#felt like they chose to build up a mystery of what happened to the 02 kids but the thing is like. they didn’t get rid of the 02 kids because

[holydramon]

legitimately feel tri would have been way better received (and honestly just a legitimately better series) if it didn’t treat the 02 kids like that

[ladywaynebr]

Love at Chance - CH 02

Chapter 02: Jump and Pumps!

Word Count: 1.6 k

Warnings: None yet, just someone coming out from under the stone.

Summary: Dog, a gift and a super attentive mother.

Author’s Note: This is my first story in English, you will certainly notice. I hope you like it and forgive any mistakes.

Chapter 01 Link

NOTE: THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Thank you for reading! Whoever wants to be marked in the chapters leave a request in the comments. If you enjoyed this please LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG. THANK YOU!  

My day at the office was terrible, my share of arrogant clients is reaching its limit. I just don't throw it all away because the bills don't pay themselves and I like the little luxuries that my salary provides. One of them is the wine I'm drinking. Delicious, full-bodied, with a slight oak aroma. If this wine were a man, I would literally be on my knees for him. After all, the ideal would be a good wine and a hot night with some hot guy. But the resolution I made on my last birthday, prevents me from going to a bar and meeting someone. My new self doesn't spend time with imbeciles. I was tired of booty calls and all those fuck boys. I want someone to stay, someone I can trust.

I was dozing on the couch when I heard the barking from the apartment next door. I ended up discovering that the condominium allows animals, I went to make a complaint with the administration, I left there, embarrassed. The new neighbor and the dog, have been here for almost a month. They spent a few weeks away, and returned a few days ago. He still hasn't fixed my door.

I slept too much, it was certainly the wine. Late for work I left without having breakfast and finishing my makeup in the elevator mirror. They are renovating the parking lot of the building, we residents have to leave our cars near the leisure yard. Last night it rained, which makes the floor slippery and the enemy of high heels. I was walking slowly despite the rush. My cell phone started ringing like crazy in my purse, my boss must be furious with my delay. I answered without looking at who it was.

- Sorry, I'm on my way!

- What?

- Mom, I thought I was someone else. I'm late for work, I can't talk now.

- I just want to confirm our dinner today, I will cook for you. - She increased her tone of voice, my mother thinks that speaking out loud is more agile.

- Yes, but I don't have much in the fridge. - I'm basically living on frozen food.

- Don't worry, I'll stop by the grocery store. - Said the loud voice.

- Okay, see you later!

Hanging up, I stopped for a few moments to put my phone in my  purse.

- Dodger, no! - The male voice roared.

The pile of hair leapt over me again, with its paws against my belly.

- Jesus! - I screamed.

The dog's paws are wet and dirty with sand from the yard. That combination created an abstract art on my silk blouse. I felt my face tremble with rage, the animal stopped in front of me with his tongue hanging out and the tail swaying.

- Please, forgive me! - His owner approached, wearing a blue sweater and Patriots cap. - I don't know what happened to him, Dodger is not to go around jumping on people.

- I find it hard to believe. This is the second time he attacks me, use a collar or something. - The damage to my shirt was great.

-He's wearing it, but when he saw you, he let go of my hands and ran towards you. - The man is also confused. - I don't understand, he's not like that.

- Your dog must hate me. - I turned around, I need to change.

I heard his footsteps behind me. In an attempt to hurry and stay away from them, I stepped up.  

- Be careful, the floor is slippery and your heels are not the most suitable shoes. - He warned me gently.

It just made me more nervous.

- If you were able to control your dog, I wouldn't need to be running. I'm late for work. - I said annoyed.

- It was an accident, I already apologized. - He's still after me. - What is your size, I'll buy you another shirt.

We arrived at the entrance to the building, stopping and I looked at him.

- The same way you fix my door? - His cheeks were flushed. I confess I didn't expect that reaction, I found it a little charming.

- I forgot, I've been traveling for work and with so many things happening. I'm sorry again, I'll take care of everything. - His tone embarrassed.

He disarmed me, I don't like to embarrass people.

- Don't worry, just make sure Dodger stops jumping on me. - Hearing his name, the dog wagged its tail.

- I think he likes you. - He said with a smile.

I just nodded, shooting for the elevator. Impossible for that dog to like me, I barely know him.

When I got home I came across a new door installed and my mom in the kitchen.

- Good night mom.

- Hi darling. - She smiled while chopping carrots.

- Who installed the door?

- Some men, I was entering when they arrived. - She said. - What caused that hole?

- I'm not sure. - I lied, putting my bag on the counter. - The smell is great.

- It is your favorite, go take your bath soon it will be served.

- Right!

- I was forgetting, the mysterious gift is in your bed. - She smiled excitedly.

- What a gift?

- A delivery boy brought a beautiful Prada box. With a card!

Jesus, he kept his promise. I shot into the room.

After the shower, I picked up the box and the card, which I opened first. The message was handwritten.

“I hope I got the size right. This is an apology from Dodger and me.

C.E "

A kind and polite gesture on his part. I opened the box and got a surprise. He didn't buy me another blouse, which wasn't even a designer, but a beautiful flowered dress with a blue background. He got the size right, I'm not tall and I have my curves and volumes. What drove that man to do that, to buy me such an expensive apology gift.

- What did you win? - My mother curious as soon as I sat at the table.

- Something I will return. - I answered. - I can't accept it's inappropriate.

- Don't tell me it's your boss, that asshole is trying to get into your pants again. - She was annoyed.

- No mother. Daniel never approached me again after I threatened to tell his wife. - I regret telling her. My mother can't forget - The gift is from someone else, but because we don't know each other very well, I can't accept it.

- It does well, you are a Christian girl and should not be accepting gifts around. - She took my hand to pray.

She will spend the night here I don't like that she travels by car at night. While Mom chose a movie, I washed the dishes and made popcorn. I hope she doesn't choose anything biblical.

- Did you put butter?

I settled on the couch next to her.

- No, your cholesterol needs to be under control. - She made a face. - What is the movie?

- One with Captain American, he will rescue some people in danger. - She said picking up some popcorn.

A few minutes of the film passed and I was shocked.

- Jesus! It's him! - I screamed.

- He who?

- My neighbor. - I went back to the scene, pausing on his face. - He has long hair, but it's him.

- Chris Evans is your neighbor, how did you let that pass “y / n”?

So that's why he signed the card with the initials.

- I do not follow the world of Hollywood and celebrities. - He certainly realized that I didn't recognize him. - I thought I recognized him from somewhere, but I didn't associate with any of that. After all, what does a star living in this condo?

