#love the visual representation of a toxic relationship

[sharkbatez]

And I try to be the chill girl That holds her tongue and gives you space I try to be the chill girl But honestly, I'm not

Casual | Chappell Roan

[benkyoutobentou]

LGBTQ+ Japanese Media for Pride Month

Happy pride month! There's no better time to read and watch queer media than June. I tend to read and watch mostly queer content, so I thought I'd drop some things that I've enjoyed over the years for those looking for something that they maybe haven't picked up before. Since lots of Japanese media tends to have multiple versions and adaptations, I'll be organizing this by representation rather than type of media. The version(s) that I've personally seen or read will be bolded. This will also be a little bit different from my usual Japanese media recommendation posts, as I will also be including media that I've read in English or watched with English subtitles. This is also an invitation for anyone to recommend things to me, especially ones that have LGBT rep outside of just gay and lesbian characters. I'm always looking for more stuff to enjoy!

MLM

同級生/Classmates (manga/anime movie): Two seemingly opposite boys meet during the choir festival at their all boys' school and develop a relationship. How could this not be the very first thing I recommend? This is one of my all time favorite BL series and one of my favorite movies as well. Seriously, I watch this at least three times per year (once being during June!). Nakamura Asumiko is one of my favorite manga artists, and this won't be the last series of hers on this list.

ひだまりが聴こえる/I Hear the Sunspot (manga/movie): This follows a college student who agrees to become the designated note taker for a deaf classmate. I love this series and one of my favorite things about it is how much the romance takes a backseat to other things happening in the characters lives. It also has a large cast of deaf characters! If you're looking for something with representation outside of only LGBT and doesn't focus too much on romance, this is a really great choice.

30歳まで童貞だと魔法使いになれるらしい/Cherry Magic! 30 Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard (manga/drama/anime): After waking up on his thirtieth birthday, a businessman discovers that he has gained the ability to read minds. And with that, he discovers that his male coworker has a crush on him. For such a zany concept, this series is very cute and sweet. It's also always nice to see something that follows older characters (ie. not high school or college).

美しい彼/My Beautiful Man (novel/drama/manga): This follows a social outcast who ends up falling in love with a boy in the friend group of his high school bullies. This isn't a sweet and heartwarming romance at all, but it's also not pure toxicity. The drama is extremely bingeable and the author is a juggernaut in the BL light novel community for a reason.

消えた初恋/My Love Mix Up (manga/drama): Due to an eraser mishap, a boy admits to having feelings for another boy in order to save his actual crush from embarrassment. This series is The Blueprint for me in terms of romcoms. It does everything right for me and the characters especially stand out. It covers topics from discovering your identity and first love to dealing with homophobia and it does it all spectacularly. I also think that the manga does visual humor extremely well.

スリーピングデッド/Sleeping Dead (manga): After being stabbed to death on a routine patrol, a popular high school teacher wakes up on a metal table. I have no words [words]. This is definitely up there in my favorites, I love it so much. If you like queer horror, this is definitely one you need to pick up. I also found it very funny and the characters were extremely charming.

僕らの地球の歩き方/Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide (manga): A couple decides to travel the world together, promising that they'll get married upon their return to Japan. Probably my all time favorite manga ever. I love every single thing about this, especially how much this series loves the queer community. This manga is overflowing with love in all ways, and I'm overflowing with love for this manga.

きのう何食べた？/What Did You Eat Yesterday? (manga/drama): This series is basically just snippets of a gay man's daily life. He likes to cook. And you know what? It's all the better for it. This series is award winning and such a great time. The main character is so relatable and it covers some great LGBT+ topics. Honestly, it's a crime that I haven't seen the drama yet.

WLW

独り舞/Solo Dance (novel): After a violent encounter, a Taiwanese woman makes the choice to move to Japan. When reading this, I saw it mention Qiu Miaojin's Notes of a Crocodile, which I had just bought, and now that I've finally read it, I can easily see the influences that Qiu's works had on this one. This is a tough book to get through emotionally, but ultimately a worthwhile read, especially if you're looking for something more on the literary side.

ささやくように恋を唄う/Whisper Me a Love Song (manga/anime): A girl confesses to an upperclassman that she loves her music, but the upperclassman misunderstands it as a true confession of love. I adore this series and the relationships in it. It has a huge cast of female characters and also has a driving plot outside of just the romance. I'm a sucker for series about music and this one is one of my favorites.

あさがおと加瀬さん/Kase San and Morning Glories (manga/anime movie): A shy gardener and a popular track star become friends and begin dating. This series is so cute! It feels like a GL staple to me and is one I've been following for practically as long as I've been reading manga in Japanese. It also has a sequel series called 山田と加瀬さん/Yamada and Kase San which follows the two of them after high school.

メジロバナの咲く/A White Rose in Bloom (manga): After not being able to go home for Christmas, a girl is stuck in her boarding school with one other student, who seems to not like her. This is another one by Nakamura Asumiko and there's something about her writing which always sucks me in. I can't get enough of this series, it has wonderful vibes, impeccable art, and I just want more and more of the characters.

欠けた月とドーナッツ/Donuts Under a Crescent Moon (manga): This series is a slice of life following two coworkers and their growing relationship. It's very slow burn and puts a lot more emphasis on the feelings of coming into and realizing your sexuality as an adult and dealing with compulsory heterosexuality. I really loved this series and how it focused on issues surrounding but not directly related to the central romance.

気になってる人が男じゃなかった/The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy At All (manga): A girl develops a crush on a worker at a music store after bonding over their shared love of music. Little does she know, he's actually the girl who sits next to her in class. This manga has taken the world by storm to the point of having a collaboration with Nirvana, and let me tell you it deserves every bit of hype you've heard about it. The art and characters are both stunning and is absolutely worth the read.

ハロー、メランコリック！/Hello, Melancholic! (manga): A talented trombonist enters a high school without a wind band, but is scouted anyway by a drummer looking for a new member to join her combo band. This is another one where the romance takes a backseat to other stuff in the plot, can you tell that I love that sort of thing? I also really loved the ways they talked about music in here, and I could definitely relate to it as a musician myself. Apparently, all the chapter titles are songs as well.

さよならローズガーデン/Goodbye, My Rose Garden (manga): A young woman moves from Japan to England to find her favorite author and is hired on as a maid. Her boss agrees to help her find this author so long as she agrees to help her with a grisly task. This is another really lovely series with gorgeous art. Set in the Victorian era, this does have some time period appropriate homophobia but overall it didn't strike me as a very dark manga.

Transgender

彼らが本気で編むときは、/Close Knit (movie): A young girl goes to live with her uncle and his transgender girlfriend. This movie is so sweet and cute! I watched it a couple years back now, but I feel like a lot of specific scenes have stuck with me. This is definitely a good heartwarming Pride month movie night candidate.

