etc (more on this later).

I agree with you that the world building gets bigger than the writers can handle, but I really enjoyed the cure storyline in s4. I'm in the minority, but I really liked how there are all these factions with their own agendas competing to get the cure, and well, i always like it when the Originals have to team up with the Mystic Falls gang.

Talking about the Originals, I think they're the best thing the show has ever done. The casting, the acting, the group dynamics, the lore, the integration with the core tvd group... Perfection. What do you think? Who's your favourite Original?

Yes, Caroline is such a breath of fresh air in the show. I absolutely love how she's one of the few characters who actually LOVES being a vampire. I related to her even before she turned, when she was talking about being second choice "no matter how much I do, its never enough". She's thriving as a vampire as well as retaining her connection to her human side, without any of the angsty brooding that Stefan and all do. One of the reasons I love Klaroline is that Klaus is the ONLY one who recognises this, that she wants a life bigger and better than this. He accepts her as she is, and I just looove how much he changes throughout the course of knowing her, how he consistently puts her first. Sigh. I can go on and on about Klaroline. They have such epic moments, my god. What have been your favourite scenes??

10 notes - Posted July 5, 2022

#3

[bernie sanders voice] I am once again asking for more of Chronicles

Aaaahhh Hahaha! I will always always appreciate your constant cheerleading for Chronicle 💜 unfortunately I don't have any plans to continue the story, it had a natural end. What I *am* working on rn is the Klaus POV prequel to Picturesque! You might be interested in that :) anyway, thanks for this message and can I just tell you (again) how much joy your fics and writing have given me??? 🥺

12 notes - Posted January 11, 2022

#2

running like water - a Zutara oneshot

AU Post-finale, that time when an assassin crashes Zuko's 18th birthday. Luckily he has a master waterbender by his side. Ft. a badass Katara, Fire Nation political intrigue, and Bloodbending as flirting.

(Realised I'd written this years ago but never posted. Hopefully this gives me some much-needed inspiration while I muddle through my WIPs. Happy reading!)

link on ao3

Or read below!

It’s Zuko’s 18th birthday and he is nowhere to be found. By all accounts, he’d made an appearance at the Royal Ball for a respectable amount of time and then disappeared into thin air. Katara hurries across the halls of the palace, one hand gathering the skirts of her formal gown, her heels clicking on the marble floor. The palace staff haven’t seen him either—he wasn’t in his bedchambers, nor in the library, and she’d even checked under the willow tree next to the turtleduck pond. Katara fumes, her annoyance rising. She’s laboured over his gift for days, the least he could do is not get kidnapped or whatever.

It’s nearing midnight and Katara is about to contemplate hiring the services of Jun and her shirshu when she remembers the one place she hadn’t yet searched: the rooftop. While the rooftop was largely inaccessible, owing to its steep pagoda architecture, there was a flat alcove, hidden to the public, that opened up to the sky. Zuko had shown it to her a while ago when he was making plans for renovation, but it was dirty and in disrepair then, which is why it had slipped her mind.

The entrance to the roof is hidden behind a tapestry, a rather heavy, ugly thing the colour of blood. Katara twitches the tapestry aside and slips behind it. A narrow spiral staircase stands in front of her, illuminated by a hanging dusty lantern. Clutching the wrought iron railings, she begins the dizzying climb. An unexpected sight greets her at the top.

The place has been transformed into a charming rooftop garden. Vines climb the walls and trail down the parapet. Rows of potted herbs are flanked by beds of exotic flowers, the spicy and sweet scents intermingling in interesting ways. Fat beeswax candles stuck on iron stands are placed strategically in recesses, giving the entire garden a low, atmospheric lighting. And lounging on a profusion of cushions, eyes shut, his top knot undone, is Zuko.

“Took you long enough,” he says lazily, cranking one eye open.

“Happy Birthday,” Katara snaps, flinging the wrapped parcel at his stomach with a little too much force.

Zuko straightens immediately. “What is this?”

“Your present, dummy. I’ve been running around everywhere looking for you.”

He frowns. “Didn’t Oromi deliver you the message?”

“What message?” she asks, sinking into a cushion beside him.

“He must have misplaced the note again.” Oromi was the new palace gardener, a country lad, kind-hearted but rather forgetful. He was a magician at his work, though—he could make the stubbornest of saplings sprout and the most exotic flowers bloom under his care, almost like he was bending them. This little rooftop garden seems to be his doing. “I wrote you a message asking you to meet me here. I could not stand all those dreadful festivities.”

