It's Been a While . . . /// Music Monday #70

Well, would you look at the time? Guess you're in for another Music Monday post!

I realized something today: in all the years I've been doing this, I've shared only one Audiomachine song. That changes now, with . . .

"Atragon" from the Audiomachine album Magnus

Composed by Danail Getz

I still can't get over the fact that I haven't showcased more than one Audiomachine song in two and a half years. That's just crazy talk! But Magnus is my favorite album of theirs, and Tracey suggested that I pick a track from there. So you can thank her that you're now listening to this.

Everything about the song is excellent. It starts off quietly, atmospherically. Almost like you're floating in space. Then the rest of the instruments kick in, sounding kinda muffled. They proceed to come to the forefront, with a choir joining in. It builds up before seemingly coming to an end. A brief pause then leads to the conclusion.

I don't know why I love this song so much. Is it it because of the circular buildup, winding ever higher and higher? Maybe. Is it because the track somehow manages to sound triumphant, like a heroic finale, while also conveying a deep stirring not unlike heartache? Perhaps. Is it simply because it's epic? That could very well be.

Whatever the case, this song is awesome. I'm definitely using it on a story playlist sometime. Actually, I think I did use it for a playlist that I made for a friend, but I haven't added it to any of mine yet. Honestly, though, the whole Magnus album is like a story waiting to be written. If you have not heard it yet, find an hour to do so. It'll be well worth your time, trust me. Audiomachine makes some excellent music.

So that was my second Audiomachine song on the blog! What'd you think of it? What kind of emotions does it bring up in you when you listen to it?

The Music Monday 2019 Awards - Round 2

Well, ladies and gents, we finally did it. We are now finished with round 1 and moving on to the round that is not only the second one, but is also the second last and the second hardest! That's right, we're on round 2!

Before we move forward, we first must take a look behind us and see who the victors of round 1.3 are. Let's the examine the results, shall we? Unfortunately, we only had 7 participants instead of 9, so we'll see if/how that affects the winners.

September: This was a very close match-up--and probably an unfair one too. "The Search" came out on top with 4 votes. Does this mean that people found the kind of good music that they were searching for?

October: Nabbing 5 of the votes, "Majora's Mask" now wears the crown for the spookiest track of the year. (Though honestly, I think it might've been more like 5 people were unwilling to admit just how much "Your Best Nightmare" freaked them out.)

November: In another intense fight for the glory, the one that scratched and clawed its way to the top was "Just Friends" with 4 votes. Seriously, who knew the anthem of the friend zone could be such an extreme bop?

December: This one wasn't even a contest. "Oliver Queen Suite" captured 6 of the participants' hearts, and who can blame them? At least "Mountaintop Secrets" got 1 vote, but "Forgotten Castle" remains true to its name.

This is where the Awards move from the "very hard" status to "quite difficult," before arriving at "nigh impossible" in round 3. You'll be voting for the best song of three months. Remember, the winners here will be the finalists in the 2019 Awards.

January, February, and March

"Main Theme" from A Hat in Time

versus "Dragon Roost Island" from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

versus "The Kraken" from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

April, May, and June

"Grape Garden" from Kirby's Return to Dream Land

versus "Beyond the Mirror" from Zelda Cinematica

versus "History Maker" by Dean Fujioka

July, August, and September

"Brave Enough" by Lindsey Stirling

versus "Fireworks" from Animal Crossing: New Leaf

versus "The Search" by NF

October, November, and December

"Majora's Mask" from Children of Termina

versus "Just Friends" remixed/covered by CG5 and Caleb Hyles

versus "Oliver Queen Suite" from Arrow: Season 1

I bet you're all loving me right now, huh? You only have yourselves to thank for this, as these songs are what you chose! Now remember, you have until the end of March 1st to vote for round 2. If you feel so led, tell other people about it. Getting more participation in the last two rounds is always great.

Until next time!

It's Time for Love /// Music Monday #69

Well, well, well . . . it's time for another Music Monday post!

And because Valentine's Day is this week, I figured we should do a love song for today. It's a very different one, though. It is . . .

"Cherish" from the Hey Mama! album

Composed by EXO-CBX

So yeah, my youngest two sisters listen to a lot of K-pop. As it turns out, some of the songs I really enjoy, such as this one. I dunno what exactly makes this song stand out to me--the funky, upbeat melody or the smooth vocals of the three guys--but I dig it.

You may have heard of EXO, or you may have not. They're a pretty popular band, not just in South Korea, but around the world. The singers often perform in other groups, usually smaller versions of the EXO crew. CBX is one such example, as it is composed of three EXO dudes: Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. (I'm probably explaining this all really terribly, so if you want better answers, ask my sisters.)

This is actually my first time seeing the full English lyrics, and I quite like them! I mean, don't get me wrong, hearing the Korean lines with a few English ones thrown in is obviously what got me hooked on the song in the first place. But it's also nice to know what those lines translate to. Some of my favorites are ones like, "My entire world is becoming dyed by you." Like honestly, isn't that kind of heartwarming and romantic? I could totally see myself saying something similar to my girlfriend one day . . . once I get one, of course.

And also the main chorus! "You shine like a miracle, you're just so beautiful/I guess I must've wandered so long/Just so I could meet you in the end/In this moment, I'm gonna cherish you." I feel like cherish isn't a word we use often anymore. The simplest definition is, "to hold dear." When I eventually start dating, I want to make sure that my girlfriend knows I don't just love her, but that I'm also gonna cherish her. After all, you only cherish what you consider truly valuable in your life, right?

Lastly, the final rendition of the main chorus says, "All my roads lead to you, the light that links us together." I think when you love someone deeply, it can change you. They can become the north to your heart's compass. Now, I'm aware of how the whole "follow your heart" message isn't always an accurate or reliable one. All I'm saying is that the most real kind of love will always draw people together again. Nothing can stand in the way of them. That's the love I want to strive for in every relationship: one that always cherishes the other person.

What did you think? Was it an appropriate choice for this week, and a good representation of K-pop? Do you agree or disagree with my interpretation of the lyrics?