16 January 2019
Remember the last track of 2018 when the theme was resurfacing? This week's entry is something of a thematic precursor to what we talked about then; if Back to Earth was about overcoming the drowning feeling, then Underwater is about the experience as it's happening.
There's a quality to this song that just captures me. The choral slices sing sadness while the brassy stabs punch back in frustration, playing out a familiar drama, and all the while Tyrone appeals to both forces to be freed from the torment of being at the centre of it all. It's a song that's raw in emotion, and anyone who's lived through any kind of illness of the mind will find that it cuts to the core of their being with such clarity that it'd be alarming if it wasn't so soothing.
Underwater is a haunting journey that anyone with a love of ambient, atmospheric music should embark upon. You might find it reveals things about your internal world you weren't even aware existed.
Also appears on music to Therapize Yourself
You can learn more about RÜFÜS DU SOL here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Dreamer – Livin’ Joy
9 January 2019
Hello hello, welcome back and happy new year, all that good tidings and thank God Christmas is finally over! I hope you’ve all been sticking to your New Years resolutions; I know I have, I had a to-do list the size of my arm coming into January and I’ve managed to whittle it down to one, albeit mighty, item left to tackle.
In the spirit of this, my focus needs to be elsewhere for the time being - close by, though, I’m still here don’t worry! It just means my posts aren’t likely to be the usual epic sagas that you’ve all come to know and love, more like friendly little verses to keep the fires burning. Hopefully this next little bit of time will see a long-laboured project finally come to fruition, but then again I’ve been promising this to Andrew since July and look how long ago that was (getting sunburn on my head feels like a distant memory now )
So, this week’s track isn’t obviously save the world music. But it is music! And you can definitely save the world to it. It’s been the cornerstone of my DJ sets since I started DJing (so many moons ago... the previously alluded to project actually predates my DJ career, which should really tell you a lot about the current state of both endeavours), so why not make it a staple of the playlist too ey?
Happy new year, glad to be back!
You can learn more about Livin’ Joy here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Back to Earth – HOUNDTRACK
18 December 2018
Last year, I was in a deep state of depression that was fueled by a crippling anxiety. It got so bad that in the summer I had to take six weeks off from work, and I felt like I was completely falling apart from the inside.
It's not easy to look at your life and accept you're at total rock bottom, and that therefore something fundamental has to change. But this is a central aspect of the hero character arc; at the crux of the journey is the theme of death, of falling through the void, of losing yourself to the abyss. Anyone who's suffered from mental illness knows that feeling with sharp familiarity.
What is harder to know - in fact, what many people in this position might never know - is that this is only one side of the coin; that arcs, by their definition, recurse on themselves, and that this brings with it rebirth, revelation, and an emergence from total oblivion as a transformed character.
I certainly experienced this transition in the past twelve months; after making SIGNIFICANT life changes, and letting go of all of the negative things that felt like they deeply entrenched into the fibre of my being, I resurfaced as somebody so totally new that it's hard to recognise the quivering mass of insecurities I used to be (although, there are certainly times when the shadow of my former self revisits, usually just to see how I'm getting on and have a brew with us like).
This idea of resurfacing, reemerging from a life that felt too difficult to live, is central to this week's track. And with that, it's time to unveil the latest superhero to join the Save the World! roster...
Ladies and gentlefiends, welcome to the fold the Canine Crusader, Keeper of Kennels, Chief Pupper and all around very good boy: HOUNDTRACK.
HOUNDTRACK's debut Music to Save the World! to is the aptly titled Back to Earth, and from the very opening movements it's clear to see why this track struck so easily the imagery of resurfacing - we're instantly met with the sonic impression of being underwater, floating closer and closer to the surface, accompanied by filtered vocals and ethereal noises, before that brief moment where it feels like we're so close but still so far, before...
We break the surface, everything becomes clear, and the drop comes in like that first lungful of air, clean and clear and thoroughly deserved. It's a powerful metaphor for coming out of a dark place, a place where drowning seems inevitable, and finding ourselves in back on Earth, totally transformed and with a new appreciation for everything that's good and right in our own personal worlds. The shit stuff just gets washed away on the tide.
