daydreams and late night thoughts

Charisse Nicolette, thirtysomething, female, MNL, PH; AB English student | formerly hellothisiscole Home | About | Essay | Journal | Poetry | Reviews | Music Mania | Short Stories | Photos/Reblogs side blog | faith journal | Spotify playlists

[charissenicolette]

Roads

When the world gets Too messy and things Become difficult to comprehend Remind me of Your presence

Lead and guide me As I make the choice To go on the roads Where you are taking me

The way may be bumpy But there’s no doubt That you will carry through Your plans for me

[charissenicolette]

Clarity

Everything’s a blur I recall faces, names, words said I wonder what’s real I try to make sense of it all

Clarity comes in As days begin to progress In sync with reality Waking up to the present truth

There’s nothing left to lose Leave it all behind Better days await Embrace the moment

[charissenicolette]

Xerox

What's authenticity anyway Seems like it's rare nowadays Don't wanna be a copy World's filled with stuff so shoddy

Try on everything that’s hip Until you don’t know who you are Spinning round and round Your point of view is getting foggy

Walk, run, crawl aimlessly Stop and look at yourself at the mirror Go on as if you didn’t Smile for the lens, polish yourself for the screen

Looking through their fancy shades Convince yourself that it’s no cliche After all it’s about keeping up with the times And nobody said it was a crime

[charissenicolette]

Shoal

Welcome to the deep blue sea We're trying to live in reality And not fantasy Can’t you see what we see?

It’s always about what we believe The narrative we achieve Let everyone see that it’s the sole side After all we’ve got nothing to hide

Under the lens of spectators Save all the emotions for later Lest we run the risk of looking like frauds We need them to applaud

Swimming in a shallow pool Make all the rules Until the water runs dry Better fill it up as we cry

[charissenicolette]

Soiree with Styles: Harry's Love on Tour 2023 – Philippines

(Photos are taken by me. Please link back to me if you want to use them.) 

To celebrate Harry's Love on Tour 2023 as it comes to a close and one year of being a fan, here is my review of the Philippine leg (this is overdue by three months and a day).

Singer-songwriter Harry Styles brought Love on Tour on March 14, 2023, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan (around 20 km away from Manila). This tour is highly anticipated as it is known to be lively, interactive, and fashionable. It was worth the wait. With Harry's House being a critically acclaimed (Grammys, Brits, Billboard, Rolling Stone, NME, among many others) album, people are eager to hear the album's vibrant sound live.

The stage is simple, with a colorful platform for the band. The audience is excited to witness Harry on stage. He steps out in a sparkly gold and blue shirt and light blue pants.

The show opened with the first track and the third single from Harry’s House "Music for a Sushi Restaurant". It’s the best way to start the concert, as it's groovy. Harry walks around the stage, and as he dances to the song, it's obvious that he has fun performing the song. As he sings the first line of the song's bridge, "If the stars were edible," he asks the audience to sing. The audience enthusiastically sings. He ends the song singing "’Cause I love you, baby" then proceeds to get an electric guitar for the next song "Golden".

With "Adore You", adoring fans sing along to "Walk through fire for you/Just let me adore you" After this line, Harry replies with, "Okay".

"Kamusta, Philippines? (How are you, Philippines?) Good evening, people of Manila!...and surrounding areas." Styles proceeds to introduce himself and thank the audience. He mentions that it's been five years since he last went to the country.

He tells the audience that their job is to have fun as they possibly can and to feel free to be whoever they want to be. "Are you sure?" The audience responds, "Yes!"

"Keep Driving" and "Daylight" are paired with pretty visuals of a street and buildings, along with a blue bird.

His band starts playing a riff. "Woman", a track from Harry’s self-titled album. I did not expect that this would be on the setlist. I was pleasantly surprised that it was. After his singing is done, the band extends the instrumental. It’s reminiscent of rock music from decades ago.

After Harry switches between upbeat and mid-tempo songs, the show slows down. "Matilda" is a fan favorite. Harry's bassist and one of his guitarists sing backup vocals suitable for the song’s comforting vibe.

"Little Freak" is another emotional ballad. "You never saw my birthmark," fans sing. The song smoothly transitions to the next, which is "Satellite".

"Satellite" Harry does the famous satellite stomp during the instrumental break of the song. His energy is evident and contagious. It’s no wonder why fans are ecstatic to watch him live.

"Manila, maraming salamat. He asks the audience if they are having a good time, and they excitedly scream.

