So shit is pretty wild right now. We’re in a confusing time and place. A lot is uncertain. A lot has been taken away or forever altered. Reality as we know it seems miles away. Some days I’m totally sane and level, but currently am feeling a lot of feelings which are fairly accurately portrayed by the songs below. Some new tunes, some old tunes, but hopefully some helpful tunes to get you through this strange time. Largely inspired by me thinking my life is a movie and all the ways in which I would soundtrack it.
“Fuck with Your Friends” – Lala Lala
This song immediately transports me back to college parties in Virginia — not that this was playing (although it should have been), but this is what would soundtrack the slow-mo, disassociating, birds’ eye perspective of what I was going through. I would give anything to exist in that haze right about now.
“Habitat” – Momma
This is the Elliot Smith level sad grunge I desire and that is appropriate for these times while also being a song about being at peace by yourself and alone with others while also on shrooms. So very timely.
“Ouster Stew” – Crack Cloud
Crack Cloud can do no wrong. This feels like an 80s mixtape fueled apocalypse.
“Lucifer Stand” – Cindy Lee
There are a few pieces of #art that I’ve consumed that have literally knocked the wind out of me. This is one of them. Particularly the speech at the end. Nothing cuts quite like, “I would rather spend in eternity in nothing than spend eternity with you.”
“BBB” – Love Fiend
Love Fiend was one of the last bands I was lucky enough to see live before this nightmare started. I knew nothing about them previously besides that people in LA whose taste I respected said they were “cool”. A great understatement, Love Fiend is so so good, you should check out their entire catalog of work.
“Just Like Kids (Miau)” – Hinds
I will forever love Hinds. No matter what phase of their career they’re in, they will always be effortlessly cool, fun, and incredibly endearing. This track is no exception. Super pop-y and catchy and just makes me happy.
“A Red Light For The Greens” – The Deep Freeze Mice
I’ve gone down a bit of a wormhole with 80s new wave/post-punk bands and stumbled across this group. It’s dark and weird and perfect.
“Winner Takes It All” – ABBA
If you don’t think this song is good, I don’t know what’s wrong with you! I love the drama. I do miss listening to this intensely on the train, though, as if it was scoring my life.
“Everyone Says” – The Brian Jonestown Massacre
This is another one of those soundtrack my life kind of songs. Great for running through nature. Everything reminds me of something you said.
“See You At Home” – Lala Lala
I just really love Lala Lala and this song makes me ache.
“Be My Own” – Del Water Gap
To end this chaotic mix, this is one of my favorites articulations of comfortable intimacy in music. If I was quarantined with a significant other it better be like this or I’m out.