- I don't know about that, but it's proof that you need to stop working so hard. You are becoming isolated from the world, even the church ladies are able to recognize this man.

- What a small world. - I mumbled looking at the screen.

- Is he handsome like on TV? - She asked curiously. - For a white boy, of course.

If I say I didn't realize it is a lie.

- Yes, actually even more beautiful. - She laughed.

We went back to watching the movie, which took on another meaning for me.

[ohlayarfp]

Film Review - Misteri Dilaila by Syafiq Yusof

Misteri Dilaila is a Malaysian horror thriller film that went viral in 2019. I rarely watch Malaysian films because when i do, it’s usually the same plot all over again. Drama, romance, action, comedy and everyone’s favourite, Horror. I feel like these genres are the usuals everywhere but what makes it unbearable for most of us Malaysians is how similar every story is. Rich boy meets a poor girl. Rich boy falls in love with her and when they get married the mother hates the poor girl. They fight and one day someone dies and the end. For horror, it’s just about some people getting haunted by a ghost that was sent by a close friend of theirs.

The thing I understand about the horror hype for Malaysians is how our culture is deeply rooted with mystical beliefs and as religious as we tend to be, ghost stories seem to intertwine with our faith for countless years. Personally, I believe in Asian ghosts more than the western versions. This is probably due to my own family having our fair share of sights into the world of the undead. 

The reason why I chose to talk about this film is because of how disappointed I felt when I watched it. Unlike most Malaysian films, it had the potential to be a great one. The look of the film was far better than the usual ones we got and the story building had a Gone Girl vibe. What made me disappointed was the fact that while watching that film I was hopeful and excited thinking finally a Malaysian Filmmaker is making a psychological horror instead of those in your face jump scares. 

The story is about a married couple, Jefri and Dilaila, who were spending their holiday together at a luxury vacation home in Fraser’s Hill. After a petty issue where they end up quarrelling at each other, Jefri discovers his wife went missing the following morning. Next thing he knows, a mysterious woman who also goes by the name of Dilaila shows up one night where she claims to be his wife. Adding more confusion is the supernatural occurrences that regularly haunts Jefri whenever he’s alone in the house.

Throughout the whole film, I was at the edge of my seat thinking that there’s finally a malaysian filmmaker that is about to introduce a character with a mental illness as the protagonist which would’ve justified his hallucinations of the ghost. Unfortunately, it was just like other films where there’s no actual context to the sightings, they were just ghosts being ghosts and haunting him for no reason. Well that’s for the 2nd version of the film.

Another fun fact about this film is that it went viral due to the alternate endings it has. When the film came out in the cinemas, people were surprised to hear that they had different endings when they discussed it with their friends. This was purely the filmmaker and his team’s intention. Different halls have different endings and this was meant to be a surprise for the audiences. It was a great marketing strategy and considered as a genius way of thinking for some people while some were mad that they were being ripped off. 

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

As a person that watched both versions, I was unsatisfied with both versions as both endings angered me. Nevertheless, I didn’t think it’s an absolute flop though. Both versions have the fair share of plot twists. The first version revealed that the protagonist we thought all along was the actual antagonist. He was the one that killed his own wife whilst every supporting character was a part of the police team that were acting to make him confess to his wrong doings. It was then stated that the hallucinations he got was a result of his guilt and him being under the influence of drugs all along.

The second version on the other hand is more mystical. The ghosts made more appearances in this version. The protagonist is still the good guy but the inspector that was involved in the case turned out to be a fake policeman and he was working with the imposter Dilaila. Towards the end, Jef found out that his wife has been dead a long time ago and the ‘wife’ he was holding turns out to be something else (this we never see on screen though). 

Personally if i were to choose an ending, I would choose the 1st version as it makes more sense logically but I can understand why people love the 2nd Version.  Malaysians and their thirst for horror films explains the statistics. But a famous film reviewer on YouTube (ZhafVlogs) once made an instagram poll and asked his subscribers to choose between the two versions and surprisingly it was a tie. This proves that the director made the right decision to come up with alternate endings. 

*END OF SPOILERS*

The film then landed in a controversy within the next few weeks after the premiere. Someone noticed that the story was awfully familiar. It was then proven that the story was 90% similar to a few films from India, America, Russia and more. People were comparing it to a film called “Vanishing Act” and they were right. 

As a film student, I am aware about the concept of adaptation so I personally see no wrong in the filmmaker’s act. However, I can understand why people are mad. The filmmaker went silent once news got out about him “stealing” the idea and “claiming” the story as his. But based on my research, I never found him claiming the story as his before. Although, he also never mentioned about him making a remake of the initial film as well. The filmmaker went silent for a long time and people kept sending him hate comments but soon died after a few months. 

A year later, the issue was raised yet again by someone and this caused the filmmaker to finally speak up. He explains the concept of adaptation and how he was inspired by a scriptwriting book called Save The Cat which said that “A good artist copy, but a great artist steals”. He also states about there being so many films abroad that have the similar concept to an older film such as Fast and Furious with Point Break, Avatar with Pocahontas and Inception with Paprika. He finally came clean and stated that he was inspired by a stage play from France called “A Trap for a Lonely Man”. He then added his own twist by adding some horror elements knowing that it being the target audience favourite genre.

Also regarding the quote from Save The Cat, (in my opinion) I feel like what the author was implying is about ‘stealing’ stories from life. Not stealing the exact plot codes from other films. This is based on my understanding from the phrase which I assume Syafiq may have misinterpreted it.

He raised logical points from a filmmaker’s perspective and he also raised some issues about being pressured from his father (Yusof Haslam) and brother (Syamsul Yusof) who were well known filmmakers as well. He said that everyone kept on telling him to be better than his father and brother. Sadly, when he was at his lowest, even his family turned their backs on him and said that it’s fully his fault. 

From my point of view, I was initially furious with him for not being able to defend himself by explaining about the adaptation because I feel like most Malaysian audiences are unaware about it. People assume adaptation is from book to film when it's more than that. I, myself, learnt that from film school. And I’m not entirely defending him as well, I’m still disappointed in him for not speaking up sooner. But I do empathise with him as well. The audience were quick to attack him. The film industry in Malaysia is not entirely in the best state for these past few years. So a film like Misteri Dilaila made everyone hopeful for more quality films like it only to be betrayed at the end when they found out that it wasn’t his own creative idea and a total rip off. I still feel like he did a good job with his visuals which was an improvement from the local films around that time.

