Playlist Highlights: otoño 2024

This autumn I’ve found myself in a deeply introspective place. After a joyous summer in Chicago with my family, I found my return to my sweet home in Barcelona to be rather bittersweet, leaving me wondering if it was time to close my chapter as an expat and return home.

This playlist reflects this pensive state with more chill and slow songs than what you’ll typically find in my seasonal playlists.

The journey begins with The Feeling I Get From You by Jamie XX. It’s a softer dance track with a somber undertone carried by its piano melody. As the piano slowly crescendos throughout the song, I sense an invitation to feel all of my emotions, whatever they may be in that moment. To me, this piano represents an opportunity to connect within.

As I found myself questioning my relationship with Barcelona, I found myself on a deep Catalan music kick. This Catalan binge was largely thanks to my discovery of Selva Nua, an indie pop band from Barcelona. Two of their songs absolutely captivated me: No m’és is a smooth Catalan indie pop track with a strong bassline and sultry vocals, and Momentània is an emotive piece that causes me to gush with love and appreciation for the past 6 years I’ve spent living in Barcelona.

The Great Escape by Volen Sentir is an absolutely stunning progressive house that lends itself well to an auditory escape. I frequently found myself closing my eyes to this song and allowing my imagination to whisk me off to a Caribbean beach with the synthy string.

But it wasn’t all emotive slow tracks for me this season - after all, a girl’s gotta dance. Two classic disco tracks ended up on my playlist thanks to Kirollus always sharing the IDs of his vinyl sets. The Real Thing by The Brother Johnson and Funtime by Peaches & Herb were exactly what the doctor ordered when I needed a little boogie in my room. Both songs allowed me to create a private little ‘70s disco vibe in the comfort of my home.

Euro Trash by North 90 was a track I managed to dust up from a Palms Trax set at Apolo in the spring. Forever a sucker for a piano riff, this song was made to offer a second wind up to the dance floor in the wee hours of the morning when it seems like people are losing steam.

This season of deliberation was challenging but thanks to the emotional support of the tracks in this playlist, I was able to come to the conclusion that I am ready to return to the US to spend a chapter closer to my family. Now to see which winter tracks will help me embrace this decision!

Playlist Highlights: verano 2024

It’s hard to believe that summer has come to an end. While it’s still hot during the day, the nights are noticeably chillier and the days are noticeably shorter. I always have a hard time saying goodbye to summer but the sweetness of fall always softens the blow.

I kicked off the summer in Barcelona with Folamour at Sonar, and a week later, he released the track I had been waiting on for months, Pressure Makes Diamonds. I had been anticipating this release for quite some time, repeatedly playing that portion of his Sugar Mountain Boiler Room set. The crescendo may be one of the greatest moments I’ve experienced live. Whenever I introduce Folamour to someone who does not know him, I describe him as joy in musical form. The crescendo in this song is the perfect representation of that emotion.

I stumbled upon Friday Lake by Catching Flies just in time to go to my lake house for the 4th of July. It was the perfect song to soundtrack some of my little yoga sesh with the trees surrounded by trees with the lake breeze in the background.

I spent the majority of my summer in Chicago. Having left when I was 18, I had never really been home for longer than a month at a time since then. The city proved far more vibrant than I had anticipated, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed my lil Chicago life.

Searching for God by Taches absolutely captivated me (I recommend the extended mix because, trust me, you’ll want that extra 90 seconds of musical goodness). I found myself in a hardcore binge for nearly 72 hours… and I still didn’t manage to burn the song. The bongocitos are absolutely delicious if you focus your attention on them.

I had to throw a few Barry Can’t Swim tracks into my verano 2024 playlist to honor the incredibly magical and intimate experience I shared with him and a dance floor in Chicago. My brother and I caught his explosive set at Arc and then followed him to Podlasie in Avondale and I discovered my new favorite venue in the city. The lounge area in the front coupled with the sweat box towards the back makes for a truly perfect experience. They capped the show at 100 people so it wasn’t too crowded and people came to daaaaaance. His sets were diverse and included lots of the piano Barry Can’t Swim is known for but my favorite was an unexpected little latino gem, Ella Fue (She Was The One) by Fania All Stars.

It’s hard to choose just one favorite to highlight in this playlist but Rah That’s a Mad Question is a great example of his exquisite use of piano in house tracks. And while I’m on the subject of pianos, it’s worth highlighting Blackpool Boulevard by Anish Kumar and Barry Can’t Swim that makes me feel everything with its emotive piano riff.

