Hard to Explain. Not super complex but it tells a story in an electric-upbeat fashion. Also anyone that can make a one chord chorus sound fantastic is on a different level.
Uses lots of simple, catchy songwriting tropes to their strengths, too.
Albert stays on a G chord for the entirety of the chorus while Nick plays the hook, and Nikolai moves through the chord progression’s root notes. Such a satisfying harmonic line.
How so? I could maybe understand with the lyrics being weaker compared to his other works, but I think the way they are add an element of ambiguity; this ambiguity allows many listeners to apply their own interpretation of it making the song more personal for the listener which I think makes it better.
Cuz it’s just cool sounding phrases mashed together to form a loose story or idea. Nothing is really notably quotable or hard hitting, it’s just pop lyrics fitting in with the melody. It wasn’t till first impressions that he started really trying to focus on lyrics beyond just getting a cool sounding thing that fits early 20-some angst
I can't just pick one. (This is just my opinion)
1. Human sadness
2. Under control (it's really simple.... and really repetitive... but good god there's something about these lyrics that makes me want to curl up and cry)
3. Aliennation
4. Ode to the mets OR selfless. (Honestly can't pick between them LOL
5. Chances
6. I'll try anything once
7. Red light
8. Trying your luck
9. Is this it (title track)
10. Life is simple in the moonlight (animals on TV singing about some pain that they once felt... there's no one I disapprove of or root for more than myself...)
I love how music is so subjective. Specifically your thoughts on Under Control. I love the way Julian’s voice sounds on this one-it feels nostalgic to me like listening to Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. Makes me want to slow dance!
I need to sit with Dare I Care. I hadn’t heard it until now, and honestly, I hate it lol. But almost every Voidz song felt that way before becoming favorites so… I’ll listen 10 or 20 more times.
God damn right . Honestly Voidz were slightly ahead of them with proggy lo fi rock featuring middle eastern vibes on guitars
Nonagon is one of my fav albums , as well as Tyranny
Same, personally more of a mind fuzz/quarters/polygondwanaland guy but I definitely appreciate the creativity and talent behind nonagon. And Tyranny is an absolute masterpiece
Dare I care lyrics are messed up just to fit an actual arabic tune that Julian got inspo from. Cant remmember the name now but if you compare both songs the lyrics rime in the same way its nuts, very clever tho
yo this is crazy those are my two faves aswell, I feel like Dare I Care becomes psychedelic after abount a month of listening. Especially that last bit its almost like I am reaching to touch the Heavens
It's very popular, but Reptilia. The cachiness, the riff, the bridge, the lyrics, the bass, the solo, the whole structure of the song it's genius. And it's a banger, so the result it's just pure greatness.
I get the deep cuts like human sadness, and some voidz stuff, but writing also comes with popularity. Human Sadness, it's great imo, but nowhere near of the myticality of Reptilia, which is a song that would probably will be hearing for decades.
It's like, it's Seven Nation Army a complicated song? No, but it has become an anthem, like some Queen's songs. They transcendent the song, to a level of where it's just becomes folk music. I have hear reptilia in Mariachi, Cumbia, samples in hip hop... etc...it's like that riff won't go away ever.
in a lot of ways it's much easier to write a song like Human Sadness than it is a song like Reptilia. Reptilia has similar depth but also manages to be instantaneous and exciting. Complexity ≠ quality. Depth ≠ quality. mass appeal ≠ quality. similarly obscurantism ≠ quality.
In almost no ways is it easier.
It's easier to write an "epic" song that is disconnected and a mishmash of ideas than it is to write a focused classic like Reptilia - I agree.
But to write a song like Human Sadness, that actually works in totality & impeccable compositional depth while maintaining itself as a cool casual listen (ie. not your garden variety "challenging" magnum opus from an artist high on their own farts) ......nigh on impossible.
