It was a short month, but it felt like an eternity, somehow longer than January.

Without realizing, I ended up talking about the progress of the site in February inside of the January playlist post. Nevertheless, it was a very busy month. I’m still not done with the posts I was supposed to have written by January, so it will be a little while before we have a more original activity here.

It was a month of new beginnings, I suppose. A lot of full stops, a lot of returns. I went back and forth in my own heart, trying to decide my next steps. The human problem grew, I slowly only talked to shadows and shapes. I suppose it is time to be a bit more optimistic; life and love are a beautiful thing. No need to be so gray. And because of my newfound mood, I’ve decided: playlist posts will be open for a week before they’re closed to free subscribers. Every time I opened them they seem to bring new people in and a lot of traffic, so I’ll do it this way — at least until we’re a bigger family.

Which reminds me, we got two new subscribers this month. I don’t usually thank new subscribers because I’m dumb, but thanks for the support. I’m doing this for all of you.

I discovered quite late that these posts were never hidden on Substack, meaning that people who weren’t subscribers could read them there. So, while I decide what to do with them over there, they’re either gonna be always open or only for paid subscribers; the latter being an option that I don’t really want to accept.

One more thing: I really was going through it, so I only listened to two albums this month; a lot was also relistening to albums from January to write about them.

Anyway, I believe you came to dance. Let’s dance.

The Albums

Daniel Johnston — Retired Boxer

This was the moment where I truly fell in love with Johnston. It was at the very beginning of the month, I put this album on after receiving this recommendation from some fans on RYM.

From the albums I listened from him, it’s the most solid. There’s no unfinished song, there’s no half-song, there’s no barely-a-song… Every song complements the other very well, they’re all very cute and I’d even say the way they’re structured and even written is quite well-made for Johnston. You don’t have the strongest batch of songs as if every single one is incredible, but I’d say the quality doesn’t fluctuate as it usually does in every Johnston album I listened to. If you like the opener and the closer, two of the best songs he ever wrote, there’s nothing that can push you away from the deeper cuts.

As I already talked too much about True Love Will Find You in the End in our Valentine’s Day Post, I’d wish to highlight now the opener, I’ll Do Anything But Break Dance for Ya, Darling. I listened to it for the first time when I was going home one night after a day with my siblings and my grandma. The car was going through a bridge with the lights coming from the moon and the street lights all crashing beautifully in the water underneath, when Johnston came and sang the chorus of the song. My heart melted; I understood him, finally. It was so sweet.

Even though most of the song is him rambling about what was currently happening with him, I do think it’s a beautiful homage to a loved one in the silly little way he would often write his most moving pieces. The whole album is incredibly short and equally as charming, so give it a try. I’d say it’s an alright place to start your Johnston saga.

Dinosaur Jr — You’re Living All Over Me

With Dinosaur Jr’s “You’re Living All Over Me”, you really feel like listening to a lost album from the late 80’s, not one that was actually finished and released through an actual record label. It feels like one of those “what-ifs” in music, an unfinished album that could’ve been great. The A-Side carries this album even through its rough sound, but the B-Side either doesn’t have the song quality to carry anything or something else because it is even rougher, with most songs actually sounding beyond amateurish.

If the magic from the A-Side is in that the best songs with the best melodies carry this sense that they’re about to fall apart at any minute with how not well-put together things sound, in the B-Side they completely gave up, and it actually fell apart. I’ve been listening to a lot of Daniel Johnston lately, so believe me when I say some of the obvious roughness of the recordings (like the production mistakes in their case) were kind of charming. This is why I think this is still a worthwhile experience: the roughness is captivating, until it feels like it doesn’t care anymore to hold itself together — and maybe, even then, being charming for someone in this way.

For me, it feels like a big and great deflating balloon, quickly and franticly losing air, making its show and emptying just as it was getting good.

The Songs

Death Cab for Cutie — Tiny Vessels

Ever since I discovered this song, I always go back to it.

