Dear friends,
Welcome back to another playlist breakdown. If you’ve been used to the 50+ song playlists, then I am terribly sorry to disappoint with this one.
January, although short, has been anything but a slow music month. I think when these lists are shorter, all it means is the quality is greater. The replay value is insane and I’ve got lots to process, that can only be a good thing right?
Before we start, I just wanted to say I recently got into using Apple Music on my laptop. It’s highkey the best thing that’s happened to me. It takes me back to the days where I would play music in the background on my computer and go about my daily life. There’s something beautiful about being disconnected from my phone– I’m going through a weird phase where I just want to be as distant as possible from it. When I figure out the crux of the issue, I’ll let you know, but for the time being, I’m enjoying doing things differently.
Anyways, let us get into this 16-track playlist. You can find it hyper linked earlier in this post.
I’m starting you off with Hoji N’ka ta Rola.
This artist, Julinho Ksd, I believe he’s signed to Sony Music Portugal. He mixes Portuguese, Crioulo and English in a mesmerizing cocktail. I first caught this track on radio, and immediately fell in love with the melody. I’ve said this before but Portugal is the one place on this Earth where my Shazam app is literally out 24/7. It’s fascinating. It’s also nice to hear that Julinho is a regular dude from my ends. There is so much talent bustling in Lisbon, it’s unreal. I think the scene is uniquely positioned to blend African and Latin fusions, and pick up on the best parts of English and American sounds. You hear it in the production and the lyrical content. It’s phenomenal and I’ve loved it from day 1. I could go on about this for days so in the interest of time, let us move on!
We’re still riding the Latin wave with the next track.
Brazilian superstar, Luan Santana, teams up with the absolutely incredible Giulia Be to bring us Inesquecível. I’m thinking I need to do a video form of this post– the things I feel towards this song are beyond words on a page. Let’s discuss it: Inesquecível literally means unforgettable, and that is exactly what this track is. Again, I heard it on the radio, the same night as the previous song, same trip even, and fell in love.
It’s my favourite song in the world. I never really share my absolute favourite things... but up until recently, my favourite was a 2013 collaboration between some of Portugal’s finest. It dominated the airwaves for years and I’ll bet my left hand it still gets played at festivals. No love lost for it, but Inesquecível made me feel the same things, the same inexplicable fire.
The third track in this list is also courtesy of our new queen of pop.
menina solta brings an acoustic vibe to the territory. The best part of Giulia is how distinctive her vocal is. I’m here for distinctive vocals– it’s why I love Camila’s voice. We throw around the word unique these days, when truly few things are. Giulia is unique, Camila is unique, you can fight with your mothers to be honest.
Okay, I get it. Give me something I understand, Steph! I’ve got you, no worries. I went back to a song from Fletcher’s You Ruined New York City for Me EP.
We started out as strangers / now we’re strangers again / The things I love about you, I’m supposed to forget / And everytime I think about you it don’t make any sense / We started out as strangers now we’re / strangers again
Was that one clear enough? Good. Moving on.
You broke me first. Right, I need a disclaimer here. I clearly love my seasoned music, but oh my God, do I love a good alternative pop slash verging on electronic noise too. Do you guys remember The Chainsmokers in their prime? Jeremy Zucker? Chelsea Cutler? Lauv?
I cannot remember where I came across this track, but what a banger.
Suddenly you’re asking for it back / Could you tell me where’d you get the nerve / You could say you miss all that we had / But I don’t really care how bad it hurts / Cos you broke me first
And wait for it still:
Took a while I was in denial when I first heard / That you moved on quicker than I could have ever, you know that hurt / Swear for a while I would stare at my phone just to see your name / But now that’s it there I don’t really know what to say
Goodnight. Good. Actual. Night. Why are these songs so damn loud these days? How are we all living the same lives?! I have so much respect for artists. It’s so hard to put your deepest fears out there for everyone to hear. The catch is, that kind of vulnerability is what forges real connection, and yet it is so hard to do. So, the utmost respect to you for being so brave. Honestly, thank you. You give me language for the things I feel and, I think that’s what makes a true artist, a true poet.
Next up we have the One Direction fugitive.
Zayn right, I don’t know if I love him or hate him. I understand him, and I think that’s the problem. Zayn and I aren’t so different, something tells me we have similar demons... that’s probably why I don’t like him. I did check out the entire album and these three tracks are my standouts. There’s something endearing about each of them. At risk of being potentially controversial, these are the only tracks that feel real to me. Vibez is quite simply a vibe. Sweat captures that intimate moment with someone you adore perfectly. Tightrope is stripped back and honest. Don’t get me wrong, I love piano acoustics, but there’s a different rawness and vulnerability in string acoustics, which I adore.
