Spring 2024 Playlist: Annotated
Initially I was thinking the theme of my Spring 2024 playlist was “desperation,” but that’s not quite right. It’s more like…the feeling of being full to bursting, one raindrop too many in a dark, rumbling cloud ready to storm.
Hope you like that sort of thing.
1) “She’s My Girl” by The Turtles - This is exactly what I mean. The singer is so happy, he’s with his girl, he should be satisfied—but with the bright chorus of harmonies and shifts in time signature, it’s all a bit too much, isn’t it?
2) “You Are Only Made of Dreams” by Brigitte Calls Me Baby - Apparently this band is from Chicago—always happy to support acts from the ol’ hometown. I dig the vintage vibes. They might have fit in on the third season of Twin Peaks.
3) “Shut Up Kiss Me” by Angel Olsen - This song has been stuck in my head on and off for months. We love a dysfunctional relationship ballad.
4) “My Evil” by Palehound - The perfect song for the days you’re just not that into yourself.
5) “Playboy of the Western World” by Connie Converse - There are a few artists on this playlist I could write a whole book about, and Connie Converse is one of them. Suffice it to say: she got to NYC too early for the folk scene, most of the recordings we have of her are from random parties, and later she literally disappeared. Listen to this episode of the Criminal podcast for more.
6) “Francesca” by Hozier - The second I heard this one, I knew it had to go on my next Spring playlist. So here we are.
7) “Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops” by Cocteau Twins - For my birthday this year, my friend Meg and I went to an all-night goth dance party. “Goth” and “spring” don’t usually go together well, but I found a happy medium in this Cocteau Twins song.
8) “Haha” by Dehd - True story: when I was in Santa Fe last December, I went to get a tattoo from the lead singer of this band. I drove all the way out to Taos, only to arrive and discover she was stuck in the desert on her horse and couldn’t make it. Anyway…her band is good?
9) “People in the Front Row” by Melanie - As always, when the greats die, we memorialize them on the playlist. RIP Melanie—what a voice! I have cleverly transitioned from the previous song to this song via sing-laughing.
10) “Deadbody” by Miya Folick - Such a furious song. Sing along with the chorus. It’s cathartic.
11) “Broken Man” by St. Vincent - New St. Vincent is always good news. If this is the vibe of her next album, I think I’ll prefer it to Daddy’s Home.
12) “Shame” by Lauren Mayberry - Here, have some solo music from the lead singer of Chvrches. Oh man, Chvrches. Brings me back to grad school. This is a little…brighter sounding, though. Maybe a bit intentionally dancier?
13) “MY ROSE” by Beyoncé - I had most of this playlist put together, but then Beyoncé unexpectedly dropped Cowboy Carter and I had to rearrange things. What else could I do? She’s the queen, after all.
14) “Hunter” by Björk - There was a period in late winter where Björk was all I could listen to. I became particularly obsessed with this live version of “Hunter.” You’re welcome.
15) “Eso Que Tu Haces” by Lido Pimienta - I needed something to bridge the gap from electronica to dreamy, and this Lido Pimienta song did the trick.
16) “God Turn Me Into a Flower” by Weyes Blood - Grab your tissues, folks. This one always makes me misty. I was practically weeping when I saw her sing it in concert.
17) “Are You a Hypnotist??” by The Flaming Lips - I was recently informed that it’s the 20th anniversary of Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, which makes me feel very old. Happy anniversary, Yoshimi!
18) “I’d Rather Be High - Venetian Mix” by David Bowie - It’s been eleven years since David Bowie’s comeback album The Next Day. What? It’s funny—when I first listened to the album, I wasn’t into this song. But now I like it. Especially this version with a harpsichord. Everything is better with harpsichord.
19) “I’m a Man” by Jobriath - Speaking of harpsichord. I could also write a whole book about Jobriath. I encourage you to read the Wikipedia article about this openly gay musician who the record industry tried and failed to sell as an American Bowie and who later died of AIDS in the Chelsea Hotel.
20) “Ipsissimus” by Blood Ceremony - Spotify knows me too well. One of Blood Ceremony’s songs came up on my Discover Weekly playlist, and I was immediately intrigued. Who are these Jethro Tull motherfuckers? Turns out they are indeed heavily influenced by Jethro Tull. Right up my alley.
21) “Hey Bulldog” by Fanny - Going to return you to Wikipedia for the story of this all-female early 70s rock band I’d never heard of but who influenced The Runaways and The Go-Gos. Also—this is one of my favorite Beatles songs.
22) “Strange World” by La Luz - Utterly delighted that La Luz is back with new music. Three cheers for harmonies.
23) “Not the Lovin’ Kind” by Buffy Sainte-Marie - Like many of the women on this playlist: hell of a voice.
24) “I’m on Fire” by Electrelane - I can’t say I’m a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen. His music, that is. Seems like a lovely fellow. But I do tend to enjoy Springsteen covers.
25) “Somebody Has What I Had” by Shoes - I continue to be obsessed with the Cars-esque vibes of this band that featured my dad’s cousin on drums.
26) “Silver Line” by Sheer Mag - Another killer voice. I feel like this could be a Pretenders song, maybe? It’s a banger.
27) “Words of Love” by The Mamas & The Papas - I adore this song. It’s so confident and showy. And correct! Words are simply not enough. Don’t get me started on the harmonies. The Mamas & The Papas were on a whole other level.
Need more spring music?