Nandi Gugulethu Writes

Hey 🤪

I’m Nandi Gugulethu ❤️ (Nandi for short)

An unintentionally unserious girl who’s currently juggling uni and who daydreams of becoming a best selling author 🙂‍↕️ I originally made this blog to post my writing more AND to motivate me to write. (It’s on and off but at least I’m trying 😭)

what you’ll find here:

- (hopefully more) snippets of my WIPs (when I should be studying)

- reblogs of useful writing resources (and too many relatable memes)

- some rambles about literally anything

And just general proof that student life + writing life = chaos but we’re gonna make it work!

I write mostly dark romance books and dark fantasy books but honestly my brain hops everywhere so it’s sort of a mixed bag

672 qualified entries in round three. 300 made the list.

this was my first completed piece in this genre, the first time i finished something and put it in front of strangers who had no reason to be kind. so this one’s just for the record: it worked.

The familiar ache I have for you.

And the same wetness down my cheeks.

But it’s want

Want for something I don’t know will ever exist

Want for someone who’s too in my chest to become a stranger

maybe it’s want for something I hope would happen but I’m too scared to find out in case it goes bad again

So I’ll sit with this ache

okay so here are my completely unprofessional first impressions after listening through the album.

first of all: this is NOT the album i expected.

if you went in expecting another Fine Line moment or another soft-rock album like HS1 you might be confused for a second because this project is very experimental. it leans a lot more alternative and playful and at times it almost feels like he’s just exploring whatever sound he wanted without worrying about what people expected.

and honestly? i respect that so much.

some songs immediately stood out to me.

“Paint By Numbers” is genuinely beautiful. the imagery in that song is insane in the best way and it gave me the same emotional feeling that Matilda gave me the first time i heard it. it feels delicate but intentional.

“Coming Up Roses”??? okay bridgerton soundtrack energy. it’s gorgeous.

then there are the really fun songs like “Pop” and “Dance No More.” they reminded me a little of the joy and silliness of Treat People With Kindness. very light, very playful, very “don’t take this too seriously just have fun.”

some songs didn’t hit as hard for me personally (American Girls for example) but i also feel like this is the kind of album that’s going to grow on people over time.

also i need to talk about the ending.

“Carla’s Song” being the closer felt really intentional. usually harry ends albums on something emotional or bittersweet (Fine Line, Love of My Life etc.) but this one felt more hopeful? like things get better instead of ending in sadness.

and i actually loved that choice.

so overall:

artistically → 8/10

for my personal taste → 7/10

not my usual sound but i appreciate the risk he took with this one.