Trough a Melomaniac's perspective

I mostly don't have the opportunity to talk about my deep interests towards music, mostly because I'd spend literally hours doing so. 

In that case, I'll just write about what's like for me when It comes to music, not only how I perceive it, but also the lyrics and their meaning, the voice, the tempo, the different versions, the album. I also bring up the story behind the song or each sentence and simply how it makes me feel. I even get specific vibes, scenarios or ideas of what the song brings to me. ( Like many other people.) 

Sometimes if it really catches my eye, I'll even go as far as read articles about it, getting deeper and deeper. 

Briefly I'm going to write about albums, songs or bands that I like focusing on all the aspects mentioned. Simply because it's something I would like to talk to someone about, but unfortunately I don't think it's possible. In that case, I'll just share my perspective!

14/08/2024

Neon Moon - Cigarettes After Sex

(Album : Neon Moon - release date : December 17th 2018)

Neon Moon is a cover of the song by the country group called Brooks & Dunn released in 1992. The two versions of the lyrics are practically identical except for certain small modifications made by cigarettes. But the CAS version itself is alternative/dream pop/indie, giving it a completely different vibe than its original version.

The song is about a man whose lost the love of his life. Since then he hasn't stopped frequenting the same bar, just to mourn his loss. The title is a reference of the neon lights which can mostly be found in bars, such in this case.  

The song is visibly directed at the sadness and difficulties that come when someone is going through a loss, whether it be a breakup or sadly the death of a special person. However, the melody and voice seem capable of providing comfort and a sense of calmness.

Of course, it doesn't change the fact that it is a song that releases sensitive emotions, even though, when I listen to it, I feel relieved and understood. (Which is probably why its so comforting.) 

While taking a deeper look at the lyrics, which they are obvious for the most of it, the last verse sang by Greg let's us know that his coping mechanism is being at that bar. When he sings :

 ''But I'll be alright, as long as there's light, from a neon moon.'' 

it makes us belive that when he has to leave, he re-enters into an instable state of melancholy. This is one of my favourite lyrics in Neon Moon, the second one being the Chorus :

''If you lose your one and only
There's always room here for the lonely
To watch your broken dreams
Dance in and out of the beams of a neon moon''

letting us know that this bar is a place where mostly  people go to let their emotions out and seek comfort. 

I personally think that this is one of the best mourning songs I've heard. (Which there's a ton more of these songs in my personal brainy brain storage.) When I listen to it, I feel like i'm peacefully drowning in an icy lake, eyes red from crying, seeing a full moon on top of me, fading as I sink deeper. Yet i'm not scared. Instead of feeling my lungs fill up with water, feeling my temperature get lower and the presure get higher, I feel light as a feather, without any toughts hunting me. 

Neon Moon yt link

15/08/2024

Something About Us - Daft Punk

(Album : Discovery -  release date : February 26th 2001)

Something About us is Discovery's 6th track. It is also part of another album which was the official soundtrack for Kazuhisa Takenouchi's animated movie ''Interstella 5555'' in which Daft Punk was featured. 

Before going any further, I have to explain that Takenouchi's film, realesed in 2003, consist purely on Discovery. This means the film has no dialogue and the story is sort of narated by each song. The resume of this film is as such : 

''The film tells the story of the abduction and rescue of an extraterrestrial pop band and serves as a visual companion to Discovery, Daft Punk's second studio album.''

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstella_5555:_The_5tory_of_the_5ecret_5tar_5ystem#Production)

Now with this information, I'll add another text explaining what happens during the scene in which ''Something About Us'' is being played.

''After escaping their kidnapper, two members of the alien band The Crescendolls (drummer Baryl and bass player Stella) enter a waiting taxicab driven by keyboardist Octave. They drive to a warehouse where their rescuer, Shep, is laying on the floor bleeding to death, as a result of being shot by a laser during an earlier scene in the film. Shep raises his injured arm out to his crush Stella. She takes it and experiences a dream sequence that reveals Shep's feelings for her. When they come back, Shep then reveals The Crescendolls' true identities. The band expresses their gratitude as Shep dies.''

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something_About_Us_(Daft_Punk_song))

Now with all the intel necessary, let's start with the song itself. Daft Punk is described as funky, techno and synth-pop by most listeners, so its no surprise to find synthesizers, synth basses or just a irl guitar bass, keyboards, looped drums and samplers. I even took the liberty to go search what gear did they used in the album and what I said pretty much covers it. 

(https://reverbmachine.com/blog/daft-punk-discovery-synth-sounds/)

I feel like the music makes the moment romantic and somewhat sexy if we discount the fact that the character is literally dying. The tempo being 100 bpm along with the way the music is composed also helps with the idea of ​​it being a sad, romantic moment. This makes the song feel sort of moody. 

I personally think that the use of all their gear on this song is fantastic. It amazes me how well it all works together to give off that sort of intimate, dreamy vibe. Specially at the end, where they let the soundtrack play. It makes me feel the exact moment the character's life fades away as he passes, yet how I belive his soul rests at peace after declaring his love to his crush.   

Lastly in my opinion, the cherry on top must be the lyrics, since it not only narrates the entire scene, but also shows well, according to me, what a last goodbye would be in the form of a token of affection.The character states that since they are dying and have not been able to get the person they like to know them properly, they excused themselves by saying:

''It might not the right time

 I might not be the right one

 But there's something about us I want to say

'Cause there's something between us anyway''

This shows the insecurity he feels towards the relationship he has with her. For which he decides to free himself and declare what he feels no matter what happens, in order to take the weight off his shoulders. Later on, he repeats the two first sentences in the first verse and then adds : 

''But there's something about us I've got to do
Some kind of secret I will share with you'' 

By saying the first verse, the states that there might be some sort of either romantic or sexual tension he feels between the two of them. And so to finally open up and confess, he sings the last phrase. Therefore, before dying, he uses his last strength to open his heart to her. 

''I need you more than anything in my life
I want you more than anything in my life
I'll miss you more than anyone in my life
I love you more than anyone in my life'' 

This part hits hard because, even tought he's dying, it dosen't feel like he's scared, in fact it feels so pure and tranquil. In the end, with the soundtrack playing, it makes me belive as if his soul leaves and can finally rest in peace. The song can also be interpreted as some sort of break up between two lovers, or just as the song intended, the death of someone dear.

What makes it so beautiful to me is also how such short phrases can have so much impact and mean so much. Just like telling a story with so few details. In the end Its mesmerizing how simple the song is but how sentimental it can be. 

Something About Us - Daft Punk Music Video

16/08/2024

Little Wanderer - Death Cab for Cutie

(Album : Kintsugi - release date : March 31th 2015)

Kintsugi is an album produced by Rich Costey, the album consists of eleven songs, Little Wanderer being the fourth track. This song talks about the difficulties of being in a long distance relationship in which the singer sings from the perspective of a man who constantly waits for the arrival of his beloved, who from the lyrics, we can deduce that she's a photographer that keeps traveling the world. 

....