Taylor Swift decided to create 4 songs with the duo Max Martin and Shellback as a thank you for the commercial success of "The Life of a Showgirl." She went to toast with them, and 4 songs emerged that are part of a second record called "The Encore."
I confess that I didn't stay up to listen to the release of the new tracks—5 a.m. is a bit late or early, depending on your perspective. So, I had breakfast and decided, wide awake, to give her new work a chance. As a fan, Taylor Swift's music fills a good portion of my days. Her discography is so vast that everyone can choose what they like best and, above all, what they want to listen to. At this point, I still cherish "Folklore," and the side of Taylor that I choose to listen to appears in my playlists. Every now and then, some songs outside of what I usually listen to pop up, and if I don't feel like listening to them, I skip them with the help of my fingers—I have total free will.
New songs are imposed on us by artists, and it's up to us to like them or not. Probably for this reason, when someone doesn't like or isn't ready for a new work, a new sound, it can be difficult to accept what the artist gives us. However, just because it doesn't suit us, or doesn't reflect what we wanted or expected to hear, doesn't mean the songs aren't good. I myself didn't like everything the first time I heard "The Encore."
TTPD was very poorly received, but over time we realized it is probably one of Taylor's best albums. Jack Antonoff was too much back then, but now, in this specific project—where he isn't present— he is missed!? It's hard to understand...
"The Life of a Showgirl" certainly won't be her best work, but it is one of the happiest and most fun, with a few sad and very powerful songs mixed in...
I'm going to give my opinion, let's go!
Patient Zero
The first song is "Patient Zero": "Patient Zero" means the first patient who contracted a disease in the case of an epidemic or pandemic. In Taylor Swift's song, it has a different meaning.
The song grew on me; I didn't like it right away, and the part in the bridge where she speaks-singing was a bit surprising. However, the rhythm is catchy, and after the bridge, it becomes "superior," with a very good ending.
The story is about a toxic relationship, and clearly, this song on "The Encore" doesn't have a very positive energy—the video gave a new meaning to the song.
Patient Zero
The video is fantastic and talks about abusive relationships, and for this reason, besides being very good, it is important for understanding the signs. Sometimes we stay in relationships with clearly narcissistic and toxic people. Anyone experiencing this kind of relationship can see themselves in Taylor's video and perhaps walk away from it. Do not live a life that isn't yours. The video is so well-made that Taylor Swift is ready to move on to another phase of her life, if she wants to.
Cleveland!
Cleveland! is the most hated song on "The Encore" and it's the one I liked the most the first time I heard it. Okay! The lyrics aren't dazzling, and I don't agree with her when she sings about all the negative things that are or were said about her—she is a gorgeous woman! Nothing more to say! Even so, even with these slightly less polished lyrics, to me, that matters the least. The rhythm and happiness are spectacular. It reminded me of "Opalite," and "Opalite" is very good.
Cleveland!
Pink Clouding
On the album "Reputation," Taylor Swift sings one of the most emblematic songs in her catalog: "Getaway Car." She talks about a man who served as a pretext to leave one relationship and enter another. Meanwhile, the man, Tom Hiddleston, had developed strong feelings for Taylor Swift.
In "Getaway Car," she makes the connection to Bonnie and Clyde, and the song ends up being a lot of fun.
"(No, nothing good starts in a getaway car)
It was the best of times, the worst of crimes
I struck a match and blew your mind
But I didn't mean it
And you didn't see it
The ties were black, the lies were white
In shades of gray in candlelight
I wanted to leave him
I needed a reason"
She touches on the same theme in the song "Midnight Rain" from the album "Midnights," and the song is of incredible beauty, with lyrics that are also very respectful:
"My boy was a montage
A slow-motion, love potion
Jumping off things in the ocean
I broke his heart 'cause he was nice..."
"Pink Clouding" is the euphoric state a person gets into without realizing that the other person doesn't feel the same way and that reality is different. It's the state of addiction felt especially when a relationship is in its early stages—everything is rose-colored. "When you looked at me, you had stars in your eyes," Alice.
In the song "Pink Clouding," she makes a mea culpa and hopes he can forgive her, wishing him a good life. I like the song; the production is very good.
Pink Clouding
Babylon
"Babylon" was an ancient and important city of Mesopotamia located on the banks of the Euphrates River, in present-day Iraq. It was the capital of the Old Babylonian Empire (18th century BC) and the Neo-Babylonian Empire (6th century BC). The city was the birthplace of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—and the Walls of Babylon, which were also part of those wonders initially. It was a very influential city at the time.
The meaning Taylor Swift gives it in the song is about the loss of life's meaning, the loss of a romantic or family relationship due to ambition, deception, and narcissism, and when you want to return to the essentials, it's too late—the one who loved you has already left.
A very beautiful message; the song's production isn't extraordinary, but it is good
"
Babylon
It's not her best work, for me, but as I said, I like it. It's not the tragic drama painted on social media. And whoever likes it, likes it. Whoever doesn't, doesn't! That's it, everyone has their freedom... Freedom!!!
