#mini album elements

[venusvity]

After a stellar first year as a group, Venus hit 2019 swinging. They began their "Video Game Era," officially titled "VSCAPE," promoting their upcoming series of video games that would come with every comeback. VSCAPE would be a three-part series in which the girls would be put in three different genres of video games: fighting, action, and simulation.

People weren't exactly sure how seriously Angelico would take this project until their third mini album, "VSCAPE: BATTLE ROYALE," was released along with the accompanying video game under the same title. Of course, you had to buy the album and video game separately, but both came with photocards, so fans were more than happy to spend their money. Fans were even more shocked when the game was good, with stunning graphics that felt utterly out of Angelico's budget.

VENUS IN 2019 AT THEIR COMEBACK SHOWCASES: Bliss (21 via Battle Royale), Baebi (20 via PUNCHOUT), Chloe (19 via LOVE&LOSERS), Sena (17 via PUNCHOUT), and Jiah (16 via Battle Royale).

The game would be similar to Mortal Kombat but less violent. You could pick which Venus member you'd like to fight as and be paired with randomized villains or other Venus members, resulting in many hilarious reaction videos created by their fans, Constellations.

BATTLE ROUND, the title track, would win eight music show trophies and sell over 1 million copies, becoming the first Venus album to achieve this and the first group in Angelico history to have over a million sales.

They would release the second part of the VSCAPE project, another mini album and video game titled "VSCAPE: PUNCHOUT." Many fans expected the same type of gameplay from the first VSCAPE project but were shocked to be met with entirely different graphics and gameplay. This game follows the player through an apocalyptic world, trying to find the cure for the disease that's destroyed the country of South Korea. The graphics and gameplay are very similar to TellTale's The Walking Dead game, which is not shocking as they were the studio behind it. The game was praised for its interactive story elements, the girl's voice acting, and an overall storyline that had many constellations crying by the end of it.

VISION BOARDS FOR BATTLE ROYALE, PUNCHOUT, and LOVE&LOSERS.

PLAYER ONE would be the title track for PUNCHOUT, securing the girls' 12 music show wins as well as being certified platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for 100 million streams just three months after its release. This would mark the second Venus song to achieve this.

The final and most iconic part of the VSCAPE series is "VSCAPE: LOVE & LOSERS," with the title track "LOVE SIMULATOR." The game is just that: a dating simulator featuring all the girls. Though the game concept was quite controversial, as many fans saw it as pandering to a specific audience, the art used for the game was heavily praised for its cute and unique style.

FAN FAVORITE OUTFITS FROM THE VSCAPE ERA!

Though the game was hit or miss by fans, the song took over South Korea. "Love Simulator" received positive reviews from music critics and appeared on many year-end rankings of the best songs in 2019. Rolling Stone placed "Love Simulator" at number 24 on their list of the top 100 songs in 2019. On the National Circle Digital Chart, the single peaked at number two. The Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) certified it double platinum for surpassing 200 million streams in South Korea. The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for accumulating over 100 million streams in Japan.

Love Simulator would have 17 music show wins to its name, something virtually unheard of from Angelico. It is the 4th most-awarded song in music show history.

Venus would win their first Daesang this year, taking home Song Of The Year at MAMA for Love Simulator and Best Dance Performance—Female Group. They would also go on to win the Grand Prize at the Seoul Music Awards, marking another Daesang win for the girls.

[kanmom51]

JK 9 November 2023 Times square

OMG, he was amazing.

And I do hope he feels he redeemed himself (not that he needed to, but that's just him).

The crowd was HUGE

And you could hear it.

And singing along to Yes or no (and his vocals there were beautiful as well). Thinking that his album was released only a week ago...

God, I love Yes or no. But Standing next to you is still #1 for me.

And he performed Don't change as well - a song we were told is for Army.

This is definitley JK in his element.

Yes, I had to.🤣🤣

On stage with thousands of Army cheering him on.

He looked so happy!!!

Sorry, but also had to do this as well.

Yep, the J is not covered nor separated from the M.

You know, that way even if JM might not be there with him physically, he is still WITH HIM there!!

Black N' White

And this is what the Xbox add was all about.

A customized Golden console.

Ok, so will he post on Weverse or will he go live? Question is just how hyped up he is right now, lol. I do hope that he has a little bit of time to take a breath and rest though. Just a little bit. We know he'll be on his way home shortly, given that on the 15th he has the pre recording for Mnet. And 20th is his mini concert.

Much excitement to come!!!

[live-laugh-lenney]

hcs for arthurtv with a singer partner?

this is another trope i absolutely love, too...

-> this man would be obsessed.

-> whenever he gets the opportunity to play their music, whether it be in a car when he's in charge of the aux cable or whether it be a playlist for a house party, he doesn't hesitate in choosing what song to play.

-> he's their number one supporter - when they release a new album or a new single, he'll share it on every platform and he'll promote their music on his tiktok account, use it on his instagram story and he'll speak so highly of it to his friends to make sure they give it a listen.

-> the fans think it's cute how he'll wear their merch like they do with his merch; when it's wet and rainy, he'll wear a hoodie embroidered with their name on the breast. when it's sunny and warm, he'll wear a t-shirt with their brand-new single name on the back. he gets george to wear the cap with their album title on, chris to wear the bucket hat, and he's so proud to show it off.

-> when they go on tour or do a one-off show, he's there for the most important dates. the first show, the hometown london show and the final show. with his friends, their friends and their families, standing at the back to keep the attention off of him and on them, instead. it's their night and he wouldn't want to ruin that.

-> always waits for them backstage, too.

-> as soon as they play their last song of the night, he finds his way to the backstage entrance and disappears so he can be there to greet them when they come off stage.

-> "how did i do?"

-> "you did so good, lovie, i'm so proud of you."

-> he's such a fanboy for them, too. gets all giddy when they mention his name, has a goofy smile whenever they play his favourite song, is totally and 100% in his element at their shows, taking photos through the night and uploading it to his instagram story.

-> the biggest fan.

-> and you just know that arthur hill would totally ask them to be his opening act for his own mini uk tour... no word of a lie. they'd be best friends outside of music, too, so it just seems really fitting and they'd see it as a perfect way to propel them into the world of touring and such. being with someone they were comfortable around.

-> and it gives arthur more of a reason to visit. his best friend and his partner on tour together? it's like his little dream come true. xx

[galapogos]

Now, we need to close this old photo album. Time passed through our fingers. We grew up. But the child within us will never disappear. So promise me you'll never lose that sparkle in your eyes. Never let anything or anyone make you a bad person. It's never too late to make your dreams come true. The future is now. Live it! Make your inner child proud of you.

Please, check the winners below!

First of all, I want to thank everyone who participated in this event. I can't describe in words how difficult it was to decide the winners. I don't even like the term winners, after all, who am I to decide that? I hope you had fun participating in this event, thank you so much everyone once again.

Well, all of your moodboards look insanely beautiful, so I decided to prioritize those that, in my opinion, best matched the theme and caught my attention more.

FIRST PLACE @cupcek – this is a mb with A LOT of personality!!! i love how all the elements match each other and match the theme, i'm totally in love with it.

SECOND PLACE @snoooze – i love how you probably were inspired from your own childhood for this mb, the event is exactly about that. super fun and beautiful!!

THIRD PLACE @7wuliy – this mb is SO childhood coded, like the divider is so cute and it was made by you, right? i love it sm!! i think you were inspired by your own childhood for this mb too.

honorable mentions – @alfaire (entry) @jazzitos (entry) @wieqo (entry)

first place: 60 reblogs, one moodboard and 40 original random bios made by me.

second place: 30 reblogs, one moodboard and 40 original random bios made by me.

third place: 15 reblogs, one moodboard and 40 original random bios made by me.

honorable mentions: 10 reblogs.

i changed the amount of bios per pack because i think you deserve more. remembering that if you want to use it here on tumblr, you don't need to credit me!

I will contact all the winners via DM to give the prizes, so please, check them out!!

