#thought it'd be fun to do this interview style ~

[gethoce]

So we know about Keeby, Dutch, and Kusamochi, but what about Blue ‘Kirby’? They’re the only ‘Kirby’ we haven’t seen an adult version of. Did something happen to them?

They prefer to stay mysterious ~

[justmyguiltyggpleasure]

2nd Chance at Love (pt.1)

Summary: You and Karina used to date during trainee days until she decided to break up with you right before debuting. Nowadays, you're a member of Le Sserafim and have quite a player reputation. What happens when you cross each other's life again but this time, one of her members is interested in you

Warnings: none for this one, just an intro.

PT.2

(2020)

- May I at least know why? - you ask her after what felt like an eternity in silence. The cold night feeling even colder now in this almost desert park.

- I made the cut. I'm going to debut and I just can't have anything jeopardizing that. - Jimin, your now ex-girlfriend, said. Face stoic and voice devoid of any emotion like you've never heard before.

You've been dating for two years now and until a minute ago you'd swear you could get through anything together. Having been by each other's side in the worst moments. You were there for her whenever she would second guess herself, whenever she would call crying after being scolded a bit too harshly, taking her on dates on your days off just to get her mind away from everything, and she would do the same for you too.

You thought it was forever. Well... what do you know?

- Why would I ever do anything to jeopardize your career, Jimin? - you ask feeling a bit offended.

- I can't be caught in a dating scandal, much less a gay one. - she answered simply, using the same tone as before, not sparing you a glance.

- Jimin, we're not gonna be caught in a dating scandal, we could easily pass up by being friends. It's not like we were ever out in the oper, kissing in public or anything like that. - you try to reason with her. You knew that once this conversation was settled, it'd be definite.

- I'm not willing to take the risk. I don't think it's worth it. - your eyes welled up at that moment. "It's not worth it? We're not worth it? These past two eyes weren't worth it?"

- Yoo Jimin, is this a joke? Look me in the eyes and say it again. - she turned to you with those empty eyes

- It is not worth it. - it felt like a punch in your guts. You wanted to cry. You wanted her to at least show a little emotion, just so you felt like you mattered. You wanted to yell at her but instead, you just sighed

- Okay. If that's what you want. - with that you stood up and left. Letting the tears fall as soon as you crossed the street.

That's was the last time you let someone get so close to your heart romantically.

(2023)

It's been a year since you debuted with Le Sserafim. Honestly, being gay in the industry wasn't that bad, specially when you're the girl crush of the group, with a tomboy style and confident aura, you managed to attract plenty of girls. You usually slept with staff members or backup dancers, unless a female idol approached you first, you would stay clear from them. But from idols to staff, you would make sure that everyone you slept with knew your one rule

'I don't get with a girl more than once', you'd make that clear to every woman that came to you and luckily they all understood that pretty well and were only looking for some fun or a taste of the rainbow.

Le Sserafim's promotions overlapped with Aespa's and Eunchae took the chance to interview their leader and maknae for Star Diary. You stayed with you members back in your dressing room. Close as you were with your members, none of the them new of you past with Jimin.

- Y/N, can you go get Eunchae? She must be done by now and you're done changing. - Sakura asked and you blinked twice before answering. You knew who your maknae was interviewing.

- Of course, unnie. I'll be right back. - exiting the room you take a deep breath before proceeding.

Bowing for sunbaes and greeting some acquaintances on your way you get to the room the use for the recordings.

The door slightly ajar let you know the staff was already packing, maybe you're safe after all. You knock and let yourself in.

- Unnie! - Eunchae comes crashing into you for a hug

- Manchae! - you answer with the same enthusiasm and return the hug like you don't spend almost the entire day together and don't live in the same dorm. - Sakura-unnie sent me to get you. Are you ready to go? - you ask looking in her eyes failing to notice two pairs of eyes watching your interactions.

- Almost done. Let me just say goodbye to my guests. Come with me. - she pulls you before you could say anything and that's how you find yourself face to face with your ex after 3 years.

She almost looks surprised when you approach.

- Hello, Karina-sunbaenim, Ningning-sunbaenim. Nice to meet you! - you say bowing to them thanking anything sacred for your voice not wavering.

- Hello, y/n! - Ningning says waving

- Hello! - is the only thing Jimin day and she still looks kind of shocked.

I mean, she knew she would have to meet you eventually with promotions and all and she knew you were Eunchae's member. Having agreed to go out together with their respective members, she was bound to see you again. This industry was only so big. Still, she wasn't counting on seeing you today. She's caught off guard.

- Let's go, manchae. We're wrapping promotions today and I promised dinner's on me. I'll let you pick the restaurant. - looking at your member again, you say smiling softly

- Yay! - Eunchae smiles brightly. - Unnies, I loved having you as guests. Let's meet up again soon. - turning back to you - Y/n-unnie, I worked until now, give me a piggyback ride.

Sighing you crouch down and she jumps on your back laughing when you pretend to drop her.

Turning again you nod your head to the girls and politely say goodbye to everyone in the room, turning around and leaving with your maknae.

Jimin following with her eyes unaware of the other pair of eyes also following you with amusement and interest.

- I'll ask for her number next time. Maybe I can be an exception to that rule - Ningning says more to herself than anyone proceeding to exit the room leaving a stunned Jimin behind, feeling something she wasn't supposed to feel

___________________>_<_________________

Want to be tagged?

[safarigirlsp]

40 LOOKS DAMN GOOD

I saw this on Twitter and thought it'd be fun to do here as a mini celebration. Interaction has been so dead on here for everyone, it'd be fun to liven it back up! Everyone feel free to play along!

Favorite Movie(s)

The Last Duel! I love that movie. Blackkklansman is the runner up.

I actually don't care for most of his other movies at all in terms of the movie itself. 65, The Report, and Logan Lucky were decent, but definitely second tier.

Favorite Character(s)

Jacques, Flip, and Mills

Favorite Co-Star(s)

Ben Affleck blows absolutely everyone else out of the water! "Come In! Take your pants off!"

Bill Murray and John David Washington are runners up, and I loved Jeremy Irons in Gucci.

Favorite Love Interest(s)

None so far! Rey and Hanna are my absolute least favorites. I hate them, honestly. Jodie Cromer was my favorite female lead in one of his movies. Lady Gaga and Marion Cottilard were alright too. I like Scarlett Johannson the best as a stand alone actress, but I hated her character in Marriage Story. I anticipate liking Aubrey Plaza

Favorite Scene(s)

Jousting and kicking ass are hard to beat!

Favorite Sex Scene(s)

All the scenes from Last Duel! I don't care how offensive that is!

This scene from The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.

Girls seasons 5 and 6 were hard to beat. The couch scene in season 5 is pretty nice.

Favorite SNL Skit(s)

Slow for obvious reasons.

Undercover Boss Part 2

Favorite Line(s)

Dream Role(s)

I got a Knight with Jacques and an Action Hero with Mills, both of which were high on my list. I'd love to see him as a Vampire, a Dark Victorian Gentleman, an Old West Gunfighter, an Adventurer, and a John Wick style Hitman or Action Hero.

Oh, and he needs to be his actual age and not have goddamn face prosthetics, altered hairlines, or terrible fucking haircuts!

Dream Co-Star(s)

Love Interests: Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Margot Robbie, Ana De Armas, and Lily Rose Depp for size kink purposes.

Co-Stars: Another hot guy like Goran Visnjic or Gerard Butler. Keanu Reeves would also be a blast.