不可解なぼくのすべてを/Love Me For Who I Am (manga): A nonbinary teen is offered a job at a crossdressing cafe run by a classmate's family. Although this series has a cast with multiple LGBT identities, I chose to include it here because the main theme seems to revolve around gender. I do recommend this series if you're looking for a cute and sweet story about gender issues, but I did have some hesitations about the way lesbians are portrayed in this manga.

ボーイミーツマリア/Boy Meets Maria (manga): A boy who dreams of being an actor falls in love at first sight with a girl he sees dancing in his high school entrance ceremony, only to later find that she is actually a boy in his class. I feel like I always need to preface any recommendation for this manga by saying that a lot of people took issue with the way certain things and tropes are handled in this regarding being transgender. I personally didn't find it transphobic but I'm also just one person and can't speak for every nonbinary person out there. Regardless, I really enjoyed this. Be aware of trigger warnings when going into this one, it gets extremely graphic.

ボーイズ・ラン・ザ・ライオット/Boys Run the Riot (manga): Two high school boys bond over their shared love of fashion and start a brand together. I read this one a while back and never ended up finishing it but I do remember enjoying what I read! It's also by a transgender mangaka!

放浪息子/Wandering Son (manga/anime): This is a slice of life coming of age series that follows a middle school friend group revolving around two transgender friends. It's more of a slow paced series and a little bit on the more depressing side. The anime is also award winning and the manga was nominated!

星合の空/Stars Align (anime): This is a sports anime about a middle school boys' soft tennis team. I always hesitate to recommend this one because it was greenlit for a twenty four episode anime then cut down to twelve episodes during production. Rather than condense the story, the creator chose to animate only the first half of the series, so it's perpetually unfinished. Despite that, I still think it was a really wonderful anime and I would really love to see the rest of it one day because so much good stuff was set up!

Other/Multiple

しまなみ誰そ彼/Our Dreams at Dusk (manga): A gay teen is about to commit suicide after being outed to his classmates but sees a mysterious person jump from a balcony, which then leads him to a drop in center for LGBT people. I cannot say enough good things about this manga, it is phenomenal and is always my go-to for anyone looking for queer manga. It's heartfelt and beautiful and written by another one of my favorite mangaka, Kamatani Yuhki, who also happens to be X gender!

ヒラエスは旅路の果て/Hiraeth: The End of the Journey (manga): After the death of her best friend, a young girl decides to join a forgotten god and an immortal man on their journey to find death. Another Kamatani manga! This manga deals more with grief and mortality rather than queer identities, but if you want something with casually queer characters, this one is worth picking up. Also, this is one of only two manga to ever make me cry, and boy did I ugly cry at this one.

恋せぬふたり/Two People Who Can't Fall in Love (drama): Though I haven't watched this one, it's been on my radar for quite a while and I've heard so many good things. It's also harder to find series that have explicit aroace representation. This is about a woman who feels ostracized by her lack of romantic interest in anyone around her until she finds a blog about asexuality.

わたしは壁になりたい/I Want to Be a Wall (manga): This series is a marriage of convenience plot between an asexual BL fangirl and a gay man who never got over his childhood crush. I loved the relationship between the two characters and the depiction of a nontraditional family that still has love within it, even if it's not romantic.

Bonus- Music

I'm not one to look much in to the person behind the music, so I often don't know much about band members or singers of the music I listen to. However, there are two wonderful transgender artists that I listen to regularly in Japanese and couldn't pass up the opportunity to share their works with the world! Nakamura Ataru is a pop singer who also takes inspiration from traditional Japanese music. I love her enka styled songs such as 廃墟の森! The other artist is a bit more popular, and that's the rock band QUEEN BEE, whose lead singer is the incredibly talented Avu Chan. Avu Chan also voiced Inu Oh in one of my favorite movies, Inu Oh, which isn't (explicitly) queer, but is definitely worth watching anyways, even if just to hear Avu Chan's insane vocal abilities.

And so, those are (just a few) of my recommendations for Japanese queer reads to celebrate Pride month! If you have any recommendations for me, regardless of whether it's a movie or novel or manga or other, I would love to hear them!

[repcnt]

using you

finally found a place for flo in his lore. HOORAY!!

In case its not obvious, this is toxic scoutpauling. This piece is practically a visual representation of their relationship. Before this whole mvm war, Virgil adored and admired Miss Pauling, till this day he still admires her. He loved everything about her, from the way she looks to her mannerism. Fact that she was one of the only few woman working at the place made him feel more safe cause at least he’d have someone to relate and talk too. His admiration was more of an obsession at a point, he depended on her. Flo, was already overworked as a person working under administrator. With the countless jobs and contracts to juggle and keep track of she was stressing enough. She wasn’t known as much as a violent person physically but she can lash out sometimes… though with her frequent visits with the Blu team, seeing how rough and sadistic they are too eachother and to Virgil, it almost influences her. Virgil at the time loved talking to her, annoying her, just spending so much time with her, but at some times she’d reach her breaking point and snap at him, yelling at him and getting physically violent. By the end, she’d regret only to find out he enjoys it…? She realizes he doesn’t care what she’d do to him as long as they can stay close, with the fact that she knew he was obsessed with her, she used it to her advantage. In return, he’d do the same but it rarely happens, he’s thriving too much to get upset with her.

The drawing itself implies she’d punch him and burn cigs into his skin

[thekirammanjinx]

I think there are some people that are overly self righteous when it comes to Arcane in particular, it’s like they have missed the entire point of the show. It’s tiring and disappointing. And it’s so much worse when a sapphic couple is involved.

Like when it comes to CaitVi, people are so critical and striving for an impossible “perfection”. I always see antis being like “well Cait is a cop! I can never support it”, “the jail scene was so icky”, “Cait should have apologized this way.” We give so many passes to heterosexual couples and m/m ships than f/f ships. People really need to pay attention to the context of the show , especially when it comes to subtle details in animation. Also like you said, relationships can be messy and unhealthy at times but that doesn’t define it for the long term. They made that clear about Caitlyn and Vi tbh.

Sorry for the long one but I’m just tired of the constant negativity

Truly people are so self righteous and pretentious. Like no you're not morally better than anyone because you don't like the fictional "cop ship"(as if a million of these dont exist for m/f). People truly did miss the point of the narrative and Cait's role in being an enforcer. A character can be a cop without the show being copaganda.(this got long thank you for the ask)

But if these people lack so much cognitive thinking that every show that involves a cop is copaganda then maybe there is no hope. Truly missing the entire narrative. A story is being told, how about stop thinking you're better than people because you think you're above it all and start actually viewing the media in front of you??