@yonkiibums @jazzitos @obdosant @alfaire @wieqo @jenfaery @7wuliy @snoooze @koosgrfd @l1nque @mini-espiral @cupcek @boyishdoll @kthice @sugarish @jimzittos @yoonitos <3333

[antointte]

͟ຼ͟ ͟ ͟ㅤ ♫ ⃘ ۫ ♱ Listening to : The Discography of Antoinette

▋ 🍰 SUGARY SWEET, Debut Mini Album (2022) Ice Cream Cake. Love in The Air. So Good!. Sensitive. Like This. / MILK AND HONEY, Full Album (2022). Milk. Honey. Sweet & Easy. Everyday, I Love You. 1-10. Taste / BUTTERCREAM ICING, 2nd Mini Album (2023) Intro. Dream in a Dream. Cherry Top. Frozen. / SUMMER IN VIENNA, 3rd Mini Album (2023) Intro. Superwoman. For the summer. Lucky. Babyface. Alive. / LACE/RIBBON, 1st Single Album (2023) Love Options/Miniskirt. Sting. / PRETTIEST AT THE BALL, 2nd Single Album (2024) 5 More Minutes!. Look At Me! / IN MY KINGDOM, 4th Mini Album (2024) Sunset. Sonatina. Waltz. You and I. Flowers, Flutters. / ROYAL HIGHNESS, 3rd Single Album (2024) Fit for a Queen. LUV. / LONELY & GORGEOUS, Japanese Debut (2024)

✤ Antoinette's discography reflects elegance and the youthful spirit of girlhood. Reminiscent of the 2nd generation of K-pop, many consumers claim that Antoinette's discography is a the embodiment of a pink glittery pen—playful yet refined, with a hint of nostalgia.

Commercially, Antoinette have always been a force to be reckoned with. Sugary Sweet skyrocketed on charts, selling 600,000 copies in its first week. With 9 show wins within two weeks of its release, including programs like Music Bank, Inkigayo, and M Countdown. Antoinette also took home the "Song of the Year" and “Album of the Year” awards for MAMA 2022.

A year later, now known for their distinct style, Antoinette took a slight detour with their 1st single album, Lace/Ribbon. Following a Hyacinth's signature dual song formation, Love Options/Miniskirt was released.

Love Options delivered a bright, retro-inspired sound with flirtatious lyrics, capturing the playful side of romance, but Miniskirt took a mature turn, with seductive, bold concept that showcased a different face of Antoinette and the members stage presence. The dual release allowed the group to push their creative boundaries, while establishing a new mature path down the road. The single album was met with critical acclaim, earning the group awards for "Song of the Year" and "Best Female Group" at MAMA 2023.

After Lace/Ribbon, Antoinette returned to their renowned concept. In 2024, Prettiest At the Ball's title track 5 More Minutes! was originally a b-side for Sugary Sweet, but the members absolutely loved it so they asked to perform it and even created personalized choreography.

In My Kingdom, brung a classical, royal tone to their discography and was the true beginning of the Vienna Family lore as a Antoinette's Youtube channel suddenly released a video named “SONATINA : WHO HAS A CLAIM?" The video contained a guide of the Realms within Vienna and who the citizens have chosen an heir to their respective lands.

In current events, Antoinette has made their Japanese debut with the single Lonely & Gorgeous, continuing solidifying awards and their image as the perfect idols continued. Their discography and accolades not only cemented their position as a commercial powerhouse but also showcased Antoinette's ability to blend nostalgic K-pop elements with a cutesy twist.

[nere1ds]

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𝙽𝙴𝚁𝙴𝙸𝙳𝚂 𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋. are a five member fictional girl group under Wist Entertainment. Creatively, the group was handed over to February Harp by Wist’s CEO in their early days as they sought a new western influence to handle their newest project. The five member ensemble consists of Freya Callaway-Lee, Baek Chaerin, Nam Rami, Yoo Bada, & Huang “Charlie” JiaLi. While the group debuted with little to no involvement in their concept or sound, they have found themselves become more involved with each release, growing into a mixing pot of genres and concepts, along with a creative outlet for the girls. Multiple solo projects have pushed each member into a new scene of music and entertainment and they have grown up into more than the mermaid themed k-pop group they debuted as. Becoming known as “The Nation’s Magical Girls” and “Angels of the Sea” Nereids went from a relatively unknown monster rookie group, to a staple in the industry of modern k-pop.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ The Cast

𝄞 Freya Callaway-Lee

The Leader + Main Dancer of Nereids. Freya is a gentle girl who performs like a monster. Her natural beauty and charisma attracts the eyes of new and active fans alike !

𝄞 Baek Chaerin

Nereids Visual + Lead Vocalist. Chaerin is often referred to as a doll-like beauty, and has gained the fitting nickname “Doll Baby” from both peers in the industry and fans. She uses this as a stage name for her solo music projects !

𝄞 Nam Rami

The Main Rapper + Lead Dancer of Nereids. She doesn’t talk much but when she does, you can’t help but fall in love with the sound. A true angel !

𝄞 Yoo Bada

Nereids Main Vocalist a true beauty. If Chaerin is a “Baby Doll” Bada is a “Porcelain Doll” she’s beautiful but breaks easily, so be careful with her !

𝄞 Huang “Charlie” JiaLi

The Lead Rapper + Maknae of Nereids. Charlie, in a group of mermaids, is a siren. Though talented at rapping, the girls voice can hypnotize anyone with ears !

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ The Sound

Nereids dance pop influenced music was appreciated and loved by many early on in their career, the use of elements from glitch hop and electro pop was both addicting and fun. Their growth in sound ranges from various genres such as Rnb, Hyper Pop, Drum & Bass, UK Garage, Pop Punk, Ballads, and more. While the musicality itself was deeply appreciated, the concepts and imagery used to visually interpret the sound was a big part of why they are so popular. Both the music videos and album art have caused many to take a listen, leading them into the world of Nereids.

♬⋆.˚ KOREAN DISCOGRAPHY ~

2020 [ CORAL & TAILS ] MINI-ALBUM

2020 [ BLONDE ] SINGLE

2021 [ STELLAR ] EP

2021 [ WONDERLUST ] MINI-ALBUM

2021 [ SUCKER PUNCH ] SINGLE

2022 [ GIRLSGIRLSGIRLS ] ALBUM

2022 [ ON THE SCREEN ] MINI-ALBUM

2023 [ IYKYK? ] SINGLE

2023 [ COSMOS ] EP

2023 [ SPELLBOUND ] MINI-ALBUM

2024 [ BLOOMING ] ALBUM

♬⋆.˚ JAPANESE DISCOGRAPHY ~

2021 [ JELLYFISH ] SINGLE

2022 [ ALIENZ ] ALBUM

2023 [ CATWALK ] SINGLE

2023 [ TAKE A DIVE? ] MINI-ALBUM

2024 [ VIDEO GAME ] ALBUM

[greensparty]

Documentary Review - Beatles '64

Something I've said many times is this: I am a firm believer that if you are going to make a documentary about The Beatles, the filmmaker needs to shine a light on some new aspect of The Beatles’ history or present something new, otherwise they are just reiterating what was already said with the 1982 feature The Compleat Beatles and 1995′s doc mini-series The Beatles Anthology, which were the most comprehensive Beatle docs ever. Sometimes it can be interesting if it’s a close collaborator being profiled (Freda Kelly, Pete Best, George Martin, or Stuart Sutcliffe have all had interesting docs). Sometimes it can be interesting if its bringing new elements of their story to light, i.e. Ron Howard’s The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Year, which focused on their live performances and had some never-before-seen footage to present. It's easy to go back to over-analyzing what's already been over-analyzed a ton, but with The Beatles, if you want to be effective you need to dig deeper. In 2021, Peter Jackson did an excellent job with The Beatles: Get Back by having access to the Fab Four's recording of Get Back / Let It Be (read my review here). For me, I made a short documentary The Beatles Boston about their history with the city of Boston (concerts they played, connections to radio stations, etc) and my focus was to put the band's history into the regional context as opposed to show the entire history and because of that it worked as a short that played multiple Beatle events. But I digress. Now in 2024, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Beatle-Mania hitting America, in addition to the album re-releases (my review of the 1964 album reissues is coming soon), Disney+ is premiering the new documentary film Beatles '64 this weekend.

movie poster

Director David Tedeschi cut his teeth as an editor collaborating with Martin Scorsese on a number of his music docs including George Harrison: Living in the Material World and last year they co-directed Personality Crisis: One Night Only (I including it in my Best Documentaries of 2023). Now Tedeschi is directing with Scorsese producing, even though the later's presence is felt throughout this doc (he is seen interviewing some of the subjects). The focus is on the year 1964, not before and not after. Using some rare archival footage shot by Albert and David Maysles, they show the first time arriving at the airport, the first U.S. tour, the appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the film A Hard Day's Night, and, of course, the screaming fans. Both Paul and Ringo are interviewed modern-day and there's archival interviews with John and George recollecting.

