In a fast-paced society filled with pressures and chaos, it becomes incredibly challenging to stay connected to one’s past self when venturing into new opportunities. The curated playlist false dreams, revolved around the song “u” by Kendrick Lamar, narrates a protagonist’s journey of embarking on a new experience, only to quickly become absorbed by the unfamiliar environment and losing themselves in the process. “u” confronts the struggle of discovering identity within the noise of society by recounting Lamar’s self-doubt after reflecting on his inability to save his hometown friends despite his immense influence. The song serves as an early climax in the playlist, with three preceding songs detailing the initial journey followed by six songs that illustrate the slow process of acceptance. The album cover of the playlist is a scene from the anime Attack on Titan that illustrates main characters Mikasa and Eren’s ideal life. The show represents the playlist to some extent since, like the playlist’s general themes,  Attack on Titan in short portrays the protagonist fighting against the known world to achieve freedom. However, the protagonist begins to alienate themself, eventually realizing what “freedom’ truly is--though its different from their previous definition of freedom. I won’t spoil too much or delve too deep into the anime, but the mentioned themes relate heavily to false dreams.

Thematically, the playlist explores how one’s initial optimism can transform into devastating insecurity and isolation, eventually finding redemption through accepting change, embracing the lessons learned along the way, and remembering your roots. This narrative explores the inevitable human experience of growing up and reflects on the bitter-sweet reality of personal development. It provides an uplifting story for many individuals amidst a major change in life such as taking on a new job, moving to a different town, or entering college for the first time by providing a sense of relatability. 

For many, a fresh start incites a whirlwind of emotions: excitement, naive hope, and joy. However, many of these feelings soon become devastated by unfulfilled expectations, leaving many confused about the ambiguous path ahead and overwhelmed by external pressures. A profound change in routine detaches familiar anchors and removes established places of comfort. false dreams seeks to inspire individuals to confront themselves, have a holistic perspective, and embrace inevitable failure within new adventures, ultimately providing a necessary guide for many struggling through life’s transitions.

The first song of the playlist, “These Chains” by Mid-Air Thief introduces the protagonist’s cravings to break free of the chains that seem to restrict his ability to grow and yearns for freedom through new experiences. As you listen, you should focus on the sonic soundscape characterized by swelling, naive chimes that burst with enthusiasm as the song progresses, seemingly matching the excitement that comes with fresh endeavors. The song symbolizes the rush of starting something new, foreshadowing how fast-paced optimism potentially creates the theme of identity disconnection that “u” later explores and provides a juxtaposing context of feeling trapped.

"These Chains”’s burst of emotions suddenly fades into “BUSY/SIRENS”’s melancholic instrumental, mirroring the immediate slap of confusion new ventures give. “BUSY/SIRENS” narrates the protagonist’s constant hustle within the unknown that creates feelings of inadequacy and isolation. I love observing how the external demands society provides can dilute one’s sense of identity within the track, using sirens to symbolize the distractions that limit time to reflect. The second song of the playlist uses these distractions to set up the foundation for “u”’s climax by introducing the theme of how naive optimism can easily evolve into insecurities.

"How to Disappear Completely” expands on the previous track, somberly expressing how not addressing concerns in life is unsustainable after an extended time. It represents this feeling through a desire to disappear from the world and to escape the pressures that weigh down the protagonist. I like listening to the growing despair in the lyrics and aimless-sounding instrumentals that plagues so many people and eventually bubbles over into “u”.
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"u" signals the protagonist’s breaking point. The overwhelming weight from “How to Disappear Completely” finally crushes our protagonist as they are screaming, drinking, and crying in despair while confronting his insecurities and frustrations with identity. You should listen to the confused, swaying instrumental and beat switch that contrasts with “These Chains” which continuously builds up and contains similarly swirling instrumentals but in an optimistic tone. The song displays how isolation frustrates many who are too consumed in their work to maintain a connection with their true self and unable to create new, meaningful experiences.
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"Liability” builds off of the dreadful drunken sobs of “u”, utilizing a somber piano instrumental and dragging vocals. The protagonist fears they can never remember who they once were since others might not accept their real self, burdening themselves with the idea that they are potentially a liability to others. The most crucial thing to listen out for in this song is how the protagonist first introduces the idea of being their own best friend, then faintly starts to embrace vulnerability, and finally finds peace within change which initiates some progression from the events of “u”.
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"Knees” is the most tragic track off of the playlist. It continues on the introspective nature of “Liability”, but instead reflects on the journey thus far and regretfully wants to return to what once was over a cold, industrial beat. The protagonist understands how emotional growth comes from pain, hence the repeated metaphor “My knees hurt when I grow”, but cannot recognize if he’s actually developed as an individual since they embarked on their journey, citing that they’ve only felt the pain. I think it’s important to listen to the protagonist reminisce on their past, illustrating how many children simply want to grow up but now the protagonist would do anything to become a kid without any pressures again. This displays how, in contrast to previous events on “u”, the protagonist now has conceptualized some idea of identity despite yearning for the past, even referring to a new idea: that they aren’t alone in their struggles.