“Yes, yes what a bore having people throwing grand parties in your honour.”

A sheepish smile spread across his face. “I appreciate it all, I really do.”

“The royal cooks roasted an entire hippo-ox in your honour.”

“And I savoured every bite of it…but it exhausts me, having to put on this stern, aloof, regal front.” He does look exhausted, there are lines around his eyes that have no business being there. He also looks older; the planes of his face have sharpened and there’s stubble on his face on days he has no official business. “I hate pretending to be someone I’m not, especially on my birthday, when I’d rather spend time with the people I like.” His eyes flicker to her and her stomach flips.

Clearing her throat, Katara gestures to the package lying in his lap. “Open your gift.”

Zuko picks up the gift, examining it from every angle. Katara watches him carefully as his deft fingers unwrap the parcel, untying the strings and peeling off the layers. Nestled in the folds is a stack of small, unassuming-looking, semi-circular cakes.

“It’s a mooncake,” says Katara hurriedly. “A traditional Water Tribe recipe. Probably not a very special gift but my mom used to make them for birthdays-”

Zuko is already digging into the stack. He takes a bite, makes a sound of appreciation, and polishes off the whole cake. “Is there fruit jam inside?!” he asks in delight, mouth full. He offers a cake to her and picks another for himself.

“Yes!” She grins. “Salmonberry jam. I spent days in the palace kitchen, trying to get the thickness of the filling right. It needs to be the right amount of oozy…”

The words die on her tongue. Zuko is licking the jam off his fingers. She puts down her cake, suddenly very flustered.

Zuko looks up as she falls silent. Their eyes meet and the moment holds still. They’ve been dancing around each other for the past two years, longer than that, if she’s honest. Lingering looks, not-so-accidental touches, charged banter…she’s been noticing it more in their interactions lately, whether it’s quiet picnics beside the turtleduck pond or heated fights during state meetings. And now this connection, whatever it may be, is threatening to make itself known in very real ways. Katara has half a mind to brush off the moment with a flippant remark.

It’s Zuko who breaks the silence. “You look beautiful, by the way,” he comments. She’s wearing a traditional Fire Nation gown, richly embroidered in threads of red and gold, but her hair—

“Your hair is braided Water Tribe style. It looks good on you.”

She smiles, fighting off a blush. “Thank you.”

See the full post

29 notes - Posted October 23, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Longing - a Picturesque prequel (Klaroline fanfiction)

Hellooo, the Picturesque prequel from Klaus's POV is finally here!

Longing

Summary: Klaus likes his life, mostly. He has his own flat in New York City, a great group of friends, a budding career as an artist, but as he's navigating all the ups and downs the city throws at him, he realises that he's longing for something more. Or rather, someone.

[The long-awaited prequel to Picturesque! As promised, this is from Klaus's POV and tells the story of how in the process of figuring out who he wants to be, he's more and more drawn towards Caroline. Too bad she doesn't think of him as anything other than a friend...]

I cannot believe how long this took! Writing from Klaus's POV was challenging, and I felt like my writing style had changed in the years since I wrote Picturesque. Anyway, here's my labour of love, hope you like it! This will be a two-parter, the second chapter will be up next week. To new readers, this is a prequel to Picturesque so PLEASE read that fic before this! You'll enjoy this fic better *after* reading Picturesque. While chronologically/plot-wise Longing comes first, I feel like from the progression of my writing style and the work I've put in the characterisations, it makes more sense to read Longing after Picturesque. Also, if you're a familiar reader, I'd still suggest you read Picturesque, just to brush up (I've made some slight edits for continuity, especially in the last chapter)

For @recyclingss who's always been such a tireless cheerleader <3

Read Longing here - https://archiveofourown.org/works/38565495

33 notes - Posted May 17, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[talkfastromance4]

I posted 5,313 times in 2022

1,732 posts created (33%)

3,581 posts reblogged (67%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@calmfolklore

@singledadharrington

@talkfastromance4

@ghost-of-you

@hoodharlow

I tagged 3,311 of my posts in 2022

Only 38% of my posts had no tags

#hey bae - 295 posts

#5sos - 211 posts

#hunny - 167 posts

#ask - 159 posts

#sunshine - 108 posts

#glen powell - 86 posts

#anon - 84 posts

#cap chris - 70 posts

#mikey baby - 65 posts

#spotify - 65 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#i understand things can come up but when i brought it up to one of them she went oh…i’m not sure if i’m gonna visit this friend or not that

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

when the party's over// calum hood oneshot

a/n: this came about from a lot of euphoria watching and listening to billie eilish nonstop. I loved writing this. (could be a two parter....)

word count: 4.8k

warnings: mentions of smut, drug use (smoking weed), drinking alcohol, partying, emotional angst and maybe a smidge of depression.