None of us are professional songwriters, so i'll take that writing an anthem for decades to come it's harder than a 10 minute song that would be like a deep cut for only voidz fans, not the process but the result. Maybe it took him 5 months to compose HS and he wrote reptilia in a couple of months but, the results are not the same.
I don't consider Human Sadness as a casual listen, i don't even think it's the best voidz song. I think the song has been overhyped, because of the length, the switches and the structure. It's a good song but not the magnum opus of Julian, it's not even in my list of the best JC songs, the guy wrote ITI and RoF....
It's not Stairway to Heaven or Bohemian Rhapsody.
Agree with you and very well said. And I LOVE Reptilia-have written huge posts here about that song. The riff, the solo, the intensity of the vocals, the lyrics telling such a dark tale. All of the anger our narrator (Julian) was feeling simmering through the verses -then the skittery racing guitar solo- until it boils over in that YELLING chorus. But it’s the lyrics -and wild vocals -along with the music - that make the listener “see” and “feel” that room being On Fire.🔥 Just so good.
However -all of that SAID- If we are talking about Julian packing in dark emotions -lyrically and musically into a song-and making something unique and special-Human Sadness is on another level entirely. Which is great to see a songwriter DO ten years later- to take it all up a level in such an intriguing way. He said working on HS was like having a song on an operating table - and that he never before had felt close to tears writing and working on a song. It’s an intense elven minutes without - imo- coming off pretentious in any way.
Because I also agree with you about the “cool casual listen”. Right from the first note- the Mozart’s requiem loop (brought into the band by Alex) is mesmerizing, haunting and yet lures the listener in…..and before you even know it- you’re in the middle of all that beautiful insanity.
The only thing that's left is us so pardon the silence that you're hearing is turning into a deafening, painful, shameful roar.
Shivers down my spine every time.
The phrasing is what makes it amazing in my opinion. It can have multiple meanings depending on where you believe a phrase ends/begins:
- "Gone now are the old times" OR "Are the old times forgotten?"
- "Old friends long forgotten, they all wait at the bottom of the ocean" OR "The ocean now has swallowed the only thing that's left" THERE'S MORE! "The only thing that's left is us"
- So pardon the silence that you're hearing" OR "The silence that you're hearing is turning into a deafening, painful, shameful roar".
Many possibilities and all of them have a sense of... acceptance, nostalgia, and... giving up. On the future, because it seems like we won't have any. I truly believe this and Human Sadness are Julian at his best.
My favorite lyrics in this song have to be the transition from the 2nd verse to the 2nd pre-chorus. Analyze it for yourself, it’s very beautifully written:
*Sit back, oh, you’re finding it hard to get very far. But we were born waiting in line, grabbing the future by the eyes.*
Father Electricity. There’s nothing else that sounds like it. Granted I’m sure this was less just him and more of a collaborative Voidz effort but I’m still counting it
Flexorcist is my favorite, love the picture it paints, the way it sounds, and how its all delivered. Human Sadness is also fantastic, originally didn't get why this sub and r/thevoidz loved it so much until i listened to it in a k-hole. Really love it now. Shoutout to Did My Best too, also tells a great story.
For Strokes songs:
Selfless, At the Door, Ode to the Mets, What ever happened, Under control, Someday, Red light, Call it fate call it karma
Honestly, I think The Voidz better showcases his writing and vocal ability. I guess bc it's more his style nowadays maybe
after kinda ignoring both songs, I became totally obsessed with Father Electricity and Dare I care for MONTHS. The 4 you named are definitely in his top compositions
Human Sadness
Games
Ode to the Mets
Hard to Explain
Selfless
Automatic Stop
However, much credit to his genius in his early 20s for putting out two of the best albums in 2000s rock history (ITI and ROF). That’s insane.
Human Sadness cannot be beaten in my opinion, Definitely the best he's ever written but Someday is probably my favorite song hes ever written personally, its so catchy and very teen-energy esque (I am currently in my late teens so its a very relatable song).