Taylor Swift decidiu criar 4 canções com a dupla Max Martim e Shellback como agradecimento pelo sucesso comercial de "The Life of a Showgirl". Ela foi brindar com eles e surgiram 4 canções que fazem parte de um segundo disco chamado "The Encore".
Eu confesso que não fiquei acordada para ouvir o lançamento das novas músicas - 5h da manhã é um pouco tarde ou cedo depende da perspectiva. Portanto, tomei o pequeno almoço e decidi, bem acordada, dar uma chance ao novo trabalho dela. Como fã, a música de Taylor Swift enche uma boa parte dos meus dias. A discografia dela é tão vasta que cada um pode escolher o que mais gosta e, sobretudo, o que quer ouvir. Eu, nesta altura, ainda prezo "Folklore" e nas minhas playlists aparecem o lado de Taylor que eu escolho ouvir. De vez em quando, aparecem umas músicas fora do que ouço e se não me apetecer ouvir passo com a ajuda dos meus dedos - tenho total libro-árbitro.
Novas músicas são-nos impostas pelos artistas e, é a nós de gostar ou não, mas, e é, provavelmente, por este motivo que quando existe alguém que não gosta ou não está preparado para um novo trabalho, um novo som, pode ser difícil aceitar o que o/a artista nos dá. No entanto, não é porque não nos convém ou que não reflete o que queríamos ou que esperávamos ouvir - que as músicas não são boas. Eu própria não gostei de tudo na primeira vez que ouvi "The Encore".
TTPD foi muito mal recebido, mas, com o tempo percebemos que é provavelmente um dos melhores álbuns da Taylor. O Jack Antonoff, na altura, era demais, agora, neste projeto em concreto - onde ele não está - ele faz falta!? Não se percebe...
"The Life of a Showgirl! não será de certeza o melhor trabalho dela, mas, é um dos mais felizes, divertido, com algumas canções tristes e muito fortes pelo meio...
Vou dar a minha opinião, vamos lá!
Patient Zero
A primeiro canção é "Patient Zero": "Patient Zero" quer dizer que é o primeiro doente que contraiu uma doença no caso de uma epidemia ou pandemia. Na canção da Taylor Swift tem um significado diferente.
A canção cresceu em mim, não gostei logo que a ouvi e a parte do "bridge" em que ela fala cantando foi um pouco surpreendente, no entanto, o ritmo é contagiante e depois da ponte passa a ser "superior" e o final é muito bom.
A história é sobre uma relação tóxica e, claramente, esta canção no "The Encore" não têm uma energia muito positiva - o vídeo deu um novo sentido à canção.
Patient Zero
O vídeo é fantástico e fala sobre as relações abusivas e, por este motivo, além de ser muito bom, é importante para compreender os sinais. Algumas vezes ficamos em relações com pessoas claramente narcisistas e tóxicas. Qualquer pessoa que vive uma relação destas pode rever-se no vídeo da Taylor e quiçá sair dela. Não vivem uma vida que não é a vossa. O vídeo é tão bem feito que Taylor Swift está pronta para passar para uma outra fase da sua vida, se ela quiser.
Cleveland!
Cleveland! é a canção mais odiada do "The Encore" e é a que eu gostei mais na primeira vez que ouvi. Ok! A letra não é estonteante e não concordo com ela quando ela canta todas as coisas negativas que se diz ou se dizia sobre ela - ela é uma mulher lindíssima! Nada a dizer! Mesmo assim, mesmo com esta letra um pouco menos trabalhada, para mim, é o que menos me importa. O ritmo e a felicidade são espectaculares. Fez me lembrar "Opalite" e "Opalite" é muito bom.
Cleveland!
Pink Clouding
No álbum 'Reputation" a Taylor Swift canta umas das canções mais emblemáticas do seu catálogo: "Gateway Car". Ela fala de um homem que serviu de pretexto para sair de uma relação para entrar noutra. Entretanto, o homem: Tom Hiddleston, tinha contraído sentimentos fortes pela Taylor Swift. Em "Gateway Car" ela faz a ligação com Bonnie and Clide e a canção acaba por ser muito divertida.
"(No, nothing good starts in a getaway car)
It was the best of times, the worst of crimes
I struck a match and blew your mind
But I didn't mean it
And you didn't see it
The ties were black, the lies were white
In shades of gray in candlelight
I wanted to leave him
I needed a reason"
Ela toca no mesmo tema na canção "Midnigth Rain' do álbum "Midnigths" e a canção é de uma beleza incrível e a letra é também muito respeitosa:
- "My boy was a montage
A slow-motion, love potion
Jumping off things in the ocean
I broke his heart 'cause he was nice..."
