#under the weather was my top song of 2023 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lovesongbracket · 2 years ago

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Reminder: Vote based on the song, not the artist or specific recording! The tracks referenced are the original artist, aside from a few rare cases where a cover is the most widely known.

Lyrics, videos, info, and notable covers under the cut. (Spotify playlist available in pinned post)

Umbrella

Written By: Kuk Harrell, Tricky Stewart, JAY-Z & The-Dream

Artist: Rihanna feat. JAY-Z

Released: 2007

Rihanna comforts her lover by telling him she will be there for him, in good times and bad. The umbrella is a metaphor for her support. “Umbrella” stayed on top of the UK Singles Chart for 10 consecutive weeks, longer than any other single that decade. The single remained at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. During the tracking week ending February 25, 2023, the song re-entered the Hot 100 at #37. The accompanying music video, directed by Chris Applebaum, was released on May 11, 2007. In 2008, “Umbrella” won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It won two MTV Music Video awards in 2007, but was nominated for three. This song is number 412 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

[Intro: JAY-Z] Uh-huh, uh-huh (Yeah, Rihanna) Uh-huh, uh-huh (Good Girl Gone Bad) Uh-huh, uh-huh (Take three, action) Uh-huh, uh-huh (Hov) [Verse 1: JAY-Z & Rihanna] No clouds in my stones Let it rain, I hydroplane in the bank Comin' down with the Dow Jones (Ayy, ayy, ayy) When the clouds come, we go, we Roc-A-Fella (Ayy-ayy-ayy, ayy) We fly higher than weather, in G5's or better You know me (You know me) In anticipation for precipitation, stack chips for the rainy day Jay, Rain Man is back (Ayy-ayy-ayy, ayy) With Little Miss Sunshine, Rihanna, where you at? (Ayy-ayy-ayy, ayy) [Verse 2: Rihanna] You have my heart, and we'll never be worlds apart May be in magazines but you'll still be my star Baby, 'cause in the dark, you can't see shiny cars And that's when you need me there With you, I'll always share because [Chorus: Rihanna] When the sun shine, we shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said "I'll always be your friend" Took an oath, I'ma stick it out 'til the end Now that it's rainin' more than ever Know that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella You can stand under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy [Verse 3: Rihanna] These fancy things Will never come in between You're part of my entity Here for infinity When the war has took its part When the world has dealt its cards If the hand is hard Together, we'll mend your heart because [Chorus: Rihanna] When the sun shine, we shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said "I'll always be your friend" Took an oath, I'ma stick it out 'til the end Now that it's rainin' more than ever Know that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella You can stand under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy [Bridge: Rihanna] You can run into my arms It's okay, don't be alarmed Come into me There's no distance in between our love So, gonna let the rain pour I'll be all you need and more because [Chorus: Rihanna] When the sun shine, we shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said "I'll always be your friend" Took an oath, I'ma stick it out 'til the end Now that it's rainin' more than ever Know that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella You can stand under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy Under my umbrella Ella-ella, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy [Outro: Rihanna] It's rainin', rainin' Ooh, baby, it's rainin', rainin' Baby, come into me Come into me It's rainin', rainin' Ooh, baby, it's rainin', rainin' You can always come into me Come into me It's pourin' rain It's pourin' rain Come into me Come into me It's pourin' rain It's pourin' rain Come into me

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Songbird

Written By: Christine McVie

Artist: Fleetwood Mac

Released: 1977

This is the 6th song off of Fleetwood Mac’s critically acclaimed eleventh LP, Rumours. This song was written by vocalist Christine McVie. This ballad has won over the hearts of many for its soft and gentle sound and emotional lyrics about self sacrifice in love. Producer Kevin Caillat told Music Radar: “Christine started playing something she had written on the piano one day, and it floored me. It was so beautiful and special, so personal – I knew I had to get just the right recording of it. Before Rumours, I had recorded an album with Joni Mitchell at the Berkeley Community Theatre. I thought doing a similar kind of concert recital recording was perfect for Songbird. Christine and the whole band loved the idea. The Berkley Community Theatre wasn’t available, so we used the Zellerbach Auditorium, the same kind of vibe. Christine sat on the stage and played a nine-foot Steinway, and she sounded magnificent. I used 15 tracks for the piano – two close mics and the rest were distant mics. For something like ‘Songbird,’ I wanted the room to really speak.”

[Verse 1] For you, there'll be no more crying For you, the sun will be shining And I feel that when I'm with you It's alright, I know it's right [Verse 2] To you, I'll give the world To you, I'll never be cold 'Cause I feel that when I'm with you It's alright, I know it's right [Chorus] And the songbirds are singing Like they know the score And I love you, I love you, I love you Like never before [Bridge] And I wish you all the love in the world But most of all, I wish it from myself [Chorus] And the songbirds keep singing Like they know the score And I love you, I love you, I love you Like never before [Outro] Like never before Like never before

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#rihanna #jay-z #umbrella #fleetwood mac #christine mcvie #songbird #polls #poll tournament #poll bracket #tournament #bracket #lovesongbracket #round1

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tunespeakapp · 2 months ago

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Dierks Bentley: 9/14/24 “It was my second time seeing Grammy nominated, ACM, CMA, CMT winner and Opry member Frederick Dierks Bentley 48 from Phoenix Arizona LIVE. The first was at the Blind Horse Saloon during the ‘Beers On Me Tour’ in 2021 toward the tail end of the pandemic where Bentley packed 2,000 maskless fans into the tiny Greenville venue. The weather was perfect for an evening featuring full sets by three Country Music artists, Hurricane Francine having since past with its remnants remaining stalled over Memphis. I had entered a contest on Bentley’s Facebook Page back in June granting one winner a pair of tickets. On August 30th I received an email that I was the solo winner out of 167,180 entries and to claim my seats at will call under the artist’s guest list. The 31-stop ‘Gravel And Gold Tour’ which began in Fort Worth and ends in Milwaukee made its 28th stop at Simpsonville’s outdoor amphitheater. The tour is Bentley’s 16th major tour and brings with it all the bells and whistles with a 6-man band and 55 crew members. With 10 albums in his 23-year career with 41 charted singles including 18 #1s, the headliner’s set list was bound to deliver all the favorites. Arriving early I stood just outside the gates to hear the VIP Pre-Show acoustic mini-set. Upon entry and claiming my 10th row center seat I walked up to take in a close-up of the stage. The stage featured an E-shaped rear riser featuring a center ramp and two end ramps ending in sets of stairs. A small pit separated the reserve seating from the stage. 100+ lights enclosed the stage on the top and sides. The drumhead featured the tour logo ‘DIERKS BENTLEY GRAVEL & GOLD 2024 TOUR’ as well as the translucent video wall in the forefront. At 6:56 p.m. the stage lights illuminated as the first opener Tanner Usrey and his 4-man band took to the stage to the recorded sounds of Guns N’ Roses ‘Welcome To The Jungle’. It was my second time in 8 days seeing Tanner perform LIVE, the first was in Columbia with Koe Wetzel. Beginning with ‘Blackberry Wine’ from the Twisters Movie Soundtrack the Country/Southern Rock/Americana singer from Prosper Texas was off to a 30 minute / 6 song set. ‘My name’s Tanner Usrey from Texas, thanks for being here.’ Usrey drew the majority of his material from his lone studio album ‘Crossing Lines’ 2023 released on Atlantic Records. The set unlike Columbia’s which featured a cover of Rod Stewart’s Faces ’Stay With Me’ ended with a rousing version of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’. Tanner quit his job in 2019 starting off all on his own pounding the pavement for gigs and put 100K on his van in the first year and a half. He’s certainly paid his dues and has proven to be a worthy opener for the likes of Dierks and Koe! After a rather quick stage turn the lights went down to the recorded sounds of Ed Sheeran’s ‘BLOW’. A LB logo designed to look like a Lee jeans back pocket patch appeared on the video wall and two smaller screens to the left and the right illuminated to follow the LIVE action footage. ACM and CMA award winning Singer/Songwriter Kenneth Mobley Brice Jr 45 from Sumter South Carolina with 5 studio albums with 21 singles including 8 #1s took the stage for a 1 hour / 10 song set. Besides his own material, he has also co-written singles for artists like Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and the Eli Young Band. His ‘More Than a Memory’ recorded by Brooks became the first song ever to debut at number one. Beginning with ‘Soul’ a top 20 hit from 2021 we were off to an evening of all-charted singles. Lee wearing a WAYLON cap and guitar strap which read ‘Words Fail Music Speaks’ quickly won over his home State crowd. ‘It is so hood to be back in my home state!’ The set featured a total of 6 number ones including ‘I Don't Dance’ ‘Hard To Love’, ‘I Drive Your Truck’ dedicated to our military and first responders, ‘Rumor’, and ‘One Of Them Girls’. The sixth was ‘I Hope You're Happy Now’ a number one for Carly Pearce which she invited him to sing with her. ‘If y’all know it I’m gonna need you girls to maybe take care of her part cause I can’t exactly fold her up and put her in my back pocket and take her around the country with me.’ Brice was both tough and tender. One of the more tender moments were when he utilized the video screens to backlight his silhouette looking toward the audience as the amphitheater illuminated with cell phone lights. Another was his solo piano work on ‘I Don’t Dance’ exclaiming, ‘What a beautiful night y’all, come on.’ Mid-set Brice switched guitars, his strap in Clemson orange and purple revealing his football number ’55’. Lee attended Clemson University on a football scholarship. He played special teams there as the long snapper, but after an arm injury, he decided to focus on a country music career. Brice has come full circle playing a full set of all hits in his home state, a great evening for the local performer achieving stardom status. A half hour stage turn uncluttered the stage set leaving only Bentley’s equipment and amps in the forefront. At 9:11 p.m. the lights went dark as the lights lit up all red, the sounds of a plucking banjo made the mood complete. The center of the video wall opened up in all white light as Dierks made his appearance slowly walking down the ramp and taking his rightful place front and center. Beginning with ‘Gold’ the only song from the latest release bearing the tour’s name Dierks was off and running to an hour and thirty-five minute / 18 song set. It’s lyrics ‘I got some rust on my Chevy but it's ready to roll’ sent a clear message that the artist was speaking of himself metaphorically. The next song ‘Lot Of Leavin Left To Do’ with a dueling acoustic guitar match with Ben Helson continued the irony. ‘How we doin tonight Greenville? Simpsonville, I guess is the new hot spot in Greenville.’ In ‘I Hold On’ Bentley held up and kissed ‘this here flat top guitar’. He swapped out the lyrics, ‘singing every country song’ to ‘singing every Lee Brice song’ and challenged the audience to sing their loudest to the song’s chorus. He paused to honor his VIPS in attendance, his Aunt Barbie, his friend George, and his banjo player’s daughter Sidney. ‘I got family in the front row, it’s a big show.’. ’To get this party up to the next level, I’m gonna have to trade this instrument for my preferred instrument where I do my best work.’ “Nobody plays the red solo cup like I do.’ The song was ‘Am I The Only One’ with a mash of Toby Keith’s ‘Red Solo Cup’. 16 keg shaped mini-video screens made the song come alive. Bentley called for a beer shot-gunning contest choosing a representative from each side of the audience, one male and one female. Turning over the discarded cans, the man was the clear winner as he drained the remaining contents of each to the floor of the stage. ‘It’s 2024 everybody gets a medal’ he determined! The hits rolled on, ‘Living’ and ‘Say You Do’ a pair of number ones, and ‘Burning Man’ and ‘Gone’ a pair of number twos. ‘Do you guys like the blue-grassy more country stuff?’ Bentley asked as he positioned banjo and fiddle to his left and guitar and bass to his right. His cover of Tom Petty’s ‘American Girl’ which he recently recorded for the country tribute album ‘Petty Country’ would determine the answer to the question. The sole answer only spoke to who the American Girl was, not the style of music, ’I’m pretty sure she’s a South Carolina Girl!’ ‘Black’ was performed behind a special effect video wall, and ‘Up On The Ridge’ mashed in New Grass Revival’s ‘Callin' Baton Rouge’. Charlie Worsham (former Old Crow Medicine Show) took the lead, and the band took over the spotlight leaving Dierks in the dark. Dirks called for a humbs up or thumbs down vote between him and the band, then introduced them one by one. Likening the all-Nashville band to the 6 players of a hockey team there was Charlie Worsham on guitar and mandolin; CMA Fiddle Player Of The Year Dan Hochhalter on guitar and fiddle; Tim Sergent on 5-string banjo, pedal steel, lap steel, and dobro; team goalie Steve Misamore on drums; and Cassady Feasby on bass. Bentley introduced himself as the obvious team’s center. A trio of number ones ended the regular set, ‘5-1-5-0’, ‘Somewhere On A Beach’ and ‘What Was I Thinkin’ his first #1 released back in 2003. A mash-up of ‘Beers On Me’ was interwoven. As road attendants tossed cans of Bud Lites from the wings Dierks caught them all one-handed without dropping a single one and tossed them out to folks in the front row of the pit for a toast. Thanking the crowd, he exited the stage leaving the lights dimmed obviously for an encore. The stage lights brightened to all blue as Bentley reappeared dressed in an airline captain’s hat and jacket with aviator glasses. Taking his place a top a on a scissor-riser center stage with a backdrop of an airplane’s cockpit and instrument panel he performed ‘Drunk On A Plane’ tossing out Mardi Gras beads into the audience. Exiting the stage the second time the band reappeared entering from the center of the video wall resembling the side door of a van as their alter egos ‘Hot Country Knights’. Dressed in colorful 90’s clothing, tight jeans and wearing wigs, dancing about with a headless bass and keytar as instruments they performed a medley of all 90’s covers [.T-R-O-U-B-L-E / I Like It, I Love It / Meet In the Middle / Little Rock / Heads Carolina, Tails California / Achy Breaky Heart / Man I Feel Like a Woman / Friends in Low Places]. The over-the top ending brought down the house leaving folks in all smiles and laughter as we exited the venue back to the future with a renewed sense of hope drawn from our past!” Review and photo by DAve (Concerts #928-930)