Reading through the whole issue and looking at how this decision to “copy” the plot codes as he was inspired from the Save The Cat book has opened my eyes. As a filmmaker, I feel like i should always do research before starting on a project and the best thing is to always be honest with our intentions. If it’s inspired by a remake, then set it straight and give credit to the original piece. Don’t keep it to yourself. It is terrifying though, being in his state where everyone turned their backs on him, even his own family. He released a few films after that, saying that film is his job and that it is his source of income so as much as it may seem hard sometimes, life still goes on. Sadly, he received a lot of backlash and people lost their faith in him. People were being sarcastic and teasing him if the film was even his.Seeing that happened to him opened my eyes. People may let it slide but they’ll never forget. Once you screw up, people will remember and use it against you. 

Pictures of the set:

Links to Film Reviews:

A Non-Horror Fan's Guide To Watching 'Misteri Dilaila'

https://rojakdaily.com/entertainment/article/6414/a-non-horror-fan-s-guide-to-watching-misteri-dilaila

Misteri Dilaila (2019) Review

https://www.caseymoviemania.com/2019/02/misteri-dilaila-2019-review/

Movie review: Misteri Dilaila

https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/reviews/movie-review-misteri-dilaila-DJ649603

Link to news about the controversy :

Is Local Horror Film ‘Misteri Dilaila’ a Rip Off? Here’s What The Director Had To Say..

https://juiceonline.com/is-local-horror-film-misteri-dilaila-a-rip-off-heres-what-the-director-had-to-say/

Horror fans slam ‘Misteri Dilaila’ for ripping off Hollywood film ‘Vanishing Act’

https://www.malaymail.com/news/showbiz/2019/03/05/horror-fans-slam-misteri-dilaila-for-ripping-off-hollywood-film-vanishing-a/1729154

Clarification/Statement by the Director about the issue (in Malay);

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=649749852534594&set=pcb.649750949201151

[jenomark]

Swallow // Part 4

○Pairing: Dom!Jaehyun x Sub!Reader (Female) ○Other Members/ Characters: Sub!Johnny + Doyoung ○Genre: smut  ○Warnings: no smut, suggestive talk, angst ○Word count: 3,927

→Summary: You accept Jaehyun’s invitation to a wedding, but as you get in the limo, you realize it’s not Jaehyun waiting for you. Will the mysterious John or the following circumstances finally make you break?

→Notes: ✨Anon Requested✨ Heyyyy 😍😍 Can I request Dom Jaehyun x Dom reader smut? Pretty, Please 💕💕

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06

______________________________________________________________

  You didn’t wear the dress. It was an emotional decision and something that couldn’t be helped. You had tried it on, twirling in front of your mirror for a few minutes, letting the gauzy fabric make you feel like a princess. After that, you balled it up, threw it under your bed, and spent the afternoon shopping for a dress Jaehyun didn’t have a hand in choosing. You felt proud that you had taken these steps, though a secret part of you would have loved to see Jaehyun’s face when he saw you in his dress.

  The dress you picked out was plum, instead of eggplant purple. Where his dress was light and reached the floor, yours was tight against your body and stopped mid-thigh. The velvet against your skin made you feel sexy, and the off-the-shoulder detail made you feel like someone else entirely. It was unlike you to flaunt your body like this, but admittedly, you had been feeling as far removed from yourself as possible lately.

  The car arrived at 9 a.m., like Jaehyun had said. It was a stretch limo in black, with not a dent or speck of dirt anywhere in sight. The backseat was wide open in anticipation, waiting to swallow you up with it’s soft leather seats. You hovered in the doorway to your building longer than you should have, thinking about all the ways you could give up if you wanted to. All you had to do was go back inside and live your life. It should have been so simple.

  You got in the car, anyways. If anything, Jaehyun had piqued your interest with the wedding invitation. The day didn’t have to mean anything.

 “Before you say anything,” you said, closing your eyes tightly. You didn’t have the nerve to look him in the eyes.  “I didn’t wear the dress you gave me because it’s my choice what I put on my body and I get to decide who I am. The dress you chose was beautiful and it fit so well-not that I tried it on-but if I did try it on, you should know how gorgeous it was, and how much I do love it.”

  You opened your eyes. The mascara on your lashes made them stick together for a moment. When you picked out the dress, you went ahead and made a make-up and hair appointment. Though you felt very much like you were trying too hard for a man you most definitely were not dating, you had felt pretty.

“That was quite a speech.”

  Your head snapped to your left when you realized the voice that spoke did not belong to Jaehyun.

“Who are you?” you asked.

  The man beside you was classically handsome. He had brown hair parted down the middle, eyes that looked at you inquisitively, and lips that pulled up at the corners. His long legs were stretched across the floor of the limo in comfort as if he were without a care in the world. He was wearing a suit with an eggplant purple colored bow tie that perfectly matched the dress Jaehyun picked out for you.

 “I’m John,” he said. “You may have heard about me.”

  You tried very hard not to react, but your face betrayed your emotions. If John looked closely enough, he would see both the shock,  and the little way your heart broke when he said his own name.

“Briefly,” you said. “Where is Jaehyun?”

“How should I know?” John said. “I received a box in the mail with directions. Don’t you love it when our boy is secretive?”

  Biting back a retort, you smiled and looked around the limo. Jaehyun had spent a lot of money to transport you and John to Hell. When your eyes set on the sparkling champagne, you thought you ought to make the most of it. You snatched the bottle from it’s bucket of ice, along with a glass. The bottle was already popped and ready, all you had to do was pour and chug.  And chug. And chug.

“That’s a lot of champagne,” John said, watching you. “Must be one hell of a breakthrough you’re celebrating. “

  When you came up for air, you nearly gagged. Champagne was an acquired taste, one that made you more likely to chug actual gasoline. Yet, as the liquid slid down your throat, and your anxiety ebbed, it began to not taste so bad.

   The limo moved, rolling past your life in slow motion. You looked out the window, at your hands, at the empty glass of champagne, at anything but John. You were light-headed and giddy from the alcohol, but the anger in the pit of your chest was trying to scratch its way out. John didn’t try engaging in conversation with you until the city streets turned into long stretches of road seemingly leading to nowhere.

“He talks a lot about you.” John said.

“Does he?” you asked. “I’m thrilled. Tell him I said thanks.”

  John laughed. You looked at him blankly. He didn’t touch the alcohol or snacks in the limo. He barely looked at his phone. You wondered what he was thinking and what his personality was like. The mess that was your life was clearly out in the open and it seemed fair that his should be too.

“You’re more plain than I thought you would be,” he said. “By the way he talks about you, I was expecting someone a little more.... fiery.”

“I’m a Sagittarius. I have plenty of fire.” you said.

