Kolleen Gladden ‘21
Photographer
All to Myself- Baby Rose
The first time I heard Baby Rose’s voice, my jaw dropped. Her vocals are wise well beyond her years, rich and velvety smooth. Her sound could be considered the eighth wonder of the world as far as I’m concerned; it’s unlike anything you’ve ever heard. In “All to Myself,” Baby Rose delivers a musical monologue to a former flame who may never hear it, telling of a relationship far enough in the past to be nostalgic but recent enough to be painful. The lyrics are devastatingly familiar to anyone who has ever left words unsaid or found themselves drifting apart without a definitive closure. It’s a message with great emotional potential, and Baby Rose has the creative ingenuity and depth of talent to take us there. When she croons, you can almost hear the gentle static of a Victrola, low and pulsing. The thing about this song is that you could transport it to any time period, play it for an audience, and they would understand the familiar ache simply by taking in the sound. This song will make you pine for lovers that you’ve never even had. It’s that powerful. She’s that powerful.
Ashnikko- Invitation
I was introduced to the absolute chaotic goddess that is Ashnikko when a friend of mine sent me a song of hers and said that it made her think of me. I certainly cannot claim to be nearly as cool, but I certainly can identify with this artist’s style. Ashnikko just does not care, and it comes across in everything from her brash lyrics and defiant style to her effortless vocals. She recently entered the public consciousness by collaborating with Yung Baby Tate on “Stupid Boy,” which then rose to meteoric levels of popularity on TikTok (an app not entirely dissimilar to Vine, for those who are squarely past the Gen Z loop. It’s okay, I merely know the thing exists.) “Invitation” has a familiar message for any woman who’s experienced, well, being a woman in a public space. The setting is summertime, she’s trying to enjoy a day of bicycling and wearing temperature-appropriate clothing, but the questionable less-than-gentlemen on the block have other plans. “I can’t even wear my skin without them asking where I’ve been,” she laments. As many of us are aware, there is no garment with enough coverage to ward off seedy guys. Ashnikko has the bravado to deliver this message, reminding us that our dress or behavior is not an excuse for comment—and that this is not an invitation.
Turmion Kätilöt- Minä Määrään
Translated literally as “Midwives of Ruin,” Turmion Kätilöt is the Finnish industrial metal band of your dreams. They’ve been a favorite of mine since early high school, largely due to their incredible use of instrumentals and gritty but not overwhelming voices. “Minä Määrään” hails from perhaps their best studio album, “Usch!” which was released in 2009. The song is truly a masterpiece in so many ways. The lyrics are absolutely what you would expect; there are utter gems that translate to “horned fetus growing in the underworld,” “rebel against the blood,” and my personal favorite, “booze, fornication, and North State cigarettes.” What a fantastic line. Although research on North State (“Nortti”) cigarettes turned up very little results, I sincerely hope that they used this as a slogan. Sign me right up. Beyond the gloriously metal choice of words, Turmion Kätilöt beautifully pairs the low, growling vocals with synths. If you know me, you know that my heart can be easily won by the introduction of synths. It might seem like an odd pairing, but trust me, it works. Additionally, if you’d like recommendations for other Northern European metal bands, don’t hesitate to reach out.
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kcg3ar@virginia.edu