a blog for all things music

Ever since I was 11 years old and fell in love with music, it has always been a source of healing for me and a safe place I could go to whenever I was feeling sad or lonely. I’m 17 years old now, and my years as a music fan have been filled with concerts and plenty of scrolls through stan twitter. Over my time of being a fan of music while simultaneously discovering myself and who I am, I realized that I could mix my passions of music and writing into this blog! My dream is to be a music journalist, and though I’m only in high school, I thought making this blog would be a good place to start.

I plan on posting song/album/concert reviews, music recommendations, and basically anything that revolves around the world of music. I hope to give you all my honest thoughts while also improving my writing skills along the way. I don’t really know how popular this blog will get, or if anyone will even care what I have to say, but I hope at least one person can enjoy my writing.

Music Monday: A Song Recommendation to Start Off Your Week

Happy last week of August! For this week, I’d like to recommend the song “Affluenza” by Conan Gray. Conan Gray’s music has been popularized more and more throughout this past year, with songs such as “Maniac” and “Heather” garnering thousands of streams. Because of this, I decided that I’d recommend one of the songs I believe to be more “underrated” off his debut album Kid Krow, which just so happens to also be one of my favorites on the album. The title, “Affluenza”, is named after the psychological condition which negatively affects wealthy young people leaving them with feelings of guilt, lack of motivation, etc. The lyrics speak on how no matter how much money one has, it can never bring you true happiness. Gray has stated how “Affluenza” is one of the few songs on the album not written from his own perspective, but rather inspired by kids he met after moving from Texas to Los Angeles. The meaning of the song itself as well as its overall cool sound is very appealing sonically, and personally I believe it’s one of the most unique sounding songs on the whole album. 

BTS are back and better than ever with their new song that’s sure to spark some excitement in you titled “Dynamite”. Similar to the title, this track packs a punch and will definitely shock you at first listen. Taking quite a spin from their previous singles “Black Swan” and “ON” , “Dynamite” takes a retro 70s/80s vibe with a modern twist. Along with this, the song is also BTS’ first single fully written in English. Not surprisingly, the newly released track has already begun breaking records with its music video being the most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours. The music video showcases the group decked out in colorful outfits that give an ode to the past, as well as showcasing their newest choreography. Before the music video aired, the group even did a livestream answering questions and giving hints to bring even more anticipation to excited fans across the world. BTS’ debut live performance of “Dynamite” is set to take place at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on Saturday, August 30th.

During these difficult times, “Dynamite” is a track sure to reinvigorate its listeners with newfound energy. With an upbeat disco pop sound and addicting easy to learn choreography, this song is perfect for the end of summer. The choreography also pays homage to one of the biggest pop stars of all time, Michael Jackson, by showcasing various iconic MJ poses including his unmistakable leg kick. Lyrics such as “Shining through the city with a little funk and soul / So I'ma light it up like dynamite” give a confident happy-go-lucky feel. Despite how the track doesn’t necessarily have intense depth in the lyrics themselves, I still believe it’s the perfect song for this time in the world and gives listeners a bit more joy with each listen.

BTS are artists known for breaking boundaries, constantly outdoing themselves, and experimenting with different genres. All this and more is proven in the track “Dynamite”. From going back to the past to making the track fully in English, this song definitely takes BTS in a new but exciting direction. Listening to this track makes me all the more excited for their album set to come out later this year, and even more curious about what these seven boys will bring us next. 

My Personal Rating: ★★★★☆

Music Monday: A Song Recommendation to Start Off Your Week

“See You Again” by Tyler, the Creator featuring Kali Uchis is the fourth track off his album released in 2017 titled Flower Boy. To put it simply, this song talks about love. But it isn’t necessarily actualized love, but more so idealized love. In the first verse, Tyler says “You live in my dream state” and “You exist behind my eyelids, my eyelids / Now I don't wanna wake up.” There are also numerous other references to this lover not being real, but rather being his dream lover. My favorite part of this song has to be the way it perfectly mixes of Uchis’ sweet voice and Tyler’s rap, which creates such a unique yet pleasing combination. Though Uchis only sings in the chorus, her part is definitely impactful. This is especially because the lyrics she sings use this idea of “going to war” to symbolize Tyler waking up from his dream and going into the real world, which I personally find fascinating. This idea of having a dream lover is one that most can relate to in one way or another, and with this popular theme mixed with witty lyrics and a catchy chorus makes for such a phenomenal track.