“Maybe I’m misjudging you.”

“No offense Mister Long Legs, but you don’t know me.” you said.

  John’s eyes took in every inch of your body. He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head when his gaze rested on your breasts and your thighs. There was a heat rising on your cheeks that could have been from the embarrassment of him assessing you, or the alcohol. If you were being honest with yourself, you would accept that it was something else bordering on the line of attraction.

“I know what you like,” he said. “I know what you don’t like. I know the way you smell. You’re all over him, his bed sheets, his dick.  And I know the way you taste. Our boy likes to share his work.”

“He’s not my boy.”

 You didn’t wait to see John’s response. You didn’t want to know how he felt about you, or how you tasted to him. You never wanted to meet him at all. When you asked Jaehyun about his other subs, you knew how it would make you feel. Curiosity won, but the loss was greater. The existence of John had haunted you ever since, and finally putting a face to the name made everything more complicated.

   When the limo pulled up to the wedding location, neither of you moved from your seats. You were too tipsy and too stuck in your own thoughts, and John’s attention was mostly on you despite your lack of interest in him. You could feel his eyes crawling up your skin, could practically feel that villain-like smile creeping up his mouth.

“I feel like we should talk,” he said. “While we wait.”

“There is nothing to talk about. We both fuck Jaehyun and Jaehyun fucks us. What else is there to discuss? you asked.

  John turned to his side to get a better view of you. You didn’t like that a stranger could make you feel so pathetic in your own skin. The dress, the hair, and the make-up felt juvenile with just one look from him.

“Maybe we should fuck to get this tension out of the way,” John said, smiling. “What do you say? It could be a lot of fun. I’d love to see that pretty little ass spread for me.”

  Your side of the car door opened and a hand appeared. Jaehyun’s hand. You grabbed it and let him pull you to your feet. You were so grateful that you nearly hugged him, but after seeing the look on his face, you decided against it.

“Are you drunk?” Jaehyun asked.

“No.” you said, self-consciously pulling at the hem of your dress. In your haste to get out of the car, it had ridden too far up your thigh.

“Your dress.”

   You initially accepted the look on Jaehyun’s face as annoyance at you being drunk. He liked you sober and consenting only. When Jaehyun didn’t get what he wanted, he came down with a heavier hand the next time around.  But as you looked harder at him, the way his jaw set was more like a man who felt dejected. He placed his hands on your hips and smoothed out the plum velvet fabric.

“I think she looks pretty.” John said.

  John popped his head up from the other side of the limo, rapping his knuckles on the roof. Jaehyun blinked, looked at John and turned his attention back on you. You resisted the urge to smooth the piece of hair that always fell over his forehead back into place.

“Never mind.” Jaehyun said. “You’re a little early. But that’s good.”

“Can we talk?” you asked.

“You look pretty.” Jaehyun said.

  Jaehyun took your wrist and began leading you up a small grass hill. John followed, sticking his hands in his pockets and leisurely strolling behind. When you reached the top of the hill, you could see a beautiful farmhouse painted blue-gray. Next to it was a remodeled barn painted the same color. People were milling in and out of both places, tugging at children’s hands and talking with each other. Two large white tents were set up across the lawns, one with rows of seats and a stage, the other for a reception party.  All around were pretty lattice fences with flowers intertwined throughout them.

“This is beautiful.” you said.

  Jaehyun didn’t stop to let you admire everything. He kept pulling you along beside him, his legs striding across the grass like he had somewhere more important to be. As you reached the steps of the farm house, John sidled up beside you and put his hand on the small of your back. You didn’t want him touching you, but you didn’t shrug him off either. 

   A woman in a wedding dress came out onto the porch, heading straight towards Jaehyun and his band of misfits. He met her with a kiss on the cheek, helping her down the last few steps. There wasn’t any time for you to process what was happening before he slipped his hand casually into yours like it was a completely natural thing to do. 

“Rosie, this is my girlfriend.“ Jaehyun said.

  If Rosie knew anything different, she didn’t show it. The smile on her face was bright, and when she shook your hand, she appeared genuinely happy to meet you.

“And this is my girlfriends brother, John.” Jaehyun said, gesturing to John.

  John put on more of a show. He was charming, nearly bowing in her presence. Rosie was eating up the attention and his small talk, resting her hand on her stomach as she laughed. When you felt Jaehyun’s fingers squeeze yours, you looked down at his grip on your hand. He brought his hand up to his face and brushed his lips lightly against your knuckles.

“I’m sorry you missed the ceremony,” Rosie said. “But I’m glad you’re here for the reception. Jaehyun talks so highly of you. It makes me happy to finally meet the girl who has captured his heart.”

“Me?” you asked.

  Rosie’s face fell only a fraction of a second before her smile returned. “Of course. We’ve been waiting to meet you since he told us he was dating someone a couple of months ago. His mother is always pestering him for more info, but you know him, he doesn’t talk much. My boyfriend Doyoung is the same. Oh, I meant my husband. I have to get used to saying that.”

“A couple of months?” you asked. 

“Where is this Doyoung?” John interrupted. “Probably off pinching himself because he can’t believe he married such a beautiful woman.”

  Rosie blushed and touched John’s arm. You and Jaehyun exchanged amused looks with each other. When Rosie excused herself, John asked if he had overdone it.

“Just a bit,” Jaehyun said. “Luckily, Rosie loves to be charmed by a handsome man.”

“You think I’m handsome?” John asked. “I don’t think you’ve ever called me handsome.”

“Yeah, well there is a lot Jaehyun doesn’t say.” you quipped, dropping Jaehyun’s hand. “Can we know what the fuck is going on now?”

“Keep your voice down,” Jaehyun said. “My family are floating around here somewhere.”

  At the mention of Jaehyun’s family, your heart did a back flip. He barely talked about himself, barely let you two feet into his closet or pantry, and here you were about to meet his entire family in one day. You looked over to see how John was handling it, but he seemed unphased.

“Please talk to me before any of this goes further,” you begged. “I will leave. I think it’s going to look a little bad for you if your girlfriend of a couple months leaves before the reception even begins, Jaehyun.”

  Jaehyun told John to stay and mingle while he took your hand and led you around to the back of the house where a children's swing set sat, unoccupied. He took a seat on one of the swings and motioned for you to sit next to him. He looked beaten down and exhausted already, even though the day had barely begun. 

“Why is John here?” you asked.

“I expected that question sooner. ”

“I’ve been a little busy,” you said. “Why is he here? Why am I here?”

“Why didn’t you wear the dress?” Jaehyun asked.

