#i should be able to at least memorize the chorus tho

[delightfuldevin]

I have now learned Till Depth Do Us Part and Hide and Sleek,,

[vitaminwaterreviews]

STAYC - Metamorphic

My crackpot theory with Drama was that it was actually intended to be two single albums: a virtual half and a real world half. And then for some reason they smashed them together into an EP. That’s very much how this album felt: the first 10 songs were all one vibe, and the last four songs felt like a completely separate release with a completely different vibe. I vibed with the last four songs, the rest were extremely mid. Average score of 6.8, but really this album should get two ratings. The first 10 songs get 6.3, and the last four songs get 8.0.

Ohhhh maybe that’s that the title refers to. Because this album metamorphosizes from one sound to another? Maybe?

- Twenty

Oh boy, this sound

Dude 20 years from now I’m gonna think of this sound in the same way that I think of the M.I.L.K sound

Surely they’re all older than 20 by now

Let’s check

Okay, their youngest is turning 20 this year

7/10, decent for an intro if that’s what it was, kinda reminded me of the old Fortnite menu music for some reason

Cheeky Icy Thang

I watched the MV for this when it came out and wasn’t really impressed

But now I have headphones on so let’s see if that changes things

The 12/8 makes this kind if feel like I Am to me

7/10, really not a very memorable title track to me

1 Thing

Stayc feel like futuristic Twice

Which … makes a lot of sense lol

That synth in the background kinda reminds me of Beautiful Monster

Actually, this feels like the one song off of the aespa album

Haha wait what is this Blackpink breakdown

Noooo it should’ve continued into the final chorus

6/10

Give it 2 Me

Not a huge fan of the vocal processing

…or really this vibe in general. It reminds me of … Red Velvet, in love with a ghost, that fromis_9 album, and some video games that I played a a kid, but not in a good way

(I understand that this is a ridiculous criticism that nobody will be able to take anything from, but that’s how I feel)

Still, I acknowledge that this is a well-made song

The rap break is nice

Actually, the transition from the rap bridge to the final chorus was kinda nice

7/10

Find

Alright, we’ve got a couple of units and a solo, let’s go

(2:14 tho)

The little vocal pyramid there was cute

This song feels SO TikTok

(So does the album for that matter)

This outro section is really nice

7/10

Let Me Know

This vibe is really easy to get wrong for me, but I love when it’s gotten right

Like, Childish Gambino - Feels Like Summer is this vibe done really well

I don’t really care for this song at all though. It’s fine but I want more out of it

Okay yeah like right here. With the guitar. If they expanded on that, kept the guitar going, then had a whole instrumental break and another two minutes of the song, that would’ve been incredible!

6/10

Nada

Lol I appreciate talking in songs

Very minimal instrumentals here, very much talk-singing

And there’s that bass that makes me all uncomfy

6/10

Fakin’

I feel like if this was the only song that sounded like this on the album, I’d like it a lot more

That said, I do still kinda like it

7/10

Roses

Anticipating this one

Mkay, i like the intro here so far

Wait, that was the chorus?

C’mon, give us more than that

I think I’d need to know Korean to really enjoy this song, because the song itself does nothing and goes nowhere

5/10

Beauty Bomb

Cute songs where that Deep Bass is the primary harmony tend to be like, my least favorite thing

Imma be honest, I’ve completely stopped paying attention to this album, it’s all basically background music at this point

5/10

Gummy Bear

Wait, something different?

There’s a 100% chance that this was considered to be a title track

Cute harmonies in the second verse

8/10

Stay WITH me

Why did they wait until the last 4 songs to do something interesting with this album?

A pretty unconventional fan song, if that’s what it is

Mmmmm rap rock is so nice

Maybe the first 10 songs were planned to be an album together, but then they pulled some good songs out of the vault to … idk, add some depth?

8/10

Flexing on my Ex

Alternatively, maybe these were planned to be an EP together but that fell through

Woah that pre-chorus was cool

7/10

Trouble Maker

Haha wait what

This feels so good!!

Not a huge fan of the synths in the second verse here

9/10

[totaldramafan-lauri]

My Top 11 Favorite Songs of Eurovision 2024

So, with less than a week left until Eurovision, I guess it's time for me to ramble about it! Uhhhh....th-this year's a bit different than normal, tho....Due to writing exhaustion (from a big project I've been working on), I'm not gonna be able to get my normal big ranking post done in time.....but, I DO still wanna talk about it, so....this is my compromise!