I lived a very isolated life, most of the time. When I was a teenager, I’d just spend most of my time at my house, so I couldn’t meet a lot of new faces. I didn’t have a lot of friends or any girlfriend. Sometimes I think what would’ve happened if I was just a little less shy and if I tried a bit harder to exist in the world; what would’ve happened if I made a girlfriend out of those girls that liked me back then?

Sadly, I have to come to terms that the result would probably be in the lyrics of this song. Maybe not. Maybe I was a sweet kid. But it’s so weird to talk about this song’s lyrics, because they’re so mean and hurtful just because they’re deeply honest. I think if someone wrote a song like this after a relationship with me, I’d just be breathless with my immense grief; the power of words. No, I’d never write this. I’d be the ex reading the lyrics.

The Antlers — Sylvia

I was writing about Sylvia Plath on the Nightporter’s Books of 2025 post, and I suddenly remembered this song. Not my favorite from the album (Bears is just excellent) and not my favorite album, but it’s been with me for many years. Back in the day (almost a decade ago), this album was talked about way more in the music communities I participated. It’s properly rated, I’d say: it’s good. Just good.

Swans — You’re Not Real, Girl

Sinister song from Gira, one of my favorites from Children of God. I think I listened to it on a reel or something, and it just took me back to 2019 or so when Swans was my whole life. Good times and a good song too. Perfect for people of whom their love and desire are quite weird.

Hozier — To Be Alone (Live)

I was listening to a few Hozier songs at that time and got around this live version of one of my favorites from his debut. The lyrics from his debut always got to me, and as I became older it seems they still follow me around as inescapable parts of my being. He always seemed to be able to do much more than he actually does, but at least that album with his mouth in the dirt with the flower is alright.

Haley Blais — Survivor’s Guilt

Can’t remember if I ever have recommended Haley Blais before. She was this YouTuber I used to watch back in 2018 or so, she used to do covers, but also vlogs. She was very funny, but her voice was very beautiful, too. She released an EP called Late Bloomer back then, and I know the lyrics of all of those songs because of how much I listened to it over the years.

I spent a long time throughout these last years avoiding her professional stuff (I think she signed with a label and started to publish professionally made songs around 2020), and I don’t know why I did it. Last year, I gave it a try. I would listen to Below the Salt, her 2020 album, almost every day going to college until I finally gave a chance to Wisecrack, her 2023 album. I think she has a great carreer ahead of her, I wish to be able to see her bloom ever further. One of the songs from Wisecrack ended up inspiring one of my favorite songs from my future album Songs of a Nothing, House Song. I’m quite grateful for following her for so long.

Survivor’s Guilt is one of her all-time best tracks, residing on her 2023 album. It immediately grabs you with her lyrics, which seem to tell about a past relationship with an inconvenient young boy. The first verse is quite fast in getting your attention, and in my opinion the song doesn’t let it go until it ends. It’s very charming, as is anything she ever did. I’m excited to see what we’ll have next.

Mount Eerie — You Swan, Go On

One of the loveliest songs I’ve ever listened to; and of course, Phil Elverum is in the scene of the crime. It’s a short one, but it’s a heart melter, for sure. Every time I listen to it I feel more and more regretful for never listening to any of his Mount Eerie records. Maybe in the next months…

The Mountain Goats — Dark in Here

I’m planning on doing a cover for a Mountain Goats song that’s a cover from someone else, but while I can’t play it in the guitar all we’re left with is their 2021 record Dark in Here. The title track is amazing, but I also recommend The Slow Parts on Death Metal Albums, which is probably my favorite song from them. I wish this album was more celebrated as I’ve never seen this style of Folk sounding so… Condensed. Like a big band Folk album; does that make sense?

If you wish to listen to the whole album, I’d say that both the songs I talked about here would definitely win the award of best-part-after-the-song-ends-where-the-instrumental-keeps-going. I don’t know how they do it, but the parts after the lyrics are over and the instrumental is carrying along are some of the best parts of these songs. It’s completely magical!

Nada Surf — Popular

Curious little song I discovered after looking for some other Alternative Rock song. The lyrics are quite funny when you understand what he’s doing (Genius recommended). It truly seems like a product of its time, though, for better or worse.

