10/10 Song Review: Mayday - Life of Planet
Year Released: 2016, MV released 2017
The great thing about the flashback review and 10/10 song review series is that I get to write on songs that I otherwise would not be able to, as they were released years ago. It also allows me to share stories of how I found various songs, no matter how wacky they turn out to be. And as far as stories go, Life of Planet is certainly one of the more wacky ones.
While the MV of Life of Planet features Ultraman characters, I found the song due to a much less famous media property. Not many would have heard of the 2017 C-Drama series Magic Star. If you have not, you are not missing much. I somehow watched the entire thing, even if the plot kept on falling apart as I watched. It all concluded in a ridiculous finale where the hero dies 8 times (and comes out alive), a major event being teased does not happen, a character is simply faded out of existence, the grim reaper is killed, and things just end happily ever after... sort off. Needless to say, it is a big mess.
However, no matter how terrible the series was (and trust me, oh boy it redefined terrible to a new level), it nailed one thing, the OSTs. Hilariously, the drama switched the title OST midway through the show, before returning back to the original a few episodes later. Both title OSTs were great, but I personally prefer the gritty rock ballad that the original OST, Life of Planet, provided.
Curiously enough, Life of Planet's dark and open landscape works incredibly well for what the drama aimed to create as far as world-building goes, despite the song not being intended for the drama. Instead, it was released as a b-side on their 2016 album and got an MV a year later. Mayday have some big hits, and while this song does not count amongst them, it certainly is one of their best songs.
The song opens exclusively with Ashin's voice and some calm surf guitar. However, there already is an atmosphere here, with cascading strings clearly building towards something. The lyrics, using poetic analogies, talk about growing up, human divisions, and what the future holds.
This then explodes into the first chorus. Rather than absolutely exploding the build with the central refrains, the song clearly continues the build. Brass enters the fray, while buccaneering strings and percussion create the stormy feel the lyrics showcase for human disappointment.
A piano then appears as the song slows down before the song opens up fully back to speed. This new verse continues the first verse's basic melody. Except here, the piano runs havoc in the background, Ashin sings much more confidently, while rock guitars drive the entire spectacle. The lyrics reach a crescendo in a pre-chorus, counteracting with the song slowing to its basic arrangement of Ashin and the surf guitar, proclaiming "The endless disputes among man, have driven you and me toward the farthest frontiers, over the edge of reason, beyond the sea past regret". As this line is sung, Ashin and the guitars crescendo.
Rather than continuing this build, the song freezes for the piano to take center stage. Over here, the repetitive tune works incredibly, creating a sense of fragmentation, of memories now lost and unattainable. Then, out of nowhere, drums rip across this structure with the fury of one mad with frustration, with futuristic synths (not too different from the ones opening the Ted-Ed videos).
The chorus now returns, greater, grander, and grittier than ever. Violins cascade, guitars crash as waves upon a raft, with Ashin guiding the melody in its full grandeur. The lyrics proclaim "Why do people argue about the future while trampling on the present?". Each element is pumped up to eleven, with the drama climaxing.
A choir then repeats the central phrasing, while the cascading strings and brass reach a crescendo. The song then slows down. The opening melody is repeated, this time with a sense of conclusion. However, the rock guitar still graces the song, proving that conclusion does not require the momentum to end.
The phrase is once again repeated, this time without the rock guitar, this time as a setting sun, formally ending the song's story. The song's last words are 'Love is not just a fantasy'. Having definitively said the final word, the song ends.
Despite being released by a regional A-List artist and featuring a major franchise in the MV, Life of Planet remains thoroughly underrated. The lyrics are deep, and the song is musically rich. Its growth is wonderfully concluded, and beyond the sea past regret. It deserves more attention and love than it ever got. Make no mistake, it is one of the best Taiwanese songs in recent memory.
Oh well. I am just impressed at how you know these songs. I have not even heard of them. 10/10 you are our savior when it comes to Asian music. I need to listen to this and review this, because not all songs are 10/10.
ReplyDeleteWOW. I... did not expect that. The song is so magnificent, beautiful and powerful. It is an anthemic rock song that tackles how people are becoming reactionary day by day and only focusing on the capital and money, not on life and death. It is so striking, resonant and breathtaking to see such a vivid depiction done flawlessly. I have never seen such a powerful song really made me cry, and it still tings my heart. One of the few songs, I will forever love and enjoy. This is the best Taiwanese release I have ever heard and I am really in awe of how underrated this is.
DeleteThe juxtaposition is so gigatic and expository. It is clearly a masterpiece.
This song I knew from the Magic Star drama, but I do spend a good amount of time researching new music.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the song so much, I expected as much! This song is as amazing as described, a true masterpiece on life and death, glad I introduced you to another song that amazed you, and I hope others get a similar reaction!