Masterlist

I also listened to these songs while writing so if you'd like to as well, it will make the story come more to life:

Edge of midnight (remix)--Miley Cyrus

When I R.I.P--Labrinth

Loved you a Little--The Maine, Taking Back Sunday and Charlotte Sands

When the Party's Over--Billie Eilish (you could listen to this throughout as it's the main essence)

I hope you enjoy! I'd love your feedback

***

It always starts with a quick glance.

As if their eyes have a magnetic pull forcing them to search and irrevocably find each other through the mass of the crowd. His dark meeting her light, or vice versa depending on the situation, usually his gaze holds a darker shadow.

She senses him before she even looks up and sometimes she tries to ignore it. Ignore that pull, ignore his hooded gaze and lust filled eyes that swallow her whole. As always, she’s not that strong and gives in.

When their eyes meet he holds her gaze without blinking, a staring contest of who will break first. Calum always breaks because his eyes will travel down her outfit then slowly blink his way back to her eyes. It always makes her smile and that’s why he always loses on purpose.

They’ve done this dance many times before, her role as mouse while he’s the cat watching her keep her wide berth from him. His eyes are calculated as she bounces from person to person, taking drink after drink and shot after shot. With each drink she shifts closer and closer to him which is his preference because he can keep a better eye on her. And an eye on those around her.

He’s on high alert if someone’s hands drift lower than necessary and he always makes sure she’s the one handling her cup. Their tight knit group of friends know about their dance that always leads behind a locked bedroom door.

She also knows how jealous he gets.

So when she looks his way and sees him chewing away at his bottom lip, the butterflies in her stomach twist their wings. Knowing what pushes his buttons, she draped herself over the person closest to her, her nose touching their cheek as she conversed with them over the bass of the music.

She makes sure to laugh extra loud so Calum will hear. One of her friends shakes her head, it’s working.

y/n continues on with her charade until her favorite song comes on–she absolutely has to dance to it whenever it plays. She leaves the person she was draped over moving to the area being used as the makeshift dance floor, plucking up another shot on her short journey.

She starts to move with the rocking guitar riff as Miley Cyrus’ Edge of Midnight fills the space. Her arms are above her head as she starts to let loose, allowing the music to move her body in a circle, her eyes closed as she sings along. Before it even gets to the chorus, a pair of warm, strong arms wrap around her with long fingers spreading on the midriff of her back.

“You’re pushing it,” Calum murmurs.

She smiles slowly, the movement of her dancing and the alcohol she’s consumed are taking effect. “I am?” she asks breathlessly, opening her eyes. His face is exactly where she thought it’d be, extremely close.

“You know you are,” he moves his body with hers tilting his head to the side.

Before he could kiss her, she pulls away from him and sings along with Miley, “I was born to run, I don’t belong to anyone, oh no, I don’t need to be loved by you.”

He grabs her again singing and dancing letting loose, her laugh and singing voice exuberant. She dances around him trailing her finger over the back of his shoulder, Calum rolls his head around watching her before she’s pressed to his body once more.

“See my lips on her mouth, everybody’s talking now, baby.”

Staring into each other’s eyes with a smirk on Calum’s face, it doesn’t take long until they’re kissing and time stops.

See the full post

159 notes - Posted March 19, 2022

#4

See the full post

161 notes - Posted May 8, 2022

#3

Birthday Blues // c.h oneshot

Haven't written a birthday piece in a while and this idea sprung up out of nowhere. Happy Birthday to our favorite bassist from 5sos💙

Word count: 2.8k

Warnings: fluff, written in 'you' format but as female reader

Enjoy!

***

Calum isn’t very big on being the center of attention, which sounds backwards considering he’s on center stage for a living. At least he’s to the right, off-center, but still, he shares the stage with his best friends he’s proud to call brothers. So, he’s not the center of attention, except he is all the time, and he doesn’t know particularly why.

So, whenever his birthday rolls around–funny how it’s every year–he wants it to be low key. Always. A small get together at his house or a nice outing to a restaurant he enjoys going to. No theatrics, nothing crazy, no one jumping out of a cake (Ashton ignored that when he turned twenty-one), just a night spent with the people he loves.