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residentcatgirl · 11 months ago

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My Last.FM Songs of 2023

A/N: Since I'm doing my Spotify & YouTube Music lists, why not do Last.FM?

Scrobbles: 7,013

Scrobbles Per Day (Average): 20

My Top 25 Artists according to Last.FM

Corpse

BTS

Vicki Vox

Falling In Reverse

Stray Kids

Ariana Grande

Taylor Swift

Charlie Puth

Chase Atlantic

Jungkook

My Top 10 Scrobbles of 2023

Baby Bye - Vicki Vox (206 Scrobbles)

Under the Weather - Corpse (151 Scrobbles)

Why Do I - Set It Off (82 Scrobbles)

Rehabilitation - Gun Boi Kaz (79 Scrobbles)

Charmer - Stray Kids (74 Scrobbles)

Too Little Too Late - Jojo (64 Scrobbles)

Seven (Explicit Ver. feat Latto) - Jungkook (64 Scrobbles)

Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande (56 Scrobbles)

Hate Me - Nico Collins (56 Scrobbles)

Choose Me - Mammon, Leviathan & Asmodeus (55 Scrobbles)

My Top 5 scrobbles per month

January (Scrobbles: 376)

Slow Down - Chase Atlantic

Boys Like You - ITZY

Insane - Black Gryph0n & Baasik

February (Scrobbles: 653)

Under the Weather - Corpse

Too Little Too Late - Jojo

Cheating on You - Charlie Puth

March (Scrobbles: 641)

Harleys in Hawaii - Katy Perry

The Boy is Mine - Brandy

Dive Into You - Loving Caliber

April (Scrobbles: 511)

Hate Me - Nico Collins

Still Breathing - Citizen Soldier

This I Promise You - *NSYNC

May (Scrobbles: 1,035)

Baby Bye - Vicki Vox

Choose Me - Mammon, Leviathan & Asmodeus

Rehabilitation - Gun Boi Kaz

June (Scrobbles: 818)

Baby Bye - Vicki Vox

Zombified - Falling In Reverse

Little Girl Gone - Chinchilla

July (Scrobbles: 341)

Seven (Explicit Ver. feat Latto) - Jungkook

Charmer - Stray Kids

That Way - Tate McRae

August (Scrobbles: 387)

특 S-Class - Stray Kids

Charmer - Stray Kids

Don't Call Me Angel - Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus & Lana Del Ray

September (Scrobbles: 606)

Why Do I - Set It Off

Bottoms Up (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Trey Songz

Hex Girls (Feat. The Nostalgia Girls) - Moon Sisters

October (Scrobbles: 459)

Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande

Bite Me - Enhypen

Love to Die - The Merkins

November (Scrobbles: 798)

3D (feat. Jack Harlow) - Jungkook

Seven (Explicit Ver. feat Latto) - Jungkook

Lily - Alan Walker, K-391, Emelie Hollow

December (Scrobbles: 388)

(as of Dec. 10)

Bad Boy (English Ver) - Red Velvet

Paranoia - HEARTSTEEL

Back to Me - The Rose

#last.fm #music #top songs

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littleharpethcrossfit · 1 year ago

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Thursday, 2 November, 2023.

We should be enjoying sunny, near 60 degree weather at 4 PM. Perfect for Outdoor CrossFit.

Warmup

4 Rounds

10 PVC Squat Snatch's

10 Banded Pull-Aparts

Strength

Dumb Bell Snatch's: 1 / 1 X 10

Gradually Progress Weight As Long As You Can Lock-Out

and Control DB At The Top. Drop heavy DB's In The Pine-

Straw For Safety.

Ed/Larry=80 Sam=75 Dana/Armando=65 Herb=60 Coach/Chad=50 Paul/Joe/Sue=40 Alicia/Cherrita=35 Shannon=20 Shane/Sabrina/Kayla/No Name/Linda=PJ

WOD

12 Minute AMRAP

9 Power Snatch's ( 95 / 75 / 55 )

15 / 12 Calories Any ERG

30 Double-Under's ( 50 Single's )

SCORE: Rounds and Fractions

Dana=5 2/3* Kayla/Alicia/Armando=5 Ed=5* Larry=4 2/3** Sam/Coach/Sue/Cherrita=4 2/3 Joe=4 1/3 Paul/Herb/Shannon/Chad=4 Sabrina/Shane/No Name/Linda=P

Wine and snacks and convivial discussions post-WOD.

Notes:

Paul, who has the fabled high-end vacation home on 30A, is never here. He thinks he is a long-time consistent LHCF member, but in fact he is about a 20% member. Actually, he thought Alicia was just now visiting from Pittsburg. Paul kept asking when did we start having so much good food at the Thursday wine and snack party, and everyone kept saying it started Pre-Covid. Paul is so 2019 that he voted for Hillary.

NOW, Kayla is complaining that I am not including her and who-ever she is currently in an Instagram life-time forever NOW-CUPID relationship with in this high level influencer blog. I explained to her that this Blog space is extremely valuable and that many people are contending for attention. I can't waste your time with such frivolous people. BTW, I am not supposed to tell you that her "friend" didn't come today (Excuse Number 23) because he twisted his ankle. WHaaa !!

The post-WOD wine and snacks were as usual beyond expectation. Alicia's Buffalo (WHY?) dip with celery and chips is enough to make any man fall in love. Also there was Miss Linda's big platter of sloppy Joe buns, and Kayla's big platter of chicken sliders. Paul was seen eating at least 3 of each buns, washing them down with glugs of only the highest rated wines.

The after-WOD lasted about 2 hours until Ruth Anne made Shane pack up and go home. Before this the Birthday Song was sung for Sam (42? 46?), and several people participated in spanking Sam as he laid himself over the compliant lap of Miss Sue.

An unexpected distraction was that the non-American speaking workers who are currently remodeling the Buck Mansion-House could not go home because their van would not start. Fortunately we had alien speaking members who also had jumper-cables who were willing to help them. Somehow I suspect that this was added to my expense account.

Saturday at 0730 and at 0900.