This track will resonate with anyone who's experienced what it's like to traverse the hero's journey arc through the depths of mental illness and live to tell the tale, and for those who are still in it's throes, I hope it can serve as a reassurance that you can come full circle, and be the person you were when life didn't feel like it was out to get you.
Hound, it's a pleasure to have you on board dawg.
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about HOUNDTRACK here:
You can learn more about Justin Mylo here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Rave Alert – Justin Mylo, SWACQ
11 December 2018
Hoo boy, I've been excited about this track ever since the mix-cut first materialised on Hardwell on Air. To fully understand why, let's journey back (pretend the screen's gone all wavy like we're doing a flashback... Go on, it's fun! )...
In many ways, my electronic music origin story began properly with Tiësto's Club Life Vol. 4 - NYC. Before 2016, my entire music world had been experienced from a live band perspective; I grew up listening to Blink 182, went through a questionable death metal phase, and then spent my early 20s listening to post-rock and experimental indie. But when I got into progressive house, everything changed.
You see, around 2016 I was really struggling with the concept of being in a band. It was so frustrating trying to get everyone to agree on a particular idea, and then be able to execute it, never mind recording it so you didn't forget or, fuck, people could actually listen to it. I was so sick of this compromise and stress that when I discovered that in the world of electronic music, you could do everything on your own, you could bet I was welcoming that with open arms!
Coming into this brave new world, without knowing any of the rules, styles, names - never mind how to go about actually making dance music - was incredibly intimidating. Thank God for Club Life. This album was my Bible when it came to understanding the new world I'd entered, and some of my favourite dance tracks to this day live on this album.
So it may come as a surprise then that Rave Alert isn't actually on this album... Right. So why did I just bang on about it for three paragraphs, in between an autobiography that no one asked for? Because this track fully transported me back to the very beginning of my journey the moment it opened up. Like a lucid flashback with Batman sparring with Ra's al Ghul or Captain America trying his damnedest to join the military, I was right back where I was in 2016. Tracks that can transport you to other places in time, either through memory or vivid imagery, are what it's all about for me. Music can be a time machine, and sometimes time is all you need to Save the World!
I'm really proud to feature our good friend SWACQ on this playlist once again after his headline run back in October, and this time he's joined by the amazing Justin Mylo, who's work I've been a massive fan of since the ridiculously filthy Bouncybob (although I was about a year late to that particular party...) Swac keeps going from strength to strength, and I have to keep myself from going mad and adding his entire discog to this playlist - a similar restraint I find myself having to exercise with Flume...
Maybe you won't be able to take the exact same journey I did with this track, but if progressive house fills you with the same kind of energy and optimism as it does for me, then Rave Alert will definitely be tickling your pickle in all the right places!
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about SWACQ here:
You can learn more about Justin Mylo here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Keep Her Close – ODESZA
5 December 2018
If you were to ask me how I felt about Christmas, I'd say I'm a fan of it sure, but only in a very subtle, modest way. Y'know, the way it used to be back when it still meant something more than stress and ostentatious lighting.
My fondest memories of Christmas are more like snapshots of feeling happy as a kid, surrounded by warmth and comfort with my favourite people, than they are of any one specific thing (read: present). Some people treat Christmas like a string of emblems, a tick-list (ha) of criteria that need to be met in order for the period to qualify as festive. For me it's not like that. The enjoyment I get out of Christmas is largely fueled by nostalgia, so I don't really get how something can be objectively deemed 'Christmassy' - once you get past the obvious superficial 'this is a stocking, look there's Rudolph' sort of categorisation, anyway.
That being said, I will concede that certain songs and films vibe better with my idiosyncratic list of things that make me feel that festive warmth inside - Last Christmas, for example, is the only track I consider to actually evoke a Christmas vibe, in terms of instrumentation and groove (sticking some sleigh bells into an otherwise generic track does not constitute festivity in my book); but again, I probably just feel this way because it reminds me very strongly of both an old Christmas edition of Art Attack where Neil was making some masterpiece in the snow, and the Icicle Inn from Final Fantasy 7 - possibly the most Christmassy place in all of fiction.
