#heavenly vocals i stg

[vitaminwaterreviews]

Apink - Pink Memory

Overall, extremely impressed by this album. The thing that stuck out to me the most was the vocals. I’ve just listened to 29 albums by SM girl groups, and not a single one of those albums had vocals as beautiful as the ones I just listened to. Part of it is that SM just like, refused to mix their vocals cleanly until 2015, but part of it is definitely that there are some excellent vocalists in this group. Their breathy voices were So pretty, their high notes were So pretty, their regular singing voices were So pretty.

As far as musical style goes, I can see why you said that this album is kind of a midpoint. The only other Apink song that I know is Dumhdurum, and that’s definitely further along the house/EDM side of the continuum. I don’t know Apink’s earlier stuff, but I know bubblegum well enough to imagine that a lot of this album probably sits somewhere in between the two extremes, maybe leaning a bit more bubblegum.

Highlights of the album were definitely Perfume and Promise U. I love sounds that aren’t used often in kpop, and that kind of lofi electric piano that was in Promise U is super uncommon among the stuff that I know.

Anyway, score average is 7.7 which feels about right, maybe a bit low. My biggest issues weren’t with the music itself, though, just with my personal taste. The ballad in particular was objectively excellent, I just don’t like ballads in general.

Remember

Pretty scene

Oh, pretty pretty vocals

And the little music box in the background, that’s adorable

The aesthetic though

Here we go, here’s the synthpop

Their lips are SO pink like wow

These vocals genuinely are excellent, they’re doing some really neat things with their voices

Also they’re absolutely beautiful like wow, remember back when girl groups could just be Beautiful?

What exactly is going on harmonically in the chorus? My ear isn’t good enough to tell

8/10

Perfume

Oh okay, nice and bassy

Wow the guitar

Wow the horns

Honestly let’s fucking go, this is excellent

Chorus is just a tad too poppy, give me a bit more bass here

Love the horns

Oh my god that harmony just murdered me

Haha the “bum bum bum ba bum” is so good

The pause before the chorus omg

Awww they didn’t pause before the last chorus! Sad

9/10

Attracted To U

A bit more low key in this one

Oh wait who’s this?

“Marco” I guess?

This song is one of those songs that’s like a slow jam except it’s just a bit too bouncy to count

But like, the bass here is SO slow jam coded, the percussion too

Sorry I really just can’t get over how clean and pretty the vocals are

This album was released a couple of months before 4 Walls and I stg the production feels more modern and the vocals sound so much cleaner

(I just listened to 4 Walls like an hour ago)

7/10, it’s a great song but it’s not totally my style

Dejavu

Speaking of 4 Walls…

Cho-rong wrote this song apparently, the lyrics at least

I’m not a huge fan of the instrumentals here. I dunno what the name is for this genre, but there is SO much of this sound in early SM girl groups, and it got tiring midway through M.I.L.K.

Like, if I’d heard this song a month ago, or maybe a few months from now, I’d probably enjoy it more. But having just spent like three weeks straight listening to albums using this sound…

6/10

Petal

Alright, soft and pretty, ballad time?

Oh, maybe not

I always enjoy when they do that, switch the beat up after the intro and make it a fast song with pretty harmonies on top of it

Wow. Vocals for days.

7/10, really really excellent singing, not my type of song

What A Boy Wants

They really do love their horns on this album

Ohhh noooo not the 80’s drums haha

Actually, they work really well here, kinda like in Lilac

I hear that guitar in my right ear, don’t think I don’t hear you there

Haha “boo boo buh buh buh, yeah yeah yeah” I love that

“What a girl wants” hol up that’s not the title!

This outro is heavenly

8/10, that outro is everything that I want in a bubblegum group

I DO

Jammy

We’ve got two entire saxophones going off, that’s twice as many as one saxophone!

Aaand just like that they’re gone

Oh okay, they’re back (but much quieter) in the chorus

“Doo bee doo, doo bee doo,” that kind of scatting is my thing

Pheww the first part of the bridge is So good

Random high note

Obligatory ad libs

8/10

A Wonderful Love

The real question is, will there be a proper ballad on this album?

