Love Is a Rollercoaster

Scott Street – Phoebe Bridgers

I’m starting with my current song crush – the amazing Scott Street from Phoebe Bridgers.  I can’t quite remember how it appeared in my ears but I do know that I’ve probably played it over thirty times since then and I think it is an awesome track to start a playlist with someone I don’t know!

So – this is me setting the scene Siavosh – we’re going love, heartache, killer vocals and tight production – let’s see where we end up!

you’re up.

Hurry Home (with beabadoobee & Jay Som) – No Rome

“Wow! I’ve been listening to that repeatedly since yesterday. I really enjoyed the lyrics, and the vocals were exceptionally sweet. These days, as I’m curating several world jazz playlists, my soul and mind are naturally immersed in that realm. I’m relishing the challenge, and that’s why it took me some time to find my way onto this path!

With all that being said, your track brought to mind a song by Jay Som. So, let’s check out ‘Hurry Home’ by No Rome and Jay Som. I believe these two tracks could complement each other well.”

22 Break – Oh Wonder

Heh!  This is so much my favorite thing to do – sharing tracks and seeing where they lead another person and then in turn going on a reciprocal journey.  😎  Jay Som’s voice is just perfect coming out of the Phoebe Bridgers track – and the overall song structure – slowly building – bringing in the male vocal and then the percussion just driving the track to the out – and of course the lyric – we’re in full on relationship mode – and grown up relationship mode too – in that they’re going to have to work things out and that process can be hard.

I immediately thought of Oh Wonder and their journey as a band – from musicians to lovers to break up to make up ;-p. We’re also leading with these soft transitions – the out of Hurry Home with its whimsical ending blends sweetly into Josephine’s vocal – then his vocal comes in and we’re keeping the energy with the strong beat and we’re off – a track about what you do in that impossible position where you’re in love but can’t see a future and yet…   

Fool – Adam Naas

What a good choice Andrew. Thanks for that. I’m really enjoying this musical journey, and it seems like we’re heading in the right direction.

The overall mood of the tracks and the narrative behind Oh Wonder’s story led me to think of just one song. I was completely in the mood to listen to it, nothing else. Let’s transition to one of my favorite artists, Adam Naas.

The energy from the previous song and its ending gave me the idea that perhaps it’s time to slow things down a bit and contemplate love more deeply. It’s about acknowledging how love can sometimes hurt, yet there’s this desire to hold onto it. Isn’t it foolish, but beautiful?

Let It Go – Peter Broderick

Yes – I’m loving this direction too – heh!  So what a great track – I hadn’t listened to him before or Merryn Jean – such a strong mix too – so vocal forward and the power of the chemistry between them – the song about losing one’s first love – and of course she’s all so unaffected by the end and he’s so bluffing and intimating that he understands – and we all know he doesn’t and at the end – the silent killer from an ex lover when they say they love you – 

It’s brilliant.

I tend to fall head over heels in love with certain tracks – maybe 5 or 6 of them a year – I don’t know why but they enter my brain and I can’t stop thinking about them – Peter Broderick’s Let it Go was one from last year – I was moving it onto different playlists and starting lists with different people where it was the first track just to see where things went.  Lyrically it speaks more to the existential threat of tech – at least to my ears – but I think it works well in a relationship context too in that – it’s the kind of track you could play to Adam and maybe – it might help him.

I have my Spotify set on a 5 second crossfade and the way her “love you Adam” plays over the acoustic intro from Let It Go makes me grin ;-p

Taijin Kyofusho – The Evpatoria Report

What an amazing song you added! It was absolutely wonderful. I loved the meaning behind the lyrics and, of course, your perspective on why that track should be included in our playlist. I also enjoyed the music, especially the delicate drum beats and the beautiful strings. The instrumental mix was also interesting and effectively highlighted the significance of the lyrics.

Considering all of these aspects of the track, which touches on relationships, humanity, our modern lives intertwined with technology, and the philosophy of letting go, it led me to make a rather unconventional decision. Initially, I thought my choice might not be suitable for the playlist, but why not?

I thought of adding an instrumental post-rock track called “Taijin Kyofusho” by the Swiss rock band The Evpatoria Report. This is the kind of music that speaks volumes without words. For me, this song is a true masterpiece. There’s so much to appreciate about the musicality of this track, but I’m confident that you’ll notice it yourself when you listen to it. However, the significance of this song to me lies beneath its surface story.  Let me share with you just what I found written about this song on the internet.

“The Evpatoria Report’s song “Taijin Kyofusho” is an instrumental track based on the last conversation between Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband and the mission control station at Houston during their flight over the United States on February 1st, 2003. The song captures the contemplative silence that came after their last exchange, and serves as a sad yet somber reminiscence of the flight. The track reflects the solemn mood in which the crew’s fateful end was accepted and internalized, ultimately culminating in the call honoring their memory when they failed to respond.”

