#the 8th sense icons

[kaeyasthighs]

☆ 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙜 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚

☆ 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣

[shifthours]

HELLOOO TUMBLRRR have some eighth sense art bcs im hyperfixated he's supposed to be holding a little camera ~

IF U HAVENT SEEN THIS SHOW ITS SO GOOD ITS ON VIKI WATCH IT NOW ty gn also process vid is posted on insta @ 5oon.21 !

[ujunxverse]

it's crazy to me how i can vividly remember 2 debuts: txt and nct. nct because everyone was talking about how 7th sense was weird and how they could not possibly chase exo's success and crown because they were literally the first group to come out of bighit after bang pd finally got over his separation anxiety with bts. to think that those two group happened when i was in high school is craaaaaaaazy.

[black-lake]

astro observations 8

though most of us think we've learned everything about our own chart, yea we’ve seen it countless times, yet we're always learning new things because we go through experiences that activate and awaken certain parts we either forgot about or overlooked. I shared many of my personal experiences in this post of things I realized later or thought were insignificant.

——

🎻 People with capricorn placements tend to be remembered fondly after their death. The type of artists that listening to their music takes you to a different era and makes you feel nostalgic to a time period you never existed in. They also can easily bring old trends, styles or music genres back to life. Signs that are also remembered after death are aquarius and pisces. I always notice it with those last three signs or degrees of these signs.

🎻 It is said that the moon matures at 24°, so I got a degree observation with that. If you have it at 24° or close to it, 23° or 22°, you may feel like you've experienced the full spectrum of emotions and matured so much in your early 20s. In your childhood and teenage years, you may remember dealing with emotions immaturely, possibly acting out with the negative traits of the moon sign. At 24, you feel more aware and in control of your emotions, like you ended a cycle. Your emotional intelligence becomes evident. The emotional world of these natives is almost entirely internal. They do best when they can deal with their emotions in solitude. They're seen as detached no matter how open they get. They keep people guessing what they're feeling and they tend to have a wise aura.

🎻 With moon at degrees from 25° to 29°, natives may feel like they need to share their emotions with either someone close or the world in general, or even through a hobby they have. They may want to be vocal and expressive about how they feel. They tend to be relatable and make others feel heard through just expressing themselves and being open. They may also experience some heartbreaks, making them stronger, braver and and more willing to share how they feel. 

🎻 Moon at degrees from 0° to 21° tend to resonate very much with the sign of their moon degree. They might even be mistaken as having their moon in the the sign of that degree. They're seen as energetic and youthful. They often go through trials and errors in testing their emotional depth. They may have been adventurous growing up, experimenting with things and testing where they feel safest and most secure. They may cling into things, and can be codependent on others. They learn how to develop a sense of detachment as they reach their 20s.

^ if you have your moon at 0° to 21°, which I'm least familiar with cuz I don't meet many ppl with these degrees, please do tell me how it resonates with you and your experience with your moon.

🎻 I noticed that most iconic artists have significant uranus or neptune aspects in their chart, conjunction and oppositions with personal planets in particular. I associate these two planets with artistic abilities and talents. Both give visionary minds and expand the imagination. They are outer and generational planets, so whatever art these ppl create is impactful and undeniably timeless. 

🎻 Your first love or just the person you first felt really intimately connected to may have placements or degrees of the sign of your 8th house. I have an 8th house in capricorn and my first love had a cap sun and stellium and an aqua stellium. 

🎻 In my experience the 8th house is more important in relationships than the 7th. To me the 7th is about connections in general. Even though I have sag in the 7th and pluto right there, I obvs anticipated a significant relationship with a sag or something but it never happened lol. I end up having a casual and lighthearted connection with them, the traits they embody compliments my rising and it's an easy going connection that stays in the friend zone. Not with cap men, even if I want to be friends with them, there's tension that either drifts us apart fearing the friendship or it instantly develops to an intense relationship. It's because my 8th house is in capricorn, and my pluto and mars are both at 10°. So check the degrees too.

🎻 For the longest time I resonated with being way more plutonian than saturnian, because I don't have any capricorn placements or significant saturn aspects, but so many obvious plutonian aspects. But once saturn hit the highest point in my chart, conjuncting my mc, I realized how much this planet affected my life all along and I was oblivious. For instance, I have so many capricorn degrees and sun in the 10th. I was overlooking that I have capricorn in the 8th and 9th, which means saturn rules both houses, and it rules the 10th too since it's in aquarius plus at 22°. I also have a stellium in the 11th with saturn right at the cusp there, so it even influences the the house that is most active in my chart. Can't wait for saturn 11th transit 💀

🎻 Speaking of that, if you have sun in the 10th house, you probably try hard not to look or sound arrogant because people tend to think you're confident even if you're not. Whenever you speak people listen and others may hate on you for thinking you're better than them and you don't even know them lol. It's so hard to make friends with this but I don't hate it, because it gives me the strategic ways to be persuasive and get my way with authority figures. May apply to leo in the 10th or people with cap/leo mix (I bet y'all were called arrogant at least once lol).

🎻 As someone that is very influenced by pluto (square sun, trine venus, semi-sextile mars, conjunct chiron, opposite ascendant, quintile mc), I painfully understand how plutonians feel like their struggles are never rewarded, at least not the reward they anticipated. Yknow with saturn you go through hardship you learn this and that and you get tangible fucking results that you can fucking see. With pluto what is it again? your inner strength and eventual realization of "ta-daaa you went through it, you thought you couldn’t.. that's the reward". Plutonians out there waiting to be truly happy, truly loved, truly effing rich 💀 and get a damn break. 

🎻 Another aspect I overlooked was mars opposite saturn, just because I have it at 10°, but I experienced every single thing related to this aspect. I feel like I learned so much about it the hard way and I wanted to do a post sharing what I learned with people that got mars-saturn harsh aspects. If you have it, your flow of energy may be a little off, not knowing when to STOP doing a task and when to start again. Being stubborn with your work wanting it to be done instantly and perfectly like your body is some type of machine taking orders, but saturn will put obstacles in your way until you learn patience and contentment. Can be harder to deal with if mars is in a fixed or cardinal sign.

🎻 With mars-saturn harsh aspects, you may feel the urge to act on your martian qualities but if you disregard what saturn is there for, you'll find yourself back at square one. It's about listening to your body and not ignoring your physical and mental exhaustions. Taking short breaks and organizing your time instead of giving up all together in rage. You're not running out of time if you do so, in fact pushing through too hard is what's a waste of time. It's not a wise use of energy because your work won't be as efficient and your perfectionist ass will redo it. If there's an absence of a healthy work-life balance, these natives can internalize a tremendous amount of anger that can be detrimental to their health. 

🎻 I always laugh at capricorns saying that capricorn is a cursed sign because it's so true but also absolutely untrue at the same time. 💀 These natives need to understand certain life patterns, qualities and duties that once figured out unlocks so much success and tangible results that are long lasting. Cap placements especially sun and stelliums give me the sense that they inherited some of their ancestors qualities, if you believe in that, but they go through some hardships with the patterns that come with these qualities. They have a choice to cut the patterns that don't serve them, whether in behaviors or ways of thinking and utilise what they already have with persistence and strategy. 

🎻 Well it's march already, who's excited for a little pluto break? It's finally leaving capricorn and entering aquarius on the 23rd and I can't wait tbh. It's like a more intense uranus in aquarius transit, yes we will see a new sense of freedom, some drastic changes, and some said authentic people popping up, new sources of income, new values that aren't necessarily money related, systems that aren't as controlling, maybe new communities or apps on the internet that are annoyingly trendy. But with pluto we will see the shadow side of all of that, so buckle up and get ready lol. It's a gradual change tho I don't expect much to happen this year, but we can always be shocked. Also side thought, if your kids are gonna have pluto in aquarius they may be even brattier and harder to control than pluto sag gen. 

[wtfliaa]

⭑･ﾟﾟ･*:༅｡.｡༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿ RANDOM ASTROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS 　✿✼:*ﾟ:༅｡.｡༅:*･ﾟﾟ･⭑

IMO, Aries, Scorpio, Capricorn Rising are so sexually attractive. They are sooo hot, and not just only physically but their aura, and presence is very strong and intense that it makes an individual feel so uneasy In their space. Very magnetic, irresistible people 🥵

Sagittarius and Gemini Mercury natives are extremely blunt with their words they don’t sugarcoat nothing.

Gemini Mars, Venus make you feel so weak in the knees just by hearing the words that come exit out of their mouths. These people can literally make you go crazy and even orgasm just because of how charming and seductive these people can communicate. Very flirtatious and big dirty talkers.

Virgo placements can be very critical, and picky people. My ex best friend is a Virgo Sun and had tendencies to become very judgmental, critical, and even picky. I remember times when she would make fun of people and laugh at them indirectly like it was that funny without knowing the context behind what she is judging 😬 if that makes sense. But some Virgos adapt these qualities but it depends on where it is placed in their chart, so different cases are possible 🤷🏽‍♀️ (I’m a Virgo Mars and I can be very picky when it comes to allowing guys into my life. and even the sexual aspect of it. I am very picky and particular on how I present myself )

No offense but Libra placement’s especially Libra Suns and sometimes Libra Asc, can be huge pick me’s, attention seekers, and even people pleasers, and a handful I’ve noticed likes to speak highly of themselves in a way of bragging about themselves or things in general :/ ( Take this with a grain salt babes we all have negative traits)

Cancer/Scorpio moons = mommy issues. Especially moon 8th house

Venus/ Mercury in the second and third house have very beautiful voices speaking or singing or even both

People loooooveeee to sexualize and slut shame Scorpionic/Lilith women especially Pluto/Lilith first house, tenth house. Pluto- Asc, Lilith-Asc applies.