Something told me it was you
And then I think I needed a substantial and large hit of serotonin. Enter Dua.
I was thinking, Future Nostalgia has to be Top 3 albums of 2020, right? She hit the nail on the head with the retro vibe. She's my psychedelic heaven, and I love her for it.
Giveon.
I remember reviewing Giveon’s album at some point last year, acknowledging that it was special, but not getting into it. Well, that went out the window with this track because Stuck on You is a staple in this playlist.
I can’t say I love you no more / Cos my friends gon’ judge me for sure / It took some time but I realized / You do me wrong but it feels right
Maybe I’m the problem and the one that’s causing all of this / I can't say I love you no more
Giveon... hang in there, brother. Hang in there. All I can say is be the goddamn hurricane you are. We spend so much time denying our natures and all it does is eat us up. Sometimes just own that you are a weapon of mass destruction and that’s fine. Nonsense happens.
I want you to lie / lie / right to my face / I want you to / put / your / hands on my waist / Can we just / dance / til / the skies are white / Cos I really can’t get my heart, broken tonight
Ooh, Sasha. Come through with the understated, deceiving hit! Lie is that song that creeps into your system. It’s so good. And again the honesty? You artists are brave. It scares me– what kind of superhuman trait? Teach me please.
This next song was also love at first listen.
Melodic rap just so you know the vibe– I listen to everything. The first four bars had me. See, I struggle with the concept Blxst proposes. Is love overrated? I definitely want loyalty but I don’t know how I feel about saying love is overrated. It’s harder to find love than it is loyalty, and we all know loyalty is hard to find. Maybe it’s because love follows loyalty, not the other way around, but the way we operate in society, we mistake love and then end up not really knowing what love is. Anyways, Overrated is too short. I always have to wheel it back at least thrice, but I like that– give me something I want more of as opposed to something I don’t want enough of.
I’m gonna give you guys a minute to wheel that one back yourselves.
Don’t need love, You ain’t even gotta say it / What’s understood don’t need to be complicated / You know we good, no reason to be explainin’ / Just give me loyalty ‘cause love is overrated yeah yeah yeah
Whew.
Moving on.
Back to my beloved popstar Queen :)
[insert love struck smiley goofy face and glitter sprinkles everywhere please]
eu me amo mais. Only now am I realising this playlist is heavy on guitars. In this song, we are again blessed with Giulia’s lovely lower register and rasps that genuinely ascend my soul. I screamed when she swore.
O foda é que eu te amo, mas eu me amo mais, eu me amo mais
She's saying she loves herself MORE!
I’ll leave the rest of that one for you to translate if you so wish. It’s worth it. Damn, I really take for granted being fluent in such a sick language.
The final work of Art I have to share with you guys, is Codes by Ellie Goulding.
How I never laser focused on this track, I will never know. Codes isn’t new, it’s an offering on Ellie’s third studio album, Delirium, so how I missed this the first-time round will always be absolute nonsense to me.
Stop talking in codes / stop, talking in codes, let me know what’s up, can’t do it no more / I need a love to celebrate, stop talking in codes / Stop, talking in codes / let me know what’s up, can’t do it no more / so baby, take it all the way, stop talking in codes
Stop. Talking. In. Godforsaken CODES.
Please. It is excruciatingly mind boggling and I just want peace. Please.
– playlist ends –
Oh, and now we loop back to Julinho to do it all over again. Do you see why this playlist is perfect as it is?
A short note from me:
This playlist has been a beautiful friend to me over the last few weeks. I freaking love music, even if my strengths lie in the video side of things, it’s undeniable– I love music. I cannot wait to work with artists and produce their documentaries, tours, behind the scenes content... all of it, and just capture all the beautiful moments that inspired me growing up.
I want to extend a massive thank you to every songwriter and magical being who introduced me to this world. You made a kid dream bigger than I ever thought possible, and yes it’s freaking scary to do but… it’s a dream. Learning to navigate highs and lows is a trade I’m willing to take if it means I get to do this day in day out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And the biggest thank you to everyone who has read a blog piece, shared it, listened to me spout my nonsense in my YouTube vids, or every tweet I’ve tweeted and deleted LOL (guilty as charged!). I love you. Thank you for keeping me here. It all means more than you could possibly imagine.
Camila... God. I come back to you more times than I ever thought possible. You’re a gem little one. And I know that’s scary too so don’t think about it too hard kid. No pressure, just be you– you're that powerful. You. are. a. hurricane. A huge one. And I love hurricanes.
I’m tapping out now because we all know my gratitude could easily sprawl across another two pages. Just know, I love you guys. So, so much.
Thank you and, keep listening :)
-S.
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