Vylet Pony - Monarch of Monsters (WORK IN PROGRESS)
Released: 2024-11-15
Score: /10
This album is something completely different from Vylet Pony, and I would say is quite different from the rest of her albums - although you can see the groundwork laid for an album like this in the more experimental tracks on Carousel. I do think this album being released after Girls Who Are Wizards is such a contrast. This album was released with a novella, which I would say has two main focuses - the first being the story between Aria and Wolf, and how their lives mingled with each other. The other is that it expands upon the idea of the "Locus" and what exactly it is, which has played a part in a bunch of Vylet Pony's stories. However, the album itself more on Wolf and Aria. The story is a metaphor for the idea of how things like trauma, neglect, and selfishness can turn someone into a horrible, self-loathing person who does not feel like they deserve any positivity in their lives, and fighting against those deeply held beliefs to love yourself. It's quite an important message, and one that I very much admire, even if I maybe feel some of the allegories go a little too far. The album art, drawn by GlacierClear - is quite surprising to see her have. Vylet Pony has had quite a negative stance on suggestive and pornographic imagery, going as far as to change older works to remove these covers from older songs - however the cover depicts an act of initimacy between Aria and Wolf. I think her stance has slightly changed - to one which if done in a tasteful and meaningful manner, that these images belong in her work. I think as well, this album is very much for a mature audience. She usually has swears and violence occassionally in her works, but the themes and topics discussed are very heavy, and you should very much listen to the content warnings for these songs. There's very much a strong, interesting and moody atmosphere built throughout the album, particularly in the centre of the album - where she releases some of her most interesting music sonically. You can tell she's very much a fan of shoegaze, noise-rock and just general progressive rock music, while incorporating her own style to it. Another fantastic album from Vylet Pony.
| Tracks |
| Pest |
The album begins with a pretty dramatic, strong vocal performance which is backed by a heavily inspired shoegaze instrumental. In contrast to a lot of her earlier works, which either are pretty lighthearted or are more subtle with their darker tones and lyrics, it is very in your face here. In the Novella, this corresponds to the section of the story when Wolf murders Starlight Glimmer, a controversial pony who played a big part in a civil war in the world they're in. This murder comes after the many murders of other ponies - all of which were either friends or ponies who had been friendly or nice to Wolf. It's a very negative song, Wolf having the constant, repeating thought in her mind that she's unable to see herself as anything more a pest, a nuisance on the world. This parallels the experience that Vylet's had herself - looking at her past self and noticing all the bad things she has done to her friends as well - which makes her also feel like a terrible, and a pest in the world. I think the song does a good job with it's message, and it's a nice bit of reflection on her past - and very brave of her to share such personal feelings about herself. Everything about the song I feel is really well done, with my only issue being that things maybe feel a little generic and vanilla, when it comes to the music. I think with what the rest of the album offers, this feels just kind of okay? Also, when relistening to the album, I feel this track is less enjoyable to relisten to than other songs. |
7.5/10 |
| PLAY DEAD! PLAY DEAD! |
Wow! Okay, this song immediately I feel like is a step up, and helps to bring a bout of energy to the atmosphere of the album. It feels really rebellous and full of life, and where I feel like Vylet has put her own spin on the music she's taking influence on. This song focuses on Wolf's (and Vylet's) suppression of trumua, locking it away and refusing to talk about it. |
9/10 |
| The Heretic (Woe is Me) |
|
9/10 |
| Survivor's Guilt |
|
8.5/10 |
| Vitality Glitch |
|
8/10 |
| The Wallflower Equator |
|
10/10 |
| Princess Cuckoo |
|
9/10 |
| Sludge |
|
9.5/10 |
| Revenge Fantasy |
|
9/10 |
| Huntress |
|
8/10 |
| ...and, as her howl echoed unto eventide, she became the far seer's hunting dog... |
|
6/10 |
| Rest Now, Little Wolf (A Vigil For Aria, or, How the Lamb Stood in an Empty Room Filled with Empty Friends) |
|
9/10 |
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