He spots a fan named Nicole in the audience. She had previously attended HS LOT in Bangkok, Thailand, a few nights before. She got his attention when she shouted his name. And he responded. Like a parent, Harry then "shushes" the audience as if they were his children, then asks Nicole how she is. Harry says, "She's good!"

A fan named Andreana proposes to Harry, and he replies, "Very sneaky! I thought that we should get to know each other first. 2023 is the year to shoot your shot." Interactions such as this are one of the reasons fans look forward to attending the star's concert. He makes people feel welcome and is friendly towards them.

Harry enjoys "Cinema" as he grooves along to it. Before the song's bridge, he asks the audience to put their hands in the air. This is one of the most memorable moments of the show.

Fans consider "Treat People with Kindness" an okay song, but the live treatment makes the song delightful. The audience singing the chorus (originally sung by the American indie pop band Lucius) makes the song special.

Harry sings One Direction’s first hit single "What Makes You Beautiful". It's given a fresh update, with the drums and percussion making it an up-tempo pop rock song.

He then proceeds to sing songs suitable for the summer "Late Night Talking" and "Watermelon Sugar".

"Love of My Life" To end the song, Harry says, "Mahal ko kayong lahat. Maraming salamat, Philippines!" ("I love you all. Thank you, Philippines!")

The encore begins with Harry’s first single from his self-titled debut, "Sign of the Times". The song is unforgettable and beautiful, with keys making the song grand and the audience turning on the light from their phones.

Harry spots some fans in the audience dressed as bananas. So, he sings "The Banana Song". This song shows off not only his musical talent but also his sense of humor.

Harry sings the leading single of Harry’s House "As It Was" "Seems you cannot be replaced" "Absolutely not!" "Leave America, two kids follow her/I don’t wanna talk about who’s doin’ it first" "Okay". The song’s final part is extended and sped up as Harry "baptizes" the audience as he splashes them with water from a bottle.

"Kiwi" closes the show. It’s one of his singles from his self-titled debut album. This is one of his favorite songs to perform live, so the audience joins in.

The rock number leaves the audience enamored. What words best describe the evening? Golden, just like his song and shirt, and as his biggest fans would say since his One Direction days, extraordinHARRY, indeed.

[charissenicolette]

Coast

Took the train just to unwind Had a lot on my mind Forget trying to boast What matters is I’m by the coast

Never seen the sky like this before Remember when things felt like a chore Sitting by a tall tree With a good view of the sea

Water flows freely Living ideally Floating through like a dream With better self-esteem

Everything is different Change is deliberate Taking in every moment Got no opponent

[charissenicolette]

Pedestal

Shine bright like a light No need to start a fight Every move in the papers ‘Cause they’re shapers

It’s all part of the culture Act like vultures Looking for the next one Having their fun

It’s all part of the show Give them what they owe Every single thing matters It’s all part of the chatter

Global sensation Prepare your explanation Get the stamp of approval Or anticipate your removal

[charissenicolette]

Aesthetic

Be the voice of a generation Time to work on your creation Remember to go viral Don’t let yourself spiral

Doesn’t matter how much you got Show them on the spot You’re worth the attention Gotta get a mention

Stop, stare and listen Tell them you’re driven You’re in your element Need to stay relevant

Setting the record straight Trying to overcompensate Make them all click It’s all about aesthetic

[charissenicolette]

Sensation

Got your secrets don’t let them know It’s calling out to you, the glow Time to let yourself out there Bask in the cosmopolitan air

Be the focus of the lens You’ve got your new friends Show them what you got Flex the goods as you ought

There’s no second guessing After all it’s you dressing No need for questions The feed’s full of suggestions

Look for the trend Let the features blend Shape yourself to be it Post another bit

Capture it all in the photos Gotta get more clothes Tell yourself you’re a sensation Forget about reputation

[charissenicolette]

“Harry’s House” by Harry Styles — an album review

During the pandemic, a lot of things came to a halt, including concerts. A lot of people turned to music (streaming and physical copies such as vinyl, CD, and cassette) and other forms of entertainment for leisure at home. Meanwhile, a lot of musicians started working on new music. At the time, they’d be thinking, "What would a ‘pandemic album’ sound like?" It depends on the artist, of course. To celebrate one year since the release of Harry's House, here is my review (I became a fan one month after this album's release).

The pandemic definitely made people reflect on a lot of things, especially their own lives. According to Harry, "It is definitely the most personal record that I think I’ve made... I think it’s also the most free I’ve ever felt making music..." "[The album] is named after Hosono; he had an album in the 70’s called Hosono House, and I spent that chunk in Japan; I heard that record and I was like, ‘I love that. It’d be really fun to make a record called Harry’s House.’"