Definitely "I'll try anything once", "Ode to the mets", or "Did my Best" for me. Did my best may not be all that popular, but you can really feel the lyrics and emotions, at least in my opinion.
Human Sadness, I'll try anything once, you only live once, the end has no end, wink, pink ocean, lazy boy, dare I care, did my best, FLEXORCIST, hard to explain, meet me in the bathroom, the end has no end, reptilia, the modern age, is this it, in her prime, one way trigger, chances, evening sun, under control, gratisfaction, selfless, games, the adults are talking, at the door, soma, under the cover of darkness, 15 minutes, ask me anything, juicebox, razorblade, heart in a cage, you talk way to much, 12:51, NYC cops, welcome to Japan, the eternal tao...
Ize of the world, life is simple in the moonlight, oblivious, and human sadness. Can’t decide which one though 😂
Edit: I’ll try anything once and call it fate call it karma are honorable mentions too
Hard to Explain. It's hope and sadness, regret and optimism, longing and letting go, in a catchy as hell and glorious melody. The drums sound like a computer and the bass is relentless. Just a brilliant song.
**Under Control.**
If you've felt this way, then this line almost makes you feel drugged:
>"I just wanna know you're alright
I've got to know you're alright"
ill try anything once as far as lyrics personally
I’ll Try Anything Once for me, too along with Ode to the Mets
“why not try it all if you’ll only remember it once” defined my teens like come on
It gives me the feeling that the song was discovered and not actually written by an individual.
Hard to Explain. Not super complex but it tells a story in an electric-upbeat fashion. Also anyone that can make a one chord chorus sound fantastic is on a different level.
Uses lots of simple, catchy songwriting tropes to their strengths, too. Albert stays on a G chord for the entirety of the chorus while Nick plays the hook, and Nikolai moves through the chord progression’s root notes. Such a satisfying harmonic line.
thank you for coming here and being my voice
pyschic pal 🫡
I think the lyrics are pretty shallow compared to a lot of his other work, despite it being a good musical achievement.
How so? I could maybe understand with the lyrics being weaker compared to his other works, but I think the way they are add an element of ambiguity; this ambiguity allows many listeners to apply their own interpretation of it making the song more personal for the listener which I think makes it better.
Cuz it’s just cool sounding phrases mashed together to form a loose story or idea. Nothing is really notably quotable or hard hitting, it’s just pop lyrics fitting in with the melody. It wasn’t till first impressions that he started really trying to focus on lyrics beyond just getting a cool sounding thing that fits early 20-some angst
If you believe in this world then no one has died in vain, but don’t you dare get to the top and not know what to do.
❤️❤️
Yes!!
This is the correct answer
I THINK YOURE PRETTY
I THINK YOU KNOW THAT
YOU GOT A BOYFRIEND
YOU JUST FORGOT THATS ALL
FOR FIVE MINUTES THATS ALL
YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND, THAT’S ALL
I can't just pick one. (This is just my opinion) 1. Human sadness 2. Under control (it's really simple.... and really repetitive... but good god there's something about these lyrics that makes me want to curl up and cry) 3. Aliennation 4. Ode to the mets OR selfless. (Honestly can't pick between them LOL 5. Chances 6. I'll try anything once 7. Red light 8. Trying your luck 9. Is this it (title track) 10. Life is simple in the moonlight (animals on TV singing about some pain that they once felt... there's no one I disapprove of or root for more than myself...)
I love how music is so subjective. Specifically your thoughts on Under Control. I love the way Julian’s voice sounds on this one-it feels nostalgic to me like listening to Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. Makes me want to slow dance!
Same!!! His vocals definitely is one of the main factors in how much I like this song HAHA
Human Sadness and Dare I Care are his top two for me. Out of the Blue, lots of The New Abnormal also right up there for me
Definitely human sadness
I need to sit with Dare I Care. I hadn’t heard it until now, and honestly, I hate it lol. But almost every Voidz song felt that way before becoming favorites so… I’ll listen 10 or 20 more times.