"Pink Clouding" é o estado eufórico em que uma pessoa fica sem se aperceber que a outra pessoa não sente o mesmo e que a realidade é outra. É o estado de adição que se sente sobretudo quando a relação está no seu início - tudo é cor de rosa. "Quando olhavas para mim tinhas estrelas nos teus olhos" Alice.
Na canção "Pink Clouding" ela faz um mea-culpa e espera que ele possa desculpa-lá e deseja que ele tenha uma vida boa. Eu gosto da música a produção é muito boa.
Pink Clouding
Babylon
"Babylon" foi uma antiga e importante cidade da Mesopotâmia situada nas margens do rio Eufrates, no atual Iraque. Foi a capital do Antigo Império Babilónico (século XVIII a.C.) e do Império Neobabilónico (século VI a.C.) a cidade era o berço dos jardins Suspensos de Babylonia - uma das sete maravilhas do mundo antigo, e da Muralha de Babylonia que também fez parte dessas maravilhas no início. Era uma cidade muito influente na altura.
O significado que Taylor Swift dá na canção é sobre perda do sentido da vida, a perda de uma relação amorosa, familiar, por causa da ambição, do engano, do narcisismo e quando se quer voltar ao essencial é tarde - quem amou já se foi embora. Uma mensagem muito bonita, a produção da canção não é extraordinária mas é boa.
Babylon
Não é o melhor trabalho dela, mas como disse eu gosto, não é o drama trágico que é pintado na redes sociais. E quem gosta, gosta. Quem não gosta, não gosta! É isso, toda a gente está na sua liberdade... Liberdade!!!
Lily Allen released a new album on 24 October last year. I was already familiar with some of her songs, such as ‘The Fear’, ‘Smile’ and ‘Fuck You’, but I hadn’t paid any attention to her personal life or her acting roles, and I didn’t even know she was married to David Harbour, the Stranger Things actor who plays Eleven’s adoptive father in the series. It’s a series I love and highly recommend. Lily Allen, who started out by posting her music on MySpace, is an artist who has made a name for herself through her performances, activism and, sadly, her substance abuse, which has led to some controversial appearances. She confessed that this album, *West End Girl*, was written in just 16 days and that she wasn’t sure whether she’d release it, as it started out as a way to let off steam – a catharsis and a form of healing – for what she was going through in her personal life regarding her divorce from David Harbour.
The album is incredible!
Lily Allen has written a story through her music, as if it were a book, about what happened to her. With this album, I feel as though I’m in a bar with Lily Allen sitting opposite me, and she’s telling me her story through 14 songs. We’re best friends, and we’re going through this together…
Before I formally get into my impressions and feelings about each song, I’d like to highlight the production of this album. The music that accompanies each narrative is perfect; everyone deserves credit for managing to create such an atmosphere around the lyrics and the interpretation of the story being shared
I’m going to add some stars to highlight the songs I like best.
It begins with West End Girl:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first track is the introduction and gets off to a very cheerful start; she recounts how they moved to New York and how, to her, her family’s future looked bright – she had even been cast in a play in London. And this is where the whole plot of this album, of this story, begins. Her then-husband wasn’t very happy about his wife’s success, and she ended up finding that very strange.
"I walk up the stoop, I put the key in the door And then my phone started ringing so I answered the call And they were like, "Hey, you've got a lead in a play You've gotta be back in London for rehearsals in May" And then later that evening, you said how was my day I said, "I got some good news, I got the lead in a play" That's when your demeanor started to change You said that I'd have to audition, I said, "You're deranged"
And I thought I thought that that was quite strange (I found that strange) And I thought I thought that that was quite strange (so very strange)
But I ignored it Went ahead and I bought it Got a flight and I boarded I'm on my way"
Then she received the phone call that would change everything. We can’t hear what’s being said on the other side, but in Lily Allen’s voice you can sense the confusion, the bewilderment and the resignation. The production on this track is incredible; just as the song is building to a climax with the good news, she receives the phone call, and for the whole time she’s talking, the background music keeps the narrative in suspense. Brilliant!
And the second song isRuminating.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ruminating is an exceptional track! The beat is catchy and perfect for dancing, while the lyrics present a stark contrast; they reflect on the moment when she had to confront the message of the initial song. Ruminating signifies the act of repeatedly thinking about the same issue; it turns into an obsession, mirroring her behavior with the word in the song. The additional voice that harmonizes with her throughout the piece creates the impression of a ghost accompanying her. She is experiencing anguish.
I told you all of this has been too brutal
You told me that you felt the same, it's mutual
And then you came out with this line, so crucial
Yeah, if it has to happen, baby, do you want to know?
If it has to happen, baby, do you want to know?
If it has to happen, baby, do you want to know?
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know, I don't know
But what a line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line
What a fucking line
Sleepwalking
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sleepwalking is very good; she is in a state where it is difficult to understand what is happening, and he, apparently, as a manipulator, attempts to guilt-trip her by claiming that he requires others to liven up their sex life. His demands put her in a position where she has no control over her relationship or her marriage. She is sleepwalking. She ends up begging to do it with her.
