Jorge Writes:
There hasn’t been a single point in my life where I’m not overwhelmed by uncertainty, which alongside other negative feelings I’ve carried throughout my life have sculpted my personality in uneven ways that affects my self-esteem nowadays; in this particular case the job market and the uncertainty of my future. Life keeps changing and we ought to adapt (fast, or slow, but steady) and I’m having a hard time deciding what to do because the world also keeps falling apart. I love how some Boom Bap tracks make me feel about uncertainty and traversing through different scenarios in my mind, and at the same time Grunge-styled music makes me want to embrace whatever pain I have and embrace it slowly.
Also, going through “psychological pain”, and even considering to complain about anything makes me feel extremely guilty because I’ve been so so fortunate in this crazy world that it just feels wrong to even think “boy oh boy… Am I feeling down again?”. It’s not like I want to nullify my or other people’s feelings based on this premise but it really helps me put my feet on the earth and see things through an unprejudiced perspective and, through anti-guilt, push forward.
Lastly, one of the biggest and strongest pillars in my life right now is my girlfriend, and I truly appreciate us being together. It’s a light inside this void that pulses intensely and makes me bring out the better part of myself. The 5th track is for her.
“We have to decide what to do with the time that is given to us”, Gandalf.
Jenna Writes:
If my life were a tv show and it had so many seasons, I’d be in the season that focuses on work, travelling and enjoying life in my 20’s. This playlist is the soundtrack to long flights, late-night talks, busy workdays, and those little in-between moments that makes my life feel full. Right now, it’s all about family, friends, solo adventures, and living in the present because who knows where the next episode will take me? That’s why songs like “Who Knows” by Mark Ambor fit in perfectly. It’s the ultimate carefree feeling song that captures exactly how I’m feeling right now.
“But everybody knows your twenties are for wasting time” – Jordy Searcy.
Read how Jenna feels about where she’s at in life
Andrew Writes:
What the Fuck is Going On – Elliot Murphy
As a Gen-Xer we were brought up to believe that the future was going to be amazing. Not just as a result of the new technologies that were coming our way and the speed at which society was growing – but also ethically – in that – our Baby Boomer forebears were challenging the status quo and bringing forth the peace and love that was going to change the world. Except it didn’t happen. Greed became good, fellow citizens became enemies, and wealth disparity continued to climb. And so – even if internally I’m doing OK – the external world looks a little scary. How the fuck did we get here?
Just One of the Guys – Jenny Lewis
I know that it’s odd for a dude to choose this – but I see a lot of myself in Jenny Lewis. I thought I’d get married and have loads of kids and yet – life went in a different direction. I’m the step father to three amazing human beings but there’s a part of me that will always wonder what might have happened if I’d had a kid of my own.
Ain’t a Road Too Long – Brent Cobb
They say do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. I say “they” are full of shit ;-p
I’m doing the work of my life – nurturing and growing musicto into a global organization that makes people’s lives better – I’ll be working on it ’til the day I die – but let’s be honest here – it is work – at times it is hard and fucking stressful and keeps me up at night.
A gig like this never ends, the road stretches to an infinite future & I’m here for it. I’ve got the love of my family, amazing friends and a deep desire to make it work.
Will You Go, Lassie Go – The Corries
We just moved to Scotland after 26 years in Los Angeles. I wrote a longer photo essay about that here. I feel very centered and ready to plant roots. I know – a bit odd at this late stage but it really does feel like home. The Scots do love a singsong and this track has such a beautiful melody – I will be learning it on both guitar and piano!
Man-Erg – Van der Graaf Generator
It was released in 1971, two years after I was born. I don’t know how I came across this album, but I do remember listening to Man-Erg and thinking it was such a mental track – and it is. It’s not so much existential as it is about working out who the fuck you are, and realizing there are many different aspects of who you are, and getting to be okay with them.
While I don’t particularly think there’s a killer or an angel in me, there are certainly facets of my personality that are very, very different. You wouldn’t necessarily show one side of you to another. I mean, there are plenty of Billy Joel tracks off The Stranger that could work here too, but I like the operatic aspect of Man-Erg.
I think I feel – yeah – I’m getting comfortable with who I am.
Read how Andrew feels about where he’s at in life
Track Listing
- Ain’t A Road Too Long – Brent Cobb
- Who Knows – Mark Ambor
- Will Ye Go, Lassie Go? – Lola Kirke
- Location Unknown – Brooklyn Session – HONNE
- Board of Desire – John Carroll Kirby
- enjoy the ride – almost monday
- Bad Advice – Summer Version – The Chainsmokers
- One Day – bôa
- Love & War in Your Twenties – Jordy Searcy
- Pedacito De Cielo – Los 3 Ases
- Man-Erg – Remastered 2021 – Van Der Graaf Generator
- Road Less Wandered – bailey
- I Lived – OneRepublic
- Mode – Rexx Life Raj
- Grape Cigarillo – Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
- Just One of the Guys – Jenny Lewis
- What the Fuck Is Going On – Elliott Murphy
- said who? – kid apollo
- Brand New – Ben Rector
- Seasons – Chris Cornell
Playlist Image by Rahul Vaidya 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 where we are in life. Learn more about The Human Collective here.
