Art of the day:

Those that know me, know I love the Gorillaz and have followed the band since its inception in the early 2000s. As many fans ask one another: what’s your favorite era? Well, a Noodle enjoyer, as so many others, I must answer honestly – Phase 5. There is a playful but sinister mischief about her that comes through Jamie’s art, and I think she’s at the perfect perceived “age”. “The Now Now” album itself was met with mixed reviews – and quite frankly after the band was in hibernation for 5 years, following up after Humanz the year before, it makes sense. Humanz was a massive revival of the band, and the super-deluxe edition contains 40 tracks compared to a mere 11 on “The Now Now”. In any case, the popular opinion is the album has nothing going for it – but it is voted by me as the most under-rated era for its art, lore, and music. It’s bite-sized, and features the throw back heart throb Ace from Power Puff Girls into the mix that adds to the fun. Overall, it tells the story of what it says on the tin: one summers day in L.A.

Song of the day:

Why yes, Tranz, track 2 on “The Now Now”. “Trance” is a visual trip, a live performance of the band where 2-D doesn’t appear the happiest to be performing, maybe Noodle looks a bit bored. Visuals become more distorted, more intense. A a catchy tune about a transient moment (perhaps drug induced). There’s tons of fan theory surrounding every lyric of every song… and to me trance is about “partying too hard”, getting caught up in the moment, euphoria, and waking up and looking in the mirror and not seeing the rock star you saw yourself as last night. Definitely a self-reflection for Damon on his lifestyle (again, especially after the Humanz tour). Watch Reject False Icons sometime.

Thought of the day:

Everything in moderation. Appreciate the bad with the good, things for what they are – and most of all, memento mori.