Monday Mixtape, Vol. 185

You’re getting transported on this week’s mixtape: Biking along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, whatever your friend gave you an hour earlier starts to kick in when the trippy track by the appropriately named Holydrug Couple rings through your eardrums, creating colors and sounds over the ocean like rainbows raining…Now as your mind and self are adequately disoriented, Wolf Alice wakes you, rocks your core as you stumble off your bike unbalanced, falling...Oidar’s track may sound a bit more clear and down the straight and narrow, but you gain consciousness in a maze of mirrors. The only way out is up, and the vocals lift you to the clouds…you’re weightless, sitting on pillows whiter than snow, as the sounds of an acoustic guitar envelop you, and an angel with a voice like Billie Eilish serenades you as you drift off to sleep…and dream something akin to a masterfully choreographed iPhone commercial with Madlib’s jazzy choral track as the conductor… your outfit changes to a faded light jean jacket and same-colored jeans, an 80s vibe and neon lights as Ryan Adams’ big head rises like the moon and sings to you...You’re back home, laying in bed. It’s bedtime. In another language, one last song speaks to you, and no translation is needed as you drift to sleep.

The magic of music compels our days.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 178

Welcome to this week’s mixtape! I shouldn’t even be using an exclamation point because this mixtape is so chill and subdued.

Ichiko Aoba reminds me of Seu Jorge (who got famous by performing David Bowie tracks with his beautiful voice and classical guitar for Wes Anderson’s movie, The Life Aqautic). Her voice is so delicate, pure, and relaxing. The fact that she’s singing in another language makes it that much better to get lost in. The same can be said for the following track by the incomparable, Jose Gonzalez.

Hayley Williams of Paramore released a solo album a few weeks ago on the heels of her great 2020 solo album. This album, Flowers for Vases / descansos, sounds like a nod to Taylor Swift’s stripped-down phenomenal album, folklore. I love the album because Williams has a beautiful voice, and she’s a hell of songwriter. Mainly just her and her guitar, the album has so much room to breathe and relax in, and it sounds like Williams is in a place comfortable enough to air out all her troubles.

I accidentally came upon Juniper because I was looking for Junip, Jose Gonzalez’s band of yore, who have a instrumental featured on this mixtape. Fortunately, Juniper sound great and remind me a ton of a favorite newer band of mine and frequent contributor to this blog, Hippo Campus.

Ending the mixtape with my favorite type of instrumental, one layered in sustain from a piano. Keep calm and carry on.