  You stood with your arms folded as he swung lightly. He looked so handsome sitting there with a slight pout on his face. He was wearing a black three-piece suit with the jacket button undone, and shiny black shoes that reminded you of the day you met him.

“Answer me first.” you said.

“Sit down.”

“No.”

“Please.”

  Jaehyun's voice had no fight in it. Feeling empathetic and exhausted yourself, you took a seat in the swing next to him. He didn’t jump right into conclusions, didn’t fuss with the dress issue, and you didn’t prod him. He freely talked, which felt unnatural and so right all at the same time.

“I’ve known Rosie since I was a little kid. Our parents used to think we would get married. We were always together, “ Jaehyun began. “Attached at the hip. We never felt anything for each other. She’s like my sister. I never had siblings. I had quite a lonely childhood, but Rosie made things better.”

“She doesn’t know about your other life?”

“Other life?” Jaehyun asked. “This is my life.”

“I just meant-”

“- I know what you meant. I never told her and I don’t know if she suspects. The only reason she thinks I have a girlfriend at all is because I told her I did so that she would leave me alone. She cares about me a lot and she worries. She’s kind of like my second mother.”

“Did you ever want to tell her?”

“It’s not her business. Do you talk about your sex life with your siblings?” he asked.

  You shook your head no. You started swinging to match Jaehyun’s pace. You tried imagining how he must have been when he was a little boy, how wild and brave little Jaehyun probably was, and how he couldn’t have known what kind of strong man he would be today. You were greedy for more information about his life, but you didn’t know how to keep asking for more without breaking the rules. Not his rules, but your own.

“And that’s why I’m here,” you said. “As your girlfriend.”

“Partly. There’s more to it than that.”

  You waited for him to say more, but he didn’t elaborate further. You asked again why John was there. The contempt in your voice was obvious. Jaehyun’s only explanation was that he invited him so you wouldn’t feel alone.

“Believe it or not, John is more easy going than you. I knew he would have no trouble taking the attention away from us.” Jaehyun said.

“I wish he wasn’t here.”

“Why not?”

“He asked to fuck me in the car.”

“He’s been asking to fuck you for awhile.” Jaehyun said.

  The tipsy anger from the limo felt like it was finally clawing its way out of your throat. Times were easier when you let Jaehyun spit in your mouth and fuck you raw, but the feelings growing were harder to swallow.

“Why does John know about me? You had me believing I was the only person in your life, ” you said. “That’s not fair to me.”

“I don’t have the answer you want.”

  You looked over at him, but he wouldn’t look at you. Instead, he stopped swinging and stood up. He went behind you and took the chains in his hands from the swing and gave you a light push.

“Why didn’t you wear the dress?” he asked.

“I don’t have to do everything you tell me. You said there were no rules.”

“I said not to overthink things.”

“I don’t have the answer you want.” you said, your voice dripping with sarcasm.

   He stopped your swing abruptly. You leaned your head back at him. You wanted to yell at him, but the way he loomed over you was very reminiscent of Dom Jaehyun. Your body missed him so much. It felt like forever since he touched you in that way.

“What are you kids doing back here?”

  You lifted your head up to see an old lady approaching you. You prayed it wasn’t his mother. You didn’t want to meet her like this, staring up at her son, and wishing for his cock in your mouth. Jaehyun greeted the woman and told her the two of you were just getting ready to head back to where the reception was starting. The timing was fortunate, as a bunch of children started running past you trying to get to the swing set.

“Who was that?” you asked, walking towards the big tents.

“I honestly have no idea,” Jaehyun said. “Rosie’s husband, Doyoung, has a lot of family.”

  It seemed like every time you both got a few feet towards the tent, someone that knew Jaehyun stopped you. You couldn’t help but feel a thrill whenever he introduced you as his girlfriend. You had to stop yourself a few times from enjoying it too much. Today, like all the other days, was only a fantasy.

  For months, Jaehyun paraded around his life calling you his girlfriend and you had no idea. His parents were probably conjuring up an image of a girl good enough for their son. They would be sorely disappointed, you thought.

  John rejoined you as you reached the tents. He had a handful of pretzels in his hand and was eating them like a dog eating from his food bowl. The more disgusted you looked, the more John did it.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to make sure my mom is okay.” Jaehyun said.

  You watched him walk away and wished he would come back quickly. You didn’t know how you would fare on your own being around so many people and playing the role of Jaehyun’s fake girlfriend. It seemed like the population of the wedding party had doubled since you arrived, and at least to you, it was obvious you didn’t belong with any of those people.

“You seem more relaxed.” John said.

“Stop talking to me.”

  You moved across the lawn but John followed. He tried to hug you and call you sis but you shrugged him off and acted like he wasn’t there.

“Why do you hate me?” John asked. “We only just met.”

“I don’t hate you.”

“But you don’t like me, “ John said. “Because I’m Jaehyun’s.”

“Go away.”

  You approached one of the flower walls. There were so many variations of colors and types of flowers weaving in and out of the lattice. The wall must have cost a fortune and a lot of time to put together. You smiled to yourself, touching a soft rose petal. John just watched you curiously, but you weren’t bothered. The content you felt in the moment was all encompassing.

“I’m learning more about you,” John said. “For instance, you don’t like the taste of champagne, but you would rather drink it than look at me sober for too long. You love flowers. Your whole face just lit up as you leaned in to smell them.”

“What does this have to do wi-”

“-And you love Jaehyun,” John finished. “You l-o-v-e the boy. What a wonderful romantic thing to admit to yourself at a wedding.”

  You let go of the rose and walked away from him, you hair flying in the wind. You felt that your face was flushed, could feel the tightness of your skin making your features look cold. You began to feel ugly again. The good feelings that were working their way into your day were slowly fading out. You would have went back to the car if you weren’t stopped by a man.

“Hello.” he said.

  He introduced himself as Doyoung, the groom. His smile was gummy and full of happiness. He asked if you knew where his bride was. You had to tell him that you were sorry, but you didn’t know where Rosie was.

“Are you Jaehyun’s girlfriend?” Doyoung asked.

  There was a lump forming in your throat that made it hard to answer. You didn’t want to cry in front of this man on his wedding day. You had been the dampener on other people’s happiness before and it never made anyone feel good. It’s how you got so amazing at not being able to admit your true feelings.

“She is,” John said, appearing out of nowhere. “ Doyoung, I think I saw your wife going this way.”

  John led Doyoung somewhere. For a brief moment, you were grateful for his interference. You spun around and started making your way towards the limo. You could feel the breakdown coming. Jaehyun called your name before your hand could reach the door handle. You waited for him, watching him jog down the hill after you, your tears making his image blur.

