To whom it may concern,

We are writing to inform you that we (Sunny, Mina, and Riel) are terminally entrenched. This has been the case since the dawn of ‘02. We have so much to say and only so many places where it can all be said. 

We cordially invite you into the inner workings of our minds.

Signed,

Before I start, I will preface that I took two blinkers before starting this review cause I'm relatively young and lit. I listened to this album upon first release back in September 25th, and since it's now my most listened to album of 2025, I wanted to write about why that is the case for me. 

1. Grace 

As an opener to the album, Grace does its job very well. The vocals do most of the heavy lifting here, and it's all extremely well-done and pretty. Her technical prowess with her voice really shines, as with each lift of the instrumental, her voice soars alongside with it. In addition, the mixing of the vocals are done very well, and for a vocal forward opening track, this is pretty important. 

2. Ladida 

The pulsing drum beat in the production is so addictingly good and satisfying. It's an outstanding motif to be repeated throughout the song. The melody in this song fucking rocksss. And just like Grace, her ability to weave her technicality with her vocals into the fabric of this song is a testament to her creative vision. Partnered alongside each interesting piece of production is an equally delicious adlib. She raps for a bit to lead up to the bridge of the song and it's extremely well placed, not leaving room for the listener to pause on the dancing. 

3. Sum 

To contrast the hard-hitting, continuous, drum and bass influences in Ladida, Sum is softer in comparison. Make no mistake, this is still a dance track. This song sets the foundation for much of the house influences that will be present in much of the remaining song. The hook is insanely catchy, which makes the chorus incredibly danceable. The relatively simple rhyme scheme in the chorus adds to the danceability. This is what I imagine the DJ would play when the club is winding down to its last few songs. My critique is that the talking segment with the sample of the crowd chanting "one more song" is sudden, and that makes the change to that quite jarring in comparison to how the ending of this talking segment seamlessly transforms into the outro/final chorus. 

4. The Boy 

KAYTRANADA KNEW NOT TO PISS ME OFFFFFF. I have had a hate/love relationship with his work, especially his recent production. I found his song with Flo extremely boring, which really saddened me cause 1, I was excited for a new Flo track, and 2, I was really hoping the production this time around would change my opinion on his production, because I used to really fuck with it in the past. THIS SONG, however, is an amazing return to form. The soft, pulsing drums, mixed with Rochelle's breathy vocals, makes for a truly otherworldly experience. The repetition that Kaytranada usually uses in his production is actually apt this time, and the collaboration between these two really shine in the last minute of the song. Lyrically, this song has been really "hitting" for me as of recent, and so, just like when I first listened to this song, I still find this as one of my favourites from this current re-listening of the album. 

5. Doing It Too 

THIS. was a perfect single. I remember when she first teased it, I was anxiously waiting for an official release date with each passing day. The constant buildup throughout the verses, that explodes into house/pop perfection in the chorus is what makes this track so, soooo good. The chorus is the focal point and every other segment of the song is used to build and showcase the pulsing synths and drums in the chorus. Pop. Perfection. 

6. Never Enough 

This track has the misfortune of coming after The Boy and Doing It Too. When placed behind two songs that are so interesting sonically, this song falls a little flat. It is still very much danceable, and although most of it is forgettable, the switch to half-time(?) in the last 40 seconds of the song is the most fun part of the song for me, I like the tonal shift. Other than that though, a more subdued track. 

7. Words 2 Say 

This song is a slight callback to the dance/R&B that Rochelle uses in a lot of her earlier albums, like Play with the Changes and 1021, and this results in a production masterclass. Although the hook and chorus is just something that I do not fully adore, the little subtleties within each beat or synth pattern is really intriguing to focus on. Like all the tracks so far, the last parts of the song are the clear standouts in the track. Rochelle knows to build upon and peak at the final bits of the song, making for an experience that is never boring. 

8. Bite the Bait 

If Words 2 Say was a slight callback to her previous work, Bite The Bait is the complete and thorough callback to the electronic R&B that her and her peers like Kelela and FKA Twigs excel at. Complete with an addicting hook, the high hats and harmonies in the chorus recalls the atmospheric R&B that artists like Janet Jackson and Aaliyah frequently utilized in their albums. As with the rest of the album, the clear dance elements are present as well, resulting in a sound that is equal parts nostalgic, and futuristic. Lastly, I love she reminds the audience to not be afraid of taking up space at the final 5 seconds of the song. I needed that.. 

9. On 2 Something 

I don't care for this one. I find the hook relatively generic and although the production is done extremely well, I think the ideas are just not cohesive enough to result in a song that is satisfying to listen to. I wish the talk/chanting in the chorus was not there, and the drill influence is ... interesting. it reminds me of when IVE suddenly had elements of drill in Accendio,, what is a polar bear doing in Arlington Texas. 

10. TTW 

WE ARE BACK AT THE CLUBBBBB. In this song, the vocals that she has been so technically proficient at takes a backseat so that the production can fully shine, and SHINE IT DOES. The continuous pulsing of the beat results in at atmosphere that takes you back to 1am on a Friday night out. The light and airy lyrics sparsely littered throughout amongst the production encourages you to dance, and encourages you to lose yourself in your inhibitions, an art that has been frequently forgotten in a time where joy is under the constant threat of surveillance. 

11. Crave 

WE ARE STILL AT THE CLUB. I LOVE this chorus so much, I am obsessed with how the vocals are placed half a beat later than the beginning of the production for the chorus. It constructs a laidback, yet danceable approach to the house elements that have shone throughout this album. The "I need you, to touch it touch it touch it go", is such a phenomenal addition to the awesome chord progressions and drum patterns in the chorus. 

12. Get It Off 

Get it Off is my favourite off this album. The timbaland/the neptunes inspired production makes for a groovy, extremely danceable R&B track, reminiscent of Aaliyah and Janet once again. The organ-like sounding patches in the chorus are so well-placed and makes for such a fun track, especially in tandem with the intricate drum patterns. Lyrically, it is so impressive to me to (in the same song), admit that someone is on your mind, whilst confidently saying that you know how to get them off your mind. I love you Rochelle Jordan... 

13. Sweet Sensation 

The piano in this track.... with the fuzzy synth patches..... is just so fucking good. Like Get it Off, the callbacks to 90s R&B is very clear. But like the majority of the nostalgic, R&B influenced songs on this album, the subtleties in the production, in this case the fuzzy synth patches, makes for a refreshing take on a formula that often runs the risk of "nostalgia-baiting". The melody in the chorus is also just hopelessly addicting. It is Guava Ice in song form. 

14. Eyes Shut 

Well... we can't all be Get It Off or Sweet Sensation huh. I do like the sorta wavy sounding approaches to the usage of synths in the song. I think what makes the song fall flat for me, is that the chorus, something that the production was slowly building up towards, was not as hard hitting as I wanted it to be, nor groovy like the previous tracks. It was just sort of there. The vocals, like always, were placed amazingly as though. She really knows how to do a high harmony. 

15. Close 2 Me 

WE ARE BACK AT THE CLUB. As the last club-driven track of the album, Close 2 Me, just like the more dance-focused tracks of the album (TTW, and Doing It Too), the mix of production and the sparse, airy vocals makes for an experience that you just need to close your eyes and lose yourself in. My absolute favourite moment of this track is the slight pause before swinging back to the chorus in the second chorus. The slight changeup in the vocals and lyrics with the same hard hitting chorus production is just SO WELL DONE. I loved how there are two distinct halves in the chorus, it makes for a song that feels like it captures all avenues of dance pop. The way she sings the lyrics is also just so indicative of her belief in her ability to create. She understands how to deliver the lyrics in a way that is interesting and distinct, which prevents her lyricism from being overshadowed by the outstanding production. 

16. I'm Your Muse 

I would describe this song as a muted, club track. The pulsing synths that have been so prevalent throughout the album are still here, but mellowed out and a subtle touch in an ocean of repetition. Just like much of the tracks here, the final minute of the song showcases her confidence in her craft. The previously muted production explodes into a final hurrah. Rochelle Jordan IS our muse. 

17. Around 

"I'll be. All around all around all around all around". Rochelle uses this closing track to ensure that everyone knows that she will and has been here to stay. The same pulsing production that was used so well and in various ways is prevalent here, and again, the complete mix of outstanding vocals and intriguing, house production makes for a track that is entirely Rochelle Jordan, and a great closing track to end a triumphant album. 

1. Helena 

The guitars are too quiet and vocals too loud :( It could be my headphones but the sibilant frequencies (consonant sounds s, t, f, as well as cymbals) are very harsh. I like the addition of a soft reverb on the vocal though. Overall it sounds almost too “clean”. and all the dynamism and emotional intensity of the original has been dampened. I’m sadly not impressed, however this is just the first track.

2. Give 'Em Hell, Kid 

The intro is already great. I love the subtle but effective changes to the timbre of each individual sound, for example the bass really has a unique character this time around. I am afraid that the sibilance issue of the first track remains…and is posing a distraction from being able to appreciate the track for what it is. I do love the clarity of the guitar details in the bridge. The vocal layering is great. 

