#to ME it's obvious and it's the being in love with your best friend anthem. but whatever

[youssefguedira]

every now and then i do have to sit back and recognise that my interpretation of weekend by neon trees may in fact be not that obvious in the song itself

[pierregazly]

you were my best friend first ꨄ  charles leclerc

charles leclerc x reader

warnings: fluff, charles is the sappiest drunk, monaco 2024, mentions of drinking/being drunk [1k words]

request: 🫶🏻 Charles Leclerc + prompt 8!! Thank youuuu 🤍 ["you were my bestfriend, before you were anything else, love."]

The Monaco sun shined down on him, his head was tilted back, embracing the warmth that radiated against his skin. Soft sighs of triumph leaving his lips as beads of sweat began to gather against his forehead.

You couldn’t help the way your eyes followed his every move. He was exquisite in every way, and it was like he just knew it. The love that emitted from your heart for the Monegasque man was never-ending, all-consuming, and exactly the type of love you had always dreamt of, had always daydreamed about when you thought of the person that would once be that person for you.

Your eyes still shined bright with unshed tears, the sounds of the Monegasque anthem being sung from around you prompting one small bead of liquid to drip down your face. The pride racing through your body was indescribable. You could practically feel Charles’ happiness, his sheer relief, coursing through your own body.

Arthur’s arm was tossed over your shoulder, pulling your body against his side as he screeched the lyrics of the anthem into the open air, his own cheeks riddled with tears of pride for his big brother. Really, everyone around you had red cheeks, and a copious amount of shed tears.

This was the moment.

The moment everyone in Monaco had been yearning for since he qualified on pole, since they realized that this may finally be his chance. His family, his friends, his country-folk, his Monarchy, it was the moment every single person had been rooting for him for, for years.

It felt like forever while you waited for him to make his way down from the podium, being stopped by every person he passed kept him occupied, a toothy-smile so prominent on his features as his arms wrapped around almost every person who put their arm out to stop him in his path.

Once your eyes finally made contact with his, he rushed over, throwing his arms around your body and pulling you tight against him. You couldn’t decipher the words he was yelling into your ear, but the tone, the happiness, it was so obvious. 

“You did it, you did it!” He eagerly nodded his head down at you, pressing his lips messily against yours, the smile as he did so prompting the corners of your lips to tug up alongside his.

Charles pulled back to look down at you, his glassy eyes conveying words you knew he couldn’t say right now.

“Thank you for being here, mon coeur. I’m so… just thank you,” he said.

You smiled up at him, your words caught in your throat as you tried to keep the looming tears at bay. 

“I’ll always be here, Cha,” you said, a soft smile gracing your face as you continued to look up at him, feeling like the two of you were stuck in your own little world.

It didn’t take long for the festivities to begin. People graced the streets, singing songs of celebration, the clubs began opening their doors, the champagne had already been popped.

The gala dinner passed by quickly, the starstruck feeling of being so close to the Prince and Princess of Monaco was diminished by the drinks that continuously felt like they were being magically refilled in your hand. Charles’ arm hadn’t left your lower back, his body having begun to mould itself to you the longer the night progressed. 

“Are you still okay to go to the club, mon coeur?”

Quirking an eyebrow up at him in confusion, you nodded your head with a slight laugh.

“Cha… tonight’s about you. I will go anywhere you want me to, my love. Just take my hand and drag me along,” you said.

A grin replaced the soft look on his face, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of your head as he pulled your body tight against his again.

The music in the club was thunderous. There was no other way to describe the energy of the environment as anything other than triumphant. Everyone felt like this was a triumph for them, watching the person who had felt for years that Monaco could never love him back… to finally feel the love that he had always given so freely. 

Neither of you had realized how much you had drank until you were holding each other up, the Monaco flag held over your heads as someone; still unsure as to who, dragged the two of you along and out to an Uber. 

Charles giggled in your ear every time his feet flew out from underneath him, almost dragging the two of you down with every third step he took.

“Can’t believe you were really here to see me do it, baby,” he whispered in your ear, once the two of you were settled in the Uber and back on the road.

“M’good luck charm, mon coeur,” he nuzzled his head into your shoulder, prompting a shiver to shoot through your body.

“Oh Cha, wouldn’t have missed it for the world. You’re my best friend, my love,” you responded, a soft smile on your heated cheeks.

“You were my best friend, before you were anything else, mon coeur. Gonna talk about how I couldn’t have won Monaco without you during my wedding speech, mon coeur. Make everyone jealous, cause you’re so great and you’re all mine,” he rambled on, slurring his way through his multiple declarations of love for you.

Drunk or sober, the feelings that swam through your body had you nuzzling closer to the Monegasque as your apartment building came into view. You had loved him for years, had been the backbone of so many unfortunate weekend endings; had been there for every high and low in his Formula 1 career.

Every unhappy Sunday had led to this moment, Charles whispering declarations of love into your shoulder, as the banners and chants continued amongst the country. The raw, unfiltered love for the man beside you prompting drunken tears to fill your eyes.

He was Monaco’s hero, but he was your best friend first.

im so sorry it's taking me so long to get these out lol... i havent been in the biggest writing mood lately, but i finished a book tonight in two hours and decided i needed to finish this one. this one NEEDED to get written. love you all 💗

[mommypieck]

OK HEAR ME OUT ON THIS ONE… Aot guys but they have a crush on their best friends sister ?!

eren

he would make you play games with him and your brother. he gets defensive over you when your brother calls you lame or anything bad. and he uses these situations to make you sit next to him. high-school eren plays sports so he would run up to you after sport to ask you how they did. he also loves having special handshakes with you and touch you whenever he likes. he doesn't dare to hug you but he loves patting your head.

you would probably find out that he has a crush on you while you're passing him in the hallways and he's talking about you to his friends.

armin

he's the type to "accidently" go for something to drink when you're in the kitchen. he always asks you questions about your life.... and sometimes he gets so personal that you have to beg him to stop giving you dating advise. he also suggests to go with you to the mall when you complain that all of your friends are busy. and if you agree, he makes sure to see you in everything you try on. although he gets shy whenever you touch him.

he tells you that he has a crush on you and he makes sure that your brother isn't in 500km radius.

jean

he would take you home from school. the type to slow down when he sees you walking home, roll the window down and tell you to get in while tilting his sunglasses down. actually tries to be your friend rather than shyly hop around. be glad that your brother thinks good of him and allows him to hang out with your alone. something jean comes over when your brother is out to have you all to himself. he acts confident but one time when you hugged him goodbye, he almost passed out.

i think your brother figures out what's going on and tells you about jean's secret crush.

connie

he's bold about it but still not entirely obvious. he says stuff like "hey bro, your hot sister opened my door for me. can i have her?" but you think he's not being serious. he's always flirty with you, but after some time, he would get angry because now it's you who's not serious. always touches you in some way. he loves hugging your shoulders and ruffling your hair. connie would tell all of his friends about you and they would tease him about it. he actually waits the whole year to ask you for a prom as friends but he confessed during party rock anthem.

reiner

he's the biggest mess out all of them. he can't be in the same room as you because he's gonna melt. and if you opened the door for him, be prepared for reiner to run but the stairs as fast as possible. you actually thought that he hated you for some time but you later found out that he's just shy. when he gets used to your presence, it's something different. he still blushes at every word you say but he is more confident in his communication skills. also you find out that he has a crush on you yourself. like come on. even your brother is his wingman. he's just so miserable.

[huellitaa]

bee's record player: march edition. 🎀𓂃 ࣪˖

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 !! notice !! ♡

surpriseee <3 wanted to try and add a little of my personal influence to my girlblog since music is literally my entire life & thought it might be funny to show u all what makes up the chaotic glittery mess that is my brain (and because there are almost 1000 of you beautiful people following me whatt?? thank you😭). i've allllways wanted to do smth like this too so, here u go !! 🩷💗

(+ this is a way for me to rant about my interests without being annoying to my friends / moots 😭. to anybody who has listened to me rant or cry or scream or whatever over music ily guys mwa)

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 NEW ARRIVALS

goddess, laufey

♡ released march 6th, 2024

♡ single

♡ running time: 4 minutes 28 seconds

eternal sunshine, ariana grande

♡ released march 8th, 2024

♡ full album / LP

♡ best songs: supernatural, the boy is mine, we can't be friends (wait for your love), intro (end of the world)

♡ running time: 35 minutes 33 seconds

unheard, hozier

♡ released march 22nd, 2024

♡ extended play / EP

♡ best songs: too sweet (i adore this song.)