Violet Indiana — Purr La Perla

Excellent Dream Pop/kind of Trip Hop song I found out last year; I think a friend was listening to it in the car and I had to Shazam it. Very sensual and slow, conducting you to an almost sleepy electricity.

Yura Yura Teikoku — AKUMA GA BOKU WO

I’m familiar with Yura Yura Teikoku for as long as I started listening to J-Rock songs, but I’ve never listened to this one; a friend of a friend introduced it to me. Very funny, very well-made. Full of energy.

Frank Zappa — Peaches En Regalia

Frank Zappa’s Hot Rats is quite an old album to be recommending at this day and age because at least a decade ago it felt like everyone had already listened to it. If you have never, I recommend this song, which is the album’s opener, to be your first taste of it. Not very long compared to other entries and probably one of Zappa’s best tracks, period.

Howard Shore — Crash

So, this is the main theme for the movie Crash by David Cronenberg. I cannot recommend a movie enough. I watched it for the first time in 2024, probably, with a few friends in the local theatre with a special midnight exhibition. One of the best ways of watching the movie, for sure, but if you can get your bedroom really dark at about 3:00 AM with the air conditioner loudly operating, you can probably match the perfect way of engaging with it.

I forget sometimes I’m supposed to be a film major. Oh, well.

Neutral Milk Hotel — In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

I overuse this word in these posts, but this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, for sure. Everyone knows about Neutral Milk Hotel now, and everything about them has already been said, but I implore to you: if you’ve never listened to anything from them, this is the best place to start. Quite literally marlon-coded, if there was anything like it.

For me it’s this one and Oh Comely. Masterpieces. So incredibly beautiful. “What a beautiful face I have found in this place that is circling around the Sun” and “Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all”. I’d never stop talking about this song. It takes a most beautiful soul to come up with a single syllable written here.

Michael McGovern — Evelyn

I don’t remember how I discovered this, but when I pressed play (we don’t say “press play” anymore, do we? Let’s pretend we do for the aesthetics) the lyrics broke my heart very fast. It’s sweet, quite short. Interesting enough. He has a nice voice, and this song reminds me of some songs I’d listen from Richard Dawson back in 2018.

FUCK, we’re like a million playlist posts in and you guys have never listened to Richard Dawson. I’m a terrible host. We’ll correct this mistake next month.

Silversun Pickups — Panic Switch

I’m gonna be honest, I can’t for the life of me remember how I found this song, but I’m so glad I did. It’s very fun, it has that energetic low-energy vibe I fuck with so much. If you showed this song to me when I was much younger, it would be one of my most listened, definitely.

It certainly is marlon-coded, as the melody is right up my alley, but I won’t put it there yet; let’s keep it in the pot for a while.

Nemahsis — miss construed

I think what attracted me to this project was that it seemed famous enough even though I had not heard of it. Seems like one of those songs I’d listen to back when Conan Grey’s Heather and Rex Orange County’s Pluto Projector where permanently being repeated in my earphones while going to college. It even reminds me of Haley Blais, too. Well-made, sweet little thing.

Clairo — Sofia

My friend said to me once I had “lesbian music taste”, so here’s Clairo, I guess. I remember being very early when she released that Pretty Girl track many years ago, but ever since those times I never stopped to listen to other tracks of hers, even though everyone seems to love her even more now. I knew of Sofia for quite a while, the song grew more and more with me. I’ll be checking her other stuff out in the future.

Also, since we’ve been so hyper-Geesed these past months I suppose my taste is more toxic bisexual now. Fuck. Time to go back to Beth Gibbons or something.

The Magnetic Fields — I Don’t Believe in the Sun

This song reminds me of Blame it on the Sun, one of my favorite songs by Stevie Wonder. Such sad lyrics, perfectly gloomy and dramatic enough. I love it. One of those I’ll keep near for the nights that are harder than others.

