Did I Say That Out Loud?

Honest, clever, fun and uncomplicated. It is nice when there is no agenda with music, it is just purely self expression; I mentioned something along these same lines before when speaking about the musicians I have discovered through Twitch. It makes it easy to focus on the music. I've been interacting with Julie on Twitch for a number of years now and I've always gotten the impression that she is someone who says things how they are. Whether I am right or not, it is certainly the case on this album. I feel there is a depth to this album but nothing is hidden it's all there for you to discover you simply have to take the time to do so. I'm certain I still have more insights to glean as I continue to listen but here is what I've come up with thus far after spending the weekend diving into it.

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If I Could Have

This track struck me hard quite quickly and I quite enjoy the lyrics so I'm going to highlight a bit of it.

“Feels like I'm always lost at sea

Or choosing the wrong road

Stubbornly convinced

 that I can do it on my own

That is until I suddenly implode

If only I could've learn to share the load

If I could have I would have 

Done things a little different 

I know that I should have

But once again I didn't 

And I know you're still waiting for to get it right one of these times 

And I see how you're so patient

And I promise that for your sake I'll keep trying

And maybe leave those should've beens behind”

I find this song incredibly relatable and the lyrics to be so apt. It is this beautiful, genuine look inward with an acknowledgement of the necessity to change your behavior along with a promise that it will happen but not overnight. Looking at your past doesn't do you much good unless you can take experiences to heart and learn from them. That is what I feel the essence of this track is.

Little Me

This track was another highlight for me. Speaking on the pressures caused by society as well as those around you and the importance of fighting against such things. The world will be a better place with you in it as you would like to be. I think that is both a beautiful and true sentiment. The world doesn't need more lemmings who only post the best parts of their lives on Instagram. You should be able to be you, the real you all their time especially when you aren't at your best. This can get you help from those close to you as well as let others know that it's okay to not be okay. This is certainly pertinent and I enjoyed the way it was framed as a sort of letter to the younger self of the track's subject. Very much a things I wish I'd known that I hope younger people can learn from feel to this.

The Self-Pity Song

This to me felt like teenage anxiety encapsulated perfectly in a single track. Just the wave of emotions that you feel upon entering the new society known as middle school where everything you do is meticulously judged and ridiculed by a group of your peers on a daily basis. Not to say adults don't have off days, off months or even off years. That certainly happens. I've had off times myself, no doubt about that. For me though the last time I remember feeling the emotions mentioned in this track on a daily basis was during my angsty teenage years. The song really described this difficult time well. As I listened I felt all those emotions coming back which I hadn't felt to such an extent in nearly two decades.

I mentioned in the beginning how I thought this album was fun which anyone who is here regularly knows is a change of pace for me. I tend to focus on deeply emotional, quite often sad tracks for the most part. But there were quite a few tracks on this album that made me laugh including: “Camping”, “Fly Away, Birdie”, and “Sweatpants Time”. The track where I just lost it though was “Dogs are Gross” which is of course about the various behaviors of canines that are disgusting. I was smiling or laughing throughout the whole track the first time I listened but when I got to this part I was busting up.

“Her pee is so toxic that it kills my grass

Why is she constantly licking her…butt”

I just thought to myself “wow that's brilliant comedy Julie I love it.” There were many parts in the album that made me think that same thing. Lines that were straightforward, simple and thought provoking. Another thing those who have been around here before will know is that sometimes I can ramble and often use words which have been described as flowery or unnecessary and I can own up to that. It means I can admire someone who is able to not do such things. Everything said in this album has a purpose and a point behind even if that point is sometimes a bit ridiculous. I cannot say I was all that surprised by this. After my previous interactions with Julie on Twitch I knew she had a great sense of humor which is definitely showcased within this album many times. I have had a fantastic time listening to this album and am glad that Julie was motivated and inspired to put in all the work it took to create and release this. My world is definitely better after having listened to what she had to say within each of these magnificent tracks.