#beauty in art

[w-i-m-m]

[hobbitsetal]

Thoughts on “Songs Along The Journey”

@ellakas mentioned her album on Spotify when she shared her Spotify wrapped. Since she’s posted videos before of her singing, naturally I checked it out--she has a very lovely voice, and I was curious about her original songs. I had not yet finished the album before I shared it with friends. Having listened to it twice now, I shall be sharing it here also:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0sJKpVIYAw5mf7roo46TfA?si=NAsyXNBQSy26ruMPfMbvXA

And along with that, because what creative artist doesn’t love feedback, here are my thoughts on the tracks.

1) “Introduction” While I knew most of your story from your blog posts, I quite like how you laid it out for the album. You included a few details I didn’t know, which made the album more poignant.

2) “Morse Code” This is so dang cute. It’s just a happy little love song, one I sang along with on the second listen.

3) “Please Slow Down” cannot hear this without crying. Made my husband cry. 12/10, will induce hugging babies while sobbing quietly. My goal is to memorize it and to be able to sing it without choking up. TBD on how attainable that goal is.

4) “I’ll Keep Missing You” lol first listen I thought this was still “Please Slow Down” and was like “huh, this sounds like a completely different song.” Newsflash: it is. And it’s very sweet, full of yearning.

5) “Emmanuel Lullaby” “This was lovely” is basically a good way to summarize my thoughts on this entire album. The line “I have called you by your name” reminds me of the first episode of “The Chosen,” which is a fantastic association.

6) “Before Goodnight” This one’s charming, a little bittersweet, like the opening of “Up.”

7) “Down The Road” This is another one I sang along with on the second listen--I even played it a third time just to sing it. It’s a beautiful old-school ballad, as well as deeply personal given the backstory you’ve shared.

8) “I, the Sea” This one, I confess, I have a harder time making out all the lyrics (partly due to my speakers), but your voice is incredible and the line “self-inflicted castaway” is just...*chef’s kiss*. It sticks with me. I’m also in love with the gentle swoop of the melody, like waves.

9) “I’ll Uphold You” You know how some Christian songs feel performative? This one feels deeply personal. This is another I’d like to memorize; it’s the kind of song I’ll turn to when I go through emotional turmoil, like “Thy Will Be Done” by Amy Grant.

10) “I Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far” This one is so bleakly poignant. That it’s a capella really drives home the emotions and the “dark of the soul” that you went through. It’s painful and incredibly lovely, the sort of song one listens to in absolute silence. You also absolutely have a gorgeous voice that does not require instruments.

11) “You Will Give Me Rest” I thoroughly enjoy your light sampling of classic hymns to underscore and bring out your own points. Also a huge fan of the deep human personalness of saying “I don’t feel at peace, this stuff hurts.” Yet another “I should memorize this.”

12) “The Bread” idk why this one gives me DND vibes, but it does and I love it. I also love the Old Testament connections and the beautiful importance of the material.

13) “Hearts Will Mend” A song of hope and healing, a poignant and brief summary of your past, another one for the memory banks. And the ending leads beautifully into the next song,

14) “You Are My Home (Wedding Song)” This one would be lovely in any circumstances, but with the added knowledge of your backstory, this feels like the culmination of a movie. The switch to piano from guitar was unexpected; those are my two favorite instruments, and I quite enjoy the instrumental part. If I’d heard this song four years ago, we would’ve included it in our wedding.

15) “Bonus Track (Light Has Come)” This is gorgeous and feels like the perfect close to the album! This is something I’d sing while contemplating the vastness of the ocean, or really any particularly lovely and wild bit of nature. It feels exceptionally fitting to go from the gratitude and beauty of your wedding song to this paean of praise. For all the dark and trouble that we encounter in life, Christ is still Lord, we look to a bright and glorious future-- This is a Narnia/LOTR-esque hymn. The harmonies are especially lovely.

In conclusion: new favorite album, thank you for sharing!!

[lettersfallfromthesky]

I always admire artists. I know that most artists are struggling and ahead of their time most of the time. Art is so beautiful. People take their hardships, their pain, their struggles and make beautiful wonderful things like paintings, sculptures, songs, poetry, literature, buildings and so much more. I just find art to be something so unique to humans. That we find the beauty in the darkest of times and create things to express how we are feeling. That is beautiful.

[gulistan-blog]

㋡🥀

colors of the sky.

[theboxfort]

Peace and love

[heylsgowt]

[evilgoodguys]

he was his father's greatest creation.

[habken]

Deku's first day on the job is going great

[w-i-m-m]

[seabeck]

Ephemeral rain

[animal-s0ul]

[gulistan-blog]

㋡🥀

[kensatou]

make men slutty again.

HEAT STROKE | GQ CHINA Photographer: Wintam; Editor & Image: Shawn Gao Ding; Makeup: Lucas; Hair: Tao Liu; Art: Grade 2 & Lei Min; Art Assistant: Jiang Mi; Models: Kim; Ye Hao, Yu Hang, Ho Jun; Fashion Assistant: Yiyi, Coco; Photography Assistant: Li Zhenxi; Song Luanyi

bonus as rightfully added by @polyabathtub:

[vintage-tigre]

The happiest cat at the pumpkin patch

[heylsgowt]