She ends up begging him to do it with her.
"I know you've made me your Madonna
I wanna be your whore
Baby, it would be my honour
Please, sir, can I have some more?
I could preserve all of your fantasies
If only you could act them all out with me"
Tennis
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This song has a phenomenal intro and the rest of the track is perfect.
She says that she went to check his messages because she found strange how distant he seemed when he got home and the way he took his mobile from her hand. She discovered that, even though she’d agreed that he could have a few flings outside their marriage, she knows Madeline and he plays tennis with her. This ‘tennis’ could be code for ‘doing other things’.
"I need to be alone So I took myself to bed I got a lot of information That I can't even process So I wrote a little email And I told you what I saw And then you came up to the bedroom And you made it all my fault
But you moved the goalposts You've broken the rules I tried to accommodate But you took me for a fool
So I read your texts And now I regret it I can't get my head 'round how you've been playing tennis If it was just sex I wouldn't be jealous You won't play with me And who the fuck is Madeline?"
Madeline
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The song starts like we’re hearing and watching a duel from a Western film. I’m not condoning violence or the use of firearms, but I do understand why she uses them—in the sense that she feels betrayed by him and by Madeline, because she is someone she knows. The agreement that she had with her husband was that the person hás to be a stranger. In this song, she shares the messages that Madeline sent to explain herself and feel better about what she’d done.
"How long has it been going on? Is it just sex or is there emotion? He told me it would stay in hotel rooms, never be out in the open Why would I trust anything that comes out of his mouth? Oh, why would I trust anything that comes out of his mouth?
We had an arrangement Be discreet and don't be blatant There had to be payment It had to be with strangers But you're not a stranger, Madeline"
Relapse
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lily Allen went through a difficult period due to her addictions and has been sober for five years. She used to take drugs and drink alcohol. The album is, in its entirety, a revelation of the trauma she experienced when she realized her husband was cheating on her with a friend and that she had lost the happy life she had. It is possible that she was sober while she was with him. All these events in her life may lead to a feeling that she will be unable to control. No Relapse Please!
"If I relapse
I know I stand to lose it all
Can you bring me back
When I'm climbing up the walls?
If I relapse (relapse, relapse)
I know I stand to lose it all
Can you bring me back (bring me back)
When I'm climbing
Climbing up the walls?
(I, I need a drink, a drink)
(I, I need a drink)
(I, I need a drink, a drink)
(I, I need a drink, a drink)
(I need a, I need a, I need a, I need a)
(I need a, I need a, I need a, I need a)
(I, I need more than one)"
Pussy palace
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Pussy Palace’ is the track that sets the tone for the album. Some say the melody is inspired by the soundtrack of Stranger Things because her ex-husband, David Harbourg, plays one of the leading roles. Pussy Palace, as the name suggests, is about discovering her husband’s infidelity and how the place where he lived – rather than being a place of retreat – was, in fact, a place where he would meet his mistresses for sex. And she recounts what she discovers.
"I found a shoebox full of handwritten letters
From brokenhearted women wishing you could have been better
Sheets pulled off the bed, they're strewn all on the floor
Long black hair, probably from the night before
Duane Reade bag with the handles tied
Sex toys, butt plugs, lube inside
Hundreds of Trojans, you're so fucking broken
How'd I get caught up in your double life?"
4chan Stan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I admit I had to look up what the title meant. And from what I’ve seen, 4chan is a site where people can post anything anonymously. The situation she finds herself in makes her suspicious, and she comes across a receipt from the supermarket for a bag bought on 24 May – a day when she wasn’t with him. She wants to know who os it? The link to the site may stem from the fact that it’s not very well known, that it’s very secretive, with users who might not be entirely trustworthy because they hide behind pseudonyms. He wants to keep this affair anonymous. That could be one of the reasons for the song’s title…
"I went through your bedside drawer You know I've never been inclined to have to do that before Never been in Bergdorf's But you took someone shopping there in May, twenty-four
You bought her a handbag, it wasn't cheap I was in London, probably asleep Did you go to Montauk for the weekend? And was there an encore? Did it pay dividends? Is that why
Why won't you tell me what her name is? This is outrageous What, is she famous? Say that it's over Do you mean a hiatus? Why won't you tell me?"
Nonmonogamummy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love Nonmonogamummy; the pace is really entertaining, especially with the introduction of Specialist Moss. It’s about how she accepts that she can be a non-monogamous mom because of the circumstances, but it’s something that weighs heavily on her.
"I don't want to fuck with anyone else
I know that's all you want to do
I'm so committed that I'd lose myself
Because I don't want to lose you
I changed my immigration status
For you to treat me like a stranger
Why do I feel like such a failure?