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alsjeblieft-zeg · 2 years ago

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309 of 2023

True or False Inspired by My Pinterest Boards

Created by joybucket

Section #1- Simple Abundance Where there is love, there is life. I would love to go on a lovely twilight stroll through an enchanted purple forest. The setting sun makes photos more beautiful. I have taken a photograph of flowers in a suitcase, because I thought it looked artsy and cool. I will rise when God calls my name. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you said yes to God's will. I enjoy spending time in nature. I take time to do what makes my soul happy. I believe it's important to take time to do what makes my soul happy. One thing that makes my soul happy is painting. 🖼️ 🖌️ I've been working on a new painting lately. 🎨 I love to dance in the rain. 🌧️ 💃 My faith is bigger than my fear. I hope to never lose my sense of wonder. I think Dove Cameron is beautiful. I seek Jesus first every morning. ☕️ I drink a mug of hot coffee or tea every morning. ☕️ I wish more people would be themselves. Today is a gift. 🎁 Time spent alone with God is never wasted. There are books sitting on my bed right now. I have gone hiking and camping in the mountains. 🏔️🌲 I have journaled while sitting outside in nature. I wear a ton of bracelets every day. I set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. 📖 I've read Song of Solomon. 📖 I enjoy wearing summer dresses. 👗 I never quench the Spirit of God. Snowflakes are enchanting and magical. ❄️ Jesus is my first love. 🌸 I love how the sun illuminates everything at twilight. I've felt encouraged by a Scripture, a quote, or a song recently. The last mug I drank out of was a dusty pink shade. I've seen the Eiffel Tower in person. I'm not waiting for the storm to pass in my life right now; I'm learning to dance in the rain! 💃 🌧️ Taylor Swift is beautiful. I've praised Jesus in the middle of an open field, under open skies. I've run across a grassy field with my arms lifted to the sky. In Christ alone my hope is found. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. I believe I am God's masterpiece. I believe am worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:31) I am not worried about tomorrow. I like how dreadlocks look. ....and I've considered getting them. I own a lot of colorful pillows. Wherever I go, I go with all my heart. I've taken a photograph of the view out the window from an airplane. ✈️ My life is more full of adventures than material things. I want my life to be full of more adventures than material things. Sometimes you just need an adventure to cleanse the bitter taste of life from your soul. I like to imagine that I can afford to travel. ✈️ 🌎 I've worn striped tights on Halloween. I live near a cemetery. 🪦 I enjoy taking pictures of pretty flowers in the spring. Silence isn't empty. It's full of answers. I like foggy mornings. My mistakes don't define me. I love to meditate on Scripture. 📖 I love sweater weather. 🍁 I own a winter hat with a pom-pom on top. I want to learn how to make latte art. I own a pair of wool socks. 🧦 I love taking photos of nature.

Section #2- Fashion I own a shirt with a dreamcatcher on the front. I crochet. 🧶 I've ordered something off of Poshmark. I've sold something on Poshmark. I've tried to sell something on Poshmark, but I didn't have any luck. I own something with fringe on it. I own a pair of patterned leggings. I love Bohemian fashion. I like to wear infinity scarves in the fall. I own a blanket scarf. I've knit a scarf. 🧣 I've worn a tank top with jeans. I enjoy putting outfits together. I've gotten a ton of compliments on my style. I wish I could get a whole new wardrobe. I wear a lot of hand-me-downs. A lot of my clothes have come from Goodwill. I own way too many clothes. I own a lot of clothes that don't currently fit me. I like sweater dresses. I own a cowboy hat. 🤠 2014 was one of the best years fashion-wise. My hair is currently up in a bun. I often wear my hair up in a bun. I own a sweater cardigan. I've purchased something from ThredUp. I've sold clothes to ThredUp. I've purchased something from Plato's Closet. I've sold clothes to Plato's Closet. I own a tassel necklace. I've tie-dyed a pair of shorts. I want to tie-dye a pair of shorts. I've been called a fashion trendsetter. I own a shirt with an American flag on it. 🇺🇸

#survey #bolding survey #categorised survey

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enactivewebs · 2 years ago

Video

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27/02/2023

Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (adapted from: https://www.ed.ac.uk/reflection/reflectors-toolkit/reflecting-on-experience/gibbs-reflective-cycle):

Description of the experience

A Monday morning drive to the Meanee market gardens to pick up fruit and veg for the week. I headed out in my car to a market garden shop/store about 10 minutes out of Taradale/Greenmeadows. I intended to find a place to park slightly further away from the green grocers, to go for a walk and get some steps in as part of my daily cardio and health and well being routine. The drive was documented using an action camera attached to a DIY head mount (cable tied to a bike helmet).

Feelings and thoughts about the experience

Felt slightly self conscious heading out of the house wearing the DIY action cam head mount as it looks pretty ridiculous, but took some consolation and motivation through approaching the situation with an adventurous and exploratory mindset, and laughing at myself a bit.

Was more aware of my body movements (especially my head) and wondered about what quality the footage would be that was being captured and if it was capturing a similar view to what I was actually seeing.

Driving past people, I was intrigued to see if they noticed my head-mount, and what they thought about it. This thought gave me little moments of enjoyment and humour.

I remember enjoying the music I had playing on an old mix CD that I’d recently found and put into my car's CD folder. The trap and reggae songs were fun to drive around to. I also felt good to be out of the house for a bit and away from the screen and regular work. This felt like a refresher and gave my mind and body something different to do than just standing/sitting at my desk working on mahi.

I felt slightly annoyed that my regular grocer was closed (the one at the far end of Meanee road) and I had to turn around. I also became a little irritated that I couldn’t find a place to park a suitable distance away from the grocer that was open, so I could get some steps in (I’m currently injured with an ankle issue, and walking is one of my only forms of cardio at the moment). On that note, I also remember thinking and planning where I was going to park, to give myself some exercise and stretch my legs. Taking a few turns and double backing, I wondered for a minute what the other drivers thought I was up to.

Sensations, perceptions and embodied sensatory experiences

The day was unseasonably cold, and quite grey for February. We had just had very heavy rain over the weekend and the weather had turned again and looked likely to rain. As such, the air temperature was cool and I was wearing a hoodie and rain jacket.

Walking to the car, my left leg felt heavy and scraped and clunked against the pavement and tarmac due to being in a moon boot. The CD in the car when I first got in was playing the final track from Electric Wizards album ‘Dopethrone’ (heavy stoner doom metal). This played out until the disk started to skip, and I replaced it with the mix CD mentioned previously of trap, reggae and other more electronic and bass oriented genres.

I had the air con off as the ambient temperature was cool and the cars air flow was comfortable as I drove. My left foot still felt a bit weird being in the boot and being closer to the brake pedal than usual.

There were no real sensory surprises or anything unexpected while driving (being such a second nature activity) but I was aware and could feel the DIY head-mount on the top of my head and with the straps under my chin providing a slightly different feeling than usual while driving.

Evaluation of the experience, both good and bad

The experience was overall pretty neutral. There were no extremes in terms of being good or bad, and the whole drive was quite mundane and un-extraordinary. I enjoyed listening to the music and doing something different by having the head-mount on recording (and thinking about people’s reactions if they noticed), and my regular green grocer being closed and finding a spot to park caused minor irritation.

Analysis to make sense of the situation

The situation/experience was a fairly ordinary and mundane one, but was elevated to something slightly more memorable by having the head-mount on. I intended to drive to Meanee road, find a place to park a bit further away from the grocers and carried this out without anything else of note occurring.

Conclusion about what you learned and what you could have done differently

I could say I learnt something from the experience around how to set up and use the head-mounted camera effectively. The experience confirmed that the head-mount camera captures much of my body and perspective, but could be lowered slightly to be more aligned with my eyesight. I learnt that my Electric Wizard CD skips and is scratched towards the end of album and that my regular green grocer is closed on Mondays (good to note for future Monday shops). Additionally, I learnt where is good to park on Meanee road if I want to walk to the shops and get more steps in.

Action plan for how you would deal with similar situations in the future, or general changes you might find appropriate.

After reviewing footage, I would lower camera angle slightly and perhaps even experiment with some other mounts for the action cam. I will start to do shops for fruit and veggies on days other than Monday to go to my regular grocers.

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plutonium12 · 2 years ago

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A - Age: 16 A - Annoyance: people repeating themselves multiple times.

B - Best feature: my very enthusiastic tone B - Beer: = bear? B - Birthday: december 6th

C - Crush: what if i crushed you like a bug under my shoe C - Car: i dunno im not a car guy C - Candy: starbursts

D - Day or night: night D - Dogs or Cats: CATS LETS GO CATS WOOOOO

E - Egg nog: probably gross E - E-mail: no

F - Favorite color(s): green and black F - Favorite Band: smash mouth and foo fighters

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: gummy bears >:) G - Giver or taker: GIVER !!!!!!!! G - Gum: i hate gum

H - Hair Color: brown H - Height: 5′2 H - Happy: :D

I - Ice Cream: salted caramel OR cookie dough I - Instrument: guitar ! I - Idol: edd :)

J - Jewelery: yes ! necklaces and bracelets and rings, also im hoping to get my ears pierced soon ! J - Job: i want one. J - Jail: not until 3004

K - Kids: not yet, ill probably adopt tho K - Kickboxing or karate: i want to try kickboxing, it looks fun K - Kindergarten: it was chill from what i remember but i accidentally flipped off a kid i think

L - Longest Car Ride: 6 hours? 8 hours? smth like that

M - Milk Flavor: regular??? M - Most missed person: lee :((( M - Movie Last Watched: avatar 2

N - Number of Siblings: 2 brothers N - Number of Tattoo's: 0 N - Name: plutonic plutonium pluto plu pluton

O - One wish: that my online friends could live next to me :) O - One Phobia: agoraphobia O - One regret: not joining many clubs last year and not talking very much, i try to make up for it now by putting myself out there

P - Part of your appearance you like best: my silly face hehe

Q - Quick or Slow: im hella slow like i can understand things just give me a few minutes

R - Reason to smile: my friends, eddsworld, spy x family, old dsmp streams, wilbur soot, and saiki :) R - Reality TV Show: none.

S - Song Last Heard: maneater S - Season: winter S - Shoes: checkered !

T - Time you woke up: 7:25 am T - Time Now: 9:39 pm T - Time for bed: 12 am usually

U - Unpredictable: maybe. U - Underwear: why do these things have no boundaries i mean SERIOUSLY

V - Vegetable you hate: all of them. V - Vegetable you love: except for aparagus that one can stay V - Vacation spot: who freaking knows dude

W - Worst Habits: picking at my nails with my nails. its hard to explain but like i end up picking at my nails with my other fingers until the top part of it comes off W- Where are you going to travel next: to my bathroom W - Weather: rain is nice to watch from inside my house :)

X - X-tra special someone: the pizza delivery guy

Y - Year you were born: 2006 Y - Year it is now: 2023 Y - Yellow: like the coldplay song !

Z - Zoo Animal: the penguins are chill Z - Zodiac: sagittarius ? Z - Zombie: AAAAA NOT MY BRAINZ !!!!!

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lendamico · 2 years ago

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My favorite music of 2022

Lots of good stuff this year. Here’s a playlist:

My very favorites

Additionally, here are a few albums and singles I wanted to call special attention to. They’re presented alphabetically becasue I’ve choosen to ditch the “best of” framing I often go with; I’m not writing music criticism here, and I have no editor telling me what to do. I don’t even know how many things I called out, so this isn’t a top-ten list, either! It’s just What I Loved in 2023. Mostly captured for me, but if others get something out if it, all the better.

Album: Animal Collective: Time Skiffs ✅

Their best group of songs since MPP, for my money.

Album: Big Thief: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You ✅

A rare double record that never overstays it’s welcome, but rather creates a world I want to live inside, not unlike the White Album or Wildflowers.

Album: Destroyer: Labyrinths ✅

After nearly two decades of dabbling, I have finally become fully Bejar-pilled.

