(teeny tiny spoilers for Ilya's character development in TLG if you squint, I've blacked them out tho in case you don't want to see them)
I've been listening to Noah's new album, The Great Divide, and so many of the songs I'm thinking... Ilya would 100% relate to that lyric. And honestly, even though Ilya and (what I perceive about) Noah don't seem to be similar at first glance, I think there are a lot of similarities!
- They're both very emotional, but are from cultures where emotional vulnerability in men isn't always rewarded. But now in their life - whether through songwriting success (for Noah), >!deeper friendships and found-family (for Ilya in TLG)!<, or intimacy with their partners - that emotional vulnerability IS being rewarded.
- Their hometowns are cold! Sounds silly, but there's something about growing up with harsh winters that impacts the way you move through the world. >!Ilya narrates in decent detail how it makes him feel in TLG!<, and Noah often writes about those experiences.
- They're both successful in their careers (achieving their dreams!), but therefore, there's an undercurrent of fear that their success will eventually run out.
- They struggle with mental health, and are relatively open about that experience and talk about it, and the importance of mental health, often. Plus, they both have non-profit organizations dedicated to mental health!
- They have romantic relationships with long-time partners. Like their careers and their mental health, they are grateful for their relationships and the joy they bring, but there is an undercurrent of fear that they are not deserving of that love or that people will leave them.
Let me highlight a few lyrics!
Doors - From the Genius Annotation, "The person in Noah’s life stays despite all of the reasons Noah has given them to leave. "
- "That I'm the trouble ahead, that I scream in my sleep. You're puttin' money on red, I'm a sure bet at a losin' streak. I keep showin' you doors, but you can't open them up. 'Cause it gеts harder to see me the closеr you try to look."
- "I just live here, babe, but you're the one who decided to knock. You knocked. Have you ever stared directly at the sun? Have you ever shared some closeness, so exposed, to have it spit back by someone? So, forgive me if I jump. At the rattle of your keys. 'Oh, are you leavin'?,' 'No, babe, I'm just wakin' up.' And now what? I'm left starin' at the ceilin', listin' reasons you should pack all your s**t up"
American Cars - Pretend it's a British car, "good in the snow." Noah sings about someone (himself?) leaving often, but coming home too (>!long-distance relationship, anyone?!<).
- "Headlights, your plates: 4CB3A. Didn't know you drove American cars. Ray-Bans on your face, you've been drivin' all day, but you're home, and I'm so grateful you are. 'Cause you're gonna fix it, you're gonna patch it up. Honey, we're fragile, you've always been so tough. You know that I missed you, you always come runnin' back. Whenever I ask, whenever I ask"
Staying Still - >!Ilya in TLG: deflection king :D!<
- "Put in love, put in hours, put in ceremony. As I was, how you were, what was there before me. Never mind, never mind, oh, forget about it. I'll be good, I'll be fine, I can laugh about it. I try to keep on starting over. I'm sleepin' in a bed half empty, daydreamin'. All love must leave, oh, but search for it I will. Honey, tell me, are you good at staying still?"
I'll stop here, but so much more! TikTok editors, go wild!