A life with you looked good on paper
I've been trying to be open
I just want to meet your needs
And for some reason
I revert to people pleasing
I'll be your Nonmonogamummy
I'm just trying to be open"
Just Enough
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Just Enough’ is exactly what the title suggests. She believed in the love in this relationship and gave everything she could, only to realize that her husband had cheated on her. It is even possible that he had fallen in love with his mistress. The words suggest, once again, a willingness on her part to be submissive in order to avoid reaching a point of no return. It would indeed be very problematic if her then-husband were to get his mistress pregnant, and not her. I think these thoughts (in hindsight) are what anyone would have, because deep down it could happen to any of us.
"Did you fall in love With someone who isn't me? Why are we here talking about vasectomies? Did you get someone pregnant, someone who isn't me? Did you take her to the clinic? Did you hold her hand? Is she having your baby?
But you You give me just enough Hope to hold on to... nothing Yeah, you You give me just enough Hope to hold on to... don't you?'
Dallas Major
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dallas Major is great fun; it’s about her return to dating apps. She says quite clearly that she hates this new reality – this new version of herself – and invents a surname so that nobody will recognize her: Dallas Major.
"My name is Dallas Major and I'm coming out to play
Looking for someone to have fun with while my husband works away
I'm almost nearly forty and just shy of five-foot-two
I'm a mum to teenage children, does that sound like fun to you?
'Cause I hate it here
I hate it here
I hate it here
I hate it, I hate it
So I go by Dallas Major, but that's not really my name
You know, I used to be quite famous, that was way back in the day
Yes, I'm here for validation and I probably should explain
How my marriage has been opened since my husband went astray"
Beg For Me
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love Beg for Me is a really interesting song. Once again, she reveals her vulnerability in the face of events. She’d like him to fight for her, to beg her to come back. The rhythm doesn’t quite fit the message, but it’s so good.
"I feel embarrassed, I feel ashamed
You're so indifferent and that's insane
Where's all your empathy for, for all my pain?
My friends all tell me you are deranged
I wanna feel held, I wanna be told I'm special and I'm unusual
I want your desire, I wanna be spoiled, I wanna be told I'm beautiful
Why won't you beg, beg, beg for me?
Why won't you beg, won't you beg for me?
Oh-oh
Why won't you beg, beg, beg for me?
Why won't you, why won't you beg for me?
Oh-oh"
Let You W/In
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Let You W/in’ is a very personal and very feminine song. She sings about how she explained the breakup to her children, who had lived with David as their stepfather. There’s a heartache she can’t contain; she’s been betrayed, and there’s no way she’s going to let him win by saying the breakup was a mutual decision! I’ll post the full lyrics here. It’s phenomenal!
"I've become invisible
Stuck here in my palace
I'm so fucking miserable
In my rabbit hole, yeah I'm Alice
And I'm expected to be nice
Picking up the pieces
What is it you sacrifice?
I'm protecting you from your secrets
Don't tell the children
The truth would be brutal
Your reputation's unstained
God knows how long you've been
Getting away with it
I've already let you in
All I can do is sing
So why should I let you win?
I will not absorb your shame
It was you who put me through this
I could tell myself you'll change
Do it all again
Be deluded
Never get your sympathy
I don't think you're able
But I can walk out with my dignity
If I lay my truth on the table
Lie to the children, the ending was mutual
I'll shoulder all of the pain
I'm sick of carrying
Suffering for your sins
I've already let you in
So why should I let you win?
You've taken everything"
Fruityloop
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fruityloop’ is a brilliant track! It’s my favorite on the album. Once again, the production is incredible and the lyrics are fantastic. The track is the perfect way to round off the album and the narrative.
"You're just a little boy looking for his mummy
Things have gotten complicated what with all the fame and money
Playing with his toys, he just wants attention
He can't really do attachment, scared he's gonna be abandoned
And finally I see (I see)
It's not me (me, me), it's you
It's what you've always done, it's what you'll do
Forever till you die, it's true
It's not me, it's you
And there was nothing I could do
You're stuck inside your fruity loop
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
I'm just a little girl looking for her daddy
Thought that we could break the cycle, thought that I could keep you happy
It is what it is, you're a mess, I'm a bitch
Wish I could fix all your shit, but all your shit's yours to fix
'Cause it's not me (me, me), it's you
It's what you've always done, it's what you'll do
Forever till you die it's true
It's not me (me, me), it's you
And there was nothing I could do, you're stuck inside your fruity loop
There was nothing I could do, you're stuck inside your fruity loop"
Interview on CBS Morning. Very interesting!
I may have waited a long time to write this message, but my adoration for this album hasn’t changed. It’s an album by a mature, honest, vulnerable woman. It’s probably one of the best albums ever made. There aren’t any dance tracks (I dance to ‘Fruityloop’ and ‘Beg For Me’), there aren’t any hits… Hello… it’s the story of a wounded woman!
Lily Allen is on tour and I’d love to go and see her. Come to Portugal, please!
