He/Him/His
I'm actually surprised by this one – but at least it's not Caladan or Rosa leaving already.
LISTEN V. RATE: The Official GRIMES Rate (WINNER REVEALED!)
- Thread starter Raichu
- Start date
I'm actually surprised by this one – but at least it's not Caladan or Rosa leaving already.
I'm actually surprised by this one – but at least it's not Caladan or Rosa leaving already.
Yeah. I'm taking Caladan and Rosa to a secret bunker where nobody can hurt them.
#49
INTOR/FLOWERS
6.416666667
My Score: 7
(@japanbonustrack, @caladan: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@happiestgirl: 2)
That fucking synth motif, man. That shit takes over your brain. And I’m honestly not mad. I love the weirdness of it and also I love that this is the first proper song on Halfaxa because it sets a mood. Grimes calls it her medieval album, but this song sounds more like it comes from some deeply twisted cybernetic future. It’s very unsettling, but also kind of pretty, like a garden where all the flowers are radioactive. That being said, in spite of the vocal gymnastics Grimes is pulling off here, the melodies don’t really live up to the instrumental, though they do have a kind of eerie siren sound that goes well with the bizarre atmosphere. Overall, I’d say this is easily the best of the Halfaxa tracks that have been eliminated so far.
We’ll begin with caladan, who gives it a 10 and says, “This sounds like Cocteau Twins doing synthpop. The vocal performance is fantastic. There's not a single wasted second.” Trouble in Paradise (4.5) seems to think most of the seconds are wasted: “There’s something almost here but it never quite materializes for me.” Mirwais Ahmadzai (5.5) also thinks the flowers in this garden take too long to grow: “It sort of takes a while to go anywhere, even though it’s not that long of a song.” While we wait on the flowers, Mimi makes her third appearance in the rate and she brings Xtina along with her via constantino (6): “Whew, these ad libs! Mariah found overweight. Xtina found releasing new music.” constantino found doing the most. Meanwhile, Xanax (8) uses a term to describe the synth motif that I almost stole for my own commentary: “One of the songs on Halfaxa which still sounds very connected to the prior album. The only difference from a Geidi Primes-track might be the synth-heave instrumental. The melody is again, just beautiful.” My integrity won out, but it was a close call. Cutlery (8) sees the song as Halfaxa’s mission statement: “The true intro to the album. With simple, pretty synths and snares and vocals far more ethereal than in her debut (which is characteristic of this sophomore), Grimes holds my interest with the soundscape she begins weaving here, and which continues throughout the rest of the album's runtime.” Mentions of Halfaxa’s runtime are deeply triggering to me, so let’s go ahead and close out this write up.
YouTube Comments Section
Poisontears777: that makes me dream with eyes open
steve gallagher: halfaxa must translate as heaven in some obscure language.
Marijn Hulsewe: Put the speed on 1.25 and it's funky!
While not remotely as iconic as the Grisgris woodchucks, I find this fan-made music video to be strangely affecting:
INTOR/FLOWERS
6.416666667
My Score: 7
(@japanbonustrack, @caladan: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@happiestgirl: 2)
That fucking synth motif, man. That shit takes over your brain. And I’m honestly not mad. I love the weirdness of it and also I love that this is the first proper song on Halfaxa because it sets a mood. Grimes calls it her medieval album, but this song sounds more like it comes from some deeply twisted cybernetic future. It’s very unsettling, but also kind of pretty, like a garden where all the flowers are radioactive. That being said, in spite of the vocal gymnastics Grimes is pulling off here, the melodies don’t really live up to the instrumental, though they do have a kind of eerie siren sound that goes well with the bizarre atmosphere. Overall, I’d say this is easily the best of the Halfaxa tracks that have been eliminated so far.
We’ll begin with caladan, who gives it a 10 and says, “This sounds like Cocteau Twins doing synthpop. The vocal performance is fantastic. There's not a single wasted second.” Trouble in Paradise (4.5) seems to think most of the seconds are wasted: “There’s something almost here but it never quite materializes for me.” Mirwais Ahmadzai (5.5) also thinks the flowers in this garden take too long to grow: “It sort of takes a while to go anywhere, even though it’s not that long of a song.” While we wait on the flowers, Mimi makes her third appearance in the rate and she brings Xtina along with her via constantino (6): “Whew, these ad libs! Mariah found overweight. Xtina found releasing new music.” constantino found doing the most. Meanwhile, Xanax (8) uses a term to describe the synth motif that I almost stole for my own commentary: “One of the songs on Halfaxa which still sounds very connected to the prior album. The only difference from a Geidi Primes-track might be the synth-heave instrumental. The melody is again, just beautiful.” My integrity won out, but it was a close call. Cutlery (8) sees the song as Halfaxa’s mission statement: “The true intro to the album. With simple, pretty synths and snares and vocals far more ethereal than in her debut (which is characteristic of this sophomore), Grimes holds my interest with the soundscape she begins weaving here, and which continues throughout the rest of the album's runtime.” Mentions of Halfaxa’s runtime are deeply triggering to me, so let’s go ahead and close out this write up.
