best of FINISHED | vilppu faves of 18

[Vilppu]

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

 

 

1. Jonghyun – Poet | Artist

 

Quote

Give or take approximately half an hour, exactly a year ago I came back home from the second and last IT lecture I’ve ever attended. My only other class that day wasn’t starting until a couple hours later and I was generally in a pretty good mood, my personal and educational lives were finally starting to stabilise after a rougher period. So anyway, I open my laptop, check up on Twitter. The first thing I see is that Jonghyun was transported into a hospital in a critical condition with some news outlets already reporting he’s dead. This did not make sense, I did not want it to make sense. Sure, the great musicians deaths were always saddening to some degree but this was a whole new level since just a few months prior I’d become attached to Jonghyun more than I’ve ever done to any other artist. The day went on and from trying to pretend I was okay to my insensitive roommate to spending half the night puking (admittedly due to accidentally eating some **** past its expiry date because I’m a hopeless idiot), needless to say, I wasn’t in the best condition.

 

A little over a month later, „Poet | Artist”, the final album Jonghyun managed to complete when he was still alive, came out. It was the day of a very important linear algebra midterm and the record came out at a very convenient 3AM hour my time. Knowing damn well I should get my priorities straight, of course I did stay up, and didn’t really get to sleep at all later on, which resulted in me being a restless, emotionally wrecked disaster for the time the test came. I aced it.

 

Why do I share this, you may want to ask. It’s because while „Poet | Artist” may not be the most impressive album of the year objectively, there may be countless more advanced production-wise, with a stronger songwriting, there hasn’t been one which had half this big a personal connection with me. „Before Our Spring” is the only song that’s made me cry all year and it continuously does whenever I listen to it – it’s absolutely heartbreaking to hear Jonghyun repeat his spring will come each time quieter and with less force, as if he already knows it never will. „Shinin”, „Sightseeing” and „Take the Dive” are quite the opposite – they’re cheerful, uplifting and hopeful, just like their performer who, despite his severe depression, was not a sad person. „Just for a Day” brought my inner peace, even if the „(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” sample is absolutely unsettling in retrospect, and „Hashtag” may not be anything insightful, cyber bullying has been covered in such a way before, but it’s also gained a deeper meaning given the situation. Really, each song has made a huge emotional impact on me and trying to objectively evaluate them feels pointless to me. They are definitely really well-constructed, stylistically varied but consistent and cohesive, sung with just the right dose of passion but none of that can truly describe how important this album is to me. It’s a beautiful summary of the life and artistry of a beautiful, inside and out, individual who I absolutely adored – pardon the comparison but to me this is probably what „Blackstar” was to many. You did well, Jonghyun, thank you for everything.

Standouts: Only One You Need, Hashtag, Grease, Take the Dive, Rewind, Before Our Spring

 

 

i've recently come back to my best of 2017 thread and i just want to say i'm beyond

grateful for all the encouraging messages you left me there. i love all of you and

i hope you stay safe. if you ever feel down/depressed, please do not hesitate to send me a PM

here or on twitter (@viippu), i may not be a good counselor but sometimes even a

distraction can be beneficial and i would really love to help you in times of need.

[Navyofbadgals]

I haven’t listened to it yet (I will) but I think you made a great choice  

youre a gem

[Wicked]

On 12/15/2018 at 11:52 AM, Vilppu said:

9. serpentwithfeet – soil

Oh WOW, yes, an album!

On 12/15/2018 at 12:03 PM, madonnas said:

UGH, I can't stand serpentwithfeet.  He's one of those people who's creative and talented but the way he over emphasizes every single note makes me CRINGE. 

Be the Cowboy and Isolation   

This is what makes his music to me, he doesn't over do it imo. His music being built upon his vocal expression is more than likely really natural to him being raised in the church. It makes him come off as spiritually connected and in sync with what he has to say on every song (and truthfully... more genuine), since most of the music is layering of said vocals it all works to me. You like Bjork who stretches one dolphin-esque note out for 30 minutes (and that didn't start with Utopia, homegirl being hitting the wild notes for way too long since Post) + makes a whole throat singing album!

 

OT: This vocally dull era ain't the tea at all though, Kali can go and be replaced by anyone else on her songs and you couldn't tell the different. Like where is the sauce? Even the non-singers with bad voices like Bob Dylan have spice to their singing. 

_____

 

Didn't mean to rant, but great countdown; sorry I was late to it. Love some of what you said about SOPHIE'S album but kind of disagree with some too. I still have to listen to Poet | Artist but I know how it feels to lose the musician you've gotten the most "attached" to; so I gotchu. 