Lily Allen lançou um novo álbum no dia 24 de outubro do ano passado. Eu já conhecia algumas das suas canções, como "The Fear" ,"Smile" ou "Fuck You", mas não prestava nenhuma atenção à sua vida pessoal ou às suas performances como atriz e nem sabia que ela era casada com David Harbour, o ator de Stranger Things que incarna o pai adotivo de Eleven na serie. Serie que eu adoro e recomendo. Lily Allen que começou por colocar a sua música no My space é um nome que cresceu pela suas performances, ativismo e, infelizmente pelo abuso de substancias com algumas aparições controversas. Ela confessou que este álbum "West End Girl" foi escrito em apenas 16 dias e que ela não sabia se ia lançar este projeto porque começou por ser uma forma de se libertar, uma catarse e uma cura pelo que se estava a passar na sua vida pessoal em relação ao seu divórcio com David Harbour.
O álbum é incrível!
Lily Allen escreveu uma história com a sua música, como se de um livro se tratasse, do que lhe aconteceu. Com este álbum, tenho a sensação que eu estou num bar com a Lily Allen sentada à minha frente e que ela está a contar-me a sua história através de 14 canções. Somos as melhores amigas e estamos a passar por isto juntas…
Antes de entrar formalmente nas minhas impressões e sensações em relação a cada canção, queria realçar a produção deste álbum. A música que acompanha cada narrativa é perfeita, estão todos de parabéns por conseguirem dar uma atmosfera à letra e à interpretação da trama partilhada por Lily Allen.
Vou colocar umas estrelas para enfatizar as musicas que eu gosto mais.
Ela começa com West End Girl:
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A primeira faixa é a introdução e começa de forma muito bem disposta, ela conta como se mudaram para Nova Iorque e que para ela o futuro da sua família parecia risonho, ela, até, recebeu um papel numa peça de teatro em Londres. E é aqui que começa todo o enredo deste álbum, desta história. O então marido não ficou muito feliz com a conquista da sua mulher e ela acabou por achar isso muito estranho.
"I walk up the stoop, I put the key in the door And then my phone started ringing so I answered the call And they were like, "Hey, you've got a lead in a play You've gotta be back in London for rehearsals in May" And then later that evening, you said how was my day I said, "I got some good news, I got the lead in a play" That's when your demeanor started to change You said that I'd have to audition, I said, "You're deranged"
And I thought I thought that that was quite strange (I found that strange) And I thought I thought that that was quite strange (so very strange)
But I ignored it Went ahead and I bought it Got a flight and I boarded I'm on my way"
Depois ela recebeu o telefonema que vai mudar tudo. Do outro lado não se ouve o que está a ser dito, mas na voz de Lily Allen percebe-se a confusão, a incompreensão e a resignação. A produção desta faixa é incrível, quando a música está a chegar ao clímax com a boa notícia, ela recebe o telefonema e durante todo o período que ela está a falar a música de fundo faz que a narrativa fique em suspenso. Genial!
E a segunda canção é Ruminating.
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Ruminating é uma canção extraordinária! O ritmo é contagiante, dançante e a letra é contrastante, ela fala do tempo em que ela teve de lidar com a informação da primeira faixa. O facto de ruminar é estar sempre a pensar na mesma coisa, passa a ser obsessivo e é o que ela faz com a palavra na canção. A outra voz que acompanha durante toda a canção dá uma sensação que existe um fantasma com ela. Ela está em sofrimento.
I told you all of this has been too brutal
You told me that you felt the same, it's mutual
And then you came out with this line, so crucial
Yeah, if it has to happen, baby, do you want to know?
If it has to happen, baby, do you want to know?
If it has to happen, baby, do you want to know?
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know, I don't know
But what a line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line, line, line
What a fucking line
What a fucking line
Sleepwalking
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Sleepwalking é muito bom, ela está num estado em que é difícil entender o que está a acontecer e ele aparentemente, como bom manipulador que é, tenta fazer com que ela se sinta culpada pelo que está a acontecer - que ele precisa de outras pessoas para apimentar a sua vida sexual. A demanda dele coloca-a numa posição em que ela não tem controlo sobre a sua relação e o seu casamento. Ela esta a dormir em pé.
Ela acaba por suplicar que ele a faça com ela.
"I know you've made me your Madonna
I wanna be your whore
Baby, it would be my honour
Please, sir, can I have some more?
I could preserve all of your fantasies
If only you could act them all out with me"
Tennis
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Esta canção para já tem uma introdução fenomenal e o resto da música é perfeita.
Ela fala que ela foi ver as mensagens porque achou estranho a distância que ela sentiu quando ele chegou a casa e a forma como ele retirou o seu telemóvel da mão dela. Descobriu que ele, apesar de ela consentir com o facto dele poder ter umas aventuras fora do casamento, conhece Madeline e joga Tennis com ela. Este Tennis pode ser um código para dizer fazer outras coisas.
"I need to be alone So I took myself to bed I got a lot of information That I can't even process So I wrote a little email And I told you what I saw And then you came up to the bedroom And you made it all my fault
But you moved the goalposts You've broken the rules I tried to accommodate But you took me for a fool
So I read your texts And now I regret it I can't get my head 'round how you've been playing tennis If it was just sex I wouldn't be jealous You won't play with me And who the fuck is Madeline?"