“I was gone for a few minutes,” he said. “Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to be here. I didn’t ask to be here.”

“But you came. Why did you come?”

“Because I never have a choice.”

“I always gave you a choice,” Jaehyun said. “You know that. It’s important to me that everyone who enters in my life knows the choice is theirs.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“What do you mean?”

  You threw your hands up into the air. “I don’t know! I never know. Jaehyun, it was fine for awhile. You are so great, and you’ve kept me going for a long time, but I’m not sure this is right for me anymore. I’m not sure I can keep being like this with you. I’m not the best version of myself.”

  He stepped closer to you and began to reach out his hand but thought better of it. There were a million thoughts going around in your head, but you couldn’t sort them all out.

“I want out.” you said.

[circuitlover]

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Analysis

Is this a ridiculously naval-gazing post about Evangelion? Yes. Is it an accurate assessment of the franchise as a whole? I have no idea. I tackled this as an unknown initially, starting the series with zero contexts beyond the usual recommendation of “you should watch this.” Which is part of the reason why I’ve been a little hesitant about even broaching this subject to begin with. I’m so removed from the zeitgeist, both in terms of not being a regular anime viewer, as well as it being long past Evangelion’s relevance as a franchise, that it seems everybody already has their opinion on Evangelion all figured out. So at least indulge me, as I scramble around for something.

‘The End of Evangelion’ is a certainly a gratifying conclusion, as we finally get to see much of what was being concealed behind the veil (well, as much as one could reasonably hope for). It also reminds us of some long-standing questions. Why do the Evangelion possess such a bizarre tendency to be ill suited for battle? How do NERV’s continue to run unabated from governing bodies? What exactly is the mystery surrounding the origin of the ‘Geofront’? These were all broad strokes of why I felt unsatisfied by the original conclusion (the hastily arranged make good of the final few episodes of the series), and though I don’t expect every minor detail to be answered about such a multi-faceted world, I still feel these were questions pertinent enough to have been resolved in some fashion. Now I’m a little more aware of the troubled events leading up to that ending and it’s quite admirable that they managed to deliver something, despite the haphazard nature of those final two episodes.

 It’s clear that End of Evangelion intends to underline the original series from the start, dropping us back at the critical juncture where episode 24 had left us. Even if one could feasibly state that we reach the same point after the events of EOE, I’d argue that we inhabit a vastly different headspace by the time we reach it here. It’s not difficult to surmise what happens between the gaps left between the final two episodes, though everything is lent much more credence here, now that we are left to witness the macabre reality of what the entire series has been building towards. NERV headquarters is finally attacked by SEELE, and with this, we finally see the bloody climax. Now free to depict the attack in full detail, the opening half is certainly full of action and excess, though far from mindless, with only the most unflinching of viewers (or those divorced from its context) likely to derive any sort of baseless enjoyment from these scenes. The various lingering shots of deaths sit uncomfortably here, but nonetheless punctuate the finality of it all. If anyone could have accused the series of taking a wholly unexpected (and saccharine) turn towards it’s finale, then EOE is it’s biting rebuttal.  As cold as the NERV headquarters is, with almost everything bad that has occurred almost exclusively originating from within it’s walls, it’s still disconcerting to see such a familiar setting being callously destroyed in a matter of minutes, along with it’s inhabitants. The conflict has essentially existed as a faceless one; both the audience and Evangelion’s protagonists seldom knew what they’re truly been up against. It’s a war being played out by the pawns, and here we see the severity first-hand.

 As their headquarters are crumbling, so are the pilots. Shinji is in no fit state, evidenced by his own bemusement over his actions towards a comatose Asuka. It may be shocking, and his actions are far from admirable, but given the context, it’s hardly surprising. After all, his confidence had been built up; only to be meticulously broken the instant Kaworu reared his head. This compounded with his earlier apprehensions after Toji’s departure, his various disingenuous, failed, and otherwise doomed relationships leaves his mental state in tatters. I personally don’t like Shinji, but then again, it’s quite clear to see that you’re not really supposed to. Even without Hideki Anno’s spiteful intent of wanting to deconstruct the typical shonen hero propelling Shinji’s arc, it’s quite safe to assume that anyone who had any lingering empathy for Shinji will almost certainly have abandoned such notions at this point. The Shinji we were first introduced to, awkward, unlikeable, with an overriding sense of hate and self-loathing, has now given way to complete apathy. “I’m so fucked up” seems to ring more an acknowledgement, than it does a realization.

 Like Shinji, Asuka too has succumbed to her trauma, but on a much more literal scale, being broken in both mind and body. They are two characters that are seemingly analogous to one another. But again, first appearances can be deceiving, as by the point of Asuka’s introduction, we are already keenly aware of Shinji’s nature. He openly laments his position; Meanwhile, Asuka is brash and outspoken, embracing her identity as a designated hero, rather than cowering behind it. How they choose to define themselves is different, but the underlying reasons are gradually revealed to quite similar. Both driven by an inherent self-loathing, we witness the pair at varying levels of despondency, though rarely at the same time. In fact, for as consistent as emotional turmoil is through NGE, it is rarely overt, leaving most characters to wallow in their own abject misery. Almost everything operates on a certain level on duplicity, some of which, admittedly, isn’t apparent upon first viewing.

 Rei is ostensibly disconnected from the very beginning, though that makes the act of attempting to interpret the character, quite difficult. Very little is revealed about her, and most of the development is concerned with what she is, rather than what she does. Her role is pivotal to the overall narrative, and the themes being explored, as she is, by design, a doll that emotes. Which I guess is where her appeal lies. The mystery intrinsic to the character is never completely done away with, even at the very end. And the case could be made if the third incarnation of ‘Rei’ is even the same character that we’d become accustomed to, as her eventual rejection of instrumentality is a stark contrast to the cold pragmatist that bookended the TV series.