The only sun I ever knew
Was the beautiful one that was you
Since you went away
It’s nighttime all day
And it’s usually raining too

So I don’t believe in the sun
How could it shine down on everyone
And never shine on me
How could there be
Such cruelty

Purple Mountains — Nights That Won’t Happen

If you go to my RateYourMusic, I’m almost sure you’ll see I gave this album a 5. Please, ignore this. If I remember correctly, I listened to it in a voice call with some friends which were speaking all over the music; I did not have any memories of any songs from this project. And now, every time I come across songs from this album, the only Purple Mountains album, I am mesmerized. I’ll be listening to this album (and correcting the score) very soon. This song is beautiful, from the last project by Silver Jews’ singer David Berman before he passed away. If you liked the other Silver Jews songs I put in past playlists, this one is probably ten times better.

Sparklehorse — Comfort Me

Even though this song is from 2001, Sparklehorse is pure 90’s to me. They’re quite a simple and easy to enjoy band. I recommend “Heart of Darkness” as well if you enjoyed this one.

Palace Music — The Brute Choir

We don’t have anything by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy on Spotify anymore, so when I discovered Palace Music is still over there, I got really happy. If you’ve never listened to Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, I also recommend the song Death to Everyone; you’ll have to search on YouTube, but it’s very much worth it.

The Brute Choir is a very lovely song in the typical style of his, I love the melody and his vocals here shine here. Never skip an Oldham song if Folk is your thing. He’s one of the best Alt-Country artists out there; even Johnny Cash covered him!

Racing Mount Pleasant — Heaven Bound, Home

Super weird little song I found while listening to the song above. Reminded me of one Bon Iver song I used to listen to, but forgot its name. It’s in a similar vein to the previous track, so if you enjoyed it, this one has my seal of approval.

Haruomi Hosono — SPORTS MAN

My city-pop phase has presented me with a lot of gifts, and Haruomi Hosono was one of them. One of his most famous songs, it’s impossibly catchy and charming. I can’t recommend this enough if you like Yellow Magic Orchestra or city pop in general.

Pet Shop Boys — Being Boring

Completely heartbreaking song about the AIDS crisis in the 80’s from the perspective of the singer. I swear, I almost cried listening to it again a few minutes ago. I can’t imagine being an outcast, shunned by the outside world and right when you started to grow a community around you with people like you who you were planning to grow old with, they all die one by one. This makes me so sad, I’m at a loss of words. I’ll let the lyrics talk for themselves.

I never dreamt that I would get to be
The creature that I always meant to be
But I thought in spite of dreams
You’d be sitting somewhere here with me

‘Cause we were never being boring
We had too much time to find for ourselves
And we were never being boring
We dressed up and fought, then thought, “Make amends”
And we were never holding back or worried that
Time would come to an end
We were always hoping that, looking back
You could always rely on a friend

SPELLLING — Boys at School

I discovered SPELLLING like most people did; through Anthony Fantano. It sucks to say that her album The Turning Wheel is probably a ten for me, too. It grew so much over the years for me, I ended up having a different relationship with each of the songs from the album. But if the album has one centerpiece, it is Boys at School. It’s Art Pop at its finest, often compared to Kate Bush. Even though this album got a lot of attention back then, I wish we talked about it more. It’s still unparalleled for me.

Death Cab for Cutie — I Will Follow You into the Dark

More classic than Adam and Eve. More classic than rice and beans. More classic than Bogart and Mozart combined.

We had a dark Death Cab for Cutie song earlier, you probably thought they were super mean people. They have very beautiful songs like this one, though. The type of song you’d dedicate to your high school crush.

Johnny Cash — God’s Gonna Cut You Down

Speaking of Johnny Cash, when I discovered his cover of Oldham’s I See a Darkness I also discovered this one. It’s just classic Johnny Cash, nothing more to add. If you like him, you’ll like it.

カネコアヤノ — 光の方へ

A silly little song from a japanese artist I’ve never heard before. It has a cat in the cover, though. So cute! I’d love to have a cat one day. I think I’m allergic to them, but that would never stop me. I’d just be kissing them all day. We used to say that my dog Mag was a cat in the skin of a dog, so I think I’m used to how they act.