YouTube Comments Section
Poisontears777: that makes me dream with eyes open
steve gallagher: halfaxa must translate as heaven in some obscure language.
Marijn Hulsewe: Put the speed on 1.25 and it's funky!
While not remotely as iconic as the Grisgris woodchucks, I find this fan-made music video to be strangely affecting:
#48
SCREAM
6.527777778
My Score: 7
(@japanbonustrack, @Satyress: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@Hurricane Drunk: 0)
There are many twists and turns in a rate, but let’s be real. This was always going to be the first song out from Art Angels. I knew it, you knew it, your pets knew it, God (also known as Madonna) knew it, and Grimes knew it while she was making the song. So why is SCREAM so unpopular? Probably because it’s rage, frustration, and loathing in sonic form. I have to take my wig off (though after listening to Art Angels over and over again, it’s already long gone) and salute Grimes for committing to this ugly aesthetic. The instrumental is the purest kind of punk rock, an unapologetic racket, while Arstophane’s jerky flow seems to rebel against your eardrums. When you pair this with some violent lyrics (check the translation), you get a song that doesn’t CARE about you and your need for sonic gratification. That’s what I find so admirable about it even when I just want to skip to “Flesh Without Blood”: it performs its content through an intentionally jarring soundscape and offers something different while doing it. So, no, it was never going to get that far in this rate and it probably doesn’t deserve to, but honestly I don’t think it wants to.
But let’s hear what you guys had to say about this controversial track. Cutlery (9) loves it for its punk rock attitude: “CRIMINALLY underrated! She shines as an absolute badass rebel, vocally contributing merely with her piercing, chilling screams and screeches every now and then. The guitars are bonkers and Aristophanes’ incredible rap + rawr’s even moreso. “I planned to record your orgasm / But then realized I've pressed the wrong button” is one hell of a life-changing lyric.” Xanax (9) digs it so much that he calls for SCREAM, THE ALBUM: “Actually for me one of the most interesting experiments on Art Angels. While the whole album is a cacaphony of genre and sounds this track kind of is the “odd“ one. At first it sounds a bit like a Yoko Ono-impersonation but actually the track is kind of Genius. Aristophanes has such a nice flow and the Scream in the non-chorus is so good (wish it was a bit louder/more prominent). The whistle kills me though. This kind of feels like an introduction/glimpse to a sound she later continued to explore with “Medieval Warfare“…and hopefully even more songs.”
caladan (8) thinks that Grimes should have taken over MCing duties: “Savage song with dirty lyrics. It would be better if Grimes performed the vocals. The live version usually it's sung by Grimes in Russian.” Grimes on vocals duties would have been interesting, but I think Aristophanes is pretty essential. HappyBirthday (7) agrees: “Aristophanes has the most incredible way of purring these aggressive lyrics.” Trouble in Paradise (2) is not convinced: “None of this works for me. The “scream” feels very early 00’s rock and the verses feel very white girl hears K-Pop for the first time.” Speaking of first time experiences, constantino (8) confuses the shit out of me with this comment about Marina fans: “This still absolutely TERRIFIES me but I kinda live for it. It’s so uncomfortable and…idk…sticky?? It’s just a really bewitching moment and I dig it. I love the thought of Marina stans listening to this for the first time and getting the fright of their lives.” Then I realized that he’s talking about the Alt Pop Girls Rate and cackled. Mirwais Ahmadzai (7) probably wouldn’t cackle because he’s a lover, not a fighter: “I appreciate this song, but I’m not super into it personally. I seldom like screaming!” How diplomatic. happiestgirl (5) is less diplomatic, but seems to keep the door open for a future relationship: “This is a bit of a grower but still....too weird and shrieky.”
We’ll end with Satyress (10), who I think sums it up quite well with five words: “Wild, bold, punk, suggestive and sexy.”
