POP SONG REVIEW: "Better Now" by Post Malone/"Lucid Dreams" by Juice WRLD

Get ready for the mopey, depressing new genre called "emo rap"!
(Support Todd on Patreon! / toddintheshadows )

[@ColorfullCute]

We need a troll episode where he keeps playing and just never talks. 15 minutes of him playing.

[@bigeffingidiot6828]

Leah ColorfulCute that wouldn’t be a troll episode.

[@MoonShadowWolfe]

I'd love that for pure musical appreciation reasons.

[@thema1998]

That would be a perfect video for April Fools' Day.

[@Bluecho4]

Agreed to The Misunderstood Assassin. I'd love him to just have what appears to be a double-song review, but then he adds a third song to the piano medley, then a fourth, etc. Just fifteen minutes of him adding more and more songs to it, one after the other, and getting more weird as for song choice as it goes along. It starts with contemporary songs, then goes back to songs from the previous year, then going back decades. It ends with the medley having renditions of early internet memes, the old school Mentos commercial, and closing out with a straight piano rendition of that musical classic: "I Have An Itchy Leg", by Todd in the Shadows.

[@responder75]

So...where exactly is the "troll" part?

[@anotherweekmusic7282]

Stop saying this “didn’t age well.” That’s honestly just a stupid way of judging a review. Todd had his opinion when Juice was alive. Even though he passed away, saying that the video didn’t age well I’d like saying just cuz he died, the criticism can’t exist. I told my friend I didn’t like X’s music shortly after he passed and he was quick to tell me he died as if that was going to change my opinion. Of corse I’m going to respect that him passing happened, it’s not like I’m going to make fun of it. But don’t guilt people into different opinions. I know the rant kinda went in a different direction but I’ve gotten my head bitten off over this kinda thing and it’s honestly a dumb way to judge music

[@redder_]

Yeah sure, but he called him a stalker, which I can totally get why people would take that in the wrong way.

[@ConnorLockhartYGO]

It's basically the same situation as Spectrum Pulse's review of "?." Album is reviewed during the peak of the artist's career, said artist dies (X via shooting, Juice via seizure), and fans of said artist retroactively shit on said review after said artist died. Thankfully, the Juice WRLD fanbase seems less volatile than the XXXTentacion fanbase.

[@thurbacusslink1543]

@@ConnorLockhartYGO the juice fanbase is most definitely volatile. These guys on twitter leaked a girl's address, and sent her nudes to her dad just because she said she didn't like Juice

[@kiel183]

@@thurbacusslink1543 she was kinda disrespectful but damn the Juice Fanbase literally just destroyed her

[@jjju3]

I think the idea that like "this person is dead you must respect them 100" is one that doesn't make sense to me. Theyre dead, they're never going to hear. If anything i have the right to be as nasty as I'd like because I know I'll never be able to hurt them To me it just seems like christian ideals abt shit leaking into society.

[@witnessme4352]

"Who knew evil girls had the prettiest face?" sounds like a line of dialogue from The Room.

[@StrickenWithFear]

That sounds a little too good for the room though.

[@emanatingf]

They say Lucifer's looks cease to amaze the beauty industry. Detox, Plastic Surgery, makeup, lashes, eyeliner. And it still don't look good alas it's all artificial bs.

[@alexzablah1455]

StrickenWithFear Actually, no. The Room is too good for that line.

[@mushroomslut8131]

More like a line of monologue.

[@gothicmuffinofdoom]

Now I read it in tommy wiseau's voice :D

[@supermanlypunch]

Complete tangent, I had never heard of the song "Mother" by the Police, but the brief snippet you played is one of the most aggressively unpleasant pieces of audio I have ever heard.

[@FrStProductions]

supermanlypunch sting actually didn’t sing that one though. The other members wanted more input and so the guitarist wrote and sang mother.

[@eliazergonzalez671]

Dude that shit was so bad I genuinely got anxiety and almost cried lmaooooooo shit horrifying

[@panicfanatd]

I quite liked it

[@Allovimo]

+

[@riahlexington]

supermanlypunch omg Same

[@taliatis7305]

I always figured Better Now was about how you're supposed to become a happier person when you leave a bad relationship but Post actually wants her back and hopes she's pretending to be happy without him too

[@Chuckles_The_Goat_Clown]

Talia Tis Yea that's sorta what I got from it too.

[@Salien1999]

Definitely some subtext that Todd didn't catch or really bother to try to.

[@damiensteinrich9677]

Those are the vibes I picked up as well. Kind of like how confusing it can be when a relationship ends, and when he says he's better now that's like his way of telling himself to fake it til he makes it.

[@nekovalley]

Can you guys stop acting like this review is somehow in poor taste now? Its a review of the song and the artist’s persona through the song. Not the man who died. The way you guys are talking makes it sound like you think Todd wanted him to die and that’s so fucking disrespectful to both juice and todd.

[@pythree7279]

“What are we gonna do, sample Kenny G next?” Kanye: 👀

[@CantrellReachVanuatu]

😹😹😹

[@chrisabella2780]

Blueberry faygo be like 😳

[@taipeijoey101]

Not even sample, that was a FEATURE

[@ren17x50]

Hey Songbird and Silhouette were played regularly on BET Midnight Love, lol

[@dantefloressq]

Weed Nap... I want to see a rapper with THAT name

[@kilgorehagechester7021]

I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE

[@TheDukeofCheese12]

Not gonna lie...I love that name.

[@ghazzter]

W33d nap

[@slippytiger]

WD NP

[@eltonwebb5530]

I think the lyrical flip in the chorus of Better Now is more about acknowledging the fact that both sides are having problems but not willing to admit it, if that makes sense. As for the rest of the song, it’s more about his shortcomings in the relationship despite his desire to be a good partner. At least that’s my interpretation of it.

[@seanmcneil349]

Post probably could’ve made that more clear in his lyrics, but I think he did a sufficient enough job expressing his confusion and frustration with this person he’s clearly still emotionally engrossed in

[@LK-xk4nh]

There's a reason why MCR is still such a staple of being an adolescent.

[@MakLife]

The Black Parade is still an amazing over a decade later, and Helena and I'm Not Okay are still great too.

[@Hola-tq4pg]

MCR aged like fine wine and almost every generation can relate to it Bands like Hawthorne Heights or Silverstein are so edgy and try hard that unless you are going through "the phase" you can't relate to them, Juice Wrld and Peep might be alright for emo rap standards but they fell so hard on the rap standards is hard to took them emotionally serious, Fall Out Boy would be better if they were more direct and Wentz wouldn't try so hard to sound romantic or poetic in songs that don't need to making them pretentious, thus making Simple Plan completely irrelevant

[@billiejoeeyelash]

And some adults too from what I've seen, they're just that timeless

[@evanswart480]

It’s not?

[@peeyushabiswas]

ikr

[@rainer5212]

Fun fact: Post Malone started out in a metal band. Take from that what you will.

[@MrChaotic4]

I'll stick with the Rascal Flatts song Better Now, thank you very much.

[@Lifesizemortal]

Jake Voronkov don't forget your beans and Cars 2 dvd

[@xx6aesthetic9xx47]

Wasnt he also a minecraft youtuber

[@MrChaotic4]

@@Lifesizemortal Listen to the song before you judge me for liking country music. It has nothing to do with bro country at all. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJfQc5WXbLNghMU

[@TheDarkMessiah]

He's childhood friends with Jared Dines, who is a huge metal meme guy. Makes sense that they'd have a bit of metal in common.

[@kyleflorence8042]

"It's like if Will.I.Am released a song called annoying parties"... your doing the Lords work Todd.

[@RyanStorey1231]

I honestly miss Will.I.Am and his influence. At least that era of music was upbeat and fun. It was stupid as hell, but at least the bad songs were fun to listen to. Everything felt more alive back then. But now, it's as if everyone is on Valium.

