Dreams of Stardom (Hollywood SI)

Patty was more than a little excited to learn that Troy Armitage was finally releasing his first music album. And not just any album—it was part of a movie coming to the cinema soon enough.

So, like any good fan, she did what she had to do: she got in line to buy said album.

"Seriously, this is so unexpected," her best friend Claire complained. "This is literally his first album. Why are people so excited about it? He could be terrible in it."

Patty turned to her and smiled before she started singing her favorite childhood song: "You can count on me, like one, two, three…"

Claire rolled her eyes but didn't bother saying anything else. Even she couldn't deny that 'Count on Me' was one banger of a song from their childhood. Considering that Troy wrote it himself when he was a child made it so much better. Then he went on to release two more songs on YouTube—'We Don't Talk Anymore' and 'Sugar.' Songs that took the music industry by storm. The best part was that the two songs were part of a full album, consisting of 12 other new tracks, making it a complete set of 14 songs.

Patty and Claire had decided to get themselves an album on the first day of the sale, so they reached the music store a little early that Saturday. What they found was astounding. There was a long line in front of the store, as if someone big like Michael Jackson or Britney Spears were releasing a new album. When asked about the reason for the crowd, the boy in front of them said simply, "It's Troy. Of course, there will be a line."

"Thank God we came before the store opened," Claire noted idly as soon as the door to the store finally opened and the eager customers were allowed in one by one. "I'm damn sure if we had waited until tomorrow, or hell, even this evening, all records would have been sold out by then."

Patty looked behind her to see that at least 20–30 more people had joined the line. Seeing that, she couldn't help but agree with her friend. After what felt like an eternity—but was only around 15 minutes—it was finally Patty and Claire's turn near the front desk. It was a relatively small store, but it was the only one in their locality. For one of those big ones, they'd have to go farther, and neither of the girls had a car.

"Hi!" Patty greeted the store clerk enthusiastically. "We'd like two of the latest CDs of Troy Armitage."

The silent look on the clerk's face was enough to send Patty into a panic. "Don't tell me…"

"It's sold out," the clerk said apologetically. "We didn't have that many copies to begin with. The boy before you bought the last CD we had."

"Noooo!" Patty cried out in despair, turning toward her friend. "Why is it always us when it comes to Troy?! At first, we couldn't get tickets to see him live on Broadway, then we missed his last two movies on the first day, and now even his album! It's like we're cursed or something."

Claire was ready to throw in her own two cents, but the clerk's next words stopped her.

"We still have the deluxe version of the album, but it's a vinyl record, not a CD. You can buy that if you want."

Patty and Claire turned to him in unison, giving him a glare for not mentioning it earlier.

"It's more expensive," he said, raising his arms in surrender. "While the CD is $29.99, the vinyl record is $39.99."

"And why is that?" Claire asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Because it's a set of two discs," he explained matter-of-factly. "While the CD has 14 songs, the deluxe vinyl version includes a few more, like 'Count on Me' and an alternate version of 'We Found Love,' sung by Troy. It also includes the background score of the movie [Echoes of You]. That's why it has a premium price."

"Give us two deluxe vinyl albums then," Patty announced without hesitation. It was totally worth it in her opinion, and seeing Claire's resolute nod, she knew they were on the same page.

The clerk nodded before bringing over the two albums. "Here you go."

The girls made their respective payments and left the store in a hurry.

Once they were back at Patty's place, they eagerly unwrapped the albums. Each set contained two records: one for the songs and one for the soundtrack.

"So, which one should we play first?" Claire asked curiously.

Patty raised a finger excitedly before pointing at one. "Eenie Meenie Miney Moe. I'll play this record."

Her finger landed on the soundtrack of the movie, and she eagerly snatched it from Claire's hands. She slid the brand-new record into her parents' vinyl player.

The music that flowed out of the old machine was heavenly. Hearing it gave Patty literal chills. The tune was beautifully romantic yet melancholic, almost otherworldly. For the next hour and a half, their record player alternated between the songs and the soundtrack, creating an unforgettable experience.

When the music finally ended, Patty turned to Claire with a determined expression.

"I don't care what anyone says. This is the best music album I have ever listened to. The songs are legendary."

Claire could only nod in agreement.