Given that subtlety is the name of the game here (unlike those crusty weasels who post count-downs to Christmas in the middle of fucking July), my headline track for the holiday period is one that tastes somewhat festive, but like cinnamon or red onion chutney, really suits the palette of any season. The opening arpeggios and glistening percussion certainly evoke a very strong feeling on standing on an ice-cold platform waiting for the Polar or Hogwarts Express, but from here it's really your decision as the listener to decide whether you feel like it's a track that fits your own personal idea of where Christmas magic truly emanates from.
Either way it's a fuckin banger though innit!
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about ODESZA here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Drama Free – deadmau5, Lights
28 November 2018
Lately I've been having these bizarre pangs of existential confusion, and I have to tell you kids, it's pretty bloody weird.
I'm 27 with a fairly decent job and enough freedom to focus on my creative goals, but there's this insidious little voice in my head that recently has been getting loud enough to hear over the other nonsensical bullshit that rattles around in this old noggin of mine. And let me tell you, this little guy is BORING as FUCK. It's constantly telling me that I really ought to forget about music and stuff, and instead just get on with the business of living a normal, ordinary life, and even tries to make me feel shit about the fact that other people my age are already doing just that to excellent effect.
I need to remind myself that a life worth living is one where the fundamental driving force of your life is being nurtured, and for me this force is that of creation. This is why the new track from my boy deadmau5 and Lights (who you might remember from her incredible vocal performances on BMTH's third album back in 2010) was exactly what this fatiguing soul needed. Drama Free has this one line that I really needed to hear: I'm on the road/To heaven knows where/I'm feeling okay. Because I really don't know where I'm going on this mad journey that I've embarked upon, but there's nothing wrong with that is there? I'm keeping the faith that this commitment will pay off at some point, because I may be many things, but a quitter ain't of em!
If you love Joel's ethereal low-fi beats like Snowcone, or if Cruficy Me was your jam back when 'There Is A Hell...' first came out, then you're gonna love this track. If you're feeling like you need to start conforming and growing up and all that other low-fat PG-rated bullshit and it's stressing you a bit, then get some Drama Free in your life, and get back to Saving the World! in the way you do best - it's been working out pretty well so far, hasn't it?
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about deadmau5 here:
You can learn more about Lights here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Origin – Far Out
14 November 2018
If there's one thing I look for in a track above all else, it's a powerful sense of story. I don't just mean that the lyrics really capture an emotion - often the most vivid songs are the one that use no words. What I'm talking about is a track that builds a soundscape right before your very ears, transporting you into the world of the creator in a way that goes far beyond your average lyrical metaphor.
With Origin, Far Out have created something that truly goes beyond the realm of what you'd normally expect from the future bass genre. From the moment the curtain lifts on this sonic landscape, we find ourselves in a place wholly otherworldly, shrouded in a sense of primordial mystery. There's a strong sense that we're in the presence of something bigger than us, that the mysteries of our species' beginnings are right at our fingertips - that the secret of our origin is close to being revealed. It's all so fucking sophisticated.
This feeling of standing in the shadow of a monolith, of the promise of revelation - and the danger that might come of it - is what great cinematic works (regardless of their medium of expression) capture so perfectly. The whole track builds on this initial vision by masterfully weaving string chorales with electronic lead-lines, synergising the organic with the alien to create a powerful feeling of discovery. Listen for the razor-like sawtooth fifths in the main hook cutting through the midrange, adding a subtle menace to the experience. Sonic cues like this, that evoke these most primal human emotions, give a piece of work a multidimensional resonance that transcends any one time or place.
Far Out don't just write catchy melodies: they build entire universes, and then put themselves in them. By positioning themselves on the other side of the door like this, they bring the experience alive, and make it that much easier for the listener to suspend disbelief and take the journey with them. This level of commitment to your art is a true rarity, and is what sets Far Out apart from the crowd - a major theme explored on this playlist.
This week I invite you to take a journey into the unknown with this enigmatic duo at the helm. I have no idea where they're taking us, but to be honest, I don't really think that matters.
