babysquid

The song “See You Again” by Tyler the Creator is an exploration of obsession’s characteristic thought-process. The instrumental starts off quiet, with just a piano, then adding more instruments such as a jazz quartet and xylophone. Multiple times, when the lyrics and instrumentals stop, there is a minute echo of Tyler’s voice, as if the listener is witnessing his own thoughts echo back at him through his mind. Kali Uchis, a featuring artist on the song who serves as Tyler’s love interest, only has one line: “Can I get a kiss? And can you make it last forever? I said, I’m bout’ to go to war, and I don’t know if I’ma see you again”. These lines, though short, encapsulate how Tyler thinks he is in love with someone, when he is really only in love with the idea of them.

Throughout the music video for "See You Again", Kali Uchis is seen in a classic yellow rain jacket. Significantly, she is the only person in the entire video to wear yellow... with the important exception of Tyler's yellow beret. Clearly, Tyler is only thinking about his love, as represented through the color yellow.

The start of the music video furthers this idea: Tyler is seen in enclosed spaces, such as a bunk, a galley cafeteria, and other below-deck places on a ship, as if he is trapped inside his own mind. One scene, he is even looking through a literal porthole from the inside of said boat, like he is seeing the world from a limited viewpoint that he is easily able to expand if he just goes on deck.

The song as a whole is fairly repetitive, which communicates the cyclical thought process of obsession. The chorus, in this way, is particularly notable, since Tyler repeats phrases like, “20-20-20-20 vision” and “Okay, okay, okey-dokey”. It’s as if he is repeating these phrases to himself as a reassurance, which plays into the uncertainty that Kali’s lines communicate. Tyler tells himself that he is okay with this, that he is seeing clearly, even though he seems unconvinced. What’s more, the song opens on a clip of the chorus before the instrumental even starts, throwing the listener directly into Tyler’s mind.

Maybe he knows that his love is already gone. Maybe they were never even real to begin with. Nonetheless, he holds onto the idea of them like a lifesaver, as if it will help him when he’s already stranded. At the end of the music video for See You Again, Tyler walks on screen dressed as a sheet ghost, with more white linens hanging on clotheslines behind him. Not only is white the color of surrender, but Tyler is a ghost. It’s almost like Tyler is admitting defeat after he already died. Hence, he transforms into a swarm of bumblebees, just like the pet name he uses for his partner, and flies away.

PREFACE: None of this is meant to diminish the clear distinctions between any of the two songs that sample "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". I simply believe that this is a notable trend that should be acknowledged!!

SayMyName's "iLy" and idle's "Klaxon" both have two main things in common--- their chorus and their release date. Both songs sample Paul Anka's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" with its line "I love you, baby". What's more, both songs were also summer releases, which is certainly a notable distinction, all things considered.

There is something to be said about summer releases in Kpop in particular. Every year, kpop groups fill the season with tours, album releases, and fan meets (to name a few). A summer release, whether it's just a single or a full-length album, can easily build a group's fan base. Most of these songs are bubbly, unserious, and happy, which is to be expected. Therefore, most groups (especially nugu groups) tend to lean into easy, catchy choruses with simple concepts in order to play it safe while hopefully staying in the public eye. <<I will acknowledge here that idle in particular is in no way an unknown or unpopular group, but it may still be true that Klaxon was more of a safer bet to release in the summer than something like Tomboy, for instance.>>

In order to play it safe, writers will often choose tried-and-true melodies for summery songs, since a familiar song is something that fans can easily sing along to. This is where Paul Anka's song, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" comes into (noticeably frequent) play.

TripleS is absolutely genius in the production of the music video for their song "are you alive?". The song itself discusses themes of inescapability-- like a feeling you cant shake (aka depression). The music video features several scenes that demonstrate emotional distress, like a member drowning herself in a tub or holding her breath. On top of that, many of the girls had cuts or bruises on their faces, indicating previous (but recent) physical harm. The scenes where we can particularly see this, the lighting is dark. The girl is alone. It is dismal, reminiscent of a depressive episode.

But there is a contrast. When the girls are together, even if its just two or three of them, the mood is brighter. The members are smiling (or dancing!!), and there is almost always a light source in sight. Clearly, the usage of proper lighting and acting demonstrates a powerful (though cliche) idea: Proximity to loved ones drastically benefits depression.

What's more, the entire video (+ the album cover) features fluffy dandelions (scientifically known as pappuses). The notable thing about pappuses is their impermanence-- a strong enough gust of wind could easily blow all of its seeds away. In the song's music video, dandelions are used as a symbol for the transition from childhood to adulthood (you know, the teenage years) due to their transiency.

and so, so dark

but no matter how deep I go,

i can always see the stars if I just swim up.

maybe one day i wont need them anymore