[@kyrla]

I don't know if he works that way anymore, given what the Black Eyed Peas released back in May

[@RyanStorey1231]

Asmodean Underscore - What's funny is that The Black Eyed Peas seem like intelligent and conscientious people, at least from what I can tell from interviews, but most of their music is vapid party jams. But they seem to be returning to their underground conscious hip-hop roots. "Street Livin'" was amazing and it shows that Will.I.Am is a good rapper when he actually tries and he's actually talking about real things.

[@UDontTakeMeSeriously]

Holy shit, Will.I.Am bought the domain Will.I.Am

[@ffjreviews9029]

I don’t get what everyone was complaining about club/party songs back in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Im really missing the Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, Flo Rida, and even LMFAO.

[@thatquietkid]

if todd blocks you on twitter does that mean you've been shadowbanned

[@CarozQH]

Oh shit

[@kaydwessie296]

Asking for a friend, or...? (Lol it's just a joke)

[@WobblesandBean]

If he punches you does that make you a shadowboxer?

[@johnbutler7567]

Our names are pretty similar without the h. Do people call you Butler? Just curious

[@thatquietkid]

Matt Furies Intellectual Property do you not understand the concept of wordplay or

[@Kaefer1973]

I hope Post Malone lives for another 90 years and me for another 91 years so I can make a "didn't age well" comment here. Hope this channel is still around by that time.

[@grimtheghastly8878]

Post Malone kinda looks like hobo Jesus.

[@sreppocdrawde9749]

Post Malone looks the way you would think Bigfoot's ballsack would smell.

[@riahlexington]

He does

[@Nikk-Astyr]

He actually looks like (and even moves like) a classmate of mine (senior year in high school)

[@sloaby3860]

Grim The Ghastly I think you just ruined Jesus

[@pleasebenice3520]

Grim The Ghastly Jesus was a hobo

[@judefoster2217]

I STILL SEE TODD IN THE SHADOWS IN MY ROOM

[@Doctor-Infinite]

CANT LIKE THE REVIEW THAT YOU GAVE ME

[@Demiglitch]

He keeps playing his hit song "Itchy Leg" at all hours of the night.

[@EpicB]

@@Demiglitch So that's why I have an itchy leg.

[@John-vn9js]

That's your sleep paralysis Todd

[@achair650]

HES REVIEWING VAN HALEN 3 OVER AND OVER!! I GET IT TODD! IT SUCKS!!! IM NOT EVEN IN A ROOM, IM OUTSIDE, WHATS HAPPENING!!

[@heymistercarter.]

You know, it’s funny: Juice WRLD’s name sounds like how Tommy Wiseau said the word “World” in The Room. In any case, I’m fed Up with this WRLD!

[@bobclover4634]

trc2rockon Hahaha you’re right. That’s some funny shit.

[@crazyluigi6664]

My sentiments, exactly! :D

[@1800Hernandez]

Hahaha, what a story trc2rockon

[@thema1998]

Never thought of it like that. 😂

[@2ndincommand350]

To be honest, that's most of his early work.

[@thehopeofeden597]

To be fair, Lucid dreams and sleep paralysis go hand-in-hand a lot. Although "I have these lucid dreams while experiencing sleep paralysis," reads worse as a a line....

[@kalebbarber2527]

They don't go hand in hand at all. They're literally exact opposites.

[@johnjames8694]

@@kalebbarber2527 A lucid dream is one in which you're aware that you're dreaming, usually, when you have sleep paralysis you're pretty aware of it.

[@isetmfriendsofire]

If a line doesn't work, replace it, it's pretty simple. Don't just leave it shitty.

[@lockjawlarrythememeteam]

@@kalebbarber2527 Actually, lucid dreams and sleep paralysis are very closely related and often happen together.

[@e-heromanny4348]

Oh God a lucid dream where you control literally everything but yourself sounds kinda scary

[@Jaceblue04]

"I have these lucid dreams where I can't move a thing." We have a term for that; it's called "Sleep Paralysis"

[@abecadlo15]

No, that's a seperate thing. You can have full control over a lucid dream or just be aware, it depends on the person and experience

[@NostalgiaChan]

>"This is a lullaby!" Funny enough, my two-year-old nephew really seems to love Post Malone. Maybe that has something to do with it.

[@kissfan7]

Nostalgia Now I’m imagining a two-year-old Post Malone. Like, with the beard and tattoos and everything.

[@DiamondAxeStudiosMusic]

It seems surreal to me that 6 years ago you reviewed Call Me Maybe and now we're at this point

[@sosarickgrimes5301]

Were going through another "Woke Phase" likes in the 90s, where everybody thinks their too good to listen to upbeat pop songs from the 80s, or in this case the 00s and early 10s.

[@sosarickgrimes5301]

@Benjamin Gavrin we already are getting stuff like thar

[@DiamondAxeStudiosMusic]

Benjamin Gavrin Oh it's there, Paramore and Carly Rae Jepsen and the like are still making music... it's just not getting popular.

[@richarddorazi8565]

Diamond Axe Studios Music OMG I can’t believe it’s been 6 years already since Call Me Maybe. I already want to go back to when that song was big cause at least it was fun unlike what we have big in 2018.

[@emanas2530]

And the 90's Euro-techno-pop analogue would be....K-Pop?

[@AlphaSkyRaider]

Better Now is probably the most energetic single I've ever heard from Post Malone, and I actually enjoy it. As for Lucid Dreams, it's meh, not something that angers me but not something I'd seek to listen to.

[@oluwasegunoriola9834]

Delphox I wonder if your white because white people tend to cater to white rappers. Also, congratulations was energetic but is that not acceptable because rap is in it?

[@AlphaSkyRaider]

Congratulations is alright, one of his better songs too. Also no I'm not white, and it wouldn't matter if I was anyways.

[@oluwasegunoriola9834]

Delphox exactly. But for the second sentence, it does matter to me, probably not to you. Now, let me ask you, why is lucid dreams not what you seek?

[@AlphaSkyRaider]

The lyrics are a bit too whiny and his voice can be grating at times. The beat is alright though.

[@burpitola]

Honestly out of Juice WRLD's teo big hits, I think All Girl Are The Same is actually a banger. It's got a good flow while still having the sad vibes, while Lucid Dreams is just whiny

[@RuhrRedArmy]

I’m not defending the rest of it, but the lucid dream lyric doesn’t seem that problematic. In a lucid dream you’re just lucid and aware, doesn’t mean you couldn’t be stuck. Being lucid in such a situation would be make it much more distressing.

[@jk844100]

Onion Interface you can’t be stuck in a lucid dream, that’s the point. In a lucid dream you have complete control. The thing JW was talking about was Sleep Paralysis.

[@RuhrRedArmy]

The point of a lucid dream is not that you are in control (though you may be), it is that you are conscious that it is a dream. A lucid dream can be a nightmare. He may have been talking about SP but all I'm saying is it still works as lucid dreaming too.

[@jondejoy5780]

Fun fact, Juice Warlord was my stripper name in highschool.

[@jamieyoung9479]

that checks

[@theknightsofawesomeness2701]

Wait what!

[@Thebes342]

My eyes skimmed over this comment so fast that I had a double take a good five seconds later. GG

[@jondejoy5780]

This is kind of an inside joke with me lol. If there is ever a weird name of phrase, Like Juice Warlord for instance, I say "You know... that was my stripper name in high school." I've said it often enough that I don't even have to actually say it and my friends will know what I'm about to say lol.

[@lewisbaitup6352]

@@jondejoy5780 good inside joke

[@actualizedanimal]

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said this type of "emo-rap" isn't nearly intense enough to be emo. I mean, emo rock as a genre is at its best when the music is unabashedly over-the-top and overdramatic. It's supposed to be *cathartic*. These songs just seem to be wallowing in sadness with no sort of energy or purpose.

[@skylarlowtower5372]

Is that not more emo tho...