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about Far Out here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Shelter – Porter Robinson, Madeon
30 October 2018
The problem with most 'happy' music, to put it simply, is that far too often it's far too sweet to be palatable; like eating pure marzipan or mainlining sucrose directly into your brainstem, you're typically left feeling nauseated and filled with regret at allowing yourself to go through such an ordeal. It's a simple fact that candy floss is sickly, and happy music is just the same - far too saccharine to be enjoyable, because when it comes down to it, life just isn't that tasty. Watch any dead-behind-the-eyes childrens' TV presenter, and you'll quickly be reminded that being 100% nice all the time is a fast-track ticket to mental illness.
Shelter by Porter Robinson and Madeon is unique in this respect, in that despite being carried by a relentlessly major-key motif, it lacks that sickly quality that similar songs might impose upon the hapless listener. Shelter is a more realistic portrayal of the positive; it smiles sweetly in your face whilst simultaneously kicking you in the ribs. Capturing that breathless headiness of true euphoria, it snapshots the way that humans truly feel when we're on top of the world - elated, intoxicated, and acutely aware that we could fall off at any moment. And as per the refrain, it's so wonderful.
The truth that all heroes carry close to their hearts is that happiness is rarely more than a fleeting visitor, ephemeral yet welcomed all the same, and never one for sticking around for too long. Eating sweets all day or binging your favourite TV show or having back-to-back orgasms might be fun for a bit, but if it becomes constant - if it becomes baseline, the norm - it loses all appeal, and then what? Fearing sadness and other unpleasant emotions might seem rational, but without them, none of the positives would have any context. I think Shelter resonates with this idea beautifully because, despite what the name might suggest, the key to saving our own little worlds is to come out from under our rocks and brave the world without feeling like we have to shelter ourselves from the nastiness that inevitably awaits.
What this week's track embodies is that idea that it's possible to be kicked hard and still be upbeat, that 'positivity' doesn't equal 'naivety', and that you can be happy without being an absolute melt. Put Shelter on and allow yourself to be thrust unceremoniously into a world full of possibilities - whatever flavour they may come in!
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about Porter Robinson here:
You can learn more about Madeon here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Happiness – Sagan
23 October 2018
*Villains Beware: the following content is not suitable for those of a malevolent disposition*
Earlier this year, Andrew and I attempted an experiment. For a whole month, we swapped playlists, completely entrusting one to run the other's list in a way that stayed true to the central theme but also putted an added twist on the existing paradigm.
One of the major motivations behind this decision was that we both felt that Music to Save the World! had lost it's way a bit, and perhaps wasn't delivering on the mission statement set out at the start of the journey, which reads:
Every hero needs an epic soundtrack: Whether it’s defying all odds to get the kids to school on time or overcoming your manager’s shitty attitude in a board meeting, every single day we’re required to achieve superhuman feats.
That’s where Music to Save The World! To can help. Each song is lovingly hand-picked to highlight an aspect of the hero’s struggle, to galvanize you when the chips are down, and to supercharge you when Victory! is in sight.
This isn’t just the playlist you want. It’s the playlist you deserve.
I feel like recently Music to Save the World! has returned to its roots, and in many ways the direction has actually evolved. I've been through a radical creative renaissance over the past year, both as a music curator and as an artist and musician, and I owe this in no small part to the fact that Andrew not only understands my creative direction, but also has the fortitude to point out when I'm straying from the path - and more importantly, knows how to guide me back on target!
This Tuesday, Music to Save the World! celebrates its first birthday, and to commemorate such a prestigious event, I felt it would be appropriate to go back to the very beginning, and share once again the very first track from this playlist; the track that started everything, the track that set the tone, and continues to influence the direction, of a playlist that has become incredibly important to me.
So, thank you to Andrew and to my musicto family for the incredible journey so far, and I honestly can't wait to see where the next year takes us as a collective. This is only the beginning!
