It’s been a busy week here in the Cafe! Pull up a chair and let’s take a look at what Muse was into this past week.
Love Me a Little – Shownu and Hyungwon
This song is so smooth. Something I found interesting was how the production felt very much like a Monsta X song, but it also felt very different. It was a fitting vibe for these two. Their voices work so well together. The way the melody and the harmonies just glide through the song is so satisfying to listen to. I’m curious about an element of the music video, though. The only time the lighting is bright and the costuming is white, is in the bedroom scene. The rest of the music video revolves around dark clothing and dim lighting. What do you make of this choice?
(Warning for flashing lights/images at the end of the video)
Back to Me – The Rose
This track reminds me of an era where I spent a lot of time in dingy bars, watching local bands scream their heart out on stage, and felt both terribly alone and terribly seen. It’s that sad but somehow comforting sort of rock music. And an older version of me would have sank all of my feelings into the melody and the lyrics and the pain. This song would have been on repeat for weeks. But the Muse that is here before you today, simply appreciates the nostalgia and the talent. It will still be on replay and placed in my sad feels playlist, don’t worry. But it’s a mood that I’m not currently resonating with.
None of my Business – ITZY
I really appreciate this particular summer vibe that ITZY managed to pair with an R&B undercurrent. It reminded me a bit of TLC almost, but summery. It feels fun and soft and warm in a very 90’s kind of way. But when you pair it with the lyrics, that juxtaposition is fantastic. I am a sucker for well executed juxtaposition because it takes talent to pull off without being heavy handed or too vague. But this song is leaving me inspired to make a summer playlist that pairs nicely with IDGAF vibes. This is my first time checking out ITZY for real and I will likely be reviewing their album after it releases, so check back for that!
ASAP – NewJeans
The production and the layers on this track are so fascinating. I’m not sure if it’ll make my playlist just yet, but it’s an interesting song for sure. The music is incredibly minimal, and I would say the focus is on the vocals, except the background is so loud to it makes them blend in more. And that layered “tik tok” adds dimension when it enters but it’s still all mixed together in such a way that everything feels on the same level and yet also not. It’s ethereal and perplexing and I really enjoyed it. But I also don’t know what else it would pair with. How do you add such a unique song in a playlist without whiplash? That’s always the problem I find with songs that stick out so much. But it was a great listen nonetheless.
Thank you for stopping by! See you on Wednesday for this week’s podcast!
