This week I am going to do something a little different from my usual Broadway-inspired blogs. As many of you (if not all), of you know, I have an avid obsession with Korean Pop bands. And, as many of you probably don’t know, one of my favorite K-pop groups released a new album not too long ago. So I thought that this blogspace was the perfect place to completely fan girl and make everyone listen.

The band I am going to be ranting about today is my beloved Stray Kids. Stray Kids is an 8 member band consisting of singers, rappers, dancers and all of the above. Their newest album titled ‘NOEASY’ is their second studio album, and it contains so many gems that I haven’t shut up about it for weeks. Picking my three favorite songs was honestly so frustrating, because I am truly obsessed with every song they put on the album. At one point I even considered just scrapping the whole “Top Three” idea because I really just wanted to talk about all of them. Anyways, enough rambling.

THIRD INSTALLMENT: STRAY KIDS-NOEASY

3. Silent Cry

I knew before that I even started this blog that I was going to have Silent Cry in my top three of the album. The beat and flow of the song just works so well, especially for the K-pop genre. But at the same time, it is also different from songs they have produced before. The lines are also equally dispersed in the song which is always the best feeling for a fan of a K-pop group.

The song perfectly highlights each member, and the lyrics are so well written. In the song, the lyrics talk about holding emotions behind a wall and never showing when you are hurt. Although the lyrics are quite heavy, the upbeat tempo keeps the song from being too serious. The lyrics are written by three of the members themselves: Han, Changbin, and Bang Chan, aka 3racha. The members are well known for their incredibly well written songs and their fast paced raps. In particular, Changbin really shined in Silent Cry, with his rapid fire rap and distinct voice. His voice really made the song so unforgettable, and the lyrics are written so well. 

2. Secret Secret (말할 수 없는 비밀)

This song has been my comfort song for the past few weeks. The melody is just so calming. As someone who thoroughly enjoys melodic K-pop songs, this song is my favorite type of song to listen to. It is just so calming, not to mention the amazing vocals that accompany the melody. 

The lyrics for this song aren’t something I can just skip over. As much as I rave about how a song sounds, I am primarily a fan of picking apart lyrics. Especially in K-pop songs, in which I have to search the translations for. Something about having to search a little more than just simply comprehending by listening makes me really look  deeper into the lyricism of the songs. The lyrics in this song in particular are about having a secret about how you truly feel. One of my favorite lyrics (translated) is “Pretending to be okay makes me even lonelier.” The lyrics are just so relatable and well written. 

1.  DOMINO 

I. LOVE. RAPID. FIRE. RAP.

Changbin’s rapid fire at the beginning of DOMINO is absolutely the reason this has to be number one. I’ve always been a fan of Stray Kids rapid fire rappers, but this song just really highlighted the rap as the opening line of a song. I am also a big sucker for techno/mechanic sounding backing tracks which Stray Kids always does especially well.

The main and backing vocals of all the backing vocals really are just amazing. Each and every one of the members is really utilized in this song. Especially Lee Know, who is known to have little to few lines in songs. (BTW thanks JYP entertainment for the crumbs.)

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Overall this album is so so amazing, and even if you aren’t an avid K-pop fan I would suggest giving it a listen. With ballads, upbeat music, rap, and singing, Stray Kids really does cater to all tastes. I could probably rant about how you should be a fan of Stray Kids for weeks, but I know nobody will listen to a whole blog about K-pop fan going crazing on blogspace.

ANYWAYS GO STREAM NOEASY STRAY KIDS SECOND STUDIO ALBUM!!!!!

“Are people born wicked, or have wickedness thrust upon them?” 

The infamous Wicked has made its way into the blog space. (Well, the soundtrack at least.)  This week I went into the magical World of Oz to explore the depths of the musical stylings of Wicked. Although I previously did have some knowledge of Wicked, I have never listened to the whole album start to finish. Let me just say this, if you are an avid Broadway fan like myself, I suggest you give this album a listen in its completion. What am I saying? If you’re an avid Broadway fan, you probably already have.

I pushed off listening to Wicked because I was convinced it was overhyped. (It was not overhyped by the way.) The vocal choices of the cast and lyrical choices of the writers makes for such an immersive experience that the listener just gets completely lost in the story. 