Song: Gabriels: Remember Me

If you’re not moved when the full strings kick in at about 2:30, I don’t know what to tell you.

Song/Video: Ghost: Spillways

I have no commentary on this band or their schtick, but I do know a well-written sugary pop-metal jam when I hear it.

Song: Goose: Dripfield

The vapors of this song have seeped into my bones.

Song: Hammered Hulls: Abstract City

We all need a bit of classic Dischord sound in our lives, and this tune checks that box with authority.

Albums: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s entire 2022 output, specifically Omnium Gatherum and Changes

I am intimidated by this band. They are very Extra in the best sense of the word.

Song: Steve Lacy: Bad Habit

R&B from another planet. I dig. A lot.

Album: The Mountain Goats: Bleed Out

John Darnielle is a national treasure.

Album: Aofie O’Donovan: Age of Apathy ✅

I’ve really been enjoying Aofie’s work since I fell down a deep Live From Here well several years ago. She truly brings all of her unique talents as a songwriter, vocalist, arranger and guitarist together on this record. (Related: this Tiny Desk concert is delightful.)

Song: Angel Olsen: Go Home

Haunting.

Album: Beth Orton: Weather Alive

Haunting, but in a different way. So great to have new music from Beth Orton.

Album: Plains: I Walked With You A Ways

This recrod gave me a lot of reminders of my mom’s early-90s pop country radioe phase. (I mean this as a compliment, obviously.)

Song: Maggie Rogers: That’s Where I Am

Another single that grabbed me by the lapels and demanded my full attention from its first notes.

Album: Will Sheff: Nothing Special

I couldn’t describe this record better than Sheff himself did in this wonderful interview with Fluxblog’s Matthew Perpetua:

My experience of art is like the wind in the trees. You blink and you miss it. A little bit of it is like “Did you guys hear what I heard?” It’s a very quiet, subtle thing that gets under your skin.

Album: Sister Ray: Communion ✅

If I had to pick a “favorite” record of 2022, it would probably be this. Those that know me and my tastes will have no problem figuring out why.

Album: Soccer Mommy: Sometimes Forever✅

A nearly perfect distillation of my late-90s record collection. I mean this as a high, high compliment. Truly another one of my absolute faves on the year.

Album: Spoon: Lucifer On The Sofa

Their best since probably 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. All killer, no filler.

Song: SRSQ: Winter, Slowly

The first time I heard that little whammy-bar vocal effect on the chorus (starts around 0:50), something in my brain slipped loose and my thoughts still aren’t thinking right.

Album: Bartees Strange: Farm to Table ✅

This is truly an Important Record, a call-to-arms, a statement of purpose.

Song: Tenci: Two Cups

Tenci came onto my radar after seeing them open for Hop Along in 2021, and I’m really glad they did.

Album: Sharon Van Etten: We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong ✅

Much like the Destroyer record, this was the one that converted me from “hey, SVE is pretty cool” to a full-fledged fan.

Album: Immanuel Wilkins: The 7th Hand ✅

A gifted arranger who can still layer sheets of sound with the best of them.

(✅ indicates that I’ve purchased the album on vinyl, for accountability’s sake. Support the musicians you love, folks!)

Playlist available on Apple Music, Spotify and Last.fm.

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lastknightnparis-blog · 8 years ago

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DAWN Richard (D∆WN ) - Redemption - Director’s Review

Love“Redemption (Intro)”

This song reminds me of something from the Lion King. I wouldn’t necessarily say the super theatrical part where Rafiki raises the newborn Simba to the rest of the Animal Kingdom, pretty much hailing him as the new King and heir to the throne of his father Mufasa. Rather, it seem as it is an overall celebratory piece, feasting collectively as equals, enjoying life. Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeRck6JLhw8 .

This also reminds me of those celebratory dances in Africa, where it goes on through the night and the villagers feast upon a campfire on, similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ennb3rhdI . This is where it’s near pitch black, and the only light is the roaring campfire from feast they have prepared.

This intro definitely seems like the celebration of a King and/or Queen, such as Dawn herself. Though this King and Queen’s celebration is also in aappreciation of their tribe in all that they’ve done, whether surviving a war such as the story through DAWN’s trilogy from GoldenHeart to your Redemption, or being great and monumental African folk in their existence, woven into the legacy, into the continuance of the beautiful African culture and lineage. This intro really makes you think of your roots, celebrating who you are, in your black excellence of just being you. You truly feel like you’re home in your motherland, and DAWN is shining ablaze, reflecting off upon your cocoa butter brown melanin skin, as the Sun God/Solar Deity whispers in your ear, “you are the one,” all of you.

“Love Under Lights”

One of my favorites of the album. It kind of reminds me of a fusion of “Calypso” and “Billie Jean” from Blackheart, and “Gleaux” from Goldenheart. DAWN is the queen of transitions and sequencing, and ‘Redemption’ is no different. This song flows perfectly from Redemption. “Redemption (Intro)” is the warning call that the celebration is starting soon, and “Love Under Lights” is the beginning of this massive celebration.

I love the narrative of this woman that DAWN sings about, like “Billie Jean” (as I mentioned about the songs it reminds me of a fusion of). Which reminds me of the visuals of “Billie Jean.” You can imagine some beautiful, free-spirited, rebellious (in her individualism), woman walking into LA streets (Whether Los Angeles, Louisiana, or any new city) and exploring this new place, the culture and what is has to offer. She spends a day exploring this mysterious city, shopping on Melrose or the streets of New Orleans, sitting in the park taking in the beautiful weather, nature, and people. She goes home to change into a new spunky outfit, then hits some nightclub where it’s pitch dark and you can’t see a single person. But... you get glimpses of pulsating disco lights, as everyone parties it up, enjoying the atmosphere. Maybe someone is dancing on her, or maybe she’s dancing by herself living off of the energy of the music and the collective energy of the high-on-life souls in the nightclub. I love how DAWN sings,

“she was elevated, she was a fan of the niggas that kept her motivated, she said she fuckin wit Drake, I said King Kendrick….I guess we’re just Kindred spirits. And I will never never lie to you, I think you are the truth, I think I’d like to do some things to you, our love is cooool…it’s coooool….”

You’re not sure if she’s singing about herself and to this woman directly, like a dialogue of a relationship, or if she’s a narrator, observing the woman. It keeps you guessing. It shows you how open DAWN is, in her music, in her perspective, and what world she lives in, encompassing everyone.

“Black Crimes”

This track reminds me of “Billie Jean x Dance.” The reason is reminds me of “Billie Jean x Dance” is because of the transition from “Love Under Lights.” The story and content of this song also reminds me of the story of “Billie Jean, ” and puts me in what I would imagine the visuals would be when I think of this song. As DAWN sings, “Love crimes, high cost, we’re doing time, we’re sentenced to life…,” doesn’t that remind you of the story of “Billie Jean,” more so a continuation of that song?

“I’m a Rollin stone, I really can’t stay I know I gave you pussy but das cause yo test look great I’m like an assassin, leave without a trace It’s the mess you love when you all in my face” “Billie Jean trill impaler like a fate I never stay too long on my own grade And if you’re lucky, 2023 Send that prenup to my new legal team No counting sheep up in a city full of thirsty hoes”

Doesn’t that sound like Love Crimes of High Cost? The beat kinda reminds me of her infectious, high-on-life track “Wake Up” as well, but more mellow. Though not exactly, because DAWN is always giving us something fresh and new. However, this track is similar to “Wake Up.” I am glad that this is similar to “Wake Up” because that’s my jam. So anything in some kind of vein of it, would immediately entice me. Around 3:01, she changes the flow of the track with some kinda sound effect on her voice, with the new apocalyptic-like alarm she introduced around 2:17. I love stuff like that because you don’t get bored with the track because the pace is not all the same.

On this album, instead of Dawn’s vocals being the lead of each track, it’s more so the production that sets the setting, that builds into the story of the lyrics that she sings. So the production is the beginning, middle, and end, more specifically: the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and exposition. Which is something artist rarely do. Another great track.

“Voices”

I love this track. I had been searching for the track DAWN had previewed, accompanied to her new work as a curator for Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim”.That song is everything. I searched all over the album to see if the track was there. This track, along with “Lilies” were the tracks I thought it was, but wasn’t. The beginning instrument playing is just EVERYTHING. It’s not over-the-top. Sometimes less is more, and in this case, it is definitely more. I’m not a musician, so I don’t know exactly what instrument it is, but it’s dope. All I have to say is, that brass instrument, the horn, whatever it is in the beginning, is dope. This is the goldmine of the track.

“LA” feat. Trombone Shorty

Dawn’s favorite track on the album, and one of mine. It almost took the title as my personal favorite, but there are too many dope tracks on the album for me to pick just one. The production of this track is everything, and as few lyrics as there are, they hit extremely hard. It’s like something my counselor said about me, “David doesn’t say much, but when he does, it has an impact.” The few lyrics Dawn sings on this track are so powerful:

"These LA streets are killing me" "It's wavy cause this shit don't matter MJ on the radio, so we blast that , MJ on the radio" "We thought we was above it all 'Cause the difference is Wayne was a hot boy"

To me this song is about, police brutality, being racial profiled, and just the struggle of being black in our current society. As powerful as the production is, this track puts you in a place to think about what she’s singing about. You think about it, but at the same time, you drown it out and sweep off to another dimension. The way this song starts out, I can’t even explain it to you. All I have to say is this song is like a true Symphony. This reminds me of something that could really be a hip hopera, and some musical on Broadway. As a play, it transitions into a scene where there is an uproar and outrage, with riots on the streets, as everyone is running everywhere, watching as some fellow blacks are killed. However, we are reminded that there is strength in numbers, as blacks are standing up against the police to protect their brothers and sisters, and some get away under the protection of their fellow black brothers and sisters. It’s like there’s some kind of martial law, such as this moment:

And this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGbGj82SQrE

The electric guitar string breakdown and the KEYBOARD SYNTH at 2:51-3:01, and then again around 3:37-4:11 is so epic! Especially the keyboard synth. But to me that’s the rising action, but the true golden moment of the track is the ending, the Trombone Solo with Trombone Shorty. It is absolutely EVERYTHING!

DAWN has said over time, how she likes to play with her voice with auto-tune and different elements of sound effects, which gives a unique flair tracks, such as this one. She has also mentioned how she’s heavily involved with production and how important production is, especially in telling of the story of a song, how it can stand alone. That Trombone solo at the end , Man… that is just something that we will never hear from mainstream artist these days. DAWN the QUEEN of what music truly is, from every different sector. This track is the definitive example of when music is Golden, in every spectrum. This a true collective effort, where not one thing is necessarily the lead, every piece is the lead. Though the Trombone is the strongest, every element in this song gets to shine.

