#Owl City Cinematic

[tacomanarrows]

Decided I want to post this big project I did back in late May/early June! This was made to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the release of Owl City's album Cinematic, on June 1st! It'll be a long post, so just be aware of that lmao

Since I started listening to Owl City again earlier this year, Cinematic has become my favorite album of his and one of my all time favs in general alongside Abandoned Pools’ Humanistic and Beat Crusaders’ EPop Making!

So with that, I wanted to draw something based around each song! With 15 songs on the album (not counting alt versions), they all translated nicely into pieces for this project! I also included a film border around each piece to tie them together, as well as due to the fact that on the album itself, each song is about a different experience or memory Adam Young has had throughout his life. He's said that he felt like writing these songs was like watching scenes from a movie, hence the name Cinematic!

As a sidenote, 4 of my characters (Shep, PBnJ, Rye and Pumpernickel) are in a cover band together called Let's Get Back!, and in addition to just celebrating Cinematic, this would also sort of be a cover album by them, hence why it says "Let's Get Back! presents" on the banner :] I'll post more abt Let's Get Back! down the line, but if you'd like to read about them now, you can check out their info hub! These pieces are almost all just Shep, despite Let’s Get Back! being a 4 member group. But since Owl City is just Adam Young, having most of these just be Shep made more sense haha

Piece by piece/song by song breakdown below the cut :]

Track 1: Fiji Water!

A song about jumping into something new and going wherever the ride takes you, since it was about Adam’s experience with signing onto a record label. The water slide vibe just felt rlly fitting here and was really fun to work with!

Track 2: The 5th of July!

Considering I was born in January rather than July like Adam was, I wanted to make this one as young Shep enjoying the fireworks, as they’ve always been something that’s fascinated me :]

Track 3: All My Friends!

My second favorite song on the album!! It’s so joyous and fun I love it so much! Of course, had to draw Shep with all his friends! This piece by far took me the longest out of all of these at more than two days lmao. It features (from left to right): Starburst, Rye, Luau, Shep, PBnJ, Pumpernickel and Wilkołak!

Track 4: House Wren!

Another joyous song about looking for a new house and having a song to sing while doing so. Just Shep listening to the house wren sing it’s happy song, simple yet effective :]

Track 5: Not All Heroes Wear Capes!

A really sweet song Adam wrote about his dad. To capture that sort of innocent admiration, I drew something Shep would have drawn for his dad at 8 years old and I think it came out super sweet <33

Track 6: Montana

I love the feeling of grandeur in this song, with lyrics about how enchanting and spectacular the landscape of Montana is! I’ve never been there myself, but I’ve seen pictures and yeah, it’s definitely amazing! So Shep is out there enjoying the amazing scenery

Track 7: Lucid Dream!

A much more abstract song to balance out the others, I wanted to capture the very, floaty starry vibe of this song for lack of a better term haha. I really like the simplicity of it! I also love the line in the song about being a light sleeper, but a heavy dreamer

Track 8: Always!

This is the one song on the album that doesn’t quite hit the mark for me, and that’s because it’s a song centered around faith. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, I’m just not a religious person. So I decided to interpret the meaning as always having a person you can love and count on to always be by your side, hence why I did it with Shep and PB, who in addition to being bandmates, are also bfs hehe :]

Track 9: Cloud Nine!

Another one of my favs, this is such a PBnShep song <3 What I went for here was a look like they’re outside stargazing and Shep is telling PB how much he cares about him while pointing out some of the amazing things in space

Track 10: Winners Never Quit!

A nice and cheerful song about never giving up and keeping on! I love the message of this one and it’s sort of retro chiptune vibe. Pretty straightforward here, just Shep with a big checkered flag for reaching your personal finish lines!

Track 11: Madeline Island!

My personal favorite out of the three travel related songs on the album (this, Montana and New York City), this one has the same feeling of grandeur that Montana does, but even more so! I also love the story of a camping trip to this island in Lake Superior, so I decided to do that! I also stylized it a bit with colored lineart for the landscape and I rlly like how that came out! Another piece that's up there as one of my favs from this project hehe

Track 12: Be Brave!

