Album Aesthetics: (What's The Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
A few weeks ago I asked my Instagram followers what their favorite “no-skip” album was and was overwhelmed with the results. I listened to each album one by one and was inspired to write about the albums not only from a music perspective but also a fashion one. I’ve always been interested in expressing myself through clothes, and music is the ultimate form of self-expression, so why not combine both? In this new series, I’ll be breaking down an album, sharing my favorite tracks, and putting together an outfit that fits the vibe of the album. Welcome to the Album Aesthetics series!
Oasis and the Gallagher Brothers (especially Liam) have a reputation for embodying English “lad” culture with their hooliganism and devil-may-care attitudes, but the album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? has been crafted so masterfully, you’d forget their unprofessional reputation for a moment. Noel Gallagher’s songwriting is heavily influenced by The Beatles, with lyrics in plain layman’s terms but the meaning behind those words conveying deeply universal feelings. I can’t help but think of the writing style of Paul McCartney when I listen to my favorite tracks from this album. But enough about the Beatles, we all love the Beatles, this is about Oasis.
With the announcement of their reunion tour, the volatile relationship between the brothers Gallagher will be back on the world stage to entertain us. One can only hope they make it through the first few stops without a brawl. The lore of Oasis is fascinating, but don’t let that overshadow the music! When it comes to a song (or in this case an album) I really pay attention to the lyrics, and that’s what really grabbed me about this album, specifically the track Don’t Look Back In Anger.
The song covers the topic of moving on without regret or disparity. Closure is a theme I’ve always been interested in. The need for that “okay it’s finally over” moment that never really seems to come. The older I get, the more I learn that closure is a myth we tell ourselves to make the ending feel better. Endings, don’t require a dramatic moment of closure, it can be as simple as silence. As walking away without looking back with anger and resentment.
Closure can be as simple as a song - a 7-minute song to be exact. The album closes with the masterpiece that is Champagne Supernova which confronts the feeling of friends growing apart. While universal, it’s also one of the saddest feelings of the human condition. People grow up, they move away, they grow apart and that’s okay. Growing up is understanding that you may never be surrounded by the same people you were at 19 and that is just fine. Life happens and you can miss the people from your past, but ultimately the wheel keeps moving. Change is the only constant.
How many special people change?
How many lives are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?
Top 5 Songs
1. Some Might Say
2. Don’t Look Back In Anger
3. Champagne Supernova
4. Cast No Shadow
5. Wonderwall
I love that Oasis has an unofficial uniform, so of course building an outfit around this album had to include a parka. I love this one by The North Face, perfect for the rainy English weather. Sticking with the “gorp-core” theme, I’d pair the parka with some olive green cargo pants from Uniqlo. Rather than an overdone (but classic!) Adidas Samba, I’d style this with a trendy Mexico 66 sneaker in white/blue from Onitsuka Tiger (which I am adding to cart as I type). With all the nylon texture, I’d stay in that fabric family with a small nylon Crescent Bag from Baggu in Digital Demin Birds to add some interest to the outfit. When in doubt, add a fun bag! To complete the look, a black Prada bucket hat, but if you’re not down to drop $500 on a branded hat, this one from Amazon will have the same effect.