Well this sounds ballady so far

Yep, here we go

This sound, too, is SO prevalent in those early SM girl groups

I’m holding a package of Skittles and I’m debating whether I should open them

This bridge at least is a bit more unique, I like what the strings are doing here

Oh here’s the build

Oh nevermind, it’s quiet

Oh nevermind, now it’s heavenly

I can’t hear echoey vocals anymore without hearing Bada, those early B-sides were something else with her vocal production

These vocals, on the other hand, are some of the best produced vocals I’ve heard in ages

7/10, which is about as high as I usually put ballads

Promise U

Oh okay, we’re lofi now

Wow this is a Cool set of timbres

Pretty little vocal harmonies

“La la la la di da” love that

And now we’re all lofi and moody again

I just wanna say this song is so good

Also I haven’t mentioned the bass yet but the little slap bass is so good

Random high note, like that came out of Nowhere wow

Well this outro is perfect

9/10

[popupfloof]

I want sleep BUT i also want to listen to white night at 2 am and cry while being a blanket burrito

[mum-for-da-sons]

Very messy Delta review

Hey gang, i sat & typed & spiraled while listening to delta for the first time just now, so if that interests you to read barely legible thoughts, it’ll be under the read more thing. dang i’m sad!! BUt spoiler alert: GOOOD ALBUM! I’m SAD!! (do note I don’t find the album or many tracks all-around too sad, I’m just a depressed bih)

Delta thoughts: okay i’m not gonna really edit what i wrote but for everyone’s sanity i’ll bold the song titles, okay?

42: BINCH! See a sign, I need some guiding light,,, eff ME UP OKAY?? This is such a strong start i’m already getting teary-eyed, huh. Ugh, it’s so satisfying… well effing done lads,, well done

Guiding Light: Hot dang the whispered beginning?? I really need to fix my computer speakers because this sounds heavenly in my over-ear headphones,, gosh dang. Discover some new TRUTH! Gosh dang this is not a comprehensive review in the slightest but i don’t care!! Binch!! I can’t even say anything good… when beloved or darkness visible makes me cry, i guess beloved is fourth? So if it does it’ll be first, anyway, when i start crying maybe i have something cooler to say. Not crazy about the “dubstep build” on this, after the bridge, just because i don’t believe it, like it’s not long enough, and resolves unconvincingly. But, anyway.

Woman: literally FRICK i thought if i say was next this start is cool and very Winston. Oh vibes?? Oh worm?? Woman?? I’m like 15 seconds in and this is… yes. Can you ever really know? No. is ths song even about anything lol i don’t think i care?? Issa vibe, gang. Chorus?? Eff me up. He said frosty… wendy’s come collect. Oh that was the pre-chorus?? This is f*cking me up… VIBES. i ‘ve been waiting for them to try this in a song of theirs and not like a cover.. I knew they were capable…. The range they’re displaying rn? I love it. I love them wtf!!  Oooh man i wanna see this live? There’s this drumstick noise, like rimshots? That sounds so satisfying. Yes, clackety clack. This is nice. Nice song. Don’t really know what they’re singing, bt this is warm. I like it. Mumford & sons finally said it’s 2018, huh. I just got a youtube notification of me commenting on their radio appearance and i literally said “the range they’re showing? Fantastic” and yanno what,, same

Beloved: this song started like right away huh. He said darling… dang he did that. He’s fitting a lot of words in on this one. Ohh the lord has a plan? It is hard to understand… i love these lyrics.. Big brain meme. Are you afraid? The attack.. Hand come through the mirror?? That visual!!! O f*ck me up. Before you leave :(( yeah it’s getting to me aHAHA.ohh this breakdown? Yes. these drums are especially nice. Ugh i really missed these guys wtf :(. AND AS YOU LEAVE, YOU MUST KNOW YOU ARE BELOVED> yes. Yes. as you LEeeeEEeaaveee. See my children playing at your feet?? BOI.. i’m so soft wtf.. They’re really putting it all out… i wanna hug them i’m so… this is so sweet aw. Oh no the song is fading, no don’t do that song

