Aurora

Well at least I can't say I didn't have an interesting run. As always, thanks for being such a wonderful host baby z! Here's to 2027 being just as good as these last few seasons have been.

Congratulations @gardendreams !! Well won. 'Grats to all the other finalists too, especially Staryu for such a close runner-up effort! You all ate that and it made for an enjoyable finale playlist.

👑 Crowning Songs Amber Mark - "By The End of the Night" A really nice vibe from Ms. Mark. I was secretly hoping to see "Let Me Love You" here, but this is an enjoyable song as well and all in all a clever selection for this game's jury. Magdalena Bay - "Death & Romance" Another player who knows their audience, I'm honestly kind of surprised that this song wasn't sent already. It's a solid track from them, and could be an overall winner here. Tomike, Silva Bumpa - "Runnin'" I liked this a decent amount, unfortunately as these things go this is a pretty stacked prompt so we'll see where you end up, but definitely I thought it was fun, I liked the beat. Normani - "Take My Time" What a wonderful way to end this finale! Normani is always a solid choice in my opinion, and this was actually my fave track from this record, so nice accidental pander to me!

🪦 In Memoriam thủy - "crash & burn" Yes thủy, yes points… I love thủy and this is an enjoyable song from her! I can't say it was ever my top fave from this album, but it's an inspired choice for this prompt, I think. Sade - "Lovers Rock" Yes Sade, yes points… I've come to associate Sade with being a safe choice when unsure what to send, but that's honestly a disservice to them. Their music is great, period. KNOWER - "Overtime" Of all the left field submissions in this finale, this is without a doubt my fave! This was such an inspired pick, even down to your word not being in the title. A great discovery! Kacey Musgraves - "Loneliest Girl" Enjoying Kacey is typically a big fish in a small pond scenario for me… in a country round, this would likely be a top entry for me. In a general context, it's just pleasant enough.

🇹🇭 Thai Talent MINNIE, YUQI - "Drive U Crazy" This was cute and fun, it was giving Leah Kate a little bit (complimentary). I wanted it to go even harder, I felt it was a bit too restrained for this type of song, but I enjoyed it. Phum Viphurit - "Healing House" This reminded me of a few different artists, none of which I have particularly fond commentary regarding, however I do appreciate the point of difference and risk taken here. Ink Waruntorn - "SNAP" This was immaculate! The production was so joyful and ear-catching, and the vocal melodies were so lovely. Definitely the best showcase of Thai talent for my personal taste. BOWKYLION - "ส่วนต่าง (do it without me)" This was quite pretty. Definitely the kind of song I'd have to be in the right mood for to really connect with this vibe, but it was a pleasant listening experience I enjoyed having.

🥄 Nepo Babies Chlöe, Timbaland - "Better Than She Can" A solid choice, definitely a standout track from this project. I was wondering how long it would take until somebody sent it, honestly! Love the groovy vibe, a nice start here. Audrey Hobert - "Thirst Trap" This accidental Aurora pander, Audrey is one of my fave artists of the past year, and this was the song that got me into her. You're heading straight to the top of my rankings! ELIZA - "Pleasure Boy" This was certainly quite the departure from the pace of the playlist thus far. I appreciate the diversity and I definitely can see this having its audience, it's a very singular vibe. Justine Skye - "Ear Candy" KAYTRANADA leaves such a strong sonic fingerprint, it's impressive how unmistakable his work is. I loved when her voice went deeper, needed more of that. Enjoyable song!

🐬 Midnight Sun Vibes cupcakKe - "UFO" Starting with a banger! I love cupcakKe, so you will do very well with me. While I certainly get the "fun" element, it's not a perfect vibe match for the prompt, but I still like it. Sweet Female Attitude - "DJ Play It (Sunship Vocal Edit)" This was a pretty nice choice, the vibes were definitely vibing and the prompt was clearly represented. As for the song itself, I enjoyed it enough, I was tapping my foot a bit. ITZY - "THAT'S A NO NO" Hmm, this has a bit more of a rebellious vibe than being truly happy and carefree, from my perspective. The song is fun, I enjoyed it but it probably was the least appropriate. Dua Lipa - "End Of An Era" For me, this is definitely the most theme-perfect choice. The song oozes carefree, breezy vibes. It's a mid-tier Radical Optimism song personally, but in this context it works.