“Interim (Interlude)”

DAWN and these interludes! Dawn is the artist that will make an interlude so ridiculously great that, it’s not just an interlude, it’s as strong, if not stronger than a full track. Her interludes will make you want a full track, so you will be mad at her for making it longer because you don’t want the epicness to end.

Interim reminds me of some ‘Darkness before Dawn’ like moment. Like when someone has died, a warrior has died, but you know you have to go on. Like something out of “Maleficent” or “The Huntsman: Winter’s War.” Like that falling action. It’s like the moment where you think everything is fine, and you’ve won. Then, suddenly one of the main characters, either the main character in the story everyone knows and loves, or you as a viewer, who has grown to love, is instantly killed. In that moment, this is what “Interim” gives me. Like that moment of betrayal, think of Ciara’s “Paint it Black.” Such as >> this moment . It also reminds me of “Tide” (The Paradox Effect)” a song exclusive to the Vinyl edition of Blackheart, which there’s a video of it on YouTube. Interim:

“Light, You stimulate sight , And make everything expand Can you see as I have, Can you truly love it, Under the light?”

Does that ring a bell with “Tide”?:

“Under your gaze, feel your pull, Every night my waves grow, Crushing past the rocky view.”

“Day moon - I am your tide, your light gives me life. Day moon, day moon.”

This songs perfectly transitions into “Renegades,” and I do mean perfectly! It sets the tone perfectly.

“Renegades”

The 1st single of the album, to replace what “Dance” was supposed to be. This song is song is a slightly dark, dance anthem. Not dark as in like negative emotions, just not bright, like some bubblegum-summer tune. It makes me think of some Urban (more black people) West Side Story, with more grit and grunge.

I see a scene late at night, where DAWN and a group of dancers are in black, short leather jackets, and jeans and you get a low-angle shot of DAWN and her dancers to introduce them at the beginning of the clip. The camera then tilts up from their feet to their knees, or a wide angle shot, that’s kind of close-up showing from the waist down of DAWN and her dancers. Next the camera zooms out to reveal the scenery of some European-like streets and village where there are vendors on the streets, and from building to building, it’s about enough space for two people to walk through the streets. This song to me is reminiscent of “DANCE.” It’s very Urban EDM to me, like when the synthesized keyboard comes in (the more EDM part), and then when the horn comes booming through with the bass underneath, with that beat dropping. It’s that ass shaking urban-sauce that we love and are accustomed to.

“Lazarus”

“I watched my soul rise up, Rise up, rise up” “My ignorance is a human thing My ascension is a spirit thing I can be both in the same I didn’t change… I became” “I watched my words rise up Rise up, rise up They slept on the rise up Rise up, rise up”

This is definitely the Redemption. It’s like that moment that you look back on your life. After all the turmoil, heartbreak, broken friendships and relationships, like flipping through your Senior yearbook, old Facebook photos, you realize who you were in those moments. The things you experienced, the mistakes you made, you realize who you were, and who you were makes you realize who you are. You smile at your quirky, individual self, and through your imperfections, you are still perfectly you. You have truly risen. This is one of my faves of the album.

“Tyrants”

“Tyrants” to me is the flip-side of “Lazarus.” “Lazarus” is the risen, realizing the good in the darkness, the embarrassing and awkward moments of your life. “Tyrants” is that song that you listen to late at night and think about a breakup or any struggles you’ve faced in your life. You get kind of sad and you may tear up, and realize all that you’ve went through. It’s that outer dimensional track. You ever had those moments and you say, “I wish I could be alone with me and my music?”, “If it could be me, my music, and space, and no one else... I’d be fine.” Okay, this is that song. Visualize an IMax theater, but just big enough to house you, and enough space for you to get a good look at the 360-view screen, that has a slideshow of videos and photos of your life. Though it’s not an actual I-Max theater, it’s a dimension displaying your life moments.

On the flip-side, another perspective is being in love or having a crush, and you want to just see that sparkle in that person’s eyes, you’re just admiring their glow. The lyrics:

“Lemme see your eyes I wanna see them glow I wanna see how far Your power goes They’ll all be scared Never understand Our power glows The light expands”

Also puts you in the mind of Tide: The Paradox Effect, in how DAWN is singing her narrative to the moon and how it gives her power and life,

“Day moon - I am your tide, your light gives me life. Day moon, day moon.”

This track can be taken so many different ways, and the narrative could be targeted to man, inanimate object, or other. “Tyrants” is a beautiful and simple track. It’s one of those late night walks, realizing the beauty of music, getting lost in your memories and the music. Another fave of the album.

“Vines (Interlude)” feat. PJ Morton

This song is reminds me of a track that you’d play when trying to do some kind of seductive dance for your lover. When I initially heard the song, I thought it was some issue, lost in translation of downloading the track, because dawn was stuttering in like slurred speech. But then I realized that this was for dramatic effect and emphasis of the track. It’s like where she sings, “water falling down,” like her body has went numb, and she’s just wet, lol. This is that kinda song where you’re like, lost in love. Like when you have so much of a crush, or are so in love and/or attracted to someone, that whenever they’re around, you get super awkward and are like a loss for words. Or maybe it’s through social media; you can’t even respond to their messages, it takes you a week to give a simple reply. But this song is much more sexual and seductive to me. This is definitely in the R&B lane, a nice seductive slow jam. People not into the EDM sound, probably could find themselves at home and in comfort of this song.

“Hey Nikki”

This is the part of the album, where things start to slow down, as the trilogy concludes. Hey Nikki is like an Ode to Janet Jackson, as DAWN sings,

“Hey Nikki I know you want to see me Do all the things that I do to him If you’re nasty..”

Remember Janet famously said, “Janet, Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty.” DAWN always has this narrative where’s she talking about this woman who is a sexual creature, comfortable with her body and her sexuality, who is always in power and in control, not falling under the spell of guys and their penis and their manipulation. Instead it’s like she’s this Praying Mantis or Black Widow, getting what she wants, using the guys for something like sex, making her money and moves, then moving on, just like those insects. Though it’s not saying the woman needs the guy or is always using them for sex, but she’s just not submissive to his wants (or needs), while succumbing to mediocrity by not meeting her needs. She’s a QUEEN and her title will not be of lesser value, because QUEEN is SHE. SHE is a ruler, a powerful being that demands respect and will builder her utopia.

“Hey Nikki” is a chill track that you’d probably listen to when you have nothing else better to do with your day, those bored moments. You’d probably chill to this track and write, sit and think, catch up on some intellectually stimulating articles online, or read a book.

“Sands”

“Sands” picks up perfect where “Hey Nikki” left off. Sands is one of those reflective tracks. It’s that moment that you put your whole life into perspective. It reminds me of that introspective, reflective nature of Blackheart tracks, like “Swim Free” (Minus the upper tempo dance beat) and “Projection”, and Goldenheart tracks like, “Ode to You” and self-titled “Goldenheart.”

DAWN sings reminiscently,

“Pictures on the wall, Remind me of all…the shit that we lost… It ain’t right, but that’s right.” “When we were young, we were dumb, we were too young… we were young…”

“We didn’t know that everything would come falling down, we didn’t know everything would come crashing down….”

We know better now, but we wish we had done better, seems to be the thought that comes to mind as DAWN sings this. We were simply “too young to understand.” We crash and burn, and that’s life. We wish we could’ve made better choices, but we must roll with the punches and accept that, we can’t change what has already happened. The song closes with fading echoes of DAWN chanting, as the grand piano takes leads and closes the chapter into the next interlude.

“Lilies (Interlude)”

I think this has to be my favorite track of the whole album, and it’s only an interlude. If you’re already a fan of DAWN you know her interludes are life. They are not to be overlooked. They are stronger as, and potentially stronger than most singles.

I love how this track transitions perfectly from “Sands.” It continues that Grand Piano, Dramatic, Phantom of the Opera instrumental, and brilliantly transcends into the EDM beat.

This track is rather interesting, it’s like a response to “Sands.” Like the redemption of “Sands.” She sings about her past, like Sands,

“Yellow lilies light..the house where we used to live where we used to go, when we was all wrong out there we watched them grow, like our lives, they grew everywhere And now it’s old and they’ve withered…” And her redeeming response, “And so I let ‘em go, let go…”

So though she made mistakes, when she was a kid playing in the sand, fumbling, all wrong out there, she bloomed and blossomed like a lily from all her mistakes. She grew, she got bigger and better, and she let her mistakes go. She let them stay in the past and wither away, as she evolved into the Queen that she is. No need to hold a grudge and regret the many times she tripped over her own two feet in the sand, over the war that she battled and the mistakes she made. It’s time to accept the light at the end of the tunnel, and walk into your shine. The grass is always greener on thee other side.

This song is that uplifting beautiful track that you listen to, to deal with your issues. Yell, scream, or what have you. Accept your issues and come out smiling because battle scars are things only warriors acquire. It’s because you’re human, but you’re also a warrior. God only puts on you what he knows you can handle. So be happy that he has accepted that you are powerful beyond measure and words. He has given you this mission, as his shining warrior.

It’s like the Marvel movies of Thor, he went through so much darkness and destruction, but through it all, he still remained because he had purpose, to change the world, for a brighter future.

“The Louvre”

The commencement. The weeping willow, saddened, violin strings at the beginning, a perfect opening to a commencement of the journey of this roller-coaster of the wars fought through this trilogy.

This song is truly beautiful. DAWN is all about full productions, very cinematic and theatrical. All of her songs sound like they could be apart of some epic Broadway show. That music that receives high honors from well-respected vets in all spectrums of music, but art overall. So like songwriters, people who write sheet music, screenwriters, music directors of symphony orchestra’s, she has that sort of quality. Everything she does it well thought out and intricate. Production and instruments are always the core of her music. They are always a balanced lead with her vocals. There are no 2nd fiddles in DAWN’s music, every part shares the limelight.

This song comes to mind as a commemorative song of the dead. Remembering the greatness of those who died before you, and all the beauty, peace, and happiness they brought to so many on their journey. This is a celebration of all their good, that is now engraved in history, that can now be told as a part of their legacy. Think in the mind of Lazarus:

“I watched my soul rise up,” “My ascension is a spirit thing.” This is the celebration of that spirit, the war it battled, and now it’s time to rise, rise over to the other side, where the grass is greener, and the sun always shines bright as the beauty it is, as DAWN coos “Ooh…you’re a work of art.”

Legacy never dies. DAWN can now take her bow. She is confident about the mark she’s left on this world with this magnifico heart trilogy. She will always be remembered. This song to me is that statue that you put up as a monument to celebrate the warrior’s legacy. You’re a work of art, you’ll always be remembered for your great efforts, we will never forget you. We will always look up to you and the greatness you have bestowed upon us, “Ooh… you work of art.” DAWN, you are ART.