Edited December 18, 2018 by Wicked

[Sylk]

 

edit: the story behind the top album was cute, i would like to redact just an exclamation mark from the tweet 

Edited December 18, 2018 by Sylk

[Eeveelution]

I didn't realise you liked Sophie so much tbh! Yeah I love how she gets pop fans so angry.  They can stay listening to bland unlistenable Bebe Rexha crap i guess! (that sounds pretentious, but like...)

 

Obviously you know I stan BH, I eat them up every damn time!

 

Yeah I was expecting this to be your number 1. I haven't heard the album myself (will try and listen!), but I totally understand your reasons and it's a deserving choice I'm sure.

 

Are u doing songs btw? i can't rihmember.

 

[Mark Rih]

Beach House are not exactly my cup of tea but there are some great songs in 7.

Idk the rest of the top 5, forgive me and my mainstream taste

 

 

 

[madonnas]

3 hours ago, Wicked said:

Oh WOW, yes, an album!

This is what makes his music to me, he doesn't over do it imo. His music being built upon his vocal expression is more than likely really natural to him being raised in the church. It makes him come off as spiritually connected and in sync with what he has to say on every song (and truthfully... more genuine), since most of the music is layering of said vocals it all works to me. You like Bjork who stretches one dolphin-esque note out for 30 minutes (and that didn't start with Utopia, homegirl being hitting the wild notes for way too long since Post) + makes a whole throat singing album!

 

OT: This vocally dull era ain't the tea at all though, Kali can go and be replaced by anyone else on her songs and you couldn't tell the different. Like where is the sauce? Even the non-singers with bad voices like Bob Dylan have spice to their singing. 

_____

 

Didn't mean to rant, but great countdown; sorry I was late to it. Love some of what you said about SOPHIE'S album but kind of disagree with some too. I still have to listen to Poet | Artist but I know how it feels to lose the musician you've gotten the most "attached" to; so I gotchu. 

Wow drag me!!

i think it’s cuz I like things that are OTT and his is more intimate.  Not gonna critique his talent or creativity but it really does get in the way of me enjoying his music  

bjork (utopia sucks btw) is very loud and obnoxious and I like that.  

[World Eater]

Słyszałem Kids See Ghosts raz, niespecjalnie mi się spodobało, ale po tej całej manianie, którą Kanye odpierdala, nawet nie mam ochoty do tego wracać. Przy Daytonie mogę na to jeszcze przymknąć oko, bo to nie on jest na pierwszym planie. Reszta albumów wspaniała

[Blue Rose]

Awww. Don’t know the album but sounds deserved

[Tom Vercetti]

Guessed it right ^-^

 

Honestly was surprised by how good the album was when I first heard it.  Dude had more potential ahead of him. 

[FameMonsters]

fantastic top 3 

[theblackestday]

In my defense, I wasn't aware he had a posthumous album released, otherwise I would've probably guessed it.  obviously an appropriate number one and I'm glad you enjoyed his last offerings and could connect with it as much as you did  I'll make sure to check it out asap

 

you snapped with this countdown, you did
excited for the songs x

[Dom]

SOPHIE IS SOOO GOOD, JUST  GOTTA SAY IT HERE. GLAD SHE SNAPPED A PLACE IN TOP 3, TASTE.

[xrosup]

Jjongie ❤️

 

Quote

Just for a Day” brought my inner peace, even if the „(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” sample is absolutely unsettling in retrospect

I had no idea of this.

[volition]

i did notice this album and meant to listen to it solely based on what you said about him last year. it can be so amazing to have an album have such a significant meaning to you, even if the circumstances are tragic.

 

sophie, beach house, yves, and both of those kanye projects are very high favourites of mine this year, so basically your list is Very Excellent to Me

[Pink Matter]

I feel it can be both a blessing and a curse to feel so connected to an artist like you have. The music holds so much meaning in your heart initially but when they pass, it could get hard to listen to their music for a time. I don't know how I'd feel if Lana or Cudi (or hell even Kanye despite everything that's occurred this year) passed away so suddenly. Probably the same way you feel/have felt. I'm not familiar with Jonghyun's music (haven't really listened to any K-Pop anything since 2016 dd) but I'd be willing to give this a listen off the strength of your thoughts on this album and I wouldn't be surprised at it being a quality release. This was a great album countdown! Hope you do a singles one  

[Vilppu]

for everyone who said they're interested, i actually made oomf whose kpop knowledge starts and ends on whatever else i make him listen to listen to Poet | Artist and he said he really enjoyed it ^-^

 

On 12/18/2018 at 10:58 AM, Navyofbadgals said:

I haven’t listened to it yet (I will) but I think you made a great choice  

youre a gem

thank you, means a lot

 