1. Sanguine 2. baby z 3. richelle 4. Not Like The Movies 5. MLD 6. EnterTheAttic 7. Bags_ 8. Element 9. Suilen 10. Pendulum 11. McNulty 12. HyuneSuga 13. Aurora Congratulations to the finalists! I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us to listen to.

Discovered her with Shibuya and was kinda anti-gagged by her shift post-Speed tbh, she needs to get back to that OG vibe >>>

aw last place doesn't feel great, but I took a risk with a fresh new bop that was love at first listen for me so no regrets. Good luck with the rest of the game y'all!

i didn't feel right about ending my reviews on a seemingly salty note, this wasn't a bad playlist at all

aurora's reviews (a little bit nicer version) paramore - fences: love paramore <3 the 2000s were a great time for them and had some of their best music, this is a solid example of that strong benchmark phantogram - when i'm small: it's a vibey piece of music that has an interesting feel to it, something to ponder to chichi - love me not: cute bop, see original review for more praises doss - strawberry: after a few listens i could see myself really really liking this honestly, it was a bit of a slow burn and these playlists favor instant/familiar slays genia - 10 out of 10: colossal collapse, see original review for more praises fiona apple - not about love: i love that she does her own thing, we love a strong woman who is not afraid to be herself and make the music she wants to make shygirl - 4eva: foot tapping a lot, has the kind of hook/melody that is sure to get stuck in your head after several listens. starting to get the shygirl appeal shygirl - mr useless: the production on this one is really stellar, sg lewis really just nails it every time i can't lie, i still prefer this to the other but both are good lemaitre - rocket girl: i was unreasonably harsh on this song in my original review, the production isn't that dated its kinda funky and fun + love betty who aespa - camouflage: cute bop, see original review for more praises great time - dag'ron: another song i was unreasonably harsh on, it's kinda a bop in an unconventional way? similar to the doss song, it was a bit of a slow burn after - deep diving: almost a song of the ever, see original review for more praises lee jung hyun - feel me!: i kinda did end up feeling this one a bit, it was a mix of cute and bop, but does cute > bop or does bop > cute? either way it was not bad bayli - passenger princess: big bop, you ate with the single cover selection i'm no longer salty about it, was my bad for not understanding the theme well enough lil hero - gun show: major serve, see original review for more praises ruusut - <3 <3: an experimental bop, i still stand by the eurovision comment a bit but it has an endearing quality to it after a few listens, a eurovision qualifier victoria monét - sos (sex on sight): veeeeeeeery smooth lil number, victoria has so many great songs in her discography and this is great for a specific mood silo - dontcha: cutesy pinkpantheress'd bop, see original review for more praises

since we missed that one round of results lemme posting aurora's reviews (a little bit nicer version) since the camp faux-rage ones weren't to everyone's liking

robbed asf and now they playing in your face… but at least the song was a bop i can't lie

Silo - DONTCHA (feat. berryblue & LOVELI LORI) Its giving "We have PinkPantheress/NewJeans at home", PinkPantheress/NewJeans at home: BUT in saying that I kinda don't mind this at all, in fact I might have a place for you in my top ten because this playlist was highkey buns and I'm kinda digging the UKG vibe and want to uplift the khia entries in this round in anticipation of my khia song game Khia Asylum Escape coming #SOON #PromoForThisSenderAndThoseWhoReadAllMyReviews So yes for the cutesy vibe and giving me a segue to promo my upcoming song game you will be Aurewarded!! A nice closer to this playlist methinks. :jimin: CHOP-O-METER: MINOR SLAY WITH A PROMO BOOST