Alt Pop 2020 Rate | #38 Higher than a motherfucker, dreaming of you as my lover

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⚠ WARNING: 20BiTeen icon incoming ⚠










All we needed was a swing of the hips
Some wings and some lips
Couple touches of a button, won't you gimme a lift



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HIGH 10 (@Cotton Park), 9.5 (@TéléDex)
LOW 4 (@Hurricane Drunk), 4.5 (@sfmartin)

Well if it isn't the mind behind my favorite album of 2019 in lowercase letters and a blue color palette that got repackaged in 2021! Shura returned for a bit from streaming on twitch to provide this first taste of the upcoming deluxe edition of her album forevher, previously rated on this very subforum. In fact, let's hear from my dear co-host and idea originator for 'elevator girl' this time, @Trouble in Paradise (9): "I’m more than happy to take more Forevher with a nice assist from low key fave Ivy Sole!".

Ivy is a Philadelphia native who has the backstory of growing up in the Southern Baptist Church, in which they trained their voice for mass and such, yet after turning 18 and attending a Mac Miller (RIP) and Nicki concert, they chose to go down the route of becoming a musician. In the case of elevator girl, I love the energy that Sole brings to the track with their guest verse, I'd probably call it the highlight. I love me a well-rounded play on words and lifting you up and elevating your world are great tie-ins with a sexy hotel night in. Shura on her end, brings a good chorus and a very talk-singing playful tone to the verses. Coming across as a player and professional seducer.

@Cotton Park (10) describes the vibes as: "This was a regular spin at the House of Cotton in 2020. On my Xanax playlist.". And mellowing it does! But not everyone is here for the way Shura took the track in her hands, as @godspeed (5) tells: "I love Shura and especially forevher so it pains me to give her such a low score but this song is bit nothing-y. “Obsessions” on the other hand…". Well from what I recall Obsessions was way more lively and in line with the main album, so no surprise it'd be the favorite here. It's been a while since I spinned the deluxe though nn.


 
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slaybellz said:
Dd of course the first elimination back is me losing another 10, sigh... Welcome back @Cutlery!
Click to expand...
Sadly it's not getting much better!












Oh look it's the most accurate song title ever!










The love of my life sleeping by my side
But I'm still down



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HIGH 9.5 (@Trouble in Paradise @slaybellz @Aester), 9 (@Oleander @klow)
LOW 5 (@CorgiCorgiCorgi), 6 (@Candy Perfume Girl @Ana Raquel)

In the many moods of Women in Music (Third Edition), we find solace by means of an extended episode of depression, and through the scenarios described in the lyrics; staring at the ceiling, being unable to sleep, spending too much time watching shows, etc. it is easy to understand the feeling of isolation, in particular when around the people who love you. And the lyrics also highlight so well how, unconsciously or not, we turn down the help that others want to give, whether a friendly hand, a professional, etc. and that's relatable.

Which, speaking of, @godspeed (8.5) agrees with, as he puts it: "How can you not get the urge to scream along this undeniable and oh-so-relatable chorus?". Right on! I'm a little surprised I've Been Down didn't slot into the top 40, and that it didn't really come close, at that. Perhaps the tracklist placement played against it? But, to be fair, Danielle has said it was purposefuly written quickly, being the last song realized for the album, and in a stream-of-consciousness manner, which might explain that the voters simply found more meat in the bones of other tracks still in the running.

However, I appreciate that it's not entirely a moment of wallowing in your own sorrow, as the band's backing vocals give a rather hopeful feeling of self-uplifting commentary with a simple c'mon c'mon baby. Plus the bridge hints towards pushing yourself out of the habit to try again, or should I say, give it another try? *wink wink*. Oh look, this one was actually professionally filmed live at Canter's Deli, the iconic album art and career kickstarter location in the flesh!


 
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Remember when the OG @constantino had to firmly clarify Love + Fear was in no way getting into their possible Alt Pop Girls 2019 lineup? Iconic.