Synth pop and Harry experimenting with the texture of his vocals take center stage. The album is full of pop bops that are sure to be on loop. Most of the songs are about relationships. Amusing lyrics like "Green eyes, fried rice, I could cook an egg on you/Late night, game time, coffee on the stove, yeah/You’re sweet ice cream, but you could use a flake or two" match the (mostly) cheerful atmosphere of the album. The album is full of standard pop songwriting paired with simple yet delightful melodies. "In this world, it’s just us/You know it’s not the same as it was" are the most relatable lyrics of the album as they describe the effects of the pandemic.

The slow, introspective songs in the middle of the album, Little Freak and Matilda, also shine, as the melodies suit the delicate subjects of these songs. He is sincere as he recalls a previous relationship then a person who has gone through something tough. "You showed me a power that is strong enough to bring sun to the darkest days/It’s none of my business, but it’s just been on my mind" shows off Harry’s potential as a good songwriter. After the ballads come the smooth, jazzy songs Cinema and Daydreaming, which continue to depict the attraction previously mentioned in the songs of the first half of the album. The last four songs of the album are interesting as they switch between paces and topics.

The only skip on this album is the track Boyfriends which was originally supposed to be on his sophomore album Fine Line. This ballad sounds like a lullaby; however, its pacing and Harry's crooning on this track aren't captivating or memorable enough. Maybe this track would have sounded better if it were middle- or fast-paced, or if he had sung in a different way. It's quite strange that this track is second to last instead of following or in between Little Freak and Matilda.

Harry’s House is introspective yet riveting. The album is one of the best recent mainstream pop albums I’ve ever heard. Despite the heavy synth on this one, it isn’t tiring to listen to. The hype is legitimate. In my opinion, there’s only one skip on this album (try guessing which song it is — hint: it’s on the latter half). This album is really fun and full of earworms.

Verdict: Good, fun

[charissenicolette]

Steady

I’ve been going back and forth ‘Cause I’ve had conflicting thoughts You think you know so much Enjoying the unpredictable rush

But you never know when it hits Breaking yourself down in bits Used to like it when things got tough Until I’ve had enough

I could’ve waited for it to unfold But I’m getting cold and old I got sick of playing the game And I’m to blame

Things could've been steady Realized I'm not ready It's no good to gamble And I've got to quit the ramble

[charissenicolette]

Afterglow

The numbers are down You’re feeling like a clown Gotta hit the books Or come up with hooks

Born in the wrong generation Can't figure out inflation Turning some tables Sharing good fables

Endless pages and words Things are so absurd Tell me what it’s like ‘Cause I gotta take the mic

In this modern day and age They say life’s a stage Yesterday, today, tomorrow Waiting for the afterglow

[charissenicolette]

The Only Boy Band That Passed My Musical Standards

Here’s the thing: I am a bit of a music snob, although my music taste has grown diverse over the years (and I also have some guilty pleasures too). If you ask me what my favorite genres are, I’d say pop and rock. During my toddler years, I liked Britney Spears’ music (I am a millennial born in 1995). During my elementary years Disney was at its peak so of course the music I consumed at that time came from them. I liked some songs from Hilary Duff, Raven, and Lindsay Lohan. The singers I loved, though, were Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. The second millennial wave of Disney girls brought something new to the table. I enjoyed their pop rock music.

I guess it’s no surprise that pop rock was the first genre I truly appreciated during my childhood. My father has a wide range of musical tastes, but classic rock by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones stood out to me. It was in high school that I started listening to alternative rock. In college (around 2014 or 2015), I started listening to the Beatles. I appreciated Elton John after watching Rocketman. I am now starting to appreciate more retro pop rock artists too.

To reiterate, my perception of One Direction was kiddie music. Therefore, I didn’t bother to care for their music back in the day. I remember when Best Song Ever came out, and I was slightly irked because of its redundant chorus; I also thought, “What is the best song ever that they keep on singing about?” Basically, I didn’t listen to their music during their active years since I was listening to other artists. To be honest, I also had the perception that boy band music was cheesy.

It was this year that I appreciated You and I. I thought the song sounded pretty. Each member’s solo verses fit the song perfectly, and all their parts flowed smoothly. It’s a radio-friendly yet mature ballad. After a month of becoming a Harry fan, I gave in and went through 1D’s discography.

