Mixtape 43

I miss making you playlists for your disc drive, so I made you this. I know it’s not the same… but it’s the closest I can get. New mixtape monthly up on my spotify. Find me there at @jawnmo, and if you’re not on spotify, track list included here for you to burn to a cd and put in your 1996 jeep wrangler and turn up the volume. Have a nice weekend out there

about

Typically, the way I make these is by finding the tracks I most want to listen to, or spend more time with, and dropping them in over the course of the month. Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s the state of the world, but this collection skews slow and tranquil, with lovely string arrangements, deep analog synthesizers, and hypnotic vocal effects. I suppose the songs that have felt the best this month have been the songs that have brought a sense of calm or peace to my life. Of the bunch, the song that has cast a spell over me more than any other this month is “Wash,” by Jon Bellion. It’s meditative and full of these lovely production moments. There’s this amazing contrast in the call and response vocals, the first loud and almost-yelled, and the response a quiet, near-mumble. It’s two sides of the same coin of desire: the impulse to shout your feelings from the rooftops and the deep and shy intimacy of letting someone really know you.

Justice’s latest album release has been one I can’t put down. It’s a heavy electronic dance album with some intense synthesizer tracks, but each collaboration is wild and unique. They do collaboration really well. Mannequin Love is the track included here, featuring The Flints, a band I discovered through this collaboration.

This playlist is bigger on strings than usual. It’s a good way to get in your feels.

hidden gems

Sabali - Amadou & Miriam

The blind couple from Mali: these are two legendary musicians who created some incredibly unique music. Their tones seem as influenced by their home country as by the indie scenes I grew up loving. If you’ve never heard of them, this 2008 song is a great introduction to a fantastic discography.

Confessions - Sudan Archives

With an intro like a film score, this lush song has an excellent payoff in its chorus. Sudan Archives is an artist that has managed to blend a wide number of genres in a way that is unique and beautiful.

Bread & Roses - Mr. Hudson

I’ve always loved this production. With the acoustic guitars panning back and forth, the tasteful boom bap beats, and the vocals of an old crooner, this song is beautiful - why not give blood, make love, and don’t think twice?

It’s Been a Little Heavy Lately - Joesef

I recently opened up the New York Times, read every headline on the front page, and thought only about what a nightmare version of this world it depicted. “It’s been a little heavy lately” is a sentiment I think we can all relate to a little more than any of us would like.

Tracklist

1. Les mots bleus - Johan Papaconstantino

2. Headlock - Imogen Heap

3. Crybaby - Cults

4. I Just Need (with Lyrah) - Daniel Allan, Lyrah

5. Fairlies - Grian Chatten

6. Drifting - Omar Apollo

7. Nighttiming - Coconut Records

8. Touch Me I’m Going To Scream, Pt. 1 - My Morning Jacket

9. You’re Not The One - Sky Ferreira

10. Strange Overtones - David Byrne, Brian Eno

11. Your Sweet Love - Lee Hazlewood

12. Better Hate - Jessica Pratt

13. Your House - Inhaler

14. Thrown Around - James Blake

15. Baddy On The Floor - Jamie xx, Honey Dijon

16. Come Around and Love Me - Jalen Ngonda

17. The Trip - Still Corners

18. Don’t Call My Name - Skinshape

As always, if you find something you love on this playlist, let me know in the comments, I like sharing what you like.