Tag: pop culture

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE AFTER HOURS?

The Weeknd dropped his album ten days ago, and I am now finally ready to talk about it. Technically, he released three bonus tracks yesterday (March 30), which I still haven’t fully digested. However, the show must go on.

If you’re wondering how I am writing this so calmly, it’s because on Day 1, I spilled wine all over my computer in excitement. My 2013 Macbook almost did not recover from that, truly. Also, not going to lie, this album has me moody as hell. The lyrics are dark and sad, in OG Abel fashion. However, the beat is bangin. So, clearly, my mind and my body are in two different stages. Do we want to dance or cry? I guess in quarantine both is acceptable. Also, can I just point out that the music hits so different while being locked inside your house. You have no choice but to digest the lyrics quicker. My usual method of operation is to drive around and listen to a new album. Sounds like a total waste of gas and extremely pointless, but IT’S MY GROOVE AND I LIKE IT. However, driving with the windows down and music blasting, is a little less appealing with a nasty virus circulating. 

Okay let’s get into it, bonus tracks included.

So, here’s the deal with The Weeknd. His albums are meant to tell a story. Same goes for his music videos. If you check out his Youtube channel, start with Heartless. Every recent video after that picks up where the last one left off. Keep this in mind as we move down the line of songs. 

We start off with the track, “Alone Again.” Yep, you already know this shit is going to be sad. However, you keep going, because you’re addicted to his voice. I won’t go track by track, because you lazy asses can do that yourself. For this album, The Weeknd went rogue with his promo. From teasing songs on his Instagram stories, to full on performing an unreleased song on SNL, we really had no idea where he was going. He debuted “Scared To Live,” on SNL, as a shock to everyone. My initial reaction was, am I a fake fan?? I assumed this song had been out for ages, and I just missed it. However, upon taking to Twitter, I realized it was brand new. It was lovely. The song has him really self reflecting, and giving his ex (Bella – we all know), some closure. Admitting he was the reason she was hurting, and that she shouldn’t be scared to go live her life without him. WHAT A KING. 

The album gets a little darker, before we can all start dancing again. “Escape From LA,” really struck me immediately. It’s honestly a little sad once you realize the parallels from his first album to now. If you are a fan of “The Morning,” you’ll know that he was talking about California being the goal. “Order plane tickets, Cali is the mission…” You know. However, like any other person who moves to LA expecting something spectacular, he is over it. He sings, “Cali was the mission, but now a n**** leavin.” A little sad that this city couldn’t be what he wanted. I will say, growing up in LA’s surrounding areas vs. moving here fresh, sounds like an entirely different experience. If you don’t have the right mindset, all of a sudden you’re stuck with superficial people, wanting to live an Instagrammable life. No substance. However, I think he might be doing just fine. 

A cult favorite, “Heartless,” is up next. Here is where he starts to take us home dancing. Also, remember when I mentioned everything telling a story? This chunk of songs is where it becomes clear. Initially, I had no idea. After seeing a well thought out Reddit thread, I finally saw the light. In this track he talks about being back to his old ways. Money, sex, and drugs. Casual! The next song, while still an absolute bop, gets a little dark. The end we hear sirens, which leads into another favorite, “Blinding Lights.” Here’s where the Reddit thread threw me for a loop. APPARENTLY the lights that are blinding him, are the AMBULANCE LIGHTS??? Who knew?? Not me. I was busy Tik Tok dancing to the song. 

Let’s talk about the bonus tracks he released only a MERE day ago. I feel like they have been out for longer, because I got lucky when I popped in on his live stream last week. He was playing them like they were nothing. No biggie, just some unreleased songs you guys have never heard. They’re all extremely mellow. Songs about missing his ex. Classic. And then a “Final Lullaby” to end it all. Who doesn’t love a lil sleepy time trio to fuel their six quarantine naps?

I am going to end this by talking out of my ass for a second. Yes, it sucks that everything is cancelled. Yes, it sucks that we are all out of work (or some of us). Also, yes, it sucks that we can’t be social with the ones we love. BUUUUUUT, it doesn’t suck that all our artists are releasing things they’re proud of, even in moments like this. So, let’s take the time to stream their albums, watch their livestream, and give them praise. After all, right now, all we have is music to get us through this. Okay that is probably not true for 99% of people. It feels like it though. 

So lastly, wash your hands you disgusting monsters. I don’t know about you, but I am so beyond ready to go to an open plot of land and start dancing. 

See you later skaters. 

PS: Remember when I saw The Weeknd for the first time? Check below.

 

2020 New Beginnings

Happy New Year! I thought I would start my first post in 2020 with a little life update. Maybe even take you on a little journey in my personal UFO if that’s okay with you? Throw in a little spicy storytime. Who knows.

