What do you fear most? Whenever someone asks me this question, I usually give common answers like spiders, snakes, or heights. While all of those things are true, my more thought out answer is regret. I am so scared of making a wrong decision because of the negative impact it might have later. This usually leads to questioning every decision with uncertainty while attempting to predict every possible outcome. Perfectionism at its worst.
Novo Amor’s sophomore album, Cannot Be, Whatsoever, was released earlier this month. It has been hard to find the right words to express what this record means to me, but I will try my best. For me, this album is about making peace with your decisions through embracing the uncertainties of life. It has also been extremely cathartic in helping me see past situations with new perspective. I went for a walk when I listened through for the first time. When I got to the last track I remember smiling and thinking, ‘Oh my gah, he’s a genius’ and ‘This is the most perfect record I’ve ever heard.’
The opening song “Opaline” sets a hopeful tone for the album with its message of being okay with moving forward to a new chapter in life. This seemingly positive note begins to fade as second guessing seeps in with “No Plans,” a stand out track to me because it has a more alternative sound than a typical Novo Amor song. The track I went back to first after listening through was “Keep Me.” I love the idea of a memory being enough to keep someone close to you and hoping that memory is just as meaningful to the person you share it with as it is to you. My favorite track is “Halloween.” It is honestly one of the best songs I have ever heard and a turning point for the album. While listening to this tune, I felt at peace with the uncertainty and confusion that takes over when making decisions because underneath the fear of the unknown lies so much room for growth and learning. “If We’re Being Honest” is the song that never fails to make me smile. In a way, it is about accepting things for the way they are instead of what you think they could have been. Finding that level of peace is definitely something to smile about.
This might be my favorite record from start to finish that I have ever heard. It is a bit comical that I find it to be so perfect considering that it highlights, what I think to be, my imperfections. I really cannot recommend this album enough. Give it a listen, and let me know what you think.