Let’s be real. New York City is more than a city. It’s a universe all its own, attracting millions of people from every crevice of existence. It’s the largest, most densely populated American metropolis where finding a cookie-cutter “American” is almost unachievable. It hums with life and promise and beauty. New York sparkles. At first it will draw you in, then it will butter you up.
New York will also break your heart. If you believe it’s a place for only the rich and the poor, you might be right. If you believe it’s a place that’s impossible to afford, you’re definitely right. It’s like Charles Bukowski interestingly spat, “In New York you’ve got to have all the luck.” He’s mostly correct but we try anyway cause, sometimes, all the magic’s in the attempt.
This melting pot of a mixtape was made while dreaming of the five boroughs (hey, Brooklyn). Track numbers one and four are literally about New York. A line in the latter song encapsulates my current feelings on the area: “New York’s the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent.” Others just exude NYC vibes or croon NYC attitude (see tracks ‘Too Cool’ and ‘Just Like Heaven’). All in all, the 17-song playlist represents the shimmering wonder and heart-wrenching romance that is New York—or, at least a fraction of it.