3. To the End 

I love this song so much. I’m really holding my breath with high hopes that theyve preserved all its dirty grimy shimmer. Alright it’s great so far but I do wish the volume of the backing vocal wasn’t so low. The backing vocal is like half the charm of the original, for me. There is new guitar stuff going on in the prechorus but I am not quite sure if I like it. I feel like everything is mixed way too loud that I’m losing many of the lovable details (right-panned guitar in verse 2, the ‘kiss the bride’ into prechorus 2). Guitar solo time…Alright, I’m pleased. Nothing about the solo itself changed which is good because it’s perfect. 

4. You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison 

Already reeling from the subtle changes in vocal delivery. I have to revisit this one. Guitars are extremely clear. Even the percussive elements of the bass shine when I can’t say it was ever a remarkable part of the original. The added vocal harmonies are a lovely surprise and add almost a Queen vibe. The delay on the main vocal is a tad loud for me during the chorus. It’s not to the point of being distracting but I do think it could be turned down just a couple notches. Bridge is great. Breakdown is great. So far, this track has the best vocal processing of everything I’ve listened to so far. Guitar solo was great. Increased backing vocals in the outro is great and perfect. I’m very pleased.

5. I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

Instrumental intro sounds almost identical to the original, if not a bit heavy on the reverb for the drum kit. First verse and chorus just finished with nothing particular of note. It seems like they were really trying to be as close to the OG as possible. I love this song. Solo sounds excellent. I love the additional backing vocals going into the bridge. The vocal harmonies in the final chorus are beautiful. Another good one.

6. The Ghost of You 

The clean guitar tone is as rich as ever in this track. The bassline also particularly shines in this version. The vocal processing in the chorus leaves something to be desired. I like the addition of lower harmonies. But the vocals are overall way too loud for the guitars to do their job of being gutwrenching and devastating. I also don’t like the cheap sounding string/pad synth or whatever the hell it was I just heard on the tail end of the first chorus. It was an alarming and sudden disturbance like a passing mosquito. It’s a shame because I just love the rich tone of the bass in this version but have gripes with nearly every other noticeable change. The chorus is just extremely disappointing. The vocals are just way too loud for the prechorus buildup in the guitar parts to accomplish anything. The emotional quality of the vocal delivery itself also pales in comparison to the original. I have never felt such nothingburger at the breakdown of this song. That part is supposed to make you feel like your heart is gushing and spurting blood everywhere. But this version is more like a stubbed toe. It’s such a shame. It’s really just giving demo/tracking version.

7. The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You 

One of the most legendary intros in MCR discography for me, and I am just relieved that it wasn’t massacred here. It seems as if each individual sound— the organ, the flanged guitar, the soft backing vocal— has just a slightly warmer quality to its timbre. The ‘haunting’ feeling I get from the original is well-maintained. Again, backing harmonies that are made unnecessarily quieter. I get the feeling this entire album would be made infinitely better if the main vocal on each track was just reduced -2dB. Lol, he didn’t fix the pronunciation of “bella muerte”. The guitars sound great, but the low end is lacking something. I wish they were a little more heavy handed with the pitch correction on the bridge like in the original, but it still sounds great. Standout performance from the drummer on this track. Very well done. Precise and powerful. I like that guitar part in the outro but I’m not sure if it’s new.

8. Interlude 

Beautiful.

9. Thank You for the Venom 

This is what I’ve been waiting for. Ugh YES. The guitars sound perfectly dirty. Drums are great. Vocals are great. Everything’s great. The toms at 0:46 are so thrilling, booming, thunderous. Perfect stereo delay on the prechorus vocals. Ugh finally, a chorus that isn’t completely overpowered by vocals. The balance between each individual sound is the most ideal I’ve heard thus far. Guitar solo time. Perfection, as expected. The slightly increased reverb was a nice touch. The drums stand out for me again. Each fill is so tight and flawless. Great track.

10. Hang 'Em High

I actually like that the whistle in the intro randomly has a shitton more reverb and delay. It definitely adds to the wild wild west vibe because I’m imagining hearing the echo in the middle of a desert canyon or something. Vocal levels are okay this time. But again, it is a shame that the backing harmonies are turned down so low. The guitars sound great. Maybe the studio engineers locked in for the second half of the album because everything started to sound better a couple of tracks ago. I’m a bit confused at the changes in the bridge but it still hits hard like the original. Overall sounds great but lacks definition in the low end.

11. It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish 

Stakes are high because this is my favourite song of the album and perhaps even from MCR’s discography. Here we go again with randomly deciding to add reverb and delay on things. It’s been fine for the most part but I actually heavily disagree with this choice on the vocal in the introduction. Okay, 1 minute in and I’m not mad at anything in particular. It almost seems like this version does a better job at showcasing some of the song’s more subtle shifts in dynamics (e.g. 0:54, 1:05). The lack of doubling on the main vocal makes it sound almost bare compared to the original. The guitar details in the 2nd verse shine so excellently. I love the buildup on “avenge my ghost” (1:54) so fucking much! God I love this song. Omfg, for once the backing vocals are well balanced and play nicely with each other in this bridge. Love the vocal delivery in this breakdown/outro. Perfection. Excellence. 

12. Cemetery Drive 

Drums sound great. The guitar tone is different in a way I can’t put my finger on, but I like it a lot. The intricacies of the right-panned guitar part are really nice. Chorus now and I have no complaints. I’m in love with the bass in verse 2. Prechorus 2 actually has the backing vocal more turned up than the original. Excellent. Outro guitar part is beautiful. As an exception to what I have heard from the majority of this reissue, I actually think the 2025 version has an even stronger and deeper emotional intensity than the original. I’m glad they did this one well. 

13. I Never Told You What I Do for a Living 

Interesting that they decided to forgoe most of the vocal doubling on It’s Not a Fashion Statement, but kept it in for this track. Again, high stakes because this is probably my 2nd favourite track of the album. Sounds great. Maybe some of the guitar details could have been clearer. What the hell is going on with the hi-hat at 1:29? It’s giving lawn sprinkler. Oh fuck yes, this breakdown (1:39) is majestic. I’m at least happy with that. The increased clarity of the cymbals actually really boosts this section in an unexpected way. Guitars sound heavenly at 2:08 onward. They did this outro extremely well. Beautiful. Heartwrenching. Overwhelming. Utterly agonizing. Just how I like my MCR.

 originally this was meant to be based off of star power, which was then shifted to a tierlist, which was finally turned into the final product you will witness now. I was gonna write about pokemon types and ranking them, but I have decided to just write about whatever I want; which includes stuff I hate and like LOL. Before I start, I would like to acknowledge that I have zero experience with design, zero experience with storytelling and character writing and am writing as a casual-turned-crazed-Pokemon-content-consumer; so therefore im technically always right. 

Next, here is my official scale for measuring my adoration: 

S = the crown jewel 

A = DQ strawberry cheesecake blizzard (decadent) 

B = above average

C = Average, run of the mill, not much to be said, decent, etc. 

D = creators were smoking Dick 

F = nails on a chalkboard, running to make the bus and it drives off before you can reach it, paper straw disintegrates before you can even reach half of the drink etc. 

Edit: i decided to only write abt stuff that I care to write about, therefore, I will not be covering every pokemon type because not every pokemon type is interesting enough for me to tap away on the keyboard for. Also some things I dont rank because I do not feel the need to implement it. this is very fluid. 

Flygon: A 

One of my favorite things to witness when consuming media is witnessing a bold-faced lie. Seeing characters lie to each other and cover up in ridiculous ways is amusing from an outsider's perspective. Flygon is the bold-faced lie in question. let me explain. At first glance, you would probably view Flygon as an insect, as the antennas, and the fly-like red eye masks really add to this INSECT. Flygon, in the canon, is a dragon, yes you heard me right, a DRAGON. To add to this lie, there is no attempt to even mask the inconsistencies between design and typing, furthermore making this pokemon soooo good. A PROUD, walking contradiction is compelling and it makes this pokemon work. Flygon will always be that "dragon" pokemon that literally evolves from a replica of an antlion; and this solidifies itself in the SHOF (Sunny Hall Of Fame).

Geodude: F 

First off, terrible terrible name. Secondly, I greatly dislike the whole "ohhhhhh this pokemon is a rock type? i have to make it a rock then". Many other symbolisms of rock couldve been utilised more also booger with twink arms is not really my first choice for a rock type pokemon. geodude... do better. 

Poison type: C

Alolan Muk

Poison types in earlier generations were so one track minded it was silly. From the top of my head we have the Ekans line (purple), gastly line (dark purple), and Venonat (also purple). I understand the sentiment, as when characters in animation get "poisoned", almost always the discolouration spot is purple or a purpleish colour. Going by this, it does make sense that purple would be a dominant for the colour scheme of poison pokemon. However, going on microsoft paint and clicking fill shape for all of these pokemon is neither fun nor mind-blowing, which are two pokemon criteria that I view as the main goal for a pokemon design. A specific design that I really appreciate from this gaggle of purple would be the alolan muk line. I really appreciate how the colourful design the choose is reminiscent to when gasoline gets into water and the light that reflects from it creates this colourful shimmer. Futhermore, Alolan Muk is tied directly into the state of the environment where it resides; if there is more pollution, alolan muk thrives, if the environment is cleaner the population declines. Its really interesting to completely tie in a pokemon to the essence of pollution. (fun note: I read in the pokemon database that people have started to purposefully create lakes filled with "sludge" so that Alolan Muk will not go extinct; very ironic in comparison to how the real earth is.... i still cant tell if its too soon to be making satirical pokemon like this..) 

