Arenisca

20 Spanish / English / Valencian She/Her

[areniscaa]

I been lately reading A song of Ice and Fire ane after finishing the third book I went to fanfiction.net, to fins some good fics.

After a while navigating the web, I have the impression that my generation (I am a Gen Z, I was born in 2005) has lost the art of writing fanfiction.

I know that there still a lot of great stories and authors, fut I feel the content was in general better then, like the reflection of a slower world.

Or maybe I'n just being nostalgic, Idk

[areniscaa]

A comment on "A Storm of Swords"

This is something I'd already noticed in the previous book; the mysticism that permeates the world.

The magic system itself is "soft" (if not nonexistent), but nevertheless, most of the characters are very religious and see the world as a kind of playground for the gods.

The scene with Davos at sea is particularly noteworthy.

[gegengestalt]

Fermín de Pas the character you are

[areniscaa]

Albums that I have listen to in 2026 (#3)

Durch Dich Durch by BACHRATTEN

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion. You don't need to be agree with me.

If I had to sum up the experience of listening to this album in one word, it would be "Fun."

It's not a serious album, nor does it pretend to be. It's not an innovative album, nor does it pretend to be.

Musically, I would describe it as a journey through the history of pop-rock.

It ranges from sixties rock (very much in the style of The Beatles) to nineties rock, but without ever abandoning classic rock.

As for the lyrics, since they're in German, I had to do a little research and find a good translation (my first language is spanish)

Likewise, they're not the most profound things in the world (there's one about visiting a zoo, for example), but that's not what they're trying to be.

In short, we're dealing with a classic and easy-listening album, whose greatest virtue is not trying to be virtuosic.

Therefore, I would recommend it to people who enjoy classic rock in general.

[areniscaa]

Albums that I have listen to in 2026 (#2)

Conducción Temeraria by Alizzz

Yesterday I listened to Alizzz's debut album, so today I decided to check out his second, Conducción Temeraria.

Below I'll give my individual opinion on each track, but for now, I'll give my overall impression.

Let's start with the good points. There's a noticeable progression from the previous album. I mean, it maintains the same style (or rather, it falls within the same genre), but it innovates with a very specific aesthetic (the city night) and commits to it until the very end.

Therefore, I think its greatest strength is its cohesion, since without needing to tell a linear story (or a story in general), it builds an atmosphere, a world in which one can easily move.

However, therein also lies its greatest risk and flaw: how repetitive it can become. No song is bad, but in the end, some sound so similar to each other that it gets a bit boring.

And well, one last personal note: the percussion is a bit much for me; it's beyond me. This is completely subjective, of course, and in fact, it's what helps build the atmosphere at many points, but it also drowns out other rhythms, structures, or ideas that are much more interesting and innovative.

Now, mini-comments on each song.

1. Carretera perdida: A good album opener. It reminded me a bit of the synth-pop that was popular in Japan in the '80s and '90s, a reflection of city nightlife, but with a Spanish twist. The song's biggest flaw is its length. The last chorus was unnecessary, in my opinion.

2. Despertar: It follows the same vein as the previous track, although I like this one more. The female vocals are a good choice and work very well.

3. Mirando al techo: A fast-paced, danceable song that fits the album's overall theme and takes you on a journey.

4. Destellos: The theme of city nightlife continues, nothing more.

5. En tu casa o en la mía: A somewhat bland collaboration, a bit of a filler track, although ironically it's the one that comes closest to the idea of ​​reckless driving so far.

6. Tiemblo: It leans quite a bit towards dreampop, which makes it stand out, but I think the best part of the song is the beginning, before the percussion kicks in, and that initial instrumental could have been used more effectively.

7. Dónde Estás?: So far, the best song on the album, in my opinion. The vocal filter and the instrumental make lyrics that, with other music, could have been basic, feel almost like a fever dream.

8. No ho sé: A song in Catalan! I wasn't expecting that at all, and in fact, that's how I discovered that Alizzz is Catalan. Musically, the song is very similar to others on the album, but it deserves extra points for the language. At least personally, this is the first time I've heard a song of this genre in Catalan.

9. Solos tú y yo: The only ballad on the album. A bit boring in my opinion, although the guitar solo is interesting.

10. Vuelve a disparar: A closing track... well, it started very well, but for me it fizzled out towards the end.

[areniscaa]

Albums that I have listen to in 2026 (#1)

"Tiene que haber algo más" by Alizzz

After a first listen, I found it to be an objectively good album, as it's very well produced (Alizzz is also a producer) and achieves its own unique sound without becoming repetitive. However, it's not perfect, neither for me nor in general.

Before listening to the album, I was unfamiliar with her work as a singer, beyond her collaborations with Amaia, so I didn't know what to expect.

The lyrics, although cohesive, are a bit weak and repetitive. For example, in the first track, the phrase "there has to be" is repeated about 20 times in a 3-minute song.

On the other hand, the tracks featuring other artists are by far the best (for example, the one with C. Tangana).

Even with these observations, I'll listen to it again, because in addition to being a pleasant album to listen to, its length (it lasts about half an hour) and its internal progression warrant it.

[areniscaa]

This morning I was listening to Addison Rae's debut album, "Addison" (self-titled), when I decided to check her discography and found this EP, called "AR".

Released in 2023, it's surprisingly similar to "Addison," the album that catapulted her to fame as a singer.

"AR" serves as a preview of what would later become the style of "Addison," with the music being much more conventional pop, but with some interesting elements (like the track with Charli XCX, which begins with an instrumental that reminded me of "Work From Home," but then evolves).

It's only about 10 minutes long, so I think it could be an interesting addition, a kind of bonus, for people who already like Addison.