♡ running time: 13 minutes 59 seconds

super real me, illit

♡ released march 25th, 2024

♡ extended play / EP, debut! ♡

♡ best songs: magnetic, midnight fiction

♡ running time: 9 minutes 36 seconds

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 BEE'S TRACKS: TOP 10

♡ 10. my world, illit

girly girl song!! i've been obsessed with illit's whole super real me album, their debut is soo good oh my gosh. its criminally short but i seem to have listened to it a lot !! 😭

♡ 9. we can't be friends (wait for your love), ariana grande

i have SO MUCH to say about this song but it resonates with me so much in so many different ways and i just. oh my god. ariana i love u so much

♡ 8. we got so much, le sserafim

k so i initially didn't really like this song but... it's grown on me. a lot. since it first came out. um. it's pretty simple honestly and it's just really girly girl it makes me feel like a school girl i love it

♡ 7. this is what makes us girls, lana del rey

girlblogger anthem!! okay confession i did not get into this song until LAST MONTH. i know. it's terrible and i am ashamed i am so sorry. but i have formed such a strong emotional attachment to this song its crazy i adore it

♡ 6. imperfect for you, ariana grande

exposing myself pt.3 i was in a really big depressive slump for like one half or more of this month actually and this song helped me so much i can't 😭 i love you ari

♡ 5. the boy is mine, ariana grande

(are you noticing a pattern here yet) um another ariana grande song no lol um idk what ur talking about haha 🥰 this song is so twerkable im sorry i wasnt a fan at first but im obsessed i need to stop

♡ 4. smart, le sserafim

no words. once again wasn't a huge fan originally but oh my god im obsessed w it now. afrobeat type of songs are, will, and always be top tier and i will die on this hill. (i've been SO OBSESSED with le sserafim lately but i think thats fairly obvious here😭)

♡ 3. eternal sunshine, ariana grande

i adore this song oh my god. its become one of my favs of all time since it came out. this was on loop for HOURS when i first heard it and its such a comfort song for me. it shows her growth so beautifully and there's so much about it i just absolutely adore like i could write a whole essay on this song and still wouldnt be able to express how much i love it

♡ 2. magnetic, illit

illit was bound to pop up here again this month tbh ok so me and my bsf were listening to this on loop the entire time at school a little after it came out like we were sitting in the front row of our class and were still watching the magnetic mv under the desk on her phone. so in love with this song it makes me so happy n feel so cute i ahh <3

♡ 1. supernatural, ariana grande

SUPERNATURAL IS THE SONG EVER. first day it came out i listened to the album and this was on loop constantly for the next week or more. it's made it up to my top 10 fav songs of all time ever and i listen to A LOT of music. this song is my life<333

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 ALBUMS

♡ 1. eternal sunshine, ariana grande

fairly self explanatory. i love u ari. there was soo much ari this month bc ive been a diehard ari stan since i was 8 and have never looked back. since yes and released in january i have been ecstatic about ag7 releasing in march after 4 YEARS of no ari so this was MONUMENTAL for me 😭😭 THE DROUGHT IS OVER ARIANATORS RISE 🩷🩷🩷

♡ 2. super real me, illit

so basically the day this album came out my best friend was spamming me about them and i only listened to them like 2 days after cuz she was annoying me about it and OH MY GOD. i listened to them and then proceeded to loop the whole album for the next 72 hours 💗 and for a debut as well is amazing ily illit girlies

♡ 3. with you-th, twice

so i wasn't much of a fan at first bc they just sounded really similar and bland to me but its grown on me a lot since it came out and i've been listening to it so much throughout the entirety of march. its just so oddly comforting in a way and feels like a hug in music form (+ rush and bloom are the best songs argue with the wall)

♡ 4. easy, le sserafim

self explanatory. i'm obsessed with le sserafim at the moment and this album is everything to me. ass shaking album 10/10

♡ 5. k-12, melanie martinez

i have been revisiting one of my fav albums of all time this month and its as amazing as always. this has been my favourite album of all time since it came out and i will never ever get over k12 🩷 10000/10!!!! <3

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 ARTISTS

♡ TOMORROW X TOGETHER

♡ TWICE

♡ LANA DEL REY

♡ LE SSERAFIM

♡ ARIANA GRANDE

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 SPECIAL MENTIONS

♡ happy 1 year to portals by melanie martinez! oh my god this album helped me through all of 2023 and i went to see her on tour in london for my birthday last november and it was surreal. she's amazing. i adore her and this album (i have it on vinyl hehe) and love it SOO MUCH 💖

♡ expect ordinary things by ariana grande to be high high on my top 10 next month its been on loop for days now im obsessed

♡ there's going to be a LOT in next month's issue seeing as 2 of my all time favs are coming back next month, so prepare for that! so excited ahh <3 (one has already released at the time of writing this. prepare urselves.)

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 EDITOR'S NOTE

this was SO FUN oh my gosh. i am 100% making this a regular thing~ lmk if it was entertaining, improvements needed, artists / albums you'd like me to keep up with etc, or just general comments, ideas, reviews and so on. thank you so much for reading, this was so fun! look forward to next month 💗🫶💖

lots of love 💘

[caustinen]

omfg love love loving the new additions to the hollywood au!! i love how it just keeps growing and getting better with every new thing you say about them 🖤🤍 (the b&w hearts are reserved for the clegan hollywood au now)

just have to say the way they’re actually so in character and so madly in love already even before the first time they say i love you (that drabble gave me sm life btw thank you :)) ) is so insane AHH and the hcs are out of this world amazing too THANK YOU

and YES YES YES can totally see the potential for a singer john & songwriter gale already. imagine buck writing all these songs with bucky as his muse but bucky thinks buck’s writing all this with someone else in mind (he thinks there’s no way anyone would be able to write such beautiful lyrics unless they really are in love) because every time he asks gale about it he manages to avoid the question/change the topic (& blushes slightly) and john just gets jealous/upset. cue all the intense pining & miscommunication because these two are oblivious idiots in love but obviously they get together in the most dramatic way possible & become even more insufferable to everyone around them. everyone around thinks that it’ll get better once they stop hopelessly pining for each other and once they get together but it’s somehow even worse cause now they go from oblivious idiots in love to obvious idiots in love (but everyone’s obviously so so happy for them and there are definitely bets placed about the two of them getting together)

and also YES YES would love to see more ig posts, but definitely no pressure though <33

im soso sorry this got super rambly but i had to get it out and you are literally my favourite person on this app right now so sending you loads and loads of love and hope you have a lovely day 🩵🩵🩵

oh you’re my favorite person on this app too this really made my day 😭🤍🖤 (<- and yes for these being officially their hearts now 🥰)

THAT SINGER-SONGWRITER AU 🧎‍♀️ that would be so amazing, the potential of delicious miscommunication & pining is making me shiver because i could also see how bucky would then sing the songs so emotionally, so filled with feeling that gale would also be like goddamnit he must be in love with someone and it would be this endless cycle until it gets absolutely ridiculous 😭 like gale could hand bucky a song literally called ”in love with my best friend (but he doesn’t get it)” and bucky would be like sigh if only you understood your own work 😪 and then when they get together the music they’d write together would be so cheesy, so sweet, so disgustingly romantic that even the label is like… maybe it was better when we were just releasing a million sad singles about pining? but also they’re like absolute bangers and bucky would fit the confident lover boy era just as well as the sad pining boi era 😌 and gale would write the masterpiece of his life with john as his muse, like the kind of love anthem that would stand time and become a classic that everyone knows 🥹

also wanted to say that i reallt appreciate you saying these have been in charachter, that’s always my biggest stress!! so ty and hope you’ve had the best day 💘

[celestial-sapphicss]

bad buddy fandom getting-to-know-you meme! (created by @fiercynn)

tagged by beloveds @nobodynobodyno & @cornflowershade & @solana-ceae thank you for tagging me this was so much fun! 🌹💖

note: i consider "fanworks" to pretty much everything people create related to a fandom, including but not limited to meta/analysis/discussion, gifs, fanvids/edits/fancams, filk, fanart, fanfic, fan food, fan crafts, etc. please include this note with the meme unless you have a different definition!

name and whatever you want to share about yourself

im vi! i'm queer, 23, born & living in India, but brought up in south-east asia!

when did you watch bad buddy/join the fandom?

i saw the show as it aired but i joined the fandom (and tumblr) around ep3!

favorite ship(s)

PatPran (duh!), but also InkPa because they're such a good pair like how Pa is a badass but around Ink she just melts and gigges (both the jundapat siblings are the same skskks)

favorite character(s)

Pran. he is me, i am him. he is a feral, musky scented hoe and i love him.

favorite episode(s)

episode 4! first we got ink and pa projecting her crush pn pat! then we saw pran AND A LOT OF PINING AND JEALOUSY. my boy had gotten his hopes up and then absolutely shattered. we got "only i can have these super cute dimples" & "if you were ink, would you like me?" and that absolutely heartbreaking last scene <3

favorite scene(s) 

i mean there's the obvious ep5 4/4 fight followed by the best kiss in cinematic history. but also pat in the music shop discovering that he likes pran. and pat shouting his love to pran in the architecture faculty. and pat and pran's scene in the corridor with the guitar. and inkpa hotpot date and the photography room scene. the entire episode 8 & 11 (im cheating ik). i will keep on listing all the scenes if i don't stop.

one thing you would change about the show if you could

i wish there was just one discussion about wai being a dick to pran in ep8/9. like i wouldn't change what happened but like after all the dust had settled and all the friends were ok with patpran, i hope there was a discussion or even a mention of that wai apologised to pran somewhere behind the scenes and pran mentioned this to pat. (and i'm not sure if os2 counts but i would most def change ep3 of the crossover where they are just getting lost and screaming each others' names again and again sksksks)

what are your some of your favorite fanworks made by other people

this is very unfair ok i love them all but here are a few

i'll just link all the fics here & the post i made about it some time back! (special mention to a soft boy in soft sweaters by @dimplesandfierceeyes)

the entire @badbuddyingifs blog

fanarts by @hereforlou (x) & @architectxengineer (x)

bad buddy costume colour theories by @dribs-and-drabbles

InkPa edits:

this edit by @pranink

this one by @akingyouniverse

episode 7 by @mantrisanu

developer stopper fixer by @oswlld

darkroom confessions by @forcebook

just the way you are by @snimeat

another darkroom edit by @chinzillas

FMVs

iris fmv by @prantically

enchanted fmv by @thranduel

patpran x zara zara fanvid by @prany

Quotes & Stuff

this cursed (affectionate set) by @guntapon

this quote that makes me cry everytime by @machikeita

yet another one of my fav quotes by @nanons

when we were younger by @alexshenry

you'll never be friends by @taeminie

myth by @tipsyjaehyun

love story by @fourthnattawat

another one by @freensrcha

v. imp kissing patpran set by @patspran

already home by @sunsetandthemoon

pran's life anthem by @morkofday

Character & Dynamics

pat-ink edit by @pranpats

pat saying ma ni by @casualavocados

best boy pat edit by @louwilliam

feral musky scented hoe pran by @seanwhites

best siblings by @ardentlytess

ink by @angelbesideme

Misc

page to screen series by @actually-yikes

inspired movie posters by @nanonkorapat

bad buddy rewatch series by @baifengxis

bbs2 by @dimpledpran

concept sets by @i-got-the-feels

episode 7 edit by @ayan-sukkhapisit

(if you create fanworks) what are your favorite fanworks that you’ve made?

