...it was, underwhelming, ngl.
it's a very different style for them (except for the big goodbye, and betty to an extent). and i'm really glad they're doing something different, like genuinely i hope they keep expanding their horizons and trying different styles of music. but... this isn't it for me. this isn't the kind of music that made me become such a big fan. don't get me wrong, it's not Bad by any means. it's just... Fine. at least for the first few listens, nothing really stands out for me. at least, not nearly as much as previous songs/albums
like, i think back to when the maybe man came out, just under 2 years ago. listening to that for the first time. and i absolutely loved it. genuinely it's just consistently strong the whole way through, it has some of their best songs (and some of my favorite songs ever), and to top it all off it hit hard for me emotionally. i connected so much with it, and the music hit just the right spot for me. i just, don't feel that way with this ep. the music itself isn't my kind of thing, and the lyrics don't make up for it. it's less relatable than previous albums, which like, i know that's intentional, it's literally called "what no one's thinking", but it means i can't connect with the music in nearly the same way, especially when it doesn't otherwise hold up on its own
with all that said, holy fucking shit, the big goodbye is such a banger. by far the best song on the ep. it's also... a complete vibe shift. it feels much more like an ajr song. and i like that, but it makes it feel out of place. but also, idk how else they could have ended the ep without it being underwhelming. but yeah the song fucking slaps. and i love the lyrics. it's not relatable, but it feels genuine, which, tbh, i've increasing felt like that genuineness has been missing from some of their music.
besides betty, this ep definitely feels very personal. which is good, but some of the lyrics are, meh. the plane that never lands is my least favorite, because, like, i see what they were going for with the big reveal at the end, but i don't think it landed the way they wanted it to, at least not for me. i have more thoughts on it but i'd need to gather my thoughts more before i have something coherent to say. i've seen a lot of people clown on the "subatomic laser" line from i'm sorry you went crazy. and yeah, it's off-putting on first listen. but honestly? i kinda really like it. i feel like it fits really well. which is definitely not the majority opinion, but yeah, i like it. i also really like the lyrics of a dog song. it's creative, and also really well executed imo. but in general it's the kind of lyrics that make me kinda see where the haters are coming from lmao, that came across as way too harsh, but i can see why they aren't for everyone, and they definitely leave a lot to be desired in some places
but yeah, maybe more of it will grow on me? i'm disappointed at how much of it feels just, Fine to me. it's the kind of music that, if i heard it passively, i'd think that eh it's not for me, and move on. and i'm only giving it so many chances because it's ajr. most songs from tmm were bangers on first listen, no convincing needed
two day update
a dog song has grown on me tbh. and i can also acknowledge the prettiness of the plane that never lands, even if i don't think that one's gonna really grow on me that much
i think i was disappointed because i was expecting, like, an ajr ep. which i got, but it was really different than i expected, and not in a way that immediately had me hooked. but coming back to it after a couple days, it's easier for me to appreciate the ep for what it is. i think it's super cool that they've taken a different direction this time around (even if i do still prefer the more traditional stuff)
the big goodbye is still the best one though. that's really no contest
three day update
honestly the more that i listen to a dog song the more i really really like it. and i also love the lyrics. like this is just a really good song
the big goodbye has not left my head though, it's actually just stuck there i can't get it out
525 will you give me 30 make it 30 will you give me 40 will you give me 45
525 will you give me 30 make it 30 will you give me 40 will you give me 45
525 will you give me 30 make it 30 will you give me 40 will you give me 45
525 will you give me 30 make it 30 will you give me 40 will you give me 45