At first, I thought that their singles were catchy and their non-singles okay. I thought, "Maybe if I were Gen Z (like my niece, who was a fan during their first two albums), I would’ve appreciated them during their heyday." I eventually came to appreciate them. I was surprised to hear their fresh take on pop rock. Some songs on Midnight Memories sounded like they could’ve been done by an alternative rock or pop punk band (Diana reminded me of the pop punk band All Time Low). The album is a mixed bag for me. Some songs I enjoyed, and some were average. I’d consider it their transitory album (this has been said to have a mature, “rockier” sound). I was surprised to hear the rock influences on some songs, especially on Little Black Dress.

It’s fan consensus that FOUR is the group’s best album. To be honest, FOUR and Made in the AM are a tie for me. I’d consider the two albums solid pop rock albums. The last two albums have a bit of a retro influence. 1D experiments with several pop genres with these two. They have a more polished pop rock sound this time around.

One Direction is the boy band that stood out to me. They made an excellent transition from bubblegum pop to solid pop rock. It’s no surprise that boy bands don’t have much input when it comes to songwriting and creative/musical direction (during their prime), so I was impressed to find out that 1D was able to defy usual boyband protocol while managing to remain relevant. I am not really a person who is into dancing, and I guess that is the reason that I appreciate pop groups that only sing. Of course, I share the popular opinion among fans who say that all the boys of 1D are talented and have relevant contributions. I remember telling my elder brother, “The Backstreet Boys are singers. One Direction are artists.”

[charissenicolette]

Harry Styles, indeed: an artist appreciation post

“Does it ever drive you crazy/Just how fast the night changes?” So much can happen in ten years. Okay, so I’ve got a confession to make. 10–11 years ago, I didn’t really care for One Direction, and I didn’t get the hype around Harry Styles. I was 16 years old (3rd or junior year of high school) when 1D’s debut album came out, and I thought that it was kid’s music. I started listening to alternative rock during my high school years. I was into pop punk since freshman year, but then during the latter half of high school, I started listening to indie bands like Death Cab for Cutie and The Strokes.

Anyways, let’s fast forward a bit. We all know that 1D announced their hiatus, and the boys would go on to pursue solo music careers. I remember Harry Styles coming out with Sign of the Times. I remember this being somewhat intriguing because it had no traces of the type of music 1D did and because of its music video with Harry flying. I wasn’t the type who was into boy bands, so I also didn’t care about solo material from former boy band members.

Before I started listening to Harry, I wasn’t familiar with the rest of his music. I remember hearing a bit of Adore You once on the radio, but I really didn’t pay much attention to it. This year, I began listening to him a few months ago. Two of my maternal cousins like his music. I remember one of them posting her Spotify stats from 2019 as an Instagram story. Her most popular artist of the decade was One Direction. I was shocked because I had no idea she listened to their music. She said that she finds Harry impressive.

Fast forward again. Let’s talk about 2022. It was in June when my brother was playing his favorite 1D singles (LOL, he only cares about singles; he’s not an album listener like I am). I suddenly started to appreciate You and I. I messaged the same cousin about it. She mentioned Watermelon Sugar as a good Harry song. Another cousin posted Harry’s House on her Instagram story, saying that she liked it.

So I decided to check out Harry’s songs. To be honest, I didn’t like them at first. I thought they were lacking something. When I first listened to Watermelon Sugar, I thought that it sounded interesting, but I didn’t like it enough to consider it a good song. Matilda was the first song I liked, but I still didn’t like the rest of his music yet. I forgot the exact moment I considered myself a fan, but it eventually happened. His music basically grew on me.

If someone had told me six years ago that Harry would be making great pop or rock music, I wouldn’t have believed them. If my 16-year-old self found out that my present self loves Harry and his music, she would’ve been in disbelief (maybe she would’ve laughed). She’d probably be like, “What?” or (if you’re Filipino, you’ll understand) “Weh?” Yes, I’ll say it. I never knew that Harry could be capable of coming up with awesome pop or rock music. I remember listening to Kiwi as I was going through his music and being pleasantly surprised. I really loved the spunky rock vibe that it gave off and the lyrics, “I think she said/’I’m having your baby! It’s none of your business!” being funny “in a cool way.” I was thinking, "If I had heard this on TV or the radio in 2017, I would’ve instantly loved it, and it would be the song that would turn me into a Harry fan.” Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but Kiwi wasn’t a popular single in the Philippines; Sign of the Times was.

He’s the “main pop boy” now, and I understand why. He’s a versatile singer dabbling with several genres such as pop, rock, folk, indie, soul, and funk. He can really sing (of course I checked out live videos), and there’s just something about his music that reels you in. I told a friend, “Harry’s music is aesthetic.” (To be more accurate, I said something along the lines of “Harry’s music is an aesthetic in itself.” — I don’t know if it makes sense, but you get the gist.