i did make some edits but my favourite one is the PatPran x Bollywood edit!

a song that makes you think of bbs (the ones in the show don’t count lol)

well obviously same page? by tilly birds. but also way too many taylor swift songs (seven, labrynth, gold rush, our song, the 1, betty, i think he knows, daylight, the great war, mine, enchanted), sleepwalker by julie byrne is so pran coded, home by reese lansangan, straberries & ciggarettes by troye sivan, i'm yours by alessia cara, doors by ben&ben etc. etc.

idk anything else you want us to know?

cursing your feed with this

tagging everyone i tagged above! (if you want) <3

[loonarii]

My Top 15 K-Pop Songs of 2023

I genuinely don't know how, but somehow we have made it to December 10 2023, exactly 1 year after my top songs of 2022 post which I've decided to make a permanent thing on this blog. This year I was a lot more organized with formulating this list - I created a spotify playlist in January, and any kpop songs I cared about this year I added to it in chronological order. This list includes songs released between 2022/12/10 and 2023/12/10, and is entirely based on my personal opinion - feel free to let me know ur top songs of the year in the comments and rbs <33

(15) BYOB (bring your own best friend) (English Ver.) - Billlie

I just know some eyebrows are being raised but HEAR ME OUT, this song just speaks to me. It’s not a club banger, it's not an anthemic stadium hit, but it is something for the girlies, and I love it.

(14) Girls' Capitalism - TripleS LOVElution

What a hilarious concept for a song, TripleS is too good. Is this song literally just ‘Generation’ the sequel? Yes! I don’t care!! It’s really good!!!

(13) Standing Next To You - Jungkook (BTS)

Now I’m not an army, and none of Jungkook’s previous singles really spoke to me, they were catchy of course but not for me. This song, on the other hand, is artistry. His passion for what he does is so obvious in this song, I am severely impressed.

(12) Spicy - aespa

Aespa just KNOWS how to do a concept. So many other groups would feel stagnant with the futuristic concept, but aespa keep reinventing themselves perfectly while retaining a sound that is so distinctly them. Spicy is peak girl pop; Ningning you outdid yourself on this one.

(11) Drama - aespa

Can aespa release a bad title track??? Drama would probably be higher if it came out earlier, but based on the month I’ve been listening to it, this is an absolute punch up for aespa. Our stint in the real world was fun and all, but we’re in kwangya again and it feels fucking good. Aespa, keep doing what you’re doing, and I’ll keep streaming.

(10) Fast Forward - JEON SOMI

People didn’t like this song this year, but I fucking loved it and this is my list. As a UK resident and 80s music enjoyer, this spoke to me on a molecular level. I know it's trashy, I know it's been done before, I don't care. Fast Forward is amazing.

(9)  In Bloom - ZEROBASEONE

Category is: Boy Group Kpop (but it's actually good). Pure excellence, this is how to sample a classic song, this is how to debut, this is how to break the mold of boy groups and do it with actually good music (cough cough boynextdoor cough cough). Imagine if they kept this energy for their first comeback. Imagine lol

(8) Cherry Talk - TripleS +(KR)ystal Eyes

People (including tripleS stans) loooveee to shit on this song but it’s literally their best song since Generation, and I will stand by that. This is extremely LOONA coded, if you don’t like it, that must suck for you. BOOM CHERRY TALK CHERRY CHERRY TALK.

(7) Cool With You - NewJeans

They’re literally too good. I have no words.

(6) ETA - NewJeans

NewJeans said this year that being consistent hitmakers is easy actually, this song is fucking excellent. Controversially, I love the production, it's so funky and subversive. I got this song from day dot, if you get it you get it, if you don’t you don’t, and if you don’t I feel sorry for you xx

(5) Attitude - fromis_9

This is fromis_9’s second time showing up very high on my yearly roundups, I’m thinking I need to pay more attention to them. This song is the shit I live for in kpop, its SO HIGH QUALITY. Not a second wasted in this song, just pure goodness throughout. Fromis’s ability to be so extremely on trend never ceases to amaze me. This song is really fucking good, and the whole album is too good as well. Fromis_9, you have my attention. (that actually wasn’t on purpose lol)

(4) Air Force One - ODD EYE CIRCLE

Utter euphoria. That’s what this song feels like. LOONA had a rough 2022, and orbits were feeling it. We were boycotting and fighting for the girls to be free of that fucking company, and when we won, we were happy of course, but mostly exhausted. Then Odd Eye Circle dropped ‘Air Force One’. This song feels like a second wind, it builds up and up from the first second, tension rising, exhaustion fading and then ‘ready set and GO’ and its ANTHEMIC. You can exhale now, the work is done, LOONA is fucking back.

(3) OMG - NewJeans

Oh look, more NewJeans. The audacity to release one of the best songs of the year on January 2nd is crazy. ‘OMG’ is so effortlessly catchy, it’s ridiculous. It’s full to the brim of hooks and creative melodies, this is pop music at its best. It’s serotonin in a song, and the ability and self assurance of the members in their skills is palpable, and oozes from the seams of the track. In a somewhat forgettable year of Kpop, NewJeans were constantly reinventing and redefining what a hit is, and OMG is the physical form of that. Congratulations NewJeans, nobody is doing it like you.

(2) Sugarcoat (NATTY Solo) - KISS OF LIFE

I am being deadly serious when I say this song altered something in my brain. I struggle to comprehend how much I love this song, and I’m struggling even more to express that in words. I found Kiss of Love’s other debut songs to be quite fun, but this song eclipses anything they have ever and will ever release. Natty is such a powerhouse, I am in awe of her skill. If you haven’t heard this song, which is upsettingly likely as while this song had a moment on TikTok earlier this year, it was still a quite niche trend that didn’t last long, PLEASE go and listen, this was the best song released in 2023. But, this list doesn’t just include 2023. It also includes that tiny window after December 10 when literally no one releases music. No one except…

(1) Ditto - NewJeans

Ditto is one of those songs where you listen to it for the first time and you’re left a little bit speechless at the end. I don’t think I’m ever going to forget this song, or how it makes me feel. Ditto has changed the kpop industry forever, and it will go down in history as a defining moment of the genre. It’s melancholic and nostalgic and heartfelt, it's laughing through your tears, it’s hugging your best friend before you go your separate paths in life. I still get a little tug on my heart whenever Hyein’s beautiful intro vocals come in, and I think I always will. NewJeans, you’ve released a lot of amazing music this year, but thank you especially for this one, I’ll love it forever.

[nicolesainz]

Sweeter than fiction (CS55)

Carlos Sainz x Reader

Warnings: the loviest doviest one shot you’ll read

————————————————————————

Seeing Carlos on the top of the podium, made my heart so full, that I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life. His smile was so radiant and radiated so much positive energy. As soon as he crossed the line, I immediately took off my headset and run to the front of the field that was gathering around the podium celebration.

We all cheered when Checo and Lewis appeared but I let out the biggest scream when Carlos walked up. This season has had a few difficult moments, especially the unfair DNF’s and him being unable to show what he is truly capable of achieving.

I started humming the Spanish national anthem and was staring at the winner of the British Grand Prix. When he finally caught me with his eyes, his smile grew bigger and a wink came my way. Both of the guys on his sides were looking proudly at Carlos. A first win is always exciting and they know it firsthand.

When he was given the trophy, he lifted it up in the air like a little kid. His eyes were glowing, whilst mine, Rupert and Onõro’s were full of tears. Happy tears. We’ve been here since the beginning and now the story in unfolding.

Carlos’s Pov

Winning this Grand Prix is surely thrilling! I thought this time wouldn’t come but it did! And I am more than happy it happened at this time of my life. Perfect timing as they say!

Looking down, I spot Y/N with a smile bigger than the whole sky, and alongside her, hugging her are Carlos and Rupert. All three of them crying. I’ve never seen her cry before. I only want to see her laugh and be happy, but I feel like these are tears of happiness.

All three of them have stuck beside me since forever. Carlos and Y/N coming to my karting races and Regional Formula races, cheering and coming to congratulate me the moment I got out of the car. From the early days at Toro Rosso to my second year in Ferrari. During the good and bad days they’ve helped me with everything.

Especially Y/N. From being my childhood best friend and my sisters teasing us about getting married one day, to us actually being a couple and attached to the hip. I love her more than anyone can describe. She’s happy when I’m happy, sad when I’m sad. Always comforts me and takes care of me.

I wanted to run down and kiss her so badly. I want to wipe the tears from her beautiful face and give her the biggest hug. She doesn’t know that if it wasn’t for her, I would have given up. She gives me strength and motivation. Even during the weekends she can’t come to the race, even her motivational videos and messages fuel me!

Y/N Pov

When the celebration was over, I run back to the Ferrari garage to first of all comfort Charles. Not going to lie, I would have loved to see him on the podium today, but Carlos on top made me the happiest woman alive. 

“Hey Cha. Great job today! I am very proud of you”

He gave me a faint smile as I went in for a hug. He is trying so hard for this championship and the pressure is obvious. 

“Thank you y/n. I did try my best but apparently wasn't enough. Congratulations to Carlos though. First win, must be very exciting. I congratulated him over the radio, but thought to do it in person after he sees you”

“I am very happy for him. But seeing you as a duo on the podium is more pleasant”

“It will come soon. I hope so. Go and find the winner and we will talk again”

“You've got this Charles. Keep your head up. I believe in you”

I find the door of Carlos’s room and knock on the door gently. I fear he may have been talking to someone else.

