M.A.X

PER ASPERA AD ASTRA I MDNI

[maximura]

Winter In Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong | Original photography by Andreas Garcia via Unsplash

[pineappical]

im never doing another redraw with circles on them ever

[ravenclairee]

OLIVIA RODRIGO — stupid song

[maximura]

[maximura]

[maximura]

Album Review: You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love by Olivia Rodrigo

Firstly, it is good, thank God. Just straight off the bat. Secondly, the story and narrative are very strong here and each song feels like a different stage of a relationship. If I could sum what I love about her material it's: euphoria in heartbreak. Which is exactly my vibe lol.

1) Pre Album Release Track: Drop Dead. Underwhelmed on first listen, liked it on second listen, then loved it after that. I think it's a song that needs to marinates and cook in your head. She and I have both been fortunate enough to experience a love that makes you feel like you're running through the palace of Versailles and then the privilege of being endlessly inspired creatively by the heart break. 4/5

2) Stupid Song: Oh My GOD. This song made me cry? Lol. I don't think I've had a song make me cry in a long ass time. But this song sounds exactly like being in a very very wild and whirlwind young love. The build up is insane and it feels breathless bc that's how she sounds singing it. She did it. She captured the feeling. She understood and aced her own assignment. Favourite song on the album and favourite MV so far, it's just gorgeous. This is reminiscent of Driver's Licence to me. 5/5

3) First feature with Robert Smith on What's Wrong With Me: Unfathomable Amounts of Cool to have him as a first feature. I love that she is a fan and went vintage for a collab and didn't pick a hot new boy/rapper. I've heard that some people do not enjoy his voice or delivery but this is literally what he is known for and why The Cure have always struck such a chord with fans for literally decades. I think this one might be a grower and it seems unfair to rate it this early. 3/5

4) U+ME = <3. Speaking of The Cure, this sounds so heavily influenced by Friday I'm In Love, which is a LEGEND of a song but U+ME is just so lovely too. I love the chorus so much, it's so euphoric but the lyrics are pretty sad for a song that's so happy. I get it Olivia. You nailed the concept. My second favourite song from the album. 5/5

5) The other songs are good but less spectacular to me. I haven't rated each one because they haven't hit me like the ones I've listed above. I may add to this later because she always has shadow growers in the mix but for now, I just want to hit replay on my favourite tracks. Shout out to Dan Nigro for fostering the talents of Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo.

[maximura]

I know I don’t post much kpop anymore but you know what was a generational run? When TXT released: Lovesong, Anti Romantic, Loser=Lover, and Chasing That Feeling. Still incredibly emotive and just great songs.

[maximura]

People who are experts and have read The Odyssey and The Iliad, what are you thoughts on the casting choices in Christopher Nolan's upcoming movie? I don't feel great about them but I'm also not the most knowledgable on the original material.

[nagi-kirima-style-cateran]

I’m gonna be honest I think the cast is close to perfect. Matt Damon is probably the only Hollywood star who could play Odysseus in that Jason Bourne was the epitome of melancholy action hero twenty years ago. Also the actress who plays Circe is excellent and I’m sure Bernthal is gonna give a strange but good portrayal of Menelaus.

[maximura]

Interesting. Good point on the Jason Bourne background. It is certainly going to generate a lot of talk when it comes out. My brother is still mourning the fact Sean Bean wasn’t cast again but I guess he’s a lot older now and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a dude being cast as the same character in two different movies in two different decades. Would’ve been cool lol.

[maximura]

People who are experts and have read The Odyssey and The Iliad, what are you thoughts on the casting choices in Christopher Nolan's upcoming movie? I don't feel great about them but I'm also not the most knowledgable on the original material.

[maximura]

Asian parents: where does their constant need to compare their child with another come from? Why is that such a Thing. It’s terrible. My Indian guy friend is unfathomably successful and wonderful and still considered the family flop because he’s not married yet. His siblings are favoured because they are married and provided grandkids. I am considered the family flop too for the same reason. It’s getting so tiring. Funny thing is, we all know who is doing the caring when they are older. Interesting.

[beaswellgirl]

yep, pretty much

[empire-of-light]

(insp.)

[empire-of-light]

#as a teacher myself he makes me ill#educating students is a beautiful wonderful thing @carhmel

[maximura]

I just read this and it is ridiculously cool. So that one class has won 3 Nobel Prizes and 3 Million dollars. GOAT Squad.

[maximura]

Remember when a fan accused Tom Morello of becoming too political? Lol. It's like people who are only discovering that The Strokes are political in 2026. Julian has been That Guy for more than a decade. And considering his background, we should be grateful he chose his fame and opportunities to make music and not be an all-round-terrible rich kid.

[maximura]

I saw someone write "I don't know what Julian Casablancas is singing but I love the way he sings it." And ain't that the truth haha.

[maximura]

Less autotune please, Fab.

[maximura]

I change my mind. I love Falling Out Of Love. It's so soothing and lovely.

[maximura]

2001: The Strokes release "Is This It" on September 11th.

2020: The Strokes release "The New Abnormal" as Covid shut down the entire world.

2026: The Strokes will release 'Reality Awaits" on June 26th. There is literally a war going on. They are either the luckiest band alive for surviving all this or the unluckiest band alive for traversing all this.