This past Friday, the group LANY released the third single on their upcoming album mama’s boy. The track, titled “you!”, is sung by the main vocalist Paul Klein and is accompanied by heavy guitar and drums in the background. Nearing the end of the song, you can also hear a children’s choir singing background vocals. The single has its own music video, which shows the band performing amidst a vast desert with a rich sunset in the background. This location created some beautifully cinematic shots shown throughout the video.

The lyrics of “you!” describe someone or something entering into your life during a difficult time, and helping change it for the better. You can see this shown in the first verse, where Klein sings “But you found me when I was broken / Put me back together, gave me life.” They also go on to explain how once this person, thing, etc. entered your life, it became something you couldn’t live without. This is portrayed in lyrics in the chorus which state “I'm nothing without you”, as well as in different similes throughout the song.

My favorite part of this song is its poetic lyrics. Some of my favorites include: “You're the sun to the moon / You’re my ocean painted blue” and “You're the light in the dark / You're the arrow through my heart” which are both in the chorus. I also enjoy how the song doesn’t necessarily have to describe a person, as some fans have described how they can relate it to their pets or even God. The way the song is open to personal interpretation and allows listeners to relate it to anyone or anything in their lives really stood out to me, especially with how there were no pronouns named in the lyrics but instead used the word “you”.

My Personal Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

Music Monday: A Song Recommendation to Start Off Your Week

For this week, I’d like to recommend “Pancakes for Dinner” by Lizzy McAlpine! While previously being released as a single, this track is also set to be the tenth song on her debut album Give Me A Minute, which is set to be released on August 13th. McAlpine’s soft vocals coupled with an acoustic guitar melody gives the track a soothing and comforting feel. The lyrics speak on a topic we can all relate to: wanting to tell someone something, yet being too scared to. At the end of the chorus, she states “I think that I should probably tell you this in case there is an accident / And I never see you again / So please save all your questions for the end / And maybe I'll be brave enough by then” which makes listeners believe she will finally reveal her true feelings to the person in question. However, the song closes with the lyrics “Oh maybe I won't ever say what's in my head / No, I won't have to say anything / You'll say it instead”, leading listeners to believe that the other person revealed their true feelings before she had the chance. The hopeful ending to this song mixed with the hesitation throughout depicts a realistic story that anyone can relate to in their own way.

Today is my 17th birthday! As a simple way to commemorate my 17 years here on Earth, I wanted to compile a list of 17 songs that I love which have been released over the course of the time I was 16 years old (since August 8, 2020 till now). I tried to include a mix of both upbeat and slower songs, while also showcasing my personal music taste as well as some of my favorite artists. Usually with these types of posts, I make descriptions for each song and go into detail on their origin and sound. However, since there are so many songs on this list, I decided to scrap that idea and just list the songs with links to all of them so as not to make the post too long. So I hope you enjoy this quick post of song recommendations, and maybe find some new music to listen to!

