When Worlds came out, something inside me shifted. It wasn’t just an album—it felt like a portal. Every song was a doorway to somewhere else, somewhere beautiful, strange, and magical. The entire concept of the album, with its dreamy synths and nostalgic storytelling, is rooted in escapism—and that hit home for me.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve found solace in fictional worlds. Books, movies, video games... they were always more than just entertainment. They were places I could disappear into, places where I felt safe and understood. Worlds wasn’t just music I listened to: it was a world I could live in. It mirrored that craving for something beyond the ordinary, for magic, for meaning, for beauty in the surreal.

"Every place you've ever imagined: it's real. There is a fictional city in your mind, and you know every corner of it. Your mind is a world. Each of us is a place."

Becoming a fan of Worlds was also my way into a whole new community. Through online spaces dedicated to Porter and his work, I met people who understood the depth of emotion this album stirred up. Some of those connections grew into real friendships that now exist beyond the screen. I loved the music and the people I met through it made me feel seen.

And then there was the Worlds live tour! Seeing it in person—feeling the music pulse through my body, watching the visuals unfold like a dreamscape—it was overwhelming in the best way. After that show, I got a tattoo of one of the tour visuals on my back. It wasn’t just because it looked cool (though it absolutely does); it was because I wanted to carry that feeling with me, always. The feeling of being transported. The reminder that beauty exists in imagined places, and in the real world too, if you know where to look.

Worlds changed me because it showed me that escapism doesn’t mean running away. Sometimes it means finding a deeper part of yourself in places other people might overlook. And for me, that place was this album.