The one time he did want to be the center of attention was when he met you and you would just not give him the time of day. It was at a house party for new clients of Crystal’s so they could all mingle and rub elbows with agents and other talent managers.

He’s heard and seen your name floating around his orbit for awhile; you were a part of breaking the stigma on one body type on runways and magazines. You posted body positivity and self-love on your Instagram/blog. Sometimes he’d see a tiktok of you on his for you page and it wasn’t until the fifth time he finally followed you and went down the endless tiktok abyss until 3 a.m.

Then he followed your Instagram and found your Twitter where you’d post your thoughts or song lyrics that were stuck in your head. Each tweet received a ton of activity and he shamelessly turned on your post notifications.

It’s like you were made for the spotlight and he was equally impressed and envious of how well you handled it all. He’s been in the industry for ten years and you’ve been in it for ten months and you’re way better at being the center of attention than he is.

When he’d heard you were attending the party he was excited to meet you and talk with you, maybe get some helpful tips on how to like being the center of attention. According to Crystal, a lot of reps wanted to represent you because you could be the next Big Thing.

Calum lingered through the party, always having a drink in hand as a comfort thing but also to give him liquid courage when he would finally be introduced to you. Throughout the party he heard your name but didn’t see you in sight until he was coming in from the garage to head into the bathroom.

Like a total cliche, he bumped into you but in the most awkward way possible. You were wearing a lace top and a small loop in your sleeve got caught on the button of his shirtsleeve that was rolled to his elbow.

“Oh my God I’m so sorry!” you exclaimed and tried to pull yourself free from his button. “Help!”

“It’s fine, don’t worry,” Calum smiled and tried to untangle you but your friend had nimble fingers and you were free. “You’re–”

“I’m so sorry!” you rushed out and exited into the garage just as more people flooded in.

Completely forgetting about the bathroom, Calum went back into the garage and tried to find you. He downed the rest of his drink and took two shots from a server walking by and searched for you. To his advantage, you were speaking with Ashton near the wet bar and Calum made a beeline for you.

“Cal! Have you met y/n yet?” Ashton announced, clapping Calum on the back.

“Sort of, we got snagged in the doorway,” Calum smiled at you and you blinked at him a few times as if trying to remember. How could you forget? It happened less than two minutes ago.

“Oh! Yeah, hi,” you smiled and Calum’s heart fluttered. “Sorry about that.”

“No worries. It’s really great to meet you.”

“You too, I’m a big fan of your music.”

“Really?” his heart fluttered even more. You knew who he was?

“Yeah, I really love–”

“y/n, Karina Tolousse is looking for you!” your friend said, appearing at your side.

“Oh, right. I’m sorry guys, I have to meet with her. It was so nice meeting you both,” you said earnestly and with one last apologetic frown, you were gone again.

This happened two more times you and Calum had an encounter with one another.

See the full post

255 notes - Posted January 24, 2022

#2

I’m a simple girl.

But I see an older handsome man and I go bananas

263 notes - Posted November 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

tour baby//poly!cashton oneshot

a/n: trying to get in the swing of writing threesomes, it’s a lot of work lol😅

Word count: 5.3k

Warnings: angst, sexual content, female receiving oral, slight dominance (very slight), use of safe word, unprotected sex in an established relationship, brief choking (consensual), subspace.

Poly!sos masterlist

Feedback is always welcome and enjoy!

***

She knew it was coming, there’s no stopping it but she didn’t think it would be hitting her this hard. The new tour seemed so far away when Ash and Cal started sharing the ideas with her after having to postpone it so many times. They wanted to make it their best tour ever, their most memorable. She’d sit and listen in admiration, loving how their faces lit up with each passing second.

They wouldn’t tell her too much though, because they wanted her to be surprised when she came to visit them and she was perfectly fine with that.

The talk of production started four months before it was supposed to start. She overheard a lot of meetings with Luke and Michael about changing the name. No Shame was supposed to be in 2020, but two years passed and they’ve all been shifting into a new era, a new sound, a different vibe.

Three months until it started was about setting up a timeline to release songs, set up interviews, do photoshoots for promo, film a music video. Run through the fifth album again.

Two months before they would be on the road again was full of rehearsals, more interviews, more run throughs.

One month before was for finalizing venues, hotel stays, flight plans, and the building excitement to be onstage again.

