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 wow 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.
Her Wallpaper Reverie by The Apples in Stereo - Consisting of 15 songs, Her Wallpaper Reverie holds a
special place in my heart. Of the 15, 8 are marked by roman numerals, and are a respite between the lyrical songs,
giving it the appearance of an equal runtime compared to their other albums, but only coming in at 27 minutes.
The sound of this album is quite weird, with the interludes contributing to a more psychedelic pop
feel. Understandably, this album faced varied criticism, mostly on the amount of interludes. However, they are
under a minute in length for the most part, so it doesn't bother me. This is an album that I truly believe needs
to be listened in sequential order at least once, interludes and all, and preferably when its raining. I was
driving home from school in a downpour my sophomore year and I felt like the rest of the world was miles away as I
listened to Strawberryfire for the very first time, or maybe the 50th, it all blurs.
The memories I contain within some of the tracks bring back a feeling of melancholy, but it softens over
time, rounding the corners of it and making the memories fuzzier and further away. And now, I listen with mostly
warmth. So thank you random album from 1999 for making it all a little more manageable. Okay, onto the favorites!
With only 7 tracks to pick from, there's a lot to say. Benefits of Lying (with Your Friend) can never be replaced,
there's a feeling that comes from it that I've never felt anywhere else in my entire life. Maybe you can feel it too.
Ruby and Strawberryfire also sound beautiful, the music bounces over me for one, and slowly washes over me for the
other. Of course, All of them carry their own beauty, but those 3 are special to me.
SMILE! :D by Porter Robinson - I should've started listening to this a whole lot sooner than I actually
did because this is right up my alley. For the past few months I have found myself going back to this album over
and over again, each time finding a different song to play on repeat in my head while piecing together what I
think the narrative is. More recently, I watched the music video for "Cheerleader" and holy wow that's insane. It's
everything I want out of a music video and it fits the song oh so perfectly.
After listening to previous Porter works, this takes steps in a completely new direction in terms of
style and feels very unique among the albums he has released so far. I see a lot of hyperpop elements present,
which is one of my favorite genres due to how experimental everything sounds while keeping key elements of the genre.
It's a really playful and silly album, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of all time. Starting
with a really strong and upbeat beginning, this album goes through ups and downs, with sweeter moments towards the
end with songs like "Easier to Love You" and "Everything to Me" that are slower, and feel a little more
emotional.
Every single song on this album is amazing and wonderful, and there is not a single song I would skip
while listening. I do still have my personal stand outs though, and they'd have to be "Perfect Pinterest Garden",
"Mona Lisa", "Everything to Me", and "Is There Really No Happiness?" Every two weeks or so my favorites shift
around the album, but special shoutout to literally all of the other songs in this album haha :3
I Love My Computer by Ninajirachi - I'm not usually an EDM fan but wow what a debut album. When I work on
art I usually like my music to have as much noise as possible, more distraction in my brainâ‹™distraction elsewhere.
This album is what I want my website to feel like, it's like a cool avatar that you absolutely gush over, but
sound!!!
I also feel compelled to point out how sick this album cover is, there's so much thought put into it.
The camera angle, the clutter, everything about it fits so perfectly with the album ahhhhh!!! This is one of those
albums where a different part of a song is stuck in my head every day. It makes me want to dance, it makes me miss
my friends (who now exist inside my computer). Ninajirachi has made a stunning album, and as a side note, the
merch release with it is amazing too. All the graphic work that went into this is really admirable and catches the
aesthetic of the internet at its core.
This is another album where it's so hard to pick favorites because every song is so silly cute fun!!!!
As of right now iPod Touch might be my favorite. It's very catchy and when I walk to my classes listening to
this album, this one sticks out. I feel like I'm going in order a little bit haha (I am), but Fuck My Computer
has a really cool beat!! My final favorite as of right now is Battery Death. Ninajirachi has a way with her
computer, and it definitely makes me love mine ♡