It was so hard to pick favorites off of this soundtrack to write about because each song tells an essential part of the plot. But even though it was challenging, my human nature did its job, and I did end up picking favorites.

SECOND INSTALLMENT: WICKED

3. Popular

Ok, yes I know, very predictable. But the honest truth is that you just can’t cheat music. The song completely embodies the whole make-over trope in the best possible way.

It really gives perspective into both of the character’s mindset. The lyrics of the song aren’t your average “Popular girl gives less popular girl a makeover” vibes. The wording choice and responses from Elphaba to Glinda give you insight into what both characters are feeling in the moment.

Glinda is offering to give Elphie a makeover in the song, but Elphie turns down the offer numerous times. And from the what Glinda’s lines in the song portrays, she doesn’t really want to help her either. Glinda is secretly scared that if she makes Elphie more presentable, people will end up gravitating towards her instead. The lyrics give a fascinating insight to both characters and how they are feeling at the moment.

2. I’m Not That Girl

Something about Idina Menzel’s voice is just so entrancing, and I’ll repeat it time and time again. Idina Menzel just knows how to really work a song to pull emotion from the listener. Not only through her choice of vocal stylings, but even the way she enunciates her words is perfect musical theater.

In the song, Menzel’s character sings about how she is not the ideal girl that gets chosen in the end of a fairytale. While the song is specific to the character’s experience, it can also be interpreted to be relatable to almost anyone. I feel like everyone has had one time or another where they felt inadequate and like they were nobody’s first choice. The song has a sense of relatability in the aspect that it is a common feeling that lots of people have experienced, which I think, is why I was so drawn to it.

The emotion in the lyrics and music can really be felt as Idina sings. She carries the emotion of her character so well. I really think there is no better choice for the role of Elphaba.

1. Defying Gravity

Predictable? Maybe. Any less amazing because of said predictability? Absolutely not.

This song has been on every one of my favorite Broadway playlists since my early middle school years. Even before I had an interest in Wicked, I had a certain affinity for the song. From being introduced to the song on Glee, to listening to the song when I first heard the original years later, Defying Gravity has always been a staple in my musical hobby. 

Something about the song just is so raw and inspiring. The way Elphaba took her own fate into her own hands after being told for so long of her own limits. She just decided that enough was enough, and she sang her heart out in an empowering melody about defying odds. 

Not just the lyrics are empowering, the power that is put behind the lyrics with Idina Menzel’s voice add just as much feeling. Her famous high note conveys the feeling of strength that really sets the scene. The power in Idina’s voice just fits so perfectly with the tone of the lyrics.

Ever song on this album does such an incredible job of not only conveying dialogue through song, but also showing the characters’ inner emotions and feelings. Each song gives the listener such a rollercoaster ride of emotion that makes the album so much more enjoyable. If you are like me, and don’t have access to view the Broadway musical in all its glory, I highly suggest sitting down and listening to the album from start to finish. The picture that the music paints is so easy and captivating to follow. Even through only song, Wicked is an all-around immersive album

For years people of all ages have swooned over the icy, sparkling beings of the Twilight film franchise. Hardcore fans everywhere have read and watched the magnificently horrible stories of Forks, Washington and all but hated the thrilling adventures of Bella Swan.

But why? Is it the revolutionary filmmaking involved in portraying the story of a teen girl caught between a vampire and a werewolf? Nope. Maybe it’s because the acting was so good? Absolutely not.

The craze over the franchise is, what I like to call,

The Twilight Phenomenon.

I believe all of the buzz surrounding the book and movie adaptations is purely the outcome of the perfect mixture of love and hate. Every ‘Twi-hard’ as the fandom likes to say, simply hates and loves everything that comes along with the films and it’s characters. Each fan seems to have a certain admiration and disgust for Twilight and all that it entails.

You can ask any Twilight fan these simple questions and you will most likely get the same answers from each person.

“Do you think the Twilight movies are well-made?” 

Yes and No.

“Is the acting in Twilight good?”

Yes and No.

“Was that CGI baby in ‘Breaking Dawn: Part 2’ ugly?”

YES.

“Is Alice Cullen the best character?”

Absolutely. (I may be a little biased, and that is okay.)

Anyways, I think you understand what I am getting at here. 