“Come in” he replies and I peak my head inside the room only to witness a semi naked Carlos. His fireproof was off and his suit has reached his waist. His hair were a big mess but all I could focus on was my boyfriends big smile

“Felicidades mi amor! I am so incredibly proud of you”

I run towards him and hug him so tight, as if I hadn’t seen him in years. He smelled like champagne. The smell of a winner.

“I couldn’t have done this without you! You’re an angel!”

Carlos begun leaving small kisses on my lips and forehead as I was running my fingers through his hair. Those small reassuring gestures are what make me believe in love. People may think Carlos isn’t the touchy type of guy but I haven’t received more hugs and kisses from anyone but him.

“I love you! You can’t imagine how happy I am right now. When you crossed the line, I let out the biggest scream of joy, I think Mattia won’t allow me to step into the garage again.”

“What did I do to deserve you? I don’t know how you’ve put up with me all those years. I owe you my life”

“Like I said, I love you. And I will never leave your side, whether you win or not. I’m here to stay”

“You’re my forever Y/N”

————————————————————————

[lv-iceprince]

@talpois

Okay let's get the obvious out of the way, sorry for the hella delay, I'm also working on your other request(s?)at the time of posting this, so yay progress!

I decided to post this one first, for the reason that god damn girl I love your music taste and this was such a fun ship to do for you. Plus I love doing a ship like this for the person I ship you with, it's just good vibes all around.

So please enjoy and strap in I got some good ships coming up for you!

And side note, I accidentally let the inner Aussie out with a nostalgic 5sos song for your couple song.

~Stray Kids~ Chan

~General Analysis~

Man okay I will say it again I was so pumped doing this ship, the energy you have as a person is spectacular, I can't describe it but I just really like you and your playlist just confirmed that I am in the presence of someone cool, iconic, thoughtful and fabulous. I knew who I wanted to ship you with, I can't lie, I won't lie. I don't even remember the last time I shipped him with anyone so I was so excited. I want to say this is an everyday sweetheart type of love but it really isn't. There are so many spectacular things about you, the same thing goes for Chan, you both worked hard to have what you have and you see the world through a lens where fair judgement is key. Neither of you hesitate to tell a person how you feel, similar to how you both worked hard for what you have you don't waste time in people pleasing. You are both incredibly realistic with your goals and aspirations, you know love isn't all happiness and rainbows yet you still want to experience it, you're fearless.

Since this is an old request of mine I have added the playlist below so you know which songs I used to dictate the idol I shipped you with and the aesthetic:

— no fun by joji; — polaroid love by enhypen; — i hate u by sza; — i'm gonna love you' by d.o.; — die for a man by bebe rexha; — do it for me by rosenfeld; — i am woman by emmy meli; — melody by ash island; — do it like this by p1harmony; — oh my god by adele; — she by harry styles; — date ur fada by ebony; — do 4 love by snoh aalegra.+

This ship isn't for me to rank your playlist but a solid 8/10 I really liked the vibe and the energy. The inner musician in me latched onto this and I really feel like I know you, people who listen to music like this, they slap, like they're just cool people. If we just address the playlist the composition of each song (the rhythm, lyrics, tempo, texture etc..) held a sense of familiarity even though I wasn't even familiar with some of these songs. But what stood out to me was that each song seemed to touch on realistic scenarios, ones where life experience encourages us to revaluate ourselves and adapt. Essentially your playlist came across as an anthem for those who persist with life in general and acknowledge who they really are along the way.

So I would like to give you and Chan the title of being 'the Realistic Dreamers'.

It is no secret that this feels similar to Chan. He is worthy of the praise he receive since he really has transcended expectations from everyone, only to come back on live and remind us that he works through things and that he is a human. That's the connecting point, Chan would honestly feel relieved to bump into a person who understands. That's important, not even because he expects you to understand his career and his train of thought. It's more that he found something in you that reassures him that he is on the right track in life. Especially when you decided to stick by his side.

The honesty in the playlist is so nice to see, it addresses love, heartache, inner strength and everything in-between. I alluded to it earlier but that really was the bonding point for you and Chan. It was a friends to lovers situation but with a difference. Neither of you were trying to be the best friend in the whole entire universe, you were just being yourselves. This basically kickstarted Chan's crush on you (some would call it an infatuation but that's besides the point), he didn't have to be overly polite he could sigh in frustration, he could swear, he could be honest and instead of criticising him you laughed with him or you decided to rant with him. That's the key thing that progressed your relationship with him into a more romantic one.

Chan is a pretty sentimental guy when he is in love, so you really don't have to over exert yourself or make yourself seem more charming or intelligent because he already sees you in a biased way. He loves also has a soft spot for your behaviour, more so the fact you are so nice to children yet manage to appear as a strong authority figure in your own right? He is on his knees. Chan is also amazed at how you're so certain about things, maybe you could argue with someone and turn out to be wrong but your confidence is really something he is in awe of. He likes that you don't back down if someone is questioning either of you, he likes having a headstrong, tough little girlfriend.

Chan remains somewhat private over your relationship, it's not that he doesn't love you but he is aware that you are both feeling intense periods of absolute love and devotion. Plus he just wants to keep it as a "the less others know about our feelings and what we do the better" type situation. He feels emotions pretty deeply as well, he too is another one that focuses more on ones personality/ soul/ vibes rather than their appearance. He does admire people's style but he fell for you based on your personality, which amplified the beauty you already possess.

Now the moodboard is pretty straight forward considering what I had mentioned above. It really just shows the duality that the two of you have. Maybe you are both more casual and more laidback with lowkey eshay vibes but that's besides the point. Chan likes to experience random moments in his daily life with you, but he also loves to play the part of a good boyfriend. He isn't against being a little lovesick and goofy with his love for you. All in all he would gladly break his mainly black wardrobe with some cute pink items if you bought it for him. He isn't a push over but he is just more happy to do cute things for you if you wanted him to or if the moment felt right.

I relied less on colour theory and meaning for this one because honestly basing everything off of your personality, the playlist and my confidence that you and Chan would be an amazing couple I decided to make like the playlist and be 100% honest. Your moodboard represents how the relationship is, period. Others can judge and it is open to interpretation if looking from the outside in but you guys really have a take-it-as-it-is vibe. You don't hide things from each other since your relationship would be widely built on the friendship you have with him. If you guys want to be a bit goofy funny, if you want to be serious , if you want to have a heart to heart, if you want to speak through music when words are too heavy, it's all okay. It didn't take long to come to the conclusion that your relationship needed to be as genuine as your friendship and you did that.

If anyone can take anything away from the little that they know about your relationship it is that when you both set your mind to something, it will always, always work out for the best. Even if you feel like you're both about to mess up and stray from the best possible path in your life, it will always work out because you have each other.

~Moodboard~

Okay, to be fair, I listened to your playlist on a loop and somehow these Chan pics were the only way I could visualise your playlist? I'm confused too mate.

~Your Song~

~Shufflemancy Reading~

Can't help myself but count the flaws Claw my way out through these walls One temporary escape Feel it start to permeate

We lie beneath the stars at night Our hands gripping each other tight You keep my secrets hope to die Promises, swear them to the sky

[scenekidfancams]

410 Local Diy, Hardcore and Emo - June 2023

I've decided I want to highlight more local bands so here's a playlist

Bedroom Floor - Six feet / Konso / bankai

(I couldn't chose one song because this band is so good)

Bedroom floor is a self proclaimed "Carroll County Emocore" band hailing from carroll country maryland. Featuring members of Blackened Hardcore band knifesplitter, Bedroom floor is a djent/metallic hardcore project. When I think of Bedroom floor I think of the best parts or djent, kaonashi and counterparts. The vocals while sometimes off key on bankai add a real raw emotional authentic feel to the song. Six feet is a mosh anthem filled with two step/breakdown riffs, splash fills and aggressive bass and guitar chugs, the songs compostion is perfect for crowdkilling and doesnt overstay its welcome. and Konso literally sounds like deathcore kaonashi which i love.

Genres - djent, deathcore, mathcore, and emotional metallic hardcore.

FFO: kaonashi, counterparts, reflections, sworn in, the contortionist (later works).

Tix for Bedroom Floor Show w/ MD Deathcore Giants In Dying Arms

Deep Rest - The Equalizer

Deep rest kicks ass while being more open than most bands about the police brutality in Baltimore and being Black in Hardcore. The violence at the hands of the police state is not really something to take lightly but Deep rest still serves it up in great way, through hardcore.

also these lyrics haunt me.

"You killed my brothers How the fuck should i act? You killed my sisters How the fuck should I act? I see empathy is what you lack Now its obvious you think its a crime to be black Life is hard enough A worry for generations to come".

Genres - Metallic Hardcore, sludge metal, beatdown metalcore, and political hardcore.

FFO: Kharma, Knocked loose, sunami, Queensway.

Facebook if you use that.

ICUP - very weird

this is a maryland noise pop and hyperpop project from scenekidsfancams very own emrldenvy and Kyle from notveryradio.

this is literally the most obnoxious shit and I love it.

FFO: Black Dresses, Death Grips, merzbow, weatherday, if grant kirkhope made bass boosted donkey kong music.

https://twitter.com/NotVeryRadio

Strangers - Empty (feat. tyler beam)

Elkton Band Strangers is if Spite had more nu metal weedlies and bounce riffs in their songs.

I highly recommend their track "empty" feat. tyler beam. The track just pummels you in the face with the most nasty caveman shit ever.

AND THE VOCALS HOLY SHIT

Genres, Deathcore, Nu-Hardcore, Nu-Metalcore, Nu-Deathcore, Beatdown Hardcore, Rap Metal.