Bug and Flying: C-

I am opting to write about Bug and Flying type pokemon at the same time because my main gripe with both of them fall into the same category of criticism. I don't adore realism, but I can appreciate it, especially with how fantastical pokemon can be in subsequent generations. This, however, does not pertain to these two types. My personal gripe is that a few of these bugs and birds quite literally just look like in real life birds and bugs. I guess that could be appreciated, but when I consume media, i aim to be immersed into the reality that the media is aiming to portray (im crazy). seeing a run of the mill stork not only cuts that immersion short, it also just looks futile in comparison to the more creative flying and bug types. 

Pidgey pictured above, an example of a regular degualar bird

like okay you could have replaced that pic with an actual bird irl and I would not have known the difference. 

With Bug types specifically, I am filled with more sympathy, as the name of the typing (bug) essentially requires that the pokemon resemble what our minds think of when we hear the word 'bug'. off the top of my head, I can't really think of any examples of major flubbation, but a few of the bug type pokemon I really adore include Scizor and Dustox: Scizor is reminiscent of a red power ranger with mr krabs's claws that it probably plucked straight from the shmuck's alive hands,. Dustox is a very colourful moth, and I really love how the bright neon contrasting against the purple and red tones indicates its poison typing alongside its moth vestige. it also is an ode to real life posonous bugs, as the bright colours usually indicate thatis the case. 

Scizor

Water: B+

Pokemon, like all other universes created by human hands, has to have some sort of economic development in order for that universe to be viewed as "complete" by critics and men alike, therefore this is the where the main source of economic stability occurs; by the copious and enormous quantity of fish pokemon (the other source of income being the various amounts of pokemon based on cows, pigs). When looking at water type pokemon from this lens, you begin to see a certain theme among some of the lesser-known fish pokemon; they are characterized by their unfamiliarity, their drab designs, and the comparison to actual fish in the world.  However, this is not the fault of the artists, rather the pokemon universe as a whole. The need to explain away why a universe is funded and sustained (thus creating pokemon literally meant to be seen as fodder, by both the anime and fans alike), creates this uncanny resemblance to the hyper capitalist world we are currently stuck in. However, when viewing it through a silly and unserious lens (the way it should be to be honest), this is a really fun typing! I really appreciate how most of the pokemon here have some sort of symbolism in regards to water, ocean, or some form of liquid in general. A design I especially like is Wishi-Washi (insert pic). This pokemon has two forms, with the final, more stronger form being a school of fish pretending to be a larger fish for protection purposes. A great mix of realism and fiction; furthermore I really really like how the designs so sleek and purposeful. 

Wishi Washi

Hisuian Arcanine: A

Hisuian Arcanine

Regular Arcanine

In the Hisui region, there are a number of pokemon thought to be as "nobles. These pokemon are revered as near Gods, and are thought to be blessed with arcane power from God (Arceus) themself. Hisuian Arcanine is one of these such cases. As a regional form of an existing pokemon, there is always a need to fully differentiate the original one from the regional form. I believe this is an exceptional case in the many regional forms introduced throughout the course of pokemon. Firstly, loveee how they hammer home the idea of a noble pokemon. Therefore, hisuian arcanine is fitted with a tufts of gray spikes that resemble a thin crown, implementing a noble quality meant to differentiate it from both its former form and other pokemon of the Hisuian region. Secondly, the pivoting from the regular shmegular orange colour to a deep, dark red is both a smart choice aesthetically and design wise. The red and gray complement each other so well, with the red resembling magma and the gray tufts of fur regarding the ash that spews from a volcano when it is active. And since Hisuian Arcanine's home is literally an island with an active volcano, having the literal noble pokemon resemble its home for bragging rights is sorta one of the most obnoxious thing a noble can do. 

Normal: B

Nothing is more funny than a running gag; and Normal type pokemon is my favorite running gag in pokemon. For pokemon that are literally categorized scientifically and socially as "normal", there are a lot of bizarre and uncanny creatures residing in this sphere. Normal type pokemon are characterized by their ability to adapt to various other typings in terms of moves, abilities and look. However, this leaves a lot of space for creative liberties, which show in the downright weird designs we find here. As one can glean from the beginnings of this post, weird does not mean bad at all, and especially in this case, I am obsessed with this running gag. Some notable mentions include: 

Porygon: it looks like a bunch of tetris blocks were mashed together, and then doused in a sickly red and blue paint, and then given those EEAAO googly eyes. WE LOVEU PORYGON 

Lickitung: who thought creating a pokemonc revolving around its tongue was a good and sound idea? 

Type; Null: yes, that's the name of this cute pile of junk mashed together and given life via electronic wires. 

Cleffa, Clefairy & Clefable: (when changing your mind works wonders) S 

So a little bit of history. Before 2013, the most dominant and "powerful" pokemon typing was Dragon type. It held a whopping 4 resistances to the common Fire, electric, grass and water typings; furthermore it was only weak to Ice type pokemon, who are the equivalent of a toothpick battle-wise, and other Dragon types. In an attempt to balance this, in generation 6 the Fairy type was added into the game. However, since there are only a set number of pokemon per type released each generation, the only way to kickstart this typing was to morph a number of old pokemon into fairy types. the Clefable evolution line is one of these pokemon, and it just makes so much sense. the Cleffa, Clefairy and Clefable lines are a species of pokemon that celebrate and come from the moon. they are essentially moon fairies, and during the full moon, they do a moonlight dance to celebrate and bless the pokemon around it. They were born to be this type. i mean just look at them... 

B/N (Blogger's Note): this was typed up in real-time as we watched videos and sat around togeher on the couch. We have kept all edits very minimal in order to provide you with the most raw and real moments possible.

we are watching these millenials cook pizza.

they r flubbing it real bad

figs

mina: oh hes trying to be different

mina: oh shut up  

sunny: ifkr

mina: ew

*riel plays with skitty*

mina: the white sauce with the green dough

riel: it looks like a preschool art project

sunny: hes so weird

riel: JUST MAKE A FXCKING PIZZA

sunny: what is happening

riel: its over

mina: why would u touch it

*choir of “ewwws”*

mina: the crust

riel: it looks like its alive

riel: it boggles me how theyre this old and they still do this

*ad plays*

mina: its over

riel: i just know its pooling *in regards to the oil on the pizza*

mina and sunny: ewwwwww

sunny: for the love of god please stop

mina: idk abt that *in regards to zach*

riel: theyre larping as cooks

sunny: he has a puchable face *in regards to jimmy*

riel: he bit it so nerdily too

sunny: ohhh white people /neg

riel: cypreth grovth midnight cheeth

riel: its haternth bitch eugene ur over.

sunny: jimmy needsto fall down a gutter

riel: jungwoo just went live *gasps*

riel: hii~~~~ (to jungwoo)

mina: hes just in a car

*paused the try guys*

Business idea: EDIBLE Arrangements

We have pivoted to watching North Nomads documentary by “The ULENGOVS” On youtube. We are enthralled. We especially love how there is absolutely no narration or unnecessary dramatization  as we consider those to be the most common pitfall of most documentaries.

We are now watching tyler and safiya geothermal spa in iceland video. We conclude that we would never go to the particular location  that they stayed at (The blue lagoon) for several reasons. Too crowded too nasty ppl washing off masks ppl pissing away kids pissing away smoothies without lids. Always the damn masks. Just weird and gross. Unnecessary. I would much rather go to a smaller less populated naturally occurring hot spring with less prying eyes and less commercialization.

We have moved on to the ice hotel video from the same channel. We have deduced that we would love to utilize the strong arctic winds of iceland in order to lift off from the ground like flying suqirrel style.

We have also come to the revelation that we would like to test the limits of the human body by exceeding the maximum permitted duration one can stay in the ice hotel. I theorize that the death one may face from prolonged low temperatures for over 24 hr would be like falling asleep kinda. Idk. But it got a hoot out of sunny so yas.

We also think theres no way people go to the ice hotel to fuck. Its just way too cold how is it even logistically possible i dont think it would even be fun.

After some brief discussion we have made the unanimous decision to categorize Emma Watson as Odd and Anna Kendrick as Unserious. Aubrey Plaza is off putting and Rebel Wilson is nonsensical. Anne Hathaway is run of the mill. (B/N: our research article detailing each of these proprietary personality types is still in progress, but we hope our intentions by these categorizations are not misunderstood as having malicious intent. We love these ladies and wish them only the best.)