[@lProN00bl]

It's mopey mumble rap

[@KV-we8ru]

as a teenager I can without a doubt confirm that many other teenagers currently do wallow in sadness with no energy or purpose, and these songs very well reflect that.

[@dvt1393]

@@KV-we8ru In that case, go listen to some old school emo. Seriously. It's been to listen to over-the-top, cathartic music than miserable, mopey music. Start out with more accessible music like My Chemical Romance, early Fall Out Boy, and early Panic! At the Disco. The dive in to slightly heavier stuff like Taking Back Sunday and The Used. The there's darker, weirder stuff like Saosin, Escape the Fate, Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, Senses Fail, Underoath and At the Drive-In. I mean it, dude. It's like a generation behind yours, but if you're in that stage of life, it is the most relatable music. Or, I just may be getting old and giving you music that will make me sense and sound awful. 😅😂

[@Hola-tq4pg]

Close enough Emo is more about being emotionally honest with it's roots getting born out of the hardcore punk, in 90s it turned more variated with indie (American Football), pop punk (the Get Up Kids) and post hardcore (Sunny Day Real Estate), but lyrically it was still more of the same, in the early 00s it become more direct and more over the top, mainly thanks to bands like Thursday, Brand New and Taking Back Sunday, then MCR came out and made it mainstream, turning a lot of young Kids into the same style they used for Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (and a lot of bands using a really similar style too), the mid 00s was pretty much the Golden era of emo as a Fashion style, bands this time were even more over the top and even more direct, at a point Where the emotional honesty turned into whining (that's when emo turned into an insult), by the late 00s pop punk bands started to get happier and poppy again but thanks to the emo hair and the clothing emo was just considered as just random band with emo hair cuts (or that's what I think, I don't know, I seriously cannot understand how Metro Station counts as an emo band) So in short terms, emo turned less from a hardcore subgenre to just playing a depressed rock song

[@DiamondAxeStudiosMusic]

Um, Todd, you do realize that the second half of Post Malone's chorus is admitting that he does miss her, even though he tries to pose and save face, right?

[@React2Quick]

probably not. I like Todd but he misses the mark so hard sometimes.

[@TriStar44]

Todd is legitimately not very smart, nor is he particularly observant. Fortunately, he’s abundantly entertaining overall, so it’s whatevs.

[@basmaringuillaume8897]

Who cares? Post Malone sucks.

[@galleryofrogues]

You do realize no one cares, right?

[@michaelhall5429]

That "um" seemed super disingenuous. Don't be a baby about your opinion, it doesn't match your abrasively pompous channel name. Little Todd.

[@jeliii7900]

iS THaT MY MoT H E R ON Da PhOoN E

[@IABITVpresents]

Not a Sting fronted song iirc. It was from some other member of that band, can't tell which one

[@munkyzzb7504]

Yeah that's called sleep paralysis when your asleep and can't move.

[@Champiness]

To be fair the line “I have these sleep paralyses” doesn’t scan as well

[@munkyzzb7504]

@@Champiness haha ha

[@JWK1101]

I'm glad someone pointed this out.

[@kaydwessie296]

My dad has that and says it's horrifying. I doubt it'd make a good emo rap song. It's better for a heavier genre

[@flaare6809]

He actually addressed this in an interview, he was talking about how you could use sleep paralysis in order to induce a lucid dream

[@heymistercarter.]

So apparently it’s just been announced that Juice WRLD passed away at 21. I wasn’t really a fan of him or his music, but that’s a shame that he’s gone at such a young age. I hope the best for his family in this tough time.

[@skinWalkman]

trc2rockon not surprising when you swallow a bunch of percs to escape a drug smuggling charge. It was a shame when it was Kurt, or layne, or Chris. I just don’t have sympathy for people that glorify drug use and then die from said drugs.

[@silvertamagachi]

@@skinWalkman Dude, it's an addiction and he was a kid. What the fuck is wrong with you?

[@Thebes342]

@@silvertamagachi I don't think the "he was just a kid" excuse works all that well considering he was 21. His death is unfortunate, but the guy was far from being a child who couldn't be held accountable for his own decisions that ultimately led up to him dying far too young.

[@silvertamagachi]

@@Thebes342 I mean it's all relative; I'm old enough that 21 seems like a baby. But I guess my argument would be better if I'd said that we do stupid things at all ages, and it doesn't mean we shouldn't have sympathy if someone's bad decision kills them.

[@synflwr]

I feel really bad for his mother. She lost her husband and both sons in the span of around a year.

[@Ninjaverse45]

Let's remind ourselves that simple plans welcome to my life was the birth of Todd in the shadows. He confirmed this in the worst of 2004 video.

[@Champiness]

Not sure where Todd will be going with this but at least Post Malone sounds like he’s awake this time around

[@RyanStorey1231]

If Post Malone and Drake ever collab, surgeons will no longer have to use anesthesia on patients before surgery. They can just have the patients listen to that song.

[@misterree09]

Good one!

[@grant6445]

I love emo rap, I can be sad and flex at the same time Haha I can’t flex

[@krusher181]

Just buy a 50$ Supreme shirt from StockX and people will straight up think you’re rich lol

[@grant6445]

Monk Killedababy yeah I’m gonna have to wait a few drops for that

[@kilgorehagechester7021]

The album in your avitar is quintessential emo rap

[@kilgorehagechester7021]

Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples if anyone is confused

[@notsanger]

Micah Sponheim ???

[@bethanymcmurtrey9542]

I especially can't wait for Todd's end of the year top ten lists this year. Why? I want to see just how far Todd is going to have to reach to find the "worst" and the "best" from this apathetic, monotonous year.

[@KaijaSchmauss]

I'm calling it right now, Twenty One Pilots is gonna end up on the Best list. Which, in my opinion, would be deserved because all 3 singles have been pretty good. But also they stand out, at the very least.

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

It seems that lately, every damn year that the music industry is more afraid to take chances, the music that gets released is more and more of a goddamned slog to get through for finding the "Worst song of the year" because every single one qualifies in some way. I don't know, but the industry is REALLY primed for a new kick in the pants, like a new Nirvana or something like that. It might not be any genera that we're used to, but we need something.. new and we need the industry to start taking chances. When was the last time, for instance that we saw the industry take chances on some new and interesting rock act, for instance, that they didn't get their hands in, and pop music up the sound, that they actually pushed? They're terrified to take chances on ANY artists that don't sound like everyone else and even if they DO take a chance on a new artist, they get their producers involved and MAKE the band or artist sound like everyone else.

[@DuksiAntonDedvukaj687D]

Kaija Schmauss sorry, they won’t. Jumpsuit, Nico and the Niners, and Levitate missed the top 20 and likely will miss the year end, so they’re ineligible. Green Light peaked at 19, so it was eligible.

[@ifgodwasapig]

Just stop listening to maintain shit, plenty of cool things to come out this year if you spend more than 5 minutes looking for it

[@ArrogantDan]

Dirty Computer

[@HarveyHiggins]

“I hope you grow out of this” Me: oh no..... oh nonono

[@cyandinomashups]

It took years too long to realize emo is short for emotional.

[@John-vn9js]

Nah man, it's a type of bird.

[@lalolindu]

it maybe was it's original meaning but i highly doubt people nowadays mean "emotional" when they call someone "emo"

[@rashotcake6945]

It originated from the subgenre “emotional hardcore” or “emo core” which includes bands like Embrace or Rites of Spring. I know the name of the sub genre sounds really dumb but those bands are actually pretty good punk music

[@cyandinomashups]

@@rashotcake6945 I don't think it's that band of a name.

