The first thing I wanna say is I'm SUPER disappointed that there was really no early 2000s punk rock from bands like Green Day, MCR, etc. That's one of my favourite genres and kinda my reason for wanting to do this theme. But ANYWAYS, this round was fine overall. Again, I don't think there were any awful submissions, but not a whole lot really stood out. We expect more from y'all this late in the game!
Now, onto the results! You will be revealed in 3 groups. First the middle 3, then the top 2, then the bottom 2. During that we will also crown the winner of the week and will reveal who will have to SING FOR THEIR LIFE in our elimination round.
The 3 competitors who are safe are:
Natepresnell - I’ve Been Waiting (Lil Peep & ILoveMakonnen, ft. Fall Out Boy)
M: Interesting choice, idk how you don’t listen to any punk music but anyways. I thought this was good overall, but I really did not like Lil Peep’s parts. I don’t know a ton of his music but I do like him, I just felt he did not fit at all in this song. FOB and ILM were both good though, and they carried this for sure. The double meaning of their love for another person and also for, presumably, drugs, was pretty cool. Lyrically I didn’t mind it but it didn’t really stand out. Same goes for the production. It was decent but I feel like there were so many other good options, it was just meh to me. 7.5/10
K: First of all, the fact that you know no music in this genre is weird. This song was really interesting. It’s definitely not the pop punk you immediately think of but it’s fitting. Lil Peep and ILoveMakonnen (what kind of name) kind of carried in this song which is weird because Fall Out Boy is the biggest artist on the track. FOB’s part was kind of horrible and I love them, I don’t know why they used so much autotune. I actually really like the song minus FOB’s parts it’s funky. How could the pre-chorus/chorus not get you hype? 8/10
TOTAL: 7.75
iSandeh - Sarah Smiles (Panic! At the Disco)
M: Honestly you can’t really go wrong with old Panic!, this was a fun one that I hadn’t heard before. It’s cute and while it is basic lyrically, it didn’t have to be more as it fits the song really well. I actually liked how they changed up the instrumentals and gave it a different feel. I also really liked the old time France feel of the beginning, it made me want to eat a baguette. Definitely a bit of a bop and while Panic! Certainly has better, this was still good. 8.5/10
K: Idk why this song started and Ireland popped into my head. This is a golden Panic! era and I’m really happy you didn’t pick some of their new horrid music. Okay reading why he wrote this song is kind of funny like it worked he got her. The song is cute but it’s honestly not my *favorite* song of theirs. Brendon Urie is really talented but something about the instrumentals of this song is definitely a choice. Not a bad pick though!! 7.5/10
TOTAL: 8
useamint - The Downfall of Us All (A Day To Remember)
M: I really liked the intro to this! Very unique and gives that classic punk feel. One of my favourite parts of this genre is the lyrics, and this song fits with that. It told a really good story which I’m always into. I don’t mind screamo as long as it’s only for portions of the song and it did fit here so I thought that was good as well. I thought it was kinda lacking in charisma a bit but it did have that 2000s charm for sure. I think there are better songs similar to this but it was still solid. 8/10
K: I thought this was going to be weird because of the beginning but then the first verse started and I was obsessed. I was never really into A Day To Remember but this song kind of peaked my interest. Screaming in songs is not my fave but this had very minimal in it anyway. The whole song screams pop punk 2000’s vibes and I absolutely love that. Honestly? A song I’m adding to my emo headass playlist because it had me pumped. The only weird thing to me is how heavy the guitar is for this song but other than that great choice! 8.5/10
TOTAL: 8.25
Congratulations to you 3 on making it to the final 6! But who will be joining you?
The top 2 this week is J2999 and Admir! This top 2 consists of 2 contestant's who have yet to win. Which one will make their mark late into this game?
The winner of this round is...
Admir - Sugar, We’re Goin Down (Fall Out Boy)
M: If you don’t pop off to this chorus idk what you’re on. But yeah even though this is basic, it’s stil very good. And honestly in this round I didn’t mind basic picks because generally popular punk music is good (idk if that’s a hot take but w/e). This song is just ridiculously catchy and the vibes are super 2000s. It’s also pretty good lyrically, the story is good even though he kinda is slut-shaming. I get it. Generic? Yes. Still a great song? Duh. 9/10
K: Well duh! As much as I want to call you a generic fuck for picking this I started singing right along. When you think of pop punk as a whole this is one of the songs that comes to mind. This era of Fall Out Boy is golden (Save Rock & Roll kind of outsold). This song is so overplayed (or maybe I just hear it a lot on my playlist idk) but it will never get old; it aged like fine wine. So yes, generic! But it worked out in your favor. 9/10
TOTAL: 9
Great work! You chose an iconic bop and it worked out for you. Originality is key, but on occasion a popular banger will do the trick just fine. This means that coming is second this round is...