I have come down with cantdoshititis  

So recently I’ve gotten back into Monsta X ever since I watched the boys planet love killa stage. I read riel’s FML and Perfume deepdive posts and thought it would be fun to do one too so today I will be doing a deep dive into monsta x’s most recent EP “REASON”. A fair disclaimer that my knowledge on music only goes as far as doing mandatory choir from grade 1 to grade 8 as well as rcm piano up to like level 8 so I suggest you take anything I say here with a grain of salt. I also think it’s important to lay out any biases before starting a piece of writing so I would like to make note that I’ve been a monbebe on and off since 2016 and have generally been a fan of most of their music so I am quite heavily inclined to liking their songs. I am also deeply madly in love with Changkyun which is why I decided to not include a “favourite part” for each song because I realized that all of them would just be one of his verses. Now that all of that is out there let’s start SHALL WE :)

1. Beautiful Liar

I just sat down at my desk for the first time since finals ended omg lets get into ittt😍I don’t even need to listen to this song to provide commentary TBH it’s been going platinum in my headphones, room, car, etc. for the past two months. Just so fucking good. The antidrop is pretty different from their usual loud noisy bass boosted sound but it is SO addicting and tastefully done. Not to be biased but I really think minhyuk and changkyun’s voices stand out the most in this song— from them having the starting lines to changkyun’s rap which is my new favourite verse of his and minhyuk in the chorus.. They just suit the song so well. The song is about being obsessed with a toxic woman which I am entirely here for. They wrote it about me actually. We need more representation & appreciation for toxic women in music and media IMO. (EDIT: Upon reviewing the lyrics I realized that it is gender neutral throughout the song!! I stand by what I said about toxic woman appreciation though. On second thought I'd say the song is mostly about a toxic manipulative unhealthy relationship in general [neeeeddd]) I played this song in the car for Riel and they said it sounds like March by svt. I can’t say that I hear it but they have infinitely more knowledge on music than I do so I agreed because I trust them so much. If ur reading this love u❤️Personally my initial reaction was that the chorus sounded very taemin (specifically move/criminal) but idk much about taemin either so I could just be pulling shit out my ass. Anyway this song is a 10/10 on the snoopychacco scale.

2.  Daydream

I’m also already familiar with this song and it is SO GOOD. I’m a big fan of the eerie lullaby vibe. Again it’s not very loud or noisy (another antidrop i think?) but the beat is soooooo hot. Not much else to say. I just really recommend this song. Experience it for yourself. I fear it’s another 10/10 from me.

3.  Crescendo

Asking someone who had Pop smoke as their top Spotify artist in 2021 if they like a drill song is like asking a baby if it likes to scream and cry. I’ve always been such a fan of monsta x’s rapline (think actual rappers and not just visuals who were incapable of taking any other position) they are just SO talented and they show it here yet again. As expected. (Tangent: not a single kpop rap has gagged me like mx rapline did in Stuck). I will be honest though the lyrics are pretty trashy LOL. None of the words in this song are in the Bible. Something shifted for me after I listened to a mashup with Svt’s super but I used to skip it because the “lets get sexyyy” part was a little too absurd even for me (😭). It’s definitely not for everyone but it's a 8 on the snoopychacco scale right now. Shake it left shake it right shake it down crescendo 🤷‍♀️

4.  LONE RANGER

Omfg now that I finally started writing this post my mother is calling me to the dinner table. I will resume the rest of this deepdive after I'm nourished and rejuvenated. Ok im back after a lovely dinner. I didn’t get this song during my first listen in the Coq centre Lululemon but why is it kinda good rn… Starts off with a 30 SECOND changkyun verse I actually love when that happens. It’s a bit repetitive which is probably why I thought it was a snoozefest at first but it’s actually growing on me quite fast. Sorry I said nothing here that alludes to what the song sounds like I simply don’t have the terminology for it. 6.5/10 with potential to move higher.

5.  Deny

I was just thinking about how to articulate that this is a skip for me until hyungwon came in during the chorus WOAH. He just changed the game. Ok my original reason was that I don’t really go to monsta x or kpop in general for slower songs/ slow raps but that chorus was actually quite good. I quite liked how hyungwon’s (and then jooheon's) voice brought a different sound to it and woke me up from my snooze. It sounds very 2016 /pos. And donot get me started on changkyun’s rap right after omg. I could listen to his voice do any damn thing he wants to do with it i'm soooooo biased its not even funny. A 7 /10 for this one.

6.  IT’S ALRIGHT

Okkk another song starting with changkyun it’s like they’re trying to lure me in or something. Love him so much its still so funny to me that he has a british accent even though he lived in Boston USA lol. Ok idk the rest of this song is a bit of a skip for me. It’s good but at the same time it’s not? I think I like the melody but the eng lyrics are a little too corny. Idk the kidz bop vibe is a bit out of line with the rest of the album imo. Not sure if this is too niche but the vibe is giving NCT 127 3rd mini album CHERRY BOMB bside. Giving it a [I think it could grow on me] out of 10.

Thank u soooo much for reading. In conclusion I am quite a fan of this album— they definitely deviated from their usual sound but I like it a lot. Deservedddd the charting that it got I was so happy for them when I found out cuz i rly thought it was over. I may do a fatal love deepdive in the future because I really love that album too. I hope this inspires whoever is reading it to listen to mx because its kinda sad how im one of the last standing monbebes in North america. At least it feels that way😭

thats rite bitchezzzzz its summer vacation the sun is shining and we are soo back. its been a while but i'm soo happy to re-entrench myself as i relinquish my duties as a student and begin life as a simple unemployed person..im not saying you should expect a spike in blog activity but i am saying that i don't have shit to do. 

As some kind of beautiful, star-crossed coincidence, svt have come back and are currently promoting at time of writing! so not only do i have all the time in the world, im also deeply immersed in the media and materials.. BUT! I have not yet sat down and had my front to back uninterrupted listen + review sesh so..that is what i will be doing this beautiful saturday night 

1. fml
   
   The worst part about this song is how much I like it. I know it’s not for everybody but it’s for people like me who like to be brooding and kick rocks outside instead of facing problems head on lol. Typa shit you listen when its SOOO OVER. And thats why i love it rn. kind of very much wishing the title matched the severity of the song in a musical sense cuz im not as into the easylistening shit at this point in time. but idk i predict myself finding my fullest enjoyment of this song on a dark cold winter night and i think the windchimes leading into the bridge & in the outro kinda intensify that feeling for me . love a good windchime
   
2.  Super
   I am a fan. impeccably composed & produced through & through I think. I LOVE my team AND I LOVE my crew. Yeah I just really like it. DARAMDURIMDA like… Idk obsessed captivated enthralled etc. I think the line distribution is perfect not in its balance or fairness or whatever but IN THE SENSE THAT - each person is so perfect for their part idk..just amazing execution from each of them. I love hoshi seungkwan and jeonghan rap part a lot. I honestly just think each members’ vocal timbre is so distinct in this song. Like DESPITE how repetitive the structure is, it’s a perfect showcase of the range of the group as a whole.. i think there was a lot of thought put into contrast when the lines were distributed honestly. who would assign the same parts to mingyu&joshua, hs&sk&jh, dn&t8 ykwim? i love the idea of each member's voice fulfilling a different "role" in the overall sound despite having the same melody part. its an idea that was explored a lot in Shadow from last album so i was really happy to see it kinda be usedd again.. tht being said The song’s definitely lacking in melodic content since half the song is fucking chanted but idc idc I love it, and it just goes to show how svt can rly do any facking concept they want because they always eat. I love how the song is almost cocky: "i luv my team I luv my crew" like shittttt i would too if i was in svt man theyre living well lmfao.. The "strong" concept, heavy eyeliner, the breakdown in the outro omg. it reminds me of 2nd gen war music if they had a huge amnt of money (article expanding on this defined concept will be coming soon.) and just it makes me come alive. like irdc what anyone says this is real music to me.
   
3.  Fire
   
   this sounds like some early brockhampton LOOOL. /neg btw. 😭 idkkk i am not liking the english hook its a little... how do u say.... Bad.. i likd wonwoo's verse a lot though kdhgkjdf
   
4.  idubilu
   
   First heard this in mina's car...shit was crazy. listening back again with headphones is even crazier. just beautiful nothing much else to say idk.. gorjus melodies vocals instrumentation its ticking all my boxes thats fer damn sure. 1 note in particular tho: I FUUUUCKING LOVE HOSHI... my little rapper & highnote singer yeeupppp he ate every single part omfg. as did the other members ofc but hoshi's eatery was so intensely prominent in this track tht i wished for a moment i could grant 2015 me the chance to listen to this song and find out what my idol would become
5. dust
   
   sooo sorry but this intro has me snoozing.. the song is prgoressing and i still havent written eanything umm... i think its fair to say im not relly into it ::/ i suppose all of the slay points had been allocated to the perf unit for this cb.
6. april shower
   
   first impression: sounds like a h&m/aritzia/garage/simons commercial .. im seeing palm trees and reflective sunglasses.. it doesnt sound vry april to me.... erm. this is unfortunately another snoozer
    

   i do not feel like writing a concluding statement. Thx for reading the blog and leave a comment if u can be assed to do so.
   

To whom it may concern,

We are writing to inform you that we (Sunny, Mina, and Riel) are terminally entrenched. This has been the case since the dawn of ‘02. We have so much to say and only so many places where it can all be said. 

