My Musical Endeavors

How Billie Eilish Redefined Modern Pop Culture

In a world where pop stars are expected to shimmer with perfection, Billie Eilish has made an enormous empire out of being unapologetically herself. With her hauntingly intimate vocals, oversized streetwear, and an aesthetic that blends the eerie with the authentic, Eilish is much more than a chart-topping musician—she’s more of a cultural phenomenon. Her approach to mental health struggles to her genre-defying music, Billie Eilish represents a new wave of pop stardom that resonates deeply with a generation that is so hungry for something real and authentic.

This is how she’s reshaping the cultural landscape, one whispery note and bold fashion choice at a time.

Billie Eilish: A Glimpse into the mildly twisted minds of Gen Z - Collider Lab

From Bedroom Beats to Worldwide Icon

Billie Eilish’s story is one for the modern age. Raised in a creative family in Los Angeles, Billie and her brother, Finneas, turned their bedroom into a makeshift studio. Her breakout hit, “Ocean Eyes,” started as a school project and ended as the song that took the world by storm. What made her rise so remarkable wasn’t just her raw talent—it was how unpolished and relatable she felt.

Unlike the larger-than-life personas of traditional pop stars, Eilish seemed like someone fans could truly connect with. She wasn’t the queen of the spotlight; she was the moody teenager singing about heartbreak, fear, and existential dread, and she made feeling deeply seem cool and almost normal.

Soundtracks for a Generation

Eilish’s music doesn’t fit neatly into a genre, and that’s precisely why it resonates. With her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie brought something entirely new to the listening world. Songs like “bad guy” were playful yet edgy, while tracks like “bury a friend” explored darker, more haunting themes.

Her sound was a minimalist blend of electronic beats, whisper-like vocals, and poignant lyrics that felt personal, like a friend confiding in you during a late-night conversation. Gen Z is a generation clouded by digital noise and emotional complexity, so this kind of musical and lyrical intimacy that Elilish offered to her fans and listeners was something people could not turn away from.

Billie’s music isn’t just for listening; it’s for feeling. Her songs tackle anxiety, depression, and self-doubt—emotions that often go unspoken in pop music but are deeply familiar to her audience.

Breaking the Silence on Mental Health

Speaking of emotions, Billie Eilish doesn’t shy away from the heavy stuff. She’s not just singing about mental health, she’s living it. Tracks like “everything i wanted” and “idontwannabeyouanymore” give voice to struggles that many face but are often afraid to express.

In interviews, Billie has been transparent about her battles with anxiety, depression, and body image. She’s spoken about the pressures of fame and the darker side of social media, making her not just a star but a symbol of vulnerability and resilience.

For a generation labeled as “the anxious generation,” Billie is a breath of fresh air. She’s not trying to sell perfection. Instead, she’s normalizing imperfection, making her fans feel seen and understood.

Billie Eilish Opens Up About Her Mental Health: 'I'm a Depressed Person'

Fashion That Speaks Volumes

Billie’s influence doesn’t stop at music. Her fashion choices have sparked a cultural conversation of their own. Rejecting the hypersexualized standards imposed on young female artists, Billie’s signature oversized clothing is as much a statement as it is a style.

“I never want the world to know everything about me,” she once said in a Calvin Klein campaign. “Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.” Her fashion acts as both armor and rebellion—a way of protecting herself while challenging the status quo.

Billie Eilish Speaks Her Truth for Calvin Klein's #MyTruth Campaign | Billboard

And her fans are listening. Billie’s bold, baggy outfits have inspired countless others to embrace self-expression over societal expectations. Whether she’s rocking neon green roots or custom Gucci tracksuits, her style is a reminder that confidence isn’t about conforming—it’s about owning who you are.

Billie Eilish's Fashion Evolution: Embracing Individuality and Defying Stereotypes

Redefining What It Means to Be a Pop Star

Billie Eilish is not your typical pop star, and that’s her power. She doesn’t chase the spotlight or pander to industry expectations. Instead, she creates art that feels deeply personal and refreshingly real.