The final favorite artist to wrap up my delectable Chicago summer is Headache. The lyrics in That Thing with the Rabbit are hard to follow but there are a few nuggets of wisdom that manage to land within the chaos.

Playlist Highlights: primavera 2024

With the summer solstice behind us, it’s time to highlight the absolute BANGERS that I stumbled upon this spring. What started as chance encounters on playlists and dance floors quickly became the essential soundtrack to my springtime adventures in the city.

The new single by Khruangbin was a clear favorite as the spring temperatures approached in Barcelona and I found myself bingeing Pon Pón for days on straight. The smooth guitar and sexy bass paired with the sultry Spanish lyrical whispers made for the most relaxing moments sunbathing on my terrace as I embraced the first signs of Barcelona spring.

Parra for Cuva’s new album, Mimose, was another musical highlight from the spring. I found myself in Costa Rica the day of its release and immediately left my group of friends to go on a solo walk along the beach to listen to the album from start to finish. This album certainly maintains the uniquely Parra for Cuva sound that I know and love while also managing to add new elements to keep it from feeling old and tired. I struggle to choose just one favorite from this album but enjoy the musical differences between songs like Vogel and Dancing On My Own.

Lonely Raver from Viken Arman was a particularly special highlight for me from the spring. I found it tucked in my Discover Weekly on a Wednesday and was immediately hooked by the intricacy of the different sounds. He weaves together such contrasting sonic textures to create a gripping tune. The arpeggio at the beginning paired with the title creates a ever so subtly melancholic tone… that is until the piano kicks in at 1:40 creating the sonic whimsy of an early Disney film. Upon discovery, I devoured every sound with my ears and reveled in each moment of the blissfully long 7 minute track. I couldn’t get enough.

Two days after this discovery, I found myself at Sala Apolo to see Acid Pauli and could not believe my ears as I heard him weave my latest binge into his set. It was one of those rare nightclub moments that made me believe in the concept of divine timing.

ANOTR is another favorite artist from primavera 2024. Oddly enough I first stumbled upon Relax My Eyes in spring of 2023 but I didn’t start my binge until I rediscovered it this spring. Canvas is another gem that conjures up images of spring awakening with its slow start and birds chirping. When the funky guitar kicks in at 1:30 it feels as though I image a tree feels when it releases its first spring bud.

Circle of Light by Because of Art and Antony Smizerk is a beautiful story of dance floor serendipity tucked inside of a euphoric breaks track. The spoken word combined with the music transports you to the moment he speaks of.

Kamma & Masalo’s Extended mix of Discotheque’s For Your Love is a refreshed version of an absolute 80s banger complete with horns, violins, soulful love lyrics, and the funkiest guitar solo that will get even the biggest wall flower bouncing.

While all of these songs were my anthems of spring 2024, the song that most represented the season to me was In Your Corner by Pale Jay. I discovered this track as the trees were blooming and spring was in its bloomiest moment. I vividly remember listening to this song as I cycled throughout the city and would belt “but I also carry snacks” every time the song repeated.

I’m particularly excited about the tracks that live in this playlist and have excessively binged most of the songs in here. If you want to go for a little journey with some of the songs that I couldn’t get enough of, dive in!

Playlist Highlights: invierno 2023/2024

More to come on the tunes from winter 2023/2024!

Playlist Highlights: otoño 2023

Fall 2023 was full of tunes. I’ll share more about them soon.

Playlist Highlights: verano 2023

My summer playlists are always a bit more upbeat and joyful than the rest and verano 2023 was no exception. This playlist starts off on a particularly high note with the Fred Falke remix of “Passion” by Roosevelt and Nile Rodgers. It’s a funky disco vibe that’ll have you swinging your shoulders or rocking your waist in the first 10 seconds. I’ve now listened to this song countless times, but every time the horns greet me for the first time at minute 3:18, I enter a trancelike state and can’t hear anything other than the song. I lose all focus on whatever else is happening until the song wraps.

“adore u” by Fred Again.. and Obongjayar was a track that I burned long before it was available on Spotify thanks to a recording from Glastonbury. This song, dedicated to Fred’s little sister, is a beautiful representation of the love between siblings and always leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy as I think about how much I love my little brother.