ATEEZ - Answer

BTS - Inner Child

Conan Gray - Heather

DAY6 - Sweet Chaos

Halsey - More

Harry Styles - Sunflower, Vol. 6 

Jackson Wang - BULLET TO THE HEART

MCND - ICE AGE

NCT 127 - Kick It

Rex Orange County - It’s Not the Same Anymore

Ruel - Face to Face

Stray Kids - God’s Menu

Tomorrow x Together - New Rules

V - Sweet Night

Waterparks - Telephone

WayV - Turn Back Time

5 Seconds of Summer - High

Music Monday: A Song Recommendation to Start Off Your Week

Happy first week of August! For this week, I’d like to recommend everyone “My Phone is Trying to Kill Me” by The Aces. The Aces are an indie/alt pop girl group with their own unique style. “My Phone is Trying to Kill Me” is the third track off their sophomore album Under My Influence, and it’s one of my favorites. It’s an upbeat song that speaks about addiction to technology, specifically our phones. Lyrics in the chorus such as “Tryna live in the moment / I check that screen just one more time / My phone is trying to kill me” are ones that I feel as though many people can relate to. Especially recently, a lot of us including myself have been constantly using our phones as a way to fill up time while in self-quarantine. Speaking of quarantine, the group even made a “Quarantine Cut Video” to go along with the song that was released on YouTube.

This past Thursday, Billie Eilish released her second single of 2020 titled “my future.” The song, an upbeat lo-fi and R&B-based ballad, addresses Eilish looking back on her past and reflecting on how it affects her viewpoint of her own future. Compared to her previous songs, “my future” takes a more happier optimistic approach, which reflects the teenage singer’s personal growth. This single is also accompanied by an animated music video, which displays the concurrent melancholy and hopeful feel of the track.

The song begins by taking a more slowed down pace, but by the second verse takes an upbeat twist. These lyrics reflect the song’s pacing as well. At first glance, “my future” seems to take a sadder tone, but once the first chorus ends with the lyrics “And I (I), I'm in love / But not with anybody else / Just wanna get to know myself” the song’s pace follows suit and takes a brighter tone. From there, the lyrics explain how Eilish wants to fall in love with herself for once rather than someone else. The final line of the song states “I'll see you in a couple years”, which shows an intense optimism.

Personally, I have always enjoyed how raw and honest Billie Eilish is in her music and “my future” is no different. I appreciate how the optimism in the song simultaneously mirrors the hope we should all have for a brighter future. I think this song is one many people can appreciate both due to the current state of the world and because of how it reflects Eilish’s genuine growth over the past few years. The hopeful nature of the song really sticks out to me, and definitely makes me want to fall in love with my own future too.

My Personal Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4 ½ stars)

Music Monday: A Song Recommendation to Start Off Your Week

For this last week of July, I’d like to recommend “Easy” by Stray Kids! This is the third track as well as second single on the group’s first studio album GO生 (Go Live), which was previously released last month. “Easy” is an upbeat kpop song with hip hop and electronica influences, and it’s one that you'll have stuck in your head for weeks. This track also comes along with an energetic choreography and compelling music video. For me, I found the hitting point of the song to be when group members Bang Chan in the first chorus and Seungmin in the second say “I'll make you say wow”. The lyrics of “Easy” talk about how despite how difficult life may be, that sometimes it’s okay to let go. Also that no matter what hardship they may face, the group is going to “make it look easy”. I feel as though this is a great message that everyone can take note of, no matter how old you are or what stage of life you’re in.

Ever since the beginning of self-quarantine, I’ve somehow regressed back into my middle school anime phase. Over the past few months, I’ve managed to finish a whopping 33 animes, and I know this list will just continue to grow. Due to me falling back in love with anime, I was reminded of how much I love anime openings (OPs). There’s something about the memorability and catchiness of anime OPs that pushed me to create a playlist full of my favorites. So, here is a list of my top five favorite anime OPs counting down from 5:

5. Masatoshi Ono - Departure! [Hunter × Hunter]

Staring off at number five we have “Departure!” by Masatoshi Ono. This theme has a bright upbeat sound that suits the overall happy nature of the beginning arc of Hunter × Hunter. Listening to this song reminds me of the joyful adventures main character Gon Freecss shares with his friends, and just puts me in a happy mood with every listen. The lyrics also fit this joyous sound, as well as display the journey Gon goes on throughout the anime. “You can smile again / Basking in the sunlight / You can fly away / Time to rise up. Shine your light. Show the world you can make the climb!” [translated from Japanese]. The lyrics of this theme are both inspirational and motivational, which is one of the many reasons why I like it so much!