On 12/18/2018 at 11:33 AM, Wicked said:

OT: This vocally dull era ain't the tea at all though, Kali can go and be replaced by anyone else on her songs and you couldn't tell the different. Like where is the sauce? Even the non-singers with bad voices like Bob Dylan have spice to their singing. 

i see your point BUT i think having no remarkable voice kind of forces the artist to experiment on other grounds. maybe i'm wrong but i don't think kali would actively seek out people like damon albarn and kevin parker if she could just sing whatever and carry it vocally

 

On 12/18/2018 at 2:43 PM, Eeveelution said:

I didn't realise you liked Sophie so much tbh! Yeah I love how she gets pop fans so angry.  They can stay listening to bland unlistenable Bebe Rexha crap i guess! (that sounds pretentious, but like...)

 

Obviously you know I stan BH, I eat them up every damn time!

 

Yeah I was expecting this to be your number 1. I haven't heard the album myself (will try and listen!), but I totally understand your reasons and it's a deserving choice I'm sure.

 

Are u doing songs btw? i can't rihmember.

 

pretension is ok here, i know bebe rexha can bring out the worst of us

 

i am

 



 

On 12/18/2018 at 2:53 PM, Mark Rih said:

Beach House are not exactly my cup of tea but there are some great songs in 7.

Idk the rest of the top 5, forgive me and my mainstream taste

 



 

 

my songs list is more mainstream i think, i hope you find more you like there!

 

On 12/18/2018 at 3:31 PM, World Eater said:

Słyszałem Kids See Ghosts raz, niespecjalnie mi się spodobało, ale po tej całej manianie, którą Kanye odpierdala, nawet nie mam ochoty do tego wracać. Przy Daytonie mogę na to jeszcze przymknąć oko, bo to nie on jest na pierwszym planie. Reszta albumów wspaniała

nie wiem jakim cudem, ale kanye jako... social media osobistość nie irytował mnie aż na tyle, żebym jakkolwiek mniej chciał go słuchać, ale oczywiście nie dziwi mnie absolutnie, że dla innych to przesada

 

On 12/18/2018 at 5:26 PM, Superpower said:

Awww. Don’t know the album but sounds deserved

thank you ^-^

 

On 12/18/2018 at 5:31 PM, Tom Vercetti said:

Guessed it right ^-^

 

Honestly was surprised by how good the album was when I first heard it.  Dude had more potential ahead of him. 

same honestly. to varying degrees i liked all his previous releases but this blew them out of the water

 

On 12/18/2018 at 5:37 PM, FameMonsters said:

fantastic top 3 

omg do you remember i forced to listen to two of them + to re-listen to sophie after you didn't like her... maybe bullying made some points

 

23 hours ago, theblackestday said:

In my defense, I wasn't aware he had a posthumous album released, otherwise I would've probably guessed it.  obviously an appropriate number one and I'm glad you enjoyed his last offerings and could connect with it as much as you did  I'll make sure to check it out asap

 

you snapped with this countdown, you did
excited for the songs x

yeah i feel it would be totally obvious if more people knew about the album  and thank you ❤️

 

22 hours ago, Dom said:

SOPHIE IS SOOO GOOD, JUST  GOTTA SAY IT HERE. GLAD SHE SNAPPED A PLACE IN TOP 3, TASTE.

SHE IS!!

 

22 hours ago, maurixrosup said:

Jjongie ❤️

 

I had no idea of this.

can't find any legal info on this so this is probably not a sample but both songs have a really distinct vocal melody in choruses which sounds a bit too similar to be completely coincidental, i think the classical musicians react yt acc talked about it more. nothing to take anyone to court over or anything but i'm pretty sure the writers did take inspiration from the other song to a degree which btw is absolutely a really good song to get inspired by

 

12 hours ago, volition said:

i did notice this album and meant to listen to it solely based on what you said about him last year. it can be so amazing to have an album have such a significant meaning to you, even if the circumstances are tragic.

 

sophie, beach house, yves, and both of those kanye projects are very high favourites of mine this year, so basically your list is Very Excellent to Me

yes, music is just... really powerful

 

glad you liked it ^-^

 

8 hours ago, Pink Matter said:

I feel it can be both a blessing and a curse to feel so connected to an artist like you have. The music holds so much meaning in your heart initially but when they pass, it could get hard to listen to their music for a time. I don't know how I'd feel if Lana or Cudi (or hell even Kanye despite everything that's occurred this year) passed away so suddenly. Probably the same way you feel/have felt. I'm not familiar with Jonghyun's music (haven't really listened to any K-Pop anything since 2016 dd) but I'd be willing to give this a listen off the strength of your thoughts on this album and I wouldn't be surprised at it being a quality release. This was a great album countdown! Hope you do a singles one  

i never thought of how i'd be reacting to my faves music after die (well, i never thought i would have to) but after a while, i think my perception actually generally improved? i absolutely can never listen to the song end of a day, i completely break down just about 5 seconds in but otherwise i think certain songs gained more importance to me and thankfully, didn't get scarred. well, let's hope neither of us has to go through this again anytime soon. and yes i am doing one!