FFO: /papercut, e-town concrete, king-810, and spite.

The flat stanleys - me vs. your friends

Sadly while the flat stanleys isn't a band anymore due to complications with frontman Brian Radin's mental health. the most inventive emo / folk punk to come out of Bmore and maryland at large was from them. me vs. all your friends comes from a really dark and personal place that I relate too.

Genres: Folk Punk, Indie Emo, Emo, Rock.

FFO: Modern Baseball, The front bottoms, Morning Dew

Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Artery Records could never

Based out of Elkton Post-Myspace Scene Deathcore band is one of the best bands in the myspace / scene deathcore revival bands. They have what A lot of bands don't complicated but catchy riffs and hooks. most bands do riff salad without at least making an effort to connect it. Thus Spoke Zarathustra are nostalgia but keeping it fresh.

Speaking on their last project. "The Sun Will Never Shine Upon Us" -

This Project was made for anyone missing that time in like 2007 when Emmure and suicide silence were selling the gold foil logo on their gym shorts in the back yard of some dude's house when no one wore deodorant when you wished they did. This goes out to anyone who can't wear that Medium sized Chelsea Grin shirt anymore because they are old now.

FFO: Chelsea Grin, The Black Dahlia Murder, Emmure, Suicide Silence, and In dying arms.

Genres - Myspace Deathcore, Brutal Deathcore, Scene Deathcore, Old School Deathcore. Deathcore. Nihilism, Nietzschecore, sad deathcore

Playlist - coming soon.

[cringeisfreedom]

Reblogging bc I have several recommendations

Aka big post of alterhuman songs I’ve found with some alterhuman sounding lyrics, vibes and genre

There a lot of alternative/indie because I listen to a lot of that but it’s also a very alterhuman genre imo. There’s also some folk music which is VERY alterhuman but a newer genre for me so not as much as there should be. Enjoy.

My Name Is… by Once Monsters:

Good for a more mysterious or aggressive kin type but I can’t say for sure it would match up with the otter experience

Lyrics: ‘my name is thunder, lightning, my name is something very frightening, my name is adrenaline…’ and ‘I’ll learn my lessons from my scars and mistakes, I’ll make my own future I won’t leave it to fate’

Genre: alternative/indie

Water Falls by Air Traffic Controller

You might like this one which is very alterhuman to me. It’s all about how the world is chaotic and full of adrenaline but you can always come back to the water. Plus it has cool background music that feels very wild to me

Lyrics: ‘some things you can count on, all the others are a thrill, but water falls it always will’ and ‘it may seem obvious to you but it’s not obvious to me, all I know is I know nothing, nothing of the world that’s running circles all around me’

Genre: alternative/indie

Devil Town by Cavetown

A classic. Very ‘I’m sitting in a wet cave and I hate being human.’

Lyrics: ‘life’s alright in devil town, yeah right, no one’s gonna catch us now’, ‘I’ll lose my mind at least another thousand times, hold my hand tight, we’ll make it another night, I still get a little scared of something new, but I feel safer when I’m with you’ and ‘I forgot my name again, I think that’s something worth remembering’

Genre: alternative/indie, alt, pop

Do My Own Thing by American Authors

Self explanatory I think. It’s about being your own person and being you no matter what. This song also happens to be a (an accidental?) queer anthem

Lyrics: ‘a suit and tie copycat, I never was into that, heyo nanana, I said heyo, I’m all good, ima do my own thing’ and ‘time won’t get the best of me I see the world so differently, you do you, you do you and I’ll do me, march in to my own parade, my heart won’t beat any other way’

Genre: again alternative/indie

Strawberry by Andrew Montana

All gumption (googled this so you don’t have to, means sharp judgment and resourcefulness) and calm and running away from humanity to the dangerous wilds to be at peace

Lyrics: ‘I’ll bake you strawberry pie, clean the blood and never ask why, I’ll be your alibi, hide the bodies change your hair dye’ and ‘we’ll hide out in the country, I’ll keep you, you menace’

Genre: folk

seven by Taylor Swift

Fair warning this song might make you cry. It’s actually about being too young to tell your friend is being abused but noticing the signs when you’re an adult and don’t know them anymore. Heartbreaking but actually if you ignore the sad stuff it’s about the wild undjudging freedom of childhood

Lyrics: ‘please picture me in the trees, I hit my peak at seven, feet in swing over the creek, I was too scared to jump in but i, I was high in the sky’ and ‘just like a folk song, our love will be passed on, please picture me in the weeds before I learned civility’

Genre: alternative/indie, technically not folk but it has similar vibes (especially bc it’s from the folklore album)

Monster by dodie

Oh this one’s good. Personally my favourite alterhuman like song. It’s about about being resented and losing your humanity in someone’s eyes in a toxic relationship. it’s got that sweet but angry passion I associate with being nonhuman, all while singing about wanting your ‘devil’ side to be listened to and unleashed but hating being looked down on. Dodie’s music as a whole feels alterhuman to me. I don’t know how else to describe her vibe other than pretty white dress stained with mud and blood with heavy scuffed work boots.

Lyrics: ‘I’m guessing that I’ve grown horns, I guess I’m human no more, I can tell I’ve rotted in your brain’ and ‘I’ve said my speech through sharpened teeth, you break the rules and spikes grow from your skin’ and ‘through my red eyes you look pale, all of your scars are looking more like scales, two ugly creatures, two sinister preachers, blind to the past like a couple of monsters’ and my fav ‘a monsters here, you plug your ears, but hey you might just listen to it song’

Genre: alternative/indie

Sorry for the lack of genre variety but there are my recommendations. I got these off my therian playlist which is 40 minutes long as of now. There are more songs I didn’t include here on there if you’re curious

Hope you found something you like!

Does anyone have good alterhuman songs that don’t explicitly say “alterhuman” but have that vibe?

[macybeckham7]

Confetti

Part One

10 Years of Little Mix! If anyone told that 15 year old that was shaking on the stage infront of Kelly Rowland, Tulisa, Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh that she was in fact going to be apart of the first girl band to win the show. Gain four best friends, your sisters and go on for 10 long years. She would of probably told them to fuck off.

I had grown up with the four girls, we learnt our worth, we travelled around the world and saw corners of the Earth that I dreamt about seeing. They had seen me through my first love, first heartbreak, the first time I got followed by the paparazzi (which still feels odd to me). We wrote love songs, girl anthems to get over the guy that wasn't the shit. The women I have become today was all thanks to them. Having them on your side makes you think you could conquer anything. We got through those nervous butterflies before shows, just looking at your sisters on the stage and dancing silly with them, will always be the most incredible feeling in the world.

If I was being honest I wasn't ready for the hiatus, there was a lot of tears. It felt like it was going to happen. With Jesy leaving, for her health. It ended on good terms and then it turned sour (but lets not talk about it). Then Leigh and Perrie had kids and it was obvious that they wanted to focus on being mothers.

'Are we really doing this?' Perrie asks looking at each of the girls. Jade takes your hands and nods.

'You are always going to be my sisters, no one can change that' Leigh says as you all hug each other in a little huddle.

You looked around at the girls. The history couldn't get changed and that will always be engraved in our hearts. The present is now and I promised myself that I was going to hang onto everyone lasting moment, as we don't know what the future is going to have in hold for us.

After a long day at the office with the girls and the management, you find yourself pulling up at your exes house. You see the curtains move as he peers out the window. You sit there looking at him, wondering if he would be happy to see you. You and Trent have been pretty much on and off throughout the years. You had met him through Ox, and often went on some double dates. But the last time you saw him was after the UCL, everyone beaming at the four of you on the pitch and celebrating. You and Perrie couldn't look anymore proud of your boys.

He opens the door and waits till you get out the car, he notices your bottom lip quivering and you were close to tears. 'What's happened?' he says softly, his accent still thick.

You hug him tightly as you take in your favourite scent, if you could just bottle it up, that would make you feel safe even with a scary storm outside. He takes you inside the house and you both talk for hours, you tell him everything that was happening with Little Mix, and how lost you felt and how scared you were about the future.

'Whatever you end up doing, I know you will be amazing' he says softly as you cuddle into him. Just being around him always made you feel a little bit more at ease.

You both end up staying on the sofa and sleeping in one another's arms, it wasn't until you got woken up by Perrie and Alex that you realised that you had fallen asleep. He told you that he was still single, telling you that it wasn't for a lack of trying, he told you that you just had cursed and haunted him. 'I can't stop thinking, she is good and all but she isn't YN'. He told you that he didn't want to be with anyone else if it wasn't you. The two of you broke up, because you got in your head and you believed he deserved someone who would be more present in his life. You hated having to leave him at home, when he was injured because you had to shows.

'Oh hello YN' Alex smiles. 'If I knew you were here I would of brought you breakfast too' he says as Trent gratefully takes the coffee they brought him.

'No worries' you smile. You stand up and walk to the kitchen, with Perrie hot on your heels. 'Promise me one thing?' she says. You nod. 'You need to make this work with Trent' she whispers.

You both look at Trent and Alex who were in a full wrestling match with each other.

'You deserve to be happy' she says hugging you and giving you a peck on the cheek. 'Now come on, we have to be at the studio' she says looking at her phone.

........

You were on the Graham Norton Show, you were stood in the middle of Leigh and Jade. You had to stop the recording as you couldn't get through the song without crying. This was how you were going to announce it to your fans. You let out a deep breath as the music restarts and you start the song, you keep your eyes closed as you refused to look at them. Between Us was a song for each other, for our loyal mixers.

You all sit down as Graham says the word 'hiatus' you look at Jade with both your eyes tear up.

'It's been amazing 10 years, its time to venture out and do things on our own for a bit' Perrie says.