Taurus/Scorpio placements tend to be quiet and reserved, observant people. But one thing i love about these individuals is that they secretly love drama. If there is drama at the job they would most definitely be secretly invested. These people are the type of people that secretly spill the tea, and you’ll look at them like “how do you know?” But do not drag them into a huge mess because they are very drama free people.

POV: a Taurus/Scorpio people secretly observing the drama and tea 🥸

Aquarius/Gemini rising, Venus, and MC how does it feel to be trendsetter. How does it feel when people copy you guys because of how creative you guys are hm? (Copycat impersonator indicator ‼️)

Leo’s are my icons. Leo’s literally remind me of a cheetah or leopard for some reason maybe because they are so feisty and fiery animals 🐆and these native embodies that type of energy. You guys tend have a feline type of beauty too. Leo’s and Aries women are also Regina George coded 💋 (Asc,Venus,Mars,Sun)

Taurus, Libra, Cancer, Pisces Mercury are the type of people that cuss you out nicely, politely and gracefully 🎀 they even say “fuck off bitch”so elegantly and cute 🤭

⭑･ﾟﾟ･*:༅｡.｡༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿ ⭑･ﾟﾟ･*:༅｡.｡༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿

My very first astrological observations/post I hope this resonated and let me know if u liked it🤍💋

[diorthiya]

ASTRO OBSERVATIONS #6

• the cool thing about weak mercuries (sag and pisces) is that they have unique voices

• the cool thing about weak venuses (aries, scorpio and virgo) is that they���re baddies

• i love moon in 8th house synastry #sorrynotsorry i feel so safe with people that have their planets falling in my 8th house.but i will say that that i’m a scorpio moon so that might have something with it😭😭

• can we talk about how geminis lowkey have a god complex

• i’ve said in a previous post that 10th house neptune natives tend to be iconic but i think it applies to mars as well ex: kylie jenner, beyoncé, mozart, alexa demie, lebron james and so many more. i’ve also noticed that their face and body card never declines. they are so attractive

• sag mars people probably had a cast on their arm at least one time in their life. they get injured easily when playing sports

• sag venuses have big smiles. they literally look like this😭 so cute

• aqua moons and aries moons love makeup

• moon in 2nd house people are always snacking on something and they also love offering snacks

• i have a 6th house moon and cats are always following me in the streets

• cancer venuses do not know how to be alone

• not really an observation but i personally think that progressed chart is the best predictive technique

• having saturn touching your ascendant could indicate not looking like ur ascendant if that makes sense. ex: having saturn conjunct leo ascendant could indicate having thin pin straight hair instead of thick voluminous hair

• sagittarius moons love school and they can memorize stuff quickly

• cancer mercuries are the type to write poetry in their notes app after being heartbroken

(these observations are based on people around me and on the internet . it doesn’t mean that it applies to you and i’m also not a professional astrologer :P pls don’t take this to heart)

[journalofanoldsoul]

Words Of Wisdom (Jupiter Edition)

Jupiter represents knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual growth. Its placement in a chart can indicate a person's natural ability to learn, their willingness to seek out new experiences and ideas, and their ability to integrate different perspectives and worldviews.

Here are some iconic book quotes that I feel represent the energy of someone Jupiter placements (sign or house) in their natal chart.

Jupiter in Aries or 1st House: "It is not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do that is the secret of happiness." - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan. This quote represents the enthusiasm and energy of Jupiter in Aries/1st House, which encourages a sense of self-discovery and taking bold action. It emphasizes that happiness comes from finding joy and fulfillment in one's pursuits rather than simply pursuing pleasure.

Jupiter in Taurus or 2nd House: "The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." - Bertrand Russell, Mysticism and Logic. This quote reflects the practical and grounded nature of Jupiter in Taurus/2nd House, which values stability, material security, and the power of the senses. It encourages a slow and steady approach to expanding one's horizons and appreciating the beauty of the world around us.

Jupiter in Gemini or 3rd House: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice. This quote represents the curiosity and communicative nature of Jupiter in Gemini/3rd House, which is all about gathering information, sharing ideas, and engaging with the world around us. It highlights the power of words and conversation in shaping our perceptions and relationships.

Jupiter in Cancer or 4th House: "Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight." - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. This quote reflects the emotional depth and nurturing nature of Jupiter in Cancer/4th House, which is all about finding a sense of belonging and security in our homes, families, and traditions. It emphasizes the importance of finding our own path in life and the power of imagination to guide us on our journey.

Jupiter in Leo or 5th House: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts." - William Shakespeare, As You Like It. This quote represents the creative and theatrical nature of Jupiter in Leo/5th House, which encourages us to express ourselves boldly and authentically. It highlights the power of play, drama, and self-expression in shaping our identities and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Jupiter in Virgo or 6th House: "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." - Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love. This quote reflects the analytical and service-oriented nature of Jupiter in Virgo/6th House, which is all about finding practical solutions to problems and improving the world around us through diligent effort. It emphasizes the power of empathy, compassion, and collaboration in achieving our goals and making a difference in the world.

Jupiter in Libra or 7th House: "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This quote represents the social and diplomatic nature of Jupiter in Libra/7th House, which values harmony, justice, and balance in our relationships and interactions with others. It emphasizes the importance of taking action and finding a healthy balance between our ideals and the realities of our lives.

Jupiter in Scorpio or 8th House: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom. This quote reflects the transformative and intense nature of Jupiter in Scorpio/8th House, which is all about confronting our fears, embracing change, and gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. It emphasizes the power of resilience, determination, and the willingness to learn from our mistakes in achieving personal growth and success.

Jupiter in Sagittarius or 9th House: "Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. This quote represents the adventurous and expansive nature of Jupiter in Sagittarius/9th House, which values freedom, exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. It encourages us to embrace the unknown, take risks, and follow our dreams, trusting that the journey itself will lead us to new discoveries and experiences.

Jupiter in Capricorn or 10th House: "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." - Confucius, The Analects. This quote reflects the disciplined and ambitious nature of Jupiter in Capricorn/10th House, which is all about achieving success and recognition through hard work, perseverance, and strategic planning. It emphasizes the importance of patience, determination, and the willingness to overcome obstacles and setbacks in achieving our goals.

Jupiter in Aquarius or 11th House: "Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi. This quote represents the progressive and innovative nature of Jupiter in Aquarius/11th House, which values individuality, freedom, and the power of collective action to create positive change in the world. It encourages us to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and work together to make the world a better place.

Jupiter in Pisces or 12th House: "I have been bent and broken, but I hope, into a better shape." - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations. This quote reflects the compassionate and spiritual nature of Jupiter in Pisces/12th House, which values empathy, intuition, and the power of imagination to transcend boundaries and connect us to the divine. It emphasizes the importance of embracing our vulnerabilities and flaws, trusting in the power of redemption and renewal to guide us towards a brighter future.

Stay tune for more astro posts…

xoxo J.

[omghallucinations]

ateez cancer moon squad: the moon... has so much power...

k so we know that ateez has a hilarious gemini moon/cancer moon* split, and we've observed the various ways the gemini moons channel their personal chaos brains so now let's get into our cancer moons: seonghwa, wooyoung, mingi, and yeosang. the moon is at home in cancer, so she is. powerful. the moon/mother archetype is not just nurture happy nurture she is also murder angry murder, don't forget!!

*(and jongho, whose moon is either aries or pisces with about an 80:20 likelihood for aries based on his birth date and like... his personality)

cancer moon: feelings are the soup from whence i came :) luke i am ur mother :) i am both a magnificent vessel of compassion who truly understands the cycles of life and the divinity of the moon but also i am a tyrant who can and will do terrible manipulation bc i had a feeling about something and had to survive somehow probably by screaming and screaming and screaming :) negative attention is attention :) if a feeling falls in the woods and no one validates my emotions do i EVEN EXIST????

seonghwa: i am completely ruled by my emotions and subconscious search for security but i pretend i do not see it

wooyoung: sure have a lot of generational curses :) anyway bye :)

yeosang: none of your business (cutely)

mingi: i am completely ruled by my emotions and subconscious search for security and i'm going to make it your problem

cancer moon squad: wow these guys could really radiate 'lunar' as in 'killer werewolf' or 'lunar' as in 'majestic icon of bountiful love illuminating the darkness' looks like gemini moon doesn't have a monopoly on duality!!!

ok listen. seonghwa and wooyoung's moons are crazy. their sections are really long. can't believe i am saying this, but in this area at least mingi and yeosang are normal. kind of.

seonghwa

right off the bat it's clear why seonghwa and wooyoung project cancer moon energy more than mingi or yeosang usually do--wooyoung's moon is up by his mc, and seonghwa is a cancer rising. everything in seonghwa's life is really herded and driven by that moon in cancer energy and his need for emotional security.

cancer moon: i feel safe and happy when i care for others! i need to nurture and to be nurtured :) i can sense unhappiness in ur microexpressions!! let me make u soup :) wait why didn't you make me soup?? >:( i felt the need for soup loudly in your direction why didn't you pick up the hints?? talk about my emotions i shouldn't have to do that it's very clear from my face! and incredible ability to radiate vibes so powerful they fog up the entire building! u don't love me. omg. wait ur yelling at me, u do love me! in the moon decan: extra that :) extra all of that :) crescent moon: u could be anything :) for better or worse :) ur youthful and also kind of tied to the past and ur gonna have to deal with that, but damn girl ur potential!! in the 12th house: my ultra-sensitivity means i can really pick up vibes...omg i'm drowning in the emotions of the world.. ... i need to express them artistically and then be by myself for 5 hours or i am literally gonna ghost everyone and join a monastery i swear to god quincunx neptune: i just do so much sacrifice... all the time... that no one is asking me to do, and yet, in the 7th house: i have no choice but to do this self-sacrifice, because I Think of The Group First, so, again, i don't have to communicate about it or ask if i should, it is obvious, that i must, for the group in aquarius: and it's because of my Higher Understanding and Intelligence About Humanity, don't question me, i know what i'm talking about, again i'm doing this for humanitarian reasons,, that again i do not have to communicate about,

trine south node: my nurturing and empathetic and somewhat self-sacrificing nature can both drag me back into my primordial soup and yet is also the key to my soul learning its lessons???? in the 8th house: union with others is the way to know urself :) subverting my own personal power through relationships to other powerful people or through manipulation worked awesome (??) in my past lives (????) so, in pisces: also, delulu is the solulu!! when in doubt, subsume the self in whatever escapism is convenient :)

seonghwa is truly so wild because so many of his planets are basically unaspected. you can see what happens (1-->2) when i tighten the orbs a little bit and then, with more generous orbs but no minor aspects visible (2-->3).

