Rocky strutting to the music - new video up today. Just something fun to finish out the year.

See the full version with music here!

Round 1, Match 100 — Electro Swing vs. Hygge

Electro Swing is an electronic dance music genre and associated visual aesthetic that fuses the influence of vintage or modern swing and jazz with house and hip-hop. Successful iterations of the genre create a sound focused on the modern dance floor while retaining the energetic excitement of early swing recordings. While its musical origins date back to early 1990s experiments in Europe and the United States, it reached widespread digital popularity in the late 2000s and 2010s. Aesthetically, Electro Swing centers on an atmosphere of positivity and joy, often romanticizing the 1920s through the 1950s by adding a modern touch to the "old-fashioned" vibe. The community often highlights that swing music is a form of jazz deeply rooted in Black culture. The aesthetic is considered incomplete without its musical element, because the tracks also carry the same uplifting aesthetic. The visual aesthetic of Electro Swing is characterized by a 2010s internet-based interpretation of the 1920s, characterized as "anachronism stew". It frequently features speakeasies and flapper girls coexisting with robots and neon highlights. A major pillar of the aesthetic is the "Rubber Hose" animation revival popularized in the 2010s by titles like Bendy and the Ink Machine and Cuphead. These visuals utilize heavy ink lines, grainy film overlays, and "bouncy" character movements synced to syncopated beats. Graphic design within the scene often incorporates flat vector art and anthropomorphic characters (such as pandas) in vintage attire. Typical settings include stylized old buildings, stages, and dance floors. Color palettes usually center on sepia, grayscale, or black and white, contrasted with electric blue or magenta neon accents.

vs.

Hygge is a word in Danish and Norwegian that describes a cozy, contented mood evoked by comfort and conviviality. Though the concept and its practices have essentially the same meaning in both languages, hygge is more deeply entrenched in Danish culture, where it is considered a central part of the national identity. The term, pronounced "hoo-gah," dates back to around 1800, with roots in an Old Norse word meaning "protected from the outside world." Hygge typically involves informal gatherings with family or close friends, often at home, sharing meals and drinks in a relaxed setting. It emphasizes unwinding and enjoying small joys. Even though hygge has been commercialized through products like blankets and candles, it remains fundamentally about social connection and comfort. Internationally, it is mostly associated with the winter and autumn, reflecting an energy of comfort and unwinding during these months. However, hygge is all year-round phenomenon. While hygge is primarily an emotional state, certain visual elements are often associated with it. These elements can enhance the experience but are not essential for achieving hygge. Warm and inviting lighting is often associated with hygge. Candles, lamps with soft white bulbs, and string lights can create a cozy atmosphere. Fireplaces are also considered a quintessential element of hygge, providing warmth and a natural gathering spot. Warm beverages, such as tea, hot chocolate, and coffee, are often associated with hygge, as are comfortable clothes and relaxing activities like reading. The concept of a "hyggekrog," a cozy nook or corner dedicated to relaxation, is also connected to the aesthetic. Natural colors and elements and spending time in nature are considered important aspects of hygge, evoking feelings of peace and connection to the natural world. Hygge first and foremost prioritizes a feeling of contentment and well-being, independent of any specific visual environment.

this came as the result of me attempting to create a version of this post with sound, and then getting really ambitious

😾

(original source of the batter/judge animation by @telosratoskr)

Let the bad guys have their small electro swing moment, ok??? "Villians" for @jjkrarepairfest !!