One of my favourite books I read last year was a novel by Haruki Murakami called 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.' It’s a beautiful book, and an eye opening read for runners and fitness lovers. The book is up to your own interpretation to what you gather, but one thing is clear though- Murakami loves running, and the way he writes about it emphasises that point.
Murakami’s perspective with running is similar to the one I have with music. People like music, but they don’t love it in the way that they will sit and listen to music solely. People use it as a tool to pass the time, which is fine. But it’s saddening that people would rather play songs that sound good rather than those that you can sit and really listen to. Sometimes, when I try talk about music with those around me, people just say ‘good song,’ or ‘I don’t like that one’ and move on. Here I have puzzled together a few songs, albums and artists to try and best capture what music is for me. Like Murakami, I hope my upcoming words portray what music can do.
A$AP Rocky
Although the music is brilliant, it’s the whole A$AP Rocky persona that I love more, an artist that shows autonomy, confidence, and is unashamedly himself. There are a couple quotes I love by Rocky, but one that has always stuck by me is this: ‘How are you going to knock someone in the world for trying new things? Trying. Since when has it become cool not to try?’ In this world, we think too much about what other people think about us, but why do we care? Because we are embarrassed about how we’re perceived? Music can transcend the walls of just lyrics and production, and I think A$AP Rocky does that better than anyone else.
Blonde - Frank Ocean
‘I only listen to old music’ is such a naive and bullsh*t way of thinking. There is so much new music that is coming out that is brilliant, and you really are missing out if you aren’t listening to it. I often joke that I love this album more than I love myself, but it is so hard to put into words what I think about this album. It’s a brilliantly, delicately crafted record that remains perfect the whole way through- at times it feels like a late night run, at others it feels like a warm hug, and eventually culminates into a feeling of isolation in tough times.
Lost Angel Nights - James Blake
It’s a very nostalgic song that I hold dear to heart, and one that is shared between a good friend of mine. If they do end up reading this, only they will know who they are! But I love when people ask me for music recommendations, or an album to listen to. It means firstly that that person is open to expanding their music taste, and secondly, that that person trusts me well enough to send them an album or song that I think they will like. Explore more music and stay curious.
How Much is Weed? - Dominic Fike
In a world where people find the need to incessantly review and grade other people’s work, Dominic Fike’s recent album was met with disappointment, mainly because it was ‘boring,’ ‘strangely produced’ and ‘lyrically weak.’ I think people missed the meaning of this album as a whole, as a fun piece of work that was meant to bring you back to your childhood. These music critics tell people which albums are good and bad, and as a result, it’s so easy for people to just jump on the train and say the album is bad as well. Just play what you like.
Poison Oak - Bright Eyes
An underrated aspect of the composition of a song is the tone of the artist’s voice, and not many people pick up on it. But if you listen really carefully, you can hear the true expression and feeling of the artist, and whether they truly believe in the lyrics they are writing. Listen to this song, and you’ll know what I’m talking about. You’ll know when you hear it.
Samson - Regina Spektor
A beautiful song. If you know, you know, but if you don’t, get to.
Aphex Twin - Vordhosbn / aisatsana [102]
Two wildly different songs, created by techno genius Richard James, aka Aphex Twin. Both of these songs are brilliant. The first Aphex Twin song I found was Vordhosbn, which I found on YouTube. There is an unofficial video for the song by a channel called ‘rephlexions,’ and somehow, the visuals by this random guy on this video fit the music so perfectly. It’s other worldly. And on the other hand, aisatana [102] could not be more different. It’s so hard to put the song in a genre, but it is the most incredible and gentle piano that makes you feel a certain sort of way. Not many songs can do that, and it’s a testament to Aphex Twin that this is achieved with no lyrics.
Comments