SO depending on your view, we have an unaspected moon, a yod with neptune and pluto, or a duet with neptune. so. that's fun! they always work together and they do not have to abide by the laws of any country they have diplomatic immunity and they honestly should be arrested they're doing too much! however seonghwa, as the government, can't even see them! is this metaphor getting too convoluted? buds i'm mercury ruled and you can fucking tell, if you didn't like this narrative style i assume you would not have gotten this far in this thing. i am really trying to keep my thoughts in order here but there are so many variables. but let's keep going!! fighting!!

here are the main interpretations:

his moon is unaspected -- the moon is like "baby i'm not even here i'm an illusion" and seonghwa is like yes, true, very true, again i'm very even-keeled and do not have intense emotions at all. meanwhile, everyone around seonghwa is like, uh... the moon is... very obvious? the emperor has no clothes??? you have so many feelings?

his moon and neptune are in a duet -- emotions and escapism are the same thing. not one feeling is had without neptune's heavy hand. lord the empathy is off the charts but so is the ability to ignore anything inconvenient. delulu is the solulu indeed. also other people can see this very clearly, but seonghwa is like what? me???? i'm so practical and grounded. what are u talking about.

with more generous orbs, we can add pluto to complete a yod. pluto has a lot of aspects and a yod is also. a lot!! an even more intense generational lesson. this one is a little bit of a stretch tbh, but it has yodishness in the vibe, i guess.

well! seonghwa can thank his ancestors, because unaspected planets and yods represent a talent or skill or a potential you have but also something your family has been struggling with for generations (usually by repression or overemphasis) and with you, it's finally time to get some shit done. (i have 3 yods, it's not that bad i feel like it often makes you Majestic and Wise but god it ain't easy)

moon, neptune and pluto in a yod: hey girl... ever spent generations suppressing your emotions and dreams and denying your intense personal power, probably? :) time to sort that out :) 12th, 7th and 5th in a yod: should we subsume our identity in the emotions of others and the suffering of the world? or should we subsume our identity in personal relationships? or should we (and this is crazy, i know) express... our identity... creatively? too bad we will never agree on how to go about doing anything! let's bounce around between extremes!

nobody in this dynamic can do anything without arguing with the other planets.

moon in cancer in the 12th house: safety is found in caring for others and being cared for, but in the 12th house i really believe in caring for the world!! my emotions are porous in a way that may be unhealthy! i need to withdraw into solitude, maybe with an intimate partner! neptune in aquarius in the 7th house: not so fast there buddy. ever considered that real people will never live up to your theoretical imagination of who they could be?? the idea of relationships are cute but actual ones, idk, i agree we should definitely withdraw into solitude tho pluto in sagittarius in the 5th house: ew, withdRAW?? safety??? in solitude?? yuck!! like, dwelling on things, becoming obsessive, that sounds great and sign me up, but how can you possibly express yourself creatively and receive many accolades and awards for said creative self-expression in solitude? i don't think so. use your power! express yourself! the drive for transformation through creative expression is so fucking strong in you buddy. and i brought backup! i have like. so many other aspects.

seonghwa i'm so sorry bro you have a lot of shit to unearth and an eternal searching feeling you will have to learn to live with and enjoy! but ur talents are so many!!

unrelated to his moon journey, his aquarius venus is straight up unaspected. like not even arguably, she is completely unaspected, not even to his ascendant or MC. nothing. no wonder seonghwa has no idea why people see him as a unique beautiful fashion icon (venus) who plays with unconventional, out-of-the-box expression (aquarius) and is high drama and powerful (8th house). he literally cannot see his own gift and talent in this area! he is. so empathetic and observant of other people and yet, about himself, god knows.

and. we're not done. we are not done!!! his aries venus, saturn and mercury (retrograde) are conjunct each other, square the ascendant (more themes of identity and conformity), and that's... it? there a duet for 3. a trio? triplets? is this a thing too? i've read three entire books about unaspected planets and it has not come up, just duets, and yet i feel like... i feel like it's pretty much the same thing as a duet but with three so... lord. i gotta move on or i'll spend all day on seonghwa. wild i am telling u. wild.

wooyoung

haha. speaking of generational shit.

we don't know wooyoung's exact time of birth so this is just in the window, but let's run with it. in the time given not that much would shift.

cancer moon: i feel safe and happy when i care for others! i need to nurture and to be nurtured :) i can sense unhappiness in ur microexpressions!! let me make u soup :) wait why didn't you make me soup?? >:( i felt the need for soup loudly in your direction why didn't you pick up the hints?? talk about my emotions i shouldn't have to do that it's very clear from my face! and incredible ability to radiate vibes so powerful they fog up the entire building! omg u don't love me. omg. omg ur yelling at me, u do love me! in the moon decan: extra that :) extra all of that :) in the 10th house: also, i need public attention for my achievements to feel safe! gotta make myself vulnerable on national television! my water moon in the 10th means i gotta get creative and artistic and express emotional truth. also i am a little too attached to societal norms for my own good :/ i've really internalized some stuff emotionally... .. . haha? widely conjunct MC: success and praise = safety. same thing. job is life. i love to nurture (cancer) people i work with (MC, 10th house) and make people feel loved! cancer moon in the 10th conjunct MC: i am intensely sensitive to the minute disapproval of others because that signifies a lack of safety :) quincunx the sun in sagittarius in the 3rd house in the jupiter decan: one prob here bud--ego expression should be done by getting the hell out of here??? and never taking anything seriously for one second??? how do you not know this by now?? chat chat chat but keep it cute and be the first to leave, sound familiar??? also, your career? society? gross. i have ideological concerns. also i'm going to make ur personality larger than life ;) u ready :)

his MC (public identity) is in a yod with his sun (identity) in sagittarius (gotta be ME) in the 3rd house (let's TALK about it i am curious about trying out different things!) and neptune (dreams, illusions, creativity) in aquarius (no. seriously. gotta be me) in the 4th house (uh... have u ever considered ur idyllic dreams of ur perfect childhood might not be... 100%... accurate? lol?) conjunct mars (action, will) in capricorn (no wait i love being #normal i was joking before) in the 4th house (no... seriously... about your childhood memories... let's rethink some of that....... ... were u ever, perhaps, experiencing misguided aggression. .. towards u???? at any point?? ha ha???!).

all of this is pretty interwoven with his moon's aspects, so we'll see some of the same themes repeat.

moon in cancer in the 10th: yeah so like i was saying, expressing emotion publicly to many people is awesome and wholesome and makes me feel great-- square libra ascendant: definitely, love that, like it's great to make everyone like you, totally agree, however, about those darker emotions, idk if that's the vibe necessarily-- venus in the first house in the uranus decan: vibe? dude i love vibes. playing by the rules is silly i don't do that because i'm fun :) and cool :) don't you like me??? you like me right??? i feel alienated somehow even though u like me... .. idk venus conjunct astraea, who is an asteroid and not a super mega one but we'll still talk about it: better cling to past behaviors even if they aren't healthy :) too bad u have a complete inability to see urself the way others see u :) almost like ur always desperately striving for love u already have?? quincunx pluto: knock knock, transformation desire for big changes and unconscious soul safety needs here, i'm gonna play a real big role in ur life! every time you find safety through public approval and your job i'm gonna just wiggle in there and be like, is this enough? and it won't be :) because of me :) in sagittarius: also what you've described doesn't sound like finding security through independent thought and/or running the hell away... which it should, imo, time to go! in the 3rd house: no seriously ever heard of seeking security through gathering information? i wanna talk to everyone and experience everything. that's security! duh! emotions are weird! moon exactly quincunx chiron in sagittarius in the 3rd house: knock knock it's me, childhood trauma!! i'm reeaeaalllly gonna destabilize your emotional foundation possibly because of being a kid who asked questions and said things people were trying to hide?? or about being an independent thinker unable to suppress ur unique self-expression in a conformist society?? idk!! oopsie! lilith, conjunct chiron and also quincunx the moon: hey i'm mostly here to really amplify chiron! u know those wounds? they are real loud. i'm also here to just add. so much energy and potency. to everything around me! and also unconventional expression. :) just in case you weren't already torn between your irrepressible personality and your safety-seeking need to please everyone by conforming! haha! your pain can really drive you towards darker behavior and escapism!! trine hygeia in scorpio in the 2nd, who is an asteroid and not a super mega one but we'll still talk about it: self-esteem and the body are the same, which is a very healthy and normal thought that will never become a problem, also i'm a little too comfortable with harsh action as a way to achieve "health", anyway, much nicer, i have a natural gift for healing others emotionally :) with my words and presence, but also my body :) just kidding! unless... full moon: i'm just gonna sprinkle in some illumination for u, some culmination of a cycle, some need for higher meaning, some searching, some power, some witchery, some fertility as in creation, incredibly strong Pulls from different directions that you're gonna have to reconcile with each other, enjoy!!!