Another musical highlight from my summer was seeing DRAMA live in our shared hometown of Chicago at Thalia Hall. It was a wonderful display of the power and beauty of my city with the crowd showing up to sing and dance like fans. I’m always proud to share that I’m from Chicago when I see my city show up with good vibes and enthusiasm. I immediately felt at home when I heard the opener (another Chicago local DJ Iggy) toss a little Bad Bunny into his set. I was grooving from the minute I walked into Thalia Hall. The DRAMA edit of “Feel the Same” is just one of two DRAMA songs that made it into my verano playlist but I spent the entire week of the show bingeing all things DRAMA.

My guiltiest pleasure from this summer was “Forever and a Day” by LP Giobbi and Caroline Byrne. I have been spotted by friends biking through the city while shamelessly singing this song out loud. It’s a particular favorite because it’s perfectly within my vocal range and also happens to contain a piano riff, bass line, and perfectly delightful sonidito from an electric violin.

It may be due to recency bias, but I must give a special shout to the closer of verano 2023, “Deadbeat Gospel” by Barry Can’t Swim and deadbeat. It has a nice and slow start but once it picks up speed, it’s an instant bop. The vocals combined with the piano give it a very Fred Again.. vibe but the handpan is a nice exotic little sound.

There are plenty of favorites in this seasonal playlist but the real anthem of summer 2023 was “Nothing On Me” by Maz (BR). I had the pleasure of hearing this song live four times this summer. The first time I heard it was the Keinemusik set at the Diynamic Offsonar event before the track had been released. I immediately went to follow Maz (BR) to catch the song as soon as it became publicly available. I’d then proceed to freak out every time I heard the song played by Blond:ish, Agatha Pher, and at Hi in Ibiza. It was mildly comforting to see that I was not the only one to lose their shit with this song. The drop is epic and it demands a celebration.

Playlist Highlights: primavera 2023

Now it is not lost on me that we are deep into summer 2023 and that I ought to be sharing my verano 2023 playlist (which happens to be shaping up quite nicely) but there are far too many beloved gems in my primavera 2023 playlist for me to not write about it. So here we are on August 1 and I’m sharing with you my musical highlights from this spring.

Early in April, Spotify’s algorithm led me to a new favorite group, LATIN MAFIA y me dejo sin palabras. “Sal Rosa” with its flawless beat and subtle oscuridad quickly became a favorite. They also had a few other binge-worthy tracks that made their way into my playlist (all worth a listen IMHO).

“Woman in the Water” by Vanglowe is a little pop disco track that came across my radar thanks to a well placed instagram ad. The layers of ~ soniditos ~ in this one are absolutely spellbinding. The drums that roll in again at 2:33 after a short break make me want to cry. Pure magic.

Last winter introduced to me to the group Overmono and this spring I stumbled upon their track “Good Lies” at an after thanks to a cute fella with excellent taste in music. I don’t know what draws me to this track but it has an unexplainable type of magnetism and I can’t get enough.

In addition to new discoveries, some old favorite artists released new music this spring. A long time favorite artist of mine, Bayonne (Roger Sellers), released his new album Temporary Time with his signature loops that blend together seamlessly to create a mesmerizing and emotive musical journey. This album, influenced by Seller’s experience preparing and dealing with his father’s cancer diagnosis, is noticeably deeper than his previous albums. It’s worth a listen with some high quality headphones and some low lights to really set the mood.

The real triumph of this season was Folamour’s new album, Manifesto. After seeing him at Sala Apolo in March, I impatiently waited for the release of this album to get my hands on “Poundland Anthem” in particular. This album, like most of what Folamour creates, is a joyful masterpiece from start to finish.

I could keep writing about favorites but I’ll leave you with these and “Laissez Faire” by paris91 which actually sounds like “laissez faire” in musical form.

Playlist Highlights: invierno 2022/2023

My “invierno 2022/2023” playlist of current obsessions has a LOT of beloved favorites. Although I probably say that about each of my seasonal playlists (to end up on one of those playlists, I need to binge listen to a song for at least an hour at some point during the season). These playlists always vary widely, with some tracks that will make you bust a move wherever you find yourself and others that are perfect for curling up with a nice hot beverage. 

I figured it might be fun to share some of my favorite songs from the season along with the story of how I discovered them.

My first music source is near and dear to my heart. I’m fortunate to work for a company with some of the most impressive, unique, and lovely people who also happen to have excellent taste in music. This first group of songs come from a lovely little work community: a slack channel named #choonshare. 