YouTube Comments Section
kittypie: I wish I could scream musically
amanda stone: Man.. I wanna scream along to this song so bad but then someone would think I was getting murdered.
cheyenne: I thought they were speaking French lmao
SCREAM
6.527777778
My Score: 7
(@japanbonustrack, @Satyress: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@Hurricane Drunk: 0)
There are many twists and turns in a rate, but let’s be real. This was always going to be the first song out from Art Angels. I knew it, you knew it, your pets knew it, God (also known as Madonna) knew it, and Grimes knew it while she was making the song. So why is SCREAM so unpopular? Probably because it’s rage, frustration, and loathing in sonic form. I have to take my wig off (though after listening to Art Angels over and over again, it’s already long gone) and salute Grimes for committing to this ugly aesthetic. The instrumental is the purest kind of punk rock, an unapologetic racket, while Arstophane’s jerky flow seems to rebel against your eardrums. When you pair this with some violent lyrics (check the translation), you get a song that doesn’t CARE about you and your need for sonic gratification. That’s what I find so admirable about it even when I just want to skip to “Flesh Without Blood”: it performs its content through an intentionally jarring soundscape and offers something different while doing it. So, no, it was never going to get that far in this rate and it probably doesn’t deserve to, but honestly I don’t think it wants to.
But let’s hear what you guys had to say about this controversial track. Cutlery (9) loves it for its punk rock attitude: “CRIMINALLY underrated! She shines as an absolute badass rebel, vocally contributing merely with her piercing, chilling screams and screeches every now and then. The guitars are bonkers and Aristophanes’ incredible rap + rawr’s even moreso. “I planned to record your orgasm / But then realized I've pressed the wrong button” is one hell of a life-changing lyric.” Xanax (9) digs it so much that he calls for SCREAM, THE ALBUM: “Actually for me one of the most interesting experiments on Art Angels. While the whole album is a cacaphony of genre and sounds this track kind of is the “odd“ one. At first it sounds a bit like a Yoko Ono-impersonation but actually the track is kind of Genius. Aristophanes has such a nice flow and the Scream in the non-chorus is so good (wish it was a bit louder/more prominent). The whistle kills me though. This kind of feels like an introduction/glimpse to a sound she later continued to explore with “Medieval Warfare“…and hopefully even more songs.”
caladan (8) thinks that Grimes should have taken over MCing duties: “Savage song with dirty lyrics. It would be better if Grimes performed the vocals. The live version usually it's sung by Grimes in Russian.” Grimes on vocals duties would have been interesting, but I think Aristophanes is pretty essential. HappyBirthday (7) agrees: “Aristophanes has the most incredible way of purring these aggressive lyrics.” Trouble in Paradise (2) is not convinced: “None of this works for me. The “scream” feels very early 00’s rock and the verses feel very white girl hears K-Pop for the first time.” Speaking of first time experiences, constantino (8) confuses the shit out of me with this comment about Marina fans: “This still absolutely TERRIFIES me but I kinda live for it. It’s so uncomfortable and…idk…sticky?? It’s just a really bewitching moment and I dig it. I love the thought of Marina stans listening to this for the first time and getting the fright of their lives.” Then I realized that he’s talking about the Alt Pop Girls Rate and cackled. Mirwais Ahmadzai (7) probably wouldn’t cackle because he’s a lover, not a fighter: “I appreciate this song, but I’m not super into it personally. I seldom like screaming!” How diplomatic. happiestgirl (5) is less diplomatic, but seems to keep the door open for a future relationship: “This is a bit of a grower but still....too weird and shrieky.”
We’ll end with Satyress (10), who I think sums it up quite well with five words: “Wild, bold, punk, suggestive and sexy.”
YouTube Comments Section
kittypie: I wish I could scream musically
amanda stone: Man.. I wanna scream along to this song so bad but then someone would think I was getting murdered.
cheyenne: I thought they were speaking French lmao
He/Him
Good riddance!
Love,
A Marina Stan
Love,
A Marina Stan
F
Former member 21294
Geidi Primes better not bow out before Halfaxa.
#46/46
URBAN TWILIGHT
6.611111111
My Score: 7
(@japanbonustrack, @caladan: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@happiestgirl: 3)
I really shouldn’t like this as much as I do since it’s almost completely a mood-piece. It has no regard for traditional song structure and it’s not particularly melodic. But what it does do, it does so well. It has atmosphere for days and said atmosphere is relentlessly dark, mysterious, and weird. While listening to it, I imagine all these night-people sneaking around meagerly lit city streets. I love those skittery drums and how all the production layers engage in a complex nocturnal dance. I’ll never be a huge fan of Grimes songs that are mood over melody, but this is definitely one of the better ones.