4. BURNOUT SYNDROMES - FLY HIGH!! [Haikyu!!] 

With the Haikyu!! manga ending this past week, listening to this song brings such nostalgia that I knew it had to make the list! Out of all the Haikyu!! OPs thus far, “FLY HIGH!!” by BURNOUT SYNDROMES from season two takes the spot as my favorite. The high upbeat intensity of the song fits the similarly high intensity show. The lyrics of this song also parallel a big point of symbolism throughout the anime: flying/birds. Haikyu!! depicts the main character, Shōyō Hinata, along with the rest of his volleyball team at Karasuno High School experiencing the highs and lows of high school sports while learning important life lessons along the way. No surprise, the team’s mascot is a crow. In the anime, the characters are shown to slowly “fly” higher and higher: achieving their dreams and goals one step at a time with many hardships and victories along the way. With lyrics [translated from Japanese] such as “With your wings that shine with sweat, blood and tears, / leave everything, everything behind, / And fly, fly; fly high” the song gives both an inspirational feel as well as fits with a huge symbolic point in the anime.

3. Linked Horizon - Shinzo wo Sasageyo! [Attack on Titan]

With Attack on Titan being my favorite anime, it was definitely hard picking my favorite of its opening themes, especially considering how much I truly adore each of them. However, I finally decided on “Shinzo wo Sasageyo!” by Linked Horizon, which opened the second season of the anime. The title of the theme translates to “Dedicate Your Heart!”, which directly refers to the Survey Corps’ (also known as the Scout Regiment) salute where they put their fist to their heart. However, this doesn’t necessarily relate to a happy theme of the scouts dedicating their lives to making the world a better place for future generations to come but rather to physically putting their lives on the line when working to rid the world of man eating beasts known as “titans”. Despite the energetic sound of the song itself, the lyrics take on a darker theme that parallel the darkness portrayed throughout the anime. The lyrics touch on how the scouts must wage war against these awful beasts, putting their lives on the line “until [their] hearts have stopped” [translated from Japanese]. I appreciate the almost ‘anthem feel’ of this song, as if you can imagine the actual scouts chanting this song on their way to battle.

2. LiSA - Gurenge [Demon Slayer]

LiSA, whose real name is Risa Oribe, is a popular Japanese singer/songwriter/lyricist. She’s written opening themes for popular animes other than Demon Slayer, such as Fate/Zero and Sword Art Online. “Gurenge” is a song perfect for blasting in the car and screaming the lyrics. LiSA’s strong, raspy voice mixed with an almost punk rock sound make for such a memorable song, and the type to get stuck in your head for weeks.  Lyrics such as “If you can become stronger for someone / Get up again and again” relate back to the journey of main character Tanjiro Kamado. This theme has always been one of my favorites to get me hyped up, and considering Demon Slayer’s high intensity feel, the song suits the anime well.

1. TK from Ling tosite sigure - Unravel [Tokyo Ghoul]

Last but certainly not least, we have “Unravel” from season one of the popular anime series Tokyo Ghoul taking the first place spot. Even after listening to this song for the first time in years, I was reminded of how amazing it is. The lyrics themselves speak on the struggles of the main character, Kaneki Ken, who is burdened with two opposing minds: the human mind and the mind of a ghoul. You can hear the raw passion in the singer Toru Kitajima (TK)’s voice as he belts the lyrics atop an instrument-heavy melody. The strong drums throughout the chorus make this song as memorable as it is, and perfect for blasting in the car on a long drive or playing loudly in your earbuds late at night.

Special Mention: Fuyunohanashi [Given] 

Though this isn’t technically an anime OP, I have such a special place in my heart for this song that I just had to mention it. Everything about this song, from the lyrics to the tone of Mafuyu’s character who sings it, sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. I remember the first time I watched the scene where Mafuyu sings this song, and I started sobbing because of how emotional it was. The lyrics truly speak from his character’s heart, and by including this scene at the climax of the anime it really left a lasting impression. My favorite part of “Fuyunohanashi” is when you hear the character Mafuyu scream as it fades into a guitar riff, as he finally lets out all the emotions he was holding in for so long. On top of all of this, “Fuyunohanashi” is such a strong instrument-heavy song mixed with a memorable guitar riff, so much so that it sounds like it could be released by any famous artist rather than just being apart of an anime. Though the song is filled with passion and longing, it closes with the translated lyric “As I try to move forward again, even though I couldn’t say goodbye / You’ll always be here with me”. This resolution completes the song in such a striking way, showing the main character’s growth after so much suffering.

