Monthly Mix - Gets Lyrically Narrative with a Writers Edition
Songs beyond love and into all kinds of stories.
Dear Friend,
My head has bounced around on this month’s mix like one of those super bouncy balls you get out of a 20p machine, in a reaaaaaally tiny room! There are so many things that I want to share with you and so many themes to explore. So many artists and so many songs and they just keep on coming too like a branching timeline that is out of control.
I want to stay on theme and share things that I for sure know you’ll like, but I also want to share the things that I like that are at times “supremely off-brand” but have been huge parts of my life (Underworld love affair, I’m talking about you here) and I think are utterly fabulous but don’t fit. Part of the purpose of a good mix tape though, is to share things that might not already be in someone’s world rather than carbon copy their existing taste. So, needless to say, some of the songs on the latter half of the mix might not be for you, and that’s OK. We’re friends because we challenge each other and introduce newness, not in spite of it. I’d love for you to share your recommendations with me in the comments.
I have listened to more music in the last two months than I did in the entirety of last year after the head injury. Taking on newness still hurts my brain, but it feels like something that on balance is worth it. Music has been part of my life for as far back as I can remember. As much as creativity is a part of my soul, listening to music holds the same nourishment. It’s strange to think it, let alone type it, but, and I say this without a hint of irony or exaggeration - Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift saved my life. That’s a whole separate conversation though.
All types of music (except maybe jungle, hard house and the like, they remain the companion of the 3am raver - we’ve dabbled, it didn’t stick) drift through our house. Pop currently reigns supreme but it isn’t the mindless bubblegum driven drivel it has at times been. There’s a current love affair between 3/4 of our household and Taylor Swift and now, utterly late to the party, I’ve just discovered Harry Styles. I keep finding myself shaking my head in disbelief, but also, pop done insanely well has always been a guilty pleasure (Kylie, especially at a live show, is a tough act to beat).
I used to think my taste quite “edgy and cool” (descriptors from my teenage years) and friends used to look forward to my mix tapes for their intros to new music. That’s still one of the biggest compliments I’ve received. Now - who knows how it would be defined? Not me. Let’s go with “eclectic”. But also, something along the lines of liking the wine and not the label would fit here too.
In the search for lyrically narrative (or should that be narratively lyrical?) pieces I found a LOT of songs devoted to all kinds of love. SO MANY. I wanted something a bit more than that for you though, for it to also have a laid back, leaves falling outside and listening in front of a crackling fire kind of feel too. What I ended up with is some of that, but also remembering songs that didn’t fit that soundscape at all but were too good to leave standing by the roadside watching the bus depart.
I ended up breaking all of my long standing, self imposed rules of how to make the perfect playlist with this one. A 10 minute song (maybe even two of those?). A total tonal shift. But all inspirational one way or another. I even included one without any lyrics at all because to me it sounds like a brilliant writing prompt in itself.
Notably absent are Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Heather Nova (amongst others, but those were teen favourites that helped shape my mind) purely because I wouldn’t know where to begin trying to choose a track. fear not, they’ll feature on a future mix for sure.
A final note - well, never mind actually. I’m building this up to be way bigger than it ought to, just play the thing. Questions and comments welcomed. I hope it inspires you and you find something new to like.
Until next time.
V.V
For those who love a list or don’t have Spotify -
As The Stars Fall - The Cinematic Orchestra
My Mind and Me - Selena Gomez
Liability - Lorde
skinny dipping - Sabrina Carpenter
cardigan - Taylor Swift
Matilda - Harry Styles
Tiger Striped Sky - Roo Panes
Old Pine - Ben Howard
Goodbye - Bleachers
Brand New Day - Kodaline
exile (feat. Bon Iver) - Taylor Swift, Bon Iver
A Running Start - Sufjan Stevens
Funeral - Phoebe Bridgers
All Too Well (10 Minute Version) - Taylor Swift
at least i look cool - Sasha Alex Sloan
Work - Iggy Azalea
On the Edge of a Cliff - The Streets
NDA - Billie Eilish
Quarter Life Crisis - Baby Queen
The Man - The Killers
Two Months Off - Underworld
The Monthly Mix is a love letter to the mix tapes of my youth. Carefully curated and crafted, just for you. You can find more playlist joy right here. To make sure you don’t miss the next one…
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This month’s mix. Love it? Hate it? Recommendations? I’m here for all of it, please do share your thoughts in the comments below.