She loved every minute of it and she loved being a part of it. Ashton and Calum loved including her with their plans but amidst all the excitement a small part of her was starting to feel the sadness of being separated. She buried it down though because this is their whole life and she doesn’t want to derail it with her emotions.

Two weeks before Ashton and Calum were supposed to jet off to Dublin her emotions took a turn. It probably didn’t help that it was also her time of the month. She started to become distant and stayed in bed more.

“Are you sick?” Ashton asked when he entered their room after another day of rehearsal. The tv was on and she was burrowed into their blankets and pillows like a nest. He could just see her eyes above the duvet and the slight shake of her head to answer his question.

“She’s still in bed?” Calum asked, standing next to Ashton’s shoulder.

“Yeah.”

“What’s going on, baby?” Calum moves around Ashton to kneel on the floor so he can lean on the bed, his head near hers. He rubs the top of her head offering her forehead soft kisses.

“Nothing. I’m okay.”

Her voice is monotonous, eyes blank as she stares at the screen. Calum glanced back to Ashton whose lips were pursed as he observed her behavior. Then he pulled out his phone and opened an app.

“Oh…” Ashton sighs and slips onto the bed, his curly hair covering the tv screen so y/n is forced to look at him. “Do you need your heating pad and some chocolate?”

“That’s why you’re watching this movie…” Calum catches on.

She starts to cry, her eyes squeeze shut and she turns her face into the pillow. Ashton and Calum are quick to react by wrapping their arms around her. She can’t tell them she’s upset by them leaving her so soon now; now that they’re being so affectionate and attentive to her monthly dues.

“It’s okay baby, we’ll take care of you,” Calum murmurs in her ear, tickling her skin.

She lets them and she feels guilty about it but she needs to soak it up now. So she enjoys when they spend the next few days sleeping in, eating her comfort foods, watching her favorite movies and going for a walk for fresh air per Ashton’s request.

It’s a week before the first show and she’s still sullen. To avoid talking about it, she took a shower right as Ashton turned the kettle on for their nightly ritual of ‘tea time before bedtime.’ Calum sat at the kitchen counter scrolling through his phone. They’re conversing quietly when y/n enters the kitchen.

“Do you want your mint green tea or lavender tonight, angel?” Ashton asks her. He smiles at her apparel of choice, one of his holey t-shirts and a pair of Calum’s socks.

“Neither.”

“What? Why?”

See the full post

281 notes - Posted April 12, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[pumpkinspice-prouvaire]

helooo i came on to your blog for the spotify wrapped meme but i got distracted by seeing you updated lets fall in love for the week (cannot WAIT to read!!!!) and then by the les mis social media team's latest stupid tweet (seriously can we not go ONE MONTH without a les mis social media team related incident!!!) but i'm back on track now. so! 7, 17, and 77 for the wrapped ask? :)

actual image of the fandom after seeing that tweet:

and THANK YOU AS WELL for all the love on the fic!!! Your comment was so nice I'm 😭😭😭

Without further ado, the songs:

#7. Heat Waves- Glass Animals

I was obsessed with this song during the summer but I'm listening to it now and hmmm I think I kind of hate it lol? Idk but I've def overplayed it

#17. Formula- Labrinth

Spotify diagnosed me with "you watched Euphoria this year"

#77. Like a Prayer (cover)- Miley Cyrus

2022 was the year that I stanned Miley Cyrus idk why I've been sleeping on her for so long, this cover is excellent

[fortressofserenity]

Still alive

The odd thing about Radio Disney is that it was one of several attempts at launching a kid-orientated radio station in America and the most successful one around, but one that lasted longer elsewhere and most especially in Latin America. There are still Radio Disney branded stations in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil as far as I know about those, one of them got me into things like Felix Jaehn and Regard in a way.

But it's also the place to relive those awkward teenage years of mine like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, The Rasmus and Linkin Park, I never got around to listen to the US version of Radio Disney. The one that got other RD branded stations into being, but I suppose it too lead people into discovering certain musicians and bands to their likings. From my listening experience, it's the place where I first listened to the likes of Lizzo, Maneskin and Olivia Rodrigo.

Funny enough, both Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo are the two most recent musicians that I know of to get their start on the Disney Channel, but since their songs get played on Radio Disney that Disney's practically inescapable. Same goes for alumni like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Miley Cyrus. I don't listen to it as much as I did early on last year, that's been occupied by things like Radio Maria, Hope FM, Citi FM and Energy FM.

