There is a possibility that a population of Oles will know who this is. So hey to those Oles. I wish to speak on music’s role in romantic relationships or getting over them or something. To begin, I have this summer’s release of “Brat” to thank for how my ex and I met. For how implemented this album was into the building blocks of our relationship is simply madness. It all started with a brat summer then a brat party and then two Charli xcx fans meeting — and you probably know how it ended. You know? How all boys who listen to Charli xcx hang out?
And from here, there was a 99% music compatibility score on Airbuds, a really fun app that lets you see what your friends, partners, AND exes are listening to. This was when I thought he was the one — like #1 — like the ‘Von Dutch’ lyric. And oftentimes, I still do. Especially when I listen to anything from any of my playlists with an emphasis on the love songs or better yet, the breakup songs. Because those — those situations make great media and I never would’ve known that until the guy I met at a ‘Brat-themed’ party taught me that. I could’ve GUESSed it though.
And then things get ‘official’, like another Charli xcx song (originally an A.G. Cook song). And at this point in time, I saw a TikTok that said relationships will end up like the song that those people decide is ‘their song’. Unfortunately, I didn’t listen and our song was ‘party 4 u’ by Charli xcx with lyrics like “Why you treating me like someone you never loved?” Who would’ve known it really would be our song? Not me! And perhaps, I should’ve known better when I started listening to ‘Losing You’ by Solange on repeat for weeks on end.
The post-breakup scene is when all the acts decide to come together and perform something beautiful. In my case, four new playlists, a recurring listen-through of our collaborative playlist, and the total ignoring of the playlist when he was just a crush — because those songs were divided amongst the three new playlists, obviously. And you discover new music! And rediscover old music — like Charli xcx’s ‘Crash!’ It’s a really beautiful process. You get to see your situation in every song you listen to. Perhaps, it’s relatable. Perhaps, it was convenient timing. Or perhaps, your ex had really good music taste that you got into only after the fact. Perhaps, you’re trying to send some message — that’s at least what I gathered from all the breakup TikToks on my FYP. Oh my FYP. Or ‘Oh, my love’ by FKA Twigs.
It’s also possible that this is some unique experience that only I relate to, #DJLYFE. But, since the beginning of our relationship, I wanted to write a heartbeat about us and our very awesome music tastes. I wasn’t expecting this ending though. So if you’ll excuse me, I will be holding space for the lyrics of ‘So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings’ by Caroline Polachek.
And stop playing B2B at the Cow, it makes me sad.