[@idiotwhoedits3522]

@@rashotcake6945 finally, someone in this comment section that actually knows what emo actually is

[@fetamean]

I feel like I have a bias because I've seen Post so much on the H3 podcast, and he just seems like the kind of dude who's chill all the time, maybe a bit of an alcoholic, but still, just a wholesome guy. He said that Justin Bieber was a nice, down to earth guy. I could believe it hearing it from Post, honestly. Edit: For this song, I never really thought about that line, "I only say that 'cause you not around" until you mentioned it, but see, Todd. He said, "I ONLY," because he's by himself. He's alone. He's convincing himself that she needs him as much as he thinks he needs her. At least, that's how I interpreted it. I don't really care to talk about Juice world or w/e because it didn't even catch me when I first heard it.

[@officialhoovtube]

Todd was way too harsh on Post tbh

[@Maawaa]

"You prolly think that you are better now, better now / You only say that 'cause I'm not around, not around" into "You know I say that I am better now, better now / I only say that 'cause you're not around, not around". I don't know that what you're saying makes it that much better. The chorus, is IMO one of the most memorable parts of the song but it really does make Post sound so weak and miserable. This is still a break-up song where the singer looks terrible singing it, no matter what he's like in real life. He goes from saying that he'd be good for her, would help her if she just let him into her life in the first couple lines, to admitting that despite what he says, he needs her desperately. Over all, Post comes across as needing her far more than she needs him.

[@Nhileishere]

Agreed I knew about Post Malone from h3! It showed the down to earth sides of him

[@docleo2001]

Just like Danny McBride!

[@Wund3rKiin]

@@Maawaa and what's wrong with that? That is an interesting take on break ups, a man desperately trying to convince himself he was and is needed because his ego can't take the idea that it is any other way, that in spite of everything he was a good man and good partner because he loves and loved his partner.

[@RepublicofE]

Do a One Hit Wonderland episode on Francis Scott Key.

[@nathanalbright]

I'm surprised he hasn't done one on Johan Pachibel yet :D.

[@Champiness]

Pachelbel ~did~ have a brief OHW cameo via “Scatman’s World”.

[@nathanalbright]

That's true--but given the importance of Pachelbel's canon to the history of pop music, he could certainly get a full video :D

[@dublinjake]

Not really important, but I find it hilarious that he and F. Scott Fitzgerald are related entirely because of one anecdote. One night, Fitzgerald was out with his writer friends and he was absolutely trashed. Destroyed. Gazeboed. They were going to their car and a statue of Francis Scott Key was stood nearby. Fitzgerald see the statue, leaps out of his skin and crawls behind the nearest vehicle saying "Don't let Frank see me like this".

[@cremetangerine82]

@@dublinjake F. Scott Fitzgerald sounded like a proto-emo guy. There’s an anecdote in which he said to his friend Ernest Hemingway on how he’s worried about the size of his small penis. Then Ernest took him to see some Greek statues to make him feel better about his junk.

[@Champiness]

Scatman’s WRLD

[@crazyluigi6664]

ZA WRLD!!!

[@rauldjvp3053]

Omg

[@TheSkully343]

This message was brought to you from the realm of Scatland.

[@Fuziontony123]

Champiness You made a new rap name

[@wormdoodles]

I'm not crazy about sad boy rap, but that's just me personally. If I'm in the mood for sad boy music, I prefer Joy Division or The Cure or the Smiths or that shit. Still, I agree that I like the fact that rap's having this emo phase. I think almost everything can benefit from a good emo phase, if just for the quality cringe afterwards.

[@taylorfrench6722]

I wasn't even a fan of Juice Wrld, but him dying at 21... I'm speechless.

[@idstice]

@UltimaMaster99 wait wut😂 you do know that drugs are a serious problem more than a just being dumb as a teen and people like robin Williams really suffered due to them, only persevering because he had the opportunity to grow and get sober. (His depression at that point was a whole other problem) but it took time, growth and help from others to get drugs out of his life and for a teen that would be even more difficult. I am furious juice w(a)rl(or)d couldn't live sober and had no one around him to pull him out of that mess I can't possibly hold him responsable

[@Dumb_Killjoy]

@UltimaMaster99 Addiction does shit to people

[@BarkertheScrunkly]

I'm kinda worried that dying in your early 20's is gonna become a trend for sadboi rappers.

[@Dumb_Killjoy]

@UltimaMaster99 Look dude, I know what addiction does to people. Three of my cousins were on illegal drugs, and they're sober now. Addiction doesn't automatically make somebody a bad person.

[@thetalkingstick9214]

UltimaMaster99 wait, a young person whose brain is still undeveloped mixed in with drug problems adding onto the slow development made a stupid decision in extremely stressful situation involving getting arrested by the police!?!? What a fucking idiot, not making a good decision while already being high before hearing about the police and taking the pills that caused his death, why didn’t he make a reasonable move while having an undeveloped frontal lobe, and being high and under intense stress and fear of being arrested?!? You really understand how the human brain functions Edit: Also in one of his last interviews before his death, “to the youth, if you need help, with drugs or so, get help, medical or emotionally, whatever you feel to need, don’t be scared to”

[@phocarrot]

It's like the world has gotten so crazy that people are gravitating towards music that is so chill it's impossible to feel anything when you're listening to it.

[@kingfox7863]

Or maybe you're so focused on trying to feel something while listening to these songs that you completely miss the point of these songs. They're background ambience music, meant for you to just chill and immerse yourself. The more you care about analysing the lyrics and taking every aspect of the song at face value the more you miss out on in terms of the feeling of the song.

[@Humorless_Wokescold]

+King Fox I don't know how to break this to you but we've had that sort of music before. Melodic hippie bullshit, the noise scene, even the new agey music of Ayna and Loreena McKennitt did what sound cloud rappers are allegedly trying to do. We've seen ambient music done right. Post Malone ain't it.

[@ImJustSayin2014]

Can we talk about why Post Malone is considered a rapper when, at least as far as radio hits go, he does a ton of singing?

[@rockingbirdey]

Got that trap beat so obviously rap imma right

[@RyanStorey1231]

True, but you can say the same about Drake. Or even Lil Wayne, or to go back further, Nelly. They're rappers that have more of a sing-song-y flow in their delivery, but they're not exactly singing either. Even so, you can argue that they're far too melodic to be considered rapping.

[@emanatingf]

Trap & Hip-Hop aren't the same genre ppl need to stop thinking they're the same thing. Where is the rapping? Post Malone is just a bad singer end of

[@SantiBarrios]

Post is a singer that uses trap production, plain and simple. The difference with him and rappers that use melodic flows like Drake, Lil Wayne or Travis Scott is that they have songs in which they only straight up rap, Post pretty much only sings

[@josh44026]

Alternative R&b and trap is his aesthetic.

[@K4RN4GE911]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I do not like Post Malone's music. However, he does seem like the kind of guy to shoot the shit with and just talk about things for an afternoon.

[@Tyler-sy7jo]

I also can't stand his music. I rank him with Drake where I despise most of what they do musically, but then I feel guilty because they are definitely better people than most of the famous people nowadays.

[@kaydwessie296]

100% agree

[@KaijaSchmauss]

Same. Better Now is about the only song of his I've heard that interested me in the slightest, and that was just because it's catchy.

[@shan5512]

Kaija Schmauss ever heard one of his songs with a guitar?

[@zombiemannequinrobot]

If you can get past the smell

[@gabe_s_videos]

The best emo rap song is "Hurt Feelings" by Flight Of The Concords. Name a better one. I'll wait.

[@marciaosullivan3200]

Threw it on the ground

[@ffjreviews9029]

The best one to me is Lil Uzi Vert XO Tour Llif3

[@thejorgieverse15]

Tears of a rapper.

[@gabe_s_videos]

@@marciaosullivan3200 That's more like nu metal. :P

[@bingopretzels1631]

MY MAN

[@mix3k818]

1:48 Thank you so much for mentioning Cudi. Both his debut album Man On The Moon and his help for Ye's 808s & Heartbreak has paved the way for mental health talk in hip hop and it's amazing

[@heatherrausch6085]

Lucid Dreams is a lot worse than i thought once i hear the lyrics. Better Now I still like. I don't think you're actually supposed to be on post's side in the song

[@DuksiAntonDedvukaj687D]

Dale r I agree. Better Now might just be my favorite song of the year, while Lucid Dreams, it’s in the bottom five hits for me.