Directors: Ridley Scott (again), Clint Eastwood, Tim Burton, Robert Eggars, Quentin Tarantino.

Favorite Photoshoot(s)

Favorite Candid(s)

Favorite Red Carpet Appearance(s)

Venice takes the cake!

Favorite Interview(s)

"Fuck you. I don't know."

"I hated this. Goodbye."

Favorite Moment(s) of Your Choice

[agentdumortain]

AN INTERVIEW WITH JACKIE COHEN by Isaiah Mock for WHIPLASH MAGAZINE

(Top row: cover art from Jackie Cohen’s solo EPs About Yesterday and Give It Time. Bottom row: cover art of one of Stunts’ EPs “Leaning Backward” and their most recent release, “Didn’t See That Coming”.)

Jackson Cohen, better known as Jackie, is the frontwoman of one of alternative’s underdog up-and-coming bands Stunts. She tells me before she’s even sat down that she never expected to be where she is today. “I know a lot of people say that kind of thing under these circumstances, but I mean it in every sense.”

We discuss the obvious first; how the element of surprise, virality, and speed affects the path and struggles of becoming a public figure. But the singer feels that the "unexpected" sentiment she holds is even more relevant to her and the band's evolution since highschool. "I don't think our music is what we imagined it'd be at all, but we're pretty in love with it. That's a good thing!"

Cohen’s earliest works, both solo and collaborative with various members of Stunts, (past and present) are a far cry from what you’ve most likely heard from her today. Psychedelic pop, sweet and swooning, are accurate descriptors—sometimes even synthesized.

All of those elements are still found in Stunts’ recent projects, but the trajectory of their music has undoubtedly shifted into something heavier. Not darker, but in the literal way, with more weight. Post-punk and rock influences are obvious, especially in lyricism. There’s an air of confidence and lived experience that wasn’t present before. The singer names Jeff Buckley, Slowdive, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The Cure, as just a snippet of her and her bandmate's inspirations. “Y’know, I think—doesn’t everybody want to be someone else a little bit?” She smiles with some humor at the thought, but it’s clear she believes it.

“About Yesterday”, Cohen’s first EP, can be found scattered in many corners of the internet, (not on any formal streaming platforms, as it is rife with uncleared samples) where it’s often named as a favorite by indie popheads from all backgrounds. She made it in her basement with the help of her older brother and a few of his musician friends. “Realizing your older siblings are cool is a tough pill to swallow,” she jokes. “But at some point or another, they realize you’re kind of cool too, and that opens up a whole new world of opportunity. He [Jackie's brother] definitely encouraged my, um, my—penchant for music? That feels dorky to say."

“Artists like Imogen Heap, TV Girl, Mazzy Star; I looked up to them for sure while making that, [About Yesterday] and most of my other stuff too, to be honest. I think it was comfortable and fun to work in that style. I was able to express myself how I needed to at that time, and I still am, it just sounds hugely different from when I was 16.”

I ask her how that change in sound, as vague as that is, came to be. Does she attribute it to anything specific, or feel like it was a natural progression?

"Working as a team, probably? That will always yield different results and force you to "evolve" in some way or another. I was doing the band and my own thing at the same time, [in highschool] though, so if I came up with something I knew wouldn’t fit with Stunts, I could still take it somewhere else if I really wanted to. But I think meeting my friends, my bandmates, that was a really big part of the shift. Probably the biggest. They all have their own unique tastes and styles in what they consume and create. I grew up going to shows, but they have taken me to probably hundreds more at this point, and shown me stuff I wouldn't find on my own. They’re so versatile as musicians and artists, they’re always open to trying all these different things, but they don’t lose their standards or vision in the process. Ever. Um, they’re the best. Sorry—I’m rambling," she laughs. "Does that answer that question at all?”

Not even minutes later, we've bounced through several different subjects, Jackie sometimes asking me more questions than I can ask her. When I had reached out for an interview, she eagerly accepted the opportunity and invited me to come to her apartment rather than my initially suggested café. "Coffee shops can get so fucking loud!" She had emailed me.

We're still in her living room, which also serves as a makeshift studio. (She clarifies: "None of the real recording happens here, I think I would've been evicted by now if that were the case.") The space is small and full, but well organized. There's a few photos framed on her desk-side wall above her monitor, a handful of them I recognize as cover art. I ask her if there's any story behind them.

"Oh—ha, I was really into film in highschool. I still am, I just don't have as much time or opportunities for it right now. But yeah, some of the photos I've used for cover art are mine. Some are just ones I dug up from my parent's basement." She follows my gaze, which lingers on one cover that has been an object of speculation since it's release. "Give It Time."

I glance back at her, understanding if she doesn't want to elaborate on it. Most fans believe it's a photo of her and Seven Lawless, her ex-bandmate and ex-boyfriend, (who, at the time of the EP's release, were both in Stunts but their relationship was not yet public.) but the pixelated editing has left it fairly ambiguous. There are other plausible theories floating online about who it could be.

When I had first arrived at her door, she told me: "I'm an open book with most things, as long as you don't have bad intentions." And I'm not in the business of prying into subjects like that for anyone I interview—but she smiles at me warmly when she realizes what's caught my eye.

"I didn't take that one actually. It's still one of my favorites, though."

There's a comfortable lull in the conversation while I continue to examine the wall, until I point to one that looks only slightly out of place among the rest. There's about five people (you can probably guess who) squished into the frame, all half-dressed and soaking wet with wild grins plastered onto their faces.

She immediately bursts into a fit of laughter. "Okay, maybe not that one. My manager might kill me."

Stream "Didn't See That Coming" here.

☆☆☆

This is the first part of a pre-BOTB interview miniseries about my @infamous-if OC, Jackie Cohen. Whiplash Magazine is local to her home county's music scene but a lot of their audience is spread out online too. :)

The album cover edits were inspired by @spider-actual’s edits for their Infamous band Shelter In Place, go check them out they are so cool !!!

Original sources of the photos used for album art: About Yesterday / Give It Time / Leaning Backward / Didn't See That Coming

[wickedhours]

what are three things you like about yourself?

ASK MEME N°14 ⸻ what are three things you like about yourself?

"they also asked me this when i applied for a job here, which was really unexpected since i didn't think management cared about these things." prior to being hired as a receptionist, she never had a job ( that she would consider real ) before. being a nepotism baby sure had its perks in that regard, though you'd think that doing interviews for news channels or magazines would've prepared her enough for a simple first job interview. well, they weren't exactly the same. in fact, the job interview was somehow more anxiety inducing. "i gave half-hearted truths during my interview, though. like how i really enjoy the fact i can keep myself busy with work when i'm bored out of my mind. trust me, i studied the typical things hiring managers want to hear." she releases a somewhat self-pitying chuckle, hoping the fact that she was worried for her interview wasn't obvious. "i should've been more honest, but on the bright side, i got hired it wasn't extreme lies, right?" she tries to think of things she really does like about herself. would jisoo thinks she's vain if she says something specific? that's not the impression she'd like to give, but there are some things that can't be avoided. "i like... how i try to be friendly with everyone? sometimes it's hard, especially when the other person is in a bad mood, but if being gentle makes them feel a little bit better, why not?" she pauses, tilting her head as she thinks again. 'just two more!' "hm... i guess in relation to my first choice, i like that i'm caring? some people aren't used to unconditional kindness, and it's always a nice surprise for them. i also just like taking care of those around me, and whether they appreciate it or not, it's not a big deal. it's just something i like to do." pausing yet again, she tilts her head to the other side. why is this so hard? "this is harder than i thought. i know myself the best, and thinking about something that doesn't involve other people is really difficult. i guess i like that i don't stick to one clothing style? i like trying anything, so if anyone wanted to dress me up like a doll, that's fine? i think it'd be fun, at least..."