“Valhalla (Outro)”

“Escape, run away with me Escape, to the open dreams Where rebels are the majority And my color isn’t minority Escape, ooh Escape, ooh”

There’s a fork and the road, and it’s your choice. What are you gonna do?

This reminds me of that moment at the end of some action flicks, such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier. After the war is won, with the losses that had to happen in order for the victory of the team takes place, it’s the bigger picture, of the betterment of humanity and the world outside of the hero.

There are paths. Are you gonna continue being the rebel fighting the good fight? Potentially always being alienated in some way shape or fashion, like Superman in “Superman V Batman: Dawn of Justice.” Through all the good he did, humanity still looked at him as a monster throughout the movie. They questioned his fight, his heart, and his soul, because he was different. Similar to Michael Jackson, all that positive he did to better humanity, songs like “Black or White” to fight against discrimination and hatred against one because of race, or songs like “They Don’t Care about Us,” where he speaks out about the music industry and evils of the world. This is where MJ shinned the light on that fact that he was still being pointed out as a pedophile, crazy, self-hating, and made fun of his because of his skin condition and plastic surgery.

The unknown is often questioned. Is it good or is it bad? Often it is deemed bad. Superman’s mom told him in the movie Superman v Batman, “you can get out while you can, you don’t have to fight for humanity.” Or on the flip-side how Captain America was asked at the end of The Winter’s Soldier movie to escape.

So… what is DAWN gonna do? Is she gonna fight the good fight? The fight to break through adversities, in music (narrow genre labeling, her ability to bend genres, better quality in music), misogyny and sexism, homophobia, racism, culture appreciation, etc., as the great Urban indie icon (in the great words of ‘The Dope Avenue”)? Or is this it? Is she done with the good fight? Though now she has an army, not just of her, but many other rebels. Now the rebels, are the minorities. They are now hearts that she has acquired along the way, and still they rise (as Maya Angelou would say).

The Outro is perfect, and so simple. The synth harmonies with DAWN’s androgynous lower register, that she so famously loves and brilliantly layers with auto-tune for such a more cinematic, hauntingly mesmerizing effect. In all it’s glory, it is every bit of lovely. This is definitely an epic ending of a made-for-Broadway play, something like the end of the “Blood Brothers” play. An Epic end to not only an epic album, but this epic journey DAWN’s has taken us on, that is bigger than just music. Making the statement that, music itself is bigger than life.

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davidrwashington · 8 years ago

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DAWN Richard (D∆WN) - Redemption (Album Review)

“Redemption (Intro)”

“Love Under Lights”

One of my favorites of the album. It kind of reminds me of a fusion of “Calypso” and “Billie Jean” from Blackheart and “Gleaux” from Goldenheart. DAWN is the queen of transitions and sequencing, and ‘Redemption’ is no different. This song flows perfectly from Redemption. “Redemption (Intro)” is the warning call that the celebration is starting soon, and “Love Under Lights” is the beginning of this massive celebration.

I love the narrative of this woman that DAWN sings about, like “Billie Jean” (as I mentioned about the songs it reminds me of a fusion of). Which reminds me of the visuals of “Billie Jean.” You can imagine some beautiful, free-spirited, rebellious (in her individualism), woman walking into LA streets (Whether Los Angeles, Louisiana, or any new city) and exploring this new place, the culture and what is has to offer. She spends a day exploring this mysterious city, shopping on Melrose or the streets of New Orleans, sitting in the park taking in the beautiful weather, nature, and people. She goes home to change into a new spunky outfit, then hits some nightclub where it’s pitch dark and you can’t see a single person. But… you get glimpses of pulsating disco lights, as everyone parties it up, enjoying the atmosphere. Maybe someone is dancing on her, or maybe she’s dancing by herself living off of the energy of the music and the collective energy of the high-on-life souls in the nightclub. I love how DAWN sings,

“Black Crimes”

On this album, instead of Dawn’s vocals being the lead of each track, it’s more so the production that sets the setting, that builds into the story of the lyrics that she sings. So the production is the beginning, middle, and end, more specifically: the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Which is something artist rarely do. Another great track.

“Voices”

“LA” feat. Trombone Shorty

“These LA streets are killing me” “It’s wavy cause this shit don’t matter MJ on the radio, so we blast that , MJ on the radio” “We thought we was above it all ‘Cause the difference is Wayne was a hot boy”

And this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGbGj82SQrE

DAWN has said over time, how she likes to play with her voice with auto-tune and different elements of sound effects, which gives a unique flair tracks, such as this one. She has also mentioned how she’s heavily involved with production and how important production is, especially in telling of the story of a song, how it can stand alone. That Trombone solo at the end ,Man… that is just something that we will never hear from mainstream artist these days. DAWN the QUEEN of what music truly is, from every different sector. This track is the definitive example of when music is Golden, in every spectrum. This a true collective effort, where not one thing is necessarily the lead, every piece is the lead. Though the Trombone is the strongest, every element in this song gets to shine.

“Interim (Interlude)”

DAWN and these interludes! Dawn is the artist that will make an interlude so great. This is not just an interlude, it’s as strong, if not stronger than a full track. Her interludes will make you want a full track, as you’ll be mad at her for not making the interlude a full track because you don’t want the hypnotic, mesmerizing epicness to end.

Interim reminds me of some ‘Darkness before Dawn’ like moment. Like when someone has died, a warrior has died, but you know you have to go on. Like something out of “Maleficent” or “The Huntsman: Winter’s War.” Like that falling action. It’s like the moment where you think everything is fine, and you’ve won. Then, suddenly one of the main characters, either the main character in the story everyone knows and loves, or you as a viewer, who has grown to love, is instantly killed. In that moment, this is what “Interim” gives me. Like that moment of betrayal, think of Ciara’s “Paint it Black.” Such as this moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZJS99fPN7M . It also reminds me of “Tide” (The Paradox Effect)” a song exclusive to the Vinyl edition of Blackheart, which there’s a video of it on YouTube. Interim:

“Light, You stimulate sight , And make everything expand Can you see as I have, Can you truly love it, Under the light?”

Does that ring a bell with “Tide”?:

“Under your gaze, feel your pull, Every night my waves grow, Crushing past the rocky view.”

“Day moon - I am your tide, your light gives me life. Day moon, day moon.”

This songs perfectly transitions into “Renegades,” and I do mean perfectly! It sets the tone perfectly.

“Renegades”

“Lazarus”

This is definitely the Redemption. It’s like that moment that you look back on your life. After all the turmoil, heartbreak, broken friendships and relationships, like flipping through your Senior yearbook, old Facebook photos, you realize who you were in those moments. The things you experienced, the mistakes you made, you realize who you were, and you were makes you realize who you are. You smile at your quirky, individual self, and through your imperfections, you are still perfectly you. You have truly risen. This is one of my faves of the album.

“Tyrants”

“Tyrants” to me is the flip-side of “Lazarus.” “Lazarus” is the risen, realizing the good in the darkness, the embarrassing and awkward moments of your life. “Tyrants” is that song that you listen to late at night and think about a breakup or any struggles you’ve faced in your life. You get kind of sad and you may tear up, and realize all that you’ve went through. It’s that outer dimensional track. You ever had those moments and you say, “I wish I could be alone with me and my music?”, “If it could be me, my music, and space, and no one else… I’d be fine.” Okay, this is that song. Visualize an IMax theater, but just big enough to house you, and enough space for you to get a good look at the 360-view screen, that has a slideshow of videos and photos of your life. Though it’s not an actual I-Max theater, it’s a dimension displaying your life moments.

On the flip-side, another perspective is being in love or having a crush, and you want to just see that sparkle in that person’s eyes, you’re just admiring their glow. The lyrics:

“Lemme see your eyes I wanna see them glow I wanna see how far Your power goes They’ll all be scared Never understand Our power glows The light expands”

Also puts you in the mind of Tide: The Paradox Effect, in how DAWN is singing her narrative to the moon and how it gives her power and life,

“Day moon - I am your tide, your light gives me life. Day moon, day moon.”

“Vines (Interlude)” feat. PJ Morton

This song is reminds me of a track that you’d play when trying to do some kind of seductive dance for your lover. When I initially heard the song, I thought it was some issue, lost in translation of downloading the track, because dawn was stuttering in like slurred speech. But then I realized that this was for dramatic effect and emphasis of the track. It’s like where she sings, “water falling down,” like her body has went numb and she’s just wet, lol. This is that kinda song where you’re like, lost in love. Like when you have so much of a crush, or are so love and/or attracted to someone, that whenever they’re around, you get super awkward and are like a loss for words. Or maybe it’s through social media; you can’t even respond to their messages, it takes you week to give a simple reply. But this song is much more sexual and seductive to me. This is definitely in the R&B lane, a nice seductive slow jam. People not into the EDM sound, probably could find themselves at home and in comfort of this song.

“Hey Nikki”

This is the part of the album, where things start to slow down, as the trilogy concludes. Hey Nikki is like an Ode to Janet Jackson, as DAWN sings,

“Hey Nikki I know you want to see me Do all the things that I do to him If you’re nasty..”

Remember Janet famously says “Janet, Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty.” DAWN always has this narrative where’s she talking about this woman who is a sexual creature, comfortable with her body and her sexuality, who is always in power and in control, not falling under the spell of guys and their penis and their manipulation. Instead it’s like she’s this Praying Mantis or Black Widow, getting what she wants, using the guys for something like sex, making her money and moves, then moving on, just like those insects. Though it’s not saying the woman needs the guy or is always using them for sex, but she’s just not submissive to his wants (or needs), while succumbing to mediocrity by not meeting her needs. She’s a QUEEN and her title will not be of lesser value, because QUEEN is SHE. SHE is a ruler, a powerful being that demands respect and will builder her utopia.

“Hey Nikki” is a chill track that you’d probably listen to when you have nothing else better to do with your day, those bored moments. You’d probably chill to this track, and write, sit and think, catch up on some intellectually stimulating articles online, or read a book.

“Sands”

DAWN sings reminiscently,

“Pictures on the wall, Remind me of all…the shit that we lost… It ain’t right, but that’s right.” “When we were young, we were dumb, we were too young… we were young…”

“We didn’t know that everything would come falling down, we didn’t know everything would come crashing down….”

We know better now, but we wish we had done better, seems to be the thought that comes to mind as DAWN sings this. We were simply “too young to understand.” We crash and burn, and that’s life. We wish we could’ve made better choices, but we must roll with the punches and accept that we can’t change what has already happened. The song closes with fading echoes of DAWN chanting, as the grand piano takes leads and closes the chapter into the next interlude.