A song about the night Adam met his girlfriend at the movie theater, this is another very sweet song with a message about believing in yourself and well, being brave! Shep tends to get flustered and nervous sometimes when meeting up with PB, especially early on, so this song fits him well

Track 13: New York City!

The boys take a trip to NYC and look up at the spectacular Empire State Building! Having grown up about an hour outside of NYC my whole life, I don’t quite have the same ethereal view about it that others might, but I won’t deny it’s impressive! The Empire State Building especially is one of my all time favorite buildings :]

Track 14: Firebird!

A song about growing up, this is another one I really love. I feel like a staple of childhood is sitting with your friends outside at a wall or something similar and just talking abt life and enjoying each other’s company, so that’s what I went for. It’s another simple piece that I really enjoyed making as well as the final result!

Track 15: Cinematic!

And the grand finale!! Cinematic is my favorite song from the album and my second favorite Owl City song overall, just behind Rainbow Veins!! After all of these songs that Adam wrote from his experiences, this song feels like a magnificent culmination of that and a passing of the torch to us to go and be the stars of our own movies and lives! It’s such an amazing song with a fantastic message and I can’t get enough of it! I also used some new brushes to make the film strip and I’m actually super happy with it!

So all in all, Cinematic is my favorite Owl City album and one of my all time favorites in general. Every song is unique and brings a great message and story. This project, although very time consuming, was an absolute blast to work on and brainstorm around. This album means so much to me and I really hope I was able to showcase some of that here. Please go give it a listen if you’ve never heard it before, or even if you have and it’s been awhile! I know there’s a lot of people who don’t like Owl City’s newer stuff, but give this one a fair shake! (Coco Moon is a fantastic follow up too btw hehe) So overall, thank you Adam for making such fantastic music for so long now and I can’t wait to see the show in Indianapolis later this year!!

#Owl City #Cinematic #Owl City Cinematic #fanart #fan art #music #music fan art #owl city fanart #furry #furry art #sfw furry #fursona #my art #anthro #cartoon art #art #oc: Shep #oc: PBnJ #oc: Wilkołak #oc: Starburst #oc: Luau #oc: Rye #oc: Pumpernickel #project #TacDraws

[bombshelllblonde]

to the man that started it all:

thank you for being there for me in the rough times. thank you for always being my shoulder to cry on, the music to get me through the late nights, for being sometimes the only reason to make it through into the next day.

i don’t think Adam Young really has any idea how much he’s done for me - thank you for keeping the whimsy alive in this harsh world. thank you for the inspirational lyrics to keep me going. thank you fo helping me process emotions like grief, anger, sadness, anxiety…

12/13 year old keri lu really had no idea what was in store.

16-19 year old keri lu thought it was the end for a while.

26 year old keri lu is thankful that there was a light in the darkest of times.

thank you, adam. you mean the world to me.

#owl city #Adam young #to the moon #to the moon deluxe tour #fireflies #coco moon #mobile orchestra #cinematic #all things bright and beautiful #the midsummer station #of June #maybe I’m dreaming #ocean eyes

[designerskyline]

feel free to drop propaganda in the replies!

#owl city #sky sailing #adam young #adam young is owl city #of june #maybe i'm dreaming #ocean eyes #all things bright and beautiful #the midsummer station #ultraviolet #mobile orchestra #cinematic #coco moon #poll

[spiltsoup]

I love how Owl City will just Say Anything in some of his songs

What is a “spin doctor” Adam

#owl city #soup.txt #I cannot take credit for this #my friends and I were jamming out to cinematic in the car #and one of them said he will just say anything huh #fiji water #adam young #textpost

[howyoustudythestars]

Complete the song lyric:

#owl city #adam young #cinematic #fiji water #arthur pbs

[lobster-tales]

Alright in celebration of Mr. City's Coco Moon Tour officially starting, I put together my (subjective) ranking of my favorite 15 Owl City songs -- this was a slideshow I made for a powerpoint party which is why there's time stamps and YouTube videos embedded in the original slides. This list also excludes any side projects like Sky Sailing as well as cover songs.