Her music videos are surreal and boundary-pushing, filled with spiders crawling across her face or tears made of black ink. They’re not designed for mass appeal, but they mean to tell a story, which is reflected through her artistic vision.

Even her public persona is a departure from the norm. Billie is candid, funny, and unfiltered in interviews, often poking fun at herself and her fame. She’s a stark contrast to the carefully curated, untouchable pop stars of the past, and fans love her for it.

More Than Music

Billie’s impact goes far beyond her Spotify streams. She’s a vocal advocate for mental health, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Whether she’s performing at a climate change benefit or speaking out against injustices, Billie uses her platform to make a difference.

Her sophomore album, Happier Than Ever, showed even more of her depth. The title track is a powerful anthem about toxic relationships and self-worth, proving that Billie’s evolution as an artist is just beginning.

The Legacy of Billie Eilish

At just 22 years old, Billie Eilish has already left a lasting mark on pop culture. She’s shown that you don’t have to fit into a mold to be successful. You don’t have to shout to be heard. And you don’t have to fake perfection to inspire millions.

For Gen Z, Billie is more than a musician, she’s a movement. She’s proof that being authentic, vulnerable, and different isn’t just okay, it’s revolutionary.

How Four Musicians from Liverpool Changed Music – The Beatles

In the world of music, some are icons, and then some are quite literally legends. The Beatles — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr— are the legends I am referencing, by the way. These four men from Liverpool, were able to transform rock music, break several records, and capture the hearts of millions and billions. Their story is more than just one that seems to be extremely successful, it’s about a cultural revolution that began with catchy pop songs here and there, and ended with innovative albums that changed the course of popular music of that era (and even now, to be honest). Let us all dive into the amazing story of The Beatles, and how they very much shook the world as they stepped forward.  

From Liverpool to Legends: The Backstory

This story starts in the 1950s, in the city of Liverpool. John Lennon, a “Cheeky and rebellious teenager,” was leading in a skiffle band that was called “The Quarrymen.” Lennon soon met Paul McCartney, who was a talented musician with a knack for music and melody. Soon after, the two of them formed an instant bone through their shared love for American rock and roll. Not much long after, Paul introduced George Harrsion, who was a gifted guitarist and had a very quiet demeanor that kind of masked his amazing talent.

However, it wasn’t until Ringo Starr joined the band as their drummer in 1962 that the classic lineup for The Beatles was complete. Ringo’s unique drumming style added a new kind of energy to the group, which solidified their sound and vibe. After playing in countless gigs in Liverpool’s Cavern Club and grinding through several (grueling) performances, The Beatles developed an electrifying live show that was unlike anything anyone had heard before. 

Their manager, Brain Epstein, saw the band’s potential and helped polish their rough edges. Epstein’s business acumen and George Martin’s visionary production abilities helped The Beatles land a record deal with EMI’s Parlophone label. Their first single was “Love Me Do,” which was a modest hit, but it was just a taste of what was in store for them. 

The Birth of Beatlemania

By 1963, The Beatles exploded onto the UK music scene with songs like “Please Please Me” and “She Loves You.” These catchy beats, hooks, and harmonies, and boy-next-door charm drove the people wild and that’s how the phenomenon “Beatlemania” took over. Screaming fans packed venues and mobbed that band wherever they went.

Finally, in February of 1964, The Beatles arrived in the United States for the first time everrrr. Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show was one of their most defining moments and also one of the most defining moments in music history. Over 73 million viewers tuned in and America fell in love with The Beatles. The “British Invasion” officially began and suddenly, it was cool to be a mop-topped musician from England. 

The Beatles’s Sound: Constantly Evolving

If you only know The Beatles from their early hits, like “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Twist and Shout,” you might think of them as just another 1960s pop band. But as their fame grew, so did their ambition. By 1965, albums like “Help!” and “Rubber Soul” showed a different side of The Beatles. They began experimenting with new sounds, lyrical themes, and instruments.

Take “Norwegian Wood,” for example. It was one of the first mainstream songs to feature a sitar, which is an Indian instrument that George Harrision had become fascinated with. This was just the beginning of their creative journey. With “Revolver” (1966), the band dived even more into uncharted territory by blending rock, psychedelia, and avant-garde elements. 