 

btw if you ever feel like getting back to kpop, i'm only two clicks away ^-^

[Vilppu]

ok... let's move on

 

 

SONGS – HONOURABLE MENTIONS PART 1

 

i'm a ****ing moron and accidentally deleted the entire post beyond saving and

i'm not re-doing the introduction, maybe tomorrow. anyway this will have two parts

then an actual, ranked, important top 20 will come

 

Quote

Blood Orange – Characoal Baby // Boo boo the fool truly jumped out when I was expecting this album to be anything other than boring crap but after this song, could you really blame me.

The Carters – Summer //

 

 

so shut up! Beyoncé doesn’t know what her singles are either. Anyway this has such a nice classic feel to it, it’s a bit „Dangerously in Love” in idea but her more creative, fully realised and mature eras in execution. Would maybe make top 20 if I weren’t mad at them for completely snubbing the album at my date.

Father John Misty – Date Night // I find the fact that mr Josh Tillman seems to stand for everything I stand against musically kind of impressive, actually, so even if he infuriates me beyond words and „Pure Comedy” is the most traumatizing album in recent memory, I think I’ll always have a sweet spot for him. Especially since I can’t deny him having both musicality and musical talent which unravel when he finally decides to write something that isn’t mortally slow, such as this little song.

Grimes – We Appreciate Power // Nothing can sum up my thoughts on Claire better than this tweet but I have to give a person audacious enough to go full on „Neanderthal to human being Evolution, kill the gene Biology is superficial Intelligence is artificial Submit Submit Submit Submit Submit Submit Submit Submit” some credit.

Halestorm – Uncomfortable // A really, really cool fast-paced number standing proud among other recent female fronted rock bands. The only issue with it is how the chorus is too heavily vocal-reliant which makes the entire thing just a little bit slower and lose just a little of its groove.

Janelle Monáe – Make Me Feel // „Kiss” is by quite some distance the weakest single of Prince’s imperial phase so Janelle choosing that to remake is a double-edged sword – on the one hand, it’s nice see that song’s potential utilised in a better way but on the other, the lost opportunity of her doing something more captivating like, say, her „Let’s Go Crazy” hurts a tad.

Jay Rock, Kendrick, someone else i think idk – King’s Dead // This song is actually complete bull**** through most of its running time but then suddenly the last minute becomes like the greatest thing ever. A fun twist if I ever saw one.

Jorja Smith – The One // something about her being boring something something I don’t care, this song has a very cool strings section that gets me every time. What is this dumb video resolution though.

Kacey Musgraves – Butterflies // I truly believe „Butterflies” paved the way for other artists to jump into country. This is the most fulfilling thing to me more then #1

Kero Kero Bonito – Only Acting // For a hot second after this song was released I actually preferred this sound to their debut and wanted them to continue. Then I heard everything else they released this era and boo boo the fool jumped out even more but I guess I’ll always have this great song at least.

[madonnas]

I liked the title track and Rewind a lot, but don't remember the rest.

Shoulda given it more of my time. 

[madonnas]

Only Acting deserved more than a HM, same with WAP

[Blue Rose]

Wig at Summer 

Double Wig at Make Me Feel 

[Eeveelution]

You think Bonito Generation is better than Wig n' Place? nicki_nopoints.png

 

Cute hms overall!

Edited December 19, 2018 by Eeveelution

[Navyofbadgals]

oop I like the HMs a lot

[Tom Vercetti]

Nothing to really complain over. 

 

I'm hoping We Apprecriate Power is a standalone. 

[theblackestday]

Poet | Artist made several points. Rewind and the last two tracks had me

 

These are fair HMs. The One is kinda James Bond-esque but in a good way? My other faves here are Charcoal Baby, We Appreciate Power, King's Dead, Butterflies and Only Acting  
 

3 hours ago, Vilppu said:

For a hot second after this song was released I actually preferred this sound to their debut and wanted them to continue. Then I heard everything else they released this era and boo boo the fool jumped out even more but I guess I’ll always have this great song at least.

Maybe it was too ahead of its time for certain people

Edited December 19, 2018 by theblackestday