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In my local (small) pharmacies you might see Britney, Beyonce, Nicki, Katy, maybe JB. Nothing from the gen z girls. Ariana at best.

Drugstore fragrances. I still see her old ones and even Beyoncé Heat (must be 20 years old) out and about occasionally. There's a market somewhere.

For shots in the videos too. God that's a chilling thought.

And if I say Gaga is way too ***** to be on Get Me Bodied then I'm problematic

Teenage Dream is a *good* pop album boosted by an exceptional campaign, high-budget music videos and tactical features added for many of the single releases. Nothing more, nothing less. The era is undeniably goated for its success, but calling the album itself an all-time great feels like calling a Greatest Hits record an all-time great.

That's almost precisely my point about TTPD though; it's not an outstanding album to those who aren't that avidly engaged with her/her life. Outside of Swifties its reception was a few good songs with a lot of filler, especially when considering The Anthology. Reputation didn't initially hit with everyone either, but its general perception changed a little when the GP's view of her (and the scandal the album largely represents) changed again. I don't necessarily see why something like that would happen with TTPD is all I'm saying. Thanks for the info about Speak Now though, genuinely always thought it won AOTY but I must have been confusing it with Fearless

Is that really how people view Speak Now? Is it not one of her AOTY winners? (asking genuinely) I feel like Reputation didn't hit because people didn't quite get the vibe switch yet and her clout at the time was still low post-Kim/Kanye incident. It was her "Villain of Pop" era that became interesting to look back on once her popularity had re-peaked. It's really the era that broke things up. Some of the tracks were questioned quality-wise but this was mostly it. Whereas I think TTPD and TLOAS were largely viewed as filler-stuffed albums that haven't contributed much to her overall catalogue or reflected a particularly interesting point in her life or career, apart from her relationship status changing. And I don't really see why this perception would change with time tbh.

I saw Mike Skinner/The Streets (one of Lily's biggest inspirations) live at a show re-visiting his second album a few nights ago. He performed the album similarly to how Lily performs WEG; the whole album from start to finish, no real audience interaction, set done in probably under an hour. When it was finished and he and his band took their bow, I felt a little underwhelmed. Though it was a good show and I guess everything it was advertised to be. But afterwards, to my surprise, he came back out and did a whole second set with a complete vibe switch, tonnes of audience interaction (even running through middle of the crowd with no security at one point) and hits from other points in his career that everyone knew. Everyone had a great time and left feeling more than satisfied. Personally it's a show I don't think I'll forget, and I wasn't expecting a lot. I'd even go again. Sorry but there's no real reason why Lily couldn't have done something like this. I get that the album has to be performed in a certain way but there are still ways to make it work so that the audience can leave feeling as though they got a complete show, and I don't know how she or her team didn't foresee the audience feeling short-changed considering her back catalogue of hits. Especially after some responses to the initial theatre tour.

Short term: I guess help. Multiple number 1 singles and another record-breaking album, even if her methods of reaching these achievements feel... unnatural to some. Kept her actively in the conversation post-Eras Tour (though it's not like she couldn't have afforded to go quiet for a while). She also might win her first non-album Grammys in a long time, judging by the overall reception of the singles compared to the album. Long term: Potentially harm. Showgirl is now her second album in a row that has been perceived as prematurely released with lots of filler/sub-par material, and could end up being her second Grammy-less album in a row. She'll always have a powerful fanbase but the overall GP mood around her has felt like it's gone from 'a little sick of her' to 'quite sick of her' from TTPD to TLOAS, compared to the 2020 - 2023 era which felt like she had near enough universal acclaim. It also feels like this era has helped to lessen her overall standing as a songwriter in the public's eyes, compared to what it was circa-Folklore/Evermore/Midnights era. One key difference between Taylor and Beyoncé is how they react when the GP feels they've become 'overexposed' and the mood around them sours a little; Bey goes back into hiding and lets them get hungry again (then makes them wait just a little longer once they do), Taylor likes to play with fire in this situation and show everyone just how much power she has.

Help. GP mood around you is never going to be constantly positive when you're... Beyoncé.

'Critique away, that's fine', then why not leave me alone if that's what I did? The concert was on Sunday night (more like Monday morning, especially where I am), I posted once on Friday night because I'm busy working during the week, as I already explained. I could have commented 5 months later if I wanted to and it would still have been valid. Rihanna's fans (this includes you dear) then wanted to go back and forth with me over the comment. Is that sufficient? Or I need to explain more of my life to you? Comprehension skills on the f*cking floor with this one.

I literally wrote one short comment stating that this was a performance typical of an artist that's done with her singing career and a deranged stan came after me because they had a hard time accepting what I said. That's it. At no point did I accuse her of anything or even hint at judging her as a person, so you can stop reaching. It's transparently your only resort because you don't like what I said although you know it's true. Weird but if you must know, I only commented now because I work a lot during the week and don't have time to do sh*t like browse ATRL until the week is done... Is that not ok with you? Or you just can't relate? Acting like I've been endlessly commenting all week...

Well guess what? That is what I was referring to and it's how she has always performed. Largely leaving the vocal legwork to the backing track/audience or even just going awkwardly mute for a moment. Many times per show. None of the videos I linked convey breath control or stamina. These are very fair observations with hundreds of videos available to back them up, but I can imagine why a deluded fan would want to pass them off as 'hate'. If you have separate observations to share, please feel free to post them independently, rather than in response to my posts. 'Won't waste my time' after you started this exchange and responded to me.... twice. Right.

She pulls it together a little more for TV as she knows GP eyes are watching/there's a lot riding on the performance and if you've seen every one of her performances you know that full well. I genuinely went back to the performance in case there was something I'd missed. Sure she seems unrehearsed (ask yourself honestly, whose fault do you think that is?) , but mostly just unbothered. This is what her non-television performances look like; mic just as loud as the playback, not finishing her lyrics, missing lines entirely and gesturing to the audience to sing them for her. Everything lacklustre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhgtGVN5gNM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xYHaiNurDo These vids are both representations of her average tour performance. You are the delusional one if you think otherwise. In fact, even though I love this performance overall, Rihanna's approach to it isn't much different to Run This Town last weekend. A little flat, not singing all her parts, not really that bothered: Acting concerned for her is a cop out. She doesn't care.

People acting like she was a little ropey from not being onstage in a few years and like she'll be better once her imaginary 9th album has been released, when in reality this has been how she has performed since TTT era. Unapologetically unbothered. She's done with this job. She might revisit it for a very special occasion and/or cheque but that's it. She doesn't verbalise it because it's good for business to keep a return to music teased, but if you still believe she's making a full comeback after 10 years I have a bridge to sell you.