I'm gonna only be talking about eleven songs - my top seven big favorites and four borderline favorites - and why I love each one! As always, there are gonna be a few weird picks in here, cuz my taste is....well, odd, when it comes to which songs I get attached to....but, at the very least, my number one is a potential winner, so I-I think that balances out my unconventional choices down the list, heh.....

Th-things SHOULD be back to normal next year....cuz, trust me, I am NEVER gonna tackle something like this, during this time of year, ever again....I-I should be excited, but instead my mind is just....picking me apart for DARING to take a break from writing, and it kinda cuts into the hype a bit....Wh-which isn't Eurovision's fault, it's mine. This is what happens when you work on something for months on end....even if you KNOW you need a break, you feel guilty for it...blegh...

But....anyway....screw my brain, time to talk about songs that make me happy!

WORTH NOTING: Even if a song isn't listed here, it doesn't mean I don't like it. I actually like nearly every single song this year. There are three I'm indifferent to (Greece, Malta, France), and one I refuse to listen to, but none that I outright dislike of the ones I've heard. These eleven are just my favorites.

1. Croatia - "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" by Baby Lasagna

Eeyup, still obsessed! This is probably my fav Eurovision entry of the entire 2020s so far (which, when grouped together with "Jezebel", "Promise", and "Cha Cha Cha", REALLY makes me wonder what it is about rock entries and me this decade, geez-). I-I'm not saying this is a masterpiece or anything. It's not high art (vote for Switzerland if you want a unique, artsy winner), it's just a REALLY REALLY catchy, and REALLY REALLY fun, punchy rock song, and that's all I need it to be to love it. Seriously, every single part of this song is addictive to me. The repeated "rim tim tagi digi" is infectious, the lyrics are quotable and fun to sing along to, the "WHOOOOAAAA"s in the chorus especially....and I dunno if I can justify my love for it anymore! I just LOVE me a good energetic rock song with a memorable hook, and this is one of THE best I've ever heard...It's SO hard to keep outta my head.....I literally could not be happier that this song is getting so much attention! It deserves it! While I'm trying not to hype myself up TOO much in terms of winner potential (don't wanna jinx it, since not a single number one fav of mine has won in over a decade), but I'm crossing my fingers for Croatia's best result ever! At least third place, c'mooooooon! Meow back, Europe!! >.<

2. Belgium - "Before The Party's Over" by Mustii

I already made a post talking about all the things I love about this song, but...screw it, I'm HAPPY to repeat myself here. This song has just....the BEST buildup in- n-not just this year, but like, in the past few years! I can't remember the last song that built so perfectly (was it "Goodbye (Shelter)"? God, I miss 2016...)! The first two minutes set the stage for the last one perfectly, being atmospheric and dramatic, while slowly revealing more and more....things ramp up in the bridge, you feel like pumping your fists in the air, and then, finally....BAM, MAGIC HAPPENS!!! BEFORE THE PARTY IS OOOOOOVER! Look, I have seen a few people complain that the big ending of the song is repetitive, cuz...it's the same line eight times in a row, and I get it, but.....I literally don't mind. I'm too busy belting that line to care. This is everything I want in a dramatic ballad. I could NOT ask for more. That last minute still gives me goosebumps sometimes. Maybe if the rest of the song were a BIT better, this could've been challenging Croatia for number one, I'm dead serious.

3. San Marino - "11:11" by Megara

I've come to terms with the fact that this is probably just a me thing. I'm not gonna pretend like this isn't a no-hoper. It is, but.....DANG IT, I love this song wayyyyyy too flipping much for my own good! I'm sorryyyyyyy! I can't help it, I just...get so PUMPED UP listening to it! Yes, it's not as catchy as "Rim Tim Tagi Dim", but I can love both! And I will! I EASILY have room in my heart for two banger rock songs! Plus, this one is a lot....harder, I guess? With less of a focus on being catchy. It manages to stick out and leave an impression, with the big chorus, electronic elements, "M-E-L-A-P-E-L-A", and that FFFFFFLIPPING AWESOME BREAK with the flamenco instrumentation- again, WHY DOES THAT WORK SO WELL?? When it put it in words, it sounds like it shouldn't, but it's SOOOOOO COOL I CAN'T EVEN!!! Ugggghhhh, Spain, why'd you reject these guys? They're soooooo much better than what you actually ended up with! But....a-again, this is a me thing, so I can't get ahead of myself. It's a rock song in Eurovision, so of course I love it. No one else cares about this. It's fine. I'll be here in my corner shouting along in terrible Spanish in the semi, and cheering for it loud enough to make non-qualification sting less! >.<