tbh you could also argue wooyoung has another yod between pluto, the moon and saturn... which would be more generational stuff about power/transformation, emotional expression, and whether to or how to break free from societal conditioning, so we are on theme. boy. no wonder seonghwa is like, that is my baby kitten. struggles!

yeosang

yeosang does have two quincunxes from his moon, but they're a little too far apart to make it a true yod however he still vibes with that energy. interestingly he both has some definite past life stuff and a fresh slate of new incarnation cycle energy. also fun, as an aries rising his houses are paired with their own signs, so they are a little more intense in the sign!

cancer moon: i feel safe and happy when i care for others! i need to nurture and to be nurtured :) i can sense unhappiness in ur microexpressions!! let me make u soup :) wait why didn't you make me soup?? >:( i felt the need for soup loudly in your direction why didn't you pick up the hints?? talk about my emotions i shouldn't have to do that it's very clear from my face! and incredible ability to radiate vibes so powerful they fog up the entire building! omg u don't love me. omg. omg ur yelling at me, u do love me! in the moon decan: extra that :) extra all of that :) new moon: omg a whole new incarnation cycle!! so fun!! so fresh!!! plan nothing!! enjoy spontaneity! it's time to explore the world and discover who i am!!! this is so exciting!!! in the 4th house: i need. a stable home. to feel secure!!! god! i've learned to roll with instability throughout the many changes in my life but it is annoying as hell conjunct IC: do NOT look at my feelings i do NOT have them and if i DO they'd be none of ur business! in cancer: my shell will protect me, get out! opposite mc: family and home are real important to my expression of self in the world and how i feel i fit in the fabric of the universe. hey have you ever tried in capricorn: repressing all of your emotions? :) to succeed and find your place in the world?? ruler of the mc saturn in taurus in the 2nd: feel like that subconscious fear of poverty and deprivation could really help you with all that repression, huh, maybe you should work so hard every day all day :) suffering is normal :) square ascendant: hey i'm also here to complicate ur journey for safety and security! your life path and identity is gonna force you to integrate your emotional self and security needs with your overall purpose and that's not gonna be super comfortable for you, sorry buddy!! although i also bless you with an intense intuition and ability to read people, so, you're welcome for the penetrating eyes in aries: welcome to a whole new soul cycle! i'm excited! i'm here! i'm ready to vibe! let's go! ruler of the ascendant mars in libra in the 7th house: mmm... not so fast there... let's not make decisions all at once... or ever? or ever! or if you want to, like, that's fine with me. i can roll with whatever hahaha honestly it's up to you... . idk i don't want to make a decision ok?? mars in the mercury libra decan: i fear... intimacy... why can't we just keep it cute :( keep it chill :( moon quincunx pluto: knock knock, transformation desire for big changes and unconscious soul safety needs here, i'm gonna play a real big role in ur life! in the 9th house in sagittarius: being safe at home is not enough. you gotta develop a personal philosophy, a wider place in the world, a bigger frame to see the world... honestly you should probably run away from people and maybe society so that you can properly protect yourself... quincunx lilith in the 9th: you are so right society does suck and you should feel an innate desire to rebel that is categorically at odds with your cancer moon's desire to stay out of it and your capricorn mc's desire to fit in perfectly with the structures of society..... wow wouldn't it suck if your intense magnetism in your creative and social life (lilith trine venus in leo in the 5th house) naturally drew you to notice the structures of society and the individual... and idk, just spitballing here, what if everyone fell in love with you, idk... moon in cancer: (inside crab shell) anyway

god it is so nice to see someone who is not caught up in a deeply complex generational karmic struggle right now, only the normal generational karmic struggle! i have been writing this thing for hours. yeosang is so brand new! aries rising, new cycle; natal new moon, new cycle. cute. altho, again, lots of personal soul past life stuff he's just on a new journey now and also not tapped in as much to his own family's psychological neuroses.

mingi

we really don't know mingi's birth time at alljk, we do!!! i'm gonna go further into mingi's chart in a future write up but this is the moon.

moon in cancer: i feel safe and happy when i care for others! i need to nurture and to be nurtured :) i can sense unhappiness in ur microexpressions!! let me make u soup :) wait why didn't you make me soup?? >:( i felt the need for soup loudly in your direction why didn't you pick up the hints?? talk about my emotions i shouldn't have to do that it's very clear from my face! and incredible ability to radiate vibes so powerful they fog up the entire building! omg u don't love me. omg. omg ur yelling at me, u do love me! in the pluto decan: but make it sexy. make it passion. make it fuck you a little bit i'll fuck u up. crab got claws balsamic dark moon: here is some karma for u, hey but with karma comes wisdom!!!, you felt different from other people when you were a kid probably not in a good way and you're gonna have to work thru some stuff for closure!! in the 7th house: i need to be in a relationship like yesterday. right now bro. i'm not kidding bro. i am willing to compromise whatever u want ok i swear, i can make it work, just, semisquare venus in virgo in the 8th: yes i crave deep transformative union with another, and the minute i feel this relationship isn't going well i will torpedo my entire emotional health in one second :) trine mars: man fuck that, energy! style! ability to assert yourself! you've got it all! also your emotions feed into your temper and vice versa so maybe be careful there in scorpio: how do u say... depression? constant need to bury urself in the depths of Truth? idk maybe people are lying?? double check. don't trust anyone!! in the 11th house: yeah better be in charge of everyone because that way you know you will accomplish your dreams!! all or nothing bro! make everyone see it your way!! moon in the 7th house: wait but i... trust... everyone?? bro? sextile saturn: no listen. train try hard, then society approves of you, repeat, and when you work hard everyone loves you including authority figures!! you can finally accomplish a societal ideal of masculinity, look how tall you are right??? just hide several pretty important things about yourself! don't worry about it! think about all the success! in taurus: but do it in a chill way, man. like ultimately... we all die. so maybe let's just work in the here-and-now and acquire some soft items and delicious food, that is also success, in the 5th house: that restrictive childhood was not a vibe, but it sure taught me a lot! for example i love scheduling and policing my own creativity and fun and then punishing myself when i don't live up to my own insane standards :) quincunx uranus: i agree with mars and disagree with saturn, just make a bunch of choices and commit to them without thinking at all lol also authority figures are dumb don't trust them in aquarius: hey also, ever wonder if no one understands you quincunx uranus: mmm.. .very good point.... no one does understand me... in the 2nd house: which is awesome. being different is cool. although uh. maybe don't check your bank account. haha. sextile vesta and hygeia in virgo in the 9th, again asteroids and not one of the huge biggie ones but still gonna touch on it: ever got anxiety from ur own perfectionism and harsh life philosophy so hard ur body stopped working? haha. just wondering. i mean u could also find emotional health and healing through good work habits and a commitment to a healthy vision of the future but idk quincunx south node in aquarius: the profound loneliness of life... and past lives... haunts me... in the 2nd house: man having my past lives spent so much time in survival mode sure didn't give them a ton of space for transforming themselves and dealing with their own issues and themes! bummer. good luck to whoever does have to deal with all this mess lol glad that's not me!! north node in the 8th house: :) south node in the 2nd house: ... it is me isn't it north node in the 8th house: :)

[thewales-family]

Today marks the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II -September 8th 2023.

One year ago (on September 8th 2022), The late Queen died around 3pm at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

There would be too many things to say about this amazing woman but we can all agree that we miss her so much. I would be lying if I would say nothing has changed since her death last year but I feel like there's something different because she is truly missed.

On a more positive note, I remember the incredible Queen she was for The United Kingdom and all the Commonwealth countries around. Everyone loved her and respected her because her dedication and commitment to her duty was remarkable. She almost never made a mistake and served people with pride.

And what a character she was ! Everyone knew she was the Boss and even if her sense of humour was funny, she was also honest and had a very strong character.

It is also impossible to forget her iconic and colourful outfits which always made me a smile because when she wore them, she was like a sunshine and everyone was seeing her no matter whether they were.

Obviously, I wouldn't finish this text without remembering her as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandchildren. Her love for Prince Philip and their strong marriage will always be an example : they were married for 73 years and I think that's because they respected each other a lot and support each other in good but also bad times. She was also a wonderful mum, grandma and great-grandma and I am sure they all have a thought for her today.

May she forever rest in peace.

To her children, her grandchildren and grandchildren and everyone who met her through her life.

Thank you for everything, Your (late) Majesty.

[yuritsukikage]

I’m having a mix of heartfelt sadness and some sense of anger (towards a certain company) right now

I know I’m mainly a Precure fan over here but I started my journey into the Japanese language, anime and manga when I first picked up and rented that Sailor Moon S DVD at a local hobby shop.

As I was watching the Region 1 DVD, I made a decision to try to watch it in another language because the old Pioneer DVD had both English and Japanese. I, a wee little depressed year 9 student was blown away by the voice acting from the Sailor Moon Japanese voice cast that I decided to look them up on the internet and find out the women behind these iconic characters.

What I realised was these women were not only around both my parents’ ages. They were in other anime that I literally grew up in, watching their anime in English. I decided to watch some of my childhood anime in those languages, just to hear how they performed. Spoiler alert: They we’re amazing.

