August playlist

Songs of the Month series

Sadegh Tirafkan (Iranian, 1965–2013). Multitude 10, 2008. Digital photo collage, lambda print; H. 29 1/8 in. (74 cm), W. 44 1/8 in. (112 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, 2011 NoRuz at the Met Benefit, 2013 (2013.258)

Greetings loved ones,

A yearslong September lover, my experience of August took me by surprise this year. The month felt the way a street cat outstretched on the hood of a hot car looks. Maybe this has something to do with taking two weeks off from work to swim in rivers with my girlfriend, always the subtle fear of a moose around the corner (only ever evidence of smaller woodland creatures present).

Oddly, I didn’t listen to the Taylor Swift song this month. Missed opportunity.

What I did listen to was lots of gorgeous music by new & established artists alike, as always. So without further ado, here’s a little bit of what flowed through my Bluetooth headphones while rock jumping up river with bare feet.

1. Crack the Code by Joyce WriceJoyce Wrice has the loveliest tone ever; and this song unfolds steadily like crumbs from Hansel’s pocket to my ear.

2. It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels by Kitty WellsI’d somehow only ever heard covers of this song until late one night a live music Youtube hole led me to Kitty. Of course, none of them quite capture the dry humor and resignation of the original.

3. The Ick by Panic ShackMy immensely talented girlfriend, Char Kennett, shot & directed a gorgeous music video for Creedence Clearwater Revival that garnered a live radio interview in her hometown. Char brought me along so I could revel in old (college) radio memories. There, host Alec Kerr played this song and made me a fan of Panic Shack! I love hearing Welsh accents and I love to laugh.

4. I Do Love You by G.Q.I don’t want to admit why this song made it into my August rotation specifically at this time in pop culture… IYKYK.

5. I Want You by Savage GardenInspired by a random Tik Tok, I decided to listen to a Savage Garden album in full on a walk in New Hampshire one day. I forgot how awesome they and this song are. I also realized that the verses on HAIM’s “Now I’m In it” sound a lot like those on “I Want You”.

6. Temporary Tragedy by ROREYAlways trying to be a student of the shit I do, I went perusing on some random music blogs I hadn’t read before and found a write-up on ROREY and her new album. While it didn’t all land for me, I think this song is a treasure. Pretty melodies and harmonies, simple and well-made song (& a newer queer artist!)

7. Drip + Recognize by Fana HuesThis month I made my first (and admittedly, late!) foray into Fana Hues. So far I’m digging it. She has a nostalgic (of mid 2010s) sound and beautiful voice.

8. Black Hole Sun by SoundgardenA little Savage Garden begets a little Soundgarden, aye? I love the minor chords, the step-down progression, and the very near and dear to me early 2000s alt rock always feels like a well-earned fist bump.

9. She’s the Best by Troye SivanDamn, I can’t lie… I have some parasocial pride about Mr. Troye Sivan. One of my favorite YouTubers back in the day and who continues to surprise and impress me with his music and artistry. Loving this Lou Reedy meets Kylie Minogueish with a dash of Tom’s Diner or whatever VIBE. Except gayer and cuntier, of course.

10. HONEYMOON by ParisalexaSomeone get Parisalexa into many more studios, my Seattle starlet. I’m so glad she’s making more music again! This song in particular is perfect R&B. I love her rich tone and all the vocal production on this track.

11. The World Keeps Spinning by Alemeda, FousheéWowwwwww this song rocks. Gorgeous vocals, gorgeous arrangement & hook, musical match made in heaven between these two. If you’ve ever had dinner in your car and seen a movie by yourself then I think you’ll like this song.

12. This Spell by Dolly AveI love Dolly’s voice on this indie rock tune. For whatever reason this song awakens the teenager in me who was obsessed with The Pretty Reckless. Except Dolly Ave’s latest is far more shoegaze than angst-rock.

13. If I Could Turn Back Time by CherOne night my girlfriend and I watched like six back-to-back Cher music videos (her idea, she loves Cher) and it got me on a Cher kick. This song was stuck in my head all month.

14. Free - Acoustic Version by PrinceSpeaking of my girlfriend, her mom (and also artist!) Margaret will periodically send me songs she thinks I’ll like. She has great taste in music & has never missed so far. The last song she sent me was this one, and it’s so beautiful. Exactly the kind of song I’d want to hear driving in my car at dusk with the steadily cooling heat creeping in through a cracked window, A/C finally be damned.

15. oh well by Ariana GrandeThis playlist would not be honest nor complete without a track off Ariana’s latest album, petal. I have a certain subsection of my brain thinking about her & this record nonstop all day, no relief. “oh well” is one of my favorites. If you’re a fan of PinkPantheress you’ll like this one.
    

That’s all for August! If there is a song you’ve listened to more than 3 times over the last month, will you please share it with me? Thank you very much.

Xo,

Nik