Very Few Friends by Saint Levant was my first obsession to come from this channel. The music combined with the trilingual lyrics make for the most salacious little musical journey that feels nearly inappropriate for the workplace. Dios mío. The other two #choonshare songs are more workplace friendly and from the same coworker with clearly exquisite taste. The Motion by Tre Breezy is a fun hip hop song with the most relaxing beat. It’s hard not to bop your head as you work to this one. how deep? by Tai Verdes is a cute little love song with a similar chill vibe. Perfect for any mood.  

These next two songs come from a cute new music dealer with impeccable taste that luck would have me meet while snowboarding in the mountains. The Icarus Remix of Do It by Rae Morris is an absolutely mesmerizing pump up song. Something about the beat, the warble of the instruments in the background, and the lyrics “let’s do something that we might regret” is hypnotic. I binged this song for a solid two days and still haven’t managed to burn it! On the opposite side of the spectrum is PALAZZO by SPINALL and Asake, a highly emotive afrobeats song thanks to the unique addition of a violin.

My next music source is the ultimate guilty pleasure… Emily in Paris. I can’t help but identify with the story of a young American professional woman living and working in Europe and DAMN does Netflix do an incredible job with their soundtracks. Le Tuto is an airy French bop that can be found in the third season. I have no clue what they’re saying but I can’t help but attempt my best to sing along. I’ve managed to nail one phrase: “oh, laisse-toi porter par la vibe” (oh, let the vibe carry you). 

My final winter music source is a little restaurant in Gracia, Mendrugo Bar. I met up with a friend for dinner and drinks and managed to spend the whole night standing because I couldn’t stop dancing. At one point this little disco track came on and I desperately pulled out Shazam to identify the song with no luck. A minute later the waitress came out with the name of the song and the artist on a piece of paper. A true musical hero! The Vibe by J Paul Getto is described perfectly by its name. Put it on and enjoy the vibe!

Playlist Highlights: housey house

In honor of the 4th D.R.O.P. birthday celebration this week, I’m sharing my housey house playlist which has been lovingly filled with some of my favorite house tracks to help me get in the right space for this magical party. 

I discovered the D.R.O.P. 4 years ago thanks to a dear friend with excellent taste in music. After my first D.R.O.P., I was hooked. It’s hard to explain but they have truly created something uniquely magical in their spaces. According to their website, they “believe the key to creating unforgettable dance floor experiences is a sense of community, freedom and respect amongst partygoers” and they’ve successfully built a community that is aligned with this vision and the result is pure magic. The people that come to the D.R.O.P. are a special breed who understand that in life and on the dance floor we are all equal. 

I could easily write about each song in this playlist (house music is life) but I’ll spare you the novel and highlight my favorites.  

The first song on this playlist to recognize the magic that is created in the sacred halls of the D.R.O.P. is Something About This by D.R.O.P family member, Tete de la Course. It’s a little disco house trip with a nice piano riff opening the song and a sexy sax explosion that comes in at 4:10 but it’s the lyrics at the beginning that do an excellent job capturing the sentiment and magic of house music. 

Let me tell you something about house music 
It’s not just a groove
House is a feeling
And when you feel it
You will understand
That house music is freedom
Freedom to be who you want to be
It doesn’t matter who you are
It doesn’t matter where you come from
For in my house we are all free

Another Tete de la Course song with highlighting is True Devotion. I’m a sucker for a good piano riff and the piano solo that begins at 1:03 is a triumph that makes my body explode into movement. 

I’ll never forget discovering Do you feel Like I do by Another Chemical Love Story at the D.R.O.P. I desperately whipped out my shazam to find the name of the track with no luck. When I stumbled upon the song months later on Spotify, I could barely contain my delight and stuck it on repeat for two straight days. 

Ask Me by Duck Sauce, A-Trak, and Amrand Van Helden is a soulful house tune that’s guaranteed to get your body moving but the vocals give it a nice sultry spin.

Finally, one of my favorite recent discoveries is Fiesta Magica by Tensnake. The cowbell makes it FUN but once again it’s the lyrics that drive the song home for me. 

Cierra tus ojos 
Abre tu mente
Somo uno con la música
Y con el espacio

Playlist Highlights: otoño 2022

It’s been quite a while since I’ve taken pen to paper about my musical obsessions but I’ve been leaning into joy these past few weeks and feel compelled to write about my favorite tracks again. 

I’ve spent the past 4 years lovingly crafting various playlists on Spotify so rather than just share my favorite individual tracks, I’ve decided to also write about my playlists, their vibes, and some highlighted tunes within them. 