Songs like “Tomorrow Never Knows” uses groundbreaking studio effects and “Elanor Rigby” told an almost haunting story backed up by a classical string quartet. The Beatles were no longer just a band–they were becoming musical pioneers.

Sgt. Pepper and the Summer of Love

In 1967, The Beatles released “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” an album that’s often recognized as one of the greatests of all time. It was a bold experiment and a concept album that took listeners on a psychedelic journey through different musical styles and themes. From the whimsical sounding “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” to the epic “A Day in the Life,” the album pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be.

“Sgt. Pepper’s” wasn’t just an album, it was a cultural landmark. It became the soundtrack to the “Summer of Love,” a moment when young people across the world embraced peace, love, and countercultural ideals and The Beatles were at the center of it all. They were seen as spokespeople for a generation that was looking for a change. 

The Breakup: All Things Must Pass

As The 1960s came to a close, cracks began to appear in the band's perfect image. The pressures of fame, creative differences, and personal conflicts started to strain their relationships. By 1969, the writing was on the wall. Their final albums, “The White Album,” “Abbey Road,” and “Let it Be,” are masterpieces that capture the band's raw talent and complex dynamics, but they also hinted at the end.

Their unfortunate split was official in 1970, shattering the hearts of fans around the world. But even though The Beatles were no longer together, their music continued to live on. 

Why the Beatles Still Matter Today

So, why do The Beatles still matter, even today? It’s not just because they wrote catchy songs (maybe it is a little bit), but it’s because they transformed what it meant to be a band. They set the standard for creativity in the studio, introduced new sounds and ideas into mainstream music, and influenced countless artists who followed. 

Their lyrics touched on everything from love and heartbreak to social issues and self-reflection. The Beatles weren’t afraid of evolving and that’s what makes their music timeless. Whether it’s the joyful innocence of “Here Comes the Sun” or the introspective melancholy of “Let It Be,” their songs have a way of connecting with all kinds of people. 

The Legacy of The Fab Four

More than five decades after their breakup, The Beatles remain one of the most beloved bands in the world. They’ve sold over 600 million albus, won several awards, and hold a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their music continues to be discovered by new generations, showing us that their appeal is truly never ending.

What’s amazing about The Beatles is that they still feel fresh and relevant. Whether you’re dancing to “Twist and Shout” at a wedding, singing along to “Hey Jude” at a concert, or analyzing the layers of  “A Day in the Life,” their music is a part of our shared cultural fabric. 

In a way, The Beatles are more than just a band. They’re a phenomenon and a symbol of a time when music had the power to change the world. And as long as there are people who love music and love infinite versatility, The Beatles will continue to inspire, captivate, and bring joy.

A couple of weekends ago, my family came over for my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary from all areas of the world. My uncle and his family came over to stay for a week at my house. None of his kids are my age, so I had to sit with the adults (ugh). It was then I realized that my uncle was one of the most talented musicians I had a close connection to. Not because of his fame, but because of his story about his journey with music throughout his life. 

My uncle, Anirudh (we call him uncle Ani for short), is what I’d like to call a distinguished Carnatic musician, veena player, and a dedicated teacher. While talking to him, it was clear that his path to mastery hadn’t been straightforward. Now in his early 40s, uncle Ani has achieved incredible success in Carnatic music, performing and teaching with a rare combination of both technical skill and soulful expression. Yet, his musical journey did not start off as smooth as it seems to be now. 

“Yeah, so my brother…this dude was the smartest in his class. Destined to become something amazing academically. My dad used to say ‘Ani, look at him, straight 100 marks on all his exams.’ Me? I was just in my own world,” uncle Ani said, gesturing to his head as if he were insane and reflecting with a soft smile. However, uncle Ani’s heart was captivated by the sounds of Carnatic music. “There was a man next door I could see through my window, who used to be a showman. He danced Bharatanatyam I think. I loved listening to the music he danced to. I also wanted to make that same music.” He says, his eyes lighting up. “The only person who saw my love for music was my grandmother. She used to be a dancer as well when she was younger. She encouraged me to follow it by taking me to my first music teacher down the street.”