Earth Intruders (7) gets the party started with a time stamp: “It has that one really cool part at 1:25 and 3:20.” I admire the close listening, but I think the really cool part is from 0:00 to 4:15! Xanax (6) is also living that time stamp life: “Quiet a change in context of the Darkbloom tracklist, but overall this feels very classic Grimes. I especially love the part around 3:00…very nice buildup.” constantino (7.5) confirms that he has some really lit driving experiences: “We love a nocturnal, driving-through-the-city anthem. This takes a few listens to click but once it does, it’s enchanting.” First your Swiss Alps Christmas Song expedition and now this? Let’s hang out. Trouble in Paradise (8) is also on a nocturnal journey, but he’s on foot: “This song was made for listening to late at night wandering the city a little drunk or a little high or a little both not quite sure where you’re going but not quite lost yet.” The song also has night wandering potential for Cutlery (8), who says, "Reminiscent of the atmosphere many Halfaxa songs had, this cut does truly sound like walking alone through dimly lit city streets while the sun is setting in the horizon. It's very much the appropriate follow-up to Crystal Ball in that sense." Mirwais Ahmadzai (5) sees the song more as wheel spinning than anything else---“I find this song kind of superfluous, but I like the droning synth that recurs throughout.”---while caladan gives it a perfect 10/10 and crowns it, “secretly the best song on Darkbloom. So dark and powerful. I was blown away when I first listened to it.”
YouTube Comments Section
Lizbeth Angeles: This music help me with my homework, I don't lose the concentration, It´s so magnific and hypnotizing
jebusDsavior, referring to the Darkbloom album cover: wow those pupils are so dilated that its making me kinda jealous... i wonder if thats her secret to her epic creativity... lol
Onirica Pain: to cum inside me, oh magic music!
EIGHT
6.611111111
My Score: 7
(@enjoy: 9) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@Untouchable Ace, @Trouble in Paradise: 3)
This is the Visions track that seems to get the most shit. And TBH, I can see why. The vocal bits are doing the absolute MOST and it’s just really goofy-sounding on the whole. It’s not the kind of song I would recommend to people while spreading the Gospel of Grimes. But for all that, I think it’s pretty good. I happen to like the robot-camp feel and I think it’s short enough that it doesn’t get annoying. As controversial it might be, I think the melody in this one, along with a few other songs from the era like Circumambient and Vowels=Space and Time, helped prepare her for some of the dance-pop melody writing she did on Art Angels.
I’m not the only one who thinks those vocals are extra. Cutlery (5) says, “The chipmunk-ness that's often go hand in hand with Grimes’ voice is taken to the max, giving us a strangely saccharine track? In an otherwise moody album.” Minnie Mouse on Helium teas. Despite the vocal…excess, Xanax (6) is bopping in robot: “Very catchy. The contrast between her high-pitched vocals and the robotic vocal-sample works so well.” So is caladan (8): “It's one of her "WTF is this?" songs. However it grew on me a lot. That robotic voice suits the tune very well.” Trouble in Paradise (3) questions its sincerity: “Feels really forced like she was afraid of how pop some of her new songs were so she made this purposefully challenging without any of the inherent melody present in her best experimental work.” I actually think this is one of the poppiest melodies on the album. To my ears, the melody really doesn’t sound that different than World Princess II’s verses, though the overall sound is definitely choppier and weirder. It must be weirder because constantino (8.5) exclaims, “Claire SNAPPED. Sophia the Robot found malfunctioning.” I don’t know her.gif. Meanwhile, Satyress (7) gives one of the funniest descriptions of the song: “Grimes hanging out and having fun with robots.” Why does this sound like one of Claire’s Instagram captions/tweets tho?
While I dig this song, I want to end on Untouchable Ace (3), who lowkey made me cackle with this bit of negative commentary: “Definitely not an 8.”
YouTube Commentary Section
cassiehowls: my cat is terrified of this song
Jackie Reudetski: it’s so funny how everyone is hearing something different. try this, buy this, tardis, spiders, modest, I cannot deal lmao.
Becky: i personally hear "smartest smartest" bc i always try to be that n i project my issues onto art haha but yeah mad drugs influenced this heY??
URBAN TWILIGHT
6.611111111
My Score: 7
(@japanbonustrack, @caladan: 10) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@happiestgirl: 3)
I really shouldn’t like this as much as I do since it’s almost completely a mood-piece. It has no regard for traditional song structure and it’s not particularly melodic. But what it does do, it does so well. It has atmosphere for days and said atmosphere is relentlessly dark, mysterious, and weird. While listening to it, I imagine all these night-people sneaking around meagerly lit city streets. I love those skittery drums and how all the production layers engage in a complex nocturnal dance. I’ll never be a huge fan of Grimes songs that are mood over melody, but this is definitely one of the better ones.