[prideoftheknights]

SPRING TROUPE 10TH PLAY: MOON TRAVELER — ムーン・トラベラー 【CHAPTER 2】

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | MASTERLIST | NEXT CHAPTER

translation under the cut!

Tsuzuru: Alright then, let's get started.

Chikage: It's a little nostalgic, doing this interview.

Tsuzuru: The last time we did this was during the Oz play, huh. Back then, you messed with me a lot...

Chikage: Haha, sorry about that.

Tsuzuru: I'll be counting on you this time. First of all, do you have any requests for the script or your role?

Chikage: Nothing in particular. I'm alright with whatever you want to write about.

Tsuzuru: Since we've gone through the trouble of coming here, I'd like to write a play that Chikage-san wants to do.

I don't get the chance to write what you'd like unless you're playing the lead role, and taking your requests will help me broaden range of my scripts!

Chikage: If that's the case...... How about 'ultimate curry' or maybe a tale about 'a journey in search of the legendary spice'? Would that work?

Tsuzuru: I thought you'd say something weird like that, so I'm not too surprised. But if that's really what Chikage-san would like to do, then I'll go along with it.

Chikage: I'm joking.

Tsuzuru: (As usual, interviewing Chikage-san is a struggle......)

(Looks like I'll have to keep pushing him from here.)

Actually, I do have something I'd like to ask you though.

Chikage: Hm?

Tsuzuru: I'd like to know more about your dream Chikage-san––

Chikage: My dream, huh...... I don't dream much, you know. When was the last time I had a dream......

Tsuzuru: I'm not talking about those kind of dreams. I want to hear about your childhood dream of being na astronaut.

Chikage: ......Ah, I see.

But, this is the long-awaited 10th play; wouldn't it be better to have a motif more typical of Spring Troupe?

Mankai Show was also a space themed play y'know.

Tsuzuru: No matter the motif, it's possible to create something with a Spring Troupe-like image.

Furthermore, it's because this play is so special that I'd like to make a play with a lead that's like Chikage-san.

Chikage: I'm happy you feel that way, but I have the most fun performing plays in Spring Troupe's style.

Tsuzuru: (Somehow, it feels like he's lazily dodging my question......)

(At this rate, I won't be getting any answers. Alright––)

Chikage-san, why did you want to be an astronaut?

Chikage: ......

Sorry. With this kind of vague attitude, the script won't progress either right?

I don't hate astronaut stuff, y'know?

It's just that, I didn't have any serious aspirations. It really was just something I wished for once as a child, nothing more.

I thought it'd be wrong for me to force such an unjustifiable theme.

Tsuzuru: About your dream, did you stop wishing for it naturally? Like you decided you wanted to be something else......?

Chikage: Naturally, huh. I suppose you could say that...... I don't remember much about it though.

Tsuzuru: Is that so......

(It kind of feels like he's talking about it as if it was someone else's problem. Is it because he had this dream when he was small......?)

Chikage: Well anyways, I still like things like the space and stars. So don't restrict yourself to astronauts. Something like astronomers would be okay too.

Tsuzuru: Astronomers, huh...... It's true that a fantasy story or fairy tale going in that direction may make casting easier......

Chikage: I can recommend you a movie that you could refer to. It's a very old film, but I think it has a worldview that's like that of the Spring Troupe.

Rather than being about astronauts, it's more about space travel though. It's got worldview that really reminds me of the Spring Troupe.

Tsuzuru: That'd be helpful. Speaking of which, do you have any kind of attachment to this movie from when you were younger?

Chikage: I've got nothing of the sort.

......I do sympathise with it though.

Tsuzuru: Eh?

Chikage: No, it's just life on the moon was so mysterious that I longed for it.

Tsuzuru: Is that so?

(Something about the nuance seemed off, though.)

Chikage: There's also a space-themed museum, you know? I can send you the URL for it.

Tsuzuru: Ah, please do.

Chikage: Well then, I have to go back to work now.

Tsuzuru: Thanks for spending so much time with me. And also for sending me all the way back to the dorms.

Chikage: You're our important scriptwriter, after all. I'm looking forward to seeing the script.

Tsuzuru: Ah, well. I'm going to do my best.

Whew......

Izumi: Welcome home.

Tsuzuru: Ah, did you just get back from shopping?

Masumi: Yeah.

Izumi: How was the interview with Chikage?

Masumi: By the looks of it, it didn't go very well, did it?

Tsuzuru: Hmm, well, it's not like I didn't get any answers at all, so for now I'll start writing.

Izumi: If that's the case, it'll be a step forward from the last time you did an interview with him.

Tsuzuru: Haha, it may only be half a step though.

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | MASTERLIST | NEXT CHAPTER

[mejomonster]

So many writing tips are just... I want to say "utter bullshit" but I'm going to be gentler here and say simply "NOT as universally good ideas as they imply they are."

Like. I'm reading the Tale of Genji (and loving it a lot). It starts out with a nice long explanation (exposition) of the main characters family background and how his mom and dad got together. wow. So many times I have seen the advice "avoid exposition/exposition dumps/limit exposition/try to start off with an ACTION scene and get people into the middle of an active story." But you know. Tale of Genji didnt. And neither did a great many famous beloved stories.

(And also in hindsight I really do think a Lot of "internet article" writing advice pieces are Specifically giving Young Adult novel writing advice to appeal to the main trends, not necessarily to be the best written just to match trends, and any advice to jump into action and limit exposition is more based on the idea kids want the plot to ramp up immediately and may have less patience for a story to build up or unfold than an adult).

A common bit of advice is to not write in first person. And fair enough, it's not my favorite to write in. But it's excessively common. First person CAN be in a great novel. I can think of many wonderful stories I've read that were written in first person, and that never stopped me from giving it a chance. (Likewise it seems any perspective or tense is fair game if you want to write in it).

There's the advice, again, to jump into the action quickly. Which I think may have initially been advice for young adult novel writers but now seems to be encouraged for all kinds or genres. Interview with the Vampire tells itself like a history book (or rather autobiography) as do a lot of the vampire chronicles, but they were fun reads and liked enough to have some movies. Again, Tale of Genji is far from the only novel I've read that enjoys a nice luxurious exposition dump for a long while before even getting to an active scene with dialogue or actions, Kamikaze Girls (a novel I'm currently loving as I go through) has a few chapters of ONLY train of thought first person narration, like I'm reading a teen girls journal and she's bitching and rambling about opinions (which I love). While I personally do actually like to start up on an action scene (because I find it easier to Write action scenes and dialogue), it's apparent to me that people can make absolutely lovely stories by many varied approaches.