The standards that people put on f/f relationships gets so exhausting. Just because the show didn't unravel in the way they would want in some fanfiction then they deem it bad or unsatisfactory. Or suddenly the character is ooc. Actually I don't think alot of these people know the characters. They've just created a version of these characters in their own head.

Fandom has gotten into the habit of labeling everything "toxic". Like no it's not toxic. They handled real emotions poorly. They made bad decisions in the face of battling said emotions. No Cait/Vi isn't toxic or abusive. People who say they are an example of domestic violence... please for the love look up and learn what domestic violence is.

A moment of physical assault does not necessarily equate to abusive. The two can be mutually exclusive. Please read the narrative in front of you.

I don't know what moral grand standing people think they're achieving but I promise the only thing they'll be achieving is continuing to reduce the f/f representation we get on screen. Why do m/f relationships get to be bumpy and have their ups and downs but f/f have to check off every perfectionist and purist box.

Let f/f be complex. Let f/f relationships that exist in complex universes be complex. Let there be moments that they regret because they lashed out because of their emotions. Let female characters be well rounded.

Speaking of details of animation. This show is so richly crafted, there's so much put into the facial expressions and posture and everything. This is visual media people. Please learn to take in the full picture this is not an audio book or podcast. Watch with your eyes please.

Speaking of giving m/f a pass, i love timebomb but nobody says they're toxic or talks about how jinx was terrible to ekko and the firelights. They got one au episode and suddenly forget all that happened before then? Nobody is begging for an apology there. Nobody is talking about how jinx could've killed them both on the bridge. Or how they had little interaction outside of those scenes if any.

Caitvi is deemed rushed or unsatisfying but they had to pull in an au episode/timeline for ekko to reach out to jinx. People say Vi only arc is in Caitlyn(guess we forgot about vander and jinx--again over simplifying a character story just because it's not what they wanted to see), but what was ekko arc at the end?

I'd be fine if people were giving the same energy across the board but no. Once again we are here watching people tear down a f/f ship.

"We deserve better" bitch China won't even let the girls talk to each other on screen and rest their head on each other's shoulders. Get a grip.

[nalyra-dreaming]

I think sometimes the show is too smart for its audience.. the audience have been dumbing down historically and the subtlety of desire and love sometimes being in conflict with your values or even your freedom (louis, Claudia acceptance in the coven etc..) and desiring this cage with the balance of actually having autonomy (and not being 100% manipulated by armand) is too complex for the viewers

Some viewers were drawn by the visuals and oh look a cute hot poc couple but iwtv isn't the show to go to for healthy relationship representation if anything it would highlight that abuse neglect and power dynamics can also apply what ever the color of the participants. some audience might be uncomfortable with poc being complex villains and or neglectful parents (while loving claudia)

But it's a very grey narrative which the audience isn't comfortable with.

To some extend the removal of claudia Œdipe complex trying to manipulate louis into loving her romantically removed some of the most overt wtf of anne rice writing.. From a show theater perspective i hope they continue exploring and twisting the important philosophical concepts including daniel micro aggression and subtle racism and television/show busines role for kids.. its subtle but its there

None of them are heroes. If the fandom was more less about manicheisme we could actually deep deeper into the meta

:/

As per POC being complex villains - Jacob said it very well a while ago:

“Something that can get misunderstood about representation is that all representation has to be good representation. It’s important actually that we don’t show a queer couple as a monolith or a Black character as a monolithic thing. I love that the show is willing to explore the multitudes of that relationship.”

The show does not shy away from any toxicity, and I love them for it.

The color-conscious changes obviously bring their own problems because this show goes there. They have already gone much darker than I anticipated for episode three.

[cemetery-sunset]

🔪Johnny Sawyer Headcanons #1

Main Masterlist

Texas Chain Saw Massacre Masterlist

522 words

Appreciates Bobby’s passion for music, even if they don’t like the same genres. Johnny doesn’t like the hippy stuff, he prefers harder rock and aggressive music. 

Johnny likes having Sissy as a little sister figure, though he never tells her. They put on this act of they hate each other but they secretly would (and have) killed for each other. Being the two odd ones out/the “cousins”, they are closer with each other than they are with the other boys (they also get along with the boys, of course!).

His relationship with Sissy is complicated because he sees her potential to be like him, but he knows they don’t share the same views on things

Johnny is surprisingly really good at pool. He spends a lot of time in bars, scoping out his next victim, so it only makes sense that he knows how to play pool very well. 

Johnny is literally the cleanest member of the family. He washes every day and takes pride in his looks. He makes a point to say that “the bait has to look good to attract something good”. 

Even though he is the cleanliest, he doesn’t mind getting dirty at all. Johnny loves working outside, in the fields, barn, garage, etc. He loves getting dirty and seeing the visual representation of his hard work. He just likes to clean up at the end of a long day. 

Johnny takes pride in his space and alone time. He will not sleep in the Big House, or even Nancy’s (much to her dismay). He’ll enjoy meals there and hang out but he likes his nights at his own shack. 

His family makes fun of him for his attachment to Maria Flores. Sissy’s snuck into his shack and saw the missing poster above his ‘bed’ and now he never hears the end of it. 

Nancy is the reason why Johnny talks bad about hippies. He doesn’t actually think that but he’s just been basically brainwashed by Nancy and Drayton into those painfully toxic and traditional views. 

Johnny spends his free time working on cars and the mechanical aspects of the property. He usually prefers staying outside or in the garage inside some random car. 

He has the worst mommy issues. Johnny will do anything for his ‘Mama’ and she knows it. Nancy will play this man like a fiddle, whenever she wants and he can’t do anything about it. Johnny kills people when his Mama says, like Maria. And he’ll be a bitch to Drayton because he treats his Mama badly. He’ll even degrade and bully Sissy because his Mama doesn’t like when they get closer.

Johnny hates smokers. The smell and the taste of it just disgusts him. He has standards when it comes to his meals. He makes sure to always scope out good, healthy meat. No one who’s sick or an addict or anything like that. Even if a larger person would be easier to hunt and kill, he doesn’t like the way the meat tastes so he only goes for strong, lean people most of the time… he also loves a good chase and hunt.