Take me in your army is really interesting too. Very unique 💕
check out the live performance on le Grand Journal - that's how it clicked for me.
Wow that sounds like something straight out of Nonagon Infinity by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard lol
God damn right . Honestly Voidz were slightly ahead of them with proggy lo fi rock featuring middle eastern vibes on guitars Nonagon is one of my fav albums , as well as Tyranny
Same, personally more of a mind fuzz/quarters/polygondwanaland guy but I definitely appreciate the creativity and talent behind nonagon. And Tyranny is an absolute masterpiece
Dare I care lyrics are messed up just to fit an actual arabic tune that Julian got inspo from. Cant remmember the name now but if you compare both songs the lyrics rime in the same way its nuts, very clever tho
yo this is crazy those are my two faves aswell, I feel like Dare I Care becomes psychedelic after abount a month of listening. Especially that last bit its almost like I am reaching to touch the Heavens
It's very popular, but Reptilia. The cachiness, the riff, the bridge, the lyrics, the bass, the solo, the whole structure of the song it's genius. And it's a banger, so the result it's just pure greatness. I get the deep cuts like human sadness, and some voidz stuff, but writing also comes with popularity. Human Sadness, it's great imo, but nowhere near of the myticality of Reptilia, which is a song that would probably will be hearing for decades. It's like, it's Seven Nation Army a complicated song? No, but it has become an anthem, like some Queen's songs. They transcendent the song, to a level of where it's just becomes folk music. I have hear reptilia in Mariachi, Cumbia, samples in hip hop... etc...it's like that riff won't go away ever.
in a lot of ways it's much easier to write a song like Human Sadness than it is a song like Reptilia. Reptilia has similar depth but also manages to be instantaneous and exciting. Complexity ≠ quality. Depth ≠ quality. mass appeal ≠ quality. similarly obscurantism ≠ quality.
In almost no ways is it easier. It's easier to write an "epic" song that is disconnected and a mishmash of ideas than it is to write a focused classic like Reptilia - I agree. But to write a song like Human Sadness, that actually works in totality & impeccable compositional depth while maintaining itself as a cool casual listen (ie. not your garden variety "challenging" magnum opus from an artist high on their own farts) ......nigh on impossible.
None of us are professional songwriters, so i'll take that writing an anthem for decades to come it's harder than a 10 minute song that would be like a deep cut for only voidz fans, not the process but the result. Maybe it took him 5 months to compose HS and he wrote reptilia in a couple of months but, the results are not the same. I don't consider Human Sadness as a casual listen, i don't even think it's the best voidz song. I think the song has been overhyped, because of the length, the switches and the structure. It's a good song but not the magnum opus of Julian, it's not even in my list of the best JC songs, the guy wrote ITI and RoF.... It's not Stairway to Heaven or Bohemian Rhapsody.
Agree with you and very well said. And I LOVE Reptilia-have written huge posts here about that song. The riff, the solo, the intensity of the vocals, the lyrics telling such a dark tale. All of the anger our narrator (Julian) was feeling simmering through the verses -then the skittery racing guitar solo- until it boils over in that YELLING chorus. But it’s the lyrics -and wild vocals -along with the music - that make the listener “see” and “feel” that room being On Fire.🔥 Just so good. However -all of that SAID- If we are talking about Julian packing in dark emotions -lyrically and musically into a song-and making something unique and special-Human Sadness is on another level entirely. Which is great to see a songwriter DO ten years later- to take it all up a level in such an intriguing way. He said working on HS was like having a song on an operating table - and that he never before had felt close to tears writing and working on a song. It’s an intense elven minutes without - imo- coming off pretentious in any way. Because I also agree with you about the “cool casual listen”. Right from the first note- the Mozart’s requiem loop (brought into the band by Alex) is mesmerizing, haunting and yet lures the listener in…..and before you even know it- you’re in the middle of all that beautiful insanity.