[@davidallen234]

Yea when you listen to the lyrics... that shows no one cares about lyrics anymore and they automatically think the song is good because it sounds catchy and has a good flow.

[@heatherrausch6085]

@@davidallen234 bro i didn't even think the song was good before. I'd just heard it as background music at work, chill

[@heatherrausch6085]

@@DuksiAntonDedvukaj687D personally my favorite Hit song of the year might be one of the Ariana singles, but Better Now is still up there. Similarly, Lucid Dreams is bad, and i can understand it being bottom five, but that last X album has at least like 5 worse songs imho

[@oluwasegunoriola9834]

Dale r there's more to a song than just lyrics. Everything matters, the video, the flow, the beat, why solely focus on lyrics? Better now also had shit lyrics and basic lyrics as well. Lucid dreams could be seen as good if someone was to interpret it different. And why does your statement make me feel like your skin colour is white. And also, albums don't have to be 100% perfect and thus, some of x songs may be bad to you but good to someone else. Especially when his album didn't just have 1 genre in it which is what some artists fail to do and just do the same repetitive shit and call it an album.

[@Panda_Roll]

Emo means overly emotional. Those songs are the exact opposite of that. I've become so numb I can't feel you there Become so tired So much more aware By becoming this All I want to do Is be more like me And be less like you

[@The_Weasel_]

You forgot about the part where the singer was screaming it into the mic. Like he was emotional about how emotionless he's become

[@mikerivera373]

See, that’s the kind of emo music that I love, and the kind that connected with me when I was young.

[@kaydwessie296]

Dude I fucking miss Chester so much

[@seancrawford4786]

Linkin Park isn't an emo band

[@TheFlameBladeWielder]

Linkin Park ain' emo, they just had sad, angsty lyrics. "Emo" in music usually either refers to emo pop punk bands (MCR, Senses Fail, Simple Plan), emo indie (TTNG, American Football) or emo hardcore (Rites of Spring, Embrace, One Last Wish)

[@mavenYGO]

>mentions Kid Cudi earlier >doesn't mention Kid Cudis influence on emo rap despite bringing up 808 and heartbreaks

[@veoh112]

He was ahead of the game

[@justabeing6297]

Fr wtf.

[@lamontkhoza2856]

Kid Cudi to me is more psychedelia then emo

[@BlackLotusVisualArchive]

Kid Cudi didn't invent 808s. Miami Bass did in the 80s. People need to listen to more rap before 2009

[@dirtgirl6227]

'extremely funkless' is exactly how i would describe post malone

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

Dirt Girl he is negative funk.

[@Crazelord91]

Man, this style of music really made me realize I'm getting old. This is the first time I don't understand the appeal of a genre of music. I always disliked a lot of popular music, but I also understood the appeal and usually could find a few artists/bands that I thought did it well. Like for example I never cared much for emo, but I always thought MCR were talented and legit musicians, while Simple Plan wasn't. Now this sad rap, mumble rap, emo rap, soundcloud rappers, etc. It just escapes me. It makes no sense what the appeal is. I can't even hate it bc I don't know what is considered good or bad. And I don't want to say it's just all bad, bc that is myopic to say about any genre. It's like all the depression of Grunge, without the intensity of the rock behind it and the use of strong melody and vocals to juxtapose the ennui. It almost feels like these rappers are actively avoiding making a song have any hook or energy. And then there's the screamo or aggressive soundcloud rappers like Takeshi69, who are just noise to me. Not a single clue why anyone would enjoy listening, even in the background. And I think that's the moment when you have become an adult, at least culturally. When you just don't get it. Makes me a bit sad. Listening to most new music legit makes me depressed, but as an adult I have no desire to wallow in my depression like I did as a teenager. Good video. Out of the 2 I'd say I can tolerate "Lucid Dreams" more just due to the sample.

[@nathanialmynameisajoke]

Same lol

[@sonofage]

There was a study done that says we develop a closeness to a genre of music in our 20s and then it sticks and there was an observation I noticed where people in their 30s and beyond start to just play songs they've heard in their yesteryears. Ok they're not that old but I get you man. I'm on the same boat

[@Crazelord91]

@@sonofage Interesting. That could be it for me

[@uponit57]

I feel you. I just can't vibe with the music no more. I feel sorta left out. I like the hype Hip Hop. I grew up on Rap and R&B. I dunno if I can vibe with the sad rap or the Takashi69s and Lil Pumps (swore they were the same person when I first saw them). It's fine though. We got our classics, and that's alright.

[@vulixirus]

Maybe one day that feeling will catch up to me too. But i've always loved diy, low fi, drone, basically music that is gloomy and pained. Like some of my fav artists are dandelion hands and salvia palth, better now is a god damn bop compared to that shit, it's weird to me that people consider better now moody. But i guess one day i'll be left behind too, and my kids will be playing what ever the hell people will listen too while i will feel nostalgic about good ol post malone lol

[@Ashannon888]

Total aside here, but seeing Todd brought it up, I'd like to make a small observation about Simple Plan and "Welcome to my Life". That's a song a lot of folk say they hate, but will admit to relating too at some point in life. Everyone does have a time when they feel no one understands them, or what their going through. Doesn't how matter how well off or downtrodden you are, you'll have the same feelings. It's a weird song that is whiny, narcissistic and self-indulgent but everyone can think of a time where for a moment, be it a few minutes or a few years, that would have been the song that most summed up their life.

[@luiscarlosarenas9370]

Agree, I guess it hits you when you're a teenager. It happens to me with 'Perfect'. Whenever I listen to it now I think it's a childish whine fest with no actual cause, but fourteen years ago I lIstened the shit out of it.

[@HYBRIDZHQ]

I guess if you critisize the song you're basically critisizing yourself at some point in life

[@zashgekido5616]

@@HYBRIDZHQ the tone you mean

[@heartlessoni13]

Exactly. I love it cuz you can relate to it. I mean yeah, its so EMO TRASH, but its the type where you are just like, "yessssss bitch, YoU dOn'T KNow MEEEEEEE." But this crap... i mean, geez, no. Just no. lol

[@samuelesalvatico7259]

That’s why it’s so easy to hate, no one wants to remember that period of their life

[@BlackJackel12]

Please do a Trainwreckords on The Beginning by the Black Eyed Peas

[@RyanStorey1231]

I'd argue that it wasn't that album that killed their career (it was mostly just an extension of The E.N.D.), but their disastrous Super Bowl performance. After that, the general public turned on them and were practically forced to go on an indefinite hiatus. Interestingly, they've since reunited and returned to their conscious underground hip-hop roots. They've been putting out a lot of politically charged songs as of late and they're all amazing. The beat work, the flow, their dynamic, the lyrics, it's all amazing and it shows that Will.I.Am is a creative genius when he actually tries and he has something of substance to talk about. Oh, and Fergie's gone too, which makes me kind of sad but most old school fans are probably happy. Seriously, "Street Livin'" makes up for any shitty electropop song they released back then. I just wish their new stuff was getting more attention because literally nobody cares.

[@WobblesandBean]

Nobody should ever be subjected to that album

[@gracecarpinter8623]

Maybe it was a combination of the album and the Super Bowl performance.

[@thedrunkenelf]

Do train wreckords episode for Katy Perry prism

[@ImJustSayin2014]

Sally Parker yaaaaaaas!

[@lydiavalentino]

Sally Parker I think Witness would work better, that's where it went COMPLETELY downhill

[@thatquietkid]

or even Witness tbh, they're both flops

[@OutOfTheShadows1]

Just, wait a minute for full hindsight to hit, and then it might work.