To kick off the series, I’d like to share with you all my “otoño 2022” playlist. 

I started creating seasonal playlists when I was stilling using iTunes. The songs I put in these playlists are either recent discoveries I stick on loop or treasured favorites that are particularly resonant at the moment. They tend to serve as a fun way to bring me back to a previous chapter of my life. 

This playlist is bound to be one that will always bring a smile to my face in the future. I started building it in early September not realizing that it would become the soundtrack to my first proper solo vacation through the mountains of northern Italy. 

As with all of my seasonal playlists, it’s quite varied and meant to be enjoyed on shuffle as it moves from one random genre to the next. Some highlighted genres include: 

Afropop: As the air started to turn crisp for a brief day or two in early September, I noticed myself in a constant afropop mood inspired by my recent musical discovery, TRESOR, a Congolese musician and producer. After discovering the enchanting harmonies in his track, Sondela, I immediately went to devour the spotify radio based on the song and came across other sexy afrobeats tracks like Jomijo by Lamii and Sway by T.D.B Elere. 

Indie Rock: During Barcelona’s one week of fall temperatures, I moved to a more chill indie rock phase, inspired primarily by Blue Coloured Mountain by Szymon and landed at Santa Cruz Tomorrow by the French Casettes.

House: The housey tunes that made it into the playlist are thanks to all of the at home dancing that I was doing while psyching myself up for another DROP party. The favorite  of all being the Stripped and Salty Vocal Edit of “Misunderstood” by Miguel Migs and Coco Bonne (gosh and You Must be the Girl by Risk Assessment is the disco fave). 

The two artists that get special mentions in otoño 2022 are:

Two Another: I swear to god, their show with Flight Facilities in Chicago was one of the best I’ve been to in years. Feeling Free has been a particular jam as I move into this next phase of my life where I actually pay attention and listen to what my heart’s asking for. 

KASSEO: KASSEO is a real ethereal vibe that has been the best company for those moments of introspection that become much more regular as the seasons shift. 

The final two songs that require a special highlight in this playlist are:

Maybe by Kettenkarussell has long been a favorite of mine but only made its way to Spotify in the past few weeks and I’m so happy to be able to listen to it within a Spotify playlist.

Paradis Bleu - Dim Sum Remix by Revers Gagnant & Matild - If I had to choose my single favorite track of this playlist, without hesitation it would be this track. I listened to this song on repeat for about a week straight when I first heard it. I just couldn’t get enough. I kept listening and paying attention to every little detail and each sound. Every single noise was placed into the song with immaculate care and it just makes the entire track an absolute triumph when you zoom out and listen to the complete tapestry.

That’s just a little taste of what you can expect to hear if you give it a whirl!

"Renew" - Attom

After a particularly challenging winter, spring has arrived with its many signs of hope. My latest musical discovery, Attom, is perfectly timed for our second spring of this pandemic with a gentle reminder to remain hopeful. While things are still challenging with no clear end to the pandemic in sight, Attom’s tunes, much like the natural signs of spring itself, are a gentle reminder to stay optimistic and find beauty in the moment.

Attom is a rather elusive figure on the internet, whose real name I have yet to uncover. However, this mystery coupled with his simplicity make him all the more alluring. His Spotify bio says all we need to know really:

music really helps me deal with the low times and makes the good times even better, and i’m just trying my best to put music out there that can do the same for you

Well, thanks Attom, your creative effort and musical talents are appreciated.

His latest release, “Renew,” has a remarkably optimistic tone to it. For many reasons, I find it to be the perfect musical representation of the beginning of spring. The slow guitar at the start with the subtle bells and deep bass remind me of a cold early spring morning. Then the guitar kicks in with the warped vocals and the “let’s go” and I feel ready to take on anything.

Much like winter, this pandemic will not last forever. While we wait to turn the corner, I suggest taking some time to reflect on what you’ve learned during this challenging time.

Listen to Renew on Spotify. Attom · Song · 2021.

"In the Air" - L.A.B.

It seems fitting that my latest musical addiction was introduced to me by a cute boy with excellent taste in music.

“In the Air” is a funky love song by New Zealand reggae band, L.A.B. With a seductive bass line and sultry vocals, it’s the perfect song to kick off a blissful night in the bedroom. The added bonus of the call and repeat of the male and female voices make it extra fun to sing along. Luckily I found a fella who knows how to respond when I call out “you can take me home tonight.” 