Oh, the song. Almost forgot. Sorry, it’s late over here. The song is really cute, very charming. I love it a lot. Certainly marlon-coded.

Bob Dylan — One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)

After many songs, we finally got to the part of the month where I started to miss a certain someone. This one is not one that I would listen to very often, but the chorus in particular started to hit me in one February night. It hurt, it’s art. So I’d like you to at least read it.

But, sooner or later, one of us must know
That you just did what you’re supposed to do
Sooner or later, one of us must know
That I really did try to get close to you

But if you’re short on time, only listen to the next one.

Bob Dylan — Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

In the Valentine’s Day post, I mentioned this song. I read somewhere that this was Dylan’s favorite song of his, and I’m glad him saying it can make people remember this song’s genius. It hurts, but it doesn’t mean to hurt, like young love. I think it’s one of those Dylan songs I’m always near tears while listening to it, remembering and remembering. The chorus is hitting particularly hard now.

Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums
Should I put them by your gate?
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?

Paramore — Decode

Yeah, fuck Dylan. You were probably wondering “okay, when will we talk about good songs?” Right now, bitch. Yeah.

I’m sorry for calling you bitch. I don’t know what happened. I’m sorry.

This song is probably more classic than putting shoes on. Like, perfect song, perfect singer, perfect movie where this comes from. You listen to the guitar at the beginning and you’re transported back to a time where your phone had a keyboard and the world was a much simpler place.

Big Thief — Love Love Love

One of my favorites from one of my favorite albums of all time, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You. A lot of songs from this era had this air of departure from a relationship, while also identifying the lunatic behavior we express through our love. This song carries this obsession while also letting go, which for me it’s what makes a song about complicated relationships or obsessive nothings so good.

Big Thief — Vampire Empire

Another one that was on repeat 24/7 on 2025 on my way to college. This one is much more about a failed quasi-abusive relationship, but it also carries this obsessive nature to it; as if she’s being hypnotized by this manipulating person. I used to repeat some of the lines in the song when I was really upset, but that was in another hour. I can’t say I ever lived what she describes here, but she writes well enough so you can always get something from your own experience. I’ll put this last verse here because I think it’s really well-written.

Well, I walked into your dagger for the last time
It’s like trying to start a fire with matches in the snow
Where you can’t seem to hold me, can’t seem to let me go
So I can’t find surrender, and I can’t keep control
You turn me inside out and then you want the outside in
You spin me all around, then you ask me not to spin
You say you want to be alone, and you want children
You wanna be with me, you wanna be with him

Fugazi — Waiting Room

I don’t know if you’ve ever had this feeling: you know an artist or a band through their most famous song, you listen to that song a lot and that makes you interested in their other works. So you listen to their albums, you get familiar with their sound and many years pass. After all that time, suddenly, you come back to that song. It can be more than one, but it’s their most famous. You listen to it again, trying to feel it as if it’s your first time listening to it and then you have a realization: yeah, I totally get why this is so beloved; it’s certainly one of their best songs.

I had this with Nirvana, too. After listening to almost everything they had done, you go back to Smells Like Teen Spirit and yeah it’s perfect. Fugazi’s Waiting Room is one of the best songs from one of Post-Hardcore most iconic bands. Very short, so don’t miss out on it.

Sheena Ringo — GAMBLE

As the biggest fan of Sheena Ringo on Earth, I have to admit this is probably her best song. I always put this song on when I need to test new earphones, and it’s always orgasmic. If you’ve never listened to anything from her, one of my favorite artists of all time, I think this song can do justice to her legacy.

Built To Spill — I Would Hurt a Fly

I was feeling particularly depressed when I discovered this song. Hypnotizing, it’s probably one of the songs that breaks me the easiest. The chorus was tailor made to destroy every bit of my soul. The most marlon-coded song from this month’s playlist.