(Break)

LunaBliss: Holy effing shit! Who knew Troy was such a genius? Has anyone got his first album? If I weren't already a soldier, I'd be lining up to join the Trojan Army right now.

SereneDreamer: You stole exactly what I wanted to say! I got the best eargasm of my life hearing that album, especially "Bad Guy." That song is the bomb.

PixelWarrior77: Wtf are you talking about!? "Someone You Loved" is the best one! It breaks my heart to know that someone must have shattered my dear Troy's heart to pieces for him to make such a painful song.

FireStarter12: You guys are all wrong. The best song is obviously "All of Me." It seems like he wrote the song for Rihanna because he poured all his heart and love into it.

QuantumFox: I'm Radioactive! Radioactive! Wo oh oh oh yeah! ~~~~~~ How can anyone beat that? That's the best rock song I have heard in forever!

NovaKnight: Honestly, I don't like the guy. He is too arrogant and violent in my opinion, but I would be a fool to not acknowledge his music.

SkyDreamer64: Wow! Even the haters are complimenting it so it must be good. I haven't heard any of his songs, but will definitely give it a try.

GlitchInTime: @SkyDreamer64 Have you been living under a rock or smth? It's literally anything that's playing on the radio or any music channel on the TV. If you have listened to any new song in the last couple of weeks, chances are you have heard one of Troy's songs.

SkyDreamer64: I heard this retro-sounding song yesterday called "Until I Found You."

GlitchInTime: That's one of them! Troy's so talented he's writing multiple genres now. From Rock to Pop to Retro to EDM to Love songs. Is there anything that the guy can't do?

DarkMatter69: You guys aren't even talking about the best part! The background score included in the deluxe edition of his album. It is so good and soulful, I play it on repeat while studying or just in the background. It is the best piece of music I have heard in my entire life. Even my dog loves it and calm down when I play it!

FireStarter12: I didn't even know there was a deluxe edition. I'm going back to the store!

SereneDreamer: Me too!

LunaBliss: I have it! @DarkMatter69 is right. BGM is the best thing of that album. I would be shocked if he didn't win an Oscar for it.

DarkMatter69: He likely won't. Technical awards like Best Score and Best Song are hogged by all the old fogies. They won't let someone young and dynamic like Troy win.

NovaKnight: One word: Eminem.

DarkMatter69: He's an exception, not the rule.

LunaBliss: I don't care about the politics! I want Troy to win a second Oscar this year.

SweetStone: You guys weren't at the premiere of the movie. Believe me, it was the best thing I have watched all year.

QuantumFox: Hey! It's that guy from Troy's crew. Give us some inside scoop, man! Please 🙏

SweetStone: Let me think... Troy and Rihanna met on the set and fell in love.

LunaBliss: Come on! Everyone knows that. Tell us something new. How about this Emma Stone girl? Have you met her?

SweetStone: She's okay, I guess. Didn't talk much with her. Troy is excellent as ever though. So is Rob Pattinson, the guy who plays the antagonist. Troy's brother Evan is also very cool.

QuantumFox: Wait! Troy has a brother? Why didn't I know that?

LunaBliss: His foster brother. He was Troy's friend who lost his parents, so Troy's parents adopted him. But why was he on set? Is he playing some role?

SweetStone: Evan wrote the film with Troy. Dialogues and scenes are mostly his, while songs are Troy's. Evan also directed a few songs for the movie.

NovaKnight: Now that's some real scoop! Troy promoting nepotism for his brother.

SweetStone: I wouldn't say that. Troy and Evan wrote that film together. Evan wanted to direct it, but Troy declined because he didn't have the experience (thus stopping nepotism rather than perpetuating it). That's when he hired Stephen Daldry for it.

NovaKnight: My salute to the man then, for doing the right thing.

SereneDreamer: I can't wait to see the movie! Hey @SweetStone, does Troy have a shirtless scene in this film as well? I've noticed a trend lately—he finds a reason to get out of his shirt if he can. This trend started in [Goblet of Fire] and has continued since then. It helps that his body is very easy on the eyes.

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.

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LunaBliss: Holy shit! @SereneDreamer is right! I just checked. @SweetStone Please answer.