“Lilies (Interlude)”

I love how this track transitions perfectly from “Sands.” It continues that Grand Piano, Dramatic, Phantom of the Opera instrumental, and brilliantly transcends into the EDM beat.

This track is rather interesting, it’s like a response to “Sands.” Like the redemption of “Sands.” She sings about her past, like Sands,

This song is that uplifting beautiful track that you listen to, to deal with your issues. Yell, scream or what have you, accept them and come out smiling because battle scars are things only warriors acquire. It’s because you’re human, but you’re also a warrior. God only puts on you what he knows you can handle. So be happy that he has accepted that you are powerful beyond means and words/ He has given you this mission, as his shining warrior.

It’s like the Marvel movies of Thor, he went through so much darkness and destruction, but through it all, he still remained because he had purpose, to change the world, for a brighter future.

“The Louvre”

The commencement. The weeping willow, saddened, violin strings at the beginning, a perfect opening to a commencement of the journey of this roller-coaster of the wars fought through this trilogy.

“Valhalla (Outro)”

“Escape, run away with me Escape, to the open dreams Where rebels are the majority And my color isn’t minority Escape, ooh Escape, ooh”

There’s a fork and the road, and it’s your choice. What are you gonna do?

The unknown is often questioned, is it good or is it bad? Often it is deemed bad. Superman’s mom told him in the movie Superman v Batman, you can get out while you can, you don’t have to fight for humanity. Or on the flipside how Captain America was asked at the end of The Winter’s Soldier movie to escape.

So… what is DAWN gonna do? Is she gonna fight the good fight? The fight to break through adversities, in music (narrow genre labeling, her ability to bend genres, better quality in music), misogyny and sexism, homophobia, racism, culture appreciation, etc., as the great Urban indie icon (in the great words of ‘The Dope Avenue”)? Or is this it? Is she done with the good fight? Though now she has an army, not just of her, but many other rebels, now the rebels are a minority. They are now hearts that she has acquired along the way, and still they rise (as Maya Angelou would say).

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knightofscorpio · 8 years ago

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DAWN Richard (D∆WN) - Redemption (Album Review)

“Redemption (Intro)”

This song reminds me of something from the Lion King. I wouldn’t necessarily say the super theatrical part where Rafiki raises the newborn Simba to the rest of the Animal Kingdom, pretty much hailing him as the new King and heir to the throne of his father Mufasa, but an overall celebratory piece, feasting collectively as equals, enjoying life. Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeRck6JLhw8 .

This also reminds me of those celebratory dances in Africa, where it goes on through the night and they feast upon a campfire on, similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ennb3rhdI . But where it’s near pitch black, and the only light is the roaring campfire from feast they have prepared.

This intro definitely seems like the celebration of a King and/or Queen, such as Dawn herself. Though, the celebration of this King or Queen is in their appreciation of their tribe in all that they’ve done, whether surviving a war such as the story through DAWN’s trilogy from GoldenHeart to your Redemption, or being great and monumental African folk in their existence, woven into the legacy, into the continuance of the beautiful African culture and lineage. This intro really makes you think of your roots, and celebrating who you are, in your black excellence of just being you. You truly feel like you’re home in your motherland, and DAWN is shining ablaze, reflecting off upon your cocoa butter brown melanin skin, as the Sun God/Solar Deity whispers in your ear, “you are the one,” all of you.

“Love Under Lights”

One of my favorites of the album. It kinda reminds me of a fusion of “Calypso” and “Billie Jean” from Blackheart and “Gleaux” from Goldenheart. DAWN is the queen of transitions, and sequence, and ‘Redemption’ is no different. This song flows perfectly from Redemption. “Redemption (Intro)” is the warning call that the celebration is starting soon, and “Love Under Lights” is the beginning of this massive celebration.

I love the narrative of this woman that DAWN sings about, like “Billie Jean” as I mentioned about the songs it reminds me of a fusion of. Which reminds me of the visuals of “Billie Jean.” You can imagine some beautiful, free-spirited, rebellious in her individualism, woman walking into LA streets (Whether Los Angeles, Louisiana, or any new city) and exploring this new place, the culture and what is has to offer. She spends a day exploring this mysterious city, shopping on Melrose or the streets of New Orleans, sitting in the park taking in the beautiful weather, nature, and people, goes home to change into a new spunky outfit, then hits some nightclub where it’s pitch dark and you can’t see a single person, but you get glimpses of pulsating disco lights, as everyone parties it up, enjoying the atmosphere. Maybe someone is dancing on her, or maybe she’s dancing by herself living off of the energy of the music and the collective energy of the high-on-life souls in the nightclub. I love how DAWN sings,

“she was elevated, she was a fan of the niggas that kept her motivated, she said she fuckin wit Drake, I said King Kendrick....I guess we’re just Kindred spirits. And I will never never lie to you, I think you are the truth, I think I’d like to do some things to you, our love is cooool...it’s coooool….”

You’re not sure if she’s singing about herself and to this woman directly, like a dialogue, of a relationship, or if she’s a narrator, observing the woman. It keeps you guessing, and shows how open DAWN is, in her music, in her perspective, and what world she lives in, encompassing everyone.

“Black Crimes”

This track reminds me of “Billie Jean x. Dance.” It reminds me of that song because of the transition from “Love Under Lights.” The story and content of this song also reminds me of the story of “Billie Jean”, and puts me in what I would imagine the visuals would be when I think of this song. As DAWN sings “Love crimes, high cost, we’re doing time, we’re sentenced to life…,” doesn’t that remind you of the story of “Billie Jean,” more so a continuation of that song?

"I'm a Rollin stone, I really can't stay

I know I gave you pussy but das cause yo test look great

I'm like an assassin, leave without a trace

It's the mess you love when you all in my face"

"Billie Jean trill impaler like a fate

I never stay too long on my own grade

And if you're lucky, 2023

Send that prenup to my new legal team

No counting sheep up in a city full of thirsty hoes"

Doesn’t that sound like Love Crimes of High Cost? The beat kinda reminds me of her infectious, high on life track “Wake Up” as well, but more mellow. Though not exactly because DAWN is always giving us something fresh and new, but similar to. I’m glad because “Wake Up” was my jam. So anything in some kinda vein of it, would immediately entice me. Around 3:01, she changes the flow of the track with some kinda sound effect on her voice, with the new apocalyptic-like alarm she introduced around 2:17. I love stuff like that because you don’t get bored with the track because the pace is all the same. On this album instead of Dawn’s vocals being the lead of each track, it’s more so the production that sets the setting that builds into the story of the lyrics that she sings. So the production is the beginning, middle, and end, more specifically: the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and exposition. Which is something artist rarely do. Another great track.

“Voices”

I love this track. I had been searching for the track DAWN had previewed, accompanied to her new work as a curator for Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim”: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMHK-i2gQhw/.That song is everything. I searched all over the album to see if the track was on there, and this along with “Lilies” were the tracks I thought it was, but wasn’t. The beginning instrument playing is just EVERYTHING. It’s not over the top, but sometimes less is more, and in this case, it is definitely more. I’m not a musician, so I don’t know exactly what instrument it is, but it’s dope. All I have to say is that brass instrument, the horn, whatever it is in the beginning is dope and it is the standout out the track.

“LA” feat. Trombone Shorty

Dawn’s favorite track on the album, and one of mine. It almost took the title as mine, but there are too many dope tracks on the album for me to pick one. The production of this track is everything, and the lyrics as few as they are, hit so hard. It’s like something my counselor said about me, “David doesn’t say much, but when he does, it has an impact.” The few lyrics Dawn sings on this track are so powerful:

"These LA streets are killing me"

"It's wavy cause this shit don't matter

MJ on the radio, so we blast that , MJ on the radio"

"We thought we was above it all

'Cause the difference is Wayne was a hot boy"

To me this song is about being racial profiled, police brutality, and just the struggle of being black in our current society, and the song as powerful as the production is, puts you in the place to think about what she’s singing about. Think about it, but at the same time drown it out and sweet off to another dimension. The way this song starts out, I can’t even explain it to you. All I have to say is this song is like a true Symphony. This reminds me of something that could really be a Hip Hopera, some musical on Broadway, and the play transitions into a scene where there is riots on the streets, an uproar, outrage, everyone is running everywhere watching as some fellow blacks are killed, but there is strength in numbers and they are standing up against the police to protect their brothers and sisters, and some get away under the protection of their fellow black brothers and sisters. Like there’s some kind of martial law, like this moment:

And this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGbGj82SQrE

The electric guitar string breakdown and the KEYBOARD SYNTH at 2:51-3:01, and then again around 3:37-4:11 is so epic! Especially keyboard synth. But to me that’s the rising action, but the true golden moment of the track is the ending, the Trombone Solo with Trombone Shorty is EVERYTHING! DAWN has said overtime how she likes to play with her voice with auto-tune and different sound effect elements can make that gives a unique flair to the track, also mentioning how she’s heavily involved with production and how important production is, especially in telling the story of the track, how it can stand alone. That Trombone solo at the end Man… that is just something that we will never here from mainstream artist these days. DAWN the QUEEN of what music truly is from every different standpoint. This track is the definitive example of when music is Golden in every spectrum, this is a true collective effort, where not one thing is necessarily the lead, every piece is the lead, though the Trombone is the strongest, every part gets to shine.

“Interim (Interlude)”

DAWN and these interludes! Dawn is the artist that will make an interlude so great, that it is not just an interlude, it’s as strong if not stronger than a full track. You’ll want it to be a full track, and will be mad @ her for it not being longer because you don’t want the epicness to end. Interim reminds me of some Darkness before Dawn moment. Like when someone has died, a warrior has died, but you know you have to go on. Like something out of Maleficent or “The Huntsman: Winter’s War.” Like that falling action. It’s like the moment where you think everything is fine, and you’ve won, then suddenly one of the main characters that either the main character in the story knows and loves or you as a viewer have grown to love, instantly is killed. That moment, this is what “Interim” gives me. Like that moment of betrayal, think of Ciara’s “Paint it Black.” Such as this moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZJS99fPN7M . It also reminds me of “Tide” (The Paradox Effect) a song exclusive to the Vinyl edition of Blackheart, which there’s a video of it on YouTube. Interim:

“Light, You stimulate sight , And make everything expand

Can you see as I have, Can you truly love it, Under the light?”

Does that ring a bell with “Tide”:

“Under your gaze, feel your pull, Every night my waves grow, Crushing past the rocky view.”

“Day moon - I am your tide, your light gives me life. Day moon, day moon.”

This songs perfectly transitions into “Renegades,” and I do mean perfectly! It sets the tone perfectly.