[sabov]

favourite opla details on first watch

sanji getting sniffly/teary-eyed at nojiko's story of her childhood he's such a softie

zoro's introductory standoff with mr 7 is a wonderful tribute to campy telenovela bandit style action and clearly produced with a lot of intentionality

revolutionary army cameo in newspaper i am taking ANY scrap of sabo i can get.

after waking from his coma zoro laughs and plays along with usopp's lies about chasing the fishmen away it's such a lovely detail. they're so found family

sanji's bright and then suddenly deeply sad smile after luffy says "i'd eat both my arms and legs to save zoro's life"

we only see shanks' young actor for a second but i love him he looks so pathetic and just. wounded.

i appreciate sanji saying lines like "women never say what they mean" it illustrates that even though his (demeaning) fawning over women is less present he still doesnt fully understand them and treats them as a different species. i hope as we get more seasons it's something he actually gets to work on as a character (as opposed to canon lol). clearly his relationship with women in this adaptation has been given a LOT of thought and i like how that thought shines through in some of his dialogue

nami's younger actress is perfect casting no notes

the scene between luffy zoro and usopp in the kitchen of kaya's mansion is so good.

i like the bait-and-switch for new viewers where at first you deliberately are led to interpret zeff as antagonistic to sanji before learning that there is far more there, i think it's really smart framing

koby's actor is killing it i think they play so well off luffy and have a really lovely genuine energy on screen

i like scottish garp. representation

the bounty posters flashing in front of each new foe and they cut through them. DELICIOUS. SUCH a campy yet intimidating visual flare

the attention given to nami and zoro's dynamic with each other is perfect and everything i wanted. toxic gay besties

[gale-gentlepenguin]

With Season 5 concluded, will you be doing a best and worst akuma designs created by Gabriel Agreste of each season?

Alright everybody it’s time for Gale’s

Akuma fashion show a Go Go

And rules as follows

1. They will be rated only for the season they appeared in, so unless they get a redesign or updated look they don’t count

2. For each season I will be ranking one best and one worst.

3. These are the opinions Based Solely on asthetic, I will not be taking into account their powers or abilities, or even if they are my favorite akuma.

4. Akuma only, so no heroes villains or sentimonsters.

_________________________________________

Season 1 Best and Worst

Best: Stormy weather

What can I say, the look is iconic for a reason, she set the bar high and she always blows away the competition.

The twisting hair, the purple dress and slick akuma shaped mask. Also the choice of weapon.

Worst: Animan

The problem is he has no original form. Vanisher also has the same problem but his just seems lazier considering he gets to be the main akuma in an episode.

Not much to say except do better

Season 2 Best and Worst

Best: Reverser

I love the symmetry of his design. It’s something Death the kid and Thanos would agree with. The asthetic works so well and while I’m grading on looks it’s neat how his power factors in.

Marc knocked it out of the park with this design

Worst: Gigatitan

It’s boring. It’s so standard that it’s not even bad. Some of the designs this season were weird but I can’t say they were awful. But this one is just bland. I will probably forget it after I post this

Season 3 Best and worst

Best: Desperada

I want to specify this is Solely asthetic. She isn’t my favorite akuma and the episode she is in is divisive, but I love her look. The music theme and bad ass rocker make up with touches of Gold. Different instrument weapons. Brilliant aesthetic.

Worst: Loveater

Season 3 had a lot of not that great designs but Loveater is a horrific monster. And is still the UGLIEST akuma to this day. It’s the embodiment of what a toxic relationship looks like.

Season 4 Best and worst

Best: Qilin

Originally I was going to put wishmaker on here, but Damn does this design Slap! And there are some solid designs. I just wish the episode debut was better. Outside of that, it’s just a cool armor and the glowing jade eyes are cool.

Worst: Ephemeral

If Loveater is the visual representation of a toxic relationship, Ephemeral is the visual representation of Child abuse. The design looks so wrong, looking like a neon grape and the sad look on his face sells it. While even the ugliest designs have some charm, this is just a crime to look at.

Season 5 Best and Worst

Best: Safari

It’s the best akuma design. The Hunter/Lara Croft tomb raider asthetic. The shades, then boots. The way her hair looks. The fit got me acting up. Plus while it’s unrelated to the asthetic, the way she tells Monarch to f*** off, and Provides the kwami swap episode we deserved. Easiest pick for me.

Worst: Sans-Culotte

She looks like a glob of toothpaste. I feel like she was in a Aquafresh commercial and while I get what they were going for… I hate the design. It doesn’t look good. It looks like she doesn’t have a nose.

[leportraitducadavre]

I don't know if you've written about it already, and if so you can just redirect me if you'd like, but there's obviously a lot of gay undertones to Naruto and Sasuke's relationship, and all the suggestive illustrations. How much of it do you think was consciously intentional by Kishimoto?

I'm sorry but what "clear undertones" are you referring to? Why does the friendship between two males have to be represented in a particular (usually Westernized) way so that it's not confused with romantic interest? It's prototyping homosexual romantic relationships so that they are labeled within a standard that the reader identifies them with.

It's perfectly fine to ship SNS if that's the desire of those who consume the manga, but to justify that choice on the premise that "Kishimoto planned it because there are clear indications of what I consider a homosexual romantic relationship to be" is dangerous (encapsulating homosexual relationships inside one specific dynamic diminishes the relevance of romantic LGTB+ bonds that do not develop on the same premise), and fetishizes same-gender relationships.

Kishimoto wrote similarly premised relationships throughout the manga, highlighting the relevance of having a "rivalry" between two people within shinobi culture, in that sense, Sasuke and Naruto are no different from other characters.

At the same time, this idea of a "romance clearly planned by the author" usually also hides the shipper's ideology that romantic love is intrinsically superior to any other kind, nullifying the relevance of other bonds that do not fall into this category. Sasuke is constantly relying on his love for his family to carry on throughout the manga, yet that bond is diminished by many SNS fans in order to give more relevance to his bond with Naruto. His friendship with the main character is also of incredible importance, yet somehow Sasuke considering Naruto his best friend isn't as relevant as him seeing him as a romantic partner, as that kind of bond is, to them, superior.

There is a huge market for queer products to enjoy within Japanese media and that is a much better place to explore such dynamics, as they are specifically designed to address such a demand. Seeking queer representation within products aimed at a largely cis-male, heteronormative audience encapsulates LGBT+ relationships under toxic and/or heteronormative codes and behaviors by stripping them of their self-identity and fetishizing their interactions in the process (here).

Furthermore, I've seen people questioning Kishimoto's own sexuality because "he's clearly a closeted gay as he wrote SNS" which destroys their whole stance as "LGTB+ supporters" because not only did they decide to publicly question the sexuality and "out" an author based on his fictional work, but also decided to lock same-gender relationships into a single dynamism, where the idea of "romance" is encapsulated in a largely antagonistic relationship with obsessive undertones. We call that "toxic" when it's a heterosexual relationship, so why wouldn't it be for a homosexual couple?

What exactly is different about that dynamic that allows an LGBT+ couple to explore the kind of bond that we consider toxic and unbalanced within a heterosexual relationship? Usually, many of these issues fall back on an internalized misogyny where, because women are usually inferior both physically and mentally to men, they cannot develop this kind of union in the same way that men can. The relationship remains equally toxic and dangerous for both parties, but because they now don't find a concrete visualization of this imbalance (because, again, they perceive women as inherently inferior to men), they do not regard it in this way.