One of them got me into listening to radio sermons a lot, as well as trying out other radio stations when it doesn't broadcast those. But it was the first radio station that I listened to often whenever RJFM signs off every 2 in the morning, that station got me addicted to the radio a lot. But with it signing off every 2 AM is a blessing in disguise because I can finally listen to other stations. So it's quite a ride going back to listening to other stations, well gradually after listening to RJFM almost exclusively throughout much of 2022.

[girlreviews]

Review #390: Surfa Rosa, The Pixies

In honor of Steve Albini, who passed away this week at 61 and who produced an unbelievable amount of classic records… The Pixies’ Surfa Rosa is up. It’s just one of many he worked on.

I know I’ve whined about The Pixies in comparison to The Breeders, but I still adore them. Kim plays the bass on Pixies records, despite being a guitar player really. She learned the bass just to join The Pixies who were seeking a new player and she was the only one that applied. So there you go.

I love their shitty harmonizing. It’s so fun. I love their bizarre lyrics. They’re so fun. I love their loudness. It’s so fun. There’s plenty of Kim’s voice on this record which makes me happy.

Something Against You almost has a little ska vibe as it begins, and really takes me back to being like 14 or 15 and just going absolutely bananas at any loud raucous show that I could. I’m currently en route to a festival — having sworn I’d never attend one again after the debacle of Primavera 2022 where me and all of my friends nearly throw hands at each other because we were so tired and cranky (and old and sore) and they just didn’t have their shit together. Oversold and underprepared for so many attendees. Getting a drink of any kind was an ordeal. Anyhow, thoughts and prayers for me to keep my chill at Kilby Block Party.

When I started attending festivals, I was 14 and got day tickets to Reading Festival, which was still a fucking riot at the time. I was so lucky to have that on my doorstep for all of my teenage years and I saw so many amazing bands and unforgettable music moments, one which is particularly memorable to me, is The Pixies. Don’t ask me to remember what year it was, I don’t know, I just remember I was with that shitty boy. And I vividly remember them playing Broken Face and it just blowing my socks off. It’s remained my favorite ever since. I just really enjoy the weird lyrics, the noise, the squawking and the brevity. The Pixies are really good at that. I’ve never thought too much about the verses, but the most fun is the chorus which is just hooting and hollering of the following:

I got no lips, I got no tongue

Whatever I say is only spit

I got no lips, I got no tongue

I got a broken face

Uh-hu, uh-hu, uh-hu, uh-hu, ooo

I got a broken face

It’s energy has always just done something to me. It’s my exact shit. But why that is I can’t tell you. It’s just some primal way of being that I find relatable. Just making a huge discordant nonsensical noise.

Most of us (probably?) are familiar with Where Is My Mind? Which I would assume is their most well known song. For good reason, it’s amazing, but also it’s been covered by so many different bands and artists with completely different styles I imagine anyone who hasn’t heard the original has still probably heard it. Off the top of my head, covers include: Nada Surf, Placebo, even Miley Cyrus has done some kind of cover/mash up. That is by no means a full list. I tend to enjoy a good Where Is My Mind cover. It’s a hard song to mess up and sounds good with lots of different arrangements. Check them out.

We already know my feelings on the members of the band (see The Breeders, Last Splash). Musically, The Pixies are just such a good time. At least they were in the 90s. I confess I haven’t kept up with them because I find Frank Black to be so off-putting (there is a brief interlude where he is — apparently — “goofing around” and what that sounds like is him shouting very loudly at Kim in a way that I find unpleasant). I appreciate I just have a negative bias towards him. He reminds me of someone I truly despise. Even so, truly some of their songs are just grungy rock indie classics that if you aren’t familiar with you really should be. Interestingly, by producing Surfa Rosa for The Pixies, both Nirvana and PJ Harvey sought him out for their own records. What is interesting about that is that Albini hated the record, and took plenty of opportunities to trash both Surfa Rosa and The Pixies… Can’t help but wonder if he found Frank immensely off-putting too, because in a new pretty recent podcast, Albini is quoted praising Kim Deal, stating how much he respects her and her lo-fi analog aesthetic. I think he and I would have been buds, based on this assessment alone. He did eventually recant his hatred for Surfa Rosa, and this was a pattern for him anyway. He also thought In Utero by Nirvana sucked, only to come around to it later and appreciate its place in classic 90s records. I guess some people just don’t know how good they are.