The next 24 hours was such an outer body experience, you looked on your socials of all your fans thanking you for the memories and what the songs you wrote did to them. When you were out with Trent (you are dating him again) they would come over and hug you, you nearly crying all over their shoulders. You loved meeting your fans, you felt butterflies in your stomach as you think if they were will be like this with you. Or would they just be supporting Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne. Did they like you? Or was you just apart of the band of girls that they liked more?

The tickets go on sale and they get sold out within minutes, your group chat was popping up constantly as your management was giving you updates. #DoWeNeedThisHiatus kept popping up from Perrie.

You would facetime the girls as you start to speak about the songs that should be in the line up. Originally this was supposed to be the Confetti tour but now it was the best hits of the 10 years, and there is a lot.

'What is your favourite song to perform?' Trent asks as he stand to the side in the kitchen making your dinner.

'Joan Arc' both you and Jade say in unison.

-------

'How would I describe our little YNN?' Jade smiles at the camera for the At Home docuseries.

'YN is a little ray of sunshine, I don't think she actually realises how powerful she is, a powerful women and she has so much talent in her little finger' Leigh beams.

'It has been a pleasure to watch her grow, because this goddess that she is now, and the crazy thing is that she gets off the stage most times and is like I could of done that better, and we look at her like she is crazy because she smashes her vocals all the time!' Perrie says, pulling a face.

[onestowatch]

19 LGBTQIA+ Artists You Need to Listen to This PRIDE

PRIDE is all about self-empowerment and self-determination. It’s about not just being comfortable with who you are but showing the world that there is pride to be found in being unapologetically you. And that’s why, this PRIDE, we wanted to shine a light on a small handful of our favorite LGBTQIA+ artists. Ranging from rapturous hyperpop, revelatory bossa nova meditations, romantic rave music, and everywhere in between, these are 19 LGBTQIA+ artists who deserve a spot on your PRIDE playlist and every playlist for that matter. 

girl in red

In her debut single, “i wanna be your girlfriend,” a teenage girl in red unapologetically sings of young queer love over a mesh of lofi production and jangly instrumentation that would come to define much of the bedroom pop genre. It is a standout moment of unrelenting honesty, and a serenely simple three-minute confession that would go on to strike a chord with millions who were afraid of what it meant to be something more than friends. Now, a few years later and following the release of her critically-acclaimed debut album, if i could make it go quiet, Ulven still writes with that same emotional honesty, putting forth every ounce of herself for the world to see. 

Meet Me @ The Altar

“the little lonely black alt girl i was in the 00s is living rn, she never even dared to hope she might see this 💖💖,” reads the top comment on Meet Me @ The Altar’s music video for their single “Garden.” It is a sentiment shared by much of the rising band’s fanbase, who are used to the mainstream alternative scene championing cis white males. Existing in the space between pop-punk and hardcore, Meet Me @ The Altar exists to challenge the notion that queer women of color don’t have a place in punk. And after penning a record deal with Fueled By Ramen, home to the likes of Paramore, Panic! at the Disco, and nearly every pop-punk band that made up your middle school playlist, chances are this is just the beginning for our new favorite punks.

THE BLOSSOM

For Lily Lizotte, better known as THE BLOSSOM, music exists as the synthesis and subsequent recontextualization of a host of past experiences. From the sound of their dad belting away in his home studio to stumbling upon niche Internet subgenres, THE BLOSSOM transforms all this and more into a sound that is instantly recognizable but impossible to perfectly place. The culmination of this host of influences takes sweeping sonic form on their debut EP, ‘97 BLOSSOM, a perfectly imperfect introduction to one of the most fascinating rising artists of recent memory.

BIMINI

You may recognize BIMINI as Bimini Bon-Boulash, the runner-up on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. And now you should familiarize yourself with Bimini, brit-pop extraordinaire. Releasing their debut single “God Save This Queen” earlier this June, Bimini deftly channels late ‘90s brit-pop and punk to deliver a single that has us absolutely living for the ensuing chaos. Serving up multiple looks throughout its eye-catching music video, “God Save This Queen” is not just a non-binary anthem but a veritable 2021 lookbook.

Hope Tala

With a sound that falls somewhere between turn-of-the-century R&B and bossa nova, Hope Tala’s music is expectedly a dream given sonic form. Perhaps that’s why much of the UK singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist’s music is able to so deftly weave imagery of love, heartache, and teenage fistfights into tightknit tracks that feel simultaneously transcendental and deeply personal. And with the release of her 2020 EP, Girl Eats the Sun, Hope Tala poses one all-important question, “Why have a life if you’re not going to do something crazy and make a difference in the world?” 

chloe moriondo

For much of chloe moriondo’s avid fanbase, watching her transform from budding ukulele sensation to pop-punk phenom very much meant watching her grow up. Getting her start on YouTube, moriondo's fanbase witnessed her evolve as both an artist and person. Coming out in the aptly titled “a ramble about self identity, growth, and being a lesbian,” to be a fan of the artist often feels like trading secrets with a close personal friend. It is a sentiment that rings all the more true upon delving into her debut album, Blood Bunny. Grappling with coming-of-age at the axis of empathic pop and euphoric pop-punk, Blood Bunny sees moriondo taking yet another impressive step forward.

Godford

Little is known about Godford beyond what can be garnered from a handful of interviews online and his succinct Spotify bio, and chances are he’s happier that way. The anonymous DJ and producer aims to make non-binary music that exists outside of the confines of genres, overly-simplified classifications, and even himself. What is important are the emotions his music hold and what his listeners take away. Fusing romanticism and rave in his debut album, Godford: Non Binary Place, the anonymous artist does just that. He provides a space that exists simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, like an ephemeral night spent out on the dancefloor with a stranger or close friend.

Joy Oladokun

Joy Oladokun is at the core of her music. It may at first glance appear to be a painfully obvious statement, but as her sincere songwriting seeps into every corner of your soul, it is a notion that becomes undeniable. In her major label debut, in defense of my own happiness, Oladokun writes with an unabashed authenticity, never turning a blind eye to the world around her. These shared reflections and recollections of life are often heartbreaking and uplifting in the same breath, but in their candidness, we can begin to piece together what it means to be human, imperfections and all.  

Allison Ponthier

Allison Ponthier may only have a handful of singles to her name, but her unmatched potential is clear as day. Raised in the outskirts of Dallas, Texas, Ponthier’s moving songwriting and emphatic vocal prowess speak to her country roots. Pair that country sensibility with some of the most pristine pop songwriting we have heard in quite some time, and you begin to understand just how exciting Ponthier is as a rising artist. With only two singles to date, there’s not much else we can say beyond do yourself a favor and play “Cowboy” on repeat.

Rina Sawayama

It feels like no hyperbole to call Rina Sawayama an inevitable pop icon. First garnering critical acclaim with singles like “Cherry” and her 2017 debut EP RINA, the Japanese-British singer-songwriter staked her name on her immaculate ability to capture all the glamour and larger-than-life appeal of early ‘00s pop. Building on what was a nostalgic yet forward-thinking vision, Sawayama returned with her 2020 eponymous full-length debut. From nu-metal, club beats, to veritable pop anthems, SAWAYAMA emerged as a genre-defying showcase of an avant-garde pop star.

Arlo Parks

Listening to Arlo Parks’ music is akin to sipping on a hot cup of chamomile tea as you watch the world slowly pass by your living room window. It is a testament to the British poet and singer-songwriter’s subtle yet beautiful way with words, the way in which each lyric serves as a glance into a tightly-held memory or passing observation. These poetic musings come to life in her debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams, which layers lyrical revelations over some of the most tender R&B of recent memory. Parks’ is more than a must-listen; she feels like the birth of a new wave.

Claud

Claud has spent the past few years making a name for themselves in the indie pop world, and the culmination of it all arrives in their debut album, Super Monster. The acclaimed album sees Claud reckoning with coming-of-age and love with an irresistible charm. Pair that with a penchant for grounded, affective songwriting and infectious, dreamlike melodies and you have one of the best debuts of recent memory. In case you somehow need any further convincing that Claud is one to watch, Super Monster marks the debut release from Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records.

UMI

Equally as inspired by R&B and neo-soul as she is by her generation’s penchant for blurring genre lines, UMI and her music exist as a form of spiritual healing. Half-Black and half-Japanese, her work explores everything from identity to self-introspection, such as on the aptly-titled Introspection. It is a fondness for self-exploration that UMI delves headfirst into on her 2019 EP Love Language, a sublime blend of identity struggles, love, and anime that tackles the issue of always feeling like an other, never Black or Japanese enough.

Joesef

Sad boy summer. It’s the simplest way to being explaining Joesef’s serene albeit somber sound. Emerging out of Glasgow, the quickly rising star often wears his still bleeding heart on his sleeve, even when the underlying sonics seem to be moving onto greener pastures. It is an exquisite balancing act that comes to life on his 2020 EP, Does It Make You Feel Good?. Blending elements of soft-spoken R&B, jazz, and ethereal pop, Joesef sets himself apart as an artist whose influences and appeal know no bounds.

Serena Isioma

At the top of the year, we named Serena Isioma one of our top artists to watch in the year to come, and for good reason. The self-proclaimed “nonbinary rock star” experienced a breakout moment with “Sensitive,” a track that is difficult to perfectly encapsulate but think along the lines of fusing modern-day R&B and woozy indie-pop with reckless abandon, and you’ll be about halfway there. It was an impressive standout track that was only buoyed by a pair of EPs, Sensitive and The Leo Sun Sets, in 2020, officially cementing Isioma as an artist like no other.

Khai Dreams

Khai Dreams’ music is effortlessly easygoing. With its straightforward guitar lines and understated production, every track from the Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter flows out as naturally as breathing. Maybe it’s that laid-back approach that begins to explains Khai Dreams’ universal appeal and millions of monthly listeners, despite releasing most of his music independently. A hallmark of the DIY generation and its massive homebrewed potential, it would be a crying shame if you didn’t let Khai Dream’s serene meditations transport you somewhere far from here.