There's the advice, of course too, to follow the trends. Be "unique" enough to maybe stand above the rest, but also be "similar" enough to what already sells and people already read if you want to get either picked up got publishing or trying to have some chance at being seen etc. And that can be a good strategic idea, I just don't think it means much on if your actual story is of good quality or not, in that you can either fit the trends or wildly stand apart and regardless have made a nice meaningful story. (I think of when I delved into historical romance as a genre... I checked out Bridgerton and it is a LOT like the trends, but maybe stood as just unique Enough cause it had that gossip column feel to it. Of when I saw Lisa Klepyas's stuff, and she's now one of my favorite writers, who mainly stayed in this genres norms BUT she'd add some meaningful bits of historical derails into her stories so while it still felt sugar coated and Softer than an Actual realistic historical tale? It still felt more like it was showing bits of real history, like an American Girl book almost, compared to a lot of the more standard type historical romances I ran into that had the Frame Outline of the genre but weren't aiming for big historical focus. Then there was Sarah Waters... a writer I now admire. Sarah wrote Fingersmith, technically a queer historical rromance, but so Different than the norm for historical romances. A style like it'd actually been WRITTEN in the century it was set in, a tale reminiscent of the prince and the pauper but darker (and lesbians), a thriller with con artists and danger and enemies playing each other while falling in love, and historical facts that REALLY aimed for realism in a brutal way Lisa Klepyas had spared me. The details about how filthy Londons streets were and how terrifying as a woman alone with no money and home there still stick in my mind, the way the manor in the countryside felt Ancient compared to how it would now and my body ached just reading about the conditions and glad we have heaters now, the parts about the mental hospital were beyond horrifying and possibly more so for how real people had to live through that. A kind of grounded reality like actually going back in time for better or worse, sort of like Black Sails the show. And THAT is how broad the historical romance genre can span. It's not all like Bridgerton, that's just what was on trend but Slightly unique Enough to stand out whenever it had published).

I've lost my trail here I think but just... know however you write or choose to tell your story, there's worth in it. Of the infinitely varied ways to tell a story, all are lovely in their own ways.

[summer-of-fandom]

[This is part of a server-specific event explained here, that I am inviting non-server people to partake in if they'd think it'd be fun!]

Meta in fandom is all about how we read/interpret what canon gives us

Each box is worth 1x pt

For a Try-It: Earn at least 3 points

For a Badge: Earn at least 10 points

Relationship Meta

Write a post about a platonic relationship in the show. It could be one about a friendship in the show, a parental bond, coworkers- whatever it might be. 

Write a meta post backing up your opinion on who fell first vs who fell harder.

Write a meta post about an aspect of a relationship that you think people have misunderstood. Like this one about Phayu singing to Rain in LITA. 

Show Meta

Write a post about something that hasn't happened yet in the show and how you hope that it's handled. Like this post about poly in Deep Night. 

Do a rewatch and blog about your thoughts on the episodes now that you're watching through a different lens Like this one about LITA.

Analyze a scene- for example, this post about why Big died and Vegas didn't in Kinn Porsche. 

Analyze clothing/makeup/hair style choices- and what they say about a character. Like this post about Penelope from Bridgerton. 

Write a post celebrating the ridiculousness of a show. 

Talk about the commentary you think a show is making with contrasting characters/pairings. Like this one talking about the three different generations of queerness in Moonlight Chicken. 

You are your problematic fav's defense attorney- whether it be a show, a couple, or a character. Defend them against the *absolutely* unfair blasphemy you've seen levied against them. Or maybe, declare that those things that others dislike? Actually- that's the best part. Maybe it's character growth and being handled well. 

Point out all your favorite things about a show! Talk about how they're handling a tough topic, or the directing choices. Make a post about the character growth and how other people should watch it because- wow, this thing is great. Like this one about Deep Night

Post BTS clips/highlight parts of interviews that you think really add something to how someone enjoys the show. 

Do a watsonian vs doylist look at why something happened in the show. Like what is going on in Wandee Goodday with the lights in Dee's room. The Doylist explanation of course is that the set designer thought they added something to the shot/that they echo the themes of the show- but what is the watsonian reason? Did Dee decorate his own room? Does the room just come like that? Why does this doctor have a sign above his bed about satisfaction- I need to know. 

Broader Trends

Write a meta post about how trends are changing- things that you've noticed from one show to the next, like this one here about university BLs. 

Have you noticed something showing up from one show to the next? Maybe it's a communal wardrobe piece or a filming location. Maybe a hair style? Make a post about it!

Compare different adaptions of a piece. Here's a video essay comparing different versions of A Star is Born. Or tumblr post showing how the anime vs the manga handled a scene in Dungeon Meshi. 

Expand Your Knowledge Base

Watch Behind the Scenes content to get further insight into what went into the making of the show/movie/etc.

Watch 'Reactors' reacting to the show, especially from the culture that the show is from- there are tons of inside-jokes/cultural nods that people miss. Like this Thai reaction channel reacting to LITA. 

Watch/Read interviews that the cast/crew have put out.

Do a deep dive on a cultural aspect of canon that has stuck out to you/is different from your own lived experiences. Whether it's researching how Thai universities work, different cultural holidays, or what intimacy looks like in different places.

Do a deep dive on a topic that shows up in canon- whether that's exploring architecture because of LITA or figuring out what being a cook is really like because of VIP Only. 

[hospitalterrorizer]

diary53

11/3-4/2023

hell , oh. everything is fine and today was good.

i got dressed really nice today, because i had to do an interview for a local magazine, about how i dress and my music and how my sense of fashion/beliefs about fashion and my approach to music are related. their relation is weird, it's sort of just that i get dressed how i do to enable myself i think, like if i feel pretty and cool, and externalize what i think is pretty and cool, i can do other things, or i don't know, that's only part of it. they took pics of me, my friend did the interview, and one of the people working at the mag came to do the photos. i think i might look good in them, i didn't really look. i did take my own photos around where we took pics, they had me in nature a lot, and i took my photos standing in weird places no one really wants to go.

plus there are selfies i took w/ my phone but i can like upload those tomorrow. it's honestly such an actual hassle to get photos off your phone it is so stupid. at least if you have an iphone. it makes you feel useless and dumb so often, a debilitating piece of hardware to own if you interface with computers a lot.

so, uhhh, i like the makeup i did a lot today, the eyeshadow is really fun i think. i just told my friend that i like the locust and the blood brothers a lot, and i mentioned pg. 99, i should have brought up usurp synapse and combatwoundedveteran too, and like, everything else, but it would have been so annoying of me and like who cares, i just want to be accurate i guess even though that's pointless.

anyways my gf is out rn at a bar with colleagues from school, and tomorrow we're going to an anime con, i wonder what i'll wear tomorrow. hopefully i can hack something together for that.

anyways i am just sitting here listening to the cramps, not doing much, practicing a song sort of for when i can go in and record the vocals i wrote today, i mixed the next single some more, i need to get to the b side but i think tomorrow i'll be able to decide if i want to throw something into the right channel during verses on the song or if that would distract too much from the left channel guitar thingy. there already is a right channel thing but maybe there needs to be a little more, something following the riff that's played in the left, but idk, it'd have to be quiet and not too sharp or anything, just something to fill out the song better, but i wanna decide if that's even necessary, the song's a little imbalanced but that's how i can get so much sparkle out of the guitar thing on the left side i think, but i am still unsure. the plus of having something else there would be it'd probably sound kinda good, especially if it were sitting lower in the freq range and i cut out the high end more or less.

practicing the vocals just to get timing right is nice, it makes things feel like i can do better, typically since my gf is always around, i just mouth the words and try to feel things out that way, this is obviously a lot better, since i can do whatever and not commit to delivery style (i already know thought this song is gonna have a lot of screaming). hopefully this really does stick, these next few nights i will have to just mouth it probably unless she goes out another time alone.

so now i am sleepy, a strangely long day, i still have not been able to get around to taking care of the chicken and prepping dinner for whatever nights i am cooking which is frustrating and i am too exhausted today for it. like, so frustrating seriously, i need to get on top of that tomorrow. blehhhhhhhhh.

soooo, anywayyyyy:

byebye!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rainyblue]

1/12/23

Here with a couple more thoughts on a couple more books.