We’ve finally reached the end of my top five anime openings list, and I hope you enjoyed it! To all the anime fans reading this, I hope you spotted one of your favorite animes or opening themes. But if you’ve never watched anime before, I highly recommend doing so! There are so many different types of anime out there, so you’re bound to find one that you like!

On July 15th, Troye Sivan released the second single off his new EP In A Dream titled “Easy”. While the first single Sivan released on April 1st, titled “Take Yourself Home”, deals with an honest conversation with himself displayed in a dance/electropop song,  “Easy” is a more bright pop song which depicts a crumbling relationship due to his lover cheating.

In the lyrics, Sivan talks about how his lover has found someone else who was able to make the relationship “easy”, while their relationship thus far has been rocky in comparison. One of my favorite parts in the lyrics is the way Sivan repeatedly calls the person the song is addressed to “darling”. To me, this shows how he may still have a level of fondness for them, despite what they did. He also shows a level of both anger and longing in the lyrics by saying “I can’t even look at you” at the beginning of the chorus, yet then at the end saying “Tell me we’ll make it through.” Even in the post chorus, you hear Sivan sing in a soft tone: “Please don’t leave me, leave me”, which he also repeats in both the bridge and outro. These lyrics prove how despite his lover cheating, he both longs to fix this conflict in their relationship but is also frustrated with what happened. This concept is repeated throughout the lyrics such as “Now I’m vulnerable, so sad and alone / But don’t cry for me, ‘cause everyone knows / You reap what you sow, my darling” found in the second verse. It’s also fascinating how despite the heavy lyrics, the feeling of the song is very bright and happy. I think this gives an interesting juxtaposition to the track.

In my opinion, the sound and overall vibe of “Easy” fits my taste more than Sivan’s previous single “Take Yourself Home”. However, either way I’m excited to see what the rest of the In A Dream EP has to offer!

My Personal Rating: ★★★☆☆ ½ (3 ½ stars)

The In A Dream EP is set to be released on August 21st on all streaming platforms. The music video for “Easy” premieres on YouTube tomorrow (July 16th at 10 AM EST) so make sure to check them both out! Here’s a link to watch the music video once it’s released: https://youtu.be/bCHqIhiFmEY.

On July 13th, popular South Korean group BTS performed their new song “Your Eyes Tell” for the first time on the Japanese program CDTV Live. This song is set to appear as the twelfth track on their fourth Japanese studio album Map of the Soul: 7 ~The Journey~, while also being the OST (original soundtrack) for a Japanese film which is similarly titled Your Eyes Tell. 

This new BTS track was written and composed by main vocalist and youngest member of the group Jeon Jungkook. It is rumored that he originally created this song for his personal mixtape (currently coined by fans as JJK1), but it was later chosen as an OST and to be in the group’s new Japanese album. But what we do know for sure is that the process of creating this song began when movie producers requested an “emotional love ballad that represents the story”. BTS jumped to the task and worked to create the producer’s vision. They sent over a few demos, however, right before the recording Jungkook submitted a song with a completely different taste which was “Your Eyes Tell”. He created the song after reading the movie’s script and watching its unfinished footage, and the director (Takahiro Miki) liked it so much that it became the movie’s theme.

The film Your Eyes Tell follows the story of Kaori, who becomes blind due to a tragic accident, and overtime falls in love with a former kick boxer named Rui. The song, directly inspired by the film, works to depict this heart wrenching love story musically. From the tone and passion in their voices to the captivating lyrics, this song fits both the style of BTS themselves and the message of the film. 