[@BollyBibby]

Prism at least had hits. Witness is the real trainwreck.

[@GeoNeilUK]

I may be biased by my age, but I think rap, hip hop and R&B need another Rage Against the Machine phase, they need another Skunk Anansie phase, they need another Nina Simone phase! But y'know, send the angry youth to sleep and The Man can continue to triple your tuition fees while under employing you. "This Is America" should have been the start of something, not a dead end. Also, have Queensryche had hits other than Silent Ludicity? If not, One Hit Wonderland! And this is what got me about emo, it came immediately after Britpop, it came immediately after Blur, Suede, Skunk Anansie, Pulp, Ocean Colour Scene, Rage Against The Machine, The Verve and it was just such a whiplash.

[@jeremyusreevu237]

Regardless of your feelings of the song, you have to admit: Lucid Dreams is a great name for a song.

[@charlie81dbz]

Yep, probably why Franz Ferdinand used it in 2009.

[@arirought531]

@@charlie81dbz the FF song is also a banger

[@thatisaduck]

yeah, it would be if that was what it was actually about

[@ridleysomeliana-lauer5814]

It really isn’t that good of a name for a song.

[@voltairinekropotkin5581]

Mope Rap. That's what it should be called.

[@riahlexington]

Voltairine Kropotkin indeed

[@christophercaldwell5093]

As a sad boy rap fan, I’m excited Todd

[@christophercaldwell5093]

Damn tore into my genre 😂

[@dyldragon1]

Tbh Juice and Post really aren't the best reps of the genre. Todd's gotta go way back to Yung Lean, the guy that pretty much started the whole wave. And tbh Better Now is in the lower tier of Post Malone songs and Lucid Dreams is definitely a better hook than it is a song.

[@mileswilson3060]

dyldragon1 BONES has been doing sad rap for years songs like dirt and TheGrandestNothing

[@orateusdijin6557]

No one gonna talk bout midnight society or Lund at all. smh.

[@jaegervortex8890]

Christopher Caldwell z

[@kezzstar24]

Memories of dancing with my friends at the school disco to "Welcome to my Life". We were so hard-done by and misunderstood. These songs bore me though. At least "Welcome to my Life" is fun.

[@theinternetisconfusing5438]

Lucid dreams are actually just dreams where the dreamer is aware theyre dreaming. There are different levels of control, including having zero. So you CAN have a lucid dream where you cant move. I think JuiceBox is comparing his predicament to a lucid dream (nightmare)

[@theinternetisconfusing5438]

@Red Queen Slay sleep paralysis is different from lucid dreaming in that your physically awake during sleep paralysis. From my experiences, the two feel very different. Ive also had lucid nightmares which also feels nothing like sleep paralysis

[@veselasmeshkova8848]

Isn't the point of lucid dreaming that you are in full control

[@diegovargas8375]

@@veselasmeshkova8848 No, that's the goal when training yourself to lucid dream. It's possible to be aware you are dreaming without having control of it. It's a rather awful experience to have in a nightmare honestly.

[@Aogami20]

Lucid dreaming doesn't necessarily imply control. In fact lucid dreaming can be scary af. Night terrors - when you wake up but still experience sleep paralysis and can't move, while still dreaming which causes scary af hallucinations - are caused by lucid dreaming. That's probably what he's referring to in the song, sleep paralysis.

[@alexandertruuvert2037]

But then that’s just sleep paralysis and not lucid dreaming no?

[@stereoraptor6940]

sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming are two seperate things. lucid dreaming is something you have to train your mind to do. sleep paralysis just happens to some people on occasion. so yeah, juice mislabeled the fucking title of his song.

[@kooliooolio]

yeah i think he said that in the no jumper interview

[@lexsmithee652]

I'll just pitch in here that you are right about lucid dreams not necessarily being dreams you can control. A lucid dream is a dream in which you are aware of the fact that you are dreaming. When you are lucid dreaming, you can sometimes control your dreams, and it gets easier with time and training. Sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming are two different and pretty unrelated things, tho

[@Bullitthiphop]

Night Terrors, Lucid Dreams and Sleep Paralysis are 3 totally different things and no matter how you attempt to redefine or workaround them. Face it, Juice Wrld messed up and thought he was more clever/deeper than he actually was. What a surprise

[@pt1427]

I feel like what people are missing is that the new wave of sad boy rap has a really sad tone. But most of it lacks the depth and the lyricism to convey such depth seen in sad songs in the past/underground (suicidal thoughts, dance with the devil, Brenda’s got a baby, Keisha’s song, chum)

[@Marie-kv2jr]

"--something that's being played by an air conditioner on low" :D

[@TheDude4077]

I gotta be real, I like Todd's videos but this was just not a good review. As a lot of people have said emo rap is not new at all and he seems to have done basically no research for this topic. Also this notion of "hip hop is just so repetitive" and "always about the same macho posturing" is just completely wrong. Like that's true for mainstream radio stuff maybe, but hip hop has a rich underground and a lot of songs about a lot more than just macho posturing. I don't want to come off as disrespectful here, but he just really didn't sound like he knew what he was talking about at all in this video. This video felt like nothing more than an uniformed rant but a closed minded rock elitist complaining about "damn kids these days".

[@charizardmaster13]

100% true and even as a rock fan he seems to not know what the right rock genres are. he knows NOTHING about emo

[@bauniy7537]

based.

[@TheDude4077]

@A G He mentions literally one album and it's Kanye, and that album is hardly the genesis of emo rap. Also just because he focuses on mainstream music doesn't make his blanket statement about an entire genre any less incorrect. You keep up.

[@charizardmaster13]

+A G my chem i get but simple plan is certainly not emo. its pop punk no matter how whiny it is

[@clairekim2525]

TheDude4077 I just want to point out that not only does he focus on the mainstream in every video, but also he specified that his generalizations about emo rap and "brag-y rap" just apply to the *general* mainstream popular hits ( *generally* )

[@Ayoungdexter]

“Juice Walrus” had me completely dead

[@tj_6964]

As someone going through a rough breakup, Post Malone’s lyrics actually make perfect sense to me, because I’m exactly like “I’m over you. But I’m not. But I miss you. But I don’t. But I’m better now. But I’m totally not.” Yeah...

[@kronalord3764]

It’s not the sound of angst it’s the sound of depression

[@anawaz189]

Kronalord what are you 13? The sound of depression? Please. Give me a break

[@Xtremedude720]

my sound of depression is astral weeks lmao

[@kronalord3764]

Ali Nawaz I’m saying that’s what their going for don’t be a dick man

[@MrGEORGETHOMPS]

Ali Nawaz idiot

[@iamalIama]

yeah, I prefer the term "slowcore rap" over emo rap. Emo actually has power behind it, while slowcore is more droning and sad. slowcore rap seems to fit better.

[@seancrawford4786]

ᴵᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃᶰ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵗʰᶦˢ, ᴵ ᵃᵐ ᵃ ᶫᶫᵃᵐᵃ but what about Antigen American Football?

[@lorynramage350]

I use the term sad rap

[@TheFlameBladeWielder]

Ain't slowcore a style of indie rock? Like Red House Painters

[@Matrim42]

...you’re not a llama.

[@seppoleonvervloet132]

@@ordinarychef Peep died to soon man he would have been huge if he lived

[@gagejoseph91]

This video, summarized: "It isn't mood music, it is ANTI-mood-music, which essentially misses the point of music as a whole."

[@eadlynjune]

gagejoseph91 I mean I’d say it is a mood, just not always a good mood. Sometimes you want to feel bad about something. For me music can help a bad mood by making it feel more poetic and like it’s just part of a journey so it softens the blow for me. I don’t get how that misses the point of music cause I felt something that’s for sure.

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

+Eadlyn June your point stands on it's own but what they mean about "anti-mood" music is that it's not even about feeling sad or angry, it's about not feeling anything but without any type of explanation or emotional depth which basically makes it emotionless and with no lyrical value.

