Review Summary: The end of humanity: fire flies at the doors of heaven
The world was destroyed in the year 2023 by a catastrophic event that occurred when an experimental weapon malfunctioned, causing a chain reaction that triggered a massive explosion. The blast released a deadly wave of radiation and debris, decimating entire cities and leaving behind a toxic wasteland. The few survivors struggled to adapt to their new reality, as resources became scarce and the environment continued to degrade, leading to the eventual collapse of human civilization. Their story is short, uninteresting and untold. Meanwhile, as Owl City, Aphex Twin and Imogen Heap found themselves waiting in the waiting room to heaven, they began to engage in conversation:
Aphex Twin: So, what brings you guys here?
Imogen Heap: Well, I passed away peacefully in my sleep. What about you guys?
Owl City: I was in a car accident.
Aphex Twin: I had a heart attack.
Imogen Heap: I'm sorry to hear that. It's such a strange feeling being here, isn't it?
Owl City: Yeah, it's kind of surreal. But at least we're all here together.
Aphex Twin: (glares at Owl City) Speak for yourself.
Imogen Heap: (notices the tension) Is everything okay?
Aphex Twin: (sighs) It's nothing. Just a long story.
Imogen Heap nodded and looked over at Owl City, who seemed lost in thought. She knew that he had been working on his new album, Coco Moon, and was curious to hear more about it.
"So, Owl, how's the album coming along?" she asked.
Owl City snapped out of his thoughts and looked over at Imogen. "It's going well, thanks for asking," he said. "I've been working on it for a while now, and I'm really excited about how it's turning out."
Aphex Twin rolled his eyes. "Another pop album?" he muttered under his breath.
Imogen shot him a warning look before turning back to Owl City. "What inspired the name Coco Moon?" she asked.
Owl City smiled, looking slightly bashful. "Well, it's actually inspired by someone very special to me," he said. "Her name is Coco, and she's been a huge source of inspiration for this album."
Aphex Twin's eyes widened in realization, and he looked over at Imogen. "You know what's going on here, don't you?" he said.
Imogen nodded slowly, understanding dawning on her face. "This is about the love triangle, isn't it?" she said softly.
Owl City looked down at his feet, suddenly feeling very exposed. "I didn't mean for it to happen," he said quietly. "It just...did."
Aphex Twin snorted. "Typical," he muttered.
Imogen put a hand on Owl City's shoulder, a sympathetic look on her face. "It's okay," she said. "We all make mistakes."
The three of them sat in silence for a few moments, lost in their own thoughts. It was a strange feeling, being in the waiting room to heaven and confronting the truth about their feelings for each other. But as they sat there together, they knew that they would always be bound by the music that they had created and the memories that they had shared.
Just as the three of them sat in silence, a voice interrupted their thoughts. It was Carly Rae Jepsen, looking as bright and bubbly as ever.
"Hey guys!" she exclaimed. "What are you all doing here?"
Owl City looked up, surprised to see her. "Carly, what are you doing here?" he asked.
Carly shrugged. "I don't know, I just kind of...ended up here," she said. "But it's okay, I'm sure it's all part of some big plan or something."
Imogen Heap smiled at her. "It's good to see you, Carly," she said. "We were just talking about...well, things."
Carly raised an eyebrow. "Things, huh?" she said. "What kind of things?"
Aphex Twin glared at her. "None of your business," he said curtly.
Carly rolled her eyes. "Geez, sorry," she muttered. "I was just trying to lighten the mood a bit."
Imogen Heap spoke up, trying to diffuse the tension. "So, Carly, what have you been up to lately?" she asked.
Carly brightened up at the change of topic. "Oh, you know, just working on some new music," she said. "I've got a new album coming out soon, actually."
Owl City's ears perked up at the mention of new music. "Really?" he said. "That's great! What's it called?"
Carly smiled. "It's called 'Rainbow's End'," she said. "I think you'll really like it."
Imogen Heap nodded in agreement. "Carly's always been such a talented songwriter," she said. "I can't wait to hear it."
Suddenly, a burst of light filled the room, and the air seemed to vibrate with a powerful energy. The three musicians looked around in surprise, wondering what was happening. And then, as if on cue, the Greek god Apollo appeared before them, a fierce look on his face.
"What is the meaning of this?" Imogen Heap demanded, her eyes flashing with anger.
Apollo looked at her coolly. "I have come to challenge you all to a battle royale," he said, his voice ringing with authority. "Only the strongest will survive, and the rest will fall by the wayside."
Carly Rae Jepsen stepped forward, her fists clenched in determination. "I accept your challenge," she said, her voice steady.
Owl City looked at her in surprise. "Carly, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"I'm not going to let some god push us around," Carly said, her eyes blazing with defiance.
Aphex Twin stood up, his face set in a determined grimace. "I'm in," he said, his voice low and intense.
Imogen Heap took a step forward, her eyes flashing with determination. "I won't let you intimidate us," she said, her voice filled with conviction.
Apollo smiled coldly. "Very well," he said. "Let the battle begin."
And with that, he unleashed a barrage of fiery arrows at the four musicians, who scattered in all directions. Carly dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding a blazing missile, while Imogen Heap ducked to the right, using her powers to create a shield of sound to protect herself. Aphex Twin, meanwhile, stood his ground, using his superior technology to deflect the arrows and turn them back on their attacker. For a moment, it seemed as if the battle had ended, as the musicians stood transfixed by the power of the music. But then, with a sudden burst of energy, Apollo unleashed a final assault, hurling a massive bolt of lightning at the four musicians.
In that instant, Owl City knew what he had to do. Stepping forward, he raised his hands to the sky and began to sing, his voice ringing with a power that he had never felt before. And as he sang, the lightning bolt split in two, the halves arcing harmlessly past the four musicians and striking the wall behind them.
With a final burst of energy, Apollo vanished, leaving the room in silence. The four musicians stood there for a moment, looking at each other in wonder and amazement. And then, with a smile, Carly Rae Jepsen stepped forward and hugged Owl City, tears streaming down her face.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for saving us all."
And with those words, the four musicians knew that they had triumphed over a great challenge, and that they were stronger together than they had ever been. In the days that followed, they spent time reflecting on their experience and the lessons they learned. They also worked on their music, individually and diligently. Owl City, in particular, was inspired to create something special after his encounter with Apollo. He poured his heart and soul into his music, crafting a new album that would capture the spirit of his journey. The album, titled Coco Moon, was a departure from Owl City's previous work. It featured dreamy, ethereal soundscapes and a more introspective tone. The lyrics were deeply personal and reflected the struggles and triumphs of his journey. Coco Moon was a critical and commercial success, receiving widespread praise for its innovative sound and emotional depth. Fans and critics alike lauded it as a testament to the power of music and the human spirit.
It is a surprisingly impressive record. From the moment the album starts, it's clear that Owl City has put a great deal of effort into crafting these songs. The production on this album is tight and well-executed, battle-hardened, with Owl City's signature electronic soundscapes serving as the backdrop for his whimsical lyrics. The album's opener, "Adam, Check Please", is a perfect example of this, with its infectious melody and catchy hook that will have you singing along in no time. But what really sets Coco Moon apart is its ability to switch moods and styles on a dime. One moment, we have the upbeat and optimistic "Sons Of Thunder", and the next we have the moody and introspective "Vitamin Sea". The album never feels disjointed, though; each song fits seamlessly into the larger picture that Owl City has created. This album is a journey through the mind of an artist who is truly at the top of his game.
Too bad none of us are alive to hear it.