What song is this the piano can f*ck me up: ben man, you’re doin that huh. No literally did we have to jump to this painful… frick. This violin? Is nice. WE SAW BIRTH AND DEATH. Oh frick. They’re just going for it this is a lot i’m soft. Lemme actually see what song this is lol.. It’s The Wild. i have like chills & i can’t tell if it’s because i’m cold or not. Do not be afraid :(. OH they stripped it back!!! THIS IS NICE! Binch! Puts the fear of God in me :( this is so nice .. it’s hard to pick what to focus on. What’s that i see binch? I think it’s the wild… marcus is really do THAT with these vocals, huh. There was like a breath and.. The atmosphere during this part?? Nat Geo who??? Ohhh i like this so much.. It’s like a soundtrack.. The sampling of noise?? The background?? It’s cool, doesn’t specifically sound like them at all, but, aw these drums :( now it’s like a war movie.. This is so interesting. Those drums remind me of the drums in winter winds that i can sometimes here & it’s very drill-like and marching band-esqe and i love it. Aw birds??? You know what this reminds me of…. I won’t say

Next song: marcus is playing no games with these vocals, jesus. October Skies.. Isn’t this his favorite one… ooh ted I hear that bass,, eff it up.OooooOOOoooHH. The range… i love these guys. I’m blinded by the light of october skies… the movie with Jake Gylenhaal, and in the valley I am free :( where’d the silehute go? OOOooooOOOOooooHH YOUr’e esesjfsfshesal!! The fear of what’s to come.. CRIPlin’ me :( binch. Is this synth lowkey?? Brand it on my mind is such a great visual, like the “press my nose up to the glass around your heart” line.. Who wrote it. Oh is the sonG_ OOOOOOoooooOOOOOOoooooHHHH. Maggie rogers is that you? Hot dang

An upbeater!! Wipe those tears baby! Is this the just smoke of this album. This is.. Slip Away. “stoic smile” i see you… haha. Ooh this chorus is nice COME AND SUFFER HERE, LADIES! Mood!! Holding my breathe for you? F! In this violence of a mind’s eye… i like everything except maybe---- ohh this falsetto?? I’m.. i’m tearing.. Oooh we just found a song to cry to in the middle of the night, huh. It’s misleading with the beat vs. the lyrics.. I wouldn’t have it any other way!! Gosh i’m so depressed! Lol!! There’s a pulsing beat of some kind that’s nice.. Also some nice guitar work on here, some clackety things… go gently… be still…. Go gently….now… be still… Go Gentlyyyyy nowwwww, be stiiiilllll. Ugh they.. They’re doing this… i’m so proud of them wtf. Is this winston?? Who is singing.. Marcus?? I can’t.. Tell? No i think its marcus but we’ve truly never heard that high-end from him for that long

Okay: next song is pretty interesting- ooh! Right off the bat! This has to be the one they said sounded like ngalma? However you spell it… clap clap clap clap clap, this is a drum-machiner one for sure. I will be yours & you will be mine, ever our lives will be entwined binch! This noise after “my rose of sharon” is a mood. Ugh this is so cute.. Imagine being happy w/ someone else, what a concept ! eeeeeee yuh! That’s what they’re singing in the back.. My rose of sharon, my rose of sharon, BRR BRR BRN NER! Did the song-- what’s up with these abrupt endings

That being said, Picture You sounds v vibey right off the bat. Okay lads! I thought it best you didn’t knowww. I’m so proud of Marcus for flaunting these vocals, i stg, I’ve spoken on this before but... like he can do that!! I’m so glad he’s,, doing it! Ooh the “away” is v nice. I love full-stops in music, where the sound gets sucked out like here or just stops entirely… yes boys. Okay.. not crazy about this kind of.. Breakdown but it’s still cool. Just not in-rand as much as some other things. I mean, this sound is V different of course but they’re workin’ it. Okay i kind of stopped paying attention for a sec… there’s sampling… ohhh oh no it’s getting dark… hohoho no guys.. I’m excited but the anxiety is jumping out… holy smokes this is cool tho. It’s pretty. Hope that never comes, that comes to all.. Torture without end… yet from the great flames no light,,, but rather.. .DARKNESS VISIBLE. I’m gonna check if it didn’t seamlessly bleed into darkness visible…