Sir Ringo Starr talking with Martin Scorsese

Bottom line: I am a hardcore Beatle fanatic, so it's now surprise I devoured this doc from start to finish. 1964 was such a packed year to get into the weeds of for them. That was the year they literally took the world by storm. But for me what made this more than just another Beatles doc was the rare and unseen footage. My goodness - we thought we had seen everything and here is some rare photos, film and first-hand accounts. I think some of the modern day interviews from the likes of Smokey Robinson, Ronnie Spector, Jack Douglas and more were excellent. In the case of Scorsese talking with Ringo, I thought it was cool because it's a legend talking with a legend and the audience can feel the mutual respect and joy both are getting from that. Can't wait for a 1965 Beatles doc and/or whatever Tedeschi does next!

For info on Beatles '64

4.5 out of 5 stars

[seaofreverie]

Sparkstember Day 11: Angst In My Pants (The Decline And Fall Of Me)

Album two of two in the series of Sparks' immaculate new wave releases! Iconic in every way imaginable from the music to the artwork to ONE music video. I think it's more musically (and lyrically!) varied and mature in tone (besides... a couple exceptions. Yes, an album called Angst In My Pants) than its predecessor, which is a very good development. These songs will leave you chuckling and bopping along and also pondering the intricacies of human existence. Ok, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but it can't be denied that behind much of the earnestness and theatricality here, there's lots of quite emotional, introspective and thought-provoking stuff to be found.

Thematically, this album goes everywhere. One moment we are in Sextown U.S.A, the next we're visiting Disneyland, California where we make friends among people and animals. On a more serious note though, I think the biggest emotional whiplash one could experience between different songs on an album is between Mickey Mouse and Sherlock Holmes. And yet there's still a very prominent element of humour, even in those songs that are on the more serious or dramatic end of the scale.

I said a few days ago that I'd try to return to the topic of Sparks' brand of humour and how it works, but I don't feel intelligent enough to analyse that today. And I'm pretty sure that from what I've seen, Other People And The Maels Themselves (Said It Better Than Me). So instead, as a little send-off, please remember: if a mouse can be special, well, SO CAN YOU!!! 🫵

Favourite songs (and other highlights):

Angst In My Pants: literally no other song like this one in this world. I can't tell why that is but it's just. So great

I Predict: I had a weird kind of effect where I heard this song in my early days of Sparking and it felt VEEERY familiar to me. I think it was due to the genre / style here, it reminded me of something specific, at first I thought it was very glam rock but I'm pretty sure that this is not it but something else (and I don't know what to call it in that case!). Anyway, banger song

Tarzan And Jane: whoa wait, am I already skipping to the third-to-last song on the tracklist?? I guess I am. This one's great and one of my early favs too (I wonder how long it will take until I run out of things to say about my fav songs and it all just becomes this list of 'it's very good and I like it a lot. next.')

The Decline And Fall Of Me: it's great!! I like it!! And, of course, "check out my pizzas"

Eaten By The Monster Of Love: personal reasons that lead to a printed and framed mini-comic of my making appearing on my desk, which features some of the lyrics of this song, which caused me to have it permanently stuck in my head for a pretty long period of time. And this way I ended up liking it much much more than I did in the beginning, when it still seemed somehow pretty unremarkable to me

[whumpofalltime]

whump of all time

SEMIFINALS!

Find links and propaganda under the cut. Quarterfinalist and later match-ups are untagged, so your votes and reblogs matter!

Once Upon A Time:

(gifset 1, gifset 2)

"There's blood, wounds, captivity, bondage, a slow-dipping-mechanism, a big rescue, and excellent acting by Colin O'Donoghue - who delivers the tiniest whimper and the most delectable of trembles for our whump-loving eyes to devour!" ~ @killian-whump

"[...] Killian was BROKEN. Absolutely and heart-wrenchingly devastated. He was tortured within an inch of his life (… or death, I guess) and practically left to slowly drop into a pit of eternal despair.

Killian was not easy to break. He would get injured and get back up with a sneer and an "I'm alright love you should see the other guy".

But to reach that point? The point of telling Emma she should have kept herself safe instead of saving him from this torment, to hold on to her like she was his lifeline, to SMILE that small smile from the first bit of hope he'd gotten since he ended up there?

The relief upon watching this episode for the first time was visceral. For two episodes we knew Hook was being tortured, we saw him try and fail to limp to safety, we saw his resolve and defiance desperately hold on, we saw him accept his fate, we saw him preferring to be tortured further than hurt his friends… And then he got saved! And he had no witty comeback, no effort to hide his pain. He just fucking collapsed in the arms of his beloved, of his saviour, and held on for a moment to realize that it was real, she was there, he was finally safe.

Add to that some amazing, jaw-dropping, emotional acting by Colin O'Donoghue, how can you get any better than that?

Anyway vote for ouat. Because this whole torture mini arc existing is probably what caused a chain reaction of me understanding and accepting I love whump, so. I wouldn't be here torturing blorbos if it weren't for it 🤣" @piracytheorist

"god tier acting" ~ @caliburn-the-sword

The Young Blood Chronicles (Save Rock and Roll's music videos, Fall Out Boy):

(link)

"Everyone gets bloodied, bruised, beaten up, tortured, rescued, limbs are amputated - it's brutal. Alone Together is particularly strong."

sorry for being late, but you want YBC propaganda? then you're getting YBC propaganda. I know you're a FOB fan, but I will be writing this for the benefit of those who don't know what YBC is, for better propaganda purposes! and yeah this is gonna be LONG. sorry.

So! The Youngblood Chronicles (shortened to YBC) is a series of 11 music videos made by the band Fall Out Boy, for their album Save Rock And Roll (you know this album, it's the one with My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark on it). The whole thing is quite short, less than fifty minutes long (even shorter if you don't count the uncut version's credits!!), and every single music video has some element of whump in it. This propaganda is gonna break down each individual music vid, and at i'll also talk a little bit about the irl context the album was written in, and why even THAT can be a little bit whumpy if you're insane like me!

(note: i'm going in the original release order over the uncut order, hence why i'm starting with MSKWYDITD instead of The Phoenix)

My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark: Arguably the least whump-y out of all of them, but man, seeing all of Fall Out Boy's discography and memorabilia be burnt while people are dancing around the destruction? Man, when you know the real life stuff (the reception the band had in 2009, leading to them to take a three year hiatus)... and at the end, you see four guys bound in the back of a van!! And that van is getting burnt!! Burn everything you love and burn the... ashes.

The Phoenix: NOW here's the first of MANY whump tastes you'll get. Patrick Stump, the singer/cutie of the band, gets kidnapped, tied to a chair, has his hand CHOPPED OFF and mailed to his bandmate/best friend Pete Wentz, then gets tied down and utterly tortured by women who are laughing at his misery the entire time, getting prodded and stabbed by tools for... well, you'll see. By the end of the video, Pete and the other two members of FOB (Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley) have been kidnapped by these mysterious women too, with Pete specifically getting kidnapped by the blonde woman he was in bed with when Patrick's hand got delivered to him. If you enjoy cute boys getting tied down, covered in blood, and writhing around like worms while getting tortured... well you'll enjoy all of YBC but specifically you'll enjoy this!! I did :D! The war is won, before it's begun, release the doves, surrender love...