So, what is this all about? YOUR GIRL GOT A NEW JOB. I have kept everyone in the dark about this situation, except for my close friends, up until very recently. I just wanted to marinate in the moment, okay?? I didn’t want to wake up and have it all be fake. If you are attentive, I briefly mentioned in my post about Life Is Beautiful, I quit my job to be there. Aren’t I so fun and dramatic? In all reality, I quit my job, and THEN went to have my own celebration at the festival. However, I never really touched base on anything after that. You want to know why? Finding a job was hard as hell that’s why. 

Let me backtrack quickly for a second. Upon graduating college, I thought with my thin paper degree, I was set. However, I was brought back to reality, shortly after that thought crossed my mind. For some, finding a job in their career path was actually simple. They had their minds made up in college, and stuck with it. While I always truly knew where my heart was heading, I constantly teetered on if it was “doable.” This is why in college, I didn’t think to look for internships or simple music jobs. I was ignoring my heart and my gut. So, that just meant I was going to have to bust my ass from that moment forward. Which is exactly what I have been doing for the last 2 years. I took a small break after graduation and was ready to grind. I took a small part-time job at a bar in Orange County, which I still hold very near and dear to my heart. While it was only a marketing and promotions position, I figured this title would look great for an entry level music job. I got settled in the job, and continued to look elsewhere. My heart could not rest. I loved the bar and I loved the family that it provided me, but I still felt restless. Coming home from music festivals I was sad, almost like I was longing for more. I MEAN I WAS. I just didn’t know what. 

Now, we’re approaching Fall 2019. Life Is Beautiful is around the corner, and my heart is starting to become unhappy. It is becoming increasingly obvious to the people around me. I am no longer where I need to be. While at one point, this job was the first step in the right direction, now it was time to put another foot forward. So, I quit. Didn’t even give my parents more than a 2 weeks notice, like my boss. I set my last day to be right before the music festival, so I could have one last chance to dance. Not forever, c’mon. Just ya know, before I cried every night applying to jobs. If you know me, you know that’s exactly what my sensitive ass did. 

I mean, it wasn’t all bad. I did spend countless nights crying in frustration. Wouldn’t you?? If your initial thought was “no,” maybe sit at your computer for 8 hours a day, emailing the void. Now occasionally those emails did produce a response. However, the majority of the response was negative. This is what differentiates 2019 me from 2017 me. In 2017, I would see the rejection, get mad, and quit. This time, I saw the rejection and used it as a fire to spark my next move. Don’t get me wrong though, I still cried…A LOT. All the tears eventually paid off. In early December, I got an interview that would set the tone for my new decade. Upon leaving the interview, I went to visit my best friend at work. I remember telling her I HAD TO HAVE THAT JOB. I have never left an interview feeling like the perfect fit, until that moment. Like everyone should do when looking for a new job, follow up. Seriously. Be annoying. I emailed the company, and almost immediately got a response. It was good news, and he wanted to call me that Friday to finalize everything. This is where things come full circle for me.

Friday rolls around, and I am going on a girls trip to San Diego, for my friend’s birthday. We arrive a little early, so I can take my call in one of the rooms before the festivities begin. I got the job. At the time it still didn’t feel real, still doesn’t. However, this is where it all comes looping around. I quit my job a few months back, and had my last moment of stress-free bliss at one of my favorite music festivals. In San Diego, I started my NEW stress-free bliss dancing at Gryffin! See what I mean, full circle. What’s meant to be will be. 

All this had me reminiscing on what my life has been like in the past two years. All the music festival moments, random vegas concerts, and spontaneous trips to go see my favorite artists. At the time, those were all the moments that inspired me the most. They still probably will in this new chapter of my life. All the “too drunk” moments at Coachella, blisters on my ankles, and post festival comedowns. Those were the memories that kept me working hard, and dreaming bigger. 

Now, this definitely isn’t the end. With this new job, you’ll get to see me thrive even more. AND I AM GETTING PAID FOR IT??? Imagine that, getting paid to do something you love. I think I’ve heard some sayings about that in the past. What I can say for sure, is you can expect to still hear me scream singing all my favorite songs, except more frequently. This blog will still be thriving, once I find time and content. There are definitely more interviews coming up, so keep an eye out for that. Also, more music festivals, so possibly more disasters?? You know it’s bound to happen with me. Maybe this time someone will actually steal my Iphone 6, so I have no excuse to not get my upgrade. So, until the next musical journey we meet on, I’ll be back soon!!

 

Selena, You’re Better Than This.

Ah yes, the infamous pop culture couple. Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. It feels like we have grown up with this relationship. From the beginning, to the end, we have seen it all with these two. Hopefully. I don’t want to jump straight into this and start ragging on Selena. So, let’s reel it back a little bit. 

The year is 2011, maybe even 2012, they get a little jumbled in the mess. This is when the pair STARTED dating. Let that sink in. Most of us were youngins. Not even thinking about dating, but I mean they are relatively the same age. Just two super young celebrities, trying to navigate love, in the public spotlight. I mean wow. Can you imagine how hard that must be? Not only are you trying to get a grip on what dating is, but you hardly even know yourself at that point. So, imagine trying to do that with a whole nation looking at you. It is hard to imagine, I will give them that. However, they did not really need to make everything so public. As a couple, you have the power to choose what people know about the intimate details of your relationship. This is where things get a little messy.