 The (quite literal) congratulatory nature of the series conclusion was always conspicuous in its inclusion. Evangelion had never been a work that had an interest in servicing its audience, at least in terms of a ‘happy’ ending. Which isn’t to say that wasn’t a possibility, but the tonal dissonance in which it was delivered never quite rang true. As an audience, we were conditioned to cautiously enjoy any brief respites afforded to our characters, as more often than not, it was simply a prelude to the turmoil that was soon to be heaped upon them. All of which (keeping with tradition), means the course correcting of EOE ups the stakes by an order of magnitude. The imminent attack is at the worst possible time, with each pilot being indisposed. The first big sequence, the assault on NERV, is a veritable massacre. Everyone’s fates are conclusively played out, whilst the Evangelion units become the focal point. 01 is promptly captured, whilst 02 (along with Asuka) is sunk to the bottom of the lake. This leaves Misato to attempt to galvanize an unstable Shinji. It’s kind of galling to see Shinji act so despondently in the face of her imminent death, though his selfishness probably obscures that fact until it’s too late. For me, Katsuragi is probably the most well meaning of the entire cast, but tragically, is someone woefully inept of providing the emotional support that others around her need. Her own weaknesses are clear to see, and although many of her problems are often emphasized for comic affect, she is still one of the few who straddles the line between her duties and profession life, perhaps the most convincingly. Like most other characters, she serves as juxtaposition to Shinji’s own conflict, and highlights how everyone is dealing with their own issues, just with varying levels of inadequacy. Her final actions echo her previous (failed) attempt at comforting Shinji, with her own loneliness giving way to fleeting intimacy.

Everything hits a crescendo once the Evangelion finally make their appearance, quite literally. Asuka awakens, and with it, her centrepiece battle takes place. I’m sure that it isn’t really something that I need to go into exacting detail about, because the following scene is enduring all by itself. Though it is notable as a culmination of the various elements all coming together; music, animation, along with the story. This is where EOE leverage’s its theatrical status for all its worth, eschewing the patchwork TV production in favour of something grander.  The actions scenes are often impressive and horrifying in equal measure, and there is probably no greater proof than here. Asuka’s death is certainly disturbing, and much of that is down to how they chose to portray that violence. For me, it recalled earlier moments, where the eldritch abomination like nature of the Evangelion had been evoked. These moments give the audience a brief pause for thought, where much is suggested of how horrifying their (The Evangelion) unshackled nature truly is. The unease, which these moments produce, suggests that something is terribly untoward. Most of which is conveyed in how we (the audience) see others react, gleaning what we can from cutaway shots of onlookers recoiling in horror. If recollections of Unit O1’s previous ‘feast’ already served to perturb, then this surely toys with our imagination yet further. We only see Unit 02 itself being devoured, and now knowing what we do about the distinctly human aspect of the Evangelion, the horror of Asuka’s fate here, trapped inside, now inhabits an altogether more unsettling space. The series ending, try as I might to appreciate it, was never going to suffice. It was nice to see Shinji’s own paradigm being settled, but I felt like it would have been more effective with a little more of that ambiguity stripped away. For as much as Neon Genesis Evangelion likes to steep itself in duplicity, this is where it’s felt like it was something of a compromise. The inner turmoil was my key takeaway from the work as a whole; it forms the crux of every relationship, and dictates the course of every action. It’s a lonely show, something that if not apparent from the get-go, slowly permeates throughout the narrative. Shinji is an initially an awkward character to relate to, bumbling his way through his scenes, though much of this weak nature is revealed to be a product of his environment. The world in which this all takes place is irreparably damaged, and even if the true extent of the second impact isn’t made expressly clear, it becomes quite apparent that humanity lives on in its own self-inflicted dystopia. It is this inherent contradiction that defines nearly every relationship, as each is unwilling (or unable) to acknowledge their true feelings. It is ultimately a self-destructive existence for the likes of Shinji, who permeates multiple meanings to his interactions with people, the paradoxical nature of which is explored in the conflict that defines the multiple endings and interpretations. Shinji is our proxy, but even so, it can be difficult to empathize with him. A hero he may be, but it’s more by designation than by design. It’s a role, which he consistently questions, as he exhibits almost none of the values we typically associate with someone tasked with such a mammoth task. He ostensibly comes of age throughout the series, gradually gaining some semblance of self-worth, though it a precarious act as he constantly seeks assurance from his father, and later anyone (which becomes something that Asuka resents him for). No character is treated like a proverbial puppet more than Shinji. In fact, it is SEELE themselves, who objective turns out to ultimately “break” Shinji, rendering his ego to naught. For all intents and purposes, it could be argued that the whole world is literally against him, at least by his own perceptions. His relationship is Asuka is extremely strained, initially showing hints of affection, with their hilariously depressing kiss encapsulates this dichotomy; Neither the circumstances (nor the characters) allowing for anything to take place. Even the slight reprieve offered in the finale (Asuka’s acknowledgement amidst the fallout) is obfuscated by the context in which it’s delivered.

Shinji’s journey dictates the ending, first, in the original series, where his perspective colours the ambiguity from which we see the fallout. Thematically this works (and I can see why some may prefer the agency it gives the audience), though I feel that the abstract nature of this ending, robs it of some emotional resonance. This conclusion is also hampered (at least for me) in how abrupt it is, with certain story threads left dangling. In my opinion, ‘End of Evangelion’ lives up to it’s billing as it gives a much more balanced and subjective conclusion, where we see first-hand “The Human Instrumentality Project” in effect. I was suitably invested to the point where I wished to see how the end was reached, and of course, see something that wasn’t cobbled together with recycled animation or slight of hand. I can certainly appreciate the original ending as a companion piece, which serves as a more personal and intimate resolution. But the fact remains, a lot of the fascination surely lays with how incomplete this all feels, with each finale, seemingly answering as many questions as they create. That said, I find that both endings offer up a surprisingly optimistic message. The original may be more overtly upbeat, but I think that EOE’s is lent more credence by virtue of the horror that precedes it. The life affirming message is delivered in the most tragic of circumstances, and I perhaps find that most heartening of all. By no means does ‘End of Evangelion’ end on a positive note, but I think it’s enough that it carries the promise of one. The somber sentiment may be more prevalent for some, though my rebuttal would point to the fact that, for as depraved and unethical the means may be, everyone ultimately wants to be happy. There is something to be said about the apparent theology that makes up a large part of Evangelion, and even if it has no real implication beyond the aesthetic (those initial warnings from long-time fans that, yes, a lot of the pseudo Christian imagery is window dressing at best. ), I still feel that its prominence casts a large shadow over proceedings. If nothing else, it certainly lends a morbid atmosphere to the show. When one starts to take this aspect into closer consideration, it’s easy to see why theory regarding Evangelion has become so prevalent. One of the constants throughout is the titular Evangelion. Though they remain a focal part, their function, both narratively and thematically, are constantly shifting. Initially agents of change, they are presented as a mysterious, if helpful force. Gradually this is peeled back, as various allusions are made to what they actually are. Throughout, we see how their pilots are affected by their experiences in their cockpits. Shinji is continually drawn and repulsed by the idea of piloting his Evangelion, seeing it as a means to forge something meaningful, whilst at the time, also aware of how dependant he becomes of his new role. Rei is driven by a sense of twisted duty, one that routinely sees her sacrificing herself (needlessly) for the cause. And Asuka perceives her role as raison d'être to obfuscate her own past, this being both a strength and a weakness. For better or worse, the Evangelion define them, and as the story progresses, we see that this takes on altogether more sinister connotations.  When viewed as an allegory, I think Evangelion holds multiple meanings, depending on what part is being referred to, or indeed who is viewing it. My initial impressions were pretty much taking it at face value, though I think the misdirection of the opening is a deliberate ploy for the most part. I’ve read that some take it as a deconstruction of the very genre it inhabits, though not having much experience with that myself, I choose to focus solely on the emotional aspects. Indeed, the psychological (and philosophical) strands become much more prominent as the series progresses, as it steadily veers into becoming a wholly oblique affair. Humanity may live on, but in spite of itself; something which is made abundantly clear, throughout.

