Hello again!
If you’re excited about the beginning of a new year Im giving you a virtual high-five right now. If you’re not that excited take a second to think about all the great songs we’ll get to listen to during the year. Ready? Let’s go.
If I had to describe this month's selection I would first like to state that:
January is the Twin Peaks of the months (you can quote me on that)
blue monday just passed
there was a full moon in cancer
the weather here is too cold for me
Put all of that together and you might understand how this playlist came to be. There’s some light psych rock, some city pop, funk, electronic but most of all a selection worthy of a winter night at home with a glass of wine or cup of tea. Stay hydrated!
60s: What’s Happening?!?! - The Byrds (1966)
I’ve listened to a lot of the byrds songs in my life but I just recently found this one. You can tell this was one of their most experimental albums and there’s something really interesting about the confusion that radiates from the lyrics, the title, and from the 12-string guitar.
70s: Looking For You - Nino Ferrer (1974)
Have you ever heard a song and thought about how great it would be to listen to it with new headphones? The slow funk, the mix of the two vocals and the whole atmospheric sound design with the cars zooming by is gonna take you on a ride (pun intended). This track was also one of the inspirations behind the latest arctic monkeys album and it's not hard to see how.
80s: Last Summer Whisper - Anri (1982)
After the last song I thought we could get a little lighter with some city pop by the amazing japanese pop star Anri. Get into that funky bass line and ethereal vocals. Live your fantasy, I encourage it.
90s: Science Friction - Orbital (1994)
Dance electronic duo from England. I'm not the greatest fan of electronica but I do enjoy a light and spacey instrumental so I hope you do as well.
00s: Sabali - Amadou & Mariam (2008)
I found this song a few years ago because a friend shazamed it from a restaurant in Denver and I couldn’t shut up about it for weeks. Amadou & Mariam are an incredibly talented blind couple that experiment by merging the African sound with electronic music. The video is also amazing so definitely check it out.
10s: Home to You - Cate Le Bon (2019)
There’s a strange quirky charm to every Cate Le Bon arrangement and song, and this is no exception. I’ve heard her music being described as “avant-pop”, so yeah..that. Also the video showcases footage of residents of a neighborhood in a slovakian city which gives the song a more nuanced meaning.
20s: In Spain We Call it Soledad - Rigoberta Bandini (2020)
We’ll finish with this efervescent spanish electro pop track from the fearless Rigoberta Bandini, who is one of the artists considered to represent Spain in this year's Eurovision contest, and my personal favorite candidate.
I hope the vibe stars align and you get in the perfect mood for this playlist. Save your favorites, subscribe to grounded musique and leave me your comments, thoughts and recs @signodepesos.
Thanks for reading!
*chef's kiss*