Idol, Burning by Rin Usami

This was a short novella about a young Japanese girl whose oshi, which I take to basically have the same meaning as bias in the k-pop fandom, gets sucked into scandal after scandal and the effects that this has on her, as a die-hard fan.

I remember taking a class in college about East Asian pop culture and for my final project, I decided to write a short story illustrating the toxic effects of fandom in k-pop, but I think Usami's done it better in this one. It was pretty crazy reading this novella and recognizing my old self in Akari. In life, she is pretty slow to learning new things and isn't the best at school, but in her fandom, she's something of an authority on her oshi, Masaki. Following updates on his life and his career consumes her to the point that she's unable to focus on her own life, as his trials and tribulations and successes become her own.

I loved the way this book examines the dark side of fandom and how obsessive and toxic these parasocial relationships between fans and idols can become, while at the same time remaining sympathetic toward both. It's unhealthy for anyone to be obsessed with an idol in the capacity that Akari is obsessed with Masaki, but the story also hints that Akari may have a learning disorder of some kind, and she feels isolated, helpless, and abandoned living in a world that doesn't feel designed to help her thrive. When she's fangirling over Masaki and writing blog posts with updates about him, we get to see how perceptive and emotionally intelligent Akari really is. It's the one time she can feel a sense of control and feels the most like herself.

On the other hand, we also get glimpses of Masaki's life as an idol and the object of Akari's and so many others' attention and adoration, and how the scrutiny over his many scandals is slowly crushing him as commentary on the difficult lives of Japanese pop idols.

Interesting, though at times I felt the "plot" meandered a bit. 3.75/5

Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

I've got some thoughts about this one. I think it'd be best if I laid it out with some bullet points:

What I Liked:

The audiobook narration: This book was meant to be read via audiobook. The way the story is told is in the form of a series of interviews of survivors from the Fantasticland disaster as well as other authorities such as the National Guard, corporate leaders, etc. I think if I were to read this as a physical book, there wouldn't be much to separate the individual characters in my head as there are no physical descriptors and each "voice" for the most part sounds the same. But the narrators really knocked it out of the park here, doing all these different accents and changing up the rhythm and cadence of each characters' voice that made it both easy to distinguish them and the book more fun to listen to. Well done.

Overall, a very interesting concept. Several synopses tout this book as a Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale, and I would say that is pretty accurate in terms of the overall storyline and the level of violence and gore. A bunch of young adult theme park employees get trapped there during a hurricane and, despite having enough food and supplies to last it out, quickly devolve into savagery, forming rival tribes that repeatedly brutalize each other.

The format was interesting. Like I said, it is told in the form of individual interviews, making it kind of like a Blair Witch-esque found footage horror story. Normally, this is not my cup of tea as I find this documentary-style of storytelling to be very simplistic, a little too much "telling" and not enough "showing," interrupts my ability to get immersed. But I gotta give credit here to the narrators, again, as they did a fantastic job of making the interviews feel authentic and engrossing, and eventually the interview format grew on me.

What I Did Not Like:

What social commentary? Repeatedly, the book ponders the questions of how and why these young adults turned on each other so quickly. It's mentioned throughout the book that the park had enough emergency food and supplies to last 400+ employees a month or two in case of an emergency like this, and in this case, apparently there were fewer employees than expected since some didn't show up, meaning that that there was more than enough for all, so trying to survive shouldn't have been a factor influencing the employees' (who are frequently referred to as "kids" even though they are all 18+ and majority adults) descent into savagery. So why all the killing? The author tries to do some social commentary here about how the younger generation is obsessed with social media and technology and how they completely fall apart if you take their phones away, and it just... completely misses the mark? It's such contrived reasoning and reeks of "kids these days with their MyFace and SpaceBook" energy. Having no access to the internet in a world as connected and reliant on online communication as today's society can feel truly isolating and have real consequences, and having no access to the outside world during a natural disaster is even more anxiety-inducing, and the author sidesteps all of that in favor of "kids become savages when they can't check Instagram" commentary.

The plot feels contrived and implausible. There's absolutely no way a theme park (that supposedly has the same prestige and success as Disney World and Universal Studios) would force their employees to stay onsite during a hurricane to "protect the park from looting." Early on in the book, they talk about how if a disaster like a hurricane hit the park and pandemonium broke out, they could lose millions of dollars from looting. So their solution is to *checks notes* make a bunch of college kids stay onsite to fight the looters? Just get your damn popcorn buckets insured against theft and let the employees evacuate normally.

Idk, I just feel like all throughout reading the book, I was waiting for one of the characters to suggest or ponder that maybe there was something supernatural about Hurricane Sadie that made everyone go Mad Max so quickly, but the author still tries to chalk it all up to a bunch of kids going crazy without their phones. Yes, some of it is tried to pin on the villain Brock Hockney being some kind of charismatic psycho who convinced the pirates to kill, but that doesn't explain why the others formed rival gangs too.

Or maybe the book could have benefitted from some stories of what the employees' relationships with each other and management was like before the hurricane hit? Some hints that maybe there was ill will already being sown between employees of the different sections from before the hurricane that just got compounded by the disaster?

Personally for me, the real horror in these kinds of Lord of the Flies type of stories isn't in the blood and gore, but in the psychological aspect of it. It's scary being stuck in an abandoned theme park and not knowing who you can trust or not knowing when someone is going to turn on you, and the slow reveal of that madness is where the true horror lies. But the speed at which the kids turned savage left no room for that slow terror to build, and whatever climax the tension was building up to, it did not pay off.

Still, I like the audiobook narrators. 5/5 for the audio, 2/5 for the story, so let's call it an overall 3/5?

Up next: Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, then Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry.

Also, I had to DNF The Ones We Burn. I was about 50% through and couldn't get through it. Probably because I was in the middle of reading it when my cousin passed away suddenly, and I was listening to it non-stop to keep myself distracted only to find myself too distracted to pay attention to the story. I've decided to set it aside for now and try again once I'm in a better headspace.

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Cater Diamond Union Birthday Personal Story: Part 1

"Happy Birthday"

Part 1 (Part 2) (Part 3)

[Heartslabyul Dorm – Birthday Party Venue]

Cater: I think all this waiting around for today's birthday interview to start's what gets my heart thumping the most.

Cater: I just gotta wonder who the Magical Birthday Dice chose for my presenter～

Cater: As long as it's someone with a good sense, it'd suit Cay-kun just fine ♪

???: Pardon me.

Jamil: I'm your presenter, Jamil Viper. Cater-senpai, I thank you for your time today.

Cater: Jamil-kun! Same here, I'm looking forward to this. Can we snap a pic together to start with?

Jamil: Yes, of course.

Cater: Heheh, nice one! I'll upload it to Magicam later, so def check it out ♪

Jamil: …Of course.

Jamil: Then, once more…

Jamil: Cater-senpai, happy birthday. This is my present to you.

Cater: Thank you～☆ I'm super curious what kind of thing Jamil would choose for me～ I honestly can't guess at all, I can't wait!

Cater: Woah, there's a bunch of cute and colorful stickers in here～! Are these for me to decorate something with?

Jamil: Yes. I tried to choose ones that would stick to your skateboard without any need for additional tools.

Cater: Wooow! You really knew what I'd like, huh. Wait, did I even ever mention skateboards to you before?

Jamil: No, I simply heard from Kalim a while back that you're quite talented at skateboarding.

Jamil: And when I checked your Magicam account, I saw you uploaded a post, saying, "I bought myself a new board," so…

Jamil: I attempted to select something that would go along with the design of your new board that would be to your taste.