Young Volcanoes: Good news, FOB has been reunited! Bad news, by the women who dismembered Patrick! And now all the band members are tied to chairs, hooked up to IVs full of god knows what types of drugs, and blindfolded (all except Patrick). They are then forced to drink, snort hard drugs, and are force fed Patrick's organs! Yep, all four of them are forced to eat their lead singer's guts, and are so fucking drugged up they don't even realize what's happening (and now you know what the women were doing to him in the last mv, and you even get a nice little shot of the hack job of stitching him back up)!! Patrick hallucinates everyone having fun, but of course, at the end, all of them are knocked out because of the drugs. Americana, exotica, do you wanna feel a little beautiful baby?

Alone Together: This is the song the OG propaganda mentioned, and for good reason. All four of them are shipped off into little personalized torture rooms, and, well, tortured! Pete is able to break out and even steals the hook from the girl who was torturing him, but little does he know that'll be his own undoing... also, in general, this song has some whumpy elements, specifically the line "my heart is like a stallion/they love it more when it's broke-in"... but notice how easy it is to hear "broke-in" as "broken"! At the end of the video, Pete is at least able to find Patrick (Joe and Andy have NOT been having a good time, either!! But sadly, they aren't found by Pete, but Pete DOES find Big Sean), and is even able to attach the hook to the stump (ha!) where his hand used to be. But something is clearly wrong with Patrick now. His eyes are yellow, and as the song ends, we hold on him, sneering and twitching. This is the road to ruin - and we're started at the end...

The Mighty Fall: First off if you say this is the worst song off of SRAR I will hunt you for sport. OKAY ANYWAYS, chronologically this comes after MSKWYDITD, and yeah, the four guys are the members of FOB. Pete is able to free himself with Patrick's new hook hand, and is able to get the other three out while Pete is hacking up a lung from the fire they just barely escaped. But they're not done getting their shit rocked yet. A gang of children show up (the leader being the kid Patrick waved at right before he was kidnapped back in the Phoenix MV), and proceed to separate them and beat the living shit out of them. The leader kid who's chasing Patrick plays something on a boombox... which triggers Patrick to go yellow-eyed again (from here on out i'll call it "going Youngblood" or "Youngblood self"). It was confirmed in the commentary track that ANY music would cause him to go Youngblood. And knowing Patrick IRL fucking loves to create/compose music... yeah! Take something he loves and turn it into something that drives him insane!! I'm normal!! And also the irl parallel you could draw to his solo career doing the same thing to him (on a less uh Dramatic level but you know)!!! Ouch!!!! Big Sean is able to save Patrick, but at the cost of his own life (and a killer rap verse... HELL YEAH I'M A DICK GIRL, ADDICTED TO YOU). Oh, how the mighty fall in love...

Just One Yesterday: The last vestiges of comfort you're gonna get for a WHILE. The four are separated, getting even more beaten up, Pete vomits up a snake, Andy gets his shit rocked by a homeless guy, Joe has to use white sheets as a makeshift tourniquet bc his leg got fucked up in The Mighty Fall MV, and Patrick is picked up by a kind stranger (hi Foxes! you have a very pretty voice! PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL!). And finally, finally we get a hope spot. Fall Out Boy is reunited (the part where Andy just grabs onto Patrick's arm, in disbelief they're both alive... augh!!! AUGH!!!!), and for a moment, it seems they've been delivered to a hospital... before Foxes' eyes go completely black, looking at Patrick... and turns on the radio. She's able to trigger the Youngblood. And now Patrick is gone. The other three scramble into the hospital, Patrick not far behind, determined to kill them to stop the noise in his head. If Heaven's grief brings Hell's reign, then I'd trade all my tomorrows for just one yesterday...

Where Did The Party Go: Patrick, now fully consumed by the Youngblood brainwashing, is now stalking his bandmates in a hospital. Patrick is seeing visions of the hospital as an abandoned party, Andy has to painfully disinfect the wounds he's gotten, Pete is able to call for the police, and Joe... oh, poor Joe. He barricades himself into a room, but not well enough. Patrick finds him, and kills him, slitting his throat with the hook hand, showing no remorse at all... until Andy and Pete find them. The Youngblood wears off, and Patrick looks to what he's done, and is horrified at what he's done to his friend. And, bad news for him, the police are here, ready to arrest the murderer. All Andy and Pete can do is watch as tears roll down Patrick's eyes. And for the extra IRL context, this was the first song written for the album that made Pete and Patrick realize they had to get FOB back together... so lets match that with a music video where the member who helped get the band together in the first place dies. By the hands of the kid he found. Let's fade away together, one dream at a time...

Death Valley: Joe gets... uh, a little comfort? I mean, he thinks he's getting sent to heaven but goes to hell, buuuuut I think doing drugs in rock and roll hell with Tommy Lee is actually a pretty sweet deal, better than the deal the other three got! Pete and Andy are being interrogated while Patrick is in a jail cell. We find out that the cult that kidnapped them, Silence the Noise, is lead by Pete's girlfriend from WAAAAY back in the Phoenix MV, Courtney Love. And at the end of the MV... Patrick is bailed out of jail by Silence the Noise. They have him again. And this time, they're not gonna let him walk out until he's fully under their control. 'Cause tonight it's just fire alarms and losing you...

Rat a Tat: Silence the Noise has Patrick, and they utterly brainwash him, A Clockwork Orange style, with electroshock stimulation to keep him from looking away or closing his eyes, until there is nothing left. Patrick Stump does not exist anymore. Only the Youngblood, pliant under the control of Silence the Noise, tasked to destroy what he once loved; music. Andy dies at the hands of the cult, and now Pete has to protect a briefcase, the thing that got them into this mess, and keep it away from Silence the Noise, all while his best friend hunts him down. Are you ready for another bad poem?

Miss Missing You: THE WHUMPIEST OF THE WHUMP. What if we were best friends but you've been driven insane and I know the only way to stop you is to kill you and it was my fault you got into this mess and I was the one who gave you the weapon that will be my own undoing. What if we both died at the same time. What if we died, both of us failing the mission we had before us. What if that was a reference to one of their first music videos. What if this song was originally written for Patrick's solo album but he realized it was more of a Fall Out Boy song so it was scrapped until now. What if there's a legit argument to be made that half the lyrics for this song was written by Patrick. What if we were both boys. Grips walls, yeha i'm normal. If you don't watch ANY other music vid, watch Miss Missing You. Sometimes before it gets better, the darkness gets bigger. The person that you'd take a bullet for is behind the trigger.

Save Rock And Roll: And our final track gives us a final bit of comfort. Patrick is able to overcome the Youngblood, and gets into heaven, where all of FOB is finally, finally reunited. God (aka Elton John) gives them new instruments and brings them back to earth, so they can do what they love; play music together. Which just so happens to release people from the control of Silence the Noise! But, because we can't have nice things, a cult within Silence the Noise got a hold of the briefcase, and summoned a spirit that starts to kill everyone. FOB stands together, and blasts the evil spirit, the blood coming up to the gates of heaven and covering Elton John in it. And... that's how it ends. No true resolution. Just Elton John covered in blood, as the song fades out. Oh, no! Wherever I go, go! Trouble seems to follow! I only plugged in to save rock and roll!

UH. AGAIN I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LENGTH. but i really wanted to express just how much WHUMP they manage to fit into less than fifty minutes, all backed by an amazing album colored by the three years they were apart. colored by how they grew, colored by how bad the hiatus was for Patrick specifically, colored by how Confessions of a Pariah got Pete to reach out to help him, and this album came out of it, Fall Out Boy came back out of it, and now here we are, ten years later, with the title track being performed every night for their concert, with all the band singing the final lines together, and the line you are what you love, not who loves you hitting every single night.