It was his grandmother’s encouragement alone that led uncle Ani to formally study Carnatic music as a child. “My parents became used to my loud hollering when I first started.” He laughed. “Actually, pursuing music was a game changer for me in terms of all life aspects. It increased my attention span, which helped me also put more focus into my studies. I was also acing my classes like my brother now.” He laughed. His early days of training were intense, but he relished every moment. “Carantic music is so intricate, and flows so well,” he says, gestruring expressively as he talks. “There’s harmoney within the ragas (patters of notes) and thaalas (beats) that is incredibly captivating.” Over the years, he developed a deep connection with his music, mastering the ragas and thaalas to a degree of a seasoned artist. 

Unlce Ani’s journey has not only taken him to performance stages worldwide but has also brought him countless awards and accolades. 

Now, as a father, uncle Ani has found a new joy in teaching music to his own children. He wants them to see music as a bridge to their Indian heritage. "Music is more than sound," he says passionately. "It’s a connection to who we are, to our culture and our history. I  teach my children stories through music." 

Music, while also being there to entertain and please anyone and everyone, is also an important reflection of the state of the world it is currently being made in. A lot of the time, music reflects the artist, their experiences in the time they exist in. I recently was talking to my uncle who’s from the UK, and he decided to give me an unsolicited lecture about the history of the UK and its politics and economy and blah blah blah (I care about these things, I just could not pay attention to my uncle talk about it). Anyways, in his long lecture, he made me look up facts about the UK 's history, which pushed me into looking at the pop culture scenes in the early or late 1970s in the UK.

I came across the UK punk scene of the 1970s, which I found was a groundbreaking cultural movement that rebelled against social norms, challenged traditional music standards, and overall left a big impact on global music. At a time when England was mired in economic decline, with unemployment rates soaring and widespread disillusionment with the government, punk music music became the raw, urgent voice of a frustrated generation. This was music that stripped things back, going for fast, gritty sounds, angry lyrics, and a total rejection of everything “normal.”

Of course, punk wasn’t just about the music. The fashion was just as iconic: leather jackets, studded accessories, ripped jeans, mohawks—the look itself became a symbol of rebellion and independence. Punk was all about the DIY approach, too. Many bands self-produced their records, booking their own shows and steering clear of the mainstream music industry. This DIY spirit led to the creation of indie labels like Stiff Records, which would become essential in promoting and distributing punk music.

Recently, I got back into the old time-y songs and it’s so crazy because of how experimental their music was back then. I feel like no one does it like songs back in the early 80s or 90s do it. Hot take: music these days lowkey feels the same to me. That’s besides the point, but I was taking a walk on the throwback road and I got myself into the Beatles’s old music. I was shuffling through the playlist and I came across John Lennon’s song, “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy).” In general, I love the musical versatility that The Beatles brought to the stadium in the 80s. Their whole discography features indie instruments such as the harmonica, piano, violin, trumpet, drums, etc. I wanted to specifically talk about how those instruments brought such a meaningful and calming idea of a song to life.  

The origins of the song is written by John Lennon as an emotional track about fatherhood. John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s relationship was booming. When Lennon and Ono got together, they had a kid, Sean Ono Lennon, whom John decided to write this song for, to show his love. This song arrived on John Lennon’s last solo album before he died. The album was called Double Fantasy, which was released in 1980. The Story Behind The Song: How John Lennon created ‘Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)’

Let’s discuss the practicals. First, I want to talk about the instrumentation and orchestration of the whole piece in general. The song features a minimalistic arrangement, with a big focus on acoustic guitar, electric piano, and subtle (but definitely there) percussion elements. The instrumentation is what I’d like to describe as clean, avoiding excess background sounds, which serves to emphasize the vocals of John Lennon. The acoustic guitar plays a soft, lifting rhythm, which creates a dreamy and sort of a lullaby-like vibe. The use of a calypso-style rhythm and syncopated off-beats creates a sweet and gentle sway to the song, giving it the vibe of the feeling you’d get if you were enjoying the sun in a warm, tropical place. The electric piano and bell-like tone creates the harmonic texture. It serves to add a layer of warmth and nostalgia, while also being able to remain lowkey enough to not deviate from Lennon’s vocals. The percussion is light and delicate and sparing. The light congas pulse with the rhythm, which creates the song’s gentle flow, without overpowering the main vocals at the same time.