Go ahead and add it to your sexy playlist or go ahead and check it out on mine here.  

Listen to In the Air on Spotify. L.A.B. · Song · 2019.

Lane 8 - Sunrise Set - Grand Lake, CO

My last live show before the world came to a screeching halt was Lane 8 with Le Youth at the Mission Ballroom in Denver but there aren’t any photos or videos because “it never happened.” It was a truly magical evening with an audience that was just there for the music. The deeper house tracks took on a more ominous note with an added hint of danger as the knowledge of a killer virus hung heavy on our shoulders. Regardless, we showed up to let go, and damn, did these artists help provide a sense of real release. Little did I know that it would be last evening sweating on strangers for the foreseeable future.

Life looks pretty different these day especially with out concerts and live shows. Rather than frolicking from different festivals to concert series like last summer, I now find myself dancing alone to a YouTube set on the big screen while I fold my laundry.

Luckily, Lane 8 created a true piece of art to bring the adventure to our homes. There are plenty of visual treats that make this set an absolute joy to watch on the big screen. The gentle ripples of a dude dancing alone in a pontoon, the reflection of the clouds as cotton candy in the lake, the “This Never Happened” logo tucked away in the trees, and, obviously, the undeniable beauty of the Colorado outdoors are just a few of the visual gems. A specific highlight is 32.45 when he takes a brief break from dancing to take in the beauty of where he is.

Yes, the video is a piece of art, but the set is another level of musical perfection. The remarkably emotive set is replete with flawless transitions and true gems from the This Never Happened label like the newly released “Demons” from Jerro and Sophia Bel. In true Lane 8 fashion, this is a set that was designed to help us get lost in the music and let go. If you need any support moving, take a note at Daniel and just mimic some of his slick pontoon moves.

"Maggot Brain (Maribou State Edit)" - Funkadelic

This quarantine has given me a good opportunity to organize my music and dive back into some old favorites and I thought I’d finally get around to sharing this gem.

I was hesitant to choose the Maribou State edit, as the original song is an absolute work of genius on its own. That said, I find the Maribou State interpretation to be more accessible.

The original Funkadelic song, released in 1971, is an epic 10 minute album opener with an oozy and mind-bending guitar solo that speaks to the soul. Legend has it that during the recording session George Clinton, while on LSD, told Eddie Hazel to imagine that he had been told his mother had died but then discovered it wasn’t true. The result was this emotional guitar solo. The song was originally planned to have other musicians supporting it but Clinton, recognized the power in that solo and wisely faded them out to focus on the guitar solo.

I like to think about the emotions that Maribou State created on the dance floor by adding some drums to this classic. Beyond speeding up the original and laying a steady drum beat, they pay a nice homage to the original creator by adding in vocals from a George Clinton interview describing the creation of P-Funk. This is a song made to get an audience to think about something more powerful. I can’t help but feel a little envious of everyone who heard it on the dance floor after a night of giving it your all.

As we're getting closer to finishing our 2nd album, we thought we would feed out the edits that have fuelled our DJ sets over the past couple of years. We've made quite a few and there's been requests for us to put them up online - so here's one of the most recent ones... More to follow! MS x

"Mar (Lo Que Siento) - Jamie Prado Remix" - Bomba Estéreo

There is no denying that life in quarantine is challenging. Relatively speaking, I have very little to complain about but there’s no denying that we’re social creatures and it’s hard to be apart from each other for what seems like an indefinite period of time (check out Hidden Brain’s last episode on loneliness). Every so often, I’m overtaken by this tremendous sense of grief and find it takes a few days to shake it off. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, after seeing a few friends share this tweet from @ItsDanSheehan: “The quarantine state of mind is having 3 solid days where you feel pretty well adjusted, followed by a sudden, unexpected dip into what we call “the hell zone.”

Luckily, I’ve unintentionally found a song to help lift me out of the hell zone. A few months ago while recovering from hand surgery (and before the Coronavirus had picked up steam in Europe or the US), I found myself in a wretched mood after a rough physical therapy session.

As I sat down to work, I saw a friend listening to Bomba Estéreo thanks to Spotify’s social listening function. I took a deep dive into the group’s collection and stumbled upon this remix. I instantly fell in love with the track thanks to its happy beat and tropical influence.

The simple guitar paired with the xylophone touch (and why I prefer the Jamie Prado remix to the original) really set the happy tone but it’s the lyrics and the power of a good mantra that enable me to feel joy as soon as I play this song.