SORRY. LISTEN TO FALL OUT BOY. thanks for letting me rant.

[iamvercnika]

VERONIKA  (  베로니카  ),  a  fictional  female  soloist,  emerges from the shadows with  unique  haunting  music  style  and  witch-themed  visuals.  her  self-titled  debut  album,  released  alongside  an  intense  music  video,  created  a  buzz  in  the  industry  with  its  dark  and  mysterious  theme.  the  concept  resonated  strongly  with  audiences,  who  were  drawn  to  the  blend  of  mythology,  witchcraft,  and  music.

the  release  of  her  debut  album  was  accompanied  by  a  well-coordinated  promotional  campaign  that  generated  significant  hype  on  social  media  platforms.  VERONIKA's  striking  visuals  and  haunting  music  style  quickly  made  her  a  topic  of  conversation  among  music  enthusiasts.

VERONIKA  is  rumoured  to  be  heavily  involved  in  the  creative  direction  of  her  music  videos  and  concepts,  adding  a  personal  touch  to  her  artistry.  reports  suggest  that  VERONIKA  is  not  only  involved  in  the  selection  of  themes  and  visuals  but  also  contributes  to  the  storytelling  and  overall  vision  of  her  projects.  this  hands-on  approach  allows  her  to  maintain  artistic  integrity  and  ensure  that  her  music  aligns  with  her  unique  concept.

moreover,  VERONIKA's  captivating  stage  presence  further  solidified  her  reputation  as  an  artist  to  watch.  her  live  performances,  often  featuring  theatrical  elements  and  intricate  choreography,  left  a  lasting  impression  on  audiences  and  helped  her  garner  a  dedicated  fanbase.

₊‧⁺˖ I AM NOT AFRAID OF THE DARK ! ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ BASIC INFO :

ARTIST NAME ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ veronika

COMPANY ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ glasshouse inc. ( 2020 — 2024 ), octavia music co. ( 2024 — present )

DEBUT DATE ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ october 17th, 2020

DEBUT ALBUM ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ veronika

GREETING ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ “ i am that thing in your nightmares! hello, this is VERONIKA! ”

FANDOM NAME ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ nightshades

FANDOM COLOURS ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ enigma ( #191970 ) + essence ( #b87333 )

₊‧⁺˖ IT IS WHERE MY POWER RESIDES ! ⸻ ⠀⠀⠀ DISCOGRAPHY :

VERONIKA : VERONIKA ⸺ debut mini ( 2020 )

MIDNIGHT DREARY : THE WITCH LIVES ⸺ mini album ( 2021 )

BUMP IN THE NIGHT : GOOSEBUMPS ⸺ mini mini ( 2021 )

AS ABOVE : SHE KNOWS THE TRUTH ⸺ mini album ( 2021 )

SO BELOW : I KNOW BETTER ⸺ repackaged mini ( 2022 )

KILLING MR. STRANGER : STRANGENESS IN US ⸺ ep album ( 2022 )

THE DEVIL WITHIN : LITTLE MONSTER ⸺ full album ( 2022 )

HEAVY IS THEE : CROWN OF THORNS ⸺ ep album ( 2023 )

TOUCH OF EVIL : SONG OF DEATH ⸺ mini album ( 2023 )

SPIDERWEB : SPIDERWEB ⸺ single album ( 2024 )

[mysmorgasbordoffantabulosa]

HYBE - 2025 Predictions

RE: Ador/Min Heejin/NewJeans...

HYBE will sue several websites/news sites for defamation over the whole NewJeans saga

Evidence and undeniable proof will surface that shows MHJ did illegal stuff whilst as CEO of Ador, and it may also implicate some of the NewJeans members and their families.

HYBE will win it's lawsuits against Min Heejin and New Jeans

and then will sue NewJeans for Breach of Contract, which they will win

NewJeans will disband and be heavily liable for their breach of contract (probably around $500 million dollars), except…

Min Heejin will then try to settle with HYBE and I could see them asking a for a tough non-compete element to the settlement

I think one of the members (probably the one who has - or their parents - been leaking stuff to Dispatch), will stay signed to HYBE but be inactive and possibly work on being an influencer and release the occasional song/mini-album... or just work through their rest of their contract

Ador will be rebranded to include a new moniker (though somehow keeping the name Ador inlcuded.

Adoor will then debut a boygroup, or...

If some of the NewJeans members stay a new mixed group (I know longshot but if any company can successfully debut a co-ed group HYBE can)

RE: the rest of HYBE...

I expect a big crossover event to occur with all the labels at some point, incl. BTS, possibly a concert or game changers type show.

Expect Katseye to be heavily pushed next year, as well as Illit and Le Sserafim

Groups I expect to tour next year... Le Sserafim, Enhypen, with Katseye doing a limited tour in the US and Asia.

I think GFriend will re-sign with Source, though they won't be full-time (it'll be like Blackpink they will have an occasional album and tour)

TXT's hiatus will be until spring-ish, with a comeback in Apr/May.

The boy groups that get pushed more will be BoyNextDoor in the first half, whilst with a shrinking SEVENTEEN, TWS will become more prominent in late 2025

SEVENTEEN will work more on subunit releases next year

I could see HYBE America debut a solo artist in the latter part of 2025.

I think HYBE will produce two massive viral song hits, the first being from Le Sserafim whilst the other will come from BTS.

HYBE will expand their Disney+ deal to include other groups.

WEVERSE...

I think they'll make lives, whilst still open to view to everyone, only fans with paid memberships subs will be able to comment... and be liable for prosecution if they make malicious comments because they will have to provide payment details.

I think membership subscriptions will become more valuable and include previously VOD content (Bon Voyage/In the Soop etc).

[puppetshcw]

STUPID CUPID, a dynamic force in the music industry, made waves with their latest release, the 10th mini album, TRUE VALENTINE (LET'S TALK LOVE!). this captivating collection of seven tracks, launched in may, showcases the group's unique concept and musical style.

kicking off the excitement was the electrifying pre-release single, MANIAC, which garnered widespread attention and anticipation. a carefully planned four-week promotions kept fans engaged and eager for more, setting the stage for the full unveiling of TRUE VALENTINE.

as the MANIAC promotion drew to a close, STUPID CUPID seamlessly transitioned into the promotions for TRUE VALENTINE, igniting further excitement with teasers that lit up discussions and buzz across various digital platforms.

album analysis & content.

the concept of a true valentine is portrayed through the lens of obsession, the lyrics and overall theme of the album takes on a more intense, possessive, and potentially darker tone. obsession in a romantic context can be complex, often involving a heightened sense of desire, longing, and an intense focus on the object of affection. the notion of a dark cupid and an obsession-themed true valentine introduces a more mysterious and intense perspective on romantic connections. in the shadowy realm of dark cupid, where love takes on a more enigmatic form, the concept of a true valentine becomes a captivating and potentially dangerous affair.