As for the production techniques, Lennon’s voice was mixed upfront and created a sense of intimacy. There is very little reverb, which helps make the song feel so personal, almost like Lennon was singing directly to Sean. The production choices in the song prioritize the sense of emotional closeness, which contrasts with the more… I don’t know how else to put it besides a psychedelic type of vibe the production of the song gave it. This dry, close-miked vocals stands in contrast to the more ambient guitar and keys, which gives the track an intimate feeling even while its aural palette feels full with different and diverse musical instruments. One feature I noticed to be an important part of the production is the use of stereo space. The instruments are gently brought in, which gives each element that’s introduced a defined space within the mix of everything else. When I listen to this, I’m able to focus on the lyrics, but I also feel like I’m being surrounded by the warmth of the instruments. The stereo separation is subtle, but I feel like it makes the vibes of the song very emotional and dreamlike. 

This is my review of this beautiful masterpiece of the song by John Lennon. If you haven't, I encourage you to dabble in The Beatles and their music. 

I’ve liked the song I talked about in this, and some of the songs that I also loveeeeee. 

Beautiful Boy

Here Comes the Sun

Yesterday

Hey Jude

That’s it for now, until next time. Have fun and listen to more music. Peace. 

One of my favorite things I did when I had nothing in particular going on was to go on night drives with my friends. A quick text on the group chat: “Who’s free rn to drive?” and the floods of texts would pop up

“Yes.”

“Downn.”

“Pick me up.”

I’d go get them and we’d go on various routes round our town; sometimes we’d drive over 30 minutes away from where we lived doing nothing but roll down the windows and listen to music as we made our way on the highways and the backroads. I highly recommend doing this as a form of therapy if you can. I also highly recommend listening to the songs I’ve put together for you to listen to or blast when you’re on your drive.

The Color Violet - Tory Lanez

This song meshes 80’s synth-pop and is meshed with modern-day R&B, which creates a very fresh, but nostalgic vibe. The song is upbeat, but almost complexed by an emotional aspect to the way the lyrics and music twist this tune. 

Location - Playboi Carti

I have to say that Playboi Carti’s entire debut album is such a great album to listen to on a nightdrive, but if I were to lock in on one single song, it would have to be this one. The melodious music with saxophone and calm drums creates an aesthetic rap feeling. The lyrics are not the main attraction of this song– or album in general– it’s more of the relaxed music in the background that creates a confident and nonchalant aesthetic to his songs. I would definitely listen to this song on full volume with my windows down and enjoy the music. 

Everyday - Ariana Grande

This song is kind of different from the other songs in the list because it doesn’t have the mystery and night time aspect that the other ones do. However, if you feel like screaming to Ariana and Future, this song is for you. Ariana Grande meshes R&B and pop into this song with amazing and loud vocals. Future comes in clutch with his great musical chemistry with Ariana’s lyrics. It’s something I listen to when I’m in a slump and kind of need to get a dance out. I highly recommend it. 

I Smoked Away my Brain - A$AP Rocky, Imogen Heap, Clams Casino

This song is one of the most ethereal songs I have heard in a long time. A$AP Rocky has been one of my favorite artists for a good amount of time, but a lot of his music I listen to in the background because I find it to be very calm and relaxed, but thins song, while being calm and relaxed, has a great sample from the song I’m God by Clams Casino which is a very mystical sound, kind of meshes with the nighttime. It’s very mysterious, but also sounds very free. A$AP Rocky originally released his song Demons, which covers the lyrical parts of this song, but some musical genius on the internet edited these two songs together, making it catch instant fame for a very good reason. This song sounds very magical and it's definitely something to elevate your night time drive experience. 