And that’s how I started my journey into pursuing learning the Japanese language all the way to University where I graduated with a degree in that field.

The Sailor Moon Japanese voice cast were like those aunties (yes I am Asian) or older sisters (depending on the region) that you never knew but you connected with them through the anime that you have watched over the years. You watch them grow older seeing their public photos on news sites and social media through the events they attended, as you, yourself grows older.

The fact that we lost one of them in the 8th of September 2024 will be one of the most heartbreaking things to find out for me and a lot of people this year. Coincidently the shock announcement came on the birthday of one of the beloved Sailor Senshi makes it even more tragic.

Emi Shinohara was an fantastic seiyuu/voice actress. She worked in a lot of people’s childhood shows, many of us would have known her for her role as the ever reliable, ever strong Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter in the 90s anime of Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon (90s Sailor Moon for short). Others would have known her for Kaho Mizuki from Cardcaptor Sakura or if you’re old, B-Ko from Project A-Ko. However the majority of people (anime normies) would have mostly known her as the voice of Kushina Uzumaki from the Naruto Shippuden anime.

Her later years in life would really reflect on her roles she would later have with the aforementioned Kushina. A lot of younger seiyuu would have known her in Fafner (I hear that anime a lot on Twitter through some of the seiyuu involved and I know the character designer for Gundam Seed worked on the designs).

Probably the roles that really stood out for me personally asides her roles in Sailor Moon and CCS, would be an obscure 2007 anime called Claymore. That anime was one of those that the unfortunate case of “manga was still ongoing while the anime was airing situation”. However props to the casting staff involved in this anime because they brought in a chunk lot of veteran seiyuu that would get to show off their years of experience into this one single 24 episode anime. Emi Shinohara was no exception to this! She voiced the ax-crazy, hella insane, ultra mega bitch Ophelia and oh boy it was a ride and an experience to listen to her voice from the beginning right to the death of her character. I personally would recommend watching this anime for the voice acting in there, not for the anime itself because of its situation at the time.

Her music prowess was no joke either. Of the original 5 seiyuu of the Sailor Moon cast, she was definitely the most experienced and you can clearly experience it though the Moon Revenge live for a Christmas event that happened 31 years ago. She has released her own albums during the 90s as well and 100% she slayed on every character song that came to her during her active years in the 90s

I really cannot believe that Emi Shinohara has left us. The Sailor Moon community is definitely in mourning right now for this iconic voice actress. Our heart goes to her husband, Tokusatsu actor Hiroshi Watari and their only son who made a heartfelt and saddening message to Shinohara’s own personal Twitter account.

And our hearts also go towards the remaining 4 seiyuu of the original Sailor Moon voice cast, who out of the two who have social media, are currently in a state of devastation and sadness to have lost a fellow cast mate who they have worked and truly bonded together on the 5 years of Sailor Moon’s airtime from 1992-1997.

In particular fellow cast mate Rica Fukami who she considered Emi Shinohara as her twin, having being born on the same year, month and day. To the point they even have their own duo name together back in the 90s as Funky Twins, where they last year held a 3 day fan live together. Who would have thought that this would be the only time they would be together for such a special occasion. Let’s not forget the constant amazing and interesting quote tweets interactions between the two of them since Shinohara started her Twitter account a few years back from the constant birthday congratulations, to recently finding a hidden Sailor Moon treasure while Rica Fukami was in the middle of decluttering. The fact that we will never get this kind of interaction ever again is heartbreaking but it will live on through the past interactions that they have shared together.

I will briefly mention my anger towards Toei for losing this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite the original 5 Sailor Moon voice cast for the 30th anniversary of the franchise. The fact that their last public reunion together was for a DVD commemoration in Akihabara, late 2009 has given me this sense of anger, frustration and sadness inside me that I will never forgive them for. And we will never have an opportunity like this ever again.

With that part out of my head. I will now leave this insanely long message with a single part of a message that Emi Shinohara’s son has written in that post on Twitter, “the name ‘Emi Shinohara’ will continue to live on as long as people remember her voice and the roles that she has portrayed”

Thank you Mrs Emi Shinohara for the past nearly 40 years of service to the anime and voice acting industry. We, the fans, will never forget you and we definitely will look back to the voices and songs that you have given us over the years. Rest in Peace. 🕊️💚

[absolutebl]

BL 2023 - The Tender Face Touch

(from BLs outside of Thailand)

Tokyo in April Is...

A hotly contested category with Tokyo took, but over half of these almost won the category too.

Jun & Jun

I mean come on! ICONIC.

Our Dating Sim

Unintentional Love Story

Why R U?

Love Class 2 (hi J-Min)

My Personal Weatherman

Sing My Crush

Tie the Knot

SWITCHES!

The 8th Sense

Love Class 2

The Director Who Buys Me Dinner (the second lead)

Tie the Knot

Kiseki Dear to Me

My Personal Weatherman

(source)

[kaeyasthighs]

☆ 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙜 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚

☆ 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣

[rosinastrology]

Paris Hilton (analyzing her chart)

——

@rosinastrology

My observations and interpretation of Paris Hilton’s chart —> •Sagittarius Rising: Of course, she wins in the looks department. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter (expansive and abundant). The rising is the outer layer and signifies one’s appearance. The rising tells about one’s physical features. Her Jupiter is in the 10th house (public house) which makes sense she’s known for her looks and style in the public eye. She’s blessed with beautiful features. She has style and a luxurious sense of fashion.

•Neptune: in the 1st house (body, appearance, beginning) - makes things/appearance/persona foggy to others. It can be known as the Marilyn Monroe ASC-Neptune conjunction. People may perceive her as in what they make out of her since her true self is not perceived right away. It can be frustrating and difficult for those with this conjunction. Neptune also represents icons and fame. And Paris is known for being iconic.

•Sun in Aquarius: 2nd house (resources, money, values system, beauty): sliding into the 3rd house (siblings, neighbors, early environment, school). So, early on she grew up in the nicest neighborhoods and went to the best schools. However, since the planet is in Aquarius, ruled by Saturn and Uranus, gives a bit of complications because because she might have been perceived as quirky or “odd” during her early years, especially around other kids or even in her home environment. Very unconventional and unique.

•Venus and Mercury in Aquarius: 2nd house: Values system, mind, and essence are aligned with her futuristic ideas, trend-setting moves, and beauty style. She is a clever woman even if she’s not perceived as intellectual. She truly is! She uses her mind to her advantage and does a great job at it!

•Moon (emotions, nurturing, the mother) in Leo (self-expression, creativity, hobbies): 8th house (taboo, resources, sex): She’s heading into a more grounded place when it comes to her resources, enforcing partnerships, and maternal side. Connecting with her emotions and recognizing the trauma from her past is what she’ll be focusing as she gets older. Even though she is unconventional, she might feel a bit insecure about her own beauty and intellect. She might’ve felt insecure with past partners or in previous relationships, due to Venus opposing the Moon.

•Mars (drive and stamina) in Pisces (hidden, dreams, psychic) need to be careful during sex or who they sleep with. Doesn’t mean it’s the same for everybody with this placement, just a heads up because there can be a risk of viral infections or transmitted diseases. Doesn’t mean Paris has it. Just take into consideration. Mars near Mercury-Sun conjunction makes me think she speaks her mind which could get her in trouble sometimes. There could have been an underlying competitive situation going on with siblings with Mars in the third house.

•Sun in Aquarius: can represent an absent father/lack of father’s presence.

•Moon in 8th house: can represent difficulty with the mother or lack if affection from the mother.

•MC (career) in Libra (relationships and partnerships): makes Paris appear beautiful (which she already is) but the MC makes her elegant, approachable, social butterfly, attractive, and appealing to the public eye, especially with her unconventionality, unique personality, and clever demeanor. However, Saturn (restrictions) in the 10th house conjunction MC can be interpreted as karma around having one’s personal and professional lives exposed in the public’s eyes. It doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a negative thing if it’s beneficial for one’s popularity.

@rosinastrology

[toomuchracket]

bday boy (flatmate!matty)

(hi! day 1 of Birthday Party week, a celebration of our short king turning 34 on the 8th, organised by legend icons @the1975attheirverybest and @brownduck! i don't know if i'll be writing every day, but i thought it might be nice to kick off "your first birthday as a couple - his" with a tiny thing about the love of everyone's life, flatmate!matty. enjoy!)

the sunlight streaming through the thin curtains is what wakes matty up. it's warm on his face, a gentle caress, as if to soften the aching realisation that he's another year older as of today.

that realisation is also softened by you, tucked safely into his chest, still fast asleep. your bare legs are entwined with his, your hair escaping from the loose bun you insist on putting your hair in every night, and your nose twitches adorably as you lightly mewl (he can't think of a more accurate word) in your sleep; matty has never seen a cuter sight in his life than you right now.

he hopes you're dreaming of him, to be as contented as you are. matty's certainly dreamed of you - in the years before you finally got together, it was for sights like the one he's woken up to today. now, his unconscious fantasies are filled with diamond rings, white dresses, you in sundresses with a swollen stomach, toddlers with your sparkling eyes and his wild curls. it's been less than a year since you both braved the transition from friends to lovers, but matty knows that he wants to wake up to you and only you for the rest of his life. well, to you and several children that are half you and half him, feisty little characters with wicked senses of humour and hearts of gold.

you begin to stir in your sleep, limbs shifting and head rolling back as you awaken. matty eases you through it by rubbing small circles into your bare back, which makes your eyes flutter open slowly. the butterflies in his stomach begin to flutter in parallel - god, he loves you so much. you smile sleepily at him, before your eyes widen in alarm and you exclaim. "FUCK! you weren't supposed to be awake first!"

matty's brow furrows in confusion. "and good morning to you too, sweetheart?"