Space Walk – Lemon Jelly

Oh wow – how powerful is Taijin Kyofusho?!  I didn’t get that the space conversation was from the Columbia – it was certainly somber and the melancholy of the music certainly fit right in – well – until we get to the back half where its all passion and intensity but still all built round the same descending construct – on reading your note above it just put it all into context and makes it hit even harder – the kind of track that you need a breather after.

I’m in two minds after the track – I’m just A/Bing the other track now but I think I’m going to go with Lemon Jelly’s Space Walk – I’m of course keeping us in orbit ;-p but I’m spinning from tragedy to ecstasy – this time the conversation is a recording of Ed White’s 1965 space walk on the Gemini 4 mission – it was the first American space walk and you can feel the joy and the emotion in his voice.  Musically the track moves away from the emotional wrenching of strings and rock bands and brings it into a more playful space – beats and tech and just fun.

(I almost swapped it out for the other track but i’ll save that for later ;-ppp)

Lava Lamp – Thundercat

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! 👍

What an excellent choice! These two really complement each other well.

After listening to our playlist so far about love and relationships and your last track, it reminded me of a particular part of a song that goes: “Maybe another time and space.”

Absolutely! 

Let’s give “Lava Lamp” by the talented bassist and singer, Thundercat, a listen.

Prototype – Outkast

Thundercat is just the dude – such a smooth player and a surprisingly awesome vocalist too ;-p. His collaboration with Mac Miller on the Tiny Desk gig just oozed class.  This time it was a fairly quick connection for me – that chilled out groove – the higher vocal positioning – had me reaching for a super smooth cut from Outkast – the ending of this always cracks me up ;-p. You’re up!

FourSixty – Feat. Aaron Taylor – Adi Oasis

Nice choice! I liked that.The guitars and bass in that song are indeed fantastic.

It’s fascinating how our playlist has taken us through various emotions and experiences, mirroring the ups and downs of the real world.

Given the journey so far, I immediately thought of some songs by a musician whose music I genuinely enjoy—Aaron Taylor.

If a new day is ahead, let’s delve into “FourSixty” by Adi Osis featuring Aaron Taylor. Hope you enjoy it! 😉

Summer Breeze – The Isley Brothers

I mean – it’s just the groove isn’t it ;-p. 

I was initially thinking Erykah Badu’s Tyrone  – but the live versions didn’t transition and that’s the one that has the “thing” – so – went for the bass line instead.

Ode – Collard

Fantastic song! I really enjoyed that. The guitars were amazing—a great choice!

Observing the flow of our storyline, I thought it might be a good idea to delve a bit deeper and add some heat to the mix. 😉

So, I’ve included “Ode” by the talented young artist from London, J Collard. Hope you enjoy it too! 😉

Righteously – Anna Ash

I’ve been rushing around like a lunatic but finally getting a chance to live with the track – and yeah – how about that for an opening – super sexy and hot indeed!  Will need to live with it for a bit but my mind already went to Prince and Lenny Kravitz ;-p. 

So I was thinking about the perspective of the young man where it’s so good and hot and yet – unless he’s been around the block a bit – he doesn’t know when he’s got a good thing going.  So I thought I would respond back from the woman’s point of view – ;-p. This is a cover of a Lucinda Williams track but I find this version just sexier – I love her vocal delivery and that John Coltrane line – epic!

Her Lies – Asaf Avidan

Yeah! Perfect song! Those two tracks really match in a conversation. I liked the vocals and also the grooves. 

I could feel some tension rising up between the two. So immediately I remembered a related track by Asaf Avidan. “Her Lies” is one of his perfect songs. It has different versions. “Her Lies – In a Box Version” is just an amazing all solo performance by Asaf, but I thought maybe this version with The Mojos makes more sense to the whole atmosphere of our playlist. Tell me what you think and now you’re up 😉

Lower Worlds – Rainer Maria

I’m listening to the outro of Righteously into Her Lies and it’s bloody perfect – Asaf FTW!

All I can think about now is guitars.  More guitars please?  yes! 

Habitual Love – Okay Kaya

Wow! Nice song. I liked that.

Ok, so that we are here, I came up with Okay Kaya. Let’s listen to “Habitual Love”

Criminal – Fiona Apple

I’m loving the Okay Kaya track – I’m down such a rabbit hole – thinking of that underlying groove and matching the lyrical sentiment – I’ll get there – but – yes – thank you for this one 🙂

It’s the chugging buzz that delivers such a solid low end groove to the whole track and it was burning in my ears for days.  The closest thing I could think of was something off the Drive soundtrack – possibly Chromatics’s Tick of the Clock – but it was an instrumental and I wanted to keep the reflections in the love space – but yes – great song – loved the lyric too – ‘cos yeah – who wants a love like that?

