SONG OF THE DAY

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #9

The shuffle gods blessed me today at the right moment in my fanfic so today's pick is Cloudbusting by Kate Bush. It was featured in the 1985 album Hounds of Love, and frequently in my mum's car growing up. The song was inspired by Peter Reich’s 1973 book A Book of Dreams, and the lyrics relate directly to scenes/quotes featured within. As a kid however I was simply struck by its dramatic tone and lyrics divining better things onto the horizon. This song is hypnotic as it rhythmically marches forward, swells, and whisks you along towards a grand climax. The song ends with the sensation that you're on the edge between annihilation and transformation. Due to its invigorating quality, and whimsically projecting during long drives, it has always encouraged strength or positivity in the face of adversity within me.

“Cause everytime it rains

You’re here in my head

Like the sun coming out

Ooh, I just know something good is gonna happen

I don't know when

But saying it could even make it happen”

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #10

Guess which dumbass stayed up all night watching the step up movies on youtube: This oneeeeeee.

Today's choice is the 2006 banger Get Up by American RnB artist Ciara featuring Chamillionaire. You cannot judge me for this one mysterious internet force. I am aware that the 2000s spawned a lot of objectively bad Hip Hop/RnB but this hip twister is not one of them and I will die on my hill. Featured in the 2006 film Step Up and in their album Ciara: The Evolution, this one will make your body move. This song is sexy and fun plus the lyrics flow over a funky and multi-faceted backing track. A lot of people from my generation try to distance themselves from this era or genre/s of music in an effort to come across as high-brow, and honest to god I cannot state enough: fuck that noise. Shake off the snobbery and just dance. I want to and will drop it like it's hot like any other reasonable individual when presented with the opportunity to do so.

“Ooh, I love the way you vibe with me

Dance with me forever

We can have a good time, follow me

To the beat, together”

Song of the Day

Day #22

Today’s pick is Simmer by Hayley Williams from her 2020 album Petals For Armour. Hayley Williams is known for her work as the leading lady for the generation-defining band Paramore, but her solo projects are also worth the hype, as she is an amazing vocalist and songwriter in her own right. The alternative track Simmer was her first solo release and is an excellent showcase of her talents. Churning percussion and moody strings pull the track along, however Williams’ vocals are the true star of this track. For example, the best moment of the song is during the second verse where it breaks into something softer between a charged chorus. Williams enunciates the lyrics “and if my child needed protection, from a fucker like that man, I'd sooner gut him” at 2:08 with such soft but brutal anger it's electrifying. The emphasis on the lyric fucker is such a spine-tingling moment in particular, as it's said with such conviction but surrounded by butter-soft vocals. The track's lyrics are personal, about female rage and gender norms, how we are encouraged to repress extreme emotions and project something softer, literally using “petals for armour”. The layering of breathwork and lyrics like “give in” or “control” adds to this point, where Williams is struggling to channel calm while being placed into the vice grip that is being a woman in the spotlight or music industry. It's an emotionally charged and vulnerable track that has you enraptured by the first line: “Rage is a quiet thing”.

“How to draw the line between wrath and mercy?

Gotta simmer, simmer, simmer, simmer, simmer down”

OH MY GOD HE’S BABY

he's streaming; tip?

hozier writing “the memory hurts, but does me no harm” has done more for my mental health than any meditation or therapy ive ever tried.

intrusive memory of the most embarrassed i’ve ever been? hurts but does no harm we keep moving

something triggering and suddenly i’m in a trauma memory spiral? hey kid, breathe. those things hurt but they can’t harm you anymore.

thanks hozier🖤

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #13/14

I want to think this isn't cheating but oh well… OH MY GOD WE’RE HAVING TWINS.

Today's pick is by alternative rock group Mud Flow and is a merge of the first two songs from their 2004 album A Life on Standby. The intro The Sense of Me flows beautifully into Chemicals on the album, so we've been blessed with an almost nine-minute version of the two in their Best Songs album from 2020. If you're an alternative rock girlie like me who weeps at American Football and Black Country New Road you will probably like Mud Flow as well. The Sense of Me opens feeling like raindrops rippling on a flooded pavement, and with the layers added before the transition into Chemicals, it begins to feel like a rainstorm. Chemicals then blooms into a moody track that's soft yet strong with muted vocals and complex guitar that feels yearning. Their music feels like driving through your hometown ten years later: nostalgic but laced with melancholy.

“Neon lights are buzzing ‘round my head, I feel the sense of me

The sublime afterglow of inner peace”

P.S. While researching for this one I could not figure out for the life of me why Mud Flow has so many listens on Spotify when I couldn't find anything about them online except that they are Belgian and popular in Europe. Turns out The Sense of Me was featured in the game Life is Strange, which explains the 15 mill listens on that track, more you know? 🤷