thank u that's very kind of you to say!! I've missed being here and discussing and dissecting pop music to death it's serious!

ESNY imprinted on me like when I was a fresh 18yo so I will always have a soft spot for him but I will admit I've been feeling a bit cynical about this one. simultaneously a lot going on and not much going on.

THE GOOD : I know ppl jump him for it but I lurve when he puts on his Bowie wig or Nilsson wig or McJagger. when he's in his 70s-singer-songwriter-gone-pop-rock-but-make-it-modern bag there's some excellence on this album. American Girls! Taste Back! Waiting Game! Carla's Song! Pop!!! he's the imitation queen. those songs are particularly evocative and begin to get across (what I assume is the albums core thread) the feeling of navigating love when lost and ultimately dance/music being the tool by which he connects with others. he's good at doing something he has a map for and great at making those songs that feel nostalgic on first listen. I feel like I've known Taste Back my whole life!

THE BAD: on the other side of the fence.. someone sold him synthetic Damon Albarn / Tame Impala wigs on Amazon and they do not frame his face well. Ready Steady Go / AYLY again hint at that core theme in a way I would love to love but the message is absolutely buried in the overproduction and underdelivery of the vocals. it's the least emotionally present I've witnessed him on his albums #baffling. and yet when he puts on the veneer of presence it just as bad.. like put down the plucky pared back ballads. Put it down. coming up roses and paint by numbers are two of the most artistically regressive things I've heard from him a while they genuinely sound like late stage 1d songs to the point where I actually found myself anticipating Niall's voice to start harmonising on the chorus. what goes on!

THE APERTURE: ???? loved the live performance. But what is she doing here.

feeling very... Insert gif below. I'm digesting. but did NOT expect him to put his rufus du sol wig on that's for damn sure!