4. Lithuania - "Luktelk" by Silvester Belt

This is a song that grabbed me from first listen. I knew it'd be in my top five immediately, and yet.....I-I honestly don't have much to actually SAY about it...? It's just a really, really, REALLY solid club song, and I tend to like those a lot. The only real things I can say about it is that.....1. I love that it's in Lithuanian, even tho that means I can't sing along, 2. The pre-choruses are catchy and I love them, and 3. The instrumental break is SO good! Oh, and I guess 4. I've been waiting SOOOO LONG to love a Lithuanian entry this much, so it feels really great to finally have one. They really outdid themselves here. And they already came eleventh last year! Hopefully this will build on that and give them their first top five placing....altho in a year this strong, I'm not sure if that's just wishful thinking.....That's all I have to say. I just love how this sounds.

5. Australia - "One Milkali (One Blood)" by Electric Fields

Not NEARLY as much of a no-hoper as San Marino, but this is my other major underdog of the year. Honestly, it took me a bit too long to understand just why I liked this song so much, when everyone else seemed to be indifferent to it. THEN I learned from a video that this song, along with this band's sound in general, counts as synthpop. And suddenly, EVERYTHING made sense to me. Seriously, I have no idea why it took me so long to realize that-! W-was it the didgeridoo? Was that distracting me? Hardly an excuse! XD But yeah, looks like this is another me thing, then. Synthpop (and synthwave) is my fav genre of music. I-I know I have a history of fangirling over rock songs in Eurovision, but....I-I AM generally an "everything goes" person in terms of songs I love, and Eurovision just tends to get rock right for me, but outside of Eurovision, a good chunk of what I listen to is synth stuff. It's something that I tend to love whenever it shows up. And this is certainly a very unique take on it, with the aboriginal flourishes, and the fascinating lyrics that.....a-again, no one else cares about but me, pffff. Also, that keyboard? Perfection. Chef's kiss. Congrats on being in my top five two years in a row, Australia. Here's hoping your staging is good, cuz I still believe you have a chance to prove everyone wrong...! >.<

6. Ukraine - "Teresa & Maria" by alyona alyona and Jerry Heil

I-I was originally gonna rank this song a bit lower, cuz...I do concede that it's a flawed song. There are things about it that I wish were better, and cuz of that, I thought it wouldn't be right to rank it this high, but....th-then it comes on again, and I can't help it....I just fall in love with the parts I like in it all over again. Those things I love are HARD for me to shake, so....I had to go with my gut. To explain, this is kinda like the polar opposite of Belgium's song. This song has an amazing beginning that gives me chills, but then peters out afterward. I REALLY wish it burst more at the end after the rap. Instead, it just kinda...chugs along, sounding a bit repetitive. That's a shame, but....DANG IT this song is still so, so gorgeous anyway! Of the "atmospheric" songs this year, this is EASILY the best one. The rap keeps it interesting and makes it stand out, but.....I'm not gonna lie, the main reason this song makes it this high for me IS that first 53 seconds. Is that a weird thing to praise your number six for? Maybe. But....gotta go with what feels right.

7. Finland - "No Rules!" by Windows95man

Soooo.....now that it's safe to call Finland my fav country in 2020s Eurovision, AND that I have no shame when it comes to praising the songs I love......Look, I'm not gonna apologize. Yes, this IS unironic enjoyment. Yes, I stopped caring about the hate for jokey entries a long time ago (after our lords and saviors, Subwoolfer, came tenth). They are but a minority. Their words don't hurt me. I don't even care what's wrong or right. It's how I live my life. In the end, Eurovision needs entries like this. However, I do understand why you'd prefer "Europapa" from the Netherlands. Most people seem to like that one more, but....I personally like this one more. (And it's not Finland bias. I'm TRYING not to develop Finland bias, I swear!) The soaring chorus, the great vocals, the delicious 90s nostalgia, "See if I care, see me slay", "Let's go! NO RULES!", the flipping key change....It's a song about not caring what others think, and it brings out that attitude in me too. It makes me smile and turn my brain off, shutting out the ridicule of others. Yeah, it's silly, but I'm allowed to love it. Altho I do apologize to the "Euro Neuro" guy for breaking his one rule...but now, there are NO RULES!