PASSIONATE VER. — ( this version focuses on the intense and passionate aspects of love, featuring vibrant colours and dynamic visuals that evoke a sense of fiery desire ) … photo booklet + folded poster ( fitting the album ver. ), sticker sheet ( 1ea ) + accordion lyrics poster + handwritten letter + member photocard ( random 2 out of 5 ) + flame-shaped charm ( distributed randomly )

OBSESSION VER. — ( reflecting the album's theme of obsession, this version delves deeper into the darker and more intense elements of love, with edgier aesthetics and visuals that convey a sense of possessiveness and longing ) … photo booklet + folded poster ( fitting the album ver. ), sticker sheet ( 1ea ) + accordion lyrics poster + handwritten letter + member photocard ( random 2 out of 5 ) + lock-and-key charm set ( distributed randomly )

ROMANTIC VER. — ( this version emphasizes the traditional notions of romance, featuring softer hues and dreamy visuals that evoke a sense of classic love stories and heartfelt emotions ) ... photo booklet + folded poster ( fitting the album ver. ), sticker sheet ( 1ea ) + accordion lyrics poster + handwritten letter + member photocard ( random 2 out of 5 ) + heart-shaped locket charm ( with a group photo inside — distributed randomly )

track list. ( analysis cr. to /plasticflwrs )

CRUSH (YOU) ... the album intro declares the unexpected attraction of the cupids to someone, hinting at a shift in mindset and lifestyle. the lyrics suggest a celebration of the exhilarating experience of falling for someone, emphasizing playful flirtation, genuine emotions, and a desire for a meaningful connection. the song conveys surprise, excitement, and vulnerability in the face of newfound romantic feelings. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ — ( written by GLOOMY & CHESKA, prod. by GLOOMY )

MANIAC ... the pre-release shows a twist in love and explores the intense and unpredictable nature of it. the lyrics convey a sense of chaos, obsession, and passion that can often characterise a relationship. MANIAC delves into the complexities of a love that is intense, chaotic, and almost addictive. it explores the rollercoaster of emotions, confusion, and the simultaneous desire to both embrace and let go of this passionate connection. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ — ( written by H.EUI, prod. by H.EUI )

MELTING LOVE ... the cupids express confidence and a bold attitude, daring someone to reject them. there's a playful challenge in the tone, suggesting a desire to enchant and captivate the listeners. the song uses sensory imagery, comparing the speaker to a "pink light," expressing the idea of melting like ice cream and asking for a lighter touch on the lips. these images evoke a sense of warmth, sweetness, and intimacy. the playful and seductive tone, along with the elements of innocence and vulnerability, contribute to a multifaceted portrayal of the cupids' emotions and intentions. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ — ( written by PANDORA & 2MIE, prod. by TOKKI & GLOOMY )

SMART ... the song revolves around determination, ambition, and resilience in the pursuit of success. it celebrates the power of strategic thinking and hard work in overcoming obstacles and achieving one's goals. setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth, and the lyrics emphasize the importance of confidence, optimism, and unwavering determination in the face of challenges. overall, the song encourages listeners to believe in themselves, work hard, and persevere in the pursuit of their dreams. the song seems to be a break between the toxic love being shown through the rest of the songs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ — ( written by ASTER, prod. by RE:INA & PANDORA )

OUR SECRET ... the song delves into the theme of passionate and intoxicating love, capturing a moment of intense attraction and desire between two individuals. describing a single kiss as a symbol, the lyrics highlight its ability to captivate and mesmerize, leaving the recipient utterly consumed and lost in the experience, as emphasized in the chorus. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ — ( written by PANDORA & AIMEE, prod. by TOKKI & H.EUI )

GIMME KISSES ... the song's theme centres on the transformative power of love, overcoming obstacles and building a deep connection. the lyrics illustrate a journey of navigating challenges, breaking down barriers, and expressing hope for lasting affection. the repeated phrase "GIMME X-O-X-O" underscores the desire for intimacy, emphasizing the positive impact of love in overcoming difficulties. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ — ( written by RE:INA, prod. by RE:INA & PANDORA )

LOVE WINNER ... the song articulates a profound, unwavering love and commitment to someone special. the lyrics convey the anxiety of losing this person and the unimaginable thought of life without them. the cupids liken their bond to the vulnerability of a lost child, underscoring the deep emotional connection. in essence, the song beautifully communicates an overwhelming love and devotion, affirming a readiness to make any sacrifice for the cherished individual. it highlights the robust emotional attachment and a firm resolve to stand by them, regardless of the challenges that may arise. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ — ( written by GLOOMY, prod. by TOKKI & ASTER )

era notes.

♡ ⠀⸻⠀ the promotions for this album were the longest the group ever had. MANIAC was promoted for four weeks before the album dropped out while MELTING LOVE for five weeks. SMART originally wasn't going to be promoted on music shows, but because of its popularity, they decided to extend promotions for another two weeks. a special music video was also released a week before the promotions for the title track finished. ♡ ⠀⸻⠀ by the end of the promotions, STUPID CUPID received thirteen awards in total — four during MANIAC, five for MELTING LOVE and four during SMART. ♡ ⠀⸻⠀ the music video for MELTING LOVE received a whopping 80 million views in the first 24 hours! SMART also reached similar numbers after its official release. ♡ ⠀⸻⠀ a lot of fans were thrown back during this era, mainly because the group is known for their cute and artsy music style, so watching the MELTING LOVE music video changed their views drastically. what confused them more was up to the music video release, their teasers have consistently been shown in a softer way. ♡ ⠀⸻⠀ their tiktok was ACTIVE! the girls posted dance challenges non-stop, either with other idols or with their staff! you could not scroll through the fyp without seeing at least three different videos from this era. ♡ ⠀⸻⠀ the group released a lot of content, both on their youtube channel and various other ones. they teased an interview with WIRED, as well as a possible world tour, that may or may not happen soon.

era style.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ( MELTING LOVE — SMART )

[loonarii]

Ari's K-Pop Roundup: April 2024 (NewJeans, IVE, RIIZE, KISS OF LIFE, ARTMS, LOOSSEMBLE, BABYMONSTER + MORE)

check out last months installment here :)

Bubble Gum - NewJeans

With HYBE collapsing in on itself and ADOR being the epicentre of the explosion, a part of me was a little afraid that NewJeans' comeback would take a hit in the quality department. From the first bars of 'Bubblegum' I knew I had been worried for no reason.

'Bubblegum' is an early 2000s synth fueled record with an edge of 80s Japanese citypop. It's groovy, simplistic, and effortless in execution, and while it isn't necessarily an innovation in NewJeans' notoriously trend-setting discography, it's still a welcome addition that capitalizes on the members vocal tones and the group's style beautifully.

The music video is gorgeous, as usual, with it taking notes from the raw, realistic nature of 'Ditto' and the colour-pop confidence of 'Hype Boy'. Danielle looked especially gorgeous in her natural curls, and Hanni's sharp bob is so striking - she looks like an anime heroine, and I love it.

I know we've all heard the phrase 'I think I just made the song of the summer' a little too much these past few years, but I am of the opinion that NewJeans has successfully achieved it with 'Bubblegum' - it's been a whirlwind year so far for me, and something easygoing and chill like this is exactly the energy I will be bringing into the hotter months.

Even though they have made ripples in the kpop industry, it seems nobody can do it quite like NewJeans.

해야 (HEYA) - IVE (IVE SWITCH)

note: i will be covering the rest of the mini album when the m/v for 'accendio' is released next month, so stay tuned :)

Coming off of the mildly contrived 'Baddie' and the shockingly beautiful 'Off The Record' from 2023's 'I'VE MINE' EP, I wasn't sure where I was going to stand with IVE's comeback. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised.

'Heya' is a track with a chorus melody that makes such perfect sense that you are left amazed that nobody has thought of it before - its so easily catchy, and being 100% real, it's been stuck in my head since the m/v teaser. The construction of this song is honestly very impressive (Dem Jointz is the arranger so this is unsurprising), every vocal or instrumental motif pokes it's head in and reappears in an effortlessly perfect way, even the raps aren't jarring, a pitfall many a kpop track have fallen down before.

Functionally, this song is the perfect response to 'Baddie': that playful edge they centred in on in that track is still present here, but IVE have returned back to home base a little more and drawn from that elegant, untouchable concept they built in their iconic debut trilogy. 'Heya' understands the elements that saved 'Baddie' from succumbing to unlistenability, and knows how to use them redirect back to the right track without discarding the lessons learnt entirely.

While I don't think this song has reached 'After LIKE' or 'Love Dive' levels of perfection for me, it's still a super fun song for IVE, and absolutely a step in the right direction.

(final note: does anyone else feel like this song samples 'flashing lights' by kanye west?? does anyone else hear this? like at 45 seconds?? maybe im slowly going insane idk)

Midas Touch - KISS OF LIFE

(check out my breakdown of the historical allusions in the mv here)

Kiss Of Life seems to just know exactly what they are doing, and the music is just getting better and better. The Britney edge and old SNSD flair on this track is right up my street, and all the members just give their all on this song, their talent is so consistently clear.