We cordially invite you into the inner workings of our minds.

Signed,

Before I start, I will preface that I took two blinkers before starting this review cause I'm relatively young and lit. I listened to this album upon first release back in September 25th, and since it's now my most listened to album of 2025, I wanted to write about why that is the case for me. 

1. Grace 

As an opener to the album, Grace does its job very well. The vocals do most of the heavy lifting here, and it's all extremely well-done and pretty. Her technical prowess with her voice really shines, as with each lift of the instrumental, her voice soars alongside with it. In addition, the mixing of the vocals are done very well, and for a vocal forward opening track, this is pretty important. 

2. Ladida 

The pulsing drum beat in the production is so addictingly good and satisfying. It's an outstanding motif to be repeated throughout the song. The melody in this song fucking rocksss. And just like Grace, her ability to weave her technicality with her vocals into the fabric of this song is a testament to her creative vision. Partnered alongside each interesting piece of production is an equally delicious adlib. She raps for a bit to lead up to the bridge of the song and it's extremely well placed, not leaving room for the listener to pause on the dancing. 

3. Sum 

To contrast the hard-hitting, continuous, drum and bass influences in Ladida, Sum is softer in comparison. Make no mistake, this is still a dance track. This song sets the foundation for much of the house influences that will be present in much of the remaining song. The hook is insanely catchy, which makes the chorus incredibly danceable. The relatively simple rhyme scheme in the chorus adds to the danceability. This is what I imagine the DJ would play when the club is winding down to its last few songs. My critique is that the talking segment with the sample of the crowd chanting "one more song" is sudden, and that makes the change to that quite jarring in comparison to how the ending of this talking segment seamlessly transforms into the outro/final chorus. 

4. The Boy 

KAYTRANADA KNEW NOT TO PISS ME OFFFFFF. I have had a hate/love relationship with his work, especially his recent production. I found his song with Flo extremely boring, which really saddened me cause 1, I was excited for a new Flo track, and 2, I was really hoping the production this time around would change my opinion on his production, because I used to really fuck with it in the past. THIS SONG, however, is an amazing return to form. The soft, pulsing drums, mixed with Rochelle's breathy vocals, makes for a truly otherworldly experience. The repetition that Kaytranada usually uses in his production is actually apt this time, and the collaboration between these two really shine in the last minute of the song. Lyrically, this song has been really "hitting" for me as of recent, and so, just like when I first listened to this song, I still find this as one of my favourites from this current re-listening of the album. 

5. Doing It Too 

THIS. was a perfect single. I remember when she first teased it, I was anxiously waiting for an official release date with each passing day. The constant buildup throughout the verses, that explodes into house/pop perfection in the chorus is what makes this track so, soooo good. The chorus is the focal point and every other segment of the song is used to build and showcase the pulsing synths and drums in the chorus. Pop. Perfection. 

6. Never Enough 

This track has the misfortune of coming after The Boy and Doing It Too. When placed behind two songs that are so interesting sonically, this song falls a little flat. It is still very much danceable, and although most of it is forgettable, the switch to half-time(?) in the last 40 seconds of the song is the most fun part of the song for me, I like the tonal shift. Other than that though, a more subdued track. 

7. Words 2 Say 

This song is a slight callback to the dance/R&B that Rochelle uses in a lot of her earlier albums, like Play with the Changes and 1021, and this results in a production masterclass. Although the hook and chorus is just something that I do not fully adore, the little subtleties within each beat or synth pattern is really intriguing to focus on. Like all the tracks so far, the last parts of the song are the clear standouts in the track. Rochelle knows to build upon and peak at the final bits of the song, making for an experience that is never boring. 

8. Bite the Bait 

If Words 2 Say was a slight callback to her previous work, Bite The Bait is the complete and thorough callback to the electronic R&B that her and her peers like Kelela and FKA Twigs excel at. Complete with an addicting hook, the high hats and harmonies in the chorus recalls the atmospheric R&B that artists like Janet Jackson and Aaliyah frequently utilized in their albums. As with the rest of the album, the clear dance elements are present as well, resulting in a sound that is equal parts nostalgic, and futuristic. Lastly, I love she reminds the audience to not be afraid of taking up space at the final 5 seconds of the song. I needed that.. 

9. On 2 Something 

I don't care for this one. I find the hook relatively generic and although the production is done extremely well, I think the ideas are just not cohesive enough to result in a song that is satisfying to listen to. I wish the talk/chanting in the chorus was not there, and the drill influence is ... interesting. it reminds me of when IVE suddenly had elements of drill in Accendio,, what is a polar bear doing in Arlington Texas. 

10. TTW 

WE ARE BACK AT THE CLUBBBBB. In this song, the vocals that she has been so technically proficient at takes a backseat so that the production can fully shine, and SHINE IT DOES. The continuous pulsing of the beat results in at atmosphere that takes you back to 1am on a Friday night out. The light and airy lyrics sparsely littered throughout amongst the production encourages you to dance, and encourages you to lose yourself in your inhibitions, an art that has been frequently forgotten in a time where joy is under the constant threat of surveillance. 

11. Crave 

WE ARE STILL AT THE CLUB. I LOVE this chorus so much, I am obsessed with how the vocals are placed half a beat later than the beginning of the production for the chorus. It constructs a laidback, yet danceable approach to the house elements that have shone throughout this album. The "I need you, to touch it touch it touch it go", is such a phenomenal addition to the awesome chord progressions and drum patterns in the chorus. 

12. Get It Off 

Get it Off is my favourite off this album. The timbaland/the neptunes inspired production makes for a groovy, extremely danceable R&B track, reminiscent of Aaliyah and Janet once again. The organ-like sounding patches in the chorus are so well-placed and makes for such a fun track, especially in tandem with the intricate drum patterns. Lyrically, it is so impressive to me to (in the same song), admit that someone is on your mind, whilst confidently saying that you know how to get them off your mind. I love you Rochelle Jordan... 

13. Sweet Sensation 

The piano in this track.... with the fuzzy synth patches..... is just so fucking good. Like Get it Off, the callbacks to 90s R&B is very clear. But like the majority of the nostalgic, R&B influenced songs on this album, the subtleties in the production, in this case the fuzzy synth patches, makes for a refreshing take on a formula that often runs the risk of "nostalgia-baiting". The melody in the chorus is also just hopelessly addicting. It is Guava Ice in song form. 

14. Eyes Shut 

Well... we can't all be Get It Off or Sweet Sensation huh. I do like the sorta wavy sounding approaches to the usage of synths in the song. I think what makes the song fall flat for me, is that the chorus, something that the production was slowly building up towards, was not as hard hitting as I wanted it to be, nor groovy like the previous tracks. It was just sort of there. The vocals, like always, were placed amazingly as though. She really knows how to do a high harmony. 

15. Close 2 Me 

WE ARE BACK AT THE CLUB. As the last club-driven track of the album, Close 2 Me, just like the more dance-focused tracks of the album (TTW, and Doing It Too), the mix of production and the sparse, airy vocals makes for an experience that you just need to close your eyes and lose yourself in. My absolute favourite moment of this track is the slight pause before swinging back to the chorus in the second chorus. The slight changeup in the vocals and lyrics with the same hard hitting chorus production is just SO WELL DONE. I loved how there are two distinct halves in the chorus, it makes for a song that feels like it captures all avenues of dance pop. The way she sings the lyrics is also just so indicative of her belief in her ability to create. She understands how to deliver the lyrics in a way that is interesting and distinct, which prevents her lyricism from being overshadowed by the outstanding production. 

16. I'm Your Muse 

I would describe this song as a muted, club track. The pulsing synths that have been so prevalent throughout the album are still here, but mellowed out and a subtle touch in an ocean of repetition. Just like much of the tracks here, the final minute of the song showcases her confidence in her craft. The previously muted production explodes into a final hurrah. Rochelle Jordan IS our muse. 

17. Around 

"I'll be. All around all around all around all around". Rochelle uses this closing track to ensure that everyone knows that she will and has been here to stay. The same pulsing production that was used so well and in various ways is prevalent here, and again, the complete mix of outstanding vocals and intriguing, house production makes for a track that is entirely Rochelle Jordan, and a great closing track to end a triumphant album. 

1. Helena 

The guitars are too quiet and vocals too loud :( It could be my headphones but the sibilant frequencies (consonant sounds s, t, f, as well as cymbals) are very harsh. I like the addition of a soft reverb on the vocal though. Overall it sounds almost too “clean”. and all the dynamism and emotional intensity of the original has been dampened. I’m sadly not impressed, however this is just the first track.

2. Give 'Em Hell, Kid 

The intro is already great. I love the subtle but effective changes to the timbre of each individual sound, for example the bass really has a unique character this time around. I am afraid that the sibilance issue of the first track remains…and is posing a distraction from being able to appreciate the track for what it is. I do love the clarity of the guitar details in the bridge. The vocal layering is great. 