"sorry," your face softens into a sheepish smile that melts matty's heart. "i just... i wanted to be up before you, so i could make breakfast and surprise you with it. happy birthday, baby."

christ. he could cry at how sweet you are, but he just pulls you close and kisses your forehead instead. "fuck, i love you so much."

"so you're not in a mard because i haven't made you pancakes?" you giggle, as matty begins pressing little kisses all over your face, your bare chests pressed together. "i love you too, by the way, even if i did wake up late on your birthday. i swear i have the rest of the day planned out nicely, though - we'll meet your mum for lunch and then see the boys for a drink then go for dinner and i've booked this hotel in town for tonight that i really think you're gonna li-"

"-baby, baby, it's alright," matty interjects, before you talk yourself back into unconsciousness. "just relax, yeah? s'just another day. no point getting yourself all worked up about it."

your shoulders move forward like you're deflating. "but it's not just another day, matty. it's your birthday, and i'm your girlfriend now," you murmur into his chest. "just wanted today to be special for you, and s'all thrown off now."

you sound so sad about the whole thing that matty's heart aches. weirdly, though, it continues to flutter at the inherent tenderness of how much you love him, to want to make his birthday such a lovely day. "darlin', it'll be special anyway," matty says, tilting your chin up so he can look at you properly. "how could it not be? i'm spending it with you, love of my life, girl of my dreams."

"who couldn't even wake up on time to bring you surprise pancakes in bed," you mutter petulantly, looking away from your boyfriend.

matty's undeterred by your annoyance, though; he begins to press kisses down your face and jaw and onto your neck, long, sensual kisses that involve swipes of his tongue across the spot he knows makes you go loopy. when you begin to moan, despite yourself, matty gently rolls you onto your back and continues to kiss down your body, your moans continuing as background music to his actions, stopping when he reaches the tops of your thighs. "i can think of something i'd much prefer to eat for my birthday breakfast than pancakes. can i, angel?"

smiling, you open your legs, and let matty settle himself between them happily. after all, who are you to deny the birthday boy what he wants?

[songbirdseung]

prada / en- all members

you as the 8th member / different scenario per member

Heeseung

The Prada fashion show after party in Milan was a glamorous affair, with celebrities, fashion icons, and music sensations from around the world gathered under the glittering lights of an upscale venue. ENHYPEN had been invited to the exclusive event, a testament to their growing global popularity.

As the night progressed, Heeseung and Y/N found themselves at the bar, sipping on cocktails and engaging in lively conversations. The music thumped in the background, and the party was in full swing. Heeseung's charming smile and Y/N's radiant presence drew attention from fellow partygoers, and they soon found themselves in a circle of new acquaintances.

The drinks flowed freely, and the atmosphere grew more relaxed. Heeseung and Y/N continued to enjoy themselves, their laughter filling the air as they shared stories and jokes with their newfound friends. The alcohol began to take its toll, and their cheeks flushed with the telltale signs of the 'Asian flush.'

Amidst the laughter and the lively chatter, Heeseung leaned in closer to Y/N, his voice slightly slurred. "You know," he said with a mischievous grin, "I think the fashion world might not be ready for us."

Y/N giggled in response, her own words carrying a playful edge. "I agree, Heeseung. We'd steal the spotlight wherever we go!"

Their banter continued, becoming more animated as the night wore on. It wasn't long before their playful antics caught the eye of those around them. Cameras and smartphones were discreetly pointed in their direction, capturing the candid moments of Heeseung and Y/N's tipsy camaraderie.

As the party began to wind down, Heeseung and Y/N decided it was time to make their exit. They linked arms and stumbled out of the venue, still giggling like mischievous schoolchildren. The cool Milan air hit them, and they both gasped, sobering up slightly as they tried to navigate their way back to their hotel.

Despite their attempts to keep a low profile, the fans who had attended the fashion show recognized the pair. Social media was abuzz with cute and funny posts of Heeseung and Y/N, their flushed faces and laughter captured in the videos that fans had taken discreetly.

One fan posted a video with the caption, "Heeseung and Y/N bringing the party vibes to Milan! 🎉💃🍹 #AsianFlushGoals." Another fan tweeted, "Heeseung and Y/N leaving the Prada party like they just won the night! 😂🥂 #MilanAdventures."

Heeseung and Y/N were oblivious to the online buzz they were creating as they navigated the streets of Milan, their faces still flushed with merriment. They knew that they had just shared a memorable and fun-filled night, and the laughter they had shared under the Milanese moonlight would be a cherished memory for years to come.

Jay

Milan's iconic Prada store was abuzz with excitement as ENHYPEN, the global K-pop sensation, graced the city as ambassadors for the renowned fashion brand. Fans from all over the world had gathered outside the store, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite idols and show their support.

Jay and Y/N, both known for their impeccable fashion sense, were especially excited about their visit. They were dressed in stylish Prada ensembles that turned heads as they made their way to the store entrance. The fans, respectful of their boundaries, kept a safe distance while keeping their cameras ready to capture every moment.

As Jay and Y/N approached the entrance, Y/N couldn't help but smile at the dedicated fans who had come to see them. She waved and greeted them warmly, "Hello, everyone! Thank you for coming to see us. We're so happy to be here in Milan with Prada!"

The fans cheered and snapped photos, their excitement palpable. Y/N's graciousness endeared her even more to the crowd. Jay, standing beside her, also acknowledged the fans with a friendly nod and a wave.

Once inside the Prada store, the fans continued to observe from a distance, respecting the privacy of the idols as they explored the latest collections. Jay and Y/N moved through the racks of designer clothing, their laughter and animated discussions filling the air.

The fans couldn't help but notice how close Jay and Y/N seemed to be. They shopped together with an easy familiarity, exchanging opinions on fashion pieces and playfully teasing each other about their choices. Jay's arm was draped casually over Y/N's shoulder as they browsed, creating an affectionate and stylish image.

Eager to share their admiration for the idols, the fans discreetly took videos and photos, capturing moments of Jay and Y/N's shopping adventure. They were impressed not only by the idols' fashion sense but also by their genuine friendship and camaraderie.

One fan posted a video on social media with the caption, "Jay and Y/N taking over Prada like the fashion icons they are! 💫✨ #PradaAmbassadors #MilanFashion." Another fan shared a photo of the pair trying on sunglasses, writing, "Jay and Y/N looking effortlessly cool and adorable at the same time. We stan this fashionable ship! 💖🕶️ #ENHYPEN."

Jake

The Prada fashion show red carpet was a dazzling affair, with camera flashes illuminating the night as celebrities and fashion icons from around the world made their grand entrance. ENHYPEN, the global K-pop sensation, was no exception.

As the members of ENHYPEN made their way down the red carpet, the cameras clicked incessantly, capturing their stylish ensembles and charismatic presence. Y/N, a multi-talented member of the group and known for her stunning beauty, was particularly radiant that evening. Her elegant Prada outfit highlighted her grace and sophistication.

Amidst the commotion, Y/N was briefly separated from the group and was directed by the photographers to pose for solo shots. The fans, who were present to support ENHYPEN, couldn't help but notice Jake's admiring gaze as he watched Y/N from a distance.

Jake had always been close to Y/N, and their friendship was a special bond within the group. He admired not only her beauty but also her talent and warm personality. As Y/N posed for the solo shots, Jake couldn't hide his smile and the look of genuine admiration in his eyes.

Eagle-eyed fans in the crowd noticed Jake's reactions, and their hearts melted at the sight of his affectionate gaze. They quickly captured the moments on their smartphones and began sharing them on social media. Posts with captions like "Jake's heart eyes for Y/N on the red carpet!" and "Jake, are you in love?" started flooding Twitter and Instagram.

As Y/N rejoined the group after her solo shots, ENHYPEN stood together for group photos. The fans, who had been eagerly waiting for this moment, started chanting the names of their favorite members. Amid the chants, some fans began shouting for Jake to stand next to Y/N.

"Jake and Y/N! Jake and Y/N!" they cheered, their voices ringing through the night air.

The photographers, sensing the fans' enthusiasm, decided to honor their request. Jake, with a sheepish but happy grin, moved closer to Y/N, and they stood side by side for the group photos. The fans erupted in cheers and applause, capturing the heartwarming moment on their cameras.

Sunghoon

The anticipation in the air was palpable as ENHYPEN took their seats in the front row of the Prada fashion show. Sunghoon, in particular, was unusually fidgety as he eagerly waited for the show to begin.

As the lights dimmed and the music started, the models began strutting down the runway in Prada's stunning creations. But Sunghoon's attention was elsewhere. He couldn't help but steal glances at Y/N, who was seated beside him. Her grace and beauty had always captivated him, and tonight, she looked more breathtaking than ever.

Throughout the moments leading up to the show, Sunghoon couldn't resist the urge to subtly nudge Y/N, asking her to sit next to him. He tried to be discreet about it, but the other members weren't fooled. They exchanged knowing looks and amused smirks as Sunghoon persisted.

Jake leaned over and whispered teasingly to Sunghoon, "Sunghoon, you've got a crush on Y/N, don't you?"

Sunghoon's eyes widened, and he blushed furiously. He stammered, "N-No, I don't! I just… wanted to talk to her about the show, that's all."

Sunoo, who was sitting on Y/N's other side, chimed in with a playful grin. "Oh, Sunghoon, don't be shy. It's okay to have a crush."