Cactus receives a mention simply for the line “I miss your soup, and I miss your bread, a letter in your writing doesn’t mean you’re not dead”, what is that about? I have no idea but I love it. A lot.

I’ll finish with the fact that there’s a song about a guy named Tony, who is apparently a superhero (reasons unknown) and they really just chant TO!NY! A bunch of times. It’s a racket. Tony must be a pretty rad dude.

Anyway, one of many memorable and powerful records that Steve Albini put his hands on. I intend to do more of a deep dive on his work because it’s some really great shit and I imagine I have new songs to hear and entire albums to fall in love with. Surfa Rosa is just a big fat dose of high energy noise and crazy tempos on the drums. It’s not for everyone but it’s for sure for me.

ETA: it’s not in The Rolling Stone Top 500 list, which I think is a big miss, but while I’m on the subject of Steve Albini and his work, everyone, and I mean everyone, should listen to Magnolia Electric Co by Songs: Ohia. As fast as you possibly can. The production and recording is some of the best to ever be done, and the result is an entire album where you can simply hear and feel a young Jason Molina’s deep pain. He did not live much longer. You understand why when you hear this record.

[heavenforblog1111]

Demi Lovato probably needs no introduction at this point. But still in case you don't know, she has been part of the media industry since a very young age. She was associated with Disney like Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears early in her career and was part of several shows and films like 'Camp Rock', 'Sonny with a chance' etc. Her path in life or career whatever you want to call it, has unfortunately gone on a similar trajectory as Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEfJKUB87sg Post 2019, the globe has undergone a massive change. The seven colored campaign which is more about promoting gender confusion and chaos rather than upliftment seems to be taking over the society. Agendas like abortion and f*minism have been more common than ever. Amidst all the chaos, Demi Lovato released a song called 'swine' which is simply promoting abortion. Demi seems to be talking about being free to choose decisions that put her first while abortion isn't simply something that concerns with a single person only. At the same time Demi was promoting shots saying that she would rather prevent potential side effects than put others at risk. Here, Demi is emphasizing abortion despite the fact that the baby is actually put at risk. Demi has her own struggles with gender identity as well. In 2021, she came out as non binary adopting the pronouns they/them while in 2022 she went back to using she/her. While there has been no shortage of artists going crazy in the music industry, at this time when you see what is happening to people like Sam Smith, Demi Lovato etc it just feels like the craziness has been turned up a notch. Anyway, let me know what you guys think of the song. Honestly, Demi has had some really good songs but this one doesn't even sound good to be honest.

[newsworld-nw]

Billy Ray Cyrus' dog introduced him to his future wife, Fairoz, 14 years ago

Man's greatest...wingman? Billy Ray Cyrus He owes rather a lot to his canine Tex, after his beloved canine launched him Now-wife Firerose Greater than a decade in the past. The Newly married couple sat down for a joint look on Thursday's episode The Kelly Clarkson Present, Firerose opened up about how they first crossed paths 14 years in the past once they have been leaving an audition in Hollywood. "It is truly a comic story," Firerose stated. "On the time Billy's canine, Tex -- who was the cutest German Shepherd you'd ever seen -- was tapped for some divine goal as a result of we have been simply pals on the time."Billy Ray was married Tish Cyrus Over the course of 28 years, throughout which period they separated and filed for divorce 3 times, repeatedly reuniting. Tish ultimate submitting in April 2022. Within the submitting, it was famous that the 2 haven't lived collectively since February 2020 and he or she cited irreconcilable variations as the explanation for his or her divorce. billy ray Beforehand recounted his sight-seeing With Firerose in an interview with folks, revealed that they met on set Hannah MontanaThe TV sequence she starred in together with her daughter, Miley Cyrus. "I liked doing that present," she stated of the Disney Channel program, which ran for 4 seasons from 2006 to 2011. "There are a number of outdated pine bushes that appear to be Tennessee. (My canine) Tex and I'd go. In the course of the day there he would handle his enterprise and we might stretch out and I would suppose how a lot I missed Tennessee. That day, Firerose from the entrance door. got here out. There was virtually a second of, I do not know, recognition. I used to be like, 'This lady is a star.'After Firerose pets Billy Ray's canine, she tells him that she had an audition that day for the half she did not get. He determined to take motion and put her in contact with producers and different executives he knew. "I feel he met lots of the solid and met the producers, the writers. And, in some methods, effectively, in lots of methods, we turned pals," Billy Ray shared.The "Achy Breaky Coronary heart" singer, 62, married Firerose on Oct. 10 in a "miraculous celebration of affection." "10/10/23 will at all times be the attractive, joyous day our two souls joined as one in holy matrimony," they captioned the put up, which confirmed the completely satisfied couple embracing on a mountaintop. Billy Ray saved issues conventional with a black go well with, whereas Firerose wore a long-sleeved lace robe and flowing veil, with make-up by Jessica Candez."It was probably the most excellent, miraculous celebration of affection we may have ever imagined. For each of us to listen to the preacher say, 'Billy Ray and Firerose Cyrus... I now pronounce you husband and spouse' was the start of our endlessly new sacred second. Lengthy reside love!the couple acquired engaged In August 2022.Billy Ray and Firerose's wedding ceremony got here lower than two months later Tish is married Jail break the actor Dominic Purcell In an intimate ceremony, with Milli Beside her mom as maid of honor.Along with Miley, 30, Tish and Billy are mother and father to Hint, 34, Brayson, 29, and Noah, 23. Tish shares daughter Brandi, 36, together with her ex Baxter Neil Helson, whereas Billie additionally has 30-year-old son, Christopher Cody, with Christine Fortunate.Associated Content material: #Billy #Ray #Cyrus #canine #launched #future #spouse #Fairoz #years Read the full article

