Unchanging. Ageless. Immortal. Everlasting.??
A state of external existence.
To me, music creates a sense of timelessness such as a song that never gets old no matter how many times you listen to it. Music can even have the power to send you back to a specific moment in time. For this prompt, I decided to illustrate digital records each depicting a different song that I love to listen too no matter how many times I hear it. Even if years pass between my last and current listen it feels like I???m discovering it all over again. I decided to go for the circular record-shape opposed to designing a CD cover or something else along those lines because the shape would be recognizable instantaneously and it has a lot more of an intimate feeling to me. Not too mention records were once an old form to listen to music on and suddenly got a resurgence into hipster culture, so I guess you can say no matter the generation records are pretty timeless themselves.????
I chose four songs for this prompt ???An Encore??? by SHINee, ???Never Had a Dream Come True??? by S Club 7, ???Sukida??? by Little Glee Monster, and ???Kiss Me??? by Nai Br.XX & Celeina Ann from the show Carole and Tuesday.
???An Encore??? – SHINee
I am a big fan of SHINee ever since my junior high days right around when they were coming back with ???Lucifer??? and I???ve been a fan ever since. I???m a big fan of all the members and I have come to be extremely biased in regards to the music they released. Every album was an instant hit to me. When brainstorming I knew I was going to depict a SHINee song in a heartbeat, but you can imagine my internal dilemma when it came to deciding which song I was going to choose. Though I initially wanted to choose a title track I couldn???t deny the effect ???An Encore??? has over me. This song not only highlights all of their voices perfectly individually and together it???s an emotionally healing song to me. It???s a tender, powerful, and soothing song, it takes me on an emotional journey but once it passes it takes all those emotions and eases me into a state of tranquillity. That???s why for the illustration I depicted still calming waters from a lily pond. I also based the colour scheme on SHINee???s official colour, pearl aqua. (If you???re into KPOP you???ll know exactly where I???m coming from) I also included the reflection of the moon and five stars. If you know SHINee then you???re probably aware a member passed away a couple of years ago and how strongly he was associated with moon motifs. This song also just reiterates that SHINee will always be five, no matter how much time passes. I honestly can???t help but tear up at this song when it???s on!
???Never Had A Dream Come True??? – S Club 7
This song was my favourite song during my childhood/elementary years. I have no recollection of how the song came into my life, but it???s made its mark and never left. I have many memories of playing my S Club 7 CD and just constantly repeating this song over and over again. My parents must???ve gotten numb to this song after me constantly repeating this song on the CD player and also belting it with my tiny lungs. I must???ve listened to it so many times because even when years have passed since I???ve last heard it my heart instantly recalled the lyrics and I was belting the song as if I was still in the early 2000s. It also brings my heart so much joy that can I find this song on most karaoke machines. If you want to hit people with a blast from the past, I strongly recommend this song! For the record, I decided to go for more of a dream-like state where you???re above the clouds gently floating around. To me, it???s also very much a ???nighttime??? type of song, which I???ve shown with the starry sky peeking through the clouds. Like you, would play this song after you???ve called it in for the day and you just want to unwind with sweet memories and wine. This song makes you feel like you???re aimlessly floating about embracing the coolness of the night but then nostalgia envelopes you in warmth and everything feels like it will be alright.
???Sukida??? – Little Glee Monster??
No one said all these songs had to all be from my grade school days! This is a recent addition I discovered roughly 3 years ago. I???ve listened to upbeat songs before but this feels like a different class. To me, without fail ???Sukida???, can turn my mood around in a heartbeat. I???m able to go from a sour mood to appreciating life in meer seconds. The opening sequence followed by a joyful tune lifts my spirits like no other. This song brings me into a summer mood where the sun is out but it???s matched with a gentle breeze. It feels youthful, reminding you that that the world is what you make of it, and that you???re capable of anything, letting you know that life is a celebration, so we should enjoy to our heart???s content! I???ve often listened to this song during winter drives when the sun doesn???t even bother thinking about coming out, but listening to this you feel a unique warmth, an eternal summer! That???s the type of imagery I tried to translate onto this record. A bright clear sky, with balloon-shapes being released into the sky like a celebration, and a crowd of people to enjoy it! This illustration put me in a better mood once I was done!
???Kiss Me??? – ????????????????????????????????? (Vo. Nai Br.XX & Celeina Ann)
A very recent addition to my timeless tunes! I found this song after watching a show called ???Carole and Tuesday???. If you have Netflix I recommend you give it a watch, it???s been a while since I fell so hard for a show, it has likeable characters, a deep and heavy plot, and music in every episode. I finished that series in a heartbeat. ???Kiss Me??? was the opening song from the first season and it captured my heart instantly. If Carole and Tuesday were real people I would definitely be their fan. The music from this show especially the ones ???written??? by Carole and Tuesday are such feel-good jams. There???s no way you can be in a bad mood after listening to one of their songs. ???Kiss Me??? gives you a chill vibe of exploring or hanging out around the city after a long day. Right before you turn in for the day you???re able to catch the sunset and appreciate its beauty as it lights up the entire city with a warm glow. Like the final warm kiss goodbye before the cool night settles in. I wanted to capture the final glimpses of the day as everyone is winding down but despite your hectic life you can come to appreciate the beauty the world provides around you.??
It was a fun prompt which such a long turnover process, but it all feels worth it! They all turned out great!??
Though I do have to give a shoutout to some honourable mentions. They???re still timeless to me, but I???d be drawing records for months.
All Star – Smashmouth??
Angel – Lione Riche
Breathless – The Corrs
Distance – Nami Tamaki
Do You Remember – Jay Sean
How Far We???ve Come – Matchbox 20??
Party XXO – GLAM
Romeo + Juliette – SHINee
Synchronization 100% – Block B
Why – VIXX ft. Okald Girls??
1000 Years By Your Side – SHINee??
That???s all for now! Until next time!??