I was ultimately driven by the bass line groove – and at some point Fiona Apple popped into my head – and on listening to the transition I’m rather pleased with it ;-p  We’re still firmly in the examination of relationships – ‘cos while you sure don’t need a superficial / habitual love – you sure as hell don’t want the love of a broken person – with that said – good to see fiona trying to change her evil ways ;-p

You’re up!

Guilty – Lady Wray

Nice 👍. I liked that. Fiona Apple is indeed a fantastic choice with both compelling lyrics and amazing arrangements.

Continuing from “Criminal,” it sparked the memory of another song, so I thought I’d share it too. Let’s dive into “Guilty” by Nicole Wray.

You’re up!

If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow

Loved the vibe of the Lady Wray track – I love that blend of modern production alongside classic grooves – almost a motown vibe – particularly the positioning of the backing vocals – it could be the sixties ;-p  Lyrically it’s one of those of stories that’s so wonderfully opaque you could read it a million different ways – it’s almost as if her lover got arrested and is away for awhile and she’s still loving him but wanting to have a life and hey – it ain’t her fault he got locked up ;-p

My head was going to a load of similar grooves – was also noticing that we’ve predominately gone for female vocalists on this list – and was tempted to change gender but something was just nagging me – the first lines of the chorus just latched onto a snatch of melody – took me a while but it finally popped out that I was thinking of Sheryl Crow – and while the groove shift is significant – I like how lyrically the track would certainly be reassuring for Lady Wray to hear in her predicament ;-p. You’re up! ;-p

The Final Frame – Michael Kiwanuka

I liked the song. I believe it was a great match. What I liked even more was the second tribute to John Coltrane. Looks like there’s always something that takes you back to old days, maybe a piece of song or an artist. 

Anyways, as I was listening to Sheryl’s song, I was really enjoying the guitars, so I thought of another talented artist whose music I enjoy. So, I guess “The Final Frame” will be the song for this part of our story. Tell me what you think 🙂

Lord, I’m Discouraged – The Hold Steady

I love Michael Kiwanuka – he’s had such an epic few years – tracks hitting in many different places – aside from the sheer musicality and the quality of his vocal – he’s clearly got the “thing” that artists that break have – I suspect he’s a charismatic dude!  What got me about this track was the tone of the guitar – it has me thinking of the tone Keith Richards uses on Sympathy For The Devil – it’s knife edge sharp and just cuts through everything – in a really cool way.  Add to that the lyrical content – it’s just so damn wonderfully depressing – who writes a lyric like: “Love’s been a strain, a strain in my heart I’m numb to the feeling” – I mean – damn!  

So I’m thinking guitars – I’m thinking acceptance of the loss of a relationship and just numbness to it and my ears took me to The Hold Steady and one of my favorite ever guitar solos but – Craig Finn’s genius is the story he tells and Lord I’m Discouraged is one of my favorites – the line: “I mostly just pray she don’t die” – yeah – Love’s fucking strange – a lot of the time!

Last one’s yours Sir – this has been a blast!!

Surface Tension – Genevieve Stokes

What a song you just added man! That was awesome. I listened to it, immediately after I got notified. The lyrics are just fabulous, I truly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was like all of the words were coming from an older version of me in the past! Wow, I was just speechless. That’s one of the reasons I couldn’t add any other song. Believe me, it’s so hard to say anything after that. I try my best to see how I can answer that, it’s gonna take a little longer.

I finally made it to a track by a young artist. Let’s listen to “Surface Tension ” by Genevieve Stokes. I thought it might be a good ending for the playlist, both lyrically and musically, where it leaves the closing still kinda open, where you might not be sure about everything. 

That’s all from me.

Track Listing

• Scott Street – Phoebe Bridgers
• Hurry Home (with beabadoobee & Jay Som) – No Rome
• 22 Break – Oh Wonder
• Fool – Adam Naas
• Let It Go – Peter Broderick
• Taijin Kyofusho – The Evpatoria Report
• Space Walk – Lemon Jelly
• Lava Lamp – Thundercat
• Prototype – Outkast
• FourSixty – Feat. Aaron Taylor – Adi Oasis
• Summer Breeze – The Isley Brothers
• Ode – Collard
• Righteously – Anna Ash
• Her Lies – Asaf Avidan
• Lower Worlds – Rainer Maria
• Habitual Love – Okay Kaya
• Criminal – Fiona Apple
• Guilty – Lady Wray
• If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow
• The Final Frame – Michael Kiwanuka
• Lord, I’m Discouraged – The Hold Steady
• Surface Tension – Genevieve Stokes

Playlist image from AI prompt by Siavosh

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This playlist is part of The Human Collective. Each week we take a prompt and create a playlist and accompanying articles. Learn more about The Human Collective here.