Madeline
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A música começa por parecer que estamos a assistir a um duelo de um filme de cowboys. Não faço a apologia da violência nem da utilização de armas de fogo, mas, percebo a utilização no sentido que ela se sente traída por ele e por ela, porque Madeline é alguém que ela conhece. O que estava combinado com o seu marido é que tinha de ser com alguém de desconhecido. Nesta canção ela partilha as mensagens que Madeline mandou para se explicar e sentir-se melhor com o que fez.
"How long has it been going on? Is it just sex or is there emotion? He told me it would stay in hotel rooms, never be out in the open Why would I trust anything that comes out of his mouth? Oh, why would I trust anything that comes out of his mouth?
We had an arrangement Be discreet and don't be blatant There had to be payment It had to be with strangers But you're not a stranger, Madeline"
Relapse
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Lily Allen teve um período conturbado por causa das adições e ela está sobra há 5 anos. Era uma utilizadora de drogas e de bebidas alcoólicas. O álbum é todo ele uma revelação do trauma quando percebeu que o marido a enganava com uma amiga e que perdeu a história feliz que imaginou. É possível que ela tenha sido sóbria enquanto o conheceu. Toda esta trama na sua vida pode vascular para um sentimento que ela não irá conseguir controlar. No Relapse Please!
"The girls are looking at me
To teach them all about love
But I can't seem to hold my shit together long enough
I need a drink, I need a Valium (Valium)
You pushed me this far and I just need to be numb
If I relapse
I know I stand to lose it all
Can you bring me back
When I'm climbing up the walls?
If I relapse (relapse, relapse)
I know I stand to lose it all
Can you bring me back (bring me back)
When I'm climbing
Climbing up the walls?
(I, I need a drink, a drink)
(I, I need a drink)
(I, I need a drink, a drink)
(I, I need a drink, a drink)
(I need a, I need a, I need a, I need a)
(I need a, I need a, I need a, I need a)
(I, I need more than one)"
Pussy palace
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Pussy Palace é a música que dá o mote ao álbum. Há quem diga que a melodia é inspirada na música de StrangerThings porque o seu antigo marido David Harbourg tem um dos papeis principais. Pussy palace como o nome indica fala da descoberta da traição do marido e que o lugar onde ele vivia ao inves de ser um espaço de recolhimento era afinal, um espaço onde ele encontrava-se para ter sexo com as suas amantes. E ela vai relatando o que ela descobre.
"I found a shoebox full of handwritten letters
From brokenhearted women wishing you could have been better
Sheets pulled off the bed, they're strewn all on the floor
Long black hair, probably from the night before
Duane Reade bag with the handles tied
Sex toys, butt plugs, lube inside
Hundreds of Trojans, you're so fucking broken
How'd I get caught up in your double life?"
4chan Stan
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Reconheço que tive de procurar o que o título significada. E segundo vi é que 4chan é uma aplicação em que as pessoas podem colocar tudo de forma anónima. A situação em que ela vive faz com que ela fique suspiciosa e encontra uma nota do mercado com uma mala comprada no dia 24 de maio, um dia em que ela não estava com ele. Ela quer saber quem é. A ligação com a aplicação pode vir do facto de ser uma aplicação que não se conhece muito, que é muito secreta, com pessoas que podem ser pouco recomendadas porque escondem-se atrás de pseudominos. Ele quer manter este caso anónimo. Pode ser uma das razões do nome da música...
"I went through your bedside drawer You know I've never been inclined to have to do that before Never been in Bergdorf's But you took someone shopping there in May, twenty-four
You bought her a handbag, it wasn't cheap I was in London, probably asleep Did you go to Montauk for the weekend? And was there an encore? Did it pay dividends? Is that why
Why won't you tell me what her name is? This is outrageous What, is she famous? Say that it's over Do you mean a hiatus? Why won't you tell me?"
Nonmonogamummy
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Eu adoro Nonmonogamummy, o ritmo é muito divertido com a introdução de Specialist Moss. É sobre o facto de ela assumir que consegue ser uma mãe não monogama por causa das circunstâncias, mas é algo que a pesa.
"I don't want to fuck with anyone else
I know that's all you want to do
I'm so committed that I'd lose myself
Because I don't want to lose you
I changed my immigration status
For you to treat me like a stranger
Why do I feel like such a failure?
A life with you looked good on paper
I've been trying to be open
I just want to meet your needs
And for some reason
I revert to people pleasing
I'll be your Nonmonogamummy
I'm just trying to be open"
Just Enough
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Just Enought é o que o título indica. Ela acreditou no amor desta relação, investiu tudo o que ela podia para realizar que o seu marido a enganou. É possível até que ele se tenha apaixonado com a sua amante. As palavras indicam, mais uma vez, uma submissão da parte dela para que se evite entrar num ponto sem retorno. Seria mesmo muito problemático o então ainda marido engravidar a amante. Eu penso que estes pensamentos (à posteriori) são o que qualquer pessoa pensa, porque no fundo pode acontecer a qualquer um ou uma.
