Monday Mixtape, Vol. 211

I can’t say I’ve fully digested Arcade Fire’s new album, but the first two tracks resonate. These first two tracks, which are the first two tracks on this week’s mixtape, are in two parts, flow like one track, sound like four acts. Their transitions (listen at 3:15 and 1:21 of “Age of Anxiety I” and “II,” respectively, and Win Butler’s topical lyrics, have always been reasons I’ve followed Arcade Fire for so many years.

His lyrics to start “Age of Anxiety I”:

It's the age of doubt
And I doubt we’ll figure it out
Is it you or is it me?
The age of anxiety
(Are you talking to me?)

Fight the fever with TV
In the age where nobody sleeps
And the pills do nothing for me
In the age of anxiety

Speaking of good lyricists, Julien Baker has made quite a name for herself on the indie scene for her songwriting. “Guthrie” is one of her most recent tracks, another sad beauty, the songs she may be best at. Here are the verses she starts and then ends the song on:

I only say
What I really mean
When I start talking
To you in my sleep
Oh, I can be honest
When I think it's a dream
I can make promises
Sober I'll never keep

Oh, I miss when I was certain
About every little thing
So scared of forgetting that I put it down in ink
Used to call upon the Spirit, now I think Heaven lets it ring
Wanted so bad to be good
But there's no such thing

Ethel Cain, at her worst, sounds like a wannabe Lana Del Rey, and at her best, sounds like she does on “American Teenager.”

Flipturn and Julia Jacklin grace this week’s mixtape along with Orville Peck.

Have a good week!

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.