Oh it did!! Their minds!! God, i already know i love darkness visible,, it was my pre-album listen fave on details about it alone,, we’re depressed sweeties let’s pop off… it’s so nice >:(. And just like that it ended!!!! BINCH!!! Ooh they’re like not even vocally in that one… i like that ish!! Not the “them not being in it” in that way but OOH! That was effing cool

If I Say: is still v v nice,, sounds effing expansive and beautiful with good headphones, i’m picking up all the lil details and prettiness.. The synth line after “if i say i love you, well then i love you” is sooo satisfying too. Ugh this orchestra,,, it’s building.. Truly their minds were so big on this album, huh. I’ll tell you what It doesn’t mean that i feel better! It doesn’t mean that I feel better! I’m, haha i still kinda hate this chorus but their so passionate i can’t hate it all the way,, like they love this ish and are into it & i love them so it’s allll good homies. I dig. I’ll be fake and wild out when they play it live, don’t worry. But peace you never find :( the guitar tone is crispyyyy,, the instrumentation… ugh it’s so nice. Violins can murder me or someat and I’d accept it. AND IF I SAY I LOVE YOU, THEN I LOVE YOUUUU. Ugh,, so so nice man

What’s NEXT: ooh some seamlessness in that transition.. .is this ghost of tom joad i’m hearing lol, mortal once again!! Oh this is a mood, freak.. Sigh no more marcus really jumped out on this one. This shuffling maraca thing is so nice. I’ll hold you by the jaw!! Hoo hoo bihhh. “It took a wild heart to tame mIIiine” this is so nice wtf!! Ugh this is so nice. I wouldn’t have you any other way,, awwwwwWWW!! Who want a love that makes sense anyway? I’ll effing say! Ugh this is very nice. These lyrics are so interesting… this is a good one guys, quiet & sweet but there’s some pretty cool things also going on, like it’s simple but its… this is it, ya know? This piano is sweet too. This whole thing is sweet, maybe that’s a dumb word to use but. This is so sweeeeet ugh!!! The vocal riffs on “mine” … ugh!! I kind of like the echoey vocals too.. Soft rain patter for two seconds at the end??

Reverse noises w/ a big breath from Marcus: let’s effing go w/ this album, gang!! What song is this reminding me of… whispers in the dark? He did some late-babel, early wilder mind voice thing.. Wait it’s forever isn’t it. I heard this one i think, like 3 yrs ago.. Yup, Dare I Say Forever.. I still don’t like do it for the girl” cos it’s too straightfoward, ,”i’ve known pious women” LOL where is this going. Only mumford & sons can really put that word in a song and just, keep singing. We stan tho, we stan. Think of london,,, we love. The DAAaaYS you defend will turn to gold,, this could easily be the last song on the album, this is like a last-call at the bar song,, in a good way, i’ve linked arms with my buddies & we’re all yelling this song like goons,, yes. Lighters a-waving,, are we too sentimental to not look back atnd!! WOW he realy did that with stare!! I couldnt finish typing that.. Is this part auto-tuned?? Dare I say.. Why? I’m choosing to hear it as a vocoder and many harmonies so i don’t hate that but uhaha they.. Hm they tried that i guess. Other than that the vi- oh why did the violin exit like that

The song is bouncing in my ears weird!! It’s giving me monster vibes atm. There’s a definite thread of messages goin thru this album & oof i love being sad,, the children come & go as you weep? Lol i love being sad. I am a waste?? My words are empty [as the bed we made]. Wilder mind is comin out on this, the album, huh!! The optimism on this album is-- I”LL MEET YOU OUT THE DELTAAA< WHERE THE RIVER”S RUINNING TO THE SEA,, GOD i love it. Ooh these drums, cool cool, it’s.. This is cool. Also sampling marcus’s children is sure way to eff everyone up, but that’s for another post,, ooooh i’m soft!! When it feels like nothing else matters :((((( lets go with this build!!! I wanna go for a run and have a cry.. Ooh man i took a moment there… this is so nice :( i’v missed them!!! Whats goin on with his vocals here,, the recording is like too close,, on purpose?? Hm. dust to dust!! I see you!! Marcus is truly giving his all here,, ugh I”m so proud of all of them, they put their LIVES on this, didn’t they!!! This song is such a feeling,, i can’t describe it i’m sad, but awwwW! I don’t kno wtf these kids are saying but wow that was cute as all heck!!! I”m so soft!! The album is over!! They did it!! Frick i don’t know how to feel!! Good really, but wow!!! Trying to not let my own sadness affect this review haha but !! what a nice body of work they produced!! In all the best ways, mostly!! I love them!!  I wanna have another listen!! Aw!!!! Frick guys. Frick. Can’t imagine anyone wants to slog thru this and have a read but,, anyway thanks if you did i guess, special thanks to Mumford & Sons for being my favorite band and always :( always being there when I need it. I needed this. wow. wow. Wowww!!!  Oof, haha i’m sad

