Hello from your friendly DJ Rubix! A little-known fact about me is that I love to create artwork inspired by my favorite music. Recently, the overwhelming popularity of Young & Old around KSPC inspired me to paint a piece specifically dedicated to this chart-topping album, and to usher in a new brand of blog post!
The piece you see above is my visual interpretation of the colorful, “beach-poppy” music of Tennis. The girl, abstract in her lack of name and permanent place, represents their pretty, carefree, and slightly wistful sonic stylings. She is surrounded by soothing waters of harmony that ebb and flow with the beat, and all appears serene.
The album title Young & Old, however, suggests deeper concerns with aging and mortality – motifs that run counter to the sense of innocence conveyed by the music. Tennis typically bathes their tracks in the warm glow of nostalgia, but the lyrics on this album deal with issues of identity and personal legacy. When Alaina Moore sings “Take Me To Heaven,” for example, her vocals are sweet, but the content of the song is more melancholy in nature: “When I pass away, this will fade away; what promises I make, I know I may not stay.” I portrayed this awareness of the passage of time through the subtly fading ends of the girl’s cascading hair.
Perhaps Tennis’ underlying message is that time inevitably marches on, so we should remember to appreciate each fleeting moment, and do our best to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.
Young & Old is a gorgeous, uplifting album. If you haven’t heard it yet, be sure to check it out, and when you do, I hope my artwork helps you to consider it in a different light. Thanks for stopping by, and stay tuned for the next edition of Animated Albums!
Art and review by Rachel Davidson. Tune in to Your Next Favorite Thing with DJ Rubix every Friday from 4-6!