*on Spotify or YouTube
Update 1
... so much has happened since the last update to this. Suffice it to say: my life is interesting in ways I'm very grateful for and I love it.
On the writing side, progress is steady. I'm sure I've already gone past many of my internal deadlines, but the work is finishing at a moment that feels very (symbolically) correct.
And now for the weather**!
**music
Dream State by Son Lux, added 3rd October 2018
I’ve still never heard anything quite like Son Lux which is why I own this album. Maybe the closest I can imagine is Arca (…. who I actually prefer due to her darker aesthetic). My body reacts to this song with goosebumps, although my head doesn’t seem to respond much at all. I appreciate the artistry though: The intentionality is so clear.
Jenny by The Studio Killers, 4th October 2018
… oh. This song.
This is the song an
almost romantic partner showed me to represent their feelings shortly
before nipping our blooming relationship in the bud. Amusingly the
fact that the prospect of being “lovers” was “ruined” leading
to our becoming friends instead is pretty much the inverse of the
song’s key line: “I want to ruin our friendship, we should be
lovers instead.”
(I
don’t really vibe with the idea that trying romantic stuff ruins
friendships. Maybe I’m just built different).
Despite
the fact the months up to around that point were probably the saddest
of my life (so far ...),
I
actually look back on those days fondly. At least in my memories, I
feel things.
The song is a bop. Hope you’re doing well,
E.
Synthesizer, Five Clowns, and Child of Hunger by Electric Six, added 21st November 2024
There are a few more Electric Six songs in the modern era but I don't have much more to say about them so I'll aggregate my thoughts: Synthezier remains one of my favourites. I’m in awe of the chaotic confidence frontman Dick Valentine embodies … I’d quite like to feel like what it’s like to emit that kind of charisma, if just for a day.
Leviathan by Gost, added 1st Nov 2024
I actually saw this band live! They were one of the opening acts for
HEALTH. It was a great show. My friends and I got a hug from John Famiglietti (who is
very pretty and tall …). I also got a shirt (I had my sights set on
a particular one that says “Sad Music For Horny People” on the
back. My friend R. got one first, though, and I had to decide whether
it would be too awkward to get the same one …).
Really
enjoyed hearing this live. The streamed version of course couldn’t
match that energy but it comes surprisingly close!
I Think Your Boyfriend Likes Me Too by The Radium Dolls, added 29th October 2024
For some reason, I got quite into Australian rock (actually I think this song is from the resurgence of that interest rather than the first time). I don’t actually like this song so much: I wish it were gayer.
The perspective is too obviously teasing and some sincerity would have been fun. We’ll get to the better comical Aussie rock next time I think …
Feels by Calvin Harris, Pharrel Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean, added 5th October 2018
Another one from the E. era, lol. I was actually really opposed to pop songs even at that point (… except for Katy Perry. I don’t even know why – maybe I just liked her voice? Her cover of Hackensack is still my favourite thing she’s made. I’ll probably listen after this is finished). Since this was recommended by someone I was into I gave it more of a chance. There’s at least something of merit here, although I probably won’t listen it except when it very occasionally shows up in the shuffle.
Note: ... so I didn't actually know Hackensack was by Fountains of Wayne. Then I had five minutes between learning that fact and learning that Fountains of Wayne also wrote Stacey's Mom!
No Embrace by The Dirty Projects and Björk, added 6th November 2018
Wow, this was the first song by The Dirty Projects I ever listened too! Thanks to Björk for collaborating with them since otherwise I might not have given them a try (they’re now one of my favourite bands). Another band whose doing something no-one else is able to. This presents a striking contrast to the previous entry …
The Dirty Projectors always seem to have quite cryptic lyrics but actually this one has some direct lines
“You won't say why you would deny me your embrace
Swimming in the sea
I think I understand why you hate me
For what I've done, for what I haven't done”
I don’t think anyone hates me, but I understand this sort of rumination … and how understanding of other people can be as transient as images in water.