The Way Life Goes - Lil Uzi Vert, Oh Wonder

This song is one of my particular favorites by Lil Uzi Vert because of his melodic approach by featuring Oh Wonder’s song, Landslide. This made his music and lyrics sound more nostalgic, something I assume I’d listen to with the windows down when I’m reminiscing my past mistakes but knowing that time is the ultimate healer. I really appreciated Lil Uzi Vert’s versatility in taking up a kind of melodic approach to rap, which I feel like really makes listening to it feel more vibrant and different. This song makes me feel hopeful of the future and it hits even harder when I’m blasting this and singing it with my best friends.

Taylor Swift created the Eras Tour in a celebration of her musical journey, which showcases all of her albums, which represents a specific “era” of her career. The tour was originally announced in 2022. The tour features her transition from country to pop, and then to indie-folk.

If I want to talk about memorable experiences, I will always go back to the Eras tour. May 27th, 2023. The process all began back in October when we all gathered around a lunch table, after school eagerly waiting for nearly four hours in line to secure the seats. The rush of quickly picking the seats that were available and the pause of our breath to see if the ticket made it to the cart is another type of adrenaline rush I can’t explain. “SUCCESS!” The screen showed us, confetti falling from the top of the screen. We turned to one another, faces red with pure excitement, got up and hugged each other, squealing as we jumped around in circles.

We arrived at the venue at MetLife Stadium, trying to move through the crowds of people, holding hands in a train formation, as we got to our seats. After everyone was settled in, bathroom breaks and all, the opening acts were Phoebe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams. At that time, I was not an avid listener, in fact, I think I started getting into both Phoebe and Gracie after this concert (crazy). Phoebe played one of her most popular songs, Motion Sickness and Scott Street, which I remember the most vividly because those were the songs I heard to convince myself to listen to more of her music. Gracie Abrams played I Know It Won’t Work as one of her songs, which I recognized as one of her typical mainstream songs (it’s popular for a reason). 

Then the main act, Taylor, obviously came out starting off with her song Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, rising up through the stage. The crowd went wild, it was roaring, I was definitely singing my heart out (sorry for those who heard me). We were given glow up bracelets, which were glowing with every song and every beat. Taylor finished the set for the first era, Lover.

Cruel Summer

The Man

You Need to Calm Down

Lover 

The Archer (I teared up)

Right after this set, we got Fearless with the songs:

Fearless

You Belong With Me

Love Story

What a nostalgic throwback.

Then it was Evermore with:

‘Tis the Damn Season

Willow

Marjorie

Champagne Problems

Tolerate it

My friends and I were either screaming or in tears (my friend got her toe stomped on during Tolerate it). 

Then, the concert went from a complete twist of slow and romantic music to hype upbeat music for her Reputation album. The stage went black and before Taylor came back onto it, a big green snake was projected on the floor of the stage where it slithered eerily. The song that next played was …Ready for it? What a great way to open up the set! The songs played for this era were

Delicate

Don’t Blame Me

Look What You Made Me Do

Fun fact, Reputation was the theme for my outfit!

Taylor then made her way to perform for Speak Now, but we only got one song, so I kind of felt robbed. She could’ve done so much with this part. We got:

Enchanted

That was it.

Red came along, my friends went wild. Two of them dressed in the Red theme. Personally, this one is one of my favorites and one of my first listens to an album of hers. She played:

Red

22

We Are Never Getting Back Together

I Knew You Were Trouble

Nothing New (WITH PHOEBE BRIDGERS!!!!)

All Too Well (10 minute version)

We got Folklore with a change in scenery; the ivy house and her flowy earthy toned dresses.

Seven

The 1

Betty

The last great american dynasty

August (my favorite)

Illicit affairs

My tears ricochet (scratch that, this on might be my number 1)

Cardigan

She made her way to 1989 with:

Style

Blank Space

Shake It Off

Wildest Dreams

Bad Blood

I really loved how she made switches from sadder and slower songs to her upbeat and fun pop songs, it really helped the audience from staying bored– at least for me. 