3. To the End 

I love this song so much. I’m really holding my breath with high hopes that theyve preserved all its dirty grimy shimmer. Alright it’s great so far but I do wish the volume of the backing vocal wasn’t so low. The backing vocal is like half the charm of the original, for me. There is new guitar stuff going on in the prechorus but I am not quite sure if I like it. I feel like everything is mixed way too loud that I’m losing many of the lovable details (right-panned guitar in verse 2, the ‘kiss the bride’ into prechorus 2). Guitar solo time…Alright, I’m pleased. Nothing about the solo itself changed which is good because it’s perfect. 

4. You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison 

Already reeling from the subtle changes in vocal delivery. I have to revisit this one. Guitars are extremely clear. Even the percussive elements of the bass shine when I can’t say it was ever a remarkable part of the original. The added vocal harmonies are a lovely surprise and add almost a Queen vibe. The delay on the main vocal is a tad loud for me during the chorus. It’s not to the point of being distracting but I do think it could be turned down just a couple notches. Bridge is great. Breakdown is great. So far, this track has the best vocal processing of everything I’ve listened to so far. Guitar solo was great. Increased backing vocals in the outro is great and perfect. I’m very pleased.

5. I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

Instrumental intro sounds almost identical to the original, if not a bit heavy on the reverb for the drum kit. First verse and chorus just finished with nothing particular of note. It seems like they were really trying to be as close to the OG as possible. I love this song. Solo sounds excellent. I love the additional backing vocals going into the bridge. The vocal harmonies in the final chorus are beautiful. Another good one.

6. The Ghost of You 

The clean guitar tone is as rich as ever in this track. The bassline also particularly shines in this version. The vocal processing in the chorus leaves something to be desired. I like the addition of lower harmonies. But the vocals are overall way too loud for the guitars to do their job of being gutwrenching and devastating. I also don’t like the cheap sounding string/pad synth or whatever the hell it was I just heard on the tail end of the first chorus. It was an alarming and sudden disturbance like a passing mosquito. It’s a shame because I just love the rich tone of the bass in this version but have gripes with nearly every other noticeable change. The chorus is just extremely disappointing. The vocals are just way too loud for the prechorus buildup in the guitar parts to accomplish anything. The emotional quality of the vocal delivery itself also pales in comparison to the original. I have never felt such nothingburger at the breakdown of this song. That part is supposed to make you feel like your heart is gushing and spurting blood everywhere. But this version is more like a stubbed toe. It’s such a shame. It’s really just giving demo/tracking version.

7. The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You 

One of the most legendary intros in MCR discography for me, and I am just relieved that it wasn’t massacred here. It seems as if each individual sound— the organ, the flanged guitar, the soft backing vocal— has just a slightly warmer quality to its timbre. The ‘haunting’ feeling I get from the original is well-maintained. Again, backing harmonies that are made unnecessarily quieter. I get the feeling this entire album would be made infinitely better if the main vocal on each track was just reduced -2dB. Lol, he didn’t fix the pronunciation of “bella muerte”. The guitars sound great, but the low end is lacking something. I wish they were a little more heavy handed with the pitch correction on the bridge like in the original, but it still sounds great. Standout performance from the drummer on this track. Very well done. Precise and powerful. I like that guitar part in the outro but I’m not sure if it’s new.

8. Interlude 

Beautiful.

9. Thank You for the Venom 

This is what I’ve been waiting for. Ugh YES. The guitars sound perfectly dirty. Drums are great. Vocals are great. Everything’s great. The toms at 0:46 are so thrilling, booming, thunderous. Perfect stereo delay on the prechorus vocals. Ugh finally, a chorus that isn’t completely overpowered by vocals. The balance between each individual sound is the most ideal I’ve heard thus far. Guitar solo time. Perfection, as expected. The slightly increased reverb was a nice touch. The drums stand out for me again. Each fill is so tight and flawless. Great track.

10. Hang 'Em High

I actually like that the whistle in the intro randomly has a shitton more reverb and delay. It definitely adds to the wild wild west vibe because I’m imagining hearing the echo in the middle of a desert canyon or something. Vocal levels are okay this time. But again, it is a shame that the backing harmonies are turned down so low. The guitars sound great. Maybe the studio engineers locked in for the second half of the album because everything started to sound better a couple of tracks ago. I’m a bit confused at the changes in the bridge but it still hits hard like the original. Overall sounds great but lacks definition in the low end.

11. It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish 

Stakes are high because this is my favourite song of the album and perhaps even from MCR’s discography. Here we go again with randomly deciding to add reverb and delay on things. It’s been fine for the most part but I actually heavily disagree with this choice on the vocal in the introduction. Okay, 1 minute in and I’m not mad at anything in particular. It almost seems like this version does a better job at showcasing some of the song’s more subtle shifts in dynamics (e.g. 0:54, 1:05). The lack of doubling on the main vocal makes it sound almost bare compared to the original. The guitar details in the 2nd verse shine so excellently. I love the buildup on “avenge my ghost” (1:54) so fucking much! God I love this song. Omfg, for once the backing vocals are well balanced and play nicely with each other in this bridge. Love the vocal delivery in this breakdown/outro. Perfection. Excellence. 

12. Cemetery Drive 

Drums sound great. The guitar tone is different in a way I can’t put my finger on, but I like it a lot. The intricacies of the right-panned guitar part are really nice. Chorus now and I have no complaints. I’m in love with the bass in verse 2. Prechorus 2 actually has the backing vocal more turned up than the original. Excellent. Outro guitar part is beautiful. As an exception to what I have heard from the majority of this reissue, I actually think the 2025 version has an even stronger and deeper emotional intensity than the original. I’m glad they did this one well. 

13. I Never Told You What I Do for a Living 

Interesting that they decided to forgoe most of the vocal doubling on It’s Not a Fashion Statement, but kept it in for this track. Again, high stakes because this is probably my 2nd favourite track of the album. Sounds great. Maybe some of the guitar details could have been clearer. What the hell is going on with the hi-hat at 1:29? It’s giving lawn sprinkler. Oh fuck yes, this breakdown (1:39) is majestic. I’m at least happy with that. The increased clarity of the cymbals actually really boosts this section in an unexpected way. Guitars sound heavenly at 2:08 onward. They did this outro extremely well. Beautiful. Heartwrenching. Overwhelming. Utterly agonizing. Just how I like my MCR.

 originally this was meant to be based off of star power, which was then shifted to a tierlist, which was finally turned into the final product you will witness now. I was gonna write about pokemon types and ranking them, but I have decided to just write about whatever I want; which includes stuff I hate and like LOL. Before I start, I would like to acknowledge that I have zero experience with design, zero experience with storytelling and character writing and am writing as a casual-turned-crazed-Pokemon-content-consumer; so therefore im technically always right. 

Next, here is my official scale for measuring my adoration: 

S = the crown jewel 

A = DQ strawberry cheesecake blizzard (decadent) 

B = above average

C = Average, run of the mill, not much to be said, decent, etc. 

D = creators were smoking Dick 

F = nails on a chalkboard, running to make the bus and it drives off before you can reach it, paper straw disintegrates before you can even reach half of the drink etc. 

Edit: i decided to only write abt stuff that I care to write about, therefore, I will not be covering every pokemon type because not every pokemon type is interesting enough for me to tap away on the keyboard for. Also some things I dont rank because I do not feel the need to implement it. this is very fluid. 

Flygon: A 

One of my favorite things to witness when consuming media is witnessing a bold-faced lie. Seeing characters lie to each other and cover up in ridiculous ways is amusing from an outsider's perspective. Flygon is the bold-faced lie in question. let me explain. At first glance, you would probably view Flygon as an insect, as the antennas, and the fly-like red eye masks really add to this INSECT. Flygon, in the canon, is a dragon, yes you heard me right, a DRAGON. To add to this lie, there is no attempt to even mask the inconsistencies between design and typing, furthermore making this pokemon soooo good. A PROUD, walking contradiction is compelling and it makes this pokemon work. Flygon will always be that "dragon" pokemon that literally evolves from a replica of an antlion; and this solidifies itself in the SHOF (Sunny Hall Of Fame).

Geodude: F 

First off, terrible terrible name. Secondly, I greatly dislike the whole "ohhhhhh this pokemon is a rock type? i have to make it a rock then". Many other symbolisms of rock couldve been utilised more also booger with twink arms is not really my first choice for a rock type pokemon. geodude... do better. 

Poison type: C

Alolan Muk

Poison types in earlier generations were so one track minded it was silly. From the top of my head we have the Ekans line (purple), gastly line (dark purple), and Venonat (also purple). I understand the sentiment, as when characters in animation get "poisoned", almost always the discolouration spot is purple or a purpleish colour. Going by this, it does make sense that purple would be a dominant for the colour scheme of poison pokemon. However, going on microsoft paint and clicking fill shape for all of these pokemon is neither fun nor mind-blowing, which are two pokemon criteria that I view as the main goal for a pokemon design. A specific design that I really appreciate from this gaggle of purple would be the alolan muk line. I really appreciate how the colourful design the choose is reminiscent to when gasoline gets into water and the light that reflects from it creates this colourful shimmer. Futhermore, Alolan Muk is tied directly into the state of the environment where it resides; if there is more pollution, alolan muk thrives, if the environment is cleaner the population declines. Its really interesting to completely tie in a pokemon to the essence of pollution. (fun note: I read in the pokemon database that people have started to purposefully create lakes filled with "sludge" so that Alolan Muk will not go extinct; very ironic in comparison to how the real earth is.... i still cant tell if its too soon to be making satirical pokemon like this..) 