His first two albums are influenced by several of his favorite artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, and Fleetwood Mac (60s-70s sound) but they don’t sound like a copycat attempt to me. Harry’s House is 80s influenced but I bet you’d be surprised to find out that he only listened to classical and instrumental music while making it. He's a retro influenced artist, but he’s got his own style (yes, pun intended).

[charissenicolette]

“SOUR” — Olivia Rodrigo album review

I’ve been reading several music reviews online and I’ve seen some music commentary on YouTube, so this has inspired me to write my own music reviews. For my first, I’ll be reviewing SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo. Okay, so to be honest, I’ve seen her name a few times online, but I didn’t know any of her songs until I watched the One of Us is Lying series on Netflix Philippines, which featured brutal and good 4 u (I’m a late millennial born in 1995, so I’m not super familiar with all these new artists popping up online). For my music reviews, I’ll be giving my take on tracks that caught my interest on an album (or EP).

The first song I heard from the aforementioned series was brutal. I really liked it because of its pop punk inspired sound. I remember being surprised when I heard it because of its sound, which complemented the lyrics, summing up teenage angst (and it may still be relatable for some people in their college years or 20s). We hear Olivia ranting about her teenage years, expressing disappointment with herself and not living up to other people’s expectations of her.

I like drivers license because of its nice blend of piano with the rest of the instruments. The car engine sound at the start was the perfect way to start the song. This somewhat reminds me of Lorde.

1 step forward, 3 steps back interpolates New Year’s Day by Taylor Swift. I like piano-infused songs so of course this track is another one which caught my attention. Olivia gets candid about a relationship that feels like a rollercoaster. 

For me, deja vu is the best track on the album. The guitars and drums make the song sound nostalgic. The buildup from the first verse to the chorus is perfect. The bridge sounds fascinating to me because it’s the big sing-along part instead of the chorus. 

Okay, so get ready because I’m about to drop a "shocking" opinion. I don’t like good 4 u. I liked the first verse, but the chorus just sounded out of place to me. The chorus, to me, isn’t something I’d sing along to. I liked the driving home 2 u version way better than the original because of the strings that give the song a classy touch and the cohesive transition between the verses and the chorus.

I believe jealousy, jealousy is the song which is widely relatable since not everyone has experienced being in relationships. At one point, we’ve all compared ourselves to others. The thing that makes this song very Gen Z is the comparison that comes from browsing social media "I kinda want to throw my phone across the room/’Cause all I see are girls too good to be true." As a (late) millennial, I can’t really relate to the comparison coming from looking at social media posts. I graduated from high school in 2013, a time when social media was basically a big photo dump. Influencers and curated feeds were not yet a thing. I also preferred the driving home 2 u version of this song (like brutal, the pop punk sound complements the song’s theme of teenage frustration and angst). 

I appreciated Olivia’s choice of genres for the songs on this album. She experiments with pop punk, pop rock, ballads, folk pop, and bedroom pop. I also like the aesthetic and color motifs in her lyric videos, music videos, and in some of her outfits.

Her songwriting is typical teen songwriting. It reminds me of early Taylor Swift. The lyrics sound straight out of a teenage girl’s diary. 

SOUR is likable. It’s got a few songs that slightly stick, but the rest are forgettable. It’s not a favorite album of mine, to be honest, but it’s not a bad album.

Olivia Rodrigo is a new artist, so of course I look forward to her next album and am excited for her growth as a singer-songwriter.

Verdict: - Okay, likable

[charissenicolette]

Pets

In a kingdom full of pets They live with no bounds Roaming the garden as if it were A vast jungle with spots to explore

The dogs and cats try to outdo each other Fighting for dominance and territory Barking and meowing as if to carry out commands Only to find that they drown each other out

Determined still to stand out They vie for their owner’s attention Hoping to become the favorite and attain privileges Nothing holding them back

Walking toward their master Using warmth to gain favor Shrinking back as if their kingdom Were just a pastime

[charissenicolette]

We’re Gonna Dance

We’re gonna dance along To the beat As the night progresses Until we decide that it’s done

Though the night has ended We continue to dance Throughout life Dancing along to the rhythm

I’ve got no fancy shoes But what I have are my soul and feet It’s easy to find a drum To dance along to

I’ll never run out of reasons to dance Everyday has given me something To celebrate and there’s no stopping us From dancing