SweetStone: Yes. That's all you'll get from me.

LunaBliss: That's all I needed to know! I'm getting myself Thursday night preview tickets.

QuantumFox: Seriously, why are you discussing such weird things here? We were talking about his music for God's sake, not about his physique!

(Break)

When I first heard that a movie star was releasing a full song album, which would also be part of the movie's soundtrack, I dismissed it as a mere gimmick. I assumed the album was made to promote the movie. After listening to the album (on repeat at least twenty times), I can confidently say I couldn't have been more wrong. The movie exists to promote the songs—not the other way around.

I was one of the fortunate few invited to the premiere of [Echoes of You], and I was stunned by what I saw.

The story is fairly generic and, at times, a little predictable, but the characters are wonderfully fleshed out. Troy Armitage and Emma Stone share chemistry that's simply out of this world. They look so good together on-screen that I can't help but ship them in real life, too. Stephen Daldry, the director, employed his sharp directional instincts to craft a tightly edited film that feels just right.

But that's not the reason you should see the movie.

It's undeniable that Troy Armitage is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon in the entertainment industry. The boy who became the youngest male Oscar winner and a global superstar at the age of 11 continues to captivate audiences with his latest project. This time, however, it's not his acting that will mesmerize you—it's his music.

From the first moment of the film to the last, music takes center stage, but this isn't a traditional movie musical. Troy plays a pop star in the film, and his songs are predominantly pop tracks. The movie features a staggering 14 original songs, most of which aren't directly tied to the storyline. Yet, instead of slowing the film's pace, the music is what keeps you hooked from start to finish. From the first song, "Bad Guy," to the closing track, "All of Me," every song is a masterpiece that reflects the character's growth throughout the story.

Technically, the music is groundbreaking—so fresh and innovative that it's incomparable to anything else being released today. Troy Armitage delivers an unparalleled blend of genres, emotions, and vocal mastery in this album. Each track is a journey through sound, with Armitage's voice as the perfect guide. It's not just an album; it's a musical revolution.

The background score of the film is equally remarkable. The 'Troy-Bailey Theme' has been on a constant loop in my playlist ever since I first heard it. It's melancholic yet hopeful, bursting with love and beauty—a perfect harmony of emotions. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be: art.

I dare say Troy Armitage has created something so extraordinary that he might not be able to surpass it in the years to come. If he doesn't complete his EGOT with this album, I'll lose all faith in the Grammys. 

My only complaint? Every song is so exceptional that some tracks, without proper promotion, might not reach their full potential with the audience.

If you're reading this, Troy, thank you for creating this album and sharing it with us. Consider me an official member of the Trojan Army.

Rating: 5/5

Ben Radcliffe, Rolling Stone

I barely suppressed the urge to shed a tear after reading that review. I didn't know who this Ben Radcliffe was, but his words touched my heart with their sincerity. The fact that this review was published in Rolling Stone—the number one music magazine in the Western world—meant that all music enthusiasts would read it.

What surprised me the most was the overwhelmingly positive response to the film's background score. It wasn't just Rolling Stone; multiple critics had praised the brilliance of the score. I had stopped reading reviews of my acting long ago, but I couldn't resist checking the reactions to my music.

I had worked on the score for over a month before finalizing it, and the best part was that it was entirely original. When I started composing, I tinkered with various melodies until I stumbled upon one tune that felt like it truly resonated with the characters of Troy and Bailey in the movie. For the life of me, I couldn't remember which film I might have lifted it from. Eventually, I concluded that it was an original piece, created from scratch using my creativity.

That realization gave me confidence. One day, when my future knowledge becomes obsolete, I might still be able to compose great music on my own, without any shortcuts.

"Done reading?" Evan asked eagerly from beside me.

"Yes," I replied, smiling. "I am."

"Good, then." His grin widened. "It's time to get ready for some award season campaigning."

I groaned in realization. Because we had released the film so late in the year, we now had to campaign for it for all the major awards alongside the usual press-junket we do. And it wasn't just this film—I had three movies released this year: [The Perks of Being a Wallflower], [Brick], and [Echoes of You], all of which had been positively received by critics.

The best part? The 63rd Golden Globe nominations had been out for days, and I had already received quite a number of nods.

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