And of course, here's the original post from October 30th, 2017:
Villains Beware: the following content is not suitable for those of a malevolent disposition*
This song truly delivers on the title. Like a jumper cable to the nipples of your soul, it'll boost you through the most troubling parts of your adventure and see you on your way to Victory! From the chipmunked lead vocal to the intensity of the drop, the song injects groove and vibe from start to finish. If there were ever to be a soundtrack to being on top of the world, this would surely be it. As the song says, 'I just can't get enough', and I guarantee once you give this a spin, you won't either!
I only discovered Sagan a short while ago, but I have to say I've been addicted to his tracks ever since. As producers the first thing we wanna do after hearing a fire track is try and emulate it for ourselves, break it down into it's core pieces and figure out what it is about it that makes it worm into our brain and stay there. Sagan is one producer I just can't reverse engineer, and for this reason his tracks will remain enigmatic to me and therefore, awesome
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about Sagan here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Weekly Roundup – W/E 28th October 2018
19 October 2018
Another week, another Weekly Roundup! Special thanks to our resident Song Wrangler Richard Parsons for compiling this week's summary - be sure to check out Castellorizon by David Gilmour on his Music to Blow Smoke Rings Across the Floor list, as well as Part 46 of Given Circumstances from Music to Tell a Tale!
Moving on, a few of us this week have gone with some pretty weekend-centric jams - Glenn from Music to Get Wild To has chosen Let's Party from Peter Zadd whilst I myself have reprised my very first track from Music to Save the World in honour of my lists first birthday - Happiness by the formidable SAGAN! Paul from Music to Shake a Hoof steals the show once again this week though with the Kon remix of Rock the Mic (feat. Taz & Inaya Day) by Mousse T!
If the weekend is still too far away for you to be worrying about yet, perhaps you need something smoother and silkier - like Tommi from Music to Celebrate Life's Tears in Heaven from the legendary Eric Clapton, or the hypnotic meditation epic Unknown by Kutiman from Andrew's Music to Write an Essay To list. Still want more like this? Brent from Music to Atone To has you covered with Nicolas Tomillion's To My Father, and Music to Grieve To keeps the vibe melodic with Hypomania from Video Compact.
Ana returns with Minha Bossa É Treta by Yzalú for all the Dali & Jay Z Lovers out there: as Richard says, it's 'not so much Bossa Nova as robotics maybe but with haunting backing and rhythmic vocals.' Meanwhile, Drake's pal Travis Scott is Noka from Music to Vibe To's choice of the week with Stargazing. While we're in the world of hip hop, Doran from Music to Rep New York is out in force with a name I'll simply shorten to Flipmode, courtesy of Busta Rhymes and friends!
Finally, we have our official musicto track of the week - My Body by lemin., brought to you by Cormac from Music to Catch Feelings To. Cormac describes this track as belonging to 'lemin's hold a: act 2 project, the second in a three-part series that will take listeners through a breakup: from sadness and depression, to anger and resentment, and finally acceptance. The series' name, "Hold A" comes from lemin's favourite N64 video game, Mario Kart, in which players hold the "A" button to accelerate. For lemin, it's a metaphor for accelerating into who we are.'
Once again, don't forget to search the #musicto hashtag for everything we have to offer, and enjoy this week's selection of incredible music! And again, a big thank you to Richard again for compiling this Roundup!
Matt & Andrew
Should your track be on one of our playlists? Use the playlist picker to find a new home for your latest anthem!
Faded Away (feat. Icona Pop) – SWACQ Remix – Sweater Beats, Icona Pop, SWACQ
2 October 2018
I get a lot of track submissions. Some are good; some are bad. Some are downright ridiculous. They span all different genres and styles, from artists with hundreds of thousands of streams to those with virtually none. It's always exciting listening to the latest track to land in my inbox (and I do genuinely listen to every one!), and I never know what to expect when I follow that Spotify link into the unknown.
Every once in a while however, I get sent a track that completely blows my mind. We all know that feeling, when a piece of music hits you so hard you can't remember a time when it wasn't on your playlist. This is exactly how I felt the first time I heard our featured track for October - SWACQ's incredible remix of 'Faded Away' by Sweater Beats and Icona Pop!