Their seemingly exponential growth in popularity and success from debut is so well deserved, they are truly setting the standard for the quality of music of the 5th generation; they are proving with every release that kpop does have more to offer, there is more innovation to be made.

My grievances at this release being a single album aside, this was a perfect comeback in my opinion. Congratulations Kiof for graduating nugudom, I can't wait to see what you do next.

Impossible + 9 Days + One Kiss - RIIZE

And just when I thought I would never enjoy a boy group release again, RIIZE dropped 'Impossible'. The audacity to release something as fucking amazing as this like 3 months after 'Love 119' (which i controversially loved)??? Insane.

This track marks SM's latest addition to their arsenal of iconic house bangers, 'Impossible' revitalizes everything that made Shinee's 'View' and f(x)'s '4 Walls' so good for the 2024 music scene. It has that late night BBC Radio 1/love island pop edge to it that I have been yapping about for months, and I am so obsessed. This is how to compete with Somi's 'Fast Forward' for the most british sounding kpop song.

'One Kiss' is a sonic sequel to 'Love 119' - I am just so obsessed with how much they sound like an early 2000s western boy group on tracks like this, they just exude NSYNC energy. '9 Days' is another laidback pop hit, with a little more energy and longevity than 'One Kiss'. The sound of 2024's summer in kpop has clearly been established, and I for one am in favour.

RIIZE being the first boy group to last more than two comebacks on my stan list is really something I didn't see coming, but it's a welcome change.

SHEESH - BABYMONSTER (BABYMONS7ER)

I think babymonster may start to be delegated to the mini review section of these monthly reviews, because I am genuinely struggling to find something likeable within this song. 'Batter Up' at least had a danceability to it, even if it was highly derivative, but 'Sheesh' is just so predictable to me. Even the switch up from the standard YG party final chorus felt formulaic somehow, and the mini album wasn't much better.

Ahyeon is back though, and she proved once and for all that she is absolutely a necessary part of the group - her rap was easily the song's highlight. The performances from this era were genuinely excellent considering what they were working with.

I don't like being a stuck record with groups I just will never enjoy, so I apologize, but discussions around their future releases will be limited going forward, unless they drop something that I actually enjoy.

Pre2: Flower Rhythm + Pre3: Candy Crush- ARTMS (Dall)

There is something about modhaus production that just works for me, and the interpolation of Heejin's 'Algorithm' on 'Flower Rhythm' is a really exciting choice. The verses, post-chorus and bridge are very strong in my opinion, but the chorus itself seems to get a little lost in the sauce. I can see that chorus growing on me however, and the rest of the song is highly enjoyable, very evocative of the yyxy sub-unit.

Haseul's 'Plastic Candy' is one of my favourites from the ARTMS girls' releases, and with it's interpolation in 'Candy Crush' means I am predisposed to be obsessed with this song. It's a little jazzy, a little citypop, and it's the perfect late night summer vibe. This is easily my favourite of the pre releases so far, but the sheer array of styles the girls have demonstrated makes me very excited to see where they go for the title track.

Girls' Night - Loossemble (One Of A Kind)

LOOSEMBLE AND ARTMS RELEASES IN ONE MONTH??? WE WON

Loossemble's 'Sensitive' was pure pop perfection, and the album was just as impressive, so going into 'One Of A Kind' and its title 'Girls' Night' I just knew they were going to deliver.

'Girls' Night' is a classic LOONA type track, a total kaleidoscope of sonic innovation, and it stuns throughout its 3:24 runtime (we love long songs). My girl Yeojin got PINK HAIR, Vivi got a lore update, and Gowon unlocked her irish ancestry - overall a 10/10 in the visuals department. The rest of the album is an actual masterpiece; 'Moonlight' is a banger that caught me off guard by how good it is, 'Boomerang' has an addictive almost hyperpop edge - it's very evocative of Yeppi Yeppi by aespa, or even Paradisin' by Rina Sawayama. 'He Said I Said' plays it a little too safe in the production department in my opinion, and it comes off a slightly childish for them - it's a perfectly enjoyable song, but probably the weakest on the album. 'Truman Show' brings in a more acoustic sound, which builds with the synth to create a truly cinematic feel - it has a ballad vibe, but keeps it on the upbeat side, so if kpop ballads aren't your thing, you still might enjoy this one. 'Starlight' is a perfect album closer, and although it will never be my favourite LOONA song with 'Star' in the title, it's a really beautiful song. This was a really successful album for them, and I can't wait to see what else they bring to the industry.

MINI REVIEWS:

SPOT! - ZICO feat. JENNIE: I was fully prepared to lie and act like this was a masterpiece before I listened because it has my queen jennie in it, but when I actually heard it I was pleasantly surprised with an absolute certified banger. This has that TripleH - 365 Fresh energy that I love, and Jennie's amazing vocals have made me so excited for what shes going to do with her solo work at odd atelier :)

Could It Be + Freak - YUQI ((G)-IDLE): I've never been a huge (G)-IDLE fan, so 'Freak' really wasn't my vibe, but 'Could It Be' had a Sunmi-esque edge that draws me in somehow. Having heard a snippet on TikTok, I also listened to the b-side 'Red Rover', and it's a real standout, make sure to give this one a listen if you only heard 'Freak'.

Blush - woo!ah!: i am in denial thay the official group name is now WOOAH, why are we erasing herstory?? Anyway, 'Blush' really blew me away - this song is so fun, every second is packed with memorable melodies and beautiful production, and that post chorus??? a killer!! SO underrated, if you haven't checked out this song yet this month, be sure to, it's an underrated song that I can see making it high in my yearly ranking.

고민중독 - QWER: Sapphic themes?? in a kpop music video??? with a girl BAND??? yoasobi vibes??? of course i was going to love it! I had never really heard of QWER before this month, but this song is such a banger and the pop rock sound is immaculate - ( @a-moth-to-the-light this feels very much up your street) I will 100% be checking out their discography, and I can easily see these girls making a home on my stan list, this track is truly amazing.

Final Love Song - I-LAND2 Contestants with ROSÉ: This is the kind of kpop song that makes me understand why this genre is so bullied. What are we doing. Rosé sounded good I guess. Moving on.

IMMM - ILY:1: Such an unexpected groovy sound - big Momoland energy. Pretty much everyone is eating up these April releases, even the nugu girlies are bringing it more than usual. I'm slightly worried about the lack of music video or promotions, but this song is really fun, so please go stream and show ILY:1 some love :)

[bangtanhoneys]

Bangtan Baby: Happy Birthday!

April 27th - Bora’s first birthday.

Being Korean, it was expected of them to do the traditional Dojanchi celebration so Bora could pick her future. They planned something small with both sets of grandparents and close family, with the traditional hanboks, seaweed soup and rice cakes. They had laid a book, money, food, thread, a BTS album and a paintbrush before her - Grace knew what Seokjin wanted Bora to go for, she personally wanted her daughter to go for the book. 

Of course, because of whose daughter she was, she had one hand on the BTS album and one hand on the food. 

But for her actual birthday, they had planned a party at HYBE so everyone could celebrate her birthday. Of course, it meant nearly everyone and anyone had been invited, including Bang PD, CL, IU, Tomorrow by Together, and so many more. And being Grace, it gave her the perfect excuse to go all out for her daughter’s birthday. 

It took four months of planning but the top floor of HYBE had been transformed into a nursery rhyme world. There was a large cake decorated with vintage images of the cow jumping over the moon, Humpty Dumpty and the like. The decor consisted of vintage inspired jars of fresh flowers, with themed elements added to the table like a mini Humpty Dumpty sat on the edge of the vase and there was a little grandfather clock with a cat on it. 

The ceiling was covered in pastel materials with stars hanging down and paper lanterns as well. On one wall, there was a large backdrop in white with Bora’s name in purple, small and large nursery rhyme figures around it with balloons tied together to look like clouds with stars hanging down. 

