|
2018 is coming to a close, and it's been quite the whirlwind. A lot of positives have made their way into my life this year, including the release of Haunt in February, which I'm still pinching myself over. It's surreal to put my work out there in a collection; I've had individual poems published in magazines before, but nothing to this extent. I am working on the next effort! I'll post updates when I have them. I'm still in the editing stages. Anyway, to end the year, I thought I'd share my thoughts about my favorite music releases of the year. Music is a big motivator for me in terms of writing. So I try to keep up with new releases the best I can and allow those creative juices to flow! Without further ado, here are my top 10 albums of 2018:
Honorable MentionsFlorence + the Machine - High As Hope |
 | 1. Teenage Wrist - Chrome Neon JesusLike with Younger Then, I've been following the trajectory of Teenage Wrist since the release of their first few singles and EP. I loved their sound then, and they only added to that with the unleashing of Chrome Neon Jesus. Blending modern emo sounds and shoegaze with nostalgic tones of the grunge era, Teenage Wrist couldn't have put out a better record. Kamtin Mohager's breathy, smooth voice adds to the rough instrumentals, a perfect mix of sweet and savory I didn't know I needed. And yet here I am, knowing from this album's release that it would be my favorite of the year. Notable Tracks: Rollerblades, Dweeb, Swallow, and Black Flamingo. |
There you have it! Do you agree with any of my choices? Were there any records I should have listened to that I missed? Leave a comment, and let's discuss! And let's look forward to the new art and music to come with 2019. Have a safe & happy New Year!
- Ryan
Buy Haunt here. Preview my books here. Find me on social here.
- Ryan
Buy Haunt here. Preview my books here. Find me on social here.
0 Comments
After what felt like a long wait, I finally got my hands on the highly-anticipated new release from Andrea Gibson, Lord of the Butterflies. I’ve always been a huge fan of Gibson’s work, filled with raw honesty and pure heart. This new collection of poems is just that, and so much more. The poet infuses their work this time around with bold themes of gender, relationship with oneself, and growing up queer. It’s easy to tell that these poems are firmly rooted in reality, making them that much stronger. These poems pack a punch, in many different ways. From political stance to love poems, Gibson doesn’t shy away from their true thoughts and feelings, and that is what makes them a powerful writer. Reality fuels these pieces, but the road is smoothed by their fantastic way with words.
One of my favorite pieces is “Good Light,” which contains a stanza that reads “Come tender as the trees / forgiving the books / for asking to be made.” The characterization of the books in this occurrence follows Gibson’s themes of guilt and feeling, in a sense, like a burden. And while their quirky humor radiates throughout this collection, the heavy pieces still stand like skyscrapers, commanding to be seen. “Black and White Angel” is one of those poems, one of several that mention Gibson’s sister. It’s one of the handful of poems that makes this book feel like Gibson’s most personal to put out in the world. And that, I commend them for.
Some more of my favorite pieces from Lord of the Butterflies: “All the Good In You,” “Give Her,” “Letter to the Editor,” “Living Proof,” “First Love,” “Orlando,” and “Diagnosis.”
I couldn’t recommend this book of poems more; I can’t deny that I’m a bit biased, considering I’d recommend any of Andrea Gibson’s books, but Lord of the Butterflies is filled with passion, love, fear, anger, and a plethora of other emotions that Gibson seamlessly spins together into a welcoming web of comfort and warmth. After reading this, I feel even more like sharing a hug with them and never letting go.
-Ryan
Buy Haunt here. Preview my books here. Find me on social here.
One of my favorite pieces is “Good Light,” which contains a stanza that reads “Come tender as the trees / forgiving the books / for asking to be made.” The characterization of the books in this occurrence follows Gibson’s themes of guilt and feeling, in a sense, like a burden. And while their quirky humor radiates throughout this collection, the heavy pieces still stand like skyscrapers, commanding to be seen. “Black and White Angel” is one of those poems, one of several that mention Gibson’s sister. It’s one of the handful of poems that makes this book feel like Gibson’s most personal to put out in the world. And that, I commend them for.
Some more of my favorite pieces from Lord of the Butterflies: “All the Good In You,” “Give Her,” “Letter to the Editor,” “Living Proof,” “First Love,” “Orlando,” and “Diagnosis.”
I couldn’t recommend this book of poems more; I can’t deny that I’m a bit biased, considering I’d recommend any of Andrea Gibson’s books, but Lord of the Butterflies is filled with passion, love, fear, anger, and a plethora of other emotions that Gibson seamlessly spins together into a welcoming web of comfort and warmth. After reading this, I feel even more like sharing a hug with them and never letting go.
-Ryan
Buy Haunt here. Preview my books here. Find me on social here.
RSS Feed