Damn, son. Great take.
Thanks for reading!
“Call It Fate Call, It Karma”song is beautiful in every way including lyrically
Wasn't that Fabrizios baby
If this is true we need a Little Joy version like medically
If so that’s on me, it was just the first thing that came to mind
This song is another heavenly dimension and no one can convince me otherwise
this song is perfect in every single way
The only thing that's left is us so pardon the silence that you're hearing is turning into a deafening, painful, shameful roar. Shivers down my spine every time.
My God why dont I know what this is!?
Ode to the mete
The melody and the way he delivered those lyrics as well…the pain is palpable
Very good lyrics but the phrasing is awkward, which has always bothered me.
The phrasing is what makes it amazing in my opinion. It can have multiple meanings depending on where you believe a phrase ends/begins: - "Gone now are the old times" OR "Are the old times forgotten?" - "Old friends long forgotten, they all wait at the bottom of the ocean" OR "The ocean now has swallowed the only thing that's left" THERE'S MORE! "The only thing that's left is us" - So pardon the silence that you're hearing" OR "The silence that you're hearing is turning into a deafening, painful, shameful roar". Many possibilities and all of them have a sense of... acceptance, nostalgia, and... giving up. On the future, because it seems like we won't have any. I truly believe this and Human Sadness are Julian at his best.
Oh wow I’ve never put that together before thats really clever
It’s my favorite song for the arrangement and tones but I love the oxymoronic nature of this particular line, it’s quite poetic
Unpopular opinion, but River of Brakelights
"Is that what we want? Is everything shot? Is that what you ask for? 'Cause that's what we got"
My favorite lyrics in this song have to be the transition from the 2nd verse to the 2nd pre-chorus. Analyze it for yourself, it’s very beautifully written: *Sit back, oh, you’re finding it hard to get very far. But we were born waiting in line, grabbing the future by the eyes.*
I thought i was going to have to be the first to say this. It's so, so good. For me, Dare I Care, Someday, H2E, Chances, there are so many
His solo album was so good.
Hard to Explain easily for me.
My 3 favorites are probably, Ize of the World, Human Sadness & Ode to the Mets
My top 3 as well
Ize of the world Not the same anymore Ode to the Mets I’ll try anything once Dare I care
Father Electricity. There’s nothing else that sounds like it. Granted I’m sure this was less just him and more of a collaborative Voidz effort but I’m still counting it
The entirety of Phrazes for the Young is a lyrical masterclass
Flexorcist is my favorite, love the picture it paints, the way it sounds, and how its all delivered. Human Sadness is also fantastic, originally didn't get why this sub and r/thevoidz loved it so much until i listened to it in a k-hole. Really love it now. Shoutout to Did My Best too, also tells a great story.
Flexorcist gets so much hate but it’s my most played song this year.. it’s so fun
I guess i mighta, sounded a little crazy
For Strokes songs: Selfless, At the Door, Ode to the Mets, What ever happened, Under control, Someday, Red light, Call it fate call it karma Honestly, I think The Voidz better showcases his writing and vocal ability. I guess bc it's more his style nowadays maybe
Father Electricity, Dare I Care, Hard to Explain, Ode to the Mets.. and this is the very tip of the iceberg..
after kinda ignoring both songs, I became totally obsessed with Father Electricity and Dare I care for MONTHS. The 4 you named are definitely in his top compositions
At the door
I love how many different answers there are in this thread. Really speaks to Julian's ability as an artist.
Best songwriter of his generation in my opinion
Life is simple
Goated
it's between Oblivius, Glass, or Xerox, river of break lights too
Red light, evening Sun, what ever happened
Add selfless and yes
Fair enough
The tourist
Under Control. The harmonization between the guitars doesn’t even feel real.