Finally, I need to discuss the surprise songs because in the car, it was a bit of a funny story. My friends and I were discussing our predictions for the surprise songs. One of my friends said if Taylor played False God during the concert, she would text her crush and tell him she liked him. Keep this in mind.

We got

FALSE GOD

Holy Ground

She ended up texting her crush; now they’re dating (Yay)! Holy Ground is slept on by so many people. I think it needed to get the love that it got that day. I love Taylor's acoustic voice and her acoustic guitar. It really changes the vibe of the song entirely and makes you understand it from a new level of depth.

Right after the surprise songs, Taylor made her way to the final set-list of the night– Midnights. The songs were:

Lavender Haze

Anti-Hero

Midnight Rain

Vigilante Shit

Bejeweled 

* Bejeweled Dance– if you know, you know.

Mastermind 

Karma (WITH ICE SPICE)

*The iconic album cover

Frank Ocean, known for his musical versatility and the depth of his lyrics, released one of the most listened to albums, Blonde, in 2016. This nearly 10 year old album that focuses on themes of love, self-discovery, identity, and heartbreak. Frank Ocean creatively experiments with soul, pop, indie rock, and R&B music. In the songs, you would find that the instrumentals in this album seem very minimal and sound very atmospheric, different from typical song structures due to the incorporation of layering vocals, new and unfamiliar beats, and a lot of ambient sounds. As said by Ryan Dobal, “Its spareness suggests a person in a small apartment with only a keyboard and a guitar and thoughts for company.” Frank Ocean: Blonde / Endless Album Review | Pitchfork. Just because of the minimalist music does not mean the lyrics are minimal, in a complete opposite manner, each song is soulful and every lyric is written with an intent, where Frank shares aspects of his own life. The meaningful lyrics and the softness of Frank’s voice add to the depth and vulnerability of the album. In many cases, people see this album as a sad album and something to cry to, which it is, but if you look (listen) closely, you can tell each song on this album tells a story. Frank sings about feelings of loneliness and allows people who are struggling with feelings seen, to connect with him, as said by Bailey Shehan in Review: Frank Ocean's 'Blonde'

Blonde has no skips, each song special in its own way. However, I’ll be covering my analysis on my top five songs of the album, which I feel reflect the main themes that Frank Ocean is trying to portray throughout the album.

The opener of the album is a slow, ambient track, with Frank’s voice pitched up at first and then throughout the song switches over to his original voice. Nike is written almost as a critique of consumer culture, the first lyrics starting off with “These bitches want Nikes,” implying poeples’ obsession with materialistic values and material items. This song essentially is written as a metaphor for people’s need for a superficial symbol for status. This song deals with Frank's struggles with conformity to shallow pleasures in life and his search for authenticity.

The second track, Ivy, has a hint of nostalgia due to the soft strumming and riff of a guitar, contrasting with the lyrics and depth of the lyrics. This song is a reflection of a past relationship that did not end up working out. The lyrics are tender and bittersweet due to Frank expressing his regret for letting the relationship fall apart. His lyrics “We’ll never be those kids again,” reflect his feelings of innocence and memories during the relationship that have been lost or have a negative connotation now. At times Frank’s voice becomes scratchy and distorted/loud and sometimes it becomes soft, which emphasizes his feelings of guilt and regret and his feelings of anger toward the relationship. 

Pink+White has a lush and an “earthy” background, making the song sound like being at peace. The song’s themes revolve around acceptance of the nature of life with the lyrics “That’s the way everyday goes, every time we’ve no control,” shows Frank’s acceptance of the unpredictability of life. Frank reflects on how memories help shape our future and present and how the passage of time is inevitable and we all will eventually pass through innocence to maturity and the importance of accepting both milestones of our lives. 

Solo deals with the feelings of loneliness and the different aspects of being alone. One form of loneliness is talked about being single and the isolation one might feel when in this point of life. However, on the opposite end, the lyrics hint at the bliss of self-reflection and patience, “It’s hell on Earth and the city’s on fire, inhale, inhale, that’s heaven.”