[@eadlynjune]

aR0ttenBANANA96 I never get that vibe though? When I listen to those songs I feel sad or maybe more melancholic. There’s just this feelings somethings looming over you or whatever. I’d say these songs give me a mood. Anyways some of hear songs do have good lyrics and are about feelings, they’re just not sung that way. I kinda like the more monotone delivery, it makes it feel like they’re just talking to themselves or something, reflecting y’know?

[@chuckbatman5]

That's exactly it. It feels like it's made to be listened to when you're on the mood-dampening drugs the songs are about, a sort of soundtrack for that kind of high. I don't really hate the genre and I like the idea of rap being allowed to be sad but some of these songs don't even feel sad, they sound like they come from a whiny kid living in a boring suburb who gets high all the time because it's the only way he knows how to make his life more interesting.

[@eadlynjune]

Coolman Hahn In that way I can agree, I mean not all songs are created equal. Lucid Dreams felt very stale and like nothing much was going on or being said in my opinion. Some songs just won’t hit he mark.

[@TheREALBOJACK]

"Man, I hate how all popular rap sounds the same." *_1 second later_* "You can't call a song 'Psycho' if it doesn't sound like all the other ones called that!"

[@alexsmith2910]

False equivalency.

[@Legodrumskateg]

Comparing genre to topic and tone doesn't work

[@everyonesaidmynamewasstupi3713]

i guess i always thought of the lyrics “i have these lucid dreams where i can’t move a thing” as deeper than it was. like he has everything he needs on paper but still feels stuck. or maybe it’s that he has such strong feelings and memories of this girl, but they’re just feelings and memories. he can’t get past that barrier. he can’t bring her back, no matter how vivid his thoughts are.

[@guyroo9974]

Please do more pop song reviews. I suggest I Like It and Fefe for the next episode.

[@crazyluigi6664]

Spoiler alert, he'll like I Like It, while probably say Fefe's a worst song contender.

[@KaijaSchmauss]

I'd like to see him cover Say Amen (Saturday Night), personally.

[@danieldemaras3099]

@@KaijaSchmauss the less said the better

[@lukeg1940]

Finally someone who understands emo rap. You and Fantano out here

[@NotRealMusicRyan]

So much of it is shite though

[@thedevildances]

Fantano pretty much hates all emo rap tho

[@brokengirrafe]

Krom the Assassin not as far as I know, but one of Todd's vids appears in Fantano's 1 mil special when he talks about watching youtube

[@roddorfj]

Fantano's given relatively positive reviews to Post Malone, Juice WRLD, and Trippie Redd, and even liked a few posthumous Lil Peep songs.

[@thedevildances]

@@roddorfj He gave Stoner a not good Trippie two times 5 which I wouldn't exactly consider "good" either. No Idea what he gave Juice world and he mostly disliked Peep tho. X's Albums all got terrible scores too

[@pleasebenice3520]

“I want something that doesn’t sound like it’s being played by an air conditioner on low” *Brilliant*

[@musicalnotextr]

Poor guy barely grew up. Rest In Peace, Juice WRLD.

[@h1.w590]

Cat Karkosky never hated women, literally had a long term girlfriend before he passed

[@vjekobasic7059]

Well it's his own fault, so he shouldn't really get much sympathy.

[@zenzen6361]

@@vjekobasic7059 considered to your last name you sound like you are from the balkan. So you should now how drugs can seem harmless

[@vjekobasic7059]

@@zenzen6361 Haven't had any contact with drugs except for a friend of mine that smokes weed sometimes

[@kevlikesmovies4442]

Something that I haven't heard any critics mention: in regards to the line "I have these lucid dreams where I can't move a thing," I think he's referring to sleep paralysis, which is often a side- effect of lucid dreaming.

[@maltherossel9348]

Nas used the same Sting sample to perfection on "The Message" in 1996 from It Was Written

[@RatzaChewy]

Sting himself piggybacked off of that sample when he collabed with Craig David on 'Rise and Fall' Answers on a postcard for the other most early-2000s, British musical reference I could have made.

[@firstpersonplural]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Juice Wrld used it because Nas did, not because he's a particularly big fan of Sting. Kinda surprised Todd didn't know/mention it

[@ariotofmyown4879]

First Person Plural his producer used it. Juice world probably doesn’t even know where it came from

[@emanatingf]

Rebels of Babylon Facts

[@MIsportsguy]

Also Carl Thomas for Emotional

[@roguishpaladin]

Also, I'm gonna defend Shape of My Heart. As a total package it works for me. The precise finger-plucking and sedate atmosphere go along with the theme of a high-stakes card player who refuses to let his emotions surface even though he is in love with someone. On the other hand, the Juice Warlord's vocals miss that point entirely. The guitar riff is best suited for someone who wants to hold their emotions in, not lash out at the world.

[@FrStProductions]

roguishpaladin yeah I agree with you. I think a lot of people dislike stings solo career because it differs so much from the police.

[@kilgorehagechester7021]

Eminem was rap's first emo phase. I mean listen to The Way I Am.

[@roguishpaladin]

Heck, Lose Yourself is pretty emo, and I mean that in a good way (just like mom's spaghetti).

[@vincentconstable5382]

Micah Sponheim he was Horrorcore as well but he was definitely not the first to rap about the things he did, look at The Geto Boys

[@sonofage]

The way I am isn't emo. That was more angst and frustration about his Fame and ok, Maybe little emo with his self doubt at the time. His song Rock bottom is more emo and he isn't emo rap. There are those before. Atmosphere being considered one of them before. Potentially the Kings of it even though they don't believe it.

[@jowiesingh6991]

Meh Eminem’s quote on quote emo phase if you can call it that would most likely be his recovery album

[@vee1193]

Yet Eminems music was fun which is why it's different 😭

[@OPandemonium]

You e quickly become my favorite KZbinr! I’d love to see you do a series called “whatever happened to.” For artist that weren’t one hit wonders but have disappeared.

[@EpicB]

Juice has left this wrld. I didn't care much about him but it's still unfortunate.

[@ispearedbritney]

Fortune and luck had nothing to do with it. He actively killed himself with reckless behavior.

[@shaeel]

@@ispearedbritney nobody asked

[@xPandamon]

@@shaeel And yet you answered aswell. Sven is right though. He died like an idiot

[@shaeel]

@@xPandamon nobody asked

[@xPandamon]

@@shaeel Very creative and you even liked your own comment, nice

[@ralphyetmore]

Lemme get "old man" on you. In my day, the geezers would say "New Music: Why all the noise and angst?" Now old people say, "New Music: Is this elevator music? Are you little guys tired?"

[@KhayJayArt]

God, people have complained that modern rap is about nothing but materialism. Now people are rapping about feelings and people are bitching about that too. Just shut the fuck up and listen to something else.

[@kaydwessie296]

I listen to a lot of chill progressive house and even the sonfs that calm you down are way more dynamic and musically inteesting than all this. 8 second loops on boitleg videogames have been more interesting

[@ralphyetmore]

@@KhayJayArt - What happens if I don't stfu? Are you gonna cry in your room, listening to your boring music?

[@emanatingf]

They're still not letting go of the misogyny which is another issue like all girls are bad. Yo I know Juice confirmed he doesn't at all believe that but still. Personally I like breakup songs that are done well. VI Seconds has made a shining example of that one of the most talented young emcees of this era & he's created heartfelt tracks. That deserves respect versatility is key. I feel the lyrics more when they're expressed with the artists real voice no auto-tune nothing. I relate to the way they describe & the tone makes me feel for them cuz they admit to being imperfect & wonder if they mistreated her. It's more sincere to me since I don't connect to the auto-tune style I gravitate to it being kept thorough, pure & mature. Emotion shouldn't appear put on it should sound deep from the heart & intensely varied. Sad thing is they're unable to do that cuz they most likely sold their soul to get where they are c'est la vie.