Cater: I feel like it was kinda a long while back that I told Kalim-kun that… Jamil-kun, you have a good memory!

Cater: And not only did you match the color but also thought of my preferences… I'm super happy!

Cater: Of course, the design that came with the board isn't that bad, but…

Cater: When you jump or do a spin, you kinda end up showing off the back side of the board to everyone watching, so.

Cater: If I can show off that side of the board that's decorated perfectly to my tastes, it'll feel even more amazing when I stick the trick!!!

Cater: It'd also give me a chance to chat it up with the other boarders… And even better, the "likes" on Magicam would be through the roof!

Jamil: I think I understand. So you're saying that not only are you judged on your technique, but also your style.

Cater: That's right! But even then, this's a ton of stickers.

Cater: If I have this much, I'll be able to have fun just figuring out different combinations and layouts to place on my board. Seriously, thanks～!

Jamil: I'm pleased that you enjoy the gift.

Part 1 (Part 2) (Part 3)

Requested by Anonymous.

[violetren]

I swing up and down on my excitement for The Batman (2022) from like moderately interested to severely disappointed. The reason being that I am kinda fucking sick to death of Edgelord Supreme Batman and the specific brand comic nerds that swarm around the release of edgy batman movies.

--You know the types. The very white very misogynistic ones who think "I've never met a girl who was into comics before" is a high quality pick up line--

But like if we are gonna have another dark edgy I Am Vengeance Batman then start-of-his-career-first-time-unleashing-his-trauma-in-the-form-of-fursuit-vigilantism-Batman is absolutely the way to go. Enough with the jaded I've-been-doing-this-for-years-and-Gotham-still-sucks-and-I'm-still-sad-and-lonely-Batman. Dude kinda sucks in that form.

Baby Batsy just figuring out where his lines actually are in practice and how fucked up of a ride he's signing himself up for is at least interesting and so there in lies my excitement, when I can feel it.

However remember that mention of being severely disappointed? Yeah, let's get back to that, because I've just figured out a big part of why I'm disappointed by this movie that isn't even out yet.

Initially I thought it was just because once again we are getting a Batman without ANY of the Robins. Batman is a brilliantly nuanced character who can stand on his own in general but you lose SO much of what makes him interesting and fundamentally Batman if you don't give him someone lighter/younger to play off of. So having him on his own consistently just gets bland.

He's like rice. A fucking great staple. Can really hit the spot on its own sometimes. Sometimes. However generally it should almost be eaten alongside or mixed with something else if you're gonna be eating consistently.

Give us a Batman and Robin and let us witness Bruce slip into his adoption addiction.

And while this remains a pretty big portion of why I am disappointed there is something more.

When I saw Robert Pattinson was gonna be Batsy I was unsure--Twilight and Cedric Diggory weighed heavy in my mind--but then I realised, with the discovery of there being no Robin, that it'd be fine.

This many times around with the signature no direct light sources style of filming fucking anyone can do batman so long as they can do a halfway decent glare and a kinda growly voice. Between the shadows, stuntmen, near monosyllabic dialogue for 80% of the time, and costuming you could seamlessly make a Batman movie with a different Batman actor in every scene and if you didn't credit every actor then most people probably would only pick out like 5 max and it'd be a massive conspiracy. Honestly, it'd be fun to see.

But anyways!

I realised tonight that the other reason I so quickly came to accept the idea of Robert Pattinson as Batman and why I'm so god damn disappointed by the concept of this movie isn't just that it wouldn't make sense for him to have a Robin, it's that it wouldn't make sense for us to see Brucie Wayne.

And Robert Pattinson would do a phenomenal Brucie Wayne!

Think about it for a second.

Robert "Kissed Taylor Lautner so Kristen Stewart wouldn't have to at an awards show" Pattinson.

Robert "crashed the Order of the Phoenix premiere after eating pizza and beer all summer just coz" Pattinson.

Robert "spent a GQ interview microwaving pasta while trying to make a new hand held pasta dish" Pattinson.

That mother fucker could be put on a red carpet set and given exactly 2 directions.

He's popular bumbling billionaire Bruce Wayne

He can't be moody, grimdark, or angry

And then just let loose using his own general knowledge of how red carpet events are meant to go to just fucking ad lib it while everyone else read from actual scripted lines.

You can't convince me they wouldn't get some quality Brucie Wayne shenanigans out of that scenario. The only reason they'd need multiple takes is to ensure the full info needed for the scene got across and that people weren't laughing too much.

Dude could absolutely make the "do the butts match" joke feel natural on screen.

And the movie is gonna be too dark and gritty to give us anything even remotely in the fucking vicinity of Brucie Wayne and that is one of the major reasons I am pre-emptively disappointed by The Batman (2022).

[thelemoncoffee]

🎲 it starts with kokichi already being well known and has planned the biggest heist yet, when the detective agency like, hears abt this from the letter. they decided that perhaps a new detective should be in charge of this case since Shuichi is still somewhat of a rookie, a good one that's been close to capturing Kokichi but alas, what people wanted were results of him actually being captured.

Shuichi cant have this, not only because it'd basically feel like all that progress he did amounted to nothing– but he also feels something fishy is going on as he looks more into the kind of stuff Kokichi is stealing to get a pattern (they were all stuff that were "donated" to be displayed, aka a la british Museum style, Kokichi plans a heist to return ancient heirlooms and beloved artifacts etc.)

ofc, Shuichi doesn't make this epiphany yet but he was getting there— until the detective agency sent in Kirigiri, nothing against the woman btw she's just doing her job but it's revealed later on that she thought the switching of the detectives heading a case just when a big one showed up was stupid.

it all leads up to Kokichi hearing abt it, making a fuss just as Kirigiri arrives and a chase ensues, only to which Shuichi is the only one who's able to keep up since he knows the other's routes well.

lmao the trope of A & B being handcuffed together happens. they lost the key on the way and they could either– go back to the police station OR go to Kokichi's hide out.

it's a funny argument until Shuichi agrees since it could mean learning more about Kokichi– and he does! he learns a whole lot!

and that Kokichi was a fucking magical girl/j

okay not really but the reason his magic tricks work? while most of it yes, they're parlor tricks, the way he disappears is by literally going into another fucking realm what the FUCK Kokichi???? why are you showing him this???? it's so cool, they're bonding but why-?

apparently, Kokichi loved the cat and mouse chase, he was so excited for the game to reach the highest high and Kirigiri was a roadblock and that he wanted to work together even, they could make a spectacle of Shuichi capturing him!

Shuichi doesn't understand, he was stealing just to feel the thrill of it??? he wants him to work with an infamous criminal?! ni! their relationship wasn't fun and games, it was a detective chasing down a thief!

conflict, drama, they get the handcuffs off but it also means that when Kokichi runs, Shuichi loses him in unfamiliar territory which leadss up to Shuichi doing detective work and finding his base of operations and figuring out the reason Kokichi is a thief in the first place.

also probably a DICE moment wheree they're the one who left clues, they're the ones helping make Kokichi's tricks go smoothly behind the scenes and saw that the detective needs to realize an important detail their leaderr forgot to leave out!!

and now, for the kicker, one of the DICE members come in panicked, Kokichi is cornered, he did the heist without DICE watching over him and it's clear some of the men being brought in aren't afraid to start shooting (they're working for corrupt officials-) Shuichi has to G o.

and he does, he comes in out of nowhere, literally, Kirigiri halting the gunmen and they cant shoot otherwise their cover will be blown, Kokichi's surprised Shuichi came for him, Shuichi does NOT want Kokichi to like fall okay.