There’s a mean bone in my body
It’s connected to the problems that I won’t take for an answer
And I won’t take that from you
Because I’d
Hurt a fly

Smoking Popes — Megan

Fell in love with this song so bad, but it’s so hard to talk about it because I feel it only speaks to me. The melody reminds me of Carla by LS Jack, a famous 2000’s brazilian song, one I’ve always loved. When I discovered what the lyrics were saying, I was floored.

This song describes a person trying to kill themselves by standing on the train tracks because they can’t live without their partner that has passed away recently. Again, I’m almost at tears, because it’s just so simply written, but so heartbreaking. He just starts the song with “butter on a summer day when she’s around” as if that’s not the cutest thing ever written, and then procedes to break your heart.

Highly recommend listening to this one while listening to the lyrics.

Fernando Pellon — Tal Como Nazareth

A nice samba. It was carnival this last month, so I had to put at least one little samba for you to dance.

Mid-Air Thief — Protector

I listened to this project many years ago, but failed to remember a single track from it. Someone recommended me this song and I got to say, I understand why everyone loves them. They’re a South Korean artist and probably one of the best names in Neo-Psychedelia coming from the East, so check them out.

Khaled — Didi

A friend of a friend had shown this to me. Khaled is from Algeria, and this is a Pop song of his that caught my heart.

Jay Reatard — My Shadow

If I had to create a top 100 Punk songs of all time based on my taste, this one would be way up in the ladder. It’s Garage Punk, it’s incredibly short from a guy who passed away sixteen years ago. I don’t know much about Jay’s personal life, but it’s sad to see that his talent never got to bloom further.

Thom Yorke — Black Swan and The Eraser

Two songs I’ve listened to countless times throughout the years. Black Swan’s “what will grow crooked, you can’t make straight/It’s the price that you got to pay” was a quote I put in my Facebook profile many years ago; it’s probably there to this day. But I got reminded about this album because of The Eraser’s chorus.

The more you try to erase me
The more, the more, the more that I appear
Oh, the more, the more
The more I try to erase you
The more, the more, the more that you appear

It certainly feels like that, after so many loops, after these past years.

ミドリ — 5拍子 and ゆきこさん

I think the cover art for this album has either pulled people toward this project or pushed them away. People probably feel more inclined to talk about its cover than the songs, which is sad because this is one of the best Art Punk records I’ve ever listened to. Listen to these two songs I put in this month’s playlist and you won’t regret.

Ramones — Poison Heart

A friend reminded me of Ramones this last month. I was never a huge fan of their work on their debut, and a lot of their next albums would be them just trying to do their debut again. However, Poison Heart, from many years later in their carreer, always makes me come back to them. If you’re also not the biggest Ramones fan, give a chance to this one or Pet Sematary.

Coldplay — Trouble

I had a person in my mind in some days. There’s a lot of regret that comes over me when this person comes to my mind. I was trying not to get hurt, trying not to hurt her, and then ended up doing both. She’d never be able to hurt a fly, but I probably made her think she had a knife twisting on my back — imagine if she read the lyrics for Songs of a Nothing… She’d probably think she was a monster.

Love is a beautiful thing. I can feel the love when I’m so sorry about ever making her shed a single tear for me. She is a wonderful little person. I hope she gets that one day, with or without me around.

Oh no, what’s this?
A spiderweb, and I’m caught in the middle
So I turned to run
And thought of all the stupid things I’d done

And I, I never meant to cause you trouble
And I, I never meant to do you wrong
And I, well, if I ever caused you trouble
And oh no, I never meant to do you harm

Fernanda Abreu — Speed Racer

A friend of a friend introduced me to this Fernanda Abreu song. Now I’m quite embarrassed to say I didn’t know her after enjoying this one so much. This is one of those late-night drives under city lights songs, be sure to not miss it.

The Beach Boys — Disney Girls (1957) and Tears In The Morning

More love songs. Disney Girls is probably my all-time favorite Beach Boys song, and another one I picture myself singing to my future daughter. “Oh, reality. It’s not for me, and it makes me laugh.”

She Wants Revenge — Rachael

Look. I don’t have guilty pleasures. I don’t believe in guilty pleasures, I think that’s for weak people who are ashamed to say they like something.