This is not perfect and I might have gotten my research mixed up so I am open to constructive criticism ✨

15. Designer Skyline 15. Bombshell Blonde 13. Rainbow Veins 12. Lonely Lullaby 11. On the Wing 10. Cave In 9. Learn How to Surf 8. Dinosaur Park 7. June 28th, 1986 + Galaxies 6. Paper Tigers 5. Fireflies 4. Plant Life 3. If My Heart was a House 2. When Can I See You Again 1. Wolf Bite

#owl city #adam young #hoot owl #coco moon #fireflies #of june #ocean eyes #maybe I'm dreaming #all things bright and beautiful #the midsummer station #ultraviolet #I didn't put any songs from cinematic bc... u know #But Fiji Water was neck and neck with Designer Skyline for me tbh

[limnsaber]

You know Owl City has written not one but TWO songs about Star Wars. So true of him really

#🎶*house wren plays*🎵 #owl city #lim on Star Wars #said songs being Cinematic & unbelievable. I cannot believe the second line in cinematic is ‘your life is a matinee in a galaxy farfar away’ #SO TRUE OF HIM

[stingrayextraordinaire]

Aesthetic Moodboards // “Lucid Dream” by Owl City

I am a light sleeper, but I am a heavy dreamer.

(requested by @adagalore)

#lucid dream #owl city #owl city moodboards #moodboards #aesthetics #my moodboards #my edits #requests #requested moodboards #cinematic

[agentdarcylewis]

me when i have to accept that owl city has almost completely abandoned his fantastic gift for whimsical lyrics and instead i just gotta listen to autobiographical songs about his midwestern life 😭🥲😭🥲🙃😭🙃🥲

#sorry Adam but Adam check please is…….not good #the secret life of olivias #owl city #I like Kelly time but i am half convinced it is a cast away fanfic song and vitamin sea is only kind of ok #U JUST DID CINEMATIC WHICH WAS ALL ABOUT YOUR LIFE WHYYYYYYYY #I mean he can do what he wants but also WHERE!!! IS THE WHIMSY AND PUNS!!!!! AND WORDPLAYS!!!!!!!

[kaiasky]

im so ready to be disappointed by the new owl city album

#owl city is soooo great but cinematic was like. yeah im a countryboy turned popstar #and like adam sorry ur an icon but ur not a popstar. sing about god or nature again :/

[thedickcavettshow]

the amount of fireflies in my room is INSANE I’ve never had fireflies get indoors before let alone like 10 every night… they put on the craziest light show every single night and its SUPER DISTRACTING when I’m trying to sleep!!!

#I feel like I’m living in the Fireflies by Owl City cinematic universe #I could never kill a firefly bc they’re pretty so I just let them hang out in here

[thumbbeforefingermusicaltaste]

Owl City - Cinematic

LYRICS

Your life is a matinee In a galaxy far, far away And your debut is a sold out show, yeah It's a blockbuster movie and you play the lead role

And right out at the opening scenes The whole crowd's on the edge of their seats Your worse critics are sitting up front And they're giving you two thumbs way, way up You'll be in a league of your own You'll be stealing their hearts taking Oscars home

So go get 'em and give it some passion Quiet on the set Lights, camera, action!

With all your heart and soul Dream big and you can feel the magic Let the camera roll Woah, your charm is automatic Make your cameo Be yourself And don't be so dramatic Go and steal the show Woah, 'cause life is cinematic Go and steal the show Woah, 'cause life is Cinematic

Plot twist, it's a trilogy 'Cause your life is a thriller We're dying to see Your debut is a sold out show, yeah It's an epic adventure And you play the hero

And right out at the opening scenes The whole crowd's on the edge of their seats Your worse critics are sitting up front And they're giving you two thumbs way, way up You'll be in a league of your own You'll be stealing their hearts taking Oscars home

So go get 'em and give it some passion Quiet on the set Lights, camera, action!