Honestly, I think I'll listen to it more than once.

[areniscaa]

I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but I much prefer Lorde when she sings live than when she sings in the studio.

I once read a comment on TikTok (written on a video of a Lorde concert) that said, "I think Lorde hasn't gotten over anything in her life," and I think, at least in part, it was right.

I don't know if it's because of that or simply because she's a brilliant performer, but when she sings live, she achieves something that few pop stars manage.

Without any great artifice, she's able to convey both the most desolate sadness, as in the case of "The Louvre," and a pure and direct vitality, as in "If She Could See Me Now."

[areniscaa]

When I think about the so-called Lost Generation (that generation whose youth was cut short by the First World War after an unusually long period of European peace), I tend to focus on the feeling of unease that was more prevalent than in other eras, given that this war represented a shattering of the myth of progress.

However, I often overlook something that is actually quite obvious: these people, even under the name of the Lost Generation, had a voice, a literature that has reached us to this day in the form of classics and that is the most faithful testimony of what was experienced in that time.

[icarusisdead60]

Oh gawd !!! Hear. Me. Out.

[areniscaa]

I watched Gladiator II this afternoon. Since it's a sequel to a movie from so many years ago, I thought it was going to be a typical cash-in movie, but I'm pleasantly surprised. It doesn't quite reach the level of the original, because that's a stellar level, but it's pretty good.

[chickenmaninphilly]

92 dead people in a huge storm in my country (valencia community, spain) because the governor of the community decided to end the main disaster prevention service unit of the area because it was an "useless" PUBLIC service, even though every fucking year a storm like this hits the zone.

92 -and counting- dead, tens of missing people, roads, streets and houses destroyed and more than 113k people without light service at home.

climate change kills, and capitalism will let you die

[areniscaa]

I have an album recommendation for people interested in Greek mythology or even ancient mithology in general.

It is not a very well-known album and since it is by a Spanish artist. If you are from outside Spain I don't think it is very likely that you know it and if you are not from a Spanish-speaking country I see it practically impossible, but it is a very good album, which uses Greek mythology (although there are some references to others as well) as a common thread, sometimes quite literally and other times more metaphorically. I am talking about the album "Quimera" (2019) by Alba Reche, whose cover is the image that appears after this paragraph

Speaking a little more in depth about the album. It is a fairly calm album, which could be classified as alternative music, with a much more acoustic first half, with guitar, piano and very soft percussion, where the artist's voice stands out more than anything and there are several ballads, and a much more electronic second part, although without ever losing the aura of tranquility that characterizes the album.

As for the theme, broadly speaking I would say that it is an album that talks about different types of love, such as "hestia", which is about brotherly love, exemplified by the artist's love for her sister, although there are some exceptions, such as "ares", which as can be guessed from the title talks about war or "asteria", which is a fairly literal transcription of the myth in question. In case you are curious about anything related to the theme of the album, the artist has a half-hour long video on her YouTube channel explaining everything in detail.

Anyway, this is one of my favorite albums and I am very sorry that it is so underrated (largely because it is the debut). Kisses and thank you very much for having come this far.

[areniscaa]

maybe she’s not marketed towards you personally and the aesthetic and brand she’s currently putting out there isn’t actually designed as an attack towards you and it’s just a tongue in cheek campy subversion of previous era’s femininity and again not designed with your personal feelings in mind at all and it has nothing to do with you?? like i understand stand the need for critiquing in the world but not everything needs to be taken personally

It wasn't personal. I mean, it wasn't even a criticism to her as a person, but the product that's been sold. Anyway, I think you are right in quite a lot of things. Thanks for your answer :)

[areniscaa]

Omg no one can have fun anymore I swear

Wait, what? Your question is superandom 😅

[areniscaa]

The message of Sabrina Carpenter's new aesthetic has several things wrong (especially in Espresso and Please Please Please)

To clarify, in general, straight white American women making pop are not my thing, but Sabrina Carpenter is on another level. This is not a criticism of her as a person, but of her as a product, mind you, and I'm going to try to make a constructive criticism, so if anyone responds to me, please do so with respect.

I find it absurd that feminism and human identity in general are all about revolution, social change, and looking beyond capitalism and consumerism, and now Carpenter comes along to hypersexualize herself with an aesthetic that includes pastel colors (including the horrible baby blue, which many people might think I'm exaggerating, but the idea of ​​sexualizing herself with a color traditionally associated with childhood gives me the creeps), pretty, generally "adorable" things, plus perfect hair removal, makeup, and all that. I'm not saying that makeup is bad and that in general it's bad to have a certain self-expression of image, but in this case all of this is encompassed within an aesthetic of "Oh, I'm just a girl, my boyfriend is a bad boy but I'm not going to leave him, long live makeup and consumerism, I'm blonde and American."

I find it very unpleasant and as much as that "I'm just a girl" thing was created by girls as a way of claiming that women can be traditionally feminine without being a vase, as opposed to the idea of ​​a super aggressive "girl boss" that, well, basically rewarded women who had traditionally masculine characteristics, I think it's gotten out of hand and I feel that, although the album may have a deeper intention and all that, the message that all of this aesthetic conveys is that life is much easier if you don't think and look for a hegemonic man and that worries me a lot.

For example, in the espresso video, all the girls are the same, with the same bodies, equally shaved, and they give their perfect boyfriends their credit cards to fill them with whims and that turns my stomach.

One last note is that this whole text is written from the perspective of gender binarism, but of course gender is a spectrum and I feel aesthetics like Sabrina Carpenter's can cause dysmorphia.

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

Have you seen Quills (2000)?

Yes

No

Haven’t even heard of this movie

Voting ended onJun 13, 2024