BTS’ vocal line shines throughout this song. The high notes they hit throughout this song aren’t easy, and yet they did it with ease. However, we can’t forget to talk about the rap line of the group as well. Their soft rap contrasted the passionate vocals, giving the track a newfound juxtaposition. The standout point of this song, other than the vocals and rap, has to be the lyrics. These lyrics explore the sadness and longing that come along with love. My favorite lyrics are those found in the second bridge where the vocal line softly sings “I want to be loved / I can love you / You can be my eyes / Our journey from now on” [lyrics translated from Japanese]. 

Despite the fact that the film has yet to be released, I feel as though this track gives a good insight into what the film has to offer: a tale of love and all the struggles that come along with it.

My Personal Rating: ★★★★☆

Music Monday: A Song Recommendation to Start Off Your Week

“Someone New” by Irish singer and songwriter Hozier is the perfect song to start off your week! Despite its darker lyrics, the fun upbeat tone of this indie folk song will have you singing the chorus on repeat. 

From The Perks of Being a Wallflower to The Edge of Seventeen, coming-of-age indie films have swept my generation by storm. Recently, it’s become a trend for us Gen Z kids to wish we were starring in one of these iconic films, whether it be because we want to be the main character or we just want to romanticize our lives a bit more. So, I’ve handpicked 10 of my favorite songs to make you feel like you’re the main character you’ve always wanted to be.

1. Grouplove - Tongue Tied

We’re starting off with a throwback that never gets old. If you think you haven’t heard this song, chances are you probably have without even realizing it. Although “Tongue Tied” was released back in 2011, this song has proved itself to be a timeless mix of rock and electropop that’s perfect for singing in your car as you drive down the highway at night with your best friends. Hitting number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart a year after its release, Grouplove proved the true magic this song holds despite its prior negative reviews. With an indie influence as well as elements of synthpop and post punk, “Tongue Tied” will have you feeling like the main character as soon as you hit play.

2. BØRNS - Electric Love

The American singer and songwriter BØRNS began his career off with a bang, releasing the critically acclaimed hit “Electric Love”. The poetic lyrics coupled with a heavy glam rock sound will make you feel as if you’re on the top of the world. The music video featuring colorful animations and whimsical dancers perfectly showcases BØRNS as the “main character”. “Electric Love” has such a bright, fun sound that hearing it will immediately make you want to get up and dance. On top of all of this, BØRNS has such a unique voice that definitely stands out. 

3. fun. (feat. Janelle Monáe) - We Are Young

Once again, we have another timeless throwback song. I remember this song constantly playing on the radio when I was younger, and its catchy lyrics getting stuck in my head for days. The perfection of this song speaks for itself, considering the massive achievements it brought the group (including a Grammy award for Song of the Year in 2012). “We Are Young” is the culmination of teenage youth shoved into a 4 minute and 10 second indie pop anthem, with the lyrics describing an unforgettable night out with your friends. Listening to this song, especially with some of your best friends, is perfect for making you feel as if you’re truly living in the moment.

4. M83 - Midnight City

“Midnight City” is a track that’s perfect for playing in the car on a late night drive. The lyrics of the song are a tribute to city nightlife, indicated by the title itself. This is one song that doesn’t need as many lyrics to articulate its message, but the hollow echoes of the lyrics given resonate with the listener. The song’s transcendent sound and memorable riff make it one that you won’t want to miss. You also can’t talk about this song without mentioning the standout saxophone solo that ends the track. I firmly believe that this is one of those songs that’s better listened to than explained, as the song speaks for itself. 

5. Young the Giant - Cough Syrup

As soon as I heard this song come up on my Spotify shuffle, I immediately added it to my playlist. The mix of an indie rock sound with meaningful lyrics caught my attention, and I couldn’t stop listening to the song for weeks. The lyrics of “Cough Syrup” perfectly depict the cliché struggle many coming-of-age indie film protagonists face: the feeling of being lost and aching to get out of your mundane town and lifestyle. However, this common story troupe doesn’t only apply to fictional characters but to many teenagers out there as well (I may or may not be speaking from personal experience). This song by the alternative rock band has the perfect balance of symbolic lyrics and a catchy chorus that you will be humming for hours.