I've said this a few times before, and I'll say it again now: the hallmark of a good remix is one that completely reinvents the original, to the point that it becomes a whole new body of work in it's own right. With 'Faded Away', SWACQ does just that. Taking just a few elements from the original, SWACQ pushes the song in a completely new direction - one that retains the cotton candy sweetness of the original to begin with, before driving it into an absolute JUGGERNAUT of a drop that will honestly knock you for six. It's powerful, it's intelligent, and most importantly, it's uplifting: all the things you need from music you can Save the World! to.
One of my favourite aspects of this track is the attention to detail paid to its production. Littered throughout are little bitcrush and glitch effects, subtly adding to a soundscape that rewards the repeat listener, which is something I really admire in a piece of music. One of the coolest uses of sound effects is at the 1:16 mark, where the line 'wash away your name with drinks and purple rain' is emphasised with a rain splash effect. Listen carefully in this section and you'll also hear some lovely sounding tuned percussion, and who doesn't love lovely sounding tuned percussion? It's subtle additions like this that really make a track come to life and stand out from the rabble, and if there's one thing any superhero worth their salt knows, it's that you have have to set yourself apart from the crowd.
I'm really excited to share our featured track with you this month, so do yourself a favour - whack it on and turn it up until you're Faded Away!
Himalaya by Ellipsis
The Music to Save The World playlist is sponsored this month by Himalaya from Ellipsis.
The journey begins - fresh Chillstep from Ellipsis to help you focus. Stream it now:
You can learn more about SWACQ here:
You can learn more about Sweater Beats here:
You can learn more about Icona Pop here:
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Matt Jenko is a university postgraduate and music producer with an unhealthy obsession with Rick & Morty and all things Game of Thrones. When he’s not in the studio (a rare occurrence these days), he’s fueling his passion for music either on the net or out in the real world. He likes being out in the nature (in the least strenuous capacity though, let’s be real here) and chilling with his cat, and he’s also pretty proud of his mammoth collection of books that he’s never read.
Stand By Me – Medii, Kristen Olsson
25 September 2018
For me, a winning song is one that combines atmosphere and power to deliver the listener to an entirely new world. One that energises them, motivates them, and refreshes them. A song so moving that when they return to earth, they do so with a wholly new perspective that puts them in the right frame of mind to Save the World!
'Stand By Me' is exactly that kind of song. Airy and expansive, it starts slowly before melting into a swirling arpeggio that pushes you headfirst into the drop. And fuck me, what a drop! Exploding like a supernova into a super-slick groove laced with ethereal vocal chops, it's easy to feel as though you're soaring through the cosmos.
Lyrically, 'Stand By Me' paints a very real picture of vulnerability, honesty, and the inescapable fact that when it comes down to it, nobody is flawless and everybody makes mistakes. We all need a centre of gravity to keep us from floating away, and this track is a raw and open celebration of this unifying force of human experience, expressed perfectly by Kristen Olsson's otherworldly vocal delivery. Not to mention the DIRTY guitar solo!
Embrace the fact that we can't get it right all the time, and remind yourself that it's okay to be a little bit broken and a little bit reckless. It's the flawed characters amongst us that make the best superheroes!
more assorted nonsense
If you find my work valuable, or you just really like my taste in music, then you can pay what you feel to support me on this journey. That's really all there is to it! Your support means I can focus more energy in this space, and continue the psychodynamic odyssey. All support is appreciated equally & emphatically
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Hi my name is Matt, but my friends call me Matt. I’m on the wrong side of 29 (damn I hate it every time I have to update that number), definitely feeling my age, but never felt happier and more content than I do at this point in my life. I’ve been through some rocky patches (who hasn’t) and lived to tell the tale, and boy do I gots some stories.
When I’m not giving opinions absolutely nobody asked for, I’m doing a worldbuilding with my passion project, vivaellipsis. If you like offbeat nonsense delivered through immersive escapism, then go and get involved. Or don’t, I’m not telling you what to do. I’m not yer boss.
I’m a simple man with simple interests. I like Yorkshire tea, the sound of rain on the window, and a bloody good story.