summer tunes recap
Some of the songs I've had in rotation this summer (also first post woo!)
I’ve been getting a lot more country music for the past few months and I’m pretty sure it started with this song. I think it’s so funny how you can hear Chet trying to keep up with Dolly’s voice and eventually fading into the background. The solo version, released on her 1982 album Heartbreak Express has a slower tempo which adds to the overall feeling of longing on the track. Dolly’s voice definitely shines a lot more on the solo version but there’s a charm and folksiness to the Chet Atkins recording that I really enjoy. It’s a lot more informal and intimate which fits the song really well.
I started learning guitar earlier this summer and this is actually the last song I taught myself! Slowcore country isn’t a genre combination I'd ever imagined existing before I heard songs like this but it works surprisingly well. With an extremely simple arrangement (fingerpicking guitar, Gillian’s lead vocal, and one backing harmony) the song explains Gillian’s fear of the rise of technology in the music industry and its impact on the value of musicians and songwriters. For a song written in 2001, it’s surprising how much it still holds true (this Rolling Stone article gives a really great analysis of Gillian’s intentions in writing the song). Other than its meaning, I love the simplicity of the production and the way it compliments Gillian’s smooth folky voice.
I’ve also been exploring ambient music recently which led me to listening to Duster’s Stratosphere. I didn’t have many strong feelings about it on my first listen since it’s mainly fuzzy electric guitars with minimal vocals but I grew to appreciate how relaxing it is. It’s perfect music for sitting in complete darkness wide awake (which I did a lot of this summer) so I’m glad I found it. I’m definitely looking forward to exploring ambient and finding more artists that I enjoy.
One of my closest friends from secondary school is a huge SOPHIE fan so I’m honestly surprised I hadn’t heard this song before. From her project PRODUCT, JUST LIKE WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE is signature SOPHIE. Genius production combined with heartfelt lyrics create a perfect, catchy song only she could’ve made. Over the summer it was usually my soundtrack for walking from my office to my apartment in under 25 minutes in 80-degree weather so I always get a great feeling when I hear it.
This is one of my favourite songs from one of my favourite albums of all time. I’m such a big fan of Florence and I genuinely think I think about this album a couple. A celebration of youth and community, South London Forever describes Florence’s love of her hometown and the memories she’s created there. As always, Florence’s voice carries the track and makes you feel that freedom only a drunk college student can experience. The strings and drums on this song are also so powerful and honestly give the song its driving force. I’m actually working on writing a full review of the album so I’ve been listening to it a lot but nothing could make me get sick of it.
Well I hope you enjoyed my little list, it was really fun to make and I’m definitely going to make some more in the future :)
Love Florence and Duster!!