As I've said, shipping SNS it's alright, I personally can't see any romantic dynamic to get behind in the manga (which is, again, a personal preference of mine as I don't think Kishimoto cared much for those types of bonds), finding queer subtext in media is a common practice and was born out of the need for representation of a minority within a highly repressive society; but to see it as the only valid reading of a product and justify the lack of canonization of the couple under the premise of "social homophobia" within a community that the shipper usually does not know anything about (such as Japan) is a dangerous and senseless practice. Even more so considering the well-known and mainstream Japanese Yaoi market that exists and could use more support.

I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude to you in any manner, but your ask allowed me to explore a difficult and important topic that I tried to address very carefully because I think that people got completely desensitized with and, in their attempt to become a "supporter", they fetishized LGTB+ relationships.

[alargehunkofdebris]

The Flip-Flopping Confidence of Aziraphale

So I made a post a bit ago about Aziraphale’s reaction to the kiss, and someone very correctly pointed out that Aziraphale does not believe he is undesirable (as I had claimed in-essay), citing that one little look in the first scene, after Crowley calls the universe “gorgeous.”

This is so true. What the heck is with that look?

I’ve thought about it, and here are my thoughts.

Long story short, Aziraphale is a big ol’ ball of contradictions, as is what sometimes happens with people who’ve suffered in toxic relationships.

But short story long, however…

Okay, so first of all, Aziraphale’s happy little expectation thinking that a complete stranger would call him “gorgeous” out of absolutely nowhere is bonkers. No other word for it. If I met someone for the first time, and they called me “gorgeous” straight to my face, apropos of nothing, no lead up whatsoever, I would be looking over my shoulder, wondering what the hell they were referring to. So this is either a very angel thing to do (they could just go around complimenting each other back then, who knows) or—and this is kinda my opinion—this was just a funny foreshadow thing that Mr. Gaiman did for the fans and to set the tone of the season. Or a mix of both. Remember, this is portraying the beginning of time—this is before they even really had corporeal forms. What we see, I’m guessing, is less a purely accurate visual of what happened and merely a representation. A stage-play version of the events. Yes, this is a comedy that uses modernisms to juxtapose for humor (referencing lead balloons before balloons were even invented, etc) but we can still (if we want) imagine that, for this to logically work, this is just a way of conveying these events in a way our 21st century brains can handle. For all we know, these two were balls of energy, conversing in some ancient star language through telepathy. And at this point, appreciation for another’s form might’ve just been a common thing. They were all so gorgeous, they just went around appreciating each other.

I don’t think this was meant to be so deep dived, however (doved? doven?). I think Gaiman just wanted a cute scene that shows their flirtation from the beginning. But I will argue, still, that this is at a point where Aziraphale hadn’t developed any kind of self-esteem issues. He was a baby angel, used to compliments, or maybe just so new with interaction that he wouldn’t have been surprised by anything. Let’s just say this: the Aziraphale of modern day probably wouldn’t have made that assumption.

It's a sad thing to think, but I think the modern day Aziraphale is one who has lost a portion of the self-confidence he’d carried in that first scene.

Because he is, at heart, a confident person, even when all evidence contradicts that feeling. He feels confident he can do slight-of-hand magic when he barely can, for example. But, after 6000 years of living amongst the humans, I’d say he’s also nestled very comfortably into the role of observer, never truly a part of anything. He playacts, and has fun, but knows he’ll never be a true magician. He makes believe, and has fun, but he’d never be a real reporter. He puts on ball, and dances, but he’ll never truly experience romantic love.

I think this stems hugely from this concept of being a mediocre angel. He’s felt that, ever since he befriended a demon. He’s been an observer of the “good” angels, but was never quite up to snuff himself (with exception, likely, to the time before the Fall). Crowley, on the other hand, while technically has been a “bad” demon, has still maintained a great reputation in Hell because he’s just damn good at selling himself. Aziraphale is too honest to lie, so he’s always (in my head) been a subpar employee, even before Armageddon’t. And his bosses don’t have any qualms about reminding him—they belittle him constantly, familiarly. To the point where Aziraphale has internalized this nugget of self doubt that keeps him from taking risks, going against the status quo, etc.

I know very well this weird, contradictory feeling. One moment you feel hot, and self-confident, and like no one on Earth can touch you. The next, moment, that old standby mode kicks in, and your feeling 6/10 once more. It’s a reminder, a wake-up alarm – don’t go too far, bucko. Don’t get too big for your britches. Remember who you are.

The times he feels the least connected to this self-doubt, this built-up lack of self-confidence, is when he is just doing small things with Crowley, and usually when it’s not anything high-stakes that would involve Heaven/Hell. He can bicker happily with Crowley about the car, he can nettle Crowley into doing a little apology dance, he can put on a ball and have fun. These low-risk times are when he can let loose, be happy and confident and himself, because these small moments will go unnoticed by Heaven. He’s not at risk of his bubble being burst, of being told “stop that. Remember your place.”

And that voice, tell him to stop and remember his place, is what keeps his confidence in check for the big things. Things like acknowledging that he and Crowley are more than friends, that Crowley wants to be with him so badly. Because, technically, Crowley is a much more “impressive” being than Aziraphale, and always has been. He was a higher-ranking angel, and was the demon chosen to tempt the humans. Though Aziraphale had a big job (that he screwed up on immediately, of course) he was still not the top in his rank (I don’t know anything about the bible, but if he was the angel of the Eastern Gate, I always assumed there were more guarding the walls/gates). Aziraphale was always getting reprimanded for his work, and Crowley was getting praise. Aziraphale is so used to being the “lesser” angel that he might even apply that title to him and Crowley, and be shocked at the idea that a slick, laid-back, higher-ranking demon (who is not typically even capable of love, perhaps) could make an exception for such a mediocre being. Despite all their flirtations and years of friendship, Aziraphale still sees it as this kind of play-acting – a dance they do for fun, but it’s never serious.

This is, of course, just one opinion in my brain – there’s a lot of ways to interpret it, and I can’t decide which one I really believe. Because if Aziraphale really saw nothing there, then what was the “you go too fast for me, Crowley” all about? It could’ve just been yet another moment of “You go too fast…in friendship,” thing, but who knows.

What I do know is that there’s something always holding Aziraphale back from Crowley, but it is not for lack of want. Aziraphale wants it just as much as Crowley. But he’s got many, many potential things holding him back from even considering this life ��� fear of heaven, lack of self-confidence, lack of trust, etc. It’s all adding up to one thought, the theme that’s threaded through his long, long, life—you’re not allowed to do this. You’re an angel, nothing less, nothing more.

