Egelion

[Louis]

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As a new era of life begins in Egelion, the culture has begin to shift towards a more uplifting and romantic style. With the threats of poverty, global tensions, and republican threats now over for now, many have begun to look for the pleasures in life. What keeps us entertained? What keeps us focused on what we love? What...do we love? Many have begun to express themselves through several types of art. Local artists spend their time in local shows and museums, young adults venture into electronic music software online, and many students continue with their venture in classical music.  However, despite all the types of art and music going around, none can comprehend or deny the rise of ballads and vintage music. A sense of melancholy, passion, and nostalgia has surfaced in Egelion. Many do not understand where this rise has come from. Many attribute it to the nostalgia of Egelion's earlier history, while some simply believe that the recent prosperity has led to a shift in focus from statecraft to culture. While the arts have always been important in Egelion, none can say that the rise now is similar to previous eras of cultural expansions. Currently, the focus is on music--specifically ballads, waltzes, and other vintage romantical music. The music has begun to trend on social media and streaming platforms. There are currently social media trends that involves people proposing and "asking out" their loved ones with slower, romantic music in the background. Nothing revolutionary of course, but this is part of the nationwide trends towards a sense of overall "love".

One of the bigger voices of this trend towards ballads is singer Maria Mercedes from Altea. At 44 years old, she is one of the main voices of this movement in culture. Her mezzo soprano voice, joined by her admiration of Gaduri instrumental music has made her the most popular woman in Egelion's music industry. Together, with other artists such as Jennifer Maldonado and Dora Ramirez, Mercedes is leading an evolution in music. Why should all popular music be pop? Why must surf-style and electronic music be our norm of what is "good"? Of course, good music is all subjective, but in Egelion, there is an attempt to change the narrative of music. While we may not understand lyrics or fully understand the sounds, it is not about those aspects. Music is about the feeling it invokes in an individual. It is about what the song makes you feel. How can we better understand music on an emotional level? Maria Mercedes writes in her newest book about her passion in her music. "For me, it's not about popularity but passion in the music. Sublimity and passion in the music is my focus. Longing--such terrible longing in a song can do so much for the individual. I seek not the high charts, but to reach the height of the human emotion in my music." 

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[Video: https://youtu.be/1xlj-zAWEfg?si=6TNFbd9eCT9vlQfu]