Frances Forever

Like much of their Gen Z cohorts, Frances Forever’s exponential rise was not the result of a well-executed marketing plan but by the pure chance of a single song finding a home online. The song in question, “Space Girl,” was originally part of NPR’s Tiny Desk Content before soon blowing up on TikTok, and it’s not hard to see why. Short, sweet, and to the point, “Space Girl” is a saccharine love letter to that bubbly feeling of floating on cloud nine. Now signed to Mom+Pop and with their debut EP, Paranoia Party, due out later this year, this is the perfect time to get familiar with Frances Forever.

Dorian Electra

Unapologetically playing with gender norms and stereotypes while seeing just how far they can push the limits of pop, Dorian Electra has long maintained a cult following in the world of experimental, highly addictive hyperpop. And it’s not hard to see why. Having collaborated with the likes of Charli XCX, 100 gecs, Village People, Pussy Riot, Rebecca Black, and more, Electra’s music ranges from off-the-rails hyperpop to introspective pop slow burns. All of this and more reaches a fever pitch in their 2020 album My Agenda, a devious showcasing of one of pop’s most explosive figures.

MAY-A

Maya Cumming, professionally known as MAY-A, is no stranger to the hustle it takes to make it in the music industry. The Australian artist got her start entering numerous singing competitions in her hometown of Byron Bay and started busking on the streets at the tender age of 11. Now, she has a breakout single under her belt in the form of “Apricots,” an anthemic indie-pop ode to queer love. And since that breakout moment, MAY-A has continued to release impressive single after single—the latest being the collaborative “American Dream.”

[mckennavol6]

The Larryist Manifesto

A specter is haunting the One Direction community: the specter of Larryism. Liam stans and Harry supporters, Niall fans and Zayn worshippers, even the Louis lovers, have united against the Larryists. Meanwhile, our comrades from each of these fanbases have accepted the fact that Harry Styles, is, or at one point, dated Louis Tomlinson. The haters do not know about us, and those of them that do try to drag us down! You and I know how wrong they are, so we have joined with the true Larries. We have banded together to create a manifesto, which shall be published to every corner of the internet, to prove their beliefs as fact. Without further ado, let us begin the essay almighty!

Let us take the painfully obvious example of Louis Tomlinson’s solo album, “Walls,” which is a clear implication that Harry and Louis once dated. It is essentially impossible to deny the inherent homosexuality of song names such as, “Too Young” and, “Always you,” which, despite being queer icons, are also anthems of love to Harry Styles, ballads of their devotion. One who views this evidence and at least 18 iq will take this as proof, but for some idiots, true evidence is never enough. We must at least try, however.

The second attempt to prove that Larry is true is the tattoos that Louis Tomlinson and Harry styles have. Matching tattoos, such as a rose and dagger prove that the symbolism of love between the two is undeniable. It is very rare that mere friends get tattoos, and even if they did, the fact that these tattoos are matching and also have more than just a friendly symbol, rather a loving and romantic like symbol, is proof that is better than words that one would need half a heart to deny.

Finally, perhaps the best proof of Larry are the two songs the ship members wrote for each other, “If i could fly” and “home,” which have very romantic and gay lyrics, including, “Wanna wake up and see your face,” and, “I’m missing half of me,” which could even be a clever allusion to the two’s matching tattoos. A thorough examination of the remainder of the lyrics in these songs would cause any respectable individual to conclude that Lary is correct and nothing would change their mind.

So, to conclude, it is blatantly obvious that Larry is correct. Anyone who denies this is denying reality, and so let this manifesto be published to educate them. May the message of Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles’ love for each other be an inspiration to all Larryists. The Larryists support every based One Direction listener everywhere, and will work together to prove Larry Supremacy. Let the often homophobic anti Larries tremble in fear of a Larryist revolution in the One Direction community! The Larryists have nothing to lose but their chains! They have a fanbase to win!

My friend and I have compiled a list of evidence that cannot be denied. Please give credit if reposted. Send to all the Larries you know.

[shades-of-stony]

Royalty Stony AUs

A King for Christmas by iam93percentstardust

Summary: In 1867, Tony Stark flees New York after refusing to marry the alpha his parents chose for him. His money runs out in the small kingdom of Dacia, ruled over by King Steven of the Rogers line. Somehow, and he’s not entirely sure how, he ends up accepting the position of nanny to the king’s four children: Harley, Peter, Sarah, and Morgan.

Tony bonds with the children easily but their father is harder to get to know. Steve is still grieving his wife’s death four years earlier. His continued mourning has turned the once bright halls into dark and somber shadows of their former glory. Tony isn’t entirely certain what he can do but he knows that he has to do something or else the whole country, so attuned to their leader, will sink into despair. He begins by reconciling the king with his young children.

Meanwhile, the children have decided that it’s high time their father fall in love again—and Tony is the obvious choice. They concoct elaborate plans to force the two together, hardly realizing that Steve and Tony are falling in love, not through their shenanigans but through the quiet moments they share bonding over the love they have for the children.

A Higher Form of War by sabremc

Summary: Tony is a King with a surprising number of people out to kill him. Steve and the rest of the Avengers are fighting for Pierce's rebellion and end up with Tony as their prisoner. Oops.

Basically one of those bodice-ripping romance novels I don't read (ahem) but with far more gay.

rearrange my heart (to fit your smile) by starklystar

Summary: "You dare," Howard's chair makes an ugly noise as it scrapes against the stone floors, the chatter of the room shifting into hushed whispers and stolen glances. "I am your father and your King!"

"My King is my husband," Tony tips his chin up, defiant. "And I refuse to hear you suggest that my husband has been anything other than good to me."

Next to him, he feels Steve's shoulders stiffen in surprise.

Howard's fist slams loud on the table. "Your husband does not even love you!"

Tony jerks back, burned. He knows that. Knows that Steve did not marry him for love – does not need any reminder of the cold truth, of what he desperately yearns for and can't even hope to have – but the harshness of Howard's words was scalding, and Tony can't afford for this to go any further.

----------

Or, King Steven marries Prince Tony, Tony is pretty sure he shouldn't panic when he falls in love with his own husband, and Steve tries his very best not to cause diplomatic crises.

Keyword: try

Fealty by  Lasenby_Heathcote and Robin_tCJ

Summary: Steve Rogers is Lord of America, and was gifted his corner of the kingdom of Starkland after amazing acts of heroism in the war against Hydra. A long, brutal winter forces Steve to go to King Howard for aid, and Howard agrees – under the condition that Steve bond with his Omega son, Tony. Steve agrees, of course, for the good of his people. Prince Tony is a trained Omega Consort – an Omega of status sent to a prestigious academy to become the perfect Consort Mate to high-status Alphas throughout the kingdom. At this academy they learn diplomacy, negotiation, proper manners, and, of course, the various ways to pleasure their Alphas.

I will wait by Shellhead616

Summary: Prince Stark was to marry a Prince he never met, for money he never wanted, to reign over a realm his father didn’t care for. But the Prince did care for his people. So he ran away, accidentally joined a group of misfits calling themselves the “Avengers”, with their fierce leader “The Captain". Although, when he discovers the secret the Captain has been keeping, everything changes.

one day by mvrcredi

Summary: One day.

One day Prince Steven would be king. One day he would have all the qualities to be an even better king than his father.

And maybe, one day, Tony would be his husband.

(But maybe, before that one day, Steven should reveal his secret to the man.)

My Loyalty to You by Hazein, Shi_Toyu

Summary: The Israelite nation has gone to war, Howard is acting erratic, and it’s everything Tony can do to argue with the war council to find the most advantageous strategies for their men. Then Thanos strides out of the enemy ranks and issues a challenge unlike any Tony has ever heard. If an Israelite can defeat him in one-on-one combat, their entire army will surrender. Too bad Thanos is twice the size of any man they have. Enter Steve Rogers, local sheppard and the king’s newest harp player, who claims he can fell this giant with nothing but a sling and a stone.

Whether he can manage it or not, Tony is just trying to figure out how you get to looking like that by tending sheep...

Arranged by NotEvenCloseToStraight

Summary: Royalty AU-- Howard arranges a match between Tony and Steve, but when Tony tries to run away with Tiberius instead, Steve goes after his betrothed and brings him home. Things are difficult between the couple at first, but an impulsive kiss leads to softer moments, and finally the arranged pair find happiness together.

Knight of Wands by  Sineala

Summary: Steve has reigned as king for ten years, and in a few days peace will finally come to his kingdom. Representatives of the Kree Empire are soon to arrive for the negotiations that will end the war between them once and for all. Steve is looking forward to settling down, with his hand-picked Avengers at his side -- led, of course, by the masked knight Iron Man -- and also his trusted advisors, the most beloved of whom is Tony, his court magician, the most powerful mage in all the land.

But when Steve's life is endangered, Tony makes the greatest sacrifice of all to protect his king, a sacrifice far greater than his life. And when Tony disappears under mysterious circumstances, Steve learns that even his closest friends keep secrets that he could never have suspected.

Chasing Daydreams by comecatchmeifyoucan

Summary: “Promise you’ll be there?” He mumbled into Steve’s chest.

“Of course.”

“Good.” Tony separated from Steve but his hand was still gently gripping the blond’s wrist. “Because the party only starts when I arrive, and I’m obviously not going if you won’t be there.”

Steve felt the brunet’s hand slip down to graze his, and he let it linger there for a second before it was suddenly pulled away from him. He could only hope that he had hidden his disappointment well.

Fortunately, Tony didn’t seem to notice Steve’s abrupt drop in mood.

✧ ─────── ♡ ─────── ✧

After years of pining for the brunet, Steve was finally going to get his chance to confess his feelings for Tony. If only he could find him in the crowd of masked-people first...