"Shumai, trust me-" "What do you mean trust you?!" "Come on, look I know I lied but trust me on this." and then. for a beat. Shuichi does.

they fall. the bright lights on the helicopters following them and Kokichi laughs.

"FOR MY NEXT TRICK, WE'RE GOING BYE BYE!" and they fucking disappear bc Shuichi forgot, oh yeah, Kokichi has fucking ties to magic.

he's left at a nearby rooftop of a building, unable to comprehend what just happened, Kirigiri comes in checking to make sure he was okay, interviews him on what happened, and thanks him for saving Kokichi bc it turns out, the reason she accepted was so that no corrupt detective could come in and she wanted to investigate herself if something shady was going on.

anyways, tired as hell, Detective Saihara goes home, only to find black dice on his table, looking outside to see a familiar silhouette—

they turn around but what meets him are bright yellow and violet eyes, not the amethyst he'd see behind the mask. Shuichi runs out anyway—

"nishishi, rather weird to just run out your house to greet someone, stranger."

"ha. ha. i'm pretty sure we met already."

"oh really? what's my name then?"

"uh-" "thought so, name's Kichi." "...Shumai."

"that's a nice name, whoever gave you that has excellent naming sense!" *snort*

"wanna... wanna go get some coffee?" "pfft, okay, but i choose the place." "oh yeah? it better be worth it." "trust me shumai! it's Magical."

omg that is delightful! i love the magic thing, makes me wonder why i never thought to add magic myself to any phantom thief aus

[dogsliampaynedoesntinstagram]

The combination of One Direction and Taskmaster scratches all the right parts of my brain. Personally I imagine that, were they to do it as a band, I'd have liked to see them in 2010-2011ish when they were relatively goofier and less self-conscious in public. The team tasks, in particular, would have probably been adorable and chaotic (the way many of their initial media interviews had a basket-of-golden-retriever-puppies vibe). But I hope baby Lima wouldn't feel obligated to play dad and (1/2)

(2/2) have less fun himself, for the sake of getting the group to fulfill the brief. Imagining them competing 2014-present is harder for me. Zayn might do well with more artistic tasks but wallflower in group tasks. Louis: probably lots of arguing with Davies over points. Harry: probably many interesting items for prize tasks, but also IMO he's self-conscious (& losing-averse) enough to opt out of the show altogether. Niall would secretly be quite competitive and I also think he would win

**************

I've got another anon about this so I'll answer this briefly and develop my thoughts later on.

I agree that there are basic two windows for 1D members to be on taskmaster - very early on while they were still very puppyish in public. And in 20 years time when they've entered their Bez and Shaun Ryder phase and don't give a shit.

But I'm a little bit more of a stickler for taskmaster protocol than you. I don't think they'd ever do a whole season of taskmaster with non-comedians. So I can only imagine them doing a single episode New Year's treat style, and therefore there would be no team tasks.

Partly agree about Harry. But he never does anything by halves, so if he went in for it he would be very silly and ridiculous I actually think Zayn might do quite well. I think he's quite competitive and doing things by himself would work for him.

I go backwards and forwards about Lima. In some ways I think he might be way too anxious to be filmable. But then in another way maybe a life where he sits by himself and someone gets him and tells him to do something and then he can relax might work for him. Perhaps if the producers told him to do well regularly.

With Louis I think there'd be a real balance between his competitive side and his need to control his image. It'd only happen if those could be reconciled.

Agree about Niall as a very likely winner.

[topweeklyupdate]

TØP Weekly Update #142: A Formidable Album (5/21/21)

So... how 'bout that album release week?

There's so much to cover; the release of nine new songs, the hype that's building for the World's Best Band to return to the stage, and (if we're able to come up for air) the massive speculation of what the future brings for our band.

I'm gonna get right into it, laying out my thoughts regarding this bold new album and covering all the most notable news from the week. I'll be sharing my (mostly) positive opinions about Scaled and Icy under the Read More line; I hope they're the start of a fun conversation with all of y'all who have stuck around through this last year.

Scaled and Icy Review

First, my general thoughts on the album: It's good! Really good. Do I think it's a no-skip like Vessel or a cohesive piece of art like Trench? Absolutely not! But it's also not the potential misfire that I worried that we might be getting when I first heard "Saturday" (more on that later); I think all of the songs are at least good, and some of them are downright great tracks that hold up with anything else that our band has ever released. It is also indisputably very different, but I think that generally works pretty well. Many of the songs evoke '60s rock or Britpop sounds and structures that you can tell Tyler is still trying to navigate, but I think he does a very solid job at adapting them to suit his strengths- namely his lyricism and knack for melody- rather than change to suit them. Unfortunately, this does result in a bit of square-peg-in-round-hole syndrome at times; most of the rap verses on the album feel like they're here just to fulfill an obligation to fans who would be mad if they weren't here, and most of the songs that use them are the weakest ones in the project.

"Good Day" plays a major role in getting the rest of the album to work as well as it does. Its gradual ramp-up, introducing the sound that will be used throughout the rest of the album. Its playfulness belies its message about how one can project a somewhat false optimism for oneself in the midst of tragedy: the type of dark stuff in a bright package that Tyler is so so good at. It's perhaps not an instant classic, but I am excited to see how it comes across when it's eventually used as a show-opener. 9/10

I've of course already discussed "Shy Away"; an anthemic, inimitably catchy track that I just wish had a bit more going on under the hood. Still going to be so good to hear thousands of voices scream "An 'I LOVE YOU' that isn't words!" someday. 9.5/10

"Choker" definitely took a little bit to grow on me. I think part of that was a bit of disappointment from over-inflated expectations and the environment I was in when I first heard it. With further listens, I fall more and more in love with the melody of the song... well, most of it. Like the rest of this album, the biggest weakness in the song is when Tyler tries to tick the box of having a rap verse; it just feels really out of place, unfinished, and almost amateurish, and it doesn't end the song on the note that it really should. Without it, it'd be one of my favorites on the album; with it, "Choker" is a solid 8.5/10.

Speaking of unfinished-sounding songs really hurt by their rap verse: "The Outside". There's a definite something to the vibe of the song, but that seemingly nonsensical verse is one of the two weakest parts of the entire project for me. The way the song meanders only adds to the feeling that there wasn't as much energy and attention paid to it compared to other parts of the project. It's pretty easily my least favorite track on Scaled and Icy, and the only one I might regularly skip. I've also seen plenty of people saying it's the best song on the album, so please tell me why I'm wrong! 6.5/10

"Saturday", as mentioned above, had me really nervous about this album. Like "Choker", it's grown on me a bit since I first heard it, in part because it fits better with the context of the rest of the album. However, this one really does feel undercooked lyrically and overreliant on the novelty of using a disco-inspired sound that seems to chase trends more than almost any other TØP track. The inclusion of that very sweet audio clip from Jenna boosts the song in some ways, but also adds to the disappointment in others; there are many other songs on this project that would be more worth surrendering time watching Friends. Thankfully, those come next. 7/10