The members' teasing continued, with Ni-Ki and Jungwon joining in on the fun. They whispered conspiratorially, pretending to be discreet but knowing full well that their antics were drawing attention.

Meanwhile, Prada's official accounts and HYBE's social media team were busy capturing moments from the front row. They posted a video of the members in their stylish Prada outfits, but the video had no sound. The fans, however, were quick to notice something interesting – they could read the members' lips.

Fans started sharing clips of the video with subtitles, revealing Sunghoon's playful attempts to get Y/N to sit closer. The captions read, "Sunghoon wants Y/N by his side, and we're here for it!" and "The not-so-secret crush is real!"

As the Prada fashion show continued, fans couldn't help but celebrate the endearing interactions between Sunghoon and Y/N. Their playful banter and Sunghoon's subtle attempts to get closer to his crush added an extra layer of excitement to the event.

Sunoo

The fans had gathered in droves, eagerly waiting for a glimpse of their favorite idols and the chance to capture the perfect shot on their cameras and smartphones.

Y/N, known for her stunning beauty and charisma, was a particular magnet for attention. As she gracefully posed for photos and interviews, the fans couldn't get enough. Cameras flashed relentlessly, and the sound of excited cheers filled the air.

Sunoo, always quick to notice the fans' reactions, couldn't resist the opportunity for some playful teasing. He decided to have a little fun and block the fans' view of Y/N.

With a mischievous grin, Sunoo stepped forward, extending his arms as if to shield Y/N from the cameras and fans. He playfully declared, "Y/N is mine, everyone! Back off!"

The fans, caught off guard by Sunoo's unexpected declaration, burst into laughter. Sunoo's confident and playful attitude had taken them by surprise, and they couldn't help but find it endearing.

Y/N, standing beside Sunoo, chuckled at his antics. She leaned in and whispered, "You're such a charmer, Sunoo."

Sunoo winked at her and replied, "Just doing my duty, Y/N."

The fans, who had managed to capture Sunoo's playful moment on camera, quickly shared the videos and photos on social media. Their captions ranged from "Sunoo the Protector" to "Sunoo's declaration of love for Y/N." It was all in good fun, and the fans appreciated the light-heartedness of the moment.

As the red carpet event continued, Sunoo couldn't help but bask in the laughter and positivity his playful teasing had generated.

Jungwon

The luxurious hotel room was a whirlwind of activity as ENHYPEN prepared for their attendance at the Prada fashion show, where they were invited as ambassadors. Stylists, makeup artists, and hairdressers bustled about, ensuring the members looked their absolute best for the prestigious event.

Y/N, seated in front of a well-lit makeup mirror, was in the midst of her transformation. The makeup artist carefully applied makeup, enhancing her natural beauty, while the hairstylist worked on her hair, creating an elegant yet effortless look.

Jungwon, who was sitting nearby, couldn't help but watch in awe as Y/N underwent her makeover. He leaned closer, whispering compliments to her. "Wow, Y/N, you look stunning. Prada should consider making you their new muse."

Y/N blushed at the praise, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, Jungwon. You're too kind."

The other members, who were also getting ready in the room, couldn't help but notice Jungwon's admiration for Y/N. They exchanged playful glances and knowing smiles, deciding to join in on the fun.

Sunghoon, with a teasing grin, pretended to gasp dramatically. "Jungwon, are you sure you're not secretly in love with Y/N?"

Jake chimed in, "Yeah, Jungwon, you're looking at her like she's the most beautiful person in the world."

Jungwon's face turned several shades of red as he stammered, "N-No, it's not like that! I'm just appreciating her beauty as a fellow member."

Jay added with a sly wink, "Well, Jungwon, I've heard that sometimes friendships can turn into something more."

Y/N, who had been blushing throughout the playful banter, couldn't help but giggle at the members' antics. She looked at Jungwon and said, "Don't worry, Jungwon. I appreciate the compliments, and I'm just glad to have such wonderful friends."

Ni-ki

The Prada fashion show had been an incredible experience, and the members of ENHYPEN had watched the event from the front row with awe. The stunning designs, the elegant models, and the electrifying atmosphere had left them all deeply impressed.

As the show concluded, the members joined the other celebrities and fashion designers in taking pictures and engaging in short, friendly conversations. Ni-Ki and Y/N, in particular, drew attention from the fashion industry luminaries.

One renowned fashion designer approached them, a smile on his face. "You two have such a striking presence," he said. "Have you ever considered modeling? You would be perfect for the runway."

Y/N blushed at the compliment, and Ni-Ki, ever humble, replied, "Thank you so much. We're musicians, but we appreciate the compliment."

As they continued mingling, more celebrities and designers echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Ni-Ki and Y/N should explore modeling opportunities in the future. The members of ENHYPEN couldn't help but feel proud of their fellow members' effortless charm and style.

Back in their hotel room, the rest of the members couldn't resist poking fun at Ni-Ki and Y/N. Sunghoon raised an eyebrow with a mischievous grin. "So, Ni-Ki and Y/N, should we start calling you 'models' now?"

Jake joined in with a playful laugh. "Yeah, I can see it now. 'ENHYPEN: K-pop idols turned fashion icons.'"

Jay added, "I guess we'll have to hire personal stylists and photographers for them."

Ni-Ki and Y/N exchanged amused glances before breaking into laughter. Y/N playfully retorted, "Well, if we ever become models, we'll expect all of you to be our biggest fans!"

Jungwon chimed in with a teasing tone, "We'll be at all your fashion shows, front row, of course!"

[dustedmagazine]

Listening Post: Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon has long been one of rock’s female icons, one of a tiny handful of women to get much play in Michael Azzerad’s underground-defining Our Band Could Be Your Life and a mainstay in the noise-rock monolith Sonic Youth. It’s hard to imagine that quintessential dude rock band without Gordon in front, dwarfed by her bass or spitting tranced out, pissed off verses over the storm of feedback.

Yet Gordon’s trajectory has been, if anything, even more fascinating since Sonic Youth’s demise in 2011. A visual artist first — she studied art at the Otis College of Art and Design before joining the band — she continues to paint and sculpt and create. She’s had solo art shows at established galleries in London and New York, most recently at the 303 Gallery in New York City. A veteran of indie films including Gus van Zant’s Last Days and Todd Haynes I’m Not There, she has also continued to act sporadically, appearing in the HBO series Girls and on an episode of Portlandia. Her memoir, Girl in a Band, came out in 2015.

But Gordon has remained surprisingly entrenched in indie music over the last decade. Many critics, including a few at Dusted, consider her Body Head, collaboration with Bill Nace the best of the post-Sonic Youth musical projects. The ensemble has now produced two EPs and three full-lengths. Gordon has also released two solo albums, which push her iconic voice into noisier, more hip hop influenced directions. We’re centering this listening post around The Collective, Gordon’s second and more recent solo effort, which comes out on Matador on March 8th, but we’ll likely also be talking about her other projects as well.

Intro by Jennifer Kelly

Jennifer Kelly: I missed No Home in 2019, so I was somewhat surprised by The Collective’s abrasive, beat-driven sound though I guess you could make connections to Sonic Youth’s Cypress Hill collaboration?

The more I listen to it, though, the more it makes sense to me. I’ve always liked the way Gordon plays with gender stereotypes, and “I’m a Man” certainly follows that trajectory. What are you guys hearing in The Collective?

Jonathan Shaw: I have only listened through the entire record once, but I am also struck by its intensities. Sort of silly to be surprised by that, given so many of the places she has taken us in the past: noisy, dangerous, dark. But there's an undercurrent of violence to these sounds that couples onto the more confrontational invocations and dramatizations of sex. It's a strong set of gestures. I like the record quite a bit.

Bill Meyer: I'm one of those who hold Body/Head to be the best effort of the post-Sonic Youth projects, but I'll also say that it's very much a band that creates a context for Gordon to do something great, not a solo effort. I was not so taken with No Home, which I played halfway through once upon its release and did not return to until we agreed to have this discussion. I've played both albums through once now, and my first impression is that No Home feels scattered in a classic post-band-breakup project fashion — “let's do a bit of this and that and see what sticks.” The Collective feels much more cohesive sonically, in a purposeful, “I'm going to do THIS” kind of way.

Jonathan Shaw: RE Jennifer's comment about “I'm a Man”: Agreed. The sonics are very noise-adjacent, reminding me of what the Body has been up to lately, or deeper underground acts like 8 Hour Animal or Kontravoid's less dancy stuff. Those acts skew masculine (though the Body has taken pains recently to problematize the semiotics of those photos of them with lots of guns and big dogs...). Gordon's voice and lyrics make things so much more explicit without ever tipping over into the didactic. And somehow her energy is in tune with the abrasive textures of the music, but still activates an ironic distance from it. In the next song, “Trophies,” I love it when she asks, “Will you go bowling with me?” The sexed-up antics that follow are simultaneously compelling and sort of funny. Rarely has bowling felt so eroticized.

Jennifer Kelly: I got interested in the beats and did a YouTube dive on some of the other music that Justin Raisen has been involved with. He's in an interesting place, working for hip hop artists (Lil Yachty, Drake), pop stars (Charli XCX) and punk or at least punk adjacent artists (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Viagra Boys), but nothing I've found is as raw and walloping as these cuts.

“The Candy House” is apparently inspired by Jennifer Egan's The Candy House, which is about a technology that enables people to share memories... Gordon is pretty interested in phones and communications tech and how that's changing art and human interaction.