[yourbeautystudios]

“Blinded by Love” – Exploring the Obsession and Vulnerability of Love

Blog Written by: Eric Harris

At Your Beauty Studios, our projects are born out of a desire to capture raw emotions and tell stories that resonate deeply with the human experience. Our latest photography project, Blinded by Love, delves into the complex and often overwhelming nature of love, exploring how it can cloud judgment, consume individuals, and make them vulnerable. Through carefully crafted imagery, we invite viewers to reflect on the duality of love—its beauty and its dangers.

The Concept: When Love Becomes Blind

The phrase “blinded by love” is familiar, often used to describe situations where love distorts reality, making people overlook flaws or even harmful behavior. In this photoshoot, we aim to visually represent that metaphorical blindness, portraying love as both a source of joy and a potential trap. The images feature individuals who are metaphorically “blinded”—through symbolic props like blindfolds, shadowed lighting, or abstract elements—demonstrating how love can obscure one’s perception.

Themes of Vulnerability and Surrender

Love requires vulnerability—opening oneself to another person and, in many cases, surrendering control. This project captures moments of that surrender, showing how love can leave us exposed, for better or worse. Some photos highlight the beauty of this vulnerability: moments of trust, affection, and connection. Other images take a darker turn, revealing how being “blinded” by love can lead to manipulation, loss of self, or entrapment in toxic dynamics.

Visual Symbolism: The Blindfold

A recurring symbol throughout the shoot is the blindfold, representing how love can act as both a veil and a shield. The blindfold hides reality, preventing the wearer from seeing their surroundings clearly. It can symbolize passion, where people are so caught up in emotion they lose their sense of self or logic. However, in some photos, the blindfold is depicted as a protective barrier, suggesting that sometimes love protects us from harsh truths or painful realities.

The Tension Between Freedom and Constraint

One of the core tensions explored in this project is the balance between freedom and constraint in relationships. Love can liberate, offering emotional intimacy and personal growth. But it can also bind, creating dependencies or power imbalances. In the images, subjects appear in various states—some liberated, arms outstretched as if soaring with love’s freedom, while others are tied, bound by emotional or symbolic constraints. This contrast highlights the push and pull that love often brings into our lives.

A Reflection of Personal Experience

Each image in Blinded by Love reflects different aspects of relationships—some tender, others haunting. Our goal was to capture the universal yet deeply personal nature of love’s impact on individuals. Whether it’s the heady excitement of falling in love or the painful disillusionment when love fades, this project speaks to the highs and lows we all experience in our emotional lives. The use of stark contrasts in lighting and composition reinforces these emotional extremes.

The Emotional Palette: Love’s Many Shades

The photoshoot is rich with a dynamic color palette, from soft pastels that reflect tenderness and affection to deep, dramatic shades of red and black that symbolize passion, obsession, and danger. These visual cues are meant to evoke an emotional response, encouraging viewers to see love not as a single emotion but as a spectrum that can encompass everything from joy to despair.

Conclusion

Blinded by Love is more than just a visual representation of relationships—it’s a reflection on the ways love can empower us, but also how it can blind us to our own needs or reality. At Your Beauty Studios, we are passionate about creating artwork that challenges perceptions and encourages deeper reflection on emotions that define our lives. We hope this photoshoot sparks conversation about the duality of love—the beauty and the risk that come with surrendering ourselves to it.

http://instagram.com/yourbeautystudios

By: Eric Harris

[milgrambles]

Watched I Love You this morning, been thinking about it all day, and now that I've got time to cram all my disorganized thoughts in a Tumblr post, here they are!

The symbolism in this one is pretty straightforward: Mahiru and her boyfriend had an idyllic relationship on the surface, but in reality, their relationship was deeply unhealthy. Mahiru's love became overbearing (as it was the only solution to their problems that she knew), and her behavior and the state of the relationship pushed her boyfriend to suicide. The cake represents their love, the rats represent the toxicity beneath the illusion, in the woods they're both lost...again, it's straightforward, so I'm gonna dedicate this post to some of the details I've been thinking about.

The carousel is, I'm pretty sure, primarily a representation of the feedback loop of the codependency of the relationship. At least, I'm certain that's what the specific nature of their relationship was, considering Mahiru's whole "give and take" deal: a theme that's shared with Shidou, her counterpart. He takes (organs) until it can’t save his family, and she gives (obsessive love) until it suffocates her partner.

It also just adds to the visual representation of "Mahiru's idea of love and this relationship is a fantasy." By the time they're both worn out, the boyfriend "wants to get off the ride." But he can't-- presumably because the codependent nature of the relationship makes him just as attached as her. Considering the “Clothes Food Shelter” line, maybe he was also materially dependent on her as well.

This Is How To Be In Love With You heavily implies that Mahiru has some sort of great emotional turmoil deep down ("I suck at pretending to smile / But see! I feel great because of you," although this line in particular and her insistence that she isn’t in physical pain in her voice drama could also point towards codependency), and her insistence on hinging her identity on the concept of love definitely isn't a good sign for her mental health. I suspect her boyfriend was similarly struggling, even before the relationship got so bad that he turned to suicide. There's a couple of lines in This Is How To Be In Love With You that refer to mutual pain, and the Corpse Reviver recipe could be symbolic of the boyfriend (or Mahiru, or even both of them) being "revived" from feelings of hopelessness or depression by love.

It's interesting to me that the rat poisoning scene is even there in the first place, because I think "being stuffed with cake even after you become ill from it, as its delicious taste no longer matters and all you can think about is how unhealthy it is" is a very fitting metaphor for this relationship on its own. Probably just to hammer in the "delusion/perception vs reality" thing, and how Mahiru’s actions came from both her fantastical idealism and her lack of self-awareness. Obsessing over Believing in the power of love “saved” her by giving her a reason to live, so surely it would save her boyfriend no matter what, right?

Speaking of which, the spirals in Mahiru's eyes here create a familiar color palette!

Finally, I’m not sure how to segue into this, but one thing that’s been bugging me is that... I have no idea why the boyfriend's body is wet in the first scene of the music video? Especially since it's dry by the end of it?

I’m sure others have probably come up with explanations, but I’m way too tired and busy to keep fixating on Milgram right now and I don’t even know how important it is in the end. Maybe I’ll come back to this later.