And here are my four borderline favorites:

8. Germany - "Always On The Run" by Isaak

Now....when I call San Marino or Australia underdogs, I do so because no one else seems to care about them. No one really hates them, it's just that Eurofans just generally dismiss and ignore them. When I call Finland underdogs, I mean that in the "divisive" way, in that, yes, there ARE plenty of fans of them, but also a lot of haters as well, enough to balance it out and feel like you HAVE to take a side. When I call Germany underdogs....I mean THAT in the most traditional sense. Germany are THE underdogs this year. Why? Because almost everyone HATES THEM for some reason! Or at least dislikes them in some way! And I DON'T! GET! IT! At all! Like....the way people talk about this song, they make it sound like this song is the type of boring that loops around into annoying and pisses you off, like...it's not just boring, but actively mediocre, like..."not even trying" levels of boring. They make it sound like this song is the new "Boys Do Cry", and.....then I listen to it, and.....I-I'm sorry, but what is everyone on about...? I....don't find this song boring? I even...like it! This is one of the songs I've listened to the most, believe it or not! I legit don't understand the hate! This is a GOOD SONG! It's not amazing or anything, but it's legit good! It's got a beat, a catchy chorus, he has a great voice, and....the bridge of this song is AWESOME! Maybe I'm just a sucker for the punchy percussive stuff ("Some Nights" by Fun comes to mind), and this is kinda the only song this year that scratches that particular itch for me, but....c'mon, the BRIDGE! Ugh! *sigh* Y-yeah, I don't get it.....This is one case where I feel really confused by a song's reception. I get it for Finland and San Marino, but....The fact that this song gets bashed on for being bland and "generic" while it sounds like nothing else this year baffles me. Whatever. Not the first time I've rooted for an unpopular German entry. Favorite auto-qualifier, that's all. Moving on.

9. Latvia - "Hollow" by Dons

Yet another underdog, but this one's a lot more understandable. It's a ballad. From Latvia. Of course no one's gonna pay attention. And I'm fully expecting this to not gain any traction, but....I dunno, I just....like it! This is the most I've enjoyed a song from Latvia since.....2016, I think (which was also the last time they qualified....*cough*)! And I don't really have a good reason for liking it, other than.....I like his voice, and I like the chorus. That's about it. I like me a big chorus that can get caught in my head at times. It's just a good melody. That's the main reason I like this song more than France's (unlike most people). It's got a melody that I can latch onto. That's what makes a ballad for me. It's gotta have more things of interest than just "listen to how good my voice is". Melody, lyrics, and buildup are all important to me...Sadly, this song doesn't build that much, but blegh, they weren't gonna beat Belgium in that category anyway. For what it is - a good yet standard ballad - I really like it.

10. Italy - "La Noia" by Angelina Mango

This song is a lot of fun, and the way the verses flow is really satisfying for some reason. I love how it changes things up. It doesn't stagnate at any point. The instrumentation is also really unique and cool, and her voice is pretty. The acapella part is just long enough to show off her voice without overstaying its welcome. Oh yeah, and it's catchy! Overall.....yeah, it's a good song, and a fan-favorite for a reason. I would personally love to see Croatia or Switzerland win, but I could easily see this winning due to its universal appeal. It's got stuff that both votes will enjoy....pretty much equally, I'd say! This year is SUUUUCH a close race, that I really do think this song has a real chance of being the next "Arcade" - a song that doesn't win either vote, but finishes in the top three of both, and that combined score causes a win. It could happen! And I wouldn't really complain, cuz....yeah, I think this song would be a worthy winner! (All three would be worthy winners, honestly. God this year's so tough to call)

11. Austria - "We Will Rave" by Kaleen

I didn't really think this song would end up ranking this high for a while, but on repeated listens, it ended up growing on me just....SO much! Once I stopped comparing it to Lithuania's song, I ended up liking it more. This song might be a bit dated, but coming from someone who likes Finland this year, I welcome that dated sound! As long as it's fun, right? And yeah, I've never been to a rave, but this song SOUNDS like a rave. Even I can tell that! The breaks are great, and the fact that this is literally a song about partying the pain away fits its energy so flipping well. Here's hoping for a fun dance break to go with it!

