At this time in my life, I often benefit from hearing optimistic music and dancing around to it, keeping me distracted from my tightly-held emotions. 

Wednesday, October 13, had been a long day—full of PSAT testing, sitting at my friend’s house watching MrBeast, and ordering concrete ice cream from Freddy’s. Later that day, I got a text message from one of my friends reminding me that Lovejoy had released their new EP that day, and I flipped out. I was so thrilled to hear the news because it was just what I needed. 

“Oh Yeah, You Gonna Cry?” was the first song that I listened to in Lovejoy’s EP, Pebble Brain.

It instantly had me dancing around my room like a maniac. The song’s guitar and music, mixed in with the perfectly crafted lyrics, filled my body with joy, taking all of my scrambled thoughts away with it as I continued jumping and air-guitaring to the beat. Being distracted by the background can take away the meaning of the lyrics for me, especially if I’m not looking them up, but I found that this song is about a woman who is in a rather toxic relationship, and her ex or future boyfriend is singing to her while it all comes crashing down.  

“Model Buses” is the next song on the EP. This song was more relaxed and had more of a late-night drive beat. It gave me visions of driving by the city lights down the highway with the windows open. I did not dance to “Model Buses,” but I did lay on my bed, staring at my bright LED lights, envisioning what it would be like to drive at night, considering I don’t have my license just yet. 

The story behind the song is a reference to one of streamer/artist Wilbur Soot’s streams, which included a video interview with Boris Johnson, the current prime minister of the United Kingdom. Johnson, referenced in Wilbur’s single “I’m Sorry Boris,” stated that he makes model buses in his free time. 

Listening to “Concrete,” Lovejoy’s third song in the EP, gave me visions of being at a concert in a small, crowded building. The tune felt so realistic and vivid, almost like it was broadcasted in surround sound all throughout my room. Although the song overcame my thoughts with the lifelike sounds, I could also envision the story written within the lyrics. While both confusing and expressive, the song had my attention. 

Lovejoy’s fourth song, “Perfume,” caused me to tear up the first time I heard it. The deep meaning behind the song struck me emotionally as I listened closer and closer to the lyrics; they explained that the person in the song misses someone and still smells their perfume, just like they had in the past. 

Overall, while the song was sad in meaning, the beat was meant to be uplifting; I unfortunately found that it didn’t really have that effect. 

“You’ll Understand When You’re Older” is a song with the backstory of a co-worker’s toxic and abusive relationship. The song is dark and sentimental. It sounds as if the woman they’re singing about is stuck not only in the relationship, but also in the pressure she puts on herself. Her life is rough, but she keeps moving forward and taking it day by day. 

The tune and lyrics were hard to place. I wasn’t sure if the song gave off a saddening or enriching tone. As the lyrics went on, I didn’t feel like getting up and moving to the rhythm. I felt more like sitting on my bed, listening to the musical story pass by. 

“The Fall” gave me the vibe of Green Day and Twenty-One Pilots combined; it was the scream-like singing, hard guitar, and theme. The song revolves around a person falling into a distinct depression. It hit home for me, specifically because I love all three bands mentioned. Even the theme and background music thrilled me and hit me with a wave of emotion.

The final song, “It’s All Futile! It’s All Pointless!,” had a context that I could relate to, considering that I’m a big, nerdy Wilbur Soot fan. The song reminded me of Wilbur’s first EP called Maybe I Was Boring. The song’s story has the same essence and background; he just changes his perspective about the partner in his song. As far as the music, it soothed me. I laid back, closed my eyes, and let go. 

Overall, finding this perfect compilation of music—with alternative and pop sounds combined—has met my musical needs and been nothing less than satisfying.