Okay wait also he should’ve repeated the “I’ll meet you at the delta part” at least one more time but eff my criticism that song captures all stages of life and i truly wanna cry, so there’s that. Theses guys put it all out there & I really love them for that.

[jacko-louis13]

30 Songs Tag

I was tagged by @jhopejhopejhopejhope thanks boo

Rules: answer all questions then tag 3 people you follow and 3 people that follow you that you want to get to know better

1. A song that you like with a colour in the title?

Red - Taylor Swift (be prepared, there’s a bit of Taylor here. Don’t judge)

2. A song that you like with a number in the title?

100 Letters - Halsey

3. A song that reminds you of summer?

Vacation - Superfruit

4. A song that reminds you of someone you’d rather forget?

Chainsaw - Nick Jonas

5. A song that needs to be played out loud?

My My My! - Troye Sivan (there’s a bit of Troye here too bc he’s my precious bean)

6. A song that makes you want to dance?

Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time - Panic! At The Disco

7. A song to drive to?

ILYSB - LANY

8. A random song you first think of?

Weekends - Amy Shark

9. A song that makes you happy?

I’m Yours - Alessia Cara

10. A song that makes you sad?

Wanna Be - Betty Who (IF THIS SONG AINT A MOOD IDK WHAT IS)

11. A song you never get tired of?

Closer - The Chainsmokers (ft. Halsey) [YES ITS STILL A BOP DEAL WITH IT]

12. A song from your past?

You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift (Still amazing after ten damn years)

13. A song that’s sexy?

Into It - Camila Cabello

14. A song that you’d love to be played at your wedding?

Photograph - Ed Sheeran

15. A song you’re currently obsessed with?

Strawberries & Cigarettes - Troye Sivan (IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN LOVE SIMON YET GO SEE IT)

16. A song you used to love but now hate?

Ain’t My Fault - Zara Larsson

17. A song you’d sing a duet with at karaoke?

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen. As if there was another choice @jhopejhopejhopejhope what do u take me for

18. A song from the year you were born?

1985 - Bowling For Soup

19. A song that makes you think about life?

Hell No’s and Headphones - Hailee Steinfeld

20. A song that has many meanings to you?

HEAVEN - Troye Sivan (ft. Betty Who)

21. A song you think everyone should listen to?

Delicate - Taylor Swift

22. A song by a group you still wish was together?

Scared of Happy - Fifth Harmony (RIP 5H. And yes, I will still stay salty that they cancelled their Australian tour for the second time, and we never got a chance to see them live before they broke up 😒😒😒)

23. A song that makes you want to fall in love?

Enchanted - Taylor Swift (THE LOVE SONG TO END ALL LOVE SONGS YOU CAN ALL FIGHT ME)

24. A song that breaks your heart?

Liability - Lorde (this song is a MOOOOOD)

25. A song with amazing vocals?

Touch It - Ariana Grande (I’m also linking her performing this on the DW tour bc her voice is HEAVENLY I STG) Live Performance of Touch It

26. A song with amazing rap?

3005 - Childish Gambino

27. A song that makes you smile?

Hurry Up! - Superfruit

28. A song that makes you feel good about yourself?

Revival - Selena Gomez

29. A song that you would dedicate to your best friend/mutual/someone close to you?

Ground Control - All Time Low (ft. Tegan & Sara)

Dedicated to @lance-is-my-bias 💙💙💙

30. A song that reminds you of yourself?

DKLA - Troye Sivan (ft. Tkay Maidza)

I tag @ anyone who wants to do it lmao