My 5 Song Playlist
Well it's been quite awhile since I last posted. I have many excuses, but honestly I kind of lost interest. I'm not even sure if anyone really reads this thing. Regardless, here's my 5 Song Playlist. These are tracks that I feel lend well to the passing of Winter into Spring. Although, here in Arizona it's already starting to feel like Summer. These tracks can be found on the Spotify playlist at the bottom of the post & each song title is also a link to a corresponding YouTube video.
Without further ado...
I.
Loving, Loving (2016)
Hailing from British Colombia, Loving is the collaboration of Jesse Henderson, David Parry and Lucas Henderson. One can't help but think of greats like The Velvet Underground when listening to this track. With it's awkward ennui and existential lyrics, 'The Not Real Lake' leaves you uncertain of which emotions are conjured by its lo-fi sounds. Definitely a perfect song for musing about the passing of time or enjoying a spring afternoon with friends.
II.
Crumb, Crumb (2016)
Sweet and lackadaisical, 'Bones' by Crumb is simply put a really cute song that manages to amalgamate jazz, psych and indie rock perfectly. Off their self-titled album, the cadre known as Crumb weave together dreamy keys, jazzy guitar riffs and smooth bass lines that almost seems to melt like caramel in the summer sun. Shifting through time measures in a freeform manner that mirrors the daydream spoken about in the lyrics, this song encapsulates feelings of a love written on the back of an old Polaroid. It's basically your typical amorous pining done in an atypical way.
III.
Cuco, Songs4U (2017)
With its blending of Hip-Hop and 50's Pop-rock, 'We Had To End It' drifts off into the metaphorical sunset of life like so many lost loves and broken hearts. Hawthorn, California's Cuco styles himself as a mixture of 70's & 80's Psychedelic music, which I'd say isn't too far off the mark. I can easily imagine someone driving through the streets of LA after a break-up playing this jam and trying to move on. It's as if the pleasantry of the song itself is a sort of consolation for something that can never truly be replaced.
IV.
Cornelius, Fantasma (1997)
After it's 1997 release, Fantasma has gained a massive cult following worldwide. So much so, that it garnered a world tour preceding a twenty year rerelease. A show I was privileged enough to see here in Tucson, AZ. 'Star Fruit Surf Rider' is easily one of my favorite tracks off the album and the accompanying projection show during the live performance was equally amazing. The song's structure alternates between a mellow organ driven melody with soft lyrics to a faster Indie Pop chorus, embodying the fast-slow styling popular at the time in 90's music. Keigo Oyamada's use of genre mixing definitely shows through in this remarkable song.
V.
Shakti with John McLaughlin, Natural Elements (1977)
World Fusion Music often has a tendency of verging on the cheesy or encumbered. This is not the case of the band Shakti. Fusing John McLaughlin's guitars with L. Shankar's sorrowful violin, 'Peace of Mind' is a subtle yet moving instrumental and a perfect way to end this playlist of mixed genre and deep emotions. This track without words is something that should be felt with the heart and the soul. With that, I leave you to enjoy....