"Did you fall in love With someone who isn't me? Why are we here talking about vasectomies? Did you get someone pregnant, someone who isn't me? Did you take her to the clinic? Did you hold her hand? Is she having your baby?
But you You give me just enough Hope to hold on to... nothing Yeah, you You give me just enough Hope to hold on to... don't you?'
Dallas Major
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Dallas Major é muito divertida, é sobre a sua volta nas aplicações de encontro. Ela bem diz que detesta está nova realidade este novo perfil dela própria e inventa um sobrenome para que ninguém a reconheça: Dallas major.
"My name is Dallas Major and I'm coming out to play
Looking for someone to have fun with while my husband works away
I'm almost nearly forty and just shy of five-foot-two
I'm a mum to teenage children, does that sound like fun to you?
'Cause I hate it here
I hate it here
I hate it here
I hate it, I hate it
So I go by Dallas Major, but that's not really my name
You know, I used to be quite famous, that was way back in the day
Yes, I'm here for validation and I probably should explain
How my marriage has been opened since my husband went astray"
Beg For Me
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Adoro Beg for me é uma música muito interessante. Mais uma vez este patente a sua vulnerabilidade em relação aos acontecimentos. Ela gostaria que ele lutasse por ela, que ele a implorasse para voltar. O ritmo não se coaduna com a mensagem, mas é tão bom.
"I feel embarrassed, I feel ashamed
You're so indifferent and that's insane
Where's all your empathy for, for all my pain?
My friends all tell me you are deranged
I wanna feel held, I wanna be told I'm special and I'm unusual
I want your desire, I wanna be spoiled, I wanna be told I'm beautiful
Why won't you beg, beg, beg for me?
Why won't you beg, won't you beg for me?
Oh-oh
Why won't you beg, beg, beg for me?
Why won't you, why won't you beg for me?
Oh-oh"
Let You W/In
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Let you W/in é uma canção muito pessoal e muito feminina. Ela canta a forma como a ruptura é explicada os seus filhos que viveram com o David como padrasto. Existe uma mágoa que ela não consegue conter, ela passou pela traição não há como o deixar ganhar ao dizer que a ruptura é devido à uma escolha mútua! Vou deixar aqui a letra toda da música. É fenomenal!
"I've become invisible
Stuck here in my palace
I'm so fucking miserable
In my rabbit hole, yeah I'm Alice
And I'm expected to be nice
Picking up the pieces
What is it you sacrifice?
I'm protecting you from your secrets
Don't tell the children
The truth would be brutal
Your reputation's unstained
God knows how long you've been
Getting away with it
I've already let you in
All I can do is sing
So why should I let you win?
I will not absorb your shame
It was you who put me through this
I could tell myself you'll change
Do it all again
Be deluded
Never get your sympathy
I don't think you're able
But I can walk out with my dignity
If I lay my truth on the table
Lie to the children, the ending was mutual
I'll shoulder all of the pain
I'm sick of carrying
Suffering for your sins
I've already let you in
So why should I let you win?
You've taken everything"
Fruityloop
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Fruityloop é uma canção magistral! A minha preferida do álbum. Mais uma vez a produção é incrívele a letra é fantástica. A canção é perfeita para fechar o álbum e a narrativa.
"You're just a little boy looking for his mummy
Things have gotten complicated what with all the fame and money
Playing with his toys, he just wants attention
He can't really do attachment, scared he's gonna be abandoned
And finally I see (I see)
It's not me (me, me), it's you
It's what you've always done, it's what you'll do
Forever till you die, it's true
It's not me, it's you
And there was nothing I could do
You're stuck inside your fruity loop
Me, me, me, me, me, me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
I'm just a little girl looking for her daddy
Thought that we could break the cycle, thought that I could keep you happy
It is what it is, you're a mess, I'm a bitch
Wish I could fix all your shit, but all your shit's yours to fix
'Cause it's not me (me, me), it's you
It's what you've always done, it's what you'll do
Forever till you die it's true
It's not me (me, me), it's you
And there was nothing I could do, you're stuck inside your fruity loop
There was nothing I could do, you're stuck inside your fruity loop"
Entrevista à CBS Morning. Muito interessante!
Posso ter esperado muito tempo para escrever esta mensagem, mas, a adoração que tenho para este álbum não muda. É um álbum de uma mulher madura, honesta, vulnerável. É provavelmente um dos melhores álbuns jamais compostos. Não tem uma música para dançar, (eu danço com Fruityloop e Beg For Me), não tem nenhum hit... Hello... é uma história de uma mulher ferida!
Lily Allen está em digressão e como eu adorava ir vê-la. Come To Portugal please!
