You know when you hear a new album for the first time and you get a rush of inspiration and longing to read a specific trope or concept? No fear, because this blog is going to remedy that for you.
ZABA - Glass Animals
This album has a unique, exotic feel to it, with the slow but exciting instrumentals in the background to the vivid song lyrics and the tropical tones of voice. ZABA is the perfect album that is both escape and warning at once, a vacation full of mystery. Glass Animals is a unique band that delivers the most unique concepts, and although this is an older album, ZABA should not be slept on. Hidden underneath the unassuming voice, the songs are fierce and the lyrics heated. In fact, it reminds me of a coiled up snake, just ready to strike. (It's ironic because the album actually has a song called Black Mambo.)
The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski comes to mind when I think of ZABA: it has the perfect atmosphere for it, something slinking out of the shadows into a bustling bright city. Because of this album's simmering ferocity, the twist in this novel is perfectly suited. Our protagonist, Nirrim, starts off ordinary, but in a world that thrives in illusions and more specifically, blood, everything soon comes to a screeching halt and leads her to make decisions she'd never dreamed of committing.
Nightingale by Amy Lukavics is a mind-bending horror about a June Hardie, a sixteen year old girl from a middle class family in 1951 who is taken to an asylum. We follow June's journey from normal teenager to [redacted] and it is absolutely mind boggling; she's cunning and a little cruel, and paired with the album's haunting notes, it fits perfectly. The song that reminds me most of this book is Gooey.
Sour - Olivia Rodrigo
The Sour album is the perfect representation of teenage angst without being too comical or over-the-top. Olivia Rodrigo is immensely talented, and her song-writing skills definitely show here. I love the intensity of some of the songs and the gentle yearning and mourning of a relationship in others; the contrast really makes the album. It's relateablity makes the album a fresh of air and cheer you up or down!
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart is a thriller novel about friends Imogen and Jules. It reminds me of Jealousy Jealousy and Brutal because it showcases a teenage girl's dilemma in a world of all these contradictions, expectations, and opportunities. Although these main characters are far from blameless, it is interesting to see how they change and merge with society in all these different roles, and the affect that pressure has on them. This novel is a amazing, and keeps you on your toes; if you liked We Were Liars by the same author, this is definitely down your lane.
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury follows young witch Voya Thomas after she fails her Calling, a test she has to pass to be able to access her family's powers. It mirrors Olivia Rodrigo's song, Traitor, and it has both the passion, strength and anxiety that Sour has, especially in the areas of teenage love. This book expertly mixes a rough coming of age with thrilling fantasy elements, along with a likeable POC female protagonist!
Planet Her - Doja Cat
Planet Her is one of my favorite albums of the year, specifically the song Woman. Doja Cat's singing voice and rapping voice is so different, but her range is incredible, and along with the fun, snappy tunes of the songs, the album is fun to listen to. The album concept is so aesthetically pleasing and has inspired a lot of trends on social media like TikTok.
Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin follows the female empowerment model of Planet Her, but in a twisted yet enjoyable way. This novel is about revenge; after Elle's, our main character, sweet sixteen was targeted and ruined by LA's Golden Boys. Foul is Fair fits perfectly in the sly satire of Planet Her and is the perfect book to read to the upbeat soundtrack, encouraging girls to go their own way and not give toxic men a second thought. The novel is an exciting standalone and a perfect quick fix.
The Disasters by M.K England is a found family LGBTQ rep novel about a bunch of dysfunctional kids going into space and Doing The Best They Can. Even the color scheme of this book matches Planet Her, and is a fun but high stakes young adult 'soap opera'. The brightness of this book matches Planet Her, but also balances itself with moments of cynicism and seriousness, like the album. The book is described as fun and quirky, and is definitely up the aisle for fans of Doja!
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Bee Gees
This album is like a sunny day: emotional, with high riffs, but spunky and fun at times. And along with the retro vibes, you are transported to a city in the 80s, trying to keep your own. This album can be both personal and simultaneously be for everyone, and the duality of it makes it a timeless album. I love to listen to them when I need a pick me up and a spark of motivation to get me through the day.
The Girls by Emma Cline is a mysterious and explosive novel set in the 1960s through the romanticized and novel eyes of main character Evie. Although the Bee Gees album is more light-hearted, this novel has beautiful prose that gives you butterflies until you actually realize what you've been reading. Cline's writing sets everything up beautifully: a coming of age in a cool, retro, vintage era as this album promises, but then lets it fall with a shattering crash that gives you whiplash. This read can be fun and anxiety inducing, but if you want to feel a lot of emotions and be stunned, then you'll love this book.
The Diviners by Libba Bray is a fantasy set in the 1920s, notably with speakeasies and spunky heroines like our main character, also named Evie. (This was not on purpose, I swear.) We follow Evie trying to catch a serial killer and dancing along with our other motley protagonists which make this book so enjoyable. It follows the fun romps of a found family, a vibe that HCYMABH absolutely gives off, but also has an edge of mystery to it. This book is an immersive fantasy that is perfect for sunny, but dark edged, escapism.