Title: Tightrope
Artist: Datemonthyear
Language: New Zealand English
Like the morning mist, silence descends upon their house. They speak only in glances, gestures, and grunts; ever afraid that they'll slip and crash. Breaking the glass of this home-less structure. Left alone with only each other.
---
As he unravels himself from the chains of sleep, he listens and hesitates. A creaking door. A clanking pot. Rain against an open pane. All signs of a tightrope day.
***
This song along with several others by Datemonthyear can be purchased here.
As you have noticed, I have been taking a break from this blog. Unfortunately, that break is not over yet, but have no fear--I'm not quitting this blog just yet, and I promise to be back with some amazing foreign music in the next month or so.
Title: Kumeun Haengbok Black Happiness
Artist: T (Tasha) AKA Yoon Mi Rae
Language: Korean (feat. English)
Reflecting the glares of over a dozen pairs of eyes, the summer sun is both physically and mentally scorching. It magnifies antagonistic whispers and illuminates every disapproving scowl.
Trembling at the unwanted attention, she feverishly clambers to the swing set. As she carefully adjusts herself on the flimsy blue plastic, she hears a mother whisper to her child, "That girl there is a half-breed." In response, she clutches the chains on either side and thrusts herself into the air.
She swings as hard as possible, sending herself closer to the sun each time. She silently prays that the rush of wind which follows her will dry the tears welling up in her eyes. When it does not, she finds all she clings to is the music of her father.
Closing her eyes, she lets the melodies flow into her--pervading her until they are nearly tangible. With each lyrical line, the sun becomes less menacing, the whispers more of a distant memory, and she is brought closer to a reality in which she doesn't have to cry because of who she is. A reality in which she is loved by the world and, more importantly, by herself.
When I hate the world,
The music soothes meSo you gotta be strong,
you gotta hold on and
love yourself.
When I hate the world,
The music raises me up So you gotta be strong,
you gotta hold on and
love yourself.
*** This narrative was especially inspired by the
English translation of the song given in the video.
This song can be purchased in the iTunes music store.
Danger sprouting from the most intimate parts of your being. Like Liana vines, it ascends your body, weaving you into a grass net of fear each time he walks into the room.
With each motion of his hands and flickering of his eyes, you wonder if he will notice something you've done wrong. If he will simply yell or if he will beat you.
After years of flinching at every askance look turned your way and at even the lightest touch, you find that once it's over and done you are numb to the anxiety. When he marches out the door, you find the tears no longer come and the pain no longer debilitates.
Lying on the floor, you feel disconnected from it all. The present is dimmed by the image of a young girl giggling as a handsome boy asks her out and all you can think is, "Don't go with him..."
***
This song along with five others by Ximena Sariñana can be purchased here.
Title: Being KonG
Artist: Twinkranes
Language: Irish English
Everything sounds distant. Muffled. You struggle to open your eyes, but find that it doesn't make the world any clearer. You're surrounded by smoky haze.
Teetering through the dark lights, you try to make a path through the clashing bodies but get caught amidst them. Swaying back and forth, you lose focus and begin gyrating of your own accord. The feeling of heat that arises from the tangled mass of bodies is gloriously intoxicating. So much so that you hardly notice a petite coquette rubbing her body against yours. The two of you dance together for at least a minute before you make eye contact. When you do, she expels a cloud of psychoactive smoke so strong that you stumble.
As the drug perforates your system, you lean back and look forward to the collision with the ground. The world seems to have slowed down again, and you can't deny that you like that. But a firm hand kidnaps your happiness and pushes you back into the fast-paced confusion.
When you snap forward, something in your brain recharges and everything makes sense again. Your heart begins pounding in your ears as you thrust your way through the crowd squinting to make out faces. With each beat, your anxiety grows.
Where did he take her? What did he do to me? What is he going to do to her?
Before your mind can conjure answers to these question, you spot them across the bar. Your heart doubles its rate as you swim against the crowd and your mind explodes in thought. He's got her cornered. Whatever he plans to do he'll do it now. You've got to protect her!
You make your way around the bar finally, but find that you are frozen to the spot. She is caressing his cheek endearingly and now she's...kissing him.
All sounds and emotions vaporize as you stare at them. And you can't help but wish you had fainted when you thought you were going to.
***
This musical experience was highly inspired by the trailer for the movie Cherrybomb, which can be viewed here.{Yes, that is "Ron Weasley/Rupert Grint} To purchase and download this song (along with another song from the band), click here.
