BJ

But there’s still feeder bird watching at least. Really enjoying the couple of gray catbirds that come around lately to throw seed everywhere until they find the one (1) raisin they’re looking for in the tray. Also my GOAT, the Carolina wren that comes around and keeps the deck garden pest-free 🙏

It’s hot as balls, I still struggle with the bane of TREE LEAVES, and I have a giant banana plant out back, which while shady and beautiful, really gets in the way of any decent views of the backyard when bird activity is hopping.

I can’t wait for summer to be over so I can get back to more active outdoor birdwatching 🥲

If nobody else got me, I know c-carats got me 🙂‍↕️

YouTube video by NMIXX NMIXX(엔믹스) “Papillon” (Official Audio)

Papillon - NMIXX

It’s overwhelming how confidently this song mixes staccato rap with a languid hook on top of nearly overstuffed instrumentation. But there’s a pleasure in becoming defenseless enough to get bowled over by a butterfly. (Also whole album is incroyable 😘🤌)

youtu.be/qQhEwaHszKo?...

YouTube video by RESCENE - Topic CRASH (CRASH)

Crash - Rescene

Some of us are still in 2015 listening to CRJ Emotion on repeat. Rescene dropped this song for us. It’s so dreamy yet aching with desire to break through the veil that separates you from the world, believing that to crash is to connect. To be seen again.

youtu.be/_ivLUJ3R62U?...

YouTube video by XLOV XLOV 엑스러브 '1&Only' MV

1&Only - XLOV

Glad this is getting some traction overseas bc again a song with excellent execution! The MV is very compelling (obsessed with the wings made of white gloves), and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Kpop should never leave tropical house behind.

youtu.be/NBZgirj_C2Y?...

YouTube video by RIIZE - Topic Another Life

Another Life - Riize

A b-side, and this one is an absolutely brilliant album closer. Headphones recommended bc the production gives me ASMR tingles every time, but I also think this is the first time I’ve really heard what Riize are capable of as vocalists. Mad props.

youtu.be/QNRbCqS_bhs?...

YouTube video by HYBE LABELS KATSEYE (캣츠아이) "Gnarly" Official MV

Gnarly - Katseye

I have so much. I could say about Gnarly. But every time I try. My wo. Rds staaaart to loose means and sy la bles ⛓️‍💥 of signification. Anyway, this release made me fucking reread Saussurean semiotics. Enough said.

youtu.be/R2-yomhYAj4?...

YouTube video by STARSHIP KiiiKiii 키키 'GROUNDWORK' MV

Groundwork - KiiiKiii

Another example of SSE giving their artists something a little crunchy to work with this year. It’s a bold statement for a debut girl group to break out Talking Heads-inflected grungy new wave. But it musically and lyrically works so well for me. 🔥👎🌎

youtu.be/8NpCghW0Hkw?...

YouTube video by SMTOWN Hearts2Hearts 하츠투하츠 'The Chase' MV

The Chase - Hearts2Hearts (DEBUT)

Took a while to warm up to it, but once I did, it was like my brain was hot-wired to play the pre-chorus (IS IT? WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THIS SONG?) on repeat. Also I think the MV is really cool and smart about desire, capture, and film…

youtu.be/kxUA2wwYiME?...

Also for pretty much everything I drop in this thread, the albums are worth a full listen!! Idk if I’m listening more broadly this year, but it feels like I’m discovering more releases that feel really cohesive and thoughtful in refreshing ways!

YouTube video by STARSHIP CRAVITY 크래비티 'SET NET G0?!' MV

SET NET GO?! - Cravity

Roller coaster of a rollout for a roller coaster of a song. After the egg-centric rebirth concept photos, the title track had to deliver something off the wall. And did! It’s funky, it’s fuzzed out, it’s like if the Mystery Machine was a kpop song.

youtu.be/IV6yrrLyhCA?...

YouTube video by SMTOWN TEN 텐 'STUNNER' MV

Stunner - Ten

This is almost certainly my song of the year. Hands down. Nobody reinvents the (2000s pharrell production) wheel here. They just build a nigh perfect performance vehicle on top of it. I love experimentation, but, to me, pop is about execution. This kills.

youtu.be/LfoIQZf9Hqs?...

Ok sometimes “a bit” is 11 days because time gets funky. Anyway.

Kpop was good* in the first half of 2025 and here’s why

*interesting to me and my ears and maybe yours too

Lollllllll…I have a lot of mixed feelings on this era for them as a whole. I do think there’s a good mini album’s worth of songs in there tho!

Jokes aside, this was my favorite Twice release in quite some time! Idk if they’re going to do another Oct album for the official 10th anniversary, but this felt pretty satisfying already for the occasion.

YouTube video by KQ ENTERTAINMENT ATEEZ(에이티즈) - 'In Your Fantasy' Official MV

I just dont know that kpop needs a timbaland renaissance in 2025… youtu.be/JOF2ZTqvzwY?...

Like what do you *mean* TWICE dancehall track in which Sana attempts a little bit of patois and it’s all about masturbation and/or fingering your bestie. Good for them!!

YouTube video by TWICE - Topic RIGHT HAND GIRL

This is the funniest thing they’ve done in ages youtu.be/dtKQfCr7N7I?...

This also happened to me as an adult! It sucks sooooo much. Sending you vibes for a speedy recovery 🙏🙏

Oh Leesa I’m so sorry!! Many many hugs 🫂🫂🫂🫂

Might fuck around and post some kpop I’ve liked in the first half of 2025 in a bit…

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 open.spotify.com/playlist/2EG...

CRAVITY The 2nd Album 'Dare to Crave' | Official Audio - YouTube

Album is solid af. I’m glad the egg nonsense made me tune into them again 🥹 youtube.com/playlist?lis...

YouTube video by STARSHIP CRAVITY 크래비티 'SET NET G0?!' MV

Cravitayyyyyyyy youtu.be/IV6yrrLyhCA?...

The Struggle is Permanent: Keep Fighting Or some notes on carrying on...

Some words from me for us all on this Monday amidst the ongoing fascist takeover attempt... open.substack.com/pub/prisoncu...

Lrp I literally cackled aloud when I read this bit. Exactly what you say when you’re very serious and sincere 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’ When the extent of the university’s involvement with slavery was unearthed, a scholar tracking descendants of enslaved workers was suddenly fired

Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’

amtrak’s marketing team gets it