Having said that: I’m ashamed to say I like She Wants Revenge sometimes.

I’M SORRY……………………………… I’m weak, I know. But they’re really neat! Check this song out or the one from last month’s playlist.

JID — Kody Blu 31

One of JID’s best songs from his best album, and one of the best hip-hop records of the 2020’s so far. Listen to his angelic voice here. Hip-hop can be such a beautiful thing.

Bob Dylan — Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)

From the same album as the other Dylan tracks I put here earlier, this one is one of his funniest. “Time will tell just who has fell and who’s been left behind/When you go your way and I go mine”. For when you want to be a bit cheeky after losing someone.

Blackalicious — Deception

Got recommended this song after listening to some Blackalicious songs last month. I recommended in the last playlist post, but even I didn’t knew this song; I have never listened to Nia. Recommend it for fans of late-90’s/early-2000’s hip-hop.

Magdalena Bay — Killing Time

When I was playing Minish Cap for the second time last year, I put this Magdalena Bay record on because everyone and their grandmother was talking about it. I wanted to have a first impression with the record before an active listen, so I put it in the background as I played. This song is the only one that stood out from the album for me, and I love it a lot. I’ll be checking the album in another time, I’m sure they have more gems in there. For those interested, it’s like everything Pop can be when it’s the best thing you have listened to.

Animal Collective — Leaf House

A friend of a friend (we had a lot of those this month) recommended this. I was never into Animal Collective despite knowing them since forever, but this song made me curious about their sound. Excellent song with painful lyrics. I’d love to check them out another time.

Aphex Twin — Fingerbib/The Mad Capsule Markets — PULSE/Segunda Mordida — ❤ EN EL AIRE/Zé Ramalho — Pedra Templo Animal – Água

I was searching for songs in a certain style to recommend to a friend, I ended up discovering all of these — most of them don’t have anything to do with each other, but they were what I was looking for. I recommend all of them, despite not having much to say about them.

George Benson — Give Me the Night

One of my favorite Boogie songs. It’s probably more classic than being born. It’s more classic than waking up and getting out of bed. If you want to dance and feel happy, put this one on.

Stromae — Formidable

I wrote my Stromae post last month, so here’s an excellent song from racine carreé that wasn’t on January’s playlist. Don’t sleep on Stromae.

Supersister — She Was Naked

I was listening to something else, which had absolutely nothing to do with this song, and Spotify recommended it to me. I have no idea of what’s going on here, but it seems to be kind of cute. And then it has a breakdown and a deep ass voice saying gibberish and then a flute solo. The 70’s were crazy.

The Cure — A Strange Day

One of my favorite songs from one of The Cure’s best record. Once in a while, you have to stop and remind yourself how The Cure was probably one of the best bands of all time.

Swans — Mother/Father

One of my earliest possessions of band merch was my The Great Annihilator T-shirt; I remember using it to go to college in the earlier years and being stopped a lot by people saying “hey, I love them! nice shirt!”, which is one of the greatest honors someone wearing band merch can receive. I have one for Filth as well; that one will probably be worn out pretty soon because I just use it all the time. But they’re both a bit small on me today, since I bought them in 2017 along with my beloved old Master of Reality hoodie (that one is super worn out).

About the song, though, we have Jarboe taking the lead — and crushing it, as usual. This one has always stood out with me the most, I just love its energy and the melody and Jarboe’s screaming at the end. The Great Annihilator is probably one of the best Swans records for you to get introduced to them, so give it a try.

The Mars Volta — The Widow

I remember back in the day having the awful time of trying to translate this album’s nonsensical lyrics. Nevertheless, this is an excellent cut from a near-perfect record. Highly recommend for fans of… Whatever the fuck this album’s genre is.

The Cranberries — Dreams

A dreamy love song. Dolores’ voice is so beautiful it can melt me.

You can see I went back in forth this month. I’d abandon love to loving it the next day. I think this is a very funny human behavior, we just can’t lie to ourselves. When time comes, you’re alone on the stage and the rain is pouring outside, you need to drive home. It’s there where minutes happen, where hours delay and seconds fade. When you’re alone together.