[behindthefanbase]

Natalia Trevino Amaro: When Fashion Meets Fanbase

When it comes to fashion and music, the synergetic relationship between the two has a long-running history. 23-year-old fashion designer Natalia Trevino Amaro bridges the two and the fashion needs of Taylor Swift fans awaiting to attend one of the dates of the singer’s The Eras Tour.

Owner of a brand named after herself, Natalia started her business in June of 2020 after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. As she was living with her parents in Indiana during the early stages of lockdown, Natalia found herself struggling with the lack of work opportunities available in her field at the time – “I figured I’d just start making clothes and selling them since I had nothing else to lose; fast forward almost three years later and it’s my full-time job.”

Now, alongside her own original designs, Natalia is selling custom pieces to Swifties (Taylor Swift fans). “Like a lot of other businesses, I was hit hard with inflation and had very little sales through the second half of 2022; I started making custom pieces for fans in December”. Knowing she’d be making her own custom outfit for Swift’s tour, Natalia documented the creative process and uploaded it to TikTok. “I was honestly looking for any sort of sale at this point because things weren’t looking great for me. Luckily the TikTok I made hit the right audience and I was able to take in custom orders!”.

Though making custom pieces for fans is “more of a one-time thing” for Natalia, she is open to making more custom outfits for people in the future, no matter the occasion. “If I had to choose another fanbase to make customs for, I’d love to do it for Harries! Harry Styles’ fans have a fun sense of style at concerts so it would be super fun to make outfits for that!”.

As previously mentioned, selling customs to Taylor Swift fans has brought exposure to Natalia’s original pieces: “My personal designs hadn’t been doing too well prior [to selling customs], so I’m okay with letting that fall behind for a couple of months as making custom orders for fans is the majority of my work right now”. This said, she is trying to find a healthy balance between the two, lowering the number of custom orders she is accepting to bring her original work back into the production mix – “I do want to make sure people remember that I’m, a fashion designer first, not just someone who will recreate other people’s looks.”

A self-proclaimed Swiftie “since the beginning”, Natalia assures to be 100% of a fan girl, which is “so fun because you get to connect with so many people who love the same music that you do which is really special”. “I’d say [Taylor Swift] is the artist I most fangirl over, but I also love Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus, who I also feel I ‘grew up’ with”, whilst as of more recently she has also become a “huge Harry Styles fan”. Though fan culture hasn’t necessarily impacted her work in terms of style, “it has definitely helped get my creative juices flowing again after being in a creative rut for a couple of months.”

According to Natalia, fashion is crucial to the music industry: “Most artists are known not just for the music they put out, but for their entire ‘artist image’ […] Clothes speak for themselves and as much as a performance can be incredibly memorable, sometimes having that ‘reveal’ moment of wearing something show-stopping can really make it 10 times more memorable for years to come”. And of course, when she thinks ‘fashion icon’ in music, Natalia thinks of Lady Gaga – “I grew up seeing her wear so many ‘controversial’ outfits and pushing the boundaries of fashion; you never knew what she’d show up in. That really stayed with me and I still view her in that light”.

To keep up with Natalia and browse through her collection, you can check out her socials and website below.

Instagram - nataliatrevinoamaro.com - YouTube