The event company had done an amazing job, including the caterers who had gone above and beyond to create food around the theme. 

The birthday girl in question was having a great time having people carry her around to look at everything. She was dressed in a light purple dress with fairy rings - her request. 

“She’s having fun,” Hobi laughed as he snacked on one of the themed biscuits as he sat with the rest of BTS, minus Jungkook who had the birthday girl sat in his lap as the rest of the children sat around the lady dressed as Mother Goose to tell nursery rhymes. “And I think Jungkook is enjoying himself as well.”

Yoongi snorted, taking a seat next to Namjoon who was videoing the youngest members of the group. “That’s because he’s a big kid at heart. Plus he’s been talking non-stop about this.”

Jimin and Taehyung had wandered over to join the maknae, causing Bora to abandon her post and sit in Jimin’s lap. Jungkook pouted and frowned, causing Taehyung to grin and give him a slight nudge. 

“That’s because he’s Bora’s brother in everything but blood,” Namjoon noted and took a quick glance at the parents who had chosen this moment to join them at the table. “You guys look knackered.”

“You know, it’s one thing talking to celebrities in a formal setting because you’ve slept in that morning and you’ve had to do nothing other than let stylists make you up and sip champagne,” Jin started and held up his vintage tea cup. “This time I’m the parent who has been up all night with his one year old and I’m having coffee.”

Grace hid her grin and reached over, patting Jin on the shoulder. “At least you got an hour’s nap in until she had a poo explosion on your lap.”

“And where were you?” Yoongi asked, arching an eyebrow at the female member who matched his expression. “I was here, dealing with the party since 7am, thank you very much. Plus, I dealt with the aftermath of the explosion since I got home in time. What were you doing? Sleeping?”

Yoongi glanced away, saying nothing, making Namjoon and Hobi laugh.

“Yeah, thought so,” Grace rolled her eyes but she was smiling, glancing over to the four youngest. “At least they're enjoying themselves. Good thing we’re only doing this every milestone birthday.”

“Won’t be long till she’s 5,” Namjoon commented causing those at the table to stare at him. “Sorry.”

“Can I enjoy my daughter being one please before you ruin it with the fact she’s going to be five soon and then a teenager? I already found a grey hair this morning,” Jin commented, turning his head to Yoongi who wrinkled his nose at him. 

“I’m surprised you haven’t turned grey already. You’ve been dealing with Jungkook since forever,” Yoongi remarked then found his hands full when said boy decided to sit on him.

“Ah that’s what you get,” Jin grinned as he took back his daughter from Taehyung as the rest joined them. “Have fun?”

“I never knew about Tom Thumb,” Taehyung suddenly exclaimed. “Why did no one tell me about that one?”

“Because your not a baby and don’t need nursery rhymes?” Hobi asked, nudging at Jungkook to get off Yoongi but losing the battle against the muscle bunny.

“But I will one day when it’s my turn. How am I meant to know what nursery rhymes to tell my kids?”

“Oh god can we not go down the road of everyone else having kids,” Grace groaned as she covered her eyes. “I can just about handle you lot and my own.”

“Hey!” came a collective cry from everyone including her partner, her daughter silent on this one. 

[thatfeelinwhen]

☙ LOVE CYCLE [사랑주기] is the debut mini album by the south korean fictional five-member girl group, B'ANGELZ. released on february 12, 2022 much in line for the upcoming romantic holiday, the album consists of 3 tracks called cool with you, love dive, and the title track, midas touch and was promoted by the group for a total of 4 weeks. the album is supposed to feel like a fury of love called a "love cycle" which the creative director and leader of b'angelz, adora stated.

the album embodies many different aspects of love each of which shows elements of the stories in ancient greece storytelling such as goddesses, greed, and curiosity with love which is shown in each music video. each music video tells a story and highlights either two or one member with that story it's telling and has a somewhat, ethereal effect

☙ TRACKS . . .

MIDAS TOUCH prod and written by 아도라, 서리. a storytelling which shows the greed of midas, a god whose main love was gold turned for the worst as he overlooked the priorities and things he loved. this is showcased as greed for materialism, toxic love, and charm. by expecting materialistic stuff, overlooking what a relationship should really be about which is: love, this causes a falter in the narrator's relationship but since all this person can see is the charm by their "midas touch" the s/o doesn't really notice the lack of love in the relationship...

LOVE DIVE prod & written by 아도라. storytelling of the courage of diving into love headfirst without any thought about it, love dive is a song which showcases a romance that's only built of curiosity and a rush of new emotions, love at first sight, much like the relationship between eros and psyche, a crush almost it seems but a little more. a love dive.

COOL WITH YOU prod & written by 아도라. a storytelling that shows a god, cupid the one who's in charge of making everyone fall in love, disagreeing with love in general though, meets someone who isn't like everyone, someone who's not made for others but made for cupid. it shows many similarities to the love story of eros and psyche, how eros loves her in the night but ultimately because eros is a god and has duties, he always leaves her in the day but, love foreshadows all as he decides that he'd give up being a god if it meant being with the only living being meant for him

☙ . . . STYLING !!

☙ ERA NOTES ?!

♡ adora admits to an mc the original idea for this concept was brought up when adora and seori were watching greek myths on youtube and came across 'psyche and eros' story and fell in love with the idea .

♡ "this would make a really cool concept..." seori would tell adora, letting off light bulbs in her head.

♡ the entire idea was to make something that'd be different from the industry's norms, a love song that talked more realism than normal idol love songs.

♡ adora was nervous but determined with this new approach so she gave it her all as she and seori created the title track "midas touch"

♡ on their first day to promote their album, all of the girls were quite nervous as they were all, except mina quite rookies to the whole idol image.

♡ their title track received both good and bad commentary, bad being that the song was very "vixen-like" to the people who didn't understand the meaning

♡ but even to those lots of the good praise was for the song's overall vibes as it reminded those who weren't big fans of kpop of those 2000s artists, allowing the group to get an international following

♡ despite not having a big korean fanbase, the international fans helped them secure their first win

♡ their encore stage, showing their raw vocals and pure talent also whilst interacting with the fans they had support from, allowed them to gain a bigger fanbase and more views to their debut

[tomorrowxtogether]

Tomorrow X Together Give Us ‘Deja Vu’ on the ‘Kelly Clarkson Show’

The song appears on their newly-released mini-album Minisode 3: Tomorrow

TOMORROW X TOGETHER performed their latest single “Deja Vu” during Wednesday’s episode of the Kelly Clarkson Show.

The track appears on their newly-released mini-album Minisode 3: Tomorrow. After Clarkson introduced the group as “one of the biggest K-pop groups on the planet,” Huening Kai appeared solo on a dark stage clutching a coin inscribed with “2019,” the year the TXT debuted, as sand fell from his hand. As he was joined by fellow bandmates Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, and Taehyun, the stage revealed a cavernous backdrop as the quintet sang, “Within that long, eternal journey/The sadness we shared is my clarity/Is by your tears.”

A press release bills “Deja Vu” as a “hybrid Pop track that fuses elements of Trap, Rage, and Emo Rock that sings of how the thought of meeting ‘you’ in the future feels like ‘déjà vu’.”

Minisode 3: Tomorrow brought seven new songs to TXT’s catalog, including “Deja Vu” and “Deja Vu (Anemoia Remix).” Their last full-length, The Name Chapter: Freefall, was released back in October. Their sixth mini-album arrives in celebration of the group’s fifth anniversary.

In March, the K-pop band announced that they’ll be embarking on the U.S. leg of their Act: Promise Tour this spring. The trek launches in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, on May 3, and promises to be “grander” than its 2023 predecessor Act: Sweet Mirage Tour. The U.S. portion of their world tour kicks off May 14 in Tacoma, Washington, and features 11 total shows across eight cities including Oakland, Los Angeles, Houston, and New York.

The concert promises to be a showcase of a “cohesive narrative, seamlessly weaving together captivating music, performances, VCRs, and set designs.”