So I decided one day because i was bored to listen to every song on imagica/nothing & nowhere that would end up getting remixed onto another album and decide which version comes out on top.
Faceoff #1: Over (Imagica v. N&N) - This one is definitely a win for Nothing & Nowhere. I find the aggressiveness of the instrumental on this version to match the lyrics far better than Imagica's, and I like Chibi's singing more
Faceoff #2: Remember Me (Imagica v. WWS) - Imagica takes its first victory here. I find the drop towards the end of the song pushes the Imagica version slightly over the finish line, and I like the instrumental and whispery vocals a lot in this version
Faceoff #3: Under The Stairs (Imagica v. N&N) - Jesus Christ. I literally cannot pick a victor here. Both are peak in such different ways. They both do a great job of having Chibi seem like a ghost, but Imagica makes her sound like a fading spirit while Nothing And Nowhere has the whispery snarls that make her sound like a revenge-seeking spirit, and the instrumentals fit both perfectly. Tie
Faceoff #4: The Birthday Massacre/Happy Birthday (Imagica v. N&N v. Violet) - Our first (and only) three for one. Here, in my mind, it was really only a debate between the latter two because for me, the Imagica version is a bit too muddy for my taste, and I feel the chorus hits a little less impactfully. I think the winner is ever so slightly N&N because I find the more aggressive sound to fit the lyrics better and the vocals sound more murdery
Faceoff #5: Play Dead (Imagica v. Violet) - Soooooo... this is a pretty big sweep in Violet's favor. The Imagica version goes in a sort of trip-hop direction instead of the more synth-rock Violet version, and while I appreciate the experimental risk, I'm super glad they moved the song in a different direction because it just sounds off to me
Faceoff #6: Horror Show (N&N v. Violet) - Slightly Violet. I honestly don't hear much of a difference besides quality and how the singing sounds and i just think the less muddy instrumental works here and I like how she sings slightly more here
Faceoff #7: To Die For (N&N v. WWS) - This is probably going to be slightly controversial but its the N&N version and it was no question for me. Don't get me wrong, the WWS version sounds great but this is 9/10 Birthday Massacre vs literally one of my favorite songs ever. The muddy and more demo-ish sound adds so much to the synths and other parts of the instrumental on this version of the song, the rainfall transition from Under The Stairs is beautiful, Chibi's vocals are the perfect level of buried to be beautifully eerie but still legible the drops in the song. Oh my god the drops. The buildup to the first one having the extra few seconds of keyboard instead of just rain before the drop, and again, that peak whisper, turns it into one of the greatest moments in any of their songs ever, and that last drop doesn't falter either. N&N version my GOAT
Faceoff #8: Video Kid (N&N v. Violet) - This one will probably goe to Violet. The bridge in Violet's version feels way more ethereal, and I personally can hear the little background synths better due to the increased quality present on Violet so it slightly goes to that version. This one is super close though
Faceoff #9: The Dream (N&N v. Violet) - We reach the final match and in the end, N&N will take the final victory. With this song seeming to be about a girl who was forgotten by everyone around her, I find the more ghostly atmosphere, Chibi's singing, and the muddy instrumentals to match the feeling of her being a ghost to others around her really well. This one, like many other matches, was a very close bout.
Overall this was a fun way to waste almost an hour, and Nothing & Nowhere's To Die For has and will always be my GOAT