Bug and Flying: C-

I am opting to write about Bug and Flying type pokemon at the same time because my main gripe with both of them fall into the same category of criticism. I don't adore realism, but I can appreciate it, especially with how fantastical pokemon can be in subsequent generations. This, however, does not pertain to these two types. My personal gripe is that a few of these bugs and birds quite literally just look like in real life birds and bugs. I guess that could be appreciated, but when I consume media, i aim to be immersed into the reality that the media is aiming to portray (im crazy). seeing a run of the mill stork not only cuts that immersion short, it also just looks futile in comparison to the more creative flying and bug types. 

Pidgey pictured above, an example of a regular degualar bird

like okay you could have replaced that pic with an actual bird irl and I would not have known the difference. 

With Bug types specifically, I am filled with more sympathy, as the name of the typing (bug) essentially requires that the pokemon resemble what our minds think of when we hear the word 'bug'. off the top of my head, I can't really think of any examples of major flubbation, but a few of the bug type pokemon I really adore include Scizor and Dustox: Scizor is reminiscent of a red power ranger with mr krabs's claws that it probably plucked straight from the shmuck's alive hands,. Dustox is a very colourful moth, and I really love how the bright neon contrasting against the purple and red tones indicates its poison typing alongside its moth vestige. it also is an ode to real life posonous bugs, as the bright colours usually indicate thatis the case. 

Scizor

Water: B+

Pokemon, like all other universes created by human hands, has to have some sort of economic development in order for that universe to be viewed as "complete" by critics and men alike, therefore this is the where the main source of economic stability occurs; by the copious and enormous quantity of fish pokemon (the other source of income being the various amounts of pokemon based on cows, pigs). When looking at water type pokemon from this lens, you begin to see a certain theme among some of the lesser-known fish pokemon; they are characterized by their unfamiliarity, their drab designs, and the comparison to actual fish in the world.  However, this is not the fault of the artists, rather the pokemon universe as a whole. The need to explain away why a universe is funded and sustained (thus creating pokemon literally meant to be seen as fodder, by both the anime and fans alike), creates this uncanny resemblance to the hyper capitalist world we are currently stuck in. However, when viewing it through a silly and unserious lens (the way it should be to be honest), this is a really fun typing! I really appreciate how most of the pokemon here have some sort of symbolism in regards to water, ocean, or some form of liquid in general. A design I especially like is Wishi-Washi (insert pic). This pokemon has two forms, with the final, more stronger form being a school of fish pretending to be a larger fish for protection purposes. A great mix of realism and fiction; furthermore I really really like how the designs so sleek and purposeful. 

Wishi Washi

Hisuian Arcanine: A

Hisuian Arcanine

Regular Arcanine

In the Hisui region, there are a number of pokemon thought to be as "nobles. These pokemon are revered as near Gods, and are thought to be blessed with arcane power from God (Arceus) themself. Hisuian Arcanine is one of these such cases. As a regional form of an existing pokemon, there is always a need to fully differentiate the original one from the regional form. I believe this is an exceptional case in the many regional forms introduced throughout the course of pokemon. Firstly, loveee how they hammer home the idea of a noble pokemon. Therefore, hisuian arcanine is fitted with a tufts of gray spikes that resemble a thin crown, implementing a noble quality meant to differentiate it from both its former form and other pokemon of the Hisuian region. Secondly, the pivoting from the regular shmegular orange colour to a deep, dark red is both a smart choice aesthetically and design wise. The red and gray complement each other so well, with the red resembling magma and the gray tufts of fur regarding the ash that spews from a volcano when it is active. And since Hisuian Arcanine's home is literally an island with an active volcano, having the literal noble pokemon resemble its home for bragging rights is sorta one of the most obnoxious thing a noble can do. 

Normal: B

Nothing is more funny than a running gag; and Normal type pokemon is my favorite running gag in pokemon. For pokemon that are literally categorized scientifically and socially as "normal", there are a lot of bizarre and uncanny creatures residing in this sphere. Normal type pokemon are characterized by their ability to adapt to various other typings in terms of moves, abilities and look. However, this leaves a lot of space for creative liberties, which show in the downright weird designs we find here. As one can glean from the beginnings of this post, weird does not mean bad at all, and especially in this case, I am obsessed with this running gag. Some notable mentions include: 

Porygon: it looks like a bunch of tetris blocks were mashed together, and then doused in a sickly red and blue paint, and then given those EEAAO googly eyes. WE LOVEU PORYGON 

Lickitung: who thought creating a pokemonc revolving around its tongue was a good and sound idea? 

Type; Null: yes, that's the name of this cute pile of junk mashed together and given life via electronic wires. 

Cleffa, Clefairy & Clefable: (when changing your mind works wonders) S 

So a little bit of history. Before 2013, the most dominant and "powerful" pokemon typing was Dragon type. It held a whopping 4 resistances to the common Fire, electric, grass and water typings; furthermore it was only weak to Ice type pokemon, who are the equivalent of a toothpick battle-wise, and other Dragon types. In an attempt to balance this, in generation 6 the Fairy type was added into the game. However, since there are only a set number of pokemon per type released each generation, the only way to kickstart this typing was to morph a number of old pokemon into fairy types. the Clefable evolution line is one of these pokemon, and it just makes so much sense. the Cleffa, Clefairy and Clefable lines are a species of pokemon that celebrate and come from the moon. they are essentially moon fairies, and during the full moon, they do a moonlight dance to celebrate and bless the pokemon around it. They were born to be this type. i mean just look at them... 

B/N (Blogger's Note): this was typed up in real-time as we watched videos and sat around togeher on the couch. We have kept all edits very minimal in order to provide you with the most raw and real moments possible.

we are watching these millenials cook pizza.

they r flubbing it real bad

figs

mina: oh hes trying to be different

mina: oh shut up  

sunny: ifkr

mina: ew

*riel plays with skitty*

mina: the white sauce with the green dough

riel: it looks like a preschool art project

sunny: hes so weird

riel: JUST MAKE A FXCKING PIZZA

sunny: what is happening

riel: its over

mina: why would u touch it

*choir of “ewwws”*

mina: the crust

riel: it looks like its alive

riel: it boggles me how theyre this old and they still do this

*ad plays*

mina: its over

riel: i just know its pooling *in regards to the oil on the pizza*

mina and sunny: ewwwwww

sunny: for the love of god please stop

mina: idk abt that *in regards to zach*

riel: theyre larping as cooks

sunny: he has a puchable face *in regards to jimmy*

riel: he bit it so nerdily too

sunny: ohhh white people /neg

riel: cypreth grovth midnight cheeth

riel: its haternth bitch eugene ur over.

sunny: jimmy needsto fall down a gutter

riel: jungwoo just went live *gasps*

riel: hii~~~~ (to jungwoo)

mina: hes just in a car

*paused the try guys*

Business idea: EDIBLE Arrangements

We have pivoted to watching North Nomads documentary by “The ULENGOVS” On youtube. We are enthralled. We especially love how there is absolutely no narration or unnecessary dramatization  as we consider those to be the most common pitfall of most documentaries.

We are now watching tyler and safiya geothermal spa in iceland video. We conclude that we would never go to the particular location  that they stayed at (The blue lagoon) for several reasons. Too crowded too nasty ppl washing off masks ppl pissing away kids pissing away smoothies without lids. Always the damn masks. Just weird and gross. Unnecessary. I would much rather go to a smaller less populated naturally occurring hot spring with less prying eyes and less commercialization.

We have moved on to the ice hotel video from the same channel. We have deduced that we would love to utilize the strong arctic winds of iceland in order to lift off from the ground like flying suqirrel style.

We have also come to the revelation that we would like to test the limits of the human body by exceeding the maximum permitted duration one can stay in the ice hotel. I theorize that the death one may face from prolonged low temperatures for over 24 hr would be like falling asleep kinda. Idk. But it got a hoot out of sunny so yas.

We also think theres no way people go to the ice hotel to fuck. Its just way too cold how is it even logistically possible i dont think it would even be fun.

After some brief discussion we have made the unanimous decision to categorize Emma Watson as Odd and Anna Kendrick as Unserious. Aubrey Plaza is off putting and Rebel Wilson is nonsensical. Anne Hathaway is run of the mill. (B/N: our research article detailing each of these proprietary personality types is still in progress, but we hope our intentions by these categorizations are not misunderstood as having malicious intent. We love these ladies and wish them only the best.)