Vamos a vivir en una casita frente al mar
Cuando sea de noche miraremos las estrellas
Vamos a intentar hacer nuestros sueños realidad y vivir
Y ser feliz

Call me crazy, but I firmly believe that the repetition of the phrase “y ser feliz” actually led me to ser feliz for the entire day. If you’re looking to turn your day around, try throwing on this song and sing the chorus at the top of your lungs until you start feeling the joy. If it worked for me, it might work for you! =)

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"Heartbreaker" - Crazy P

I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from sharing music as I recover from hand surgery but a global pandemic where most of my loved ones find themselves stuck at home indefinitely seems like the perfect time to share music, so I figured I’d get back to writing about my favorite songs. To get back into my music sharing groove, I figured I’d start with my favorite song of the last year, Heartbreaker, by Crazy P.

This song was released in 2011 but I only discovered it last year while driving around Denver with my ex as we flirted with the idea of getting back together. As we drove around the city and reminisced about all of the good in our relationship, he put on one of his classic playlists that initially made me fall for him. I was instantly reminded of his impeccable taste in music as I whipped out Shazam to save “My God Has a Telephone” by The Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY and “Wildfire” by Meeka Kates but “Heartbreaker” was the track that stole the day.

After a seemingly interminable introduction, the track picks up steam with a classic drum beat and a stable bass line. The lyrics are sad and simple (You're no good, heartbreaker) but I hear depth in the music rather than a sense of melancholy.

I never discussed the song with my ex but I’ll always wonder if he included this song in that playlist intentionally and always be grateful it ended up in there however it did.

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"Clarity" - Model Man

Model Man, the electronic duo comprised of brothers Mark and Rob Brandon, has been creeping into nearly all of my Spotify curated playlists this year, reminding me that Spotify knows me better than most of my friends.

The first track of theirs to cross my radar was “Ketones”. As a diabetic, ketones are something I typically try to avoid but I gladly seek them out in the form of this ethereal downtempo track.

“Running” was the second track of theirs to captivate my ears for a few hours. The piano riff and chopped vocal loops create another chill downtempo masterpiece. The Meghdeep Bose Mix with the addition of the Sitar, chanting, and other Indian elements truly take the track to another level.

Their latest release, “Clarity,” is what compelled me to sit down in front of the keyboard. This song is essentially an ode to the piano. Comprised of delicious layers of piano riffs and smooth vocals repeating "soon it will be a brighter day" really do lend to a sense of optimism and clarity. If there’s anything I’ve learned this year, it’s that there are always brighter days ahead.

These guys are fresh to the scene, having only released their debut EP earlier this year but it's clear they about to make some serious waves both independently and through their collaborations. The Theo Kottis sunrise mix of “Clarity” takes the original emphasis on the piano and places it on a perfect drum loop.

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Model Man, el duo electrónico de hermanos Mark y Rob Brandon ha llegado a varios de mis playlists de Spotify este año, mostrándome que Spotify me conoce mejor que la mayoría de mis amigos.

Su primera canción que encontré era “Ketones”. Como soy una diabética, suelo evitar los ketones pero son buenísimo en la forma de esta canción downtempo.

"Fill Your Brains" - Harrison Brome

Tucked inside this Bob Moses set lives this gem ready to melt you away. With nothing but a beat, the hum of a synth, and the occasional note of the keyboard, it’s the vocals that carry this song. The lyrics paired with the tremble in his voice transmit the appropriate sense of melancholy surrounding the issues of drug addiction. Yet simultaneously, the sultry nature of his voice perfectly conveys the allure of the high. This song hits even closer to home now given the current opioid epidemic in the US. The first time I heard the harmony kick in with the words “wasting away,” I felt genuine shivers down my spine.

Originally from Vancouver, it’s not surprising that Harrison Brome can hit that somber yet sensual tone. It is, however, surprising to recognize that he’s able to do it all so well with only 23 years of age (and this song was released 3 years ago)!

His No More Love Songs EP has a much less gloomy tune but is absolutely worth a listen for its classic R&B vibes. I don’t know much about this guy but am stoked at the thought of seeing him live.

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Dentro de este set de Bob Moses, se puede encontrar esta joya lista para derretirse. Con nada más que un ritmo, el zumbido de un sintetizador, y una nota ocasional del teclado, es la voz que lleva esta canción. La combinación de la letra con el temblor de su voz transmite el estado de ánimo melancólico adecuado para los problemas del drogadicción. Pero a la misma vez, la voz seductora demuestra la atracción de estar drogado.

