SHINBANGUMI by Ginger Root
- I really don't think I could make a page dedicated to talking about music without
talking about him, oh Cameron Lew the storyteller that you are. Tackling themes
of imposter syndrome and growing into yourself, this album has a whole story to it that
no one should skip.
This album's story picks up after the events of Nisemono, an earlier EP,
where he gets fired from his job at Juban News, and creates his own news station from the ground up,
surrounded by an eclectic cast of characters. They face active sabatoge by Juban News, who face the consequences
of his manager's rash decision in firing him. Somewhere along the way the group gets assistance from Kimiko,
an ex idol who walked away from her performance in Loneliness thus starting Cameron's path to fame, which he
didn't even want (more on that another time).
All in all, everything about this album
was made with so much love and you can tell!!! It has an amazing story and the sound is reminiscent of
Japanese City Pop, with a touch of something new. Standout tracks are Only You, Show 10, and Giddy Up, but it's hard to choose.
Return to Zero by Ricky Jamaraz
- I love this album for more than one song, but damn Meals was life changing for reasons
I can't even name. Specifically the demo version if you care. ANYWAYS, there is so much
energy and creativity in this album aha! You're so quirky and different Ricky Jamaraz!! (iykyk).
I like
to scream to some of these songs
sometimes when I'm feeling particularly carefree, his songs will do that to you, I'm not kidding.
Honorable mention that I'd like to talk about at a later point is his other album Worst Album Ever, because oh god
I cry and laugh and cry going track by track. I think the most comforting part of all this to me is that he's
close in age to me, which makes him feel more relatable? Or rather like someone somewhere else in the world feels
like they should yell in a song that I'm gonna yell to also. Did I talk enough about Meals? I don't think I did.
The demo is a little slower and wow his vocals are something to behold, they are just so human sounding, and
not like a billion filters slapped on it. But then you listen to the version on the album and suddenly, I don't
wanna eat, I just wanna kiss girls (you would get my reference if you listened to his song).
Overall,
I feel silly and full of life, makes life worth living for albums like these. Some standouts for
this album are Meals (obv), Making Movies, Body Count, and Torture. To make it better the cover
is sick!
Wallsocket by Underscores - This album is soooo crazy good it's so sick!!!
First of all, I just love underscores, she is so talented, and this is the kind of
music I play when I'm trying to block out the rest of the world, which if perfect,
because it's set in the fictional town of Wallsocket, Michigan.
The
overarching theme of this album is navigating adulthood, following 3 young adult girls, but it also touches on
the horseshoe theory and transgender identity. The lyrics are so interesting and witty
and just listening to all the songs really transports you to the small town she's created.
The whole album follows different citizens in Wallsocket and their drama, through overheard
pieces of gossip, journal entries, and conversations. A great review covering this album that I can't help but
mention is this article by ringtone mag
Now for my favorites! I can't
talk about this album without saying how much I love Locals (Girls like us)[with gabby start],
it's so catchy and the lyricism is amazing. gabby start is an incredible artist, and all of his
music is also super cool. Cops and robbers is about a bank teller fleeing after being caught embezzling
money, and has a really catchy chorus. Shoot to kill, kill your darlings is also notable, as well
as Old money bitch (focusing on one of the main three girls) and Seventyseven dog years. Not a single
song misses, and has such a uniquely underscores sound.