Though its message initially seems quite muddled, I still feel it one that still manages to remain pertinent. I certainly can’t fault it for ambition. And there is something to be said about a piece of work that I simultaneously feel, is one of the most bleak and uplifting things I have witnessed, flawed or otherwise. I appreciate the themes that it chooses to explore. I like the characters, even in spite of everyone being contemptible in some glaring way. And in that respect, this series is nothing, if not a parade of characters struggling to deal with their emotions. But maybe that’s why I like it amidst all the abstract craziness; it retains a very human message.

[tune-collective]

Danger Talks Debut LP '太鼓,' A Sinister Synth Adventure Into Innocence Lost and Found

Danger Talks Debut LP '太鼓,' A Sinister Synth Adventure Into Innocence Lost and Found

I remember like it was yesterday: I was sitting at the wooden desk of my college dorm, eyes red from staring at the computer for hours. I was stuck in yet another MySpace top 8 loop, researching every name in a long list of DJs and producers that started with Justice and ended with all kinds of musical magic. This is how I found Boys Noize. It’s how I found Midnight Juggernauts, the Klaxons, and a couple of crash test dummies called Revolte.

Then I found this strobing monstrosity. It flashed — a lot — but it was also very stark. A single beam of light shone on a pyramid, flanked by two Anubis figures. “Revolte at 22h10” started playing. Filtered vocal chops bled through a synthetic hum. My empty dorm was suddenly full of anticipation and electricity. I was tired, but I was spellbound. 

That’s how I stumbled on Danger in 2007. He was fascinatingly mysterious, a masked figure with no face, only white, glowing eyes. I kept up with the underground artist as best I could in the decade that followed. A rare performer, I kicked myself when I missed his opening sets on Porter Robinson and Madeon’s recent Shelter Tour, but I was placated by the knowledge that I’ll get my chance to see Danger in action on his upcoming North American tour in support of his debut full-length LP, 太鼓.

“Working on a 15-track album was a beast, a totally different challenge,” the producer, nee Franck Rivoire, says in an email interview. “You need to be extremely straight and to-the-point when building an EP with two or three club tracks, and you’ve got so much freedom on an LP where you could integrate atmospheric, and more cinematic songs. I never found a vehicle for that in my past releases. It’s great.”

A decade after releasing his first tune, Danger gives the world 太鼓, pronounced ‘Taiko,’ like the Japanese drums. Cinematic is an understatement: 太鼓 opens with a boom, the way a movie starts with a sound test. The next track, “7:17” comes in soft and menacing, like an opening credit score as a camera pans over a dark, wet alley at night. The taiko drums come in hard and heavy, then they quicken.

It blends seamlessly into exciting heights on “11:02,” which falls back into the stark opening mood of “11:03.” The drums are your leader on this emotional, winding path. You never know what will happen next, but it’s definitely going to be Dangerous. “I used a lot of real percussion samples recorded in my studio, Rivoire says, “especially some HD noises like computer keyboard noises, and the background hum of my own studio.”

太鼓 feels like a simmering concept come to fruition. Danger has always been a character. His tracking VHS aesthetic smacks of ’90s comic cartoons, the sinister synthetic sheen of his look and sound reminiscent of an electro Blade Runner. I always imagined Danger was some anti-hero, maybe even a villain sent to make the whole world dance in the dark.

“I grew up between Japanese, American and French culture through TV, movies, and video games,” he says. “In France, we were the first generation of kids to totally embrace mangas and animes, while U.S comics and cartoons were already there and still very popular. As a French kid, the French and Belgium comics and their influence was very important. It was Hergé with Tintin but mostly Moebius (Jean Giraud), Philippe Druillet, and many other 70s French comic stars introduced me to psychedelic aesthetics.”

Rivoire began working on the album about two years ago, digging deeper into his personal history to find inspiration, tapping into the feeling of isolated creativity he remembers fondly from his childhood.

“As a kid, I spent many hours playing all alone,” he says. “I used to record my voice on an old tape recorder when I was imagining adventures with my Ninja Turtles. I love the quiet mood of creation. Being in my cave, computer screens as candles. Living in a violent contemporary world, I felt the need to rebuild that childhood cave for my album.”

That solemn spirit can be heard on tracks like “6:42” and “8:10,” song titles signifying the moment each track was finished. It brings me back to my own childhood, playing around on the computer in the dark, the rest of the house still asleep as I endlessly read about Sailor Moon characters and listened to midi files of the Tenchi Muyo OST, writing fantastical stories about superheroes and wayward youths of my own creation. It’s not hard to see why Porter Robinson and Madeon chose Danger as a partner on the road.

“It was very nice to be able to speak with them about the approach to music and visuals we each take with our projects,” Rivoire says. “Each of us has an attention to detail and are kind of a control freaks about a lot of things around our music. Living in the shadows, it was pretty interesting to hear very joyful music from Porter and Madeon. I was finishing my album at the time, and I think it inspired me to incorporate a little bit more of some kind of innocence in my music.”

Bright moments definitely shine through Danger’s signature darkness. 太鼓 is a well-rounded portrait of a personality, half steeped in mystery and nostalgic reverie. Is 太鼓 a fictional movie about a faceless figure, or an autobiography of a producer’s roots? In the end, it’s kind of the same thing.

“I always felt that the scariest figures are the ones who don’t have [a face],” he says. “I like the absence of expression in a mask. I like to see people looking into my eyes. My everyday life of my alter ego.”

This article originally appeared on Billboard.

https://tunecollective.com/2017/07/05/danger-talks-debut-lp-%e5%a4%aa%e9%bc%93-sinister-synth-adventure-innocence-lost-found/