album recs for hyper-specific situations
music for very specific needs
Recently I listened to a podcast episode that gave book recommendations for very specific things, like “books that feel like a rainy day.” I thought that was really fun and decided it could also be really fun to do that with albums! Unlike the podcast, I made up my own categories, but hopefully they resonate with you. Anyway, here are the recs!
1. an album that would play at a chic cafe in the 2000s
For this, I’d pick Koykū (呼吸, "Breath") by Lily Chou-Chou. This album has a really interesting back story, and it’s just this sort of chill indie pop/rock project. It sounds older than the release date on Spotify — it has a late 90s/00s sound, especially with the way that the synthesizer (I’m assuming) is used. Some of the songs are more upbeat, and some of there are a little more sad and haunting. It also sort of sounds like it could use some remastering, so some songs have a little bit of a faraway sound that makes me think of overhearing it at a cafe.
2. an album that would play if you were trapped in a different timeline — a book, a movie, a liminal space
I had no clue how to phrase this category, but if you listen to Work and Non Work by Broadcast you will understand. There’s a lot of weird electronic aspects that blend together in a really satisfying but eccentric way. The singing is soft and low, as if meant more for the background of a movie scene than real life. There’s just this sort of out-of-this-world quality about the songs that make me feel transported somewhere unnatural but not necessarily uncomfortable. That’s to say, it’s weird, but in a very enjoyable and captivating way.
3. an album that feels like the online space of 2014 (but isn’t referenced much when referring to the time period)
People have been discussing the 2014 tumblr era a lot, and an album I really liked around that time that isn’t discussed much is Kicker by Zella Day. It sounds like other music that was popular then, like Marina and Lana, but of course with her own unique twist, as all the popular girls of the time had. It’s also something that really holds the sound of the era it was released in (although Ace of Hearts reminds me of early Kesha — Cannibal or Animal). I think if you listen to it, you’ll be able to feel that it was released in 2015.
4. an album that makes you feel like a 60s girl going through a breakup
This would be Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies. I think that this band is sometime forgotten in 60s nostalgia, but their discography is really fun to listen to. This album in particle feels fairly sad but in a way that’s enjoyable to listen to. I feel like you could sort through a lot of feelings listening to this album. It also sounds so quintessentially 60s (coming from someone who wasn’t around during the sixties…). It’s a great album overall, so if you’re feeling down it might help you out.
That’s all for this one! There will likely be a pt2 later on, so let me know if you have any other suggestions for these hyper-specific situations. Or you can comment on the situations I’ve listed if you have any other ideas for albums that would be a good fit.
ttyl,
emily