With all your heart and soul Dream big, and you can feel the magic Let the camera roll Woah, your charm is automatic Make your cameo Be yourself, and don't be so dramatic Go and steal the show Woah, 'cause life is cinematic

Get a top hat and a rabbit With the crowd and make your magic

Turn the lights down low (And your dreams will come true) (May the force be with you) Knock 'em dead

Go and steal the show Woah, 'cause life is cinematic

'Cause your life is a movie (Go play) Follow your dreams, 'cause your life is a movie (Go play) Go get 'em and give it your all Follow your dreams, 'cause life is cinematic

#Owl City #Cinematic #Music #Youtube

[bombshelllblonde]

i cannot believe i got to experience this tonight. this concert was one of the best shows i’ve ever been to. i felt like a kid again, trying to find some comfort in the world and only finding it through owl city.

i saw an interview where he said that he liked to help suggest how you should feel while listening to his songs, he doesn’t want to spell it out for you. it’s open to interpretation essentially

and that’s what adam young did for me starting from 2008/2009 all the way to now. i listened to his music and interpreted it into a way that young keri lu could understand the world and her feelings. she was so emotional, so angry, so not understanding of her own brain at the time and didn’t know how to properly deal, cope, or handle all her intense feelings. but adam young through owl city was able to help her get a hand on some feelings.

young keri lu interpreted into something much different than 25/26 year old keri lu. however young me was able to take those lyrics and apply it to her life was so comforting and it’s only for her to remember.

adam young was honestly one of the biggest influences in my life to keep going. his music stuck it out with me through thick and thin. his music inspired me because:

“this fight of my life is so hard, but i’m gonna survive. these are beautiful times”

#owl city #adam young #to the moon #of june #maybe i’m dreaming #ocean eyes #all things bright and beautiful #mobile orchestra #cinematic #coco moon

[inquirewithbillcipher]

Do you like Owl City music? It's my favorite. The Real World, Fireflies, Cinematic, Dementia, Embers, Gold, Good Times, Lucid Dream, Shooting Star and Thunderstruck are just a few of my fav songs from him! Adam Young is what I think Will Cipher would sound like when he sings. Adam Young is Owl City btw, if that wasn't obvious to you.

Glad you enjoy your music kid!

-Bill

#waddles #bill cipher #bill cipher fanart #bill cipher ask #bill cipher gravity falls #gravity falls ask #gravity falls bill #ask blog #gf bill cipher #gravity falls fandom #ask #gravity falls au #ask bill cipher #gravity falls

[snapscube]

I remember back when the Cinematic song clips dropped you had opinions on it, do you still keep up with Owl City? Did you listen to Coco Moon (his newest album from this year)?

yeah i’m pretty much always gonna keep an eye on what adam young is up to :) his music is very special to me. i enjoyed a few parts of coco moon quite a bit although i found the overall selection kinda underwhelming after such a long wait. but man it’s been a WHILE since i heard a song from him that resonated with me as immediately and thoroughly as Under the Circus Lights. honest to god that one is his best release since like, any song on All Things Bright and Beautiful tbh. it’s so so good. there are a few tracks on Cinematic that i really loved but the moment i listened to UTCL it was like i felt… almost a release of tension? it was early morning and i was getting ready for a long drive and it was genuinely bringing me to tears cause it was a very specific kind of feeling i didn’t know his music would ever bring me again (not to diminish the quality of his more recent work as a whole)

but yeah! i could talk about it for hours probably lmao but i’ll leave you with that for now especially cause some of my more in-depth thoughts can get pretty messy and bummer-y depending on which part of the album we’re talking about.

[howyoustudythestars]

I recently bought and started experimenting with Emvoice, an audio plugin that’s like text-to-speech, but it sings.  It also doesn’t sound robotic like other plugins.

I decided to try to create a fan-duet with Adam on his Owl City song Cinematic, this time using these alternate lyrics of the second verse of the song (sourced from the official video on Owl City’s YouTube channel):

There is another version floating out there on Reddit somewhere where my own terrible, not-warmed-up-at-all voice attempted to recreate the same thing, but I wanted to see what kind of quality I could get out of Emvoice.  A few things to note:

The Emvoice voice I’m using is Keela (default).

While I have the full song available, I’m only uploading this small section to try to appease the Tumblr copyright bots.

The “Yeah” is missing in that one part because I couldn’t get it to sound with the right rhythm, no matter how I tried to arrange it, whenever the “Yeah” was present.

The last part is down an octave because it didn’t sound natural with it up in that high register (or with the other part in a lower register).

The Cinematic instrumental was sourced from the YouTube channel Owl City Karaoke.

Uploaded under fair use rationale.

I hope you enjoy!  (And for my fellow ARG winners, I hope you’re as excited to unlock the studio door tomorrow morning as I am!)

#owl city #adam young #cinematic #emvoice