The only reason why there are still so many Twilight fans to this day is because of the sheer balance of genuine enjoyability and laughability of the movies. Twilight fans have and always will be the people who make fun of their favorite movies. It is the greatest love/hate relationship of planet earth.

So, before knocking the mythical stylings of the Twilight franchise, I suggest you take some time to sit down and watch them. And if you do watch them, be prepared to cringe, cry, and laugh (not specifically in that order).  Make a bowl of popcorn and make the best jokes you can about the acting, writing or casting choices (I’m looking at you Taylor Lautner.).

Be completely prepared to accidentally enjoy every second of it.

Dear Adele Bryant,

I understand that some of you may be confused, probably thinking, ‘Why is she writing a letter to herself in a blog?’ To answer? Three simple words: Dear Evan Hansen.

Throughout this new series of blogs, I am going to be reviewing Broadway musicals from a teenage point of view. I am going to listen to each musical’s album in a single sitting and then review my favorites of the batch.

I have always immensely enjoyed everything about musicals and the emotion that is conveyed through songs in each scene. I love the pure talent that is needed to be able to communicate the dialogue and feelings through music. The art of Broadway and the lyricists who so devotedly write songs for productions is truly something I admire. I am a firm believer of the notion that you don’t need money to experience musical theater, and I believe that by listening to an album you can experience the story without having to buy tickets to a show.

So, with that being said, here is my purely opinionated review of my top three favorite songs of “Dear Evan Hansen” and a lyrical breakdown of each one.

FIRST INSTALLMENT: DEAR EVAN HANSEN

3. For Forever

To start off, I would just like to acknowledge the pure and overwhelming feeling over nostalgia that comes with every word you hear of this song. The lyrical genius of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul truly and absolutely shine throughout the song. Ben Platt’s voice and musical choices really bring out all of the emotions of the song that you would not feel if it was simply written on paper. His choice of tone when the last verse comes around absolutely is perfect for the lyrics and the change that occurs slightly in the words.

The wording of the lyrics throughout the song gives the listener the feeling of being back in the days of their childhood. Pasek and Paul do an amazing job of giving very descriptive, yet relatable scenarios that entail the simplicity of childhood and friendships. The use of imagery throughout the lyrics helps the listener to make a whole scenario in their mind.

I enjoyed every second of the song, and I am a sucker for songs that really pull emotion from the listener. That being said, one of the only reasons this song was not my choice for number one or two was that it wasn’t the most emotional of the whole album. The song was absolutely amazing which has made these decisions all the harder.

2. Words Fail

“Words Fail” is a tragically truthful song. The song flawlessly portrays the whole process of human denial. Throughout the song, Ben Platt magnificently projects the emotions that Evan Hansen goes through when he ponders if the life he had achieved would all go away if he truthfully showed himself. The song really tugs on the heart strings with the relatability of asking yourself if you are ready to truly be yourself.

As someone who has struggled all my life with my own identity, the wording of the lyrics authentically represents how many people deal with feeling like they don’t deserve the life they have. The feeling of being out of place is something that I would say 95% of teens have experienced, and working through those thoughts is something I still deal with to this day. So seeing this issue being portrayed in such a beautiful way, honestly, made me very emotional.

So, in regards to relatability, “Words Fail” takes the cake. It is a magnificent, sorrowful portrayal of the human experience, more specifically, the hardships of the human experience. It shines a light on the relevance of doubtful thinking in the minds of almost everyone.

1. Requiem

Best. Song. Ever.

I have to preface by saying “Requiem” may not be the happiest song on the album, but it will have you in a million pieces questioning the meaning of life, and most importantly, death. It is such an honest song in every sense.

The whole concept of Zoe Murphy refusing to mourn her brother because she feels as if he doesn’t deserve her grief is intriguing to think about. The intentions of the writers came across beautifully as it changes from Zoe’s point of view to her mother’s. The duality of going from Zoe, who thinks of her brother as selfish, to her mother, who says the same lyric of “I will sing no requiem” but with different intentions, gives the listener a sense of closeness to the characters in the musical.