J2999 - Darkside (blink-182)
M: I wouldn’t expect anything other than a blink-182 submission from you! I have a lot of thoughts on this because I do think their is a super deep meaning here but I’ll keep it short if I can. Firstly, I thought the song was well done and catchy. Definitely something to sing along to. On the outside, yes, it’s pretty cheesy. BUT, I think it’s about loving someone who has depression and as someone who can very much relate to that this hit very deep! I wish the video related more to that and honestly I really didn’t like the video at all for that reason. BUT the rating isn’t on the video. I thought the song was really cute and meaningful, and was also a good song in general. 9/10
K: LMAO blink-182. Okay so this song is super cheesy lyrically, but it’s fucking cute. The only thing I really could’ve done without is the weird voice effect/autotune on some parts but I really enjoyed this. The pre-chorus and chorus had me bopping right along how could they make you not want to dance. I don’t know many blink-182 songs (I think literally only 1) but this was definitely a good choice. And then I see it was written by Travis Barker. Super fucking talented dude who works with MGK now. 8.5/10
TOTAL: 8.75
So close for you, but this is a huge climb from your consecutive elimination appearances. Keep up the good work!
Now, onto our bottom 2. You have both been absolute staples this season, with 0 elimination appearances, 3 wins, and 6 highs between you. However all it takes is one slip up, and unfortunately for you two, that slip up happened this round. These weren’t terrible choices, but with a round like this you could've gone with much better. The bottom 2 are:
mradamman12 - crushcrushcrush (Paramore)
M: I’m not a big fan of Paramore honestly, but I did not mind this song at all. It was super emo-punk which is a really funny genre. I think it flowed pretty well even with a lot going on. The lyrics also fit the emo-punk vibes, poor girl. Her whispering crush was funny, but I thought the pre-chorus was for sure the best part of the song. I’m not in love with it, but it was a really on-brand pick for this theme and I thought it was good. 8/10
K: It’s funny how much this song screams 2000’s pop punk. The lyrics are so on brand for this time period and this BAND. Paramore is iconic and I definitely like them but I was never super into them. This is not my favorite of theirs. Hayley Williams is super talented but the structure of this song terrifies me. Like lyrically everything works but I’m not sure what they were going for there with the instrumentals changing in every verse. I do not like her whispering in my ear I had to say it. A great bad but not my cup of tea from them!! 7/10
TOTAL: 7.5
iiGalaxyii - Irresistible (Fall Out Boy, ft. Demi Lovato)
M: Oh I was listening and suddenly a wild Demi appeared? I didn’t even know there was a version of this song with her, but honestly I did not think she fit well. The parts where she sang WITH Patrick were fine, but her voice really did not fit this song and her solo parts felt weird. I do absolutely love the chorus to this, the build up to it is really good. Also the lyrics are sorta sad w the shitty relationship that you can’t get out of because you still love them type feels. If you submitted the original version I would’ve rated this much higher. 7.5/10
K: This is one of the two songs I like off that FOB album, it’s kind of their worst album. This song was also another super overplayed song of theirs and I do like it but I strongly dislike that you picked the DEMI LOVATO VERSION?? She’s such a random feature I think she’s talented but she needs to stay away from this genre. Definitely not their BEST song or era but it’s not the worst (definitely would’ve preferred not to hear Demi Lovato either this is what kind of brought it down). 7.5/10
TOTAL: 7.5
mradamman12 and iiGalaxyii, both of your choices were unfortunately not up to par this week. This means you have one last chance to SING FOR YOUR LIFE in our elimination round. Bring your best.
Now, for the elimination round, you can submit ANY song you want. We are not going to limit you because this is your last chance to stay in the game and we want your very best. Post your song as soon as you can and we will get the results back ASAP. If you don’t post by tomorrow at 8 EST, you will be eliminated.
For the rest of you, congratulations on making it to round 9! Stay tuned for our next theme which will be posted with the elimination results at some point tomorrow, depending on when the elimination finishes.