I saw some things today that I could not explain
I watched you change into a tangerine



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HIGH 10 (@Attis @Phonetics Girl @CorgiCorgiCorgi), 9 (@Aester @TéléDex @sfmartin @Ana Raquel)
LOW 5 (@godspeed @Hurricane Drunk), 5.5 (@2014)

Steady Holiday is the project of Dre Babinski, California native, as she puts it, "the solo vehicle for [her] deeply personal and cinematic storytelling". And cinematic it is! Tangerine has a very motion picture or theatrical feeling, with the gorgeous piano that dances between a minor scale holding tension, intertwinned with higher stacatto chords and deep DEEP bass that constructs one hell of a soundscape. @CorgiCorgiCorgi and @Attis both in particular, found a very remarkable fave in this track (10) as they both call it: "A discovery!".

@bubblegum Boy (8.5) on a different note, hears a similarity in one of PJ's certified indie darlings who was notably involved on an incident brought to light in bad faith by a follower that impacted all 1,000 of her gays on twitter and over here: "What in Allie X is this? I like it". What I love about them is that you can tell that they're both theater kids at heart, and in the case of Steady, she weaves a whimsical musical story that would fit right in the world of Alice in Wonderland, yet also lets you into what her perspective of self-reflection looks like. And it's definitely juicy, orange and very ripe for the picking.

@Trouble in Paradise (8) shows some taste with his positive score, but is hesitant to call Tangerine a favorite: "I fear the repetition and excellent but sideways production spells a quick end for this sweet slice of quirky pop". I like that there is no obvious climax present, yet that short bridge/outro still lets into a surf-y vibe that brings variety to the main melodies present in the track.

Steady Holiday has a definite knack for performance art-ish visuals that have resulted in some great ideas on displau, particularly for her sophomore record Nobody's Watching. Tangerine's parent album, Pull the Corners Gently, isn't left behind through the song's visual, which is one of the more unique instances on this side of the indie scene because it doesn't even feature the song whatsoever? A post-music tea. It's amazing though, and materializes the titular fruit in interesting ways. Plus, orange is the most underrated color ever, so I enjoy watching her kitchen! Watch and enjoy below, along with a four-song performance for Tiny Desk's at home series of 2020-21.




I'll recap the top 60 after the next two eliminations, since it's a tie featuring two main gals
 
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FACT: 50% of the plants we try to grow in my house wilt away within the first two months, but the other 50% manages to live 10+ years.










And when I grow up, I'm gonna look up
From my phone and see my life



60 (I)
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HIGH 10 (@boombazookajoe @Jonathan27 @slaybellz), 9 (@godspeed)
LOW 2 (@Ana Raquel), 5 (@Hurricane Drunk)

Unfortunately, Phoebe Bridgers becomes the first act to lose half of their tracks, that title being a close call with HAIM. And that's been suitably achieved with the notable first single from the album. Garden Song opens up the Punisher book with her master's degree on switching between seemingly disparate subjects every two lines. Just in the first minute we get references to killing a nazi neighbor, Phoebe's hometown's rose parade, and her childhood house burning. This storytelling aspect is exactly what @godspeed (9) mainly takes out of the song:

" “Garden Song” is a subtle and delicate opener that introduces Phoebe Bridgers’ visual and cinematic songwriting style very well. Her lyrics often feel like a succession of weird yet beautiful, poetic and hypnotic vignettes and this song is exactly that. But there’s something very comforting and soft about “Garden Song” that is in complete contrast with the rest of Punisher, an album that slowly builds toward a much more claustrophobic and nightmarish atmosphere".

And much like other parts of these songs, Garden makes use of scenarios seen in dreams to highlight a different side of a relationship or emotional state. The fear of drowning yet there is someone who's there to save the day as she says she "wakes up before we do it". It was great to center the webcam-recorded music video around this idea, which stars our protagonist coughing and having an oniric experience from one hit of a bong, and references Donnie Darko's iconic bunny movie theater scene.