The mother is singing about how she will not be sorrowful, because she knows her son is still with her, while Zoe is singing about how she feels as if her brother’s decision was selfish and therefore she sings as if she is angry with him. Zoe’s verses in the song are mostly centered around the concept of how she views her brother as the villain in her story. Zoe’s mother also sings about refusing to sing a mournful melody, but for her, the reason is because she still thinks her son is with her. Some would think that with the dueling intentions, the song may be confusing, but the writers do an amazing job of differentiating with slight wording changes.

My favorite lyric of the whole song is “‘Cause when the villains fall, the kingdoms never weep.” The line completely entrances the listener with emotion allowing them to imagine how Zoe feels about her brother. The two sides of how people process tragedy and loss are perfectly depicted in the lyrics created by the writer. The narrative created throughout the whole song pulls such emotion that I would be surprised if someone listened to it and said they didn’t feel a thing.

The authenticity of this whole album is something that really touches the heart of the listener. The songs on the album completely encapsulate the human experience from start to finish. From topics of love and loss, to dealing with the aftermath of both, this musical honestly portrays the conflicting feelings that are a natural accessory to life.

I wish I had something to really critique about this album, but the truth is, I enjoyed every moment of the music and the experience that came with it. The creative lyricism really enhances the whole experience that the listener goes on from beginning to end with this album. Really the only thing I have to say about this album- truly amazing.

Sincerely,

Adele

Hello blog world! Adele here! I thought to start out my introduction to the blogging space I should start on something that interests me. My interests all seem to revolve around either creating a fictional world or inserting myself into one. Being a writer, it’s not uncommon for me to get lost in the lives of fictional characters, but one thing in particular I find extremely intriguing is “comfort characters.”

‘Comfort Characters’ are fictional characters that you may find comfort in watching, or you may attach emotional significance to their lives and storylines. Personally, I seem to get attached to fictional characters fairly easy. I think viewing my relationship with a fictional character as more of a friendship is something I do often. It’s also a goal of mine to one day create a character with enough commendatory qualities to one day become someone else’s comfort character.

My absolute all-time favorite comfort character in my repertoire of emotionally soothing fictional beings is Lorelai Gilmore from the show ‘Gilmore Girls.’ Throughout the show, you are shown the lives of Lorelai and her daughter, Rory, as the they navigate life together in the small town Stars Hollow. Lorelai and Rory portray a mother-daughter relationship that many young girls long for. Their witty banter and sense of connection portray a true friendship that others envy.

I think the reason I became so captivated with Lorelai is because she reminds me of my own mother. She’s not perfect, but she is always there for her daughter in all senses. Lorelai is perfectly imperfect in her parenting and the comedy of her relationship with Rory is similar to the relationship I share with my own mother. They don’t always see eye to eye, but they truly are bestfriends. Lorelai always tries to see life from Rory’s point of view; A trait that I often mentally applaud my own mom for.

When thinking of Lorelai Gilmore, I think of comfort. Even in the first week of residential life at MSA, I relied on watching Gilmore Girls when I was homesick and missed my mom. The adjustment of leaving home definitely threw me for a loop, and just watching the banter between the mother and daughter on the show comforted me. Watching the screen and drawing similarities between my own mother and Lorelai brought me joy in some of the toughest times. I would watch the small town in the show and think of my own small, nosey town.

So anytime I am in need of motherly consoling, (when my mother isn’t available of course) I turn to the comedic comforts of Gilmore Girls. I look to Lorelai to get me through the ups and downs of life. She basically acts as an interim fictional mother that never gets tired of me complaining. Her familiarity acts as a weighted blanket against all of life’s anxieties. Of course watching a TV show won’t fix all of your problems, but it can act as a band-aid for some of the metaphorical wounds of life.

The Gilmore Girls is not only a show in which I find comfort, it is also a show I wish to pass down to the next generation of my family. I hope to share the show I love so much with my own son or daughter one day so that they can look back on times we shared and find comfort in it too. I want to create a bond with my own child like the one my own mother had created with me throughout watching the adventures of Stars Hollow.

So, if you are ever in the need of a consoling, fictional shoulder to cry on, I highly suggest watching your own favorite show. Maybe you have a character in mind when reading this, or maybe you have yet to find your comfort character. Whatever it is, I encourage you to find that someone who can comfort you when the non-fictional characters of your own life’s story cannot.