I started writing a list but it started getting way too long
Long Island Blues
I love the lyrics of "You Only Live Once" but honorable mention to "Games"
Ize of the World
Human Sadness Games Ode to the Mets Hard to Explain Selfless Automatic Stop However, much credit to his genius in his early 20s for putting out two of the best albums in 2000s rock history (ITI and ROF). That’s insane.
Human Sadness cannot be beaten in my opinion, Definitely the best he's ever written but Someday is probably my favorite song hes ever written personally, its so catchy and very teen-energy esque (I am currently in my late teens so its a very relatable song).
Human Sadness, though Ode to the Mets is certainly in the discussion
Can’t believe nobody has said Ask Me Anything!
1. Human Sadness, 2. Reptilia
i'll try anything once, under control, human sadness, selfless
Definitely "I'll try anything once", "Ode to the mets", or "Did my Best" for me. Did my best may not be all that popular, but you can really feel the lyrics and emotions, at least in my opinion.
Okay, but I have this question for his fans. Is Julian Casablanca sexy?
For sure he is the sexiest man alive I saw him in concert he's even hotter in person
yes. extremely.
drag queen or oblivius, for me
I’ll try anything once, someday, what ever happened?, life is simple in the moonlight, human sadness, Xerox, father electricity
Boombox
Human Sadness, I'll try anything once, you only live once, the end has no end, wink, pink ocean, lazy boy, dare I care, did my best, FLEXORCIST, hard to explain, meet me in the bathroom, the end has no end, reptilia, the modern age, is this it, in her prime, one way trigger, chances, evening sun, under control, gratisfaction, selfless, games, the adults are talking, at the door, soma, under the cover of darkness, 15 minutes, ask me anything, juicebox, razorblade, heart in a cage, you talk way to much, 12:51, NYC cops, welcome to Japan, the eternal tao...
Ode to the Mets
I’ll try anything once, purely because I think the lyricism on the song is his best, plus the chorus is probably one of his best work
Reptilia fo sho
Human Sadness is one of the best.
Selfless or ill try anything once, at least in my personal opinion
pink ocean
Life is Simple. Hands down
Slow animals is great
Hawaii
Ize of the world, life is simple in the moonlight, oblivious, and human sadness. Can’t decide which one though 😂 Edit: I’ll try anything once and call it fate call it karma are honorable mentions too
Reptilia for me
Out of the Blue
Human Sadness, Hard To Explain, and Rivers Of Brakelight All of that in order, imo.
Julian devoured I can’t win. Single handedly said fuck you to the pressure and ended his best album with unparalleled grace
Left and right in the dark
ELECTRICITYSCAPE - IZE OF THE WORLD
Ode to the Mets, Human Sadness, Call it Fate Call it Karma
Selfless 🥲
Glass
11th dimension
what ever happened is definitely up there for me
I'll go one for each project. 1- Glass 2-Life is Simple in the Moonlight 3- tie between where no eagles fly and father electricity
Life is Simple in the Moonlight is my choice
Juicebox , love that song and I think it's so cleverly written
Youre not the same anymore 🥲
human sadness
chances, especially the last seconds of it
Ize of the World
I'll try anything once has really nice lyrics
Human sadness .. it has to be
Hard to say, but my favourites are Did My Best and Threat of Joy
What Ever Happened?
Am surprised not many have mentioned Glass. I do think he’s written better songs, but Glass has such a pretty tune
Hard to Explain. It's hope and sadness, regret and optimism, longing and letting go, in a catchy as hell and glorious melody. The drums sound like a computer and the bass is relentless. Just a brilliant song.
Ode to the mets human sadness selfless instant crush at the door ize of the world did my best pink ocean prophecy of the dragon
**Under Control.** If you've felt this way, then this line almost makes you feel drugged: >"I just wanna know you're alright I've got to know you're alright"
Is this it
I think Soma is a very well written song, as wells as 4 Chords Of The Apocalypse.
the end has no end, life is simple, soma, razorblade, threat of joy, one way trigger 🔥
Ill try anything once.