Resident ballad hater @Ana Raquel (2) gives out consistent points to justify her main issues with Punisher as a whole: "Folk rock tends to be hit or miss to me. Mostly miss. And most of the hits tend to be more metal-oriented. This one is sadly a miss. And I personally hate songs where the instrumental is super low. almost inaudible. like this one is (note: I don't wear headphones at home. so this might impact of course). The slight distortions are what save this from a zero". I see what you mean but for me I appreciate how the guitars sound like they were recorded underwater. And that's normally not a compliment! But in this case the song is too flat for me, like the energy never changes throughout, which was intentional, but in turn makes it one of the tracks I go back to the least.


 
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This next track really has me wanting to revisit the local arcade, some childhood telenovelas and their soundtracks. Yes, give me the cheese!










You say I'm misbehavin'
But I'm just a kid, so save it
Let me have an unforgettable time of my life



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HIGH 10 (@2014 @BubblegumBoy @Attis @Phonetics Girl), 9 (@TéléDex @Oleander @Remorque @Ana Raquel)
LOW 3 (@godspeed), 4 (@sfmartin)

It''s been a hot minute since we last saw Ms. Sawayama back at No. 82, and here we are again with the 8th most polarizing track of the rate; another one for Rina, but fortunately it's the last of hers that sparks such controversy. Her mission with this track was straightforward: making a theme song for the sitcom based on her formative years.

Based off what she's shared about growing up in London with a single mother in one room and with one computer in the uprising digital era, mixed with her knack for being rebellious and her mother being keen on always keeping her eyes on her, she decides to put these conflicts between the two of them through a rose-colored lens, with a chiptune inspiration and bright colors to draw. And then on the last chorus it amps things up by changing the key an octave higher, to fully sell the saccharine teenage growing up fantasy. And that overtly sweet approach sure kept me from enjoying the track at first, but similarly to what @Ana Raquel (9) says: "I always overlooked this one. but it grew on me when I listened to it". It has a way of ingraining itself into your brain.

It's basically the Sawayama song that takes itself the least seriously, and perhaps that's why @Cotton Park (6.5) isn't feeling it: "Some of the songs on this album just aren't for me". While @godspeed (3) is a little harsher: " I get what they were trying to do and they sort of nailed it so kudos to them on that… but yeah, it’s a no for me. I’ll give it an additional point for the sax solo though". Yeah that bit before the higher octave kicks in is euphoric and very nostalgic. But the hooks themselves are lost on @Trouble in Paradise (6), who aplogizes beforehand : "I hope this doesn’t come across mean but the chorus hook just feels so cheap. Also a prime example of a song that needs some lower end".


 
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Top 60... or 59

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So Heavy I Fell through the Earth
Delete Forever
Violence
4ÆM
My Name is Dark
You'll miss me when I'm not around
We Appreciate Power

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Dynasty
XS
STFU!
Comme Des Garçons (Like the Boys)
Love Me 4 Me
Bad Friend
Fuck This World (Interlude)
Who's Gonna Save U Now?
Tokyo Love Hotel
Snakeskin

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forever
claws
detonate
enemy
i finally understand
party 4 u
anthems
visions

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Kyoto
Punisher
Chinese Satellite
ICU
I Know the End

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The Steps
I Know Alone
Up from a Dream
Gasoline
3 AM
Don't Wanna
Now I'm in It
Hallelujah
Summer Girl

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People, I've been sad
Je disparais dans tes bras / I disappear in your arms
Nada
La vita nuova

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The Aces - Daydream
beabadoobee - Worth It
Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club
Charlotte OC - Freedom
Empress Of - Give Me Another Chance
Fiona Apple - Shameika
Georgia - Never Let You Go
Hayley Williams - Simmer
Javiera Mena - Corazón Astral
Lido Pimienta - Eso Que Tú Haces
Purity Ring - stardew
Sevdaliza - Lamp Lady
Soccer Mommy - circle the drain
Tayla Parx - Dance Alone
Tei Shi - Die 4 Ur Love
Yerin Baek - Lovegame​
 
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