Andrew Forell: My immediate reaction to the beats was oh, The Bug and JK Flesh, in particular the MachineEPs by the former and Sewer Bait by the latter. Unsurprisingly, as Jonathan says, she sounds right at home within that kind of dirty noise but is never subsumed by it

Jennifer Kelly: I don't have a deep reference pool in electronics, but it reminded me of Shackleton and some of the first wave dub steppers. Also, a certain kind of late 1990s/early aughts underground hip hop like Cannibal Ox and Dalek.

Bryon Hayes: Yeah, I hear some Dalek in there, too. Also, the first Death Grips mixtape, Ex-Military.

It's funny, I saw the track title “I'm a Man,” and my mind immediately went to Bo Diddley for some reason, I should have known that Kim would flip the script, and do it in such a humorous way. I love how she sends up both the macho country-lovin’ bros and the sensitive metrosexual guys. It's brilliant!

This has me thinking about “Kool Thing”, and how Chuck D acts as the ‘hype man’ to Kim Gordon in that song. I'm pretty sure that was unusual for hip hop at the time. Kim's got a long history of messing with gender stereotypes.

Bill Meyer: Gordon did a couple videos for this record, and she starred her daughter Coco in both of them. The one for “I'm A Man” teases out elements of gender fluidity, how that might be expressed through clothing, and different kinds of watching. I found the video for “Bye Bye” more interesting. All the merchandise that's listed in the video turns out to be a survival kit, one that I imagine that Gordon would know that she has to have to get by. The protagonist of the video doesn't know that, and their unspoken moment in a car before Coco runs again was poignant in a way that I don't associate with her work. And of messing with hip hop!

Tim Clarke: “Bye Bye” feels like a companion to The Fall’s “Dr Buck’s Letter.”

Bill Meyer: From The Unutterable? I'll have to a-b them.

Tim Clarke: That’s the one.

Jonathan Shaw: All of these comments make me think of the record’s title, and the repeated line in “The Candy House”: “I want to join the collective.” Which one? The phone on the record’s cover nods toward our various digital collectives — spaces for communication and expression, and spaces for commerce, all of which seem to be harder and harder to tell apart. A candy house, indeed. Why is it pink? Does she have a feminine collective in mind? A feminine collective unconscious? The various voices and lyric modes on the record suggest that's a possibility. For certain women, and for certain men working hard to understand women, Gordon has been a key member of that collective for decades.

Jennifer Kelly: The title is also the title of a painting from her last show in New York.

The holes are cell phone sized.

You can read about the show here, but here's a representative quote: “The iPhone promises freedom, and control over communication,” she says. “It’s an outlet of self-expression, and an escape and a distraction from the bigger picture of what’s going on in the world. It’s also useful for making paintings.”

Gordon is a woman, and a woman over 70 at that — by any measure an underrepresented perspective in popular culture. However, I’d caution against reading The Collective solely as a feminist statement. “I'm a Man,” for instance, is told from the perspective of an incel male, an act of storytelling and empathy not propaganda. My sense is that Gordon is pretty sick of being asked, “What's it like to be a girl in a band?” (per “Sacred Trickster”) and would like, maybe, to be considered as an artist.

It's partly a generational thing. I'm a little younger than she is, but we both grew up in the patriarchy and mostly encountered gender as an external restriction.

As an aside, one of my proudest moments was when Lucas Jensen interviewed me about what it was like to be a freelance music writer, anonymously, and Robert Christgau wrote an elaborate critique of the piece that absolutely assumed I was a guy. If you're not on a date or getting married or booking reproductive care, whose business is it what gender you are?

There, that's a can of worms, isn't it?

Jonathan Shaw: Feminine isn't feminist. I haven't listened nearly closely enough to the record to hazard an opinion about that. More important, it seems to me the masculine must be in the feminine unconsciousness, and the other way around, too. Precisely because femininity has been used as a political weapon, it needs imagining in artistic spaces. Guess I also think those terms more discursively than otherwise: there are male authors who have demonstrated enormous facility with representing femininity. James, Joyce, Kleist, and so on. Gordon has always spoken and sung in ways that transcend a second-wave sort of feminine essence. “Shaking Hell,” “PCH,” the way she sings “I Wanna Be Your Dog.”

Jennifer Kelly: Sure, she has always been shape-shifter artistically.

The lyrics are super interesting, but almost obliterated by noise. I’m seeing a connection to our hyperconnected digital society where everything is said but it’s hard to listen and focus.

Bill Meyer: Concrete guy that I am, I’ve found myself wishing I had a lyric sheet even though her voice is typically the loudest instrument in the mix.

Andrew Forell: Yes, that sense of being subsumed in the white noise of (dis)information and opinion feels like the utopian ideal of democratizing access has become a cause and conduit of alienation in which the notion of authentic voices has been rendered moot. It feels integral to the album as a metaphor

Christian Carey: How much of the blurring of vocals (good lyrics — mind you) might involve Kim’s personal biography, I wonder? From her memoirs, we know how much she wished for a deflection of a number of things, most having to do with Thurston and the disbandment of SY.

Thurston was interviewed recently and said that he felt SY would regroup and be able to be professional about things. He remarked that it better be soon: SY at eighty wouldn’t be a good look!

Andrew Forell: And therein lies something essential about why that could never happen

Ian Mathers: I know I’m far in the minority here (and elsewhere) because I’ve just never found Sonic Youth that compelling, despite several attempts over the years to give them another chance. And for specifically finding Thurston Moore to be an annoying vocal presence (long before I knew anything about his personal life, for what it's worth). So, I’m in no hurry to see them reunite, although I do think it would be both funny and good if everyone except Moore got back together.

Having not kept up with Gordon much post-SY beyond reading and enjoying her book, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this record. After a couple of listens, I’m almost surprised how much I like it. Even though I’m lukewarm on SY’s music, she’s always been a commanding vocal presence and lyricist and that hasn’t changed here (I can echo all the praise for “I’m a Man,” and also “I was supposed to save you/but you got a job” is so bathetically funny) and I like the noisier, thornier backing she has here. I also think the parts where the record gets a bit more sparse (“Shelf Warmer”) or diffuse (“Psychic Orgasm”) still work. I've enjoyed seeing all the comparisons here, none of which I thought of myself and all of which makes sense to me. But the record that popped into my head as I listened was Dead Rider’s Chills on Glass. Similar beat focus, “thick”/distorted/noisy/smeared production, declamatory vocals. I like that record a lot, so it's not too surprising I'm digging this one.

Jennifer Kelly: I loved Sonic Youth but have zero appetite for the kind of nostalgia trip, just the hits reunion tour that getting back together would entail.

Jonathan Shaw: Yeah, no thanks to that.

RE Christian's comment: Not sure I see deflection so much as the impossibility of integration. We are all many, many selves, always have been. Digital communications interfaces and social media have just lifted it to another level of experience. Gordon sez, “I don't miss my mind.” Not so much a question of missing it in the emotional/longing sense, more so acknowledging that phrases like “my mind” have always been meaningless. Now we partition experience and identity into all of these different places, and we sign those pieces of ourselves over, to Zuck and the algorithms. We know it. We do it anyways, because it's the candy house, full of sweets and pleasures that aren't so good for us, but are really hard to resist. “Come on, sweets, take my hand...”

Bill Meyer: I would not mind hearing all of those SY songs I like again, can’t lie, although I don’t think that I’d spend Love Earth Tour prices to hear them. But given the water that has passed under the bridge personally, and the length of time since anyone in the band has collaborated creatively (as opposed to managing the ongoing business of Sonic Youth, which seems to be going pretty well), a SY reunion could only be a professionally presented piece of entertainment made by people who have agreed to put aside their personal differences and pause their artistic advancement in order to make some coin. There may be good reasons to prioritize finances. Maybe Thurston and/or Kim wants to make sure that they don’t show up on Coco’s front door, demanding to move their record or art collection into her basement, in their dotage. And Lee’s a man in his late 60s with progeny who are of an age to likely have substantial student loan debt. But The Community is just the kind of thing they’d have to pause. It feels like the work of someone who is still curious, questioning, commenting. It's not just trying to do the right commercial thing.

Justin Cober-Lake: I’m finding this one to be a sort of statement album. I’d stop short of calling it a concept album, but there seems to be a thematic center. I think a key element of the album is the way that it looks for... if not signal and noise, at least a sense of order and comprehensibility in a chaotic world. Gordon isn’t even passing judgment on the world — phones are bad, phones are good, phones make art, etc. But there’s a sense that our world is increasingly brutal, and we hear that not just in the guitars, but in the beats, and the production. “BYE BYE” really introduces the concept. Gordon’s leaving (and we can imagine this is autobiographical), but she’s organizing everything she needs for a new life. “Cigarettes for Keller” is a heartbreaking line, but she moves on, everything that makes up a life neatly ordered next to each other, iBook and medications in the same line. It reminds me of a Hemingway character locking into the moment to find some semblance of control in the chaos.

Getting back to gender, there’s a funny line at the end: one of the last things she packs is a vibrator. I'm not sure if we're to read this as a joke, a comment on the necessity of sexuality in a life full of transitory moments, as a foreshadowing of the concepts we’ve discussed, or something else. The next item (if it’s something different) is a teaser, which could be a hair care product or something sexual (playing off — or with — the vibrator). Everything's called into question: the seriousness of the track, the gender/sexuality ideas, what really matters in life. Modern gadgets, life-sustaining medicines, and sex toys all get equal rank. That tension really adds force to the song.

Coming out of “BYE BYE,” it's easy to see a disordered world that sounds extremely noisy, but still has elements we can comprehend within the noise. I don’t want to read the album reductively and I don't think it's all about this idea, but it's something that, early on in my listening, I find to be a compelling aspect of it.