Monthly Jams: May
I honestly can't believe that another month has come and gone. Time is flying but I'm actually looking forward to May coming to an end. This month has been an interesting one for me -- mixed with highs and lows, blessings and challenges. But such is life, right?
One thing that kept me steady and at ease throughout the month was my joy for music, particularly curating my monthly jams playlist. This playlist is shorter than my April and March lists; however I am content with how it turned out. Each song represents the various moods I've experienced this month. I kicked off the playlist with the fun uptempo 90s inspired jam "Ready or Not" by producers Midas Hutch / UNO Stereo and Bluey Robinson. Even though it's not officially summer yet, the weather in my area has given us poolside temperatures. "Ready or Not" makes me think of the beach, pool parties, and good times. Cue in cheesy but fitting music video below.
The next three songs on the playlists are from three artists that I respect and will perhaps write about in fuller detail in a later post. Allen Stone has been in the game for a minute but he hasn't put anything new out in a while. Clearly he has been working on some good gems, which is evident in his lead single, "Brown Eyed Lover." It's soulful and had me singing along with the chorus immediately. Gabriel Garzón-Montano and Jordan Rakei are two of my go-to artists that I keep in constant rotation throughout the year. They make songs that are groovy and fun, yet introspective. Gabriel's "My Balloon" is easily in my list of top 10 songs in 2018. I haven't found the exact words on why I love this song so much and can keep it on constant repeat. It's something about the drumbeat and bass matched with the vivid imagery of his lyrics. Jordan Rakei's calm and mellow voice on top of rhythmic drums in "Wildfire" draws me in, even when he sings about heartache.
In the middle of the playlist, I switch it up with a new track called "It's Enough" by Mr. Lenny Kravitz. In nearly eight minutes, Lenny sings honest and hard truths about the corruption and injustices in the world that we witness every day. In addition to the timely lyrics, Lenny also keeps the track funky with live instrumentation, reminiscent of of Marvin Gaye's "Mercy, Mercy Me." I actually struggled with keeping this song in the mix because I like making feel good playlists. And while the music of this song feels good, the content and purpose of the song is a reminder of everything that is wrong and evil in society. But it's real. And it's hard to escape that reality.
However, for the sake of self-care, I do turn away from harsh reality sometimes. The second half of the playlist consists of upbeat songs that lifted me up during the month. I return to my boy Gabriel again with his inspiring song, "Golden Wings." In a recent NPR article, the artist breaks down the meaning of his song: "'Golden Wings' speaks to a power we all have: our ability to make magic out of mundanity."
“Golden wings upon my feet, on clouds I dance / Orange sky and deep blue sea, in the palm of my hands/ Conjure up a thing so sweet, and make it last / Angels greet you when you sleep, divine romance.”
Continuing on the playlist is "Good Wine" by Azekel. At first listen, this song gave me laid-back backyard party vibes, which I immediately enjoyed. But when I really listened to the song, Azekel tells a personal story of forgiveness. Next up is "Ominous Shanti" by UK-based jazz ensemble Emanative. As much as I am moved by great lyrics, sometimes words can be too much noise. When I need a break, I head to jazz and allow the instruments to tell me a story. "Ominous Shanti" takes me on a journey every time I listen.
The last two songs of the playlist are my favorite and most likely represent how I feel at this very moment in life-- a day after my 27th birthday. This month, I experienced quite a bit of anxiety and fear of things that are mostly out of my control. Right now I feel good, at peace, and overall content. "Peace" by Pacific Heights and Joe Dukie (lead singer of one of my favorite bands Fat Freddy's Drop) is an instant salve for me. Every time I listen to it, I lose all uneasiness and gain a sense of calmness and reassurance. Listen to this song in your earphones or over loud speakers in the car so you can hear all of the layers. Lastly, Dominque Fils-Aimé's interpretation of the classic Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" is so beautiful. Stripping away the music, Dominque chooses to sing the song a cappella backed by crisp and soul-stirring harmonies also sung by her. I actually love this approach for the song because I can really feel the positive declarations.
“Stars when you shine, you know how I feel
Scent of the pine, you know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life for me”
And on that note, this concludes my playlist of May jams. Big thanks to everyone who reached out to me with affirming messages about my playlists. I find joy in making them and it is my greatest hope that folks will have fun and find joy in listening. Enjoy!