[justoneday-namjoonii]

rip jungkook (and also maybe jin) when he reunites with the mc and realizes what has happened in the meantime... I hope you don’t feel pressured one way or the other on who she should end up with, personally I’ve had fun with all her romance options although I feel that all of them are to some extent using her to “band-aid” other issues in their lives. To jk she’s kinda like a replica of his mother and a person who can’t abandon him like his family, to jm she’s a fix to his insecurities about being used and overshadowed by others, to yg she’s a way to prove to himself that he isn’t exactly like his dad (and maybe even acts as a jin replacement?) and it leads to very selfish behavior from all of them. It’s hard to tell who would have fallen for her if they lived different lives where none of the above are true. I kinda get why jin was so appalled at the idea of her dating anyone from the gangs lol it’d be funny if she was like “I’m sick of everyone’s bullshit!” and moved on from all of them 💀

also idk if you’ve heard about the architect vs gardener types of writers but I’m curious about whether you’ve had an ending set in your head from the start (architect) or if you’ve let the story take its own course and changed your mind while writing (gardener). if it’s the gardener one I’ll be back when the series ends to ask you to talk to us about other ideas you had along the way!

sorry for the rant, I’ve had these thoughts for some time and let them all out rn lol (also rip namjoon you had too much swag they had to kill you 🕊)

*visual representation of me ruining my characters lives**

thank you for this in depth analysis!! omg, I really enjoy this type of dialogue with you beautiful readers💞 your interpretation is sooo good, her romantic adventures have been so interesting to write. The Jk x Y/n is different from the yoongi x Y/n, and the jm x y/n is just a whole hot mess. I think what I like about jk and yn the most is how youthful their attraction is, even though it’s painfully toxic. It’s something that doesn’t get old. There’s still a lot left unsaid there, Jungkook broke it off because Y/n could not grow past where the relationship had ended. And Jin has every reason to not want her with any of them, he grew up with them and knows their bullshit very well. That’s the one area he truly cares about Y/n, he genuinely doesn’t want her to be with them, his heart is there at least.

I won’t even touch on Jimin lol. Yoongi’s though, it took MONTHS for me to bring them together. Like even I was feeling awkward during some of their scenes. But I eventually got a flow the other day!! Things just started to fall into place in my mind and I’m happy with how it come out🥹 I think you said it best, being with her is a way for him to prove that he’s not like his father. It’s a bit ironic. He’s having to revert back to his old ways, similar to his father—but in terms of his love life? Or lack there of, he’s done a 180 and that’s what I really like about their dynamic

I’ve actually never heard about that!! But that’s so cool, I am definitely an architect (with gardener tendencies) 👉👈 from the very beginning, since the prologue, it was always going to be Yoongi falling for her. As I’ve written, there have always been pivotal moments that I plan, and then I just have to write myself there. It’s a bit chaotic but it works😅

NEVE APOLOGIZE FOR THE RANT, I’m a yapper myself so I love to hear different perspectives and share my own. I actually really appreciate it so much💕

😩😂🥹 yes RIP, he was a real chaotic evil, the ultimate OP of my dreams… but in true Namjoon fashion, even in death he’s got his own plan✨

[catgirl-catboy]

1 + 24 for the fandom asks!

(link for ask game)

24.) how has fandom positively impacted your life? I won't get too personal, but one of my fandoms caused me to realize I was in a toxic relationship. Very much appreciated.

1.) list 3 positive things about your current fandom(s)

all of them? here goes! Under the cut for your sanity.

Dangan: - Single-handedly got me through the pandemic, mental health wise - Most personally relateable depiction of an autistic character, even if he isn't 'canon autistic' - Got me into writing! fourth because my main fandom + indecisive. - met my best friend because of it! Ace Attorney: - Has some of the best female characters. I love them. <3 - Introduced me to some of my favorite streamers. - Nobody does family legacy like Ace Attorney, with the Lannisters in a distant second. Tywin would be fuming about that, if he knew.

Homestuck: - Has one of my favorite depictions of a disabled person in Terezi. (Other is Peril from Wings of Fire if you are curious.) - Found it during the exact part of my life when I was coming to terms with my sexuality, and the canon queer characters really helped. I actually started reading it on my 13th birthday, since a friend made a homestuck joke about the day and I was curious. - Made me feel like I could still tell a story even if I wasn't an amazing artist.

One Piece: - Best. Worldbuilding. Ever. - Asides from ships featuring my squick of large age gaps, there are no ships I dislike. Every character has a good dynamic with every other. - Has the highest fanfiction quality out of all my fandoms, don't tell my other fandoms. Hazbin/Helluva: - Waiting for it to come out helped with my mental health and visualize the future. - Has a canon Sapphic ship that I relate to, which is a rarity. (I'm happy for all canon rep, but most just aren't me, you know?) - Best representation of abuse I've personally seen. Madoka: - I feel like I never run out of ideas for Madoka!!! Has beaten my writer's block so many times. - Best fanart quality out of all my fandoms, don't tell my other fandoms! - I've seen NO Madoka discourse. Peaceful. Love it here. Asoiaf: - I love that it has so many GNC women, and none of them feel cliche. Arya, Brienne, Dany. None of them are just "the tomboy". ASOIAF doesn't have the best track record with women, but I do appreciate the hell out of that. - As an abusive relationship enjoyer, THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS. Currently enjoying everything with Ramsay because I am... predictable. - There's so goddamn much of it. Can I ever run out of shit? Probably not.

Death Note: - Watched it with a friend I no longer talk to but hold in high esteem. - The fandom is so goddamn funny you do not know! - Got me into anime. I wouldn't enjoy any of my other fandoms without death note.

[lyriclens]

Blog Entry #5

"Gunshot" by KARD – A Raw Examination of Toxic Love

KARD, a South Korean co-ed group under DSP Media, has been making waves in the K-pop scene since their debut in 2016. The group has challenged the K-pop scene by debuting in a group with both men and women, which is completely unusual in the industry. With their unique group structure and captivating music and performances, they paved their way into the hearts of their global fans. Known for their unique blend of EDM, hip-hop, and tropical house, KARD consists of four talented members: J.Seph, BM, Somin, and Jiwoo. They have consistently pushed boundaries with their innovative music, captivating performances, and powerful skills. The group has been constantly releasing tracks that convey significant and powerful messages, and "Gunshot" is one of them.

"Gunshot," one of their standout tracks, tackles complex and emotionally charged themes, delivering a powerful message that makes it relatable to the listeners. This soundtrack centers in a toxic relationship wherein negative words are continuously fired like bullets. It doesn't only apply to relationships but also in friendships where we tend to say hurtful words that we didn't mean. Stumbling upon this track is meaningful to me as it serves as a blanket that comforts me and validates my feelings. The music video itself is also impressive as it also offers the listeners a visual representation of the lyrics and message of the track.

Lyrics Analysis

The song opens with the haunting line, "LOVE damn 4 letters," setting the tone for what’s to come. KARD is describing what love feels like in their current situation, which is being trapped in a toxic relationship. This song doesn't sugar-coat the harsh reality of a love that has gone wrong and the response of the individuals in the relationship. What makes this song impactful is that the song lays the message transparently and clearly. With the opening lyrics and the intensity of delivery from Somi, it felt like she was sharing a personal story to listeners.