In 2012, it seemed that the couple broke up, for the first time. Yeah I know, almost 7 years later and we are still not really sure what is actually happening anymore. So, they break up, seemingly for a couple years. Selena makes breakup songs, Justin goes on a drunken bender, the usual. They stayed off and on until about 2014. The pair just couldn’t make up their minds. However, the media loved it. We all loved it, right? I mean it’s a tale as old as time. When nothing interesting is happening in your own life, there is ALWAYS some celebrity drama. This is where things get a little messy. It seemed that in 2015, they really were ready to go their own ways. Gearing up for a 2015-2016 tour season, they were both starting to date other people. Justin decided to pair with Sofia Richie, and Selena with The Weeknd. Good choice girl. Well, you know it couldn’t just end there, right? Nope. It’s petty season boys and girls. Amid Justin having fun with his new boo, Selena couldn’t help but constantly throw her two cents in the social media mix. From tweeting about them rather obviously, to blatantly commenting on his pictures, you could tell she was starting to crack. Don’t worry, Justin wasn’t too happy about her short fling with The Weeknd either. 

It appeared The Weeknd’s playboy energy was no match for Justin Bieber. After a mere 10 months, Selena dumped him. Only days later, she was seen with Justin one last time. This lasted on and off again for about two years. They broke up early 2018, where Justin quickly ran back to Hailey Baldwin, someone he was seen with at some point in this messy timeline. Well, flash forward to now. Hailey traded Baldwin for Bieber, and the two are still happily married to this day. Now what about Selena?

The star seemingly decided to take a break from everything. Deactivated some social media, just basically disappeared. Honestly, a power move. It is so extremely hard to try and move on these days. Going off the grid is really your only option, especially as a celebrity. Now, this is where I have an issue.

Clearly, this relationship had been doomed from the start. Once the two began to grow older, emotional abuse and alcoholism began to take a toll on the two. While I know everyone’s side of the story is different, this is just the general realm of what we’ve all been hearing. However, I know how easy it is to go back to something familiar. My issue is not that. I have an issue with the way Selena has been attacking the other women. Anytime I see a Twitter drama account reporting the news, it never seems to have anything positive about Selena moving on anymore. I understand we all hurt in different ways, however, Justin is now married. It seems as if he has been nothing but supportive of Selena’s journey. Whether that be as an artist or her immense health issues. While she has since deleted all of the nasty comments and tweets, for a while she was on a Hailey rampage. I get it. They got married after a year, a little crazy. However, no longer your battle to fight. I am also positive Justin does not think it’s quirky to see you posting petty captions on social media, the day of his wedding. Move on.

My other issue. Her new music. Now this is really going to stir the pot, I am sure. My issue is not necessarily the context of her latest singles, because I think they are actually rather beautiful. A woman healing through her music is a powerful thing to watch. Her album context however, terrifies me. It is one thing to make a hit single or two about your breakup, and what you endured. However, a whole album? Selena. Please. I know for a FACT that more exciting things have happened in your life in the last 2 years. I know you have had exciting one night stands, random girls nights out, and just overall better times. But no. You’re choosing to release an album that is basically your emotional “diary.” Whatever that means. I personally just do not think it is a good look. To capitalize off of this breakup that happened so long ago. I mean, I am sure I am not the only one who is sick of hearing it?

What I want for Selena is to stop releasing the sad breakup hits. One or two, go for it. A whole album? Save it. I personally want to hear her positivity! You know what hurts the most? A bad bitch anthem. I mean, Dua Lipa just released “Don’t Start Now.” Basically a song telling her ex to kick rocks. I want that from Selena. I know she has it in her. In previous years when they broke up she was releasing bangers. Pretending she didn’t care what he was up to at all. The world needs that. She needs that. He also needs that. I am sure Hailey hurts for you too. No woman wants to see another woman suffer. However, she also doesn’t want to feel guilty for what happened in your long time ago relationship either. 

So Selena, sweetie, please do better. For yourself and for all of us as well. I know you have it in you, and your fans will always support you through anything. It is time to let this relationship rest though. It’s been almost 2 years. You’re hot, and any guy would probably be dying to marry you. Justin is taken. Let’s get those baddie anthems firing girl because honestly, I am sick of it. Like the famous vine says, “If he doesn’t treat you right, you’re gone.” “I’m gone.” BOY BYE.

 

NEW MUSIC WEEKLY

Hi everyone! So, as we all know, I am an AVID Spotify user. However, I know a lot of my lovely humans out there love Apple Music. Some would even say Soundcloud is their favorite. With that being said, I am putting a link to my new music playlist here, officially. That way, if you do not have Spotify, and are unwilling to make the change for me, you can still enjoy each week’s new tunes! Here, the playlist will change every week, when I upload it. You can preview each song without downloading Spotify, and you get the full track name! That way you can take it to your respectable platform and enjoy on your own.

See you all here each week!