Luckily, when his hopeless crush is nowhere to be found, Steve meets a beautiful stranger to keep him company throughout the night.

heavy is the crown by theappleppielifestyle

Summary: “Why did you pick me? As a match. Howard forced you to marry, but you had - there were other options. Many of them.”

“Maybe I wanted to help you,” Tony says. “To help - anyone, for once. Your people needed it.”

Oh, Steve thinks dully. So it wasn’t about him at all. It’s - a comfort, in some ways. In others, it’s… less so.

“And-” Tony hesitates. "Everyone said you were kind. I thought… if I had to marry, I’d prefer to marry someone kind.”

(Or, Arranged Marriage AU.)

WIP:

The Crown- the stony au nobody asked for by Jo_StClaire

Summary: Tony is the sole Omega prince of Angsold, who falls in love with the Alpha Army Captain of a neighboring nation. When his father, King Howard, suddenly falls ill and passes, Tony's life is thrown out of wack when he becomes a reigning monarch at 25. Follow Tony through the struggles of being a newly-wedded Omega as well as a leader of a nation. He must learn to balance his love for his people with his love for his husband Steve. (Loosely Based off of the Netflix series The Crown)

No More, No Less by ABrighterDarkness

Summary: His father had been discussing it again, amongst his advisers. He was barely eighteen , what did he need of a wife at eighteen? Frankly, he was already tired of hearing about it. Tired of meeting the daughters of the various men that were deemed important enough. None of them had caught his attention in the least and he suspected that they never would. Not when his daydreams already consisted of intelligent brown eyes, rich brown curls and a wickedly charming grin.

Protea by Anonymous

Summary: After witnessing the injustice done onto his parents, Steve Rogers sneaks into the Ferrite Royal Palace to try and find answers. Fate decides to saddle him with solving shady scandals while unknowingly becoming involved with the nation’s omegan king, Anthony.

And deal with all the baggage and drama that comes along with it.

Or…

A Concubine!Steve AU

they're both princes in this one by vapaad

Summary: Steve Rogers is the first son of the United States The entire nation sees him as America’s golden boy. Handsome, smart, charming, and overall perfection– Steve is an icon to the youths of America. But Steve, well he has one little issue. He thinks Prince Anthony, yes the british prince, is a big jerk. Arrogant and an overall asshole.

So when an encounter between the two results in chaos, Steve and Anthony “call me Tony” are thrusted into a PR stint of being best friends. But soon enough, they both come to the realization that they want more, and there, bloomed a secret relationship between the first son of the united states, and the prince of England.

tell me i'm your national anthem by oopshidaisy for chasingconstellations

Summary: Red, White & Royal Blue AU. Tony Stark is the unwilling First Son of the United States, whose rivalry with beloved Prince Steve threatens UK/US relations. After an international incident involving a wedding cake, Steve and Tony are forced to fake a friendship for the public eye - a fake friendship that evolves into something real, and dangerous.

[studyingmoominvalley]

my analysis of Moominvalley (2019)'s season one soundtrack

(yeah I may not be great at this and I may be missing a lot, but bare in mind this is my analysis, not anyone else's. Please be nice to me ;-;)

I'm Far Away:

Snufkin has travelled for the Winter. The first verse is like Moomin leaving letters in Snufkin's bag, wishing him with good travels and a safe return hope. Snufkin is longing for something to change, or maybe something in him to change... The second verse is more talking about his travels and how he longs to return no matter what happens.

Starlight:

I don't know, reading this and thinking of Snufmin makes me concerned. It's SO obvious that it's from Moomin's perspective that it gives me a cavaty. "Please say you'll never leave 'cause it's in your hands" If that wasn't obvious enough, idk what is. This is him just... wanting to be with Snufkin. He knows deep down that Snufkin has to travel, yes it's in his hands but not completely. It's a part of him. This is obviously his mind in a point of time where he hasn't gotten used to Snufkin being away from him, possibly what is reflected in Teety-Woo.

Summer Day:

Moomin doesn't like the Winter because it feels wrong without Snufkin. But he has Snorkmaiden with him at least, and that's good enough right? Snorkmaiden loves Moomin, almost in a similar way Moomin loves Snufkin, but Moomin just feels tied down in the relationship. He thinks he's just thinking like an adult, like a moody teenager or something. But then again, he feels Snufkin is the only one who understands him ("But when you put your hands in my hands/You speak a language only us can understand"). It feels like Summer with Snufkin, but not with Snorkmaiden. He reassures himself that Spring is coming and that he'll see the one who knows him best soon.

Back To The Cave:

We get to look into Snufkin's brain, ooo! This is mainly about Snufkin's feelings about himself and how he hides his true emotions from Moomin and the others. "They can't see behind the camouflage" this is him hiding behind a wise and carefree persona, when deep down he is conflicted about almost everything. It seems when he runs out of things to say or when he fears that he'll show his emotions, he finds time to be alone, shown by the lines "We're running out of punchlines/So watch us crawl/We're crawling back to the cave". But his feelings are getting too much, his fears of being forgotten most likely because he doesn't express himself in the way he should "There's a storm/It's rising". So basically he doesn't know what to do anymore. And I guess the "you can't be truly free if you admire somebody too much" quote can link to "There's no time/There's no place for idles", showing more that this is about Snufkin's emotions.

Love Me With All Your Heart:

now this song choice was intentional. This is mutual pining, their emotions mixing into the same song. They've loved each other for a long time, be it platonic turning to romance or be it always romantic. They both want each other, they both long for each other. But they don't wish for their relationship to change, they want it to stay the same ("When we're far apart or when you're near me", "Love me always as you've loved me from the start").

Home Again:

Snufkin is back home, and he could not be happier. Yeah he likes to travel and be with his thoughts, but nothing is better than being with Moomin, shown by the lines "Nothing could be better/Than when I hold you close to me" and "Who I was back then and who I am now/Makes no difference when I'm by your side".

There Is Something In The Forest:

One day, Moomin and Snufkin are just adventuring as they usually do. But something feels different. Something new. Moomin realises it that night, when sitting hand in hand with Snufkin. He finds himself losing track of time, only paying attention to his friend. When he goes home, all he can think of is Snufkin. He thinks of it as he walks, embracing his new emotions as love, a deep love, for Snufkin. And he never wants to let it go. Ever.

Home:

Moomin has noticed how off Snufkin has been acting, and one day he decides to comfort him. He tells him that if he ever feels like he needs to hide ("Sometimes you only want to hide") or that nobody is there for him, that Moomin will always be there for him. This song can also link to Snufkin's own saying "You must go on a long journey before you find out how wonderful home is", and seems like Snufkin has found his home in Moomintroll.

All Small Beasts:

nah this is crime anthem. Little My is cheering Snufkin up, telling him that people with lots of dreams, emotions and all that should just let it out in a huge show! Commit crime! Burn some signs! Fuck Hemulens, who's to say what they can or can't do? The first verses are her making fun of people being neat and telling Snufkin that bottling up your emotions is just going to tease at you and bite you in the tail one day. But this can also be seen in another way, brought to my attention by my friend Bloom. It can be a song about owning up to your mistakes instead of keeping them away.

Free Spirit:

must I say anything? Snufkin likes being alone and free. The second verse is what I want to focus on however. He knows it's good to be alone and not worry about anything, but his avoiding of responsibility is doing him worse than he knows (much like the "owning up to mistakes" analysis by my friend Bloom).

Country Air:

This is what Snufkin wishes he could say to Moomin. They're relaxing together in Summer, Moomin asleep. Snufkin is thinking in his brain about how much he loves him and just wishes he could say SOMETHING. Winter is coming soon, almost time for them to part. Maybe he can ponder more on his emotions then?

By Your Side:

it seems Snufkin is accepting and returning Moomin's offering of comfort, showing that he cares for Moomin and that he doesn't even need to ask for help, he'll do anything to make him happy.

In Blue:

oh boy

Snufkin fears he made a mistake already. He let out his emotions. Even when reassured that it was okay to do so, he feels utterly guilty, shown by the lines "I built a house from sticks and twine/And you said it would serve me fine/But then the rain could soak me through". He begins to fear that he's being put up with, like he doesn't matter anymore ("Anything to keep me quiet"). But he can't help but feel a strong admiration for Moomin. Snufkin has made so many mistakes, and has so many bad feelings ("I caught a fever like I always do"), yet Moomin is still his friend ("And still you let me stand with you, in blue"). He feels his emotions are his fault, and wonders if he should just stay in the valley and own up to his mistakes and allow others to show their true emotions for him, shown by the lines "I bet next year I'll see you all the time/The fault is all deserved as mine", "Was it all on purpose?/Was this true?" and "Tell me and be honest, was this you?". The phrase "In Blue" could refer to the saying "into the blue", which refers to the unknown. Snufkin is "In Blue" because he is in a stage where he is unsure of what he is hearing and wants to know if it's true or not.

Nothern Lights:

Snufkin's feelings for Moomin are increasing to what is obvious to him as love. "Will you find peace in your heart?" this line could be Snufkin talking to himself. Will be ever come to peace with his emotions and open up?

Ready Now:

Moomin has been there for Snufkin all this time. Through all his doubts, through all his sadness. Snufkin has no idea how to express himself, so Moomin helps him. They take it in turns to just talk about things, and "To my surprise we found my words". All this time, Snufkin believed himself to be free. But now he knows that opening up and embracing how you feel is true freedom. He is ready now.

The Author:

This is more about Moomin. He feels like his future will be like his father's, he already met Snorkmaiden during a big childhood adventure after all, just like Pappa. But he finds his story is changing. He's fallen in love with Snufkin. He slowly realises that his future is his own and that he is in charge of his story. And his story begins with being there for his best friend.