6. Supergrass - Alright

“Alright” is a song that can speak to teenagers everywhere. Lyrics such as “But we are young, we get by” relate back to the simple yet complicated nature of the average teenage experience. Watching the music video, which showcases the British alternative rock band Supergrass joyfully messing around and having fun, will make you wish you could be there and hang out with them as well. The upbeat vibe and joyful piano tune make this song perfect to play on a sunny day.

7. Lonely God - Marlboro Nights

If you frequent the app TikTok, chances are you probably recognize this song from there. Though this indie pop single was released back in 2018, the popular social media app brought it back into the limelight during July 2019. From there, the song reached high spots on the Spotify Viral 50 Charts. The lyrics speak of a love story that many teenagers can probably relate to, especially the opening lyric “I don't want to go to school tomorrow I can't study thinking about you” that immediately leaves an impression on the listener. “Marlboro Nights” is another song which lacks in lyrical amount however holds itself up with a catchy rhythm and lyrics.

8. Bruno Major - Places We Won’t Walk

We’re now taking a sadder turn with this soft R&B track by the British singer and songwriter Bruno Major. Listening to this song, I can picture it playing in the background as the film hits its climax, and the protagonist finally experiences the sad reality of their situation, whether it be losing the love of their life or a close friend. This is arguably the saddest song on this list, however, I feel like it serves to show that being the main character doesn’t always equate to happiness as every person experiences their own highs and lows. Bruno Major’s soothing vocals along with the soft piano in the background make for such a beautiful song. 

9. Wallows - Do Not Wait

Throughout Wallows’ debut album Nothing Happens, they touch on topics such as youth and nostalgia, and the indie rock/bedroom pop song “Do Not Wait” is no exception. The lyrics show how, especially during your teen years, everything feels so world-crushing and the smallest mistake can feel like it’s the end of the world. But in reality nothing happened, and everything is going to turn out okay despite those prior feelings. “Do Not Wait” was the perfect ending to an album full of stories about the teenage experience. When listening to this song, the bridge and outro really stuck up to me, specifically the part where the band member and lyricist of the song Dylan Minnette seems to be speaking to his past self. This shows how the whole song is written from the perspective of his older self talking to his younger self, while simultaneously showing his own personal self growth over the years.

10. Lorde - Ribs

You can’t bring up songs that make you feel like the protagonist in a coming-of-age indie film without mentioning the showstopper that is “Ribs” by Lorde. This song is the perfect description of the bittersweet feeling of never wanting to grow up that all of us experience at least once in our lifetime. Raw and honest lyrics such as “This dream isn't feeling sweet / We're reeling through the midnight streets / And I've never felt more alone / It feels so scary, getting old” give the song a relatable aspect that can appeal to all teenagers. The longing and sadness in the lyrics mixed with Lorde’s unique voice and an upbeat electronica sound make this song so unique. If you are looking for the perfect song to listen to as you dance outside in the rain at night with some of your best friends, or even for those 3 am existential crises, this is the song for you!

Now we’ve finally come to the end of this list, and I hope you found at least one song that makes you feel like you’re the main character. But just know, even if you may not feel like it, you are always the main character of your own life. Life may not always feel as romanticized as films make it out to be, but you always have the ability to romanticize your own life as much as you can: so do it!

Less than two years after their smash hit album Youngblood, 5 Seconds of Summer (5sos) are back with their fourth studio album titled CALM. The 12 track album was released on March 27, 2020, and is titled using an acronym of each of the band members’ first names. CALM is filled with a sort of coming of age feel, juxtaposing the overall darker tone of their previous album release.

The record kickstarts with the first track “Red Desert”. The track is jam packed with layered harmonies, and gives the listener a feeling as though this is truly the beginning of the record. The song itself is also one of the few on the album that showcases each of the members’ vocals, proving how dynamic the band truly is. The overall openness and freedom feel this song radiates is the perfect start to the album. 