And now I tell you openly
You have my heart, so don’t hurt me
You’re what I couldn’t find
Totally amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me

Oh, my life
Is changin’ every day
In every possible way
And oh, my dreams
It’s never quite as it seems
‘Cause you’re a dream to me, dream to me

The Decemberists — Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect

Speaking about love, this song was overplayed to hell last year, back when I was going to college. I think I discovered this song after I wrote my House Song, mentioned previously, but they all seem to use the same metaphors; even though this one is quite cleverly written. I think the idea of comparing the construction and structure of a house to the construction and structure of a relationship is kind of neat; there are parallels to be brought about how both stand, about what they keep under their wings.

Talking about it makes me want to talk about it with someone else. I think she’d have very interesting things ot say about it. Oh, well. How weird it is to talk endlessly with a person and realize you could talk with them forever, with subjects never vanishing; a tree that always has fruit.

And I am nothing of a builder
But here I dreamt I was an architect
And I built this balustrade
To keep you home, to keep you safe
From the outside world
But the angles and the corners
Even though my work is unparalleled
They never seemed to meet
This structure fell about our feet
And we were free to go

Venetian Snares — Szerencsétlen

Absurd sonic creation. It’s classical music but with Breakcore elements. It’s a classical Drill and Bass song. If I need to speak anymore than that, I’ll lose my faith in people.

Tangerine Dream — Beach Scene (From “Thief” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

This song is from the soundtrack from a movie I watched last year. The movie didn’t keep itself intact in my memory, I must admit, but the soundtrack made by Tangerine Dream is immaculate. Tangerine Dream is from the Berlin School, so if you feel interested in discovering their sound, I think this is one nice song.

Portishead — The Rip

Ok, but this one is more classic than brushing your teeth, though.

Portishead’s The Rip could also earn from me the prize of being the most beautiful song ever made, competing with their Dummy song, Roads. Never before has Beth Gibbons’ voice sounded as entrancing and beautiful. You must check this out.

By the way, Tangerine Dream AND Portishead? Am I a lesbian again? I hope so…

Big Black — Passing Complexion

BIG BLACK IS BACK ON SPOTIFY!!!

This is Steve Albini’s first project. He sang here.

Most people know about Songs About Fucking; it has one of the most recognizable cover arts from any Post-Hardcore record. However, I remember Atomizer having a bigger impact on me. Try any song from this project. Let’s just celebrate it’s back here!!!

The American Analog Set — Punk as Fuck

A relaxing song right after Big Black just because anger will never solve any issues. We’re here. We’re in the Earth. We’re perfect. We’re perfectly flowing out.

Sparklehorse — Sad And Beautiful World

This is another Sparklehorse song, but this one reminds me of the Velvet Underground, especially with the line “Sometimes I get so sad/Sometimes you just make me mad” — Wait, I just realized it’s supposed to be a reference. Ok, this is kind of marlon-coded, then; whenever I feel like I’m ripping someone off I just put a reference to the person’s work somewhere in my work so that they know I’m their ugly twin.

Marianne Faithfull — As Tears Go By

This one is probably more classic than going to school in a cold morning and realizing you were one of the only kids that went there that day, so you develop some kind of personal bond with the teacher until she cuts the class shorter.

This song is about growing old and noticing your age. I’m only 25, but it’s already getting to me. You think of time wasted, you think of the beauty that was not being worried about adult stuff. Of having someone, a trusted adult, that could do most things for you.

I feel that I ended up losing a lot of the best moments of my childhood and teenage years. I compensate, it seems, by losing a lot of good moments of my adulthood. And then one day I’ll be even older, thinking why I’m not doing this or that.

It makes you want to live. What a gift it is. To have the luxury of wasting time, our most precious finite resource. But I don’t want to waste it anymore. I want the rest of my life to start as soon as possible, as Harry said to Sally.

Thank you for reading it to the end. March’s playlist is here already! Listen to it below.

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