“Renegades”

The 1st single of the album, to replace what “Dance” was supposed to be. This song is song is a slightly dark, dance anthem. Not dark as in like negative emotions, but not bright, like some bubblegum, summer tune. It makes me think of some a Urban (more black people) West Side Story with more grit and grunge, a scene late at night, where DAWN and a group of dancers are in black, short leather jackets, and jeans and you get a low-angle shot of DAWN and her dancers to introduce them at the beginning of the clip, and the camera tilts up from their feet to their knees, or a wide angle shot, that's kind of close-up showing from the waist down of DAWN and her dancers, then the camera zooms out to reveal the scenery of some European-like streets and village where there are vendors on the streets and from building to build it's about enough space for two people to walk through the streets. This song to me is reminiscent of "DANCE." It's very Urban EDM to me, like when the synthesized keyboard comes in (the more EDM part), and then when the horn comes booming through with the bass underneath, with that beat dropping, it’s that ass shaking urban sauce that we love and are accustomed to.

“Lazarus”

“I watched my soul rise up,

Rise up, rise up”

“My ignorance is a human thing

My ascension is a spirit thing

I can be both in the same

I didn't change... I became”

“I watched my words rise up

Rise up, rise up

They slept on the rise up

Rise up, rise up”

This is definitely the Redemption. It’s like that moment that you look back on your life, after all the turmoil, heartbreak, broken friendships and relationships, like flipping through your Senior yearbook, old Facebook photos, and realize who you were in those moments, the things you experienced, the mistakes you made, you realize who you were, and you were makes you realize who you are. You smile at your quirky, individual self, and through your imperfections, you are still perfectly you. You have truly risen. This is one of my faves of the album.

“Tyrants”

“Tyrants” to me is the flip-side of “Lazarus.” “Lazarus” is the risen, realizing the good in the darkness, the embarrassing and awkward moments of your life. “Tyrants” is that song that you listen to late at night and think about a breakup or any struggles you’ve faced in your life. You get kind of sad and you may tear up, and realize all that you’ve went through. It’s that other dimensional track. You ever had those moments and you say, “I wish I could be alone with me and my music?”, “If it could be, me, my music, and space, and no one else, I’d be fine.” Okay, this is that song. Visualize an IMax theater, but just big enough to house you, and enough space for you to get a good look at the 360-view screen, that has a slideshow of videos and photos of your life. But it’s not an actual I-Max theater, it’s a dimension displaying your life moments.

On the flipside, another perspective is being in love or having a crush, and you want to just see that sparkle in that person’s eyes, you’re just admiring their glow. The lyrics:

“Lemme see your eyes

I wanna see them glow

I wanna see how far

Your power goes

They’ll all be scared

Never understand

Our power glows

The light expands”

Also puts you in the mind of Tide: The Paradox Effect, in how DAWN is singing her narrative to the moon and how it gives her power and life,

“Day moon - I am your tide,

your light gives me life.

Day moon, day moon.”

This track can be taken so many different ways, and the narrative could be targeted to man, inanimate object or other. “Tyrants” is a beautiful and simple track, one of those, late night walks, realizing the beauty of music, getting lost in your memories, and the music. Another fave of the album.

“Vines (Interlude)” feat. PJ Morton

This song is reminds me of a track that you’d play when trying to do some kind of seductive dance for your lover. When I initially heard the song, I thought it was some issue lost in translation of downloading the track after download, because dawn was stuttering in like slurred speech. But then I realized that this was for dramatic effect and emphasis of the track. It’s like where she sings “water falling down,” like her body has went numb and she’s just wet, lol. This is that kinda song where you’re like lost in love. Like when you have so much of a crush or are so love and/or attracted to someone whenever they’re around you get super awkward and are like a loss for words. Or maybe it’s through social media, you can’t even respond to their messages, it takes you week to give a simple reply. But this song is much more sexual and seductive to me. This is definitely in the R&B lane, a nice seductive slow jam. People not into the EDM sound, probably could find themselves at home and in comfort of this song.

“Hey Nikki”

This is the part of the album, where things start to slow down, as the trilogy concludes. Hey Nikki is like an Ode to Janet Jackson, as DAWN sings,

“Hey Nikki

I know you want to see me

Do all the things that I do to him

If you’re nasty..”

Remember Janet famously says “Janet, Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty.” DAWN always has this narrative where’s she talking about this woman who is a sexual creature, comfortable with her body and her sexuality, who is always in power and in control, not falling under the spell of guys and their penis and manipulation, but rather she being like the Praying Mantis or Black Widow, getting what she wants, using the guys for something like sex, making her money and moves, then moving on, just like those insects. Though it’s not saying the woman needs the guy or is always using them for sec, but she’s not submissive to his needs, while succumbing to mediocrity by not meeting her needs. She’s a QUEEN and her title will not be of lesser value because QUEEN is SHE, SHE is a ruler, a powerful being that demands respect and will builder her utopia. “Hey Nikki” is a chill track that you’d probably listen to when you have nothing else better to do with your day, those bored moments. You’d probably chill to this track and write, sit and think, catch up on some intellectually articles online on a blog, or read a book.

“Sands”

Sands picks up perfect where “Hey Nikki” Left off. Sands is one of those reflective tracks. It’s that moment that you put your whole life into perspective. It reminds me of that introspective, reflective nature of Blackheart tracks like “Swim Free” (Minus the upper tempo dance beat) and “Projection”, and Goldenheart tracks like “Ode to You” and self-titled “Goldenheart.”

DAWN sings reminiscently,

“Pictures on the wall, Remind me of all...the shit that we lost…

It ain’t right, but that’s right.”

“When we were young, we were dumb, we were too young…

we were young…”

“We didn’t know that everything would come falling down, we didn’t know everything would come crashing down….”

We know better now, but we wish we had done better seems to be the thought that comes to mind as DAWN sings this. We were simply “too young to understand.” We crash and burn, and that’s life. We wish we could’ve made better choices, but we must roll with the punches and accept that we can’t change what has already happened. The song closes with fading echoes of DAWN chanting, as the grand piano takes leads and closes the chapter into the next interlude.

“Lilies (Interlude)”

I think this has to be my favorite track of the whole album, and it’s only an interlude. If you’re already a fan of DAWN you know her interludes are life. They are not to be overlooked, they are stronger as and potentially stronger than most singles.

I love how this track transitions perfectly from “Sands.” It continues that Grand Piano, Dramatic, Phantom of the Opera instrumental, and brilliantly transcends into the EDM beat.

This track is rather interesting, it’s like a response to “Sands.” Like the redemption of “Sands.” She sings about her past, like Sands,

“Yellow lilies light..the house where we used to live

where we used to go, when we was all wrong out there

we watched them grow, like our lives, they grew everywhere

And now it’s old and they’ve withered…”

And her redeeming response,

“And so I let ‘em go, let go…”

So though she made mistakes, when she was a kid playing the sand, all wrong out there, she bloomed and blossomed like a lily from all her mistakes, she grew, she got bigger and better, and she let her mistakes go, let them stay in the past and wither away, as she evolved into the Queen that she is. No need to hold a grudge and regret the many times she trip over her own two feet in the sand, over the war that she battled and the mistakes she made. It’s time to accept the light at the end of the tunnel, and walk into your shine, the grass is always greener on thee other side. This song is that uplifting beautiful track that you listen to, to deal with your issues, yell, scream or what have you, accept them, and come out smiling because battle scars are things only warriors acquire, its because you're human, but you’re also a warrior. God only puts on you what he knows you can handle, so be happy that he has accepted that you are powerful beyond means and words, so he has given you this mission, as his shining warrior.

It’s like the Marvel movies of Thor, he went through so much darkness and destruction, but through it all, he still remained because he had purpose, to change the world, for a brighter future.

“The Louvre”

The commencement. The weeping willow, saddened, violin strings at the beginning, a perfect opening to a commencement of the journey of this roller-coaster of the wars fought through this trilogy.

This song is truly beautiful. DAWN is all about full productions, very cinematical and theatrical. All of her songs sound like they could be apart of some epic broadway show, that music that receives high honors from well-respected vets in all spectrums of music, but art overall. So like songwriters, people who write sheet music, screenwriters, music directors of symphony orchestra’s, she has that sort of quality. Everything she does it well thought out and intricate. Production and instruments are always the core of her music, they are always a balanced lead with her vocals. There are no 2nd fiddles in DAWN’s music, every part shares in the limelight.

Legacy never dies, DAWN can now take her bow. She is confident about the mark she’s left on this world with this magnifico heart trilogy. She will always be remembered. This song to me is that statue that you put up as a monument to celebrate the warrior's legacy. You’re a work of art, you’ll always be remembered for your great efforts, we will never forget you. We will always look up to you and the greatness you have bestowed upon us, “Ooh… you work of art.” DAWN, you are ART.

“Valhalla (Outro)”

“Escape, run away with me Escape, to the open dreams Where rebels are the majority And my color isn't minority Escape, ooh Escape, ooh”

There’s a fork and the road, and it’s your choice. What are you gonna do?

This reminds me of that moment at the end of some action flicks, such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier. After the war is won, with the losses that had to happen in order for the victory of the team takes place, the bigger picture, of the betterment of humanity and the world outside of the hero.

There are paths, are you gonna continue being the rebel fighting the good fight? Potentially always being alienated in some way shape or fashion, like Superman in “Superman V Batman: Dawn of Justice.” Through all the good he did, humanity still looked at him as a monster throughout the movie, they questioned his fight, his, heart, his soul, because he was different. Similar to Michael Jackson, all that positive he did to better humanity, songs like “Black or White” to fight against discrimination and hatred against one because of race, or songs like “They don’t care about” where he speaks out about the music industry and evils of the world, he was still pointed out to be a pedophile, crazy, self-hating, and made fun of his skin conditions and plastic surgery.

So… what is DAWN gonna do, is she gonna fight the good fight? The fight to break through adversities, in music (narrow genre labeling, her ability to bend genres, better quality in music), misogyny and sexism, homophobia, racism, culture appreciation, etc., as the great Urban indie icon (in the great words of ‘The Dope Avenue”). Or is this it? Is she done with the good fight, though now she has an army, not just of her, but many other rebels, now the rebels are a minority. They are now hearts that she has acquired along the way, and still they rise.

The outro is perfect and so simple. The synth harmonies with DAWN’s androgynous lower register that she so famously loves and brilliantly layers with auto-tune for such a more cinematic, hauntingly mesmerizing effect. In all it’s glory, it is every bit of lovely. This is definitely an epic ending of a made for Broadway play, something like the end of the “Blood Brothers” play. And Epic end to not only an epic album, but this epic journey DAWN’s has taken us on this journey, that is bigger than just music. But music itself is bigger than life.

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