Esta canción llega más fuerte con la epidemia de opioides en los EEUU ahora mismo. Sentía escalofríos la primera vez que escuché la armonía con las palabras “desperdiciando” (en inglés).

De Vancouver, no me sorprende que Harrison Brome puede tener el sonido tan sombrío pero sensual. Pero sí, me sorprende que lo puede hacer con solo 23 años (y lanzó esta canción hace 3 años)!

Su EP, No More Love Songs, tiene un sonido mucho menos oscuro pero igual vale la pena para las buenas vibras de R&B. No conozco mucho de este tío pero no puedo esperar para verlo en vivo.

"Antofagasta de la Sierra - El Búho Nocturnal Remix" - Lagartijeando

This week I found myself on an incredible musical journey thanks to the internet stemming from my FOMO about missing Nicola Cruz’s set at Sonar this Saturday. Beginning at Nicola’s Boiler Room set in Tulum, I found myself clicking on numerous links which eventually led me to this epic track by El Búho.

The song begins with a nondescript guitar riff and hand clap but as the percussion and flute layers come rolling in, the journey to Argentina really gets going. The original song by Argentinian producer, Lagartijeando, is incredible in its own right but the immaculate composition and heavy chill of this remix makes it infinitely repeatable. Every single element of this song is meticulously placed with perfect timing.

The melodies and texture of this track transport me immediately to Argentina. I’ve never visited the country but the minute I shared this with a few friends from there, they all told me to visit the North. I can only help but think: the music must be incredible.

I’m not sure when I’ll make it over to Argentina but with this track I can hear the country calling me louder than ever.

Antofagasta de la Sierra - El Búho Nocturnal Remix, a song by Lagartijeando, El Búho on Spotify

Esta semana me encontré en un viaje de música casi espiritual. Estaba bastante deprimida porque no voy a ver a Nicola Cruz en el Sónar el Sábado y empecé a escuchar sus sets. Empezando con su set del Boiler Room en Tulum, y saltando muchos enlaces llegué a este tema de El Búho al final.

La canción empieza con una riff de la guitarra y unas palmadas inclasificable pero cuando entra la percusión y la flauta, el viaje a Argentina empieza. La canción original del productor Lagartijeando es increíble pero la composición y el chill del remix crea una canción que se puede repetir hasta siempre. Cada elemento de la canción está colocado meticulosamente con el tiempo perfecto.

Las melodía y la textura del tema me lleva inmediatamente a Argentina. Aún no he visitado el país pero lo escucho llamándome ahora más fuerte.

"Must Be Love" - Yung Bae

Summer is here and Barcelona has exploded. My feet somehow find their way to seriously epic dance floors every weekend in this magical city. From dancing in the most grungy yet intimate nightclubs like my beloved Macarena, to open air day parties like Brunch, to the beach during Sant Joan, to the occasional bike lane, I’ve found it easy to make the entire city a dance floor.

The latest tune to soundtrack my Barcelona dance adventures was introduced to me by new internet friend and fellow disco lover, Gary. Last week I checked our collaborative Spotify playlist to see if any gems had recently been added and, sure enough, I discovered this piece of gold by Portland-based producer, Yung Bae (aka Dallas Cotton). As referenced in the introduction, Yung Bae returns to disco classics sampling “It Must Be Love” from 70s disco trio, Alton McClain and Destiny. Speeding up the original hook and repeating the key love vocals, Yung Bae highlights the elements of the song that generate that sense of fresh romance.

His latest album Bae 5 was released yesterday and is replete with funky disco tunes. I was going to highlight some other favorite songs but I’d be listing nearly every song on the album. If you’re in the mood for funk, go ahead and press play.

Must Be Love, a song by Yung Bae on Spotify

El verano ha llegado y Barcelona ha explotado. Mis pies encuentran una nueva pista de baile cada fin de semana aquí. Mis últimas pistas han sido la discoteca íntima de Macarena, el aire libre del Brunch, la playa durante Sant Joan, y los ciclocarriles. Lo bueno de Barcelona es que fácil es para convertir la ciudad entera a una pista de baile.

La última canción para mis bailes en Barcelona fue introducido por mi amigo del internet nuevo y otro amante del disco, Gary. La semana pasada miré nuestro playlist colaborativo para encontrar unas joyas nuevas y encontré oro en la forma de este tema de Yung Bae ( Dallas Cotton).