Siegfried is one of the most introspective tracks on this album. This song deals with concepts of existential questions and the struggle with identity in Frank’s point of view. It’s clear that in this song faith, identity, and the fear of being like everyone else come into play. “I’d rather live outside,” shows Frank’s wanting to reject social norms and expectations.

Usually, I would have something to critique about an album, but I’d say this album was genuinely one of the most calming, refreshing, and inspirational albums that I have heard in a long time. Frank Ocean’s musical versatility had me stunned from the moment I heard this album for the first time. It has lessons that can be used by everyone and almost feels like a safe space whenever I listen to it. I believe that through this album, Frank was also able to give acceptance to the inconsistencies of life because that’s what makes it so beautiful. I look forward to Frank’s future (hopefully) musical endeavors. Take a listen and let me know what you think!

****LISTEN TO THE FULL BLONDE ALBUM*****

The name Taylor Swift is a common household name in the music industry. Known for her breathtaking lyrics and music, she takes the top spots in every single album and music list. Her marketing for her music is thought provoking and keeps her fans guessing and looking for more. Recently, she released her latest album, The Tortured Poet’s Department, which has stunned her audience because of Taylor Swift’s different artistic approach. In some ways I would say I really enjoyed this piece and in others, I would think it to be lacking. 

First off, the lyrics in this album are genuinely out of this world and kind of all over the place. This album was written right after Taylor’s semi-public split with her long term boyfriend, Joe Alwyn and her spontaneous and uncalled for relationship with the football star, Travis Kelce. The songs reflect this fast change of relationship status with both breakup songs and songs about a new and fresh romance. The lyrics about the brekaup are gut-wrenching and depressing (I wonder how people currently in a breakup are dealing with these lyrics) and her songs about a new forming relationship feel silly and child-like (So High School). I can understand that the emotions that may go into breaking up a relationship of six years to be messy and all over the place, and that's exactly how the lyrics and songs in this two hour album were presented: messy and all over the place, a whiplash, as mentioned in Review: “The Tortured Poets Department” A place for the broken, the broken-hearted and everyone else, too . That being said, I still love listening to her songs and I love trying to decode them for their true meaning like a puzzle. This album requires a lot of background knowledge and an in-depth understanding of metaphors. If you’re not too keen on that kind of stuff, maybe grab a friend in the English major, or this album just won’t be your cup of tea. In my opinion, this album doesn’t live up to the lyrisism or fun of (in my opinion) her albums 1989 or Folklore, where she took pop to another level and her creativity of lyrics to another level. 

Adding onto the talk about my favorite albums, 1989 and Folklore, the musical production of those albums were different from each other, 1989 being pop and Folklore being indie and full of acoustic instruments. This relates to my talk of TTPD because I have been noticing that Jack Antanoff, being the great music producer he is, makes a lot of the instrumentals in Taylor’s recent music to sound the same as her other recent albums and songs. I’ve noticed this in her album, Midnights and in the rerecording of her old albums and her songs from the Vault. Something I’d like to call “Jack Antonifying the music,” because everytime I hear his song I can tell he produced it. It kind of becomes boring and repetitive after a while and this album was FULL of it. Every song sounded the same, just with the lyrics rearranged, to put it shallowly. Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poet’s Department Review. TTPD is a weird mix of indie pop and a weird mix of Midnights and Folklore/Evermore in the sense that there was nothing different or diverse in the collection of songs in this album compared to her others. 

I’m kind of stuck when I’m trying to talk about my opinions on this album because I’ll still enjoy the songs, but this album is not the first I’d go to when I’m trying to listen to Taylor’s songs. This isn’t her best album, but it’s also not her worst. The best way I can put it into words is Meh. I’ve been an avid listener to her music since, well, forever, and I’ve been an avid listener because of her ability to diversify her music and lyrics. In this album the lyrics were an outpour of her uncensored thoughts and ideas which is what kept me listening and wanting to keep decoding them. My top 5 favorite songs, would be:

Clara Bow

Fortnight

The Alchemy

Guilty as Sin?

Imgonnagetyouback

While this album was not my cup of tea, I’ll still always look forward to her new songs and albums. Now it's your turn to listen and let me know what you think!