Moving on from the first track, tracks two through six are what we’ll call a “saga of singles”. Each of these songs were individually released as singles, the earliest of which was released in May 2019. However, my personal favorite of these is “No Shame”, the third single to be released and second song on the album. The song reflects over the dark side of the media and the Internet, while simultaneously self reflecting on how the members of 5sos are also apart of this twisted cycle. This in your face pop song gives a good feel that’s fun to dance to while simultaneously having darker meaningful lyrics, giving it what you could call a “Paramore effect” (Paramore is a band known for having darker lyrics with a bright, upbeat sound). 

Track three titled “Old Me” is probably my least favorite song on the record. Though it has inspirational lyrics about acceptance of the past, it reminds me of any average radio hit. The following track “Easier”, is chalk full of synthesizers and was the first single from CALM to be released. When I first heard this song back in 2019, it felt like such a new and unique hard rock feel that was very different for 5sos. Overall, this is one song I’ll never get tired of listening to. Track number five “Teeth” is filled with bass. This heavy bass track coupled with a driving kick makes for one intense record. “Easier” and “Teeth” are probably the two most unique sounding songs on the whole record. “Wildflower” is the last single on the album, and was released only three days prior to the album’s official release date. At first listen, the song wasn’t my favorite and sounded like any other radio song. However, after many more listens I began to find the upbeat pace on the song endearing. It’s a fun anthem-type song that would sound great live.

The album then takes a sadder tone with the song “Best Years”. This song will pull at your heart strings like no other, battling 5sos’ previous tear jerker “Ghost of You”. Reflecting on both the darker and happier parts of a relationship, the song gives you an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia for a relationship you may never have even had. It’s one of those songs you’d hear play at someone’s wedding, and rightly so. The harmonies between Luke Hemmings and Michael Clifford in the chorus give the song such a loving feel that’s hard to ignore. Overall, I’d definitely consider this song to be almost a love note of sorts.

Completely taking a full 180, the songs “Not in the Same Way” will have you dancing around your room. Lyrics such as “I love you, you love me / but not in the same way” tug at your heartstrings, however, it’s hard to ignore the vivacious tone of the song. It displays how chaotic relationships can truly be, putting the ugliest parts of a relationship on a silver platter for all to see. This song is followed by “Lover of Mine”, which takes a less fast paced tone. Filled with poetic, self-reflecting lyrics, the song itself definitely feels like a follow up to “Not in the Same Way”. It seems as though the character in the song has finally realized his/her faults and mistakes in the relationship, and is ready to make amends to make this relationship work. 

Following the sad song happy song pattern that’s occurred since track seven, an upbeat song called “Thin White Lies” takes the spot as track number nine. With a groovy chorus and brutally honest lyrics, this song is what the kids would call a “banger”. Its impactful bridge especially stood out to me, with lyrics such as “I don't think I like me anymore / Can someone tell me who I was before?” that show the truth behind what getting too invested in a toxic relationship can do to you. Next is once again a slower paced track called “Lonely Heart”. At first, it makes listeners believe it’s just a simple acoustic song with soft vocals. But the first verse slowly builds up into a chorus that smacks you in the face. Harmonies between all the members make the chorus itself sound larger than life. My favorite part of this song is the harmony in the second verse between band members Luke Hemmings and Calum Hood, which gives off this soft yet powerful tone.

Lastly, the record finishes off with my personal favorite song “High”. It’s a song filled with hope of change and self discovery. Lyrics such as “I need to stop letting me down” show how the character portrayed throughout this album has finally realized that they deserve better, and now are beginning to find themselves. Witty lyrics in this song such as “I hope you think of me high / I hope you think of me highly” also stuck out to me. I feel as though this is the perfect way to end the album, and completes it on a high (get it? because the song is titled “High”) note. 

This album portrays the rollercoaster that is modern day relationships, giving honest outlooks on the high highs and low lows that come with any relationship. CALM showcases both the personal and musical growth 5sos has had over the course of their careers, and the maturity in this record is clear for all to see. 5 Seconds of Summer has coined itself as a band that constantly experiments with new sounds, and this record is proof of that.