"White Ceiling” displays a scene of the protagonist quite literally lying on the ground while staring at the ceiling and reflecting on their experiences so far, claiming every day feels the same while a monotonous, dull instrumental plays with similar characters to the “Knees” beat and boring ceiling. However, you should listen to how the instrumental develops on “White Ceiling” by introducing several upbeat chimes. These potentially reference a dual meaning to the track where the white ceiling symbolizes the unknown, blank canvas of the future that the protagonist is finally looking upwards to and searching for meaning within the current chaos. Though still filled with melancholy, it builds on the entire album so far by signifying the first signs of optimism since “These Chains” as the protagonist attempts to find clarity in the events of “u”.

"Maybe it's a gift that I couldn't recognize”. Following the protagonist’s existential crisis from “White Ceiling”, they begin comprehending the journey so far on “Trying to Feel Alive”, marking a turning point in the album by juxtaposing the doubt mentioned in “Knees”. After all the confusion and seemingly meaningless suffering, the protagonist reflects through this track and realizes maybe the suffering from the journey did help them discover their real self–it’s so incredibly difficult to understand the process at the moment, but perhaps everything in life occurs for a reason by contributing to who they are today. I love listening to this track on the album for it perfectly sets up the conclusion by tying all the events leading up to this moment: the upbeat, electronic instrumentals layered with promising choral voices topped off with hopeful lyrics that almost acknowledge the journey without showing any regrets. The protagonist directly addresses the events of “u”, a song filled with rage and self-doubt, by recognizing how they’ve lost sight of their initial goal of exploring the world (mentioned from the start on “These Chains”) throughout this new experience. Only now, the protagonist remembers their ambitions and how they have already unknowingly accomplished what they left past comfort for. 

In light of this newfound appreciation, the protagonist realizes in “Ghost Town” the inevitability of change and accepts that the past will always remain in the past. The grand and victorious beat ripples as multiple vocalists harmonize lyrics about finally reaching “freedom”, though, there is a reminiscent hint of nostalgia wishing they could return to being a carefree child. Ultimately, I love listening to how the protagonist reminds themself that they are “still the kids we used to be”, but are now even stronger as an individual after exploring new things. After navigating life's messes, the challenge is incredibly rewarding when finally connecting the bridge between the past and new experiences, ultimately discovering the freedom of being themselves. The song is a tribute to their depression in “u” that laughs at his failures and triumphantly states how by making it out of “u”, people will eventually discover themselves if they push through it, claiming “nothing hurts anymore, I feel kinda free.”

"Dearly Departed” brings us back to the beginning, reflecting on everything that the journey brought the protagonist from naive excitement, to existential doubts, to hopeful acceptance. Following the high from “Ghost Town”, the protagonist begins learning how to move on in life after finally settling in his new environment, beginning to navigate past traumas while acknowledging how they forged his current self. You should particularly listen to the reminiscent vibe and subtle guitar riffs that mirror the empty, bittersweet feelings that come with completing a chapter in life. Looking back on the past, the protagonist is simultaneously accepting leaving behind his emotional weight yet questioning, “What's  the point of havin' a best friend if you end up losin' him?” to symbolize his continued mixed feelings of the journey. The protagonist has finally reached a point of closure way beyond the events of “u” after learning to embrace the journey for what it was and finally move forward; yet, “u”’s themes of uncertainty and disconnection still linger within the conclusion, referring to the protagonist still unsure of what the journey meant and questioning: what now?

false dreams reflects on the inevitable challenges that come with new beginnings and offers an answer to a question so many struggle to conceptualize: how do we move on in life? As humans move onto the next chapter in their lives, it becomes hard to keep a strong connection with the past after releasing familiar anchors. “u”, the song that inspired the playlist, takes this idea to the extreme by exploring isolation after abandoning past relations. Nine other songs accompany “u” to narrate a protagonist who encounters struggles in a new environment but eventually rediscovers himself after embracing the journey itself. The playlist explains the past is solidified and occurred for a reason. All of the pains that come with persevering are already over and it’s our job as individuals to create meaning out of these challenges. Many seek liberation in erasing the past, but to truly move on and experience personal freedom, individuals need to bring all their journies and observe from a holistic view how each chapter taught something. By therefore embracing the journey, we can all accept our stronger, authentic selves and prepare to move forward into the future. (All lyrics taken from Genius)