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<aside> 💡 final thoughts: i enjoy the symbolic approach, encapsulating the individual human but always greater picture humanity spiritual approach to a literary classic. some parts of this album and story, ironically enough, make me feel insecure about how good or optimistic i may be? some weird feeling like that. just a feeling i had combing through it. it sure has been an interesting journey. really beautiful instrument choices and mixing stands out so much to me too on this album.

</aside>

this is my raw review. what you read are the first-listen, general-aural impressions as someone who knows nothing about music. i'll listen again for a better understanding and also pay deeper attention to the lyrics. i am legally bound* to listen to this album before november 2nd, 2023 so i need this method to keep me organized with sound thoughts on it. i am writing out my thoughts will full sincerity here but i'm funny so sorry about that.

1. De Selby (Part 1) - sounds so beautiful, i'm a string sucker. i don't like how that sounds, unlike the song. i like how the song sounds very much.
2. De Selby (Part 2) - yeah this is a very good song. great vibes, that certain type of groovy epicness.
3. First Time - sweet chorus vocals. the sugar kind. i enjoy the verse instrumentation a lot. this guy really sings with his accent. cue the looks of disbelief. please laugh.
4. Francesca - very much love how this begins. the instrumentation here at the beginning is very much my shit. i have definitely heard parts of this before, probably on tiktok. tiktok is ruining music LMAO i'm mostly kidding. so far this is up there on this album for me. okay a switch up bridge, i can get behind that.
5. I, Carrion (Icarion) - very sad boy moment. i enjoy.
6. Eat Your Young - well, okay then. i like this one. how many times can I say instrumentation? but it’s true that the choice and sound of them is important to me and often phoned in so.
7. Damage Gets Done (feat. Brandi Carlisle) - this sounds a little different than the others. more reminiscent of other similar artists. not a bad thing, but it feels more familiar, less like the insular world sound of the others. my favorite part is the end, lots of those little elements i like - clapping, choir, melodic chanting, the kinds of adlibs. good stuff.
8. Who We Are - oh okay back to being very heavy and sad, thank goodness LMAO. i’m a sucker for that building piano it is true. through the first chorus and it might already be up in the tops for this album for me. this aligns with my style of slower songs. it passes the spacing out test. okay wow what are those notes?? go off! this shall get a heart right away.
9. Son of Nyx - that piano is so moody come onnnn. i did have to take a breath when that sound came in, was that a string or a vocal because WOW. wait. i need to like this immediately.
10. All Things End - i first heard this with the video last night, still sober. i get why this is a good example of a general message of this album and also single-friendly. good song. typed shit then shong at first. it all applies i would say. this one is easily likeable and i think it can become better with more listens. — confirmed after my second (technically third) listen.
11. To Someone from a Warm Climate (Uiscefhuaraithe) - all hex had to say was that there was a lot of sad piano on this album but it’s fine i believe in right timing. it’s golden hour even though my blinds are closed i can tell. i have a holiday spice latte, which i like more than pumpkin. the nutmeg. wow this song is lovely but is clearly one of those that stimulates my writing. this is good to know.
12. Butchered Tongue - yes, do hum. the stringed sister of the previous song perhaps? both good. very good. oh how i enjoy a minimal song.
13. Anything But - well that transition took me out a moment. okay these notes went crazy when i was about to write about instrumentation again. anyway, sir, if you can give me a moment, i enjoy the unexpectedness of how the percussion cuts in with the clapping. it is pleasing and fun.
14. Abstract (Psychopomp) - very good melody - melodies. okay closure cuts. this one can easily get a heart from me too.
15. Unknown / Nth - time to appreciate a little guitar moment. you know what word i’m thinking of by now. the build and crescendo around 3 minutes in is very satisfying. one of those ‘good now but i think i will really like this more with more listens’ songs.
16. First Light - well insert the word again. all the very Florence things i love are present in this beginning and i’m very here for it. if something sounds like it should be at a European funeral, it might be made for me. — a very emotional listen the second time around with the whole story and such culminating.

*not really but it’s very important regardless

i also believe a third “evaluation” will likely take place of me rating them by how much i enjoy them with a coffee walking through the verdant campus of my hometown when the weather is finally cold. this is the test that truly matters, obviously.