I have come down with cantdoshititis  

So recently I’ve gotten back into Monsta X ever since I watched the boys planet love killa stage. I read riel’s FML and Perfume deepdive posts and thought it would be fun to do one too so today I will be doing a deep dive into monsta x’s most recent EP “REASON”. A fair disclaimer that my knowledge on music only goes as far as doing mandatory choir from grade 1 to grade 8 as well as rcm piano up to like level 8 so I suggest you take anything I say here with a grain of salt. I also think it’s important to lay out any biases before starting a piece of writing so I would like to make note that I’ve been a monbebe on and off since 2016 and have generally been a fan of most of their music so I am quite heavily inclined to liking their songs. I am also deeply madly in love with Changkyun which is why I decided to not include a “favourite part” for each song because I realized that all of them would just be one of his verses. Now that all of that is out there let’s start SHALL WE :)

1. Beautiful Liar

I just sat down at my desk for the first time since finals ended omg lets get into ittt😍I don’t even need to listen to this song to provide commentary TBH it’s been going platinum in my headphones, room, car, etc. for the past two months. Just so fucking good. The antidrop is pretty different from their usual loud noisy bass boosted sound but it is SO addicting and tastefully done. Not to be biased but I really think minhyuk and changkyun’s voices stand out the most in this song— from them having the starting lines to changkyun’s rap which is my new favourite verse of his and minhyuk in the chorus.. They just suit the song so well. The song is about being obsessed with a toxic woman which I am entirely here for. They wrote it about me actually. We need more representation & appreciation for toxic women in music and media IMO. (EDIT: Upon reviewing the lyrics I realized that it is gender neutral throughout the song!! I stand by what I said about toxic woman appreciation though. On second thought I'd say the song is mostly about a toxic manipulative unhealthy relationship in general [neeeeddd]) I played this song in the car for Riel and they said it sounds like March by svt. I can’t say that I hear it but they have infinitely more knowledge on music than I do so I agreed because I trust them so much. If ur reading this love u❤️Personally my initial reaction was that the chorus sounded very taemin (specifically move/criminal) but idk much about taemin either so I could just be pulling shit out my ass. Anyway this song is a 10/10 on the snoopychacco scale.

2.  Daydream

I’m also already familiar with this song and it is SO GOOD. I’m a big fan of the eerie lullaby vibe. Again it’s not very loud or noisy (another antidrop i think?) but the beat is soooooo hot. Not much else to say. I just really recommend this song. Experience it for yourself. I fear it’s another 10/10 from me.

3.  Crescendo

Asking someone who had Pop smoke as their top Spotify artist in 2021 if they like a drill song is like asking a baby if it likes to scream and cry. I’ve always been such a fan of monsta x’s rapline (think actual rappers and not just visuals who were incapable of taking any other position) they are just SO talented and they show it here yet again. As expected. (Tangent: not a single kpop rap has gagged me like mx rapline did in Stuck). I will be honest though the lyrics are pretty trashy LOL. None of the words in this song are in the Bible. Something shifted for me after I listened to a mashup with Svt’s super but I used to skip it because the “lets get sexyyy” part was a little too absurd even for me (😭). It’s definitely not for everyone but it's a 8 on the snoopychacco scale right now. Shake it left shake it right shake it down crescendo 🤷‍♀️

4.  LONE RANGER

Omfg now that I finally started writing this post my mother is calling me to the dinner table. I will resume the rest of this deepdive after I'm nourished and rejuvenated. Ok im back after a lovely dinner. I didn’t get this song during my first listen in the Coq centre Lululemon but why is it kinda good rn… Starts off with a 30 SECOND changkyun verse I actually love when that happens. It’s a bit repetitive which is probably why I thought it was a snoozefest at first but it’s actually growing on me quite fast. Sorry I said nothing here that alludes to what the song sounds like I simply don’t have the terminology for it. 6.5/10 with potential to move higher.

5.  Deny

I was just thinking about how to articulate that this is a skip for me until hyungwon came in during the chorus WOAH. He just changed the game. Ok my original reason was that I don’t really go to monsta x or kpop in general for slower songs/ slow raps but that chorus was actually quite good. I quite liked how hyungwon’s (and then jooheon's) voice brought a different sound to it and woke me up from my snooze. It sounds very 2016 /pos. And donot get me started on changkyun’s rap right after omg. I could listen to his voice do any damn thing he wants to do with it i'm soooooo biased its not even funny. A 7 /10 for this one.

6.  IT’S ALRIGHT

Okkk another song starting with changkyun it’s like they’re trying to lure me in or something. Love him so much its still so funny to me that he has a british accent even though he lived in Boston USA lol. Ok idk the rest of this song is a bit of a skip for me. It’s good but at the same time it’s not? I think I like the melody but the eng lyrics are a little too corny. Idk the kidz bop vibe is a bit out of line with the rest of the album imo. Not sure if this is too niche but the vibe is giving NCT 127 3rd mini album CHERRY BOMB bside. Giving it a [I think it could grow on me] out of 10.

Thank u soooo much for reading. In conclusion I am quite a fan of this album— they definitely deviated from their usual sound but I like it a lot. Deservedddd the charting that it got I was so happy for them when I found out cuz i rly thought it was over. I may do a fatal love deepdive in the future because I really love that album too. I hope this inspires whoever is reading it to listen to mx because its kinda sad how im one of the last standing monbebes in North america. At least it feels that way😭

thats rite bitchezzzzz its summer vacation the sun is shining and we are soo back. its been a while but i'm soo happy to re-entrench myself as i relinquish my duties as a student and begin life as a simple unemployed person..im not saying you should expect a spike in blog activity but i am saying that i don't have shit to do. 

As some kind of beautiful, star-crossed coincidence, svt have come back and are currently promoting at time of writing! so not only do i have all the time in the world, im also deeply immersed in the media and materials.. BUT! I have not yet sat down and had my front to back uninterrupted listen + review sesh so..that is what i will be doing this beautiful saturday night 

1. fml
   
   The worst part about this song is how much I like it. I know it’s not for everybody but it’s for people like me who like to be brooding and kick rocks outside instead of facing problems head on lol. Typa shit you listen when its SOOO OVER. And thats why i love it rn. kind of very much wishing the title matched the severity of the song in a musical sense cuz im not as into the easylistening shit at this point in time. but idk i predict myself finding my fullest enjoyment of this song on a dark cold winter night and i think the windchimes leading into the bridge & in the outro kinda intensify that feeling for me . love a good windchime
   
2.  Super
   I am a fan. impeccably composed & produced through & through I think. I LOVE my team AND I LOVE my crew. Yeah I just really like it. DARAMDURIMDA like… Idk obsessed captivated enthralled etc. I think the line distribution is perfect not in its balance or fairness or whatever but IN THE SENSE THAT - each person is so perfect for their part idk..just amazing execution from each of them. I love hoshi seungkwan and jeonghan rap part a lot. I honestly just think each members’ vocal timbre is so distinct in this song. Like DESPITE how repetitive the structure is, it’s a perfect showcase of the range of the group as a whole.. i think there was a lot of thought put into contrast when the lines were distributed honestly. who would assign the same parts to mingyu&joshua, hs&sk&jh, dn&t8 ykwim? i love the idea of each member's voice fulfilling a different "role" in the overall sound despite having the same melody part. its an idea that was explored a lot in Shadow from last album so i was really happy to see it kinda be usedd again.. tht being said The song’s definitely lacking in melodic content since half the song is fucking chanted but idc idc I love it, and it just goes to show how svt can rly do any facking concept they want because they always eat. I love how the song is almost cocky: "i luv my team I luv my crew" like shittttt i would too if i was in svt man theyre living well lmfao.. The "strong" concept, heavy eyeliner, the breakdown in the outro omg. it reminds me of 2nd gen war music if they had a huge amnt of money (article expanding on this defined concept will be coming soon.) and just it makes me come alive. like irdc what anyone says this is real music to me.
   
3.  Fire
   
   this sounds like some early brockhampton LOOOL. /neg btw. 😭 idkkk i am not liking the english hook its a little... how do u say.... Bad.. i likd wonwoo's verse a lot though kdhgkjdf
   
4.  idubilu
   
   First heard this in mina's car...shit was crazy. listening back again with headphones is even crazier. just beautiful nothing much else to say idk.. gorjus melodies vocals instrumentation its ticking all my boxes thats fer damn sure. 1 note in particular tho: I FUUUUCKING LOVE HOSHI... my little rapper & highnote singer yeeupppp he ate every single part omfg. as did the other members ofc but hoshi's eatery was so intensely prominent in this track tht i wished for a moment i could grant 2015 me the chance to listen to this song and find out what my idol would become
5. dust
   
   sooo sorry but this intro has me snoozing.. the song is prgoressing and i still havent written eanything umm... i think its fair to say im not relly into it ::/ i suppose all of the slay points had been allocated to the perf unit for this cb.
6. april shower
   
   first impression: sounds like a h&m/aritzia/garage/simons commercial .. im seeing palm trees and reflective sunglasses.. it doesnt sound vry april to me.... erm. this is unfortunately another snoozer
    

   i do not feel like writing a concluding statement. Thx for reading the blog and leave a comment if u can be assed to do so.
   

• No seriously
• Oh brother
• The works
• Tried & trued
• Yeesh
• You’re tellin me
• Terminally entrenched
• I wish them well/I pray they find peace
• Beep…beeeep….
• Many such cases
• Shmuck
• Can’t be assed
• Critical moment
• Gooped