As the beat dropped, the intensity of the track picked up, mirroring the emotions conveyed through the track. BM and J.Seph’s rap verses will immediately strike you, with lines like "Endless War / Again, Endlessly More" painting a picture of a toxic relationship that only hurts the individuals inside of it. It also emphasizes that the pain caused by hurtful words is a constant scenario that happens endlessly and that the members are fighter an endless war of pain. The lyrics "Piercing words, like bullets they are" emphasized the message this track wanted to convey. How hurtful words are not just words that can be thrown carelessly as it can also inflict pain on people. Their words were like bullets, each one piercing deeper into the heart, and it shows that the effect of these hurtful words can also be much worse than we thought it could be.

The chorus, sang by Jiwoo, was powerful that it would immediately make you feel her pain. Her voice soared as she sang, "Your words are like a gunshot / I’m bleeding love." It was impossible not to feel the weight of her words. Jiwoo was able to deliver her lines in a way that would share her pain with the listeners. The metaphor of love as a weapon and words as bullets is an impactful metaphor. This imagery is relatable—who hasn’t felt the sting of hurtful words from someone they love? Those hurtful words are more painful when it comes from the people we love and trust.

As the song progressed, the narrative deepened. The bridge offered a moment of reflection, a pause in the chaos. "Woah, answer when I’m calling / Without you, dying slowly," they sang. It was a moment of vulnerability, a plea for understanding amidst the turmoil. The emotional depth of "Gunshot" is what sets it apart from other songs about love and heartbreak. By the end of the song, as Jiwoo's final notes faded, I found myself sitting in silence, reflecting on the track I just listened to. "Gunshot" isn’t just a song; it’s a story, a raw and unfiltered look at the pain of toxic love. KARD’s ability to convey such powerful emotions through their music shows their artistry.

In conclusion, "Gunshot" by KARD is a powerful portrayal of the darker side of love. It's a song that will immediately suck you in with its instrumental and lyrics. KARD has once again proven that they are not afraid to tackle difficult themes, delivering a track that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally charged. If you haven’t listened to "Gunshot" yet, do yourself a favor and experience it. Just be prepared for it to hit you right in the feels.

Ratings for "Gunshot" by KARD

- Lyrics: 9/10

The lyrics are intensely emotional and raw, portraying the painful realities of a toxic relationship with striking metaphors, and this makes the track relatable to its listeners.

- Vocals: 9/10

The delivery of lines is beautifully executed, Jiwoo and Somin were able to deliver the emotional weight of the lyrics and song itself. Moreover, BM and J.Seph’s rap verses add intensity, and the lyrics were also written in a way that can perfectly describe the pain of a toxic relationship.

- Emotional Impact: 10/10

"Gunshot" is an outstanding track that excels in delivering a heavy and emotional theme. The raw honesty of the lyrics combined with the powerful delivery makes it a track that listeners would immediately understand and relate to.

- Production: 9/10

The blend of beats and melodies creates a sense of urgency and heightens the emotional stakes of the song.

- Replay Value: 8.5/10

The narrative and emotional depth make "Gunshot" a song that listeners will return to. Its powerful message and captivating delivery ensure it remains impactful with each listen.

Overall Rating: 9/10

"Gunshot" by KARD is a track that delves into the complexities of toxic love with raw honesty and emotional depth. Its powerful lyrics, compelling vocals, and dynamic production make it an essential listen.

[thebandcampdiaries]

Wall of Fire presents: Defying heights

June 2023 - Belgian band Wall of Fire has recently announced a new album titled “Defying Heights.” This excellent studio work is an insight into the band’s varied sound and one-of-a-kind pop-rock formula. 

This release is notable for its eclectic mix of influences, which are reminiscent of artists as diverse as Anouk, Francis Moon, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, or Foo Fighters, only to mention some. 

What makes “Defying Heights” such a special album is the underlying concept that binds the songs together. By presenting different moods to represent a person’s state of mind at various stages of life, Wall of Fire has created an amazing album experience that will resonate with audiences of all ages. It’s like a soundtrack to exploring feelings, dealing with relationships, and simply living life, trying to fight for something better!

As we all know, life is full of ups and downs, and people often feel different at various moments in time. Whether it's a heartache, a disappointment, or a moment of triumph, our state of mind can vary greatly depending on what's happening in our lives. Wall of Fire managed to captures these moments perfectly in their music, particularly through the acoustic guitar tones that infuse the album. It’s easy to see why “Defying Heights” is such a perfect title for this idea! Listeners will be transported on a journey that mirrors their own experiences, making this album relatable and deeply moving, but also very fun and enjoyable.

The band's focus on creating music that's pop-rock at its core is evident throughout the album. However, the three members of Wall of Fire also love to spice things up with a truly diverse range of influences. This blend of styles makes for a unique twist that's all their own. “Hold Me Tight” and “Night and Day” are two of the highlights on the album, showcasing the band's versatility and talent.

“Hold Me Tight” is a romantic, nostalgic love song with a charming tone and a one-of-a-kind twist. The 3/4 time signature and the acoustic guitars lead to a very hypnotic sound, reminiscent of early Radiohead, but with a unique twist. The choruses take the song to a whole new level of depth and intensity, especially as the electric guitars take flight, soaring with some stunning live and a creamy overdriven sound.

“Night and Day” is another fantastic song, and it is actually the first track on the album’s set list. Right off the bat, it has a very upbeat sound, which immediately gives the audience so much energy! Thematically, this song deals with the concept of coming to terms with being stuck in an emotionally abusive relationship and realizing that even though love might have skewed the right perspective, being stuck with a toxic partner never leads to anything good! This song has a dark theme, but it is also hopeful in a way, with a sound that’s reactionary, reminding people to keep fighting for their lives and to get rid of bad, negative people in their lives.

The aforementioned songs are only two of the many highlights on this fantastic studio album, which offers a total of 11 songs. 

To conclude, “Defying Heights” is an album that is really all about facing adversity and being resilient in order to overcome the challenges that life throws our way. From relationships going wrong to toxic people taking over our lives, Wall of Fire tackles tough topics head-on with their music. By doing so, they offer a message of hope and empowerment to their listeners. This release is a powerful reminder that there is always a way forward, if we do not stop fighting and keep believing in ourselves! Even the beautiful album cover itself seems to be a beautiful visual representations of this. The images shows colorful gems coming out of a dark terrain, perhaps a metaphor that life’s precious moments are worth fighting for, and that gems aren’t really easy to come by, unless you’re ready to get your hands in the dirt!

Find out more about Wall Of Fire and don’t pass up on “Defying Heights:”

https://www.facebook.com/walloffiremusic

https://vi.be/platform/walloffire