Earth Intruders (7) gets the party started with a time stamp: “It has that one really cool part at 1:25 and 3:20.” I admire the close listening, but I think the really cool part is from 0:00 to 4:15! Xanax (6) is also living that time stamp life: “Quiet a change in context of the Darkbloom tracklist, but overall this feels very classic Grimes. I especially love the part around 3:00…very nice buildup.” constantino (7.5) confirms that he has some really lit driving experiences: “We love a nocturnal, driving-through-the-city anthem. This takes a few listens to click but once it does, it’s enchanting.” First your Swiss Alps Christmas Song expedition and now this? Let’s hang out. Trouble in Paradise (8) is also on a nocturnal journey, but he’s on foot: “This song was made for listening to late at night wandering the city a little drunk or a little high or a little both not quite sure where you’re going but not quite lost yet.” The song also has night wandering potential for Cutlery (8), who says, "Reminiscent of the atmosphere many Halfaxa songs had, this cut does truly sound like walking alone through dimly lit city streets while the sun is setting in the horizon. It's very much the appropriate follow-up to Crystal Ball in that sense." Mirwais Ahmadzai (5) sees the song more as wheel spinning than anything else---“I find this song kind of superfluous, but I like the droning synth that recurs throughout.”---while caladan gives it a perfect 10/10 and crowns it, “secretly the best song on Darkbloom. So dark and powerful. I was blown away when I first listened to it.”
YouTube Comments Section
Lizbeth Angeles: This music help me with my homework, I don't lose the concentration, It´s so magnific and hypnotizing
jebusDsavior, referring to the Darkbloom album cover: wow those pupils are so dilated that its making me kinda jealous... i wonder if thats her secret to her epic creativity... lol
Onirica Pain: to cum inside me, oh magic music!
EIGHT
6.611111111
My Score: 7
(@enjoy: 9) HIGHEST V. LOWEST (@Untouchable Ace, @Trouble in Paradise: 3)
This is the Visions track that seems to get the most shit. And TBH, I can see why. The vocal bits are doing the absolute MOST and it’s just really goofy-sounding on the whole. It’s not the kind of song I would recommend to people while spreading the Gospel of Grimes. But for all that, I think it’s pretty good. I happen to like the robot-camp feel and I think it’s short enough that it doesn’t get annoying. As controversial it might be, I think the melody in this one, along with a few other songs from the era like Circumambient and Vowels=Space and Time, helped prepare her for some of the dance-pop melody writing she did on Art Angels.
I’m not the only one who thinks those vocals are extra. Cutlery (5) says, “The chipmunk-ness that's often go hand in hand with Grimes’ voice is taken to the max, giving us a strangely saccharine track? In an otherwise moody album.” Minnie Mouse on Helium teas. Despite the vocal…excess, Xanax (6) is bopping in robot: “Very catchy. The contrast between her high-pitched vocals and the robotic vocal-sample works so well.” So is caladan (8): “It's one of her "WTF is this?" songs. However it grew on me a lot. That robotic voice suits the tune very well.” Trouble in Paradise (3) questions its sincerity: “Feels really forced like she was afraid of how pop some of her new songs were so she made this purposefully challenging without any of the inherent melody present in her best experimental work.” I actually think this is one of the poppiest melodies on the album. To my ears, the melody really doesn’t sound that different than World Princess II’s verses, though the overall sound is definitely choppier and weirder. It must be weirder because constantino (8.5) exclaims, “Claire SNAPPED. Sophia the Robot found malfunctioning.” I don’t know her.gif. Meanwhile, Satyress (7) gives one of the funniest descriptions of the song: “Grimes hanging out and having fun with robots.” Why does this sound like one of Claire’s Instagram captions/tweets tho?
While I dig this song, I want to end on Untouchable Ace (3), who lowkey made me cackle with this bit of negative commentary: “Definitely not an 8.”
YouTube Commentary Section
cassiehowls: my cat is terrified of this song
Jackie Reudetski: it’s so funny how everyone is hearing something different. try this, buy this, tardis, spiders, modest, I cannot deal lmao.
Becky: i personally hear "smartest smartest" bc i always try to be that n i project my issues onto art haha but yeah mad drugs influenced this heY??
Last edited:
You didn't forget. My mistake. I've edited the post and have woven your commentary in.