And finally, some brief honorable mentions:

-Norway. Was originally gonna go in 11th before changing my mind at the last second. I still really like this song. I think it's really cool! It's just stagnated a bit for me as I've been listening to other stuff! -Switzerland. I respect the heck outta this song for how it blends so many genres together and still sounds good. I also really love the lyrics, and how its about their personal journey of learning to accept their identity. I really do think this would be a great winner. I just, personally, have other songs I like more. -Cyprus. I have no real reason as to way I like this song so much, I just....do. I like how much of a punch it packs. This is probably the closest I have to a "guilty pleasure" this year. I do wish that we'd stop sending minors to Eurovision, tho....It's so much pressure...Yes, I know the minimum age is 16, and teenagers HAVE performed well before, but....I dunno, I think adults would perform better? But, eh, not my place... -Estonia. Really really fun and stuff. Makes me smile. The parts with the deep-voiced guy really stick out. That's about it. -Ireland. I respect this song more than I like it. I actually don't listen to it that often. The reason I'm giving it an honorable mention is cuz, despite that, I actually really really REALLY want this to qualify. This has more life and character than all Irish entries since Jedward. I know a lotta people are gonna hate this song for being jarring, but that's the reason why I'm shouting it out. It's a risk. And I want Ireland to be rewarded for taking that risk.

[dojae-huh]

As for the song itself, I was underwhelmed too. The beat is nice but it’s not distinct enough for me like most of their songs. Most of their title tracks have sounds that I rarely heard before. From firetruck to sticker, most of them has really weird sounding sounds that suck you right into the songs. I recall their songs through their beats as opposed to the melody. That’s also why I think most people can vocalise their beats. They are distinct. I think for me this might be the least 127 sounding title track for me.

The beats is one thing but the rap is also not memorable which is almost never the case with Mark and Taeyong’s rap. I personally only like Jaehyun’s rap. Doyoung line in first verse is really good on its own but it doesn’t flow smoothly from Jungwoo. Honestly, the whole song is like that for me. It’s not connected smoothly. I’ve been listening to this song for more than twenty times already. It’s not getting into my head. I just can’t grasp the construction of this song. This is coming from a person who really like the controversial sticker and chain, so I really think it this is really is just about my personal preference. I conclude it’s just not for me. I’m glad tho that most of the feedbacks online is positive. Still hyped for the rest of the album too.

(Okay i listen to the song again after writing all above . Letting go of all the negative things, just enjoying the song without scrutinising. Honestly, it’s not that as bad as I’ve written above. Ugh why am i like this🥲. I am so set of wanting this comeback to be the next sticker. It clouded my judgement. Lesson learnt. Just let go of expectations, enjoy it and now i’m actually bobbing to it. The same goes to my mv opinion before. I honestly felt like I open the door and let the song in when I let go of my expectations. My brain catch the song pretty fast. Interesting. It was just now I cannot accept the song but once I opened up it instantly clicked? Is there better way to explain this? Being too scrutinising really takes the fun out of everything but i think it’s only a normal reaction when you put expectations on things.) I feel like I’m spamming your ask today sorry T T

2 Baddies is a ear-worm, there are several parts that start to rotate in the mind with ease. The way Haechan and Doyoung sang their first lines is the "distinct" you are looking for.

I do suspect the song was made out of two. It's hard to imagine that the chorus/rap parts and the vocal-line retro parts were thought of by the same person, they are too distinct in colour. I find the song a tad too slow in the beginning, but it has a nice vortex effect in the end, as a viewer/listener you are being pulled in by the speeding up tempo and the synchronised choreo.

I like Mark's rap, he is experienced enough to make it interesting. Agree about Woo-Do transition. It's a very patchy moment. Do's retro moment should have been longer or repeated again. Because the effect from it dissipiates quickly. Again, agree that the song is not connected very well overall. The task was probably very difficult to begin with. I really like the end of the song though, it has a very good build up with nice adlibs and Jaehyun's finishing line (the way he pronounces it) is good.

I think it's a song to tune in and out, that's why it's better as a performance, when the boys and the moves distract you. If you look at it as a whole, pay close attention, the architecture isn't solid, a rough voice transition here, a not smooth switch of tempos there, however it does make you fall for the rhythm and bop your head.

One musician with perfect hearing said he can't listen to orchestras, can't enjoy them, he is distracted with the players making minor mistakes. Once you stopped looking at the song with a magnifying glass, you was able to fall for the primitive urge to follow "the rhythm of drums", to follow the crowd.

"2 baddies, 2 baddies, 1 porsche" is a super stupid phrase with no wit in it, but it's a chant, and Taeyong says to follow him, so you do, heh.

As for the comeback, it's the first one after 2,5 years with live fans on music shows, face to face fanmeets, comeback shows with live singing. So you are lucky. It looks like the comeback would be of small scale promotion wise (depends on what 127 will do in US), but neos themselves are hyped. Tired, but happy. Except maybe for Doyoung who has a burn out and Haechan who is evidently tired from the double shift (he isn't as physically strong as Mark), all others are at the best place mentally and emotionally as they don't need to prove anything anymore, the scandals are in the past, plus the fandom is finally active and united.