Otis Writes:
“N.A.S.A.” by Jneiro Jarel
It’s J. Dilla, but if J. Dilla had ingested a handful of psilocybin. Dreamy, psychedelic hip-hop. It bridges the gap between being street and psychedelic, and I love psychedelic hip-hop. You get your Alchemist, RJD2, deliberately psychedelic hip-hop, then MF Doom, Jneiro Jarel, Madlib — that cut-and-paste, street-level psychedelic hip-hop.
“N.A.S.A.” is fascinating. I call it fourth-dimensional hip-hop. It doesn’t sound like any hip-hop you’ve heard before. That’s what I love about it. It constantly fascinates me.
“I Am the Black Gold of the Sun” by Rotary Connection
This track was so far ahead of its time. A lot of the original members of Earth, Wind & Fire were in this group, plus Minnie Riperton. They started this psychedelic group under Chess Records, and they opened for Stevie Wonder during his five-album mystic run after the accident.
It was the jazzy, avant-garde, psychedelic side of funk. The song sounded like it belonged in a science fiction movie. Minnie Riperton’s vocals are stunning, and the whole layout makes you go, “Wait, how, what, where?”
I wish the band had stayed together much longer, because that song anchored the album gorgeously. Honestly, it’s another track I listen to at least once a day. I can imagine somebody in a spaceship 100 years from now listening to it as they head toward the outer rim. It’s so gorgeous. I love it.
Read about what’s been fascinating Otis lately!
Jenna Writes:
Music fascinates me sometimes in the most unexpected way. A song doesn’t need to be perfect to grab me. Sometimes it’s a line sung a little off, or an unexpected guitar tone, or even just the way silence is used between notes. Those details are what pull me in. Fascination, for me, is when something ordinary suddenly feels magical, whether it’s a melody, the weather, or a passing moment that sticks with you long after it’s gone. All of these songs are unique in their own way. They might not have been ones that I should like, based on my preferences, but for some reason they just do! Especially Ethan Bortnik’s track. The slamming on the piano should NOT sound pleasing to the human ear, but it’s so interesting how it plays so well here. I can’t imagine it without it. What fascinates me is how something that should sound chaotic becomes the very heartbeat of the track. Djo’s Gloom has this strange, almost dizzying energy that shouldn’t make sense, but that’s exactly what pulls you in. The weirdness becomes the hook.
Read about what’s been fascinating Jenna lately!
Andie Writes:
Me and Your Mama by Childish Gambino – this was the first song I immediately thought of! I haven’t listened to it in a minute but when I did…wow – to say my mind was blown is an understatement. The song surprises you so much! its like a musical explosion. I feel like I’ll always be fascinated by this track, its just pure genius, the way it tells a story and the impact it can bring to the listener.
Read about what’s been fascinating Andie lately!
Lyris Writes:
Farrah Fawcett Hair” – Capital Cities (feat. André 3000)
First thing that pops in my head is “Farrah Fawcett Hair.” When I first heard it, I said, this is some weird, funky shit – but it speaks to everything I can relate to as an 80’s baby.
The whole song is about things that are considered good shit – just, you know – feel-good shit – everything they describe is good. Then you’ve got André 3000; he comes in rhyming random stuff – and that’s good shit, and the whole thing – it just works.
And the breakdown toward the end?
There’s a Black lady belting in a gospel, “good-shit” kind of way, and I was like, yeah – this song is really good.
You probably wouldn’t expect me to pick Capital Cities, and that’s why it’s fascinating – you listen and you get it – this is different.
It’s good.
I love it.
Molly Writes:
Something in the Way – Nirvana
There’s something about this song that gets under my skin every time I hear it. It’s stripped down, almost fragile, yet heavy with dread. When I heard it in The Batman, it transformed the atmosphere completely — dark, unsettling, and impossible to shake.
What fascinates me is how a song I’ve known for years suddenly felt new again in that context. It reminded me how music can creep into your subconscious, reshaping familiar emotions and making you feel them in an entirely different way.
Saroz Adds:
SHOES (feat. Virgil Abloh) by Lupe Fiasco and Kaelin Ellis
PRICK by Westside Gunn and Brother Tom Sos
Read about what’s been fascinating Saroz lately!
Andrew Writes:
Cold Fame – Band Of Skulls
I’ve adored this track from the moment I heard it – one of those songs that has burrowed into my subconscious and that pops out every now and then when I need to get lost.
The fascination comes from the ambiguity of the lyric:
“I know my place, but it don’t know me”
I mean – what the hell does that even mean?
And that’s the thing isn’t it – ‘cos sometimes I know exactly what it means – it’s so resonant – not that I could or can explain it.
Then there’s imagery – from beds that are too big for the room to:
“Play your forty-five records late at night, open all the windows, turn out the light.
Mysterious creatures will fill the room, a midnight show just put on for you.”
Again – I’m right there – in this lyric – shut your eyes and I’m betting you could be too ;-p
And then you get to the out – the increase in energy – the rising crescendo – the gang vocals – the resolution and just…
…yeah,
It’s fascinating,
just,
fascinating.
To me.
Track Listing
- engravings – Ethan Bortnick
- Gloom – Djo
- Miskine – Luidji
- Running Away – VANO 3000, BADBADNOTGOOD
- N.A.S.A. – Three Piece Puzzle
- I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun – Rotary Connection
- Farrah Fawcett Hair – Capital Cities, André 3000
- Cold Fame – Band Of Skulls
- Franchise – RHEYA
- Fruit – Gundelach
- lost & found – abelon
- How It Feels – Barry Can’t Swim
- Kimpton – Barry Can’t Swim, O’Flynn
- Something In The Way – Nirvana
- Dracula – Tame Impala
- SHOES (feat. Virgil Abloh) – Lupe Fiasco, Kaelin Ellis
- PRICK – Westside Gunn, Brother Tom SOSA
- Me and Your Mama – Childish Gambino
Playlist Image by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
This playlist is part of The Human Collective. Each week we take a prompt and create a playlist and accompanying articles. This week we were looking at songs that fascinate you. Learn more about The Human Collective here.