"Never Take It" is fascinating. I never thought I'd hear a Rolling Stones-style song from Tyler Joseph featuring a gd guitar solo of all things, and it actually sounds pretty great. However, I also predict that this song will see some of the greatest critical scrutiny out of all the songs on the album. The lyrics seem to be Tyler's criticism of the media for playing up division in our society, but he's extremely vague when discussing which entities are spreading said division and ultimately recommends that people "educate yourself, but never too much". I'll be honest: maybe it's the fact that it sounds like something my dad would listen to, but it feels like this would get tons of play on Fox News. Since it makes specific reference to the events of last summer, it's hard not to feel like song is at least partially inspired by Tyler's brush with cancellation last year. Maybe I'm reading too deeply into it, but those reservations come from the song's lack of specificity, which is an issue of songwriting more than politics. They hold me back from truly loving a song that still manages to be one of the most exciting the band has ever put out. 8.5/10

"Mulberry Street" seems like the perfect realization of the entire album's intended tone. It is so pleasant, so lush while also simply produced, full of great lyrics, metaphors, and imagery. It really brings the whole project together, even if it's missing That One Line to really move this up to the top tier of the canon. 9.5/10

"Formidable" is the best song on the album and one of two songs I would truly rank in the top tier of the band's canon. Extremely pleasant and brimming with well-crafted lines to make your heart swoon. Jenna (and Rosie) is (are) a lucky gal(s). Or is it about Josh? Who's to say? 10/10

"Bounce Man" is just plain wild. I think Tyler's smuggling someone to Mexico to escape the feds? The playfulness of it all really covers up any frustration I might have with the clarity; it makes it clear that there's not really stakes here, just vibes. 8.5/10

"No Chances" sees the album take a turn that I'm sure the Reddit Clique is going to have an absolute field day with; it and "Redecorate" both sound quite different from the rest of the album and evoke enough elements of Trench to make me think that's it's actually possible that all this 'SAI is Propaganda' stuff might actually have something to it... until I actually pick apart the lyrics, then I'm even more confused. The song has some of the best rapping on the album, though that's not saying much (the feng shui line is a groaner right out the gate) and the gentle pre-chorus is really pleasant. I still haven't made up my mind on whether the chorus is effective or just plain goofy. This one might get worse or better on repeat listens, impossible to say for now. 7.5/10

"Redecorate" rounds out the album by opening with a Clancy quote (Tyler, you bastard), firmly setting this as a coda to Trench more than the album we just listened to. The rest of the song is really storytelling, with Tyler describing a bunch of people who are struggling deeply. The idea of "redecorating" here stands for how they are faced with the option to clean and resort their own spaces and lives or leave that to their loved ones to do after they're gone. By the time it gets to the album's name drop, you begin to wonder how much of this is potential autobiographical of the last year. It's moving stuff, a callback to some of the great strengths of the band's discography. 10/10

If I average those scores all up, this project ranks below almost every album among the Pilots discography on my rating scale, very narrowly edging out Self-Titled. That's still a very solid 8.6. Scaled and Icy is a very good album on first listen. We'll see how I feel about it after having a little more time to sit with it, but I've rambled enough: let's move through the rest of the week's news.

Other News

Of course, there was a lot else going on this week! To accompany the release of "Saturday", Zane Lowe over at Apple Music dropped an interview with Tyler. As usual, Zane did a pretty solid job of getting to the heart of the craft and the creation process. However, Tyler also wound up skirting a lot of the questions to just talk more about how much he loves being a dad, which makes me happy; if the cost of getting a little less attention and mental energy devoted to the music is that little girl getting all of his attention, that's honestly preferable for me.

The album rollout is not even close to over. Later today, the concert will be streamed live. It's our first real performance that we've gotten from the band since 2019, but the previews that we've seen have completely exceeded any of my expectations, and really anything that we've seen from the band. It appears that they've transformed the entire arena (which I think is the ol' Schott at Ohio State) into a whole TØP world, with different sets laden with Easter eggs and a cast of backup dancers. If the website can hold up to the traffic (and I acknowledge that might be a big ask), this could really live up to Tyler's promise of this being the best livestreamed concert ever.

Oh, and this guy dyed his hair pink.

What a time to be a fan. Catch you all tomorrow.

Power to the local dreamer.

|-/

[oc-magazine1]

OC Interview with Desmond! 🤩

Created by Isa @isayandere

Tell us about yourself: "I'm Desmond. I'm actually suuuper in demand so you're, like, so lucky to be interviewing me right now. Let's see... stuff about me. I'm 21, my birthday is October 2nd, and I'm a Libra. I'm the lead guitarist for my band, Bringing Back December, I also do vocals sometimes. We have 3 albums that you should totally stream, like, right now. Anyway... yeah, there's that. I love dogs, (I've got a Doberman that I adopted from a rescue shelter), I love monster energy, (monster please license me), partying, cute girls, aaaand... myself, obviously~ Oh, yeah. and I guess people would call me "emo" or "scene", which is fine. I like the style."

Where would you take a date?

"Where would I take a date, huh? Hm... I'd probably take her shopping. Somewhere like... a mall. Who doesn't like spending money? Plus I can buy her stuff like clothes and make her totally love me... then we'd get something to eat after. It'd be cute as fuck. If it was an evening date, I'd probably take her to a club, and then we're going straight to one of our places after for the real fun.

What is your idea of paradise?

"I don't... really know, I've never given it much thought. Maybe when I'm really popular because of my band, so I have all the money I could want 'cause of fame, and I've got the love of my life living with me so I can wake up with her every day. Yeah, that's probably it."

What do you love about yourself?

"Ummm, everything? Every time I look in the mirror I get reminded of how fuckin' sexy I am, like, if I could I'd kiss myself. It's a combination of everything that makes me so desirable, you see. I've got all these other guys beaten by FAR. I guess if I had to pick something specific though, it'd probably be my hair and face... and my body."

What are your bad habits?

"I like gettin' wasted, I guess. I do some drugs to make my nights better. That's about it."

Do you have a favorite phrase that you say a lot?

"Uhh... probably "f"**k you. Just kidding, probably "haters will be haters", I live by that!"

If you had $1 million, what would you do with the cash?

"Adopt every dog that needs adopting, get 'em out of the shelters, then give them all away to people as pets for completely free. ...and maybe use the leftover money to buy a lifetime supply of Monster. And whatever my girlfriend wants."

Do you have any enemies?

"Not really, my enemies are just insecure people who are, like, sooo jelly of me. It's funny to watch them. Though... I guess I'd consider any other guys that try to hit on my girlfriend my real enemies. If I see that shit, things just got real, dude."

If you could appear in any popular movie or book, which one would you choose and why?

"Ooooh, I'd TOTALLY be a character in the SCREAM movies. I'd be, like, the hot side character that everyone likes, but at the end of the movie, it's revealed that I was the killer's accomplice and was one of the guys using the mask the entire time to kill people with 'em. Yeahh... but people would still love me, 'cause I'm hot. Think about it for a sec, confident and SEXY emo guy turns out to be the killer? It'd get me even MORE fans. I'd have entire accounts dedicated to posting gifs of me online."

What’s your relationship with your creator? "I don't really mind her... sure, she put me through a lot of shit, but I know I'm her favorite and she loves me more than almost anything at the end of the day. She gives me a lot of attention, AND she gave me a totally cute girlfriend and awesome bandmates. She's kinda cute herself, so I guess I can forgive her... yeah, she's not half bad."

Do you have any advice for other character creators?

DO whatever the HELL you want with your characters, it's all about having fun and doing what you love baby! Wanna make overly sexy guys or girls? Overly powered teenage characters who are loved by everyone and the stars of their story? Neon emo furries? The most CLICHE romance, even if it's a self-insert character with a canon character you love? DO IT, you'll be so much happier, and most importantly F**K everyone who thinks it's cringe, they need a life, live your life! I SUPPORT YOU!