[@jamesm69182]

@@emanatingf I'd say that part of what you said doesn't really pertain to Juice WRLD and part holds definite water for a reason. Juice doesn't use more autotune than any other current mainstream artist, and I would argue uses less. The part that holds water being the lack of emotion, and the reason for it being that he's not in that mental space or emotional phase anymore. Good commentary overall.

[@markkhusidman]

I wouldn't say "Emo Rap" is anything new. Earl Sweatshirt's 2015 album is called "I don't like shit, I don't go outside", and he did plenty of sad/dark stuff with Odd Future before then too.

[@patjacksonpodium]

I know this is an old review, but it's strange to me how Todd misses the very obvious point of Better Now. The lyrics aren't contradictory at all. "I say that I am better now *I only say it cause you're not around"* He's lying. They're both lying. They both miss each other and are lying to themselves and each other about it. It's pretty obvious. It's a really good song.

[@emerycorner]

My brother always said, "Post Malone looks like he smells"-

[@yvette4948]

Juice Wrld sounds like he’s been spending too much time on Incel forums. Watch one of his next songs will have ‘Tyrone’ in the lyrics.

[@jjayjae_]

He actually has a girlfriend at the moment. All of these songs are about his previous relationships with women. He said he was abusing xanax at the time, and because the drugs made him overly emotional at the time the breakup with his ex hit harder.

[@nomobobby]

@@jjayjae_ Doesn't make the song any less cringe worthy. I honestly couldn't care where or when it's written. Nobody will read articles about the songs you hear unless you're a mega fan or a nerd for the music genre. And without that, they wouldn't put the songs he wrote then into the that context (and take it less seriously)

[@metalfan4u]

Obviously you never listened to his music

[@JoshFingerhut]

I interpreted the switch in the chorus to "You know *I* say that I am better now" as the singer projecting his hidden heartbreak onto his ex. "I'm lying about being happy with the breakup, therefore she must be just as hung up on me as I am on her." That's why he's stalking her. How else would he know where she keeps the photo of him?

[@MetalSandman999]

I literally just realized this, and I immediately came to this video as a result. I'm glad someone made the comment back when it was relevant lol She actually thinks she is better now (and probably is). On the other hand, he SAYS he is better now. People often say things that aren't true.

[@jenniferdivito4563]

Post wasn't good enough for Crown The Empire. I think that will tell you everything you need to know about the man's career.

[@tatjy93]

That psycho montage has me DEADDDD hahaha

[@skitskit333]

HEY TODD. You are so amazing. You are so talented at piano, you draw your thumbnails and they look amazing. Damn. The respect I gotta give you for the effort... You put so much effort into your videos. Keep it up. You're great. Never let anyone tell you anything otherwise.

[@chasingautumns]

Todd's outro music makes me laugh EVERY TIME. LOL

[@Jygerthe2nd]

If Juice WRLD's actual rap name were Juice Warlord, would that technically make him Kamen Rider Gaim? ... ... ...I suck. lol

[@crazyluigi6664]

I see it more as how Tommy Wiseau would say his name. You know, like "everybody betray me, I've had it with Juice WRLD!!!"

[@mesousagaby740]

I think the reason why I mostly liked the mid-2000's emo genre is because they're like...actual rock and roll...kinda like nu-metal was...and both got mocked while I was actually banging my head. I do admit not singing "So cut my wrists" loudly because it's still too inane, but it still doesn't damage how rocking "Ohio Is For Lovers" is.

[@s3vere195]

Juice Willard was my favorite

[@crazyluigi6664]

I'm just waiting for a Tommy Wiseau pronunciation myself.

[@WillTheGreatest]

I first heard the juice wrld song on the radio and was so taken aback cause if you sing it like early 2000s blink and change the sting sample to some guitar and drums you straight up have an emo rock song

[@DinosaurFan88]

"I have lucid dreams where I can't move a thing" Darkness, imprisoning me All that I see Absolute horror I cannot live I cannot die Trapped in myself Body my holding cell

[@thejustinoshow7908]

All of your comments about Juice’s angst is why I love the song so much lol

[@Champiness]

Yeah, I’m very fond of it because it captures that absolute pit of narcissistic breakup misery in a satisfyingly unflattering way (and which cuts against the pretty Sting-replaying synth guitars to give it some legitimate emo drama. Like, he’s crying way too hard in his bedroom, but there’s a patch of moonlight coming in through the window so it’s also beautiful, or something). But like Todd says Juice doesn’t come out of it looking like someone whose WRLD you should inhabit for an extended period of time.

[@thejustinoshow7908]

Champiness yeah it’s a guy going thru his first breakup who doesn’t know how to handle these things so he chooses to be sad, angry and regretful all at once. It’s really meant for that one moment where you have no idea how they could do this or how you’re going to move on. His music isn’t mature, but it’s his first record, so I’ll give him a slight pass (even though he has crossed some lines, even for me) So I hope Juice does find a new lane though, because most of his lyrics are all in this same vein, and Juice has a girlfriend now, so maybe he’ll be more sympathetic but his current schtick is working so good for him that I know that’ll likely never happen.

[@dyldragon1]

To me it's definitely a better hook than a full song. Juice has a crazy amount of potential and I think he can grow in ways that'll surprise us. Seriously check out his hour long freestyle he did for a radio show, I think it was on Sway?

[@thejustinoshow7908]

dyldragon1 Juice totally has a lot of potential. I love his voice when he sings and that Tim Westwood freestyle shows that he can actually rap too, he’s not insanely lyrical, but it takes serious skill to flow for an hour. I hope his current single Lean Wit Me becomes a hit and he continues to evolve as an artist.

[@PENGUINGIRL1210]

Every time I hear that new song where they say “we party like Post Malone” I laugh because I remember your line that he’s the saddest man in rap and I just imagine they’re all just like dazing out until 5am and that’s the party

[@brandondias5622]

Oof. Welp, restraining orders turned out to be a liiiiiiiiittle inaccurate in hindsight. Toddstradamus strikes again. (In all seriousness, no one could have predicted this. RIP Juice WRLD... Way too young.)

[@nathandixon2048]

Not meaning this in a disrespectful way at all because it's always tragic when a young man dies suddenly like this... But in his song "legends" juice said "we ain't living passed 21", guess he actually called his own death

[@tomfooler9398]

well he did promote drug use and glorified it so it shoulda been abit clear he was taking some that might end up killing him

[@DTheAustralian]

Brandon Dias “Toddstradamus strikes again” when did he ever do that before this?

[@FunnyBunnyLPs]

I still see your shadows in my room Can't take back the love that i gave you it's to the point where i love and i hate you but i cannot change you so i must replace you... You ever had a breakup because it just didnt fit even though you loved her? you couldnt describe the feelings and sadness you have in this situation more accurate. this kid is 19 and has a few exaggerated lines in his songs because (as you very fittingly said yourself, todd) he experiences it for the first time in his life. it's a very honest und real song, that the majority of people who had this kinda feelings in their life should be able to relate to and identify with. (What does NOT mean to agree with what he's saying but to understand his situation) its hiphop, its real, its melodic and clearly written by the interpret. (Sry for my any mistakes I made in grammar and spelling, I'm not a native speaker)

[@ffjreviews9029]

Yeah, his 2018 list was honestly really bad. He put Psycho and Lucid Dreams on that list but he didn’t put XxxTentacion and the worst rapper alive 6ix9ine

[@KV-we8ru]

As a teenager currently, the type of emo/ angst has sort of changed from what I think you're describing. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the emo angst movement in the late 90's to early 2000's was more about caring and feeling emotion too much and people not understanding. Nowadays it's more about the sadness of not really feeling much of anything. Many of the people I interact with on a daily basis don't care about much of anything. There are still definitely people that have that earlier wave of emo angst, but these slower tempo "emo rap" songs tend to embody that at least tempo-wise.