Now Playing: December

December 1st // "Somebody Else" - The 1975

  I have no choice but to play this song whenever it comes on shuffle...there is nothing like it. I have a playlist in my head of songs that have perfect lyrics and production, and this song is definitely on it. I saw the band live at Austin City Limits and something about the festival setting made it one of the best sets of the weekend. (2016)

December 2nd // "Messy" - Lola Young

  Rare times when TikTok showcases great music! The length of the song is 4:44, which is so fitting for me. I just learned that she wrote this with her parents in mind and I could not stop listening to it after that interpretation. Honest to God though...the trend of allowing people to be "messy", but in a truly disgusting way, is not it for me. I know about a depression hole, and some of those environments should not be suitable for pets and or children. Thinking of those who try their best to keep things together though! (2024)

December 3rd // "Chihiro" - Billie Eilish

  Dude. This deserved what "Birds Of A Feather" got 100%. I think this is in their top 5 songs as a duo. The music video being a complete copy/interpretation of Spirited Away is so intelligent and something I know I would do as an artist. They literally got me to finally watch the film for the first time and I got the hype. Eilish stated that this song is in CHIHIRO's point of view and her own. The music video is insanely good too, I wish she sent it in to the Grammys for consideration! My favorite Billie Eilish song to date. (2024)

December 4th // "Haters Anthem" - Infinity Song

   SONG OF THE YEAR! It is my new karaoke song; if they don't have it I'm playing it off my phone. I added it to my "songs to listen to" on my last blog, but it has changed my life this past month. I would wake up singing this song in my head for days and I watched every version posted on YouTube. The group has been around for so long and started by performing in the streets of New York City....my dream. I really hope they stick around and continue to release music like this. (2023)

December 5th // "Mele Kalikimaka" - Kacey Musgraves ft. Zooey Deschanel

   I finally sat down to watch The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show after years and got reminded how enjoyable this song is! It is so funny how once you hear a certain song or word you have never focused on before, you start to recognize it everywhere...Also, Zooey Deschanel has the most stunning jazz voice I have ever heard. Love her. (2019)

December 6th // "Careless Whisper" - George Michael

  Holy shit, this song never gets old. In my local sushi restaurant, they play a cello saxophone cover of this song only. Literally nothing else is played there. I got really into this song again when I started singing around my house again. The lyrics are so raw and I cant pretend I don't know that Harry Styles has "i'm never gonna dance again" tattooed on his ankles. I need more artists to add saxophone to their music, it's so underrated in the mainstream music scene. The bridge goes crazy; I empathize with cheaters during this song, and this song only. It is hard when loved ones pass early because you can't help but wonder what life would look like if they were in it today. (1984)

December 7th // "Think Twice" - Suki Waterhouse

  This album is so underrated. I have also never said this in my life, but this reminds me of Jenny Lewis! I always take the chance to see Waterhouse when she is on festival lineups, but this tour I got the chance to see her inside...she killed it. The concept behind the album is so cool too; very me indeed! (2024)

December 8th // "Starman" - David Bowie

  I get so happy every time this song comes on shuffle! Between this, "You Make My Dreams (Come True)", and "Mr. Blue Sky" I am not sure which song is used more in modern media. I love every version of this song. My first vinyl record was even a David Bowie greatest hits record! I love trying to imagine where I would be or what I would be doing during this time music like this was released....I can't help but be grateful for the era I was born into, however. I just know I would do very well there. (1972)

December 9th // "Last Christmas" - Wham! 

   I just realized this song originated from Wham! when I saw the documentary....I truly thought they were just another group that covered the song. I actually cried watching it because I wish I had a friendship like theirs. It made me look really deep inward and evaluate what makes me different from everyone else. I thought the music video concept was so beautiful, and to see their friend group reunite after 40 years was beautiful. (1984)

December 10th // "Good Luck Babe!"- Chappell Roan

  It has been so long since I found someone to call my role-model, but Chappell Roan is mine. She deserves everything good, forever. This bridge is massiiiiiive. I relate to the lyrics so much. Imagine following up a debut record like The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess with this track. I always bring up how Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and Roan are all signed to a variation of Island Records. Now, imagine their office holiday party this year.......Love her. (2024)

December 11th // "Father And Son" - Cat Stevens

  Ugh. I watched Guardians Of The Galaxy vol. 2 again, and whenever they play this track during Yondu's funeral I start sobbing. The message behind it is so beautiful. It makes me think about being able to do good, even when others think you can't. After watching this, I had to go read in the park. (1970)

December 12th // "Sympathy is a knife featuring ariana grande" - Charli XCX ft. Ariana Grande

  ISSA KNIFE! I love this song so much. I used to comment on peoples' bodies before realizing how harmful a "compliment" could be. I had/have a lot of my own things to work through. Girlhood is so sacred. I consume content like this sensitively because I know the likelihood of me relating to it is usually 9/10. of This remix is fantastic; I hate to say it, but I am just into the EDM/lyrics combo more than the remixed sometimes. And that's ok. I can, and will queue this in between Dom Dolla. (2024) 

December 13th // "Supersad" - Suki Waterhouse

  Head-bang Suki!!! Oh, this track goes so crazy. I think any artist could drop this and I would be obsessed with it. I get to see her at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and this song is in my top 3 to hear live. I bought a ticket to her album signing at Grimey's; I wonder if I can come up with the courage to tell her how great this track is. Also, I am painting a Sparkle-muffin. (2024)

December 14th // "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" - Billie Eilish 

  Billie.....come on. From minute 2:30 - the end is some of the best music I have ever heard. I used to listen to this song on a very surface level until someone asked me who I think of when I listen. I could not think of anyone I feel that way about. I feel a little sad when I focus on that memory, but there is a lot of life to live. (2024)

December 15th // "Let's Go" - Khalid

  When my friend Ana reminded me this album existed, this was the first track I listened to, and let me tell you - the memory bank opened. I'm suddenly driving around for hours with Ana after school, smoking weed with my friends, and on the bus to softball games with the team. The rare, good parts about high-school. I love when music transports you; like when I forced myself to pass out at his tour in Texas due to period cramps.... (2017)

December 16th // "Flume (MTV Unplugged, Live In Melbourne)" - Tash Sultana

  When you love a song so much you listen to every version of it. I saw her play at Austin City Limits Festival 2023 and her voice is soooooooo insane. Her song, "Jungle", starts with an almost two-minute guitar solo....A random find from a playlist that I am so grateful for. (2022)

December 17th // "We Cant Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)" - Ariana Grande 

  I adore this track so much. The music video is so vulnerable and sad; I know exactly how she is feeling. The fact this song was not nominated for music Video, Record, or Song of the year at the Grammys is beyond me. Even Kieth Urban thinks this is song of the year, not that it matters. The production/lyrics are perfect together, and I have so much respect for her songwriting/artist growth. (2024)

December 18th // "Superstar" - Beach House

  Ok....where have these songs been all my life? I added this to my last post as an understudy track, and I am shocked at how good this is. I feel so much. I have no idea what the song is about, but I have searched and watched every single live version of this on YouTube. Y'all know my mental playlist of songs that have perfect lyrics and production accepted this track with open ears. This album, Once Twice Melody, got added to my vinyl record search-list a long time ago. (2022)

December 19th // "Torn" - Natalie Imbruglia]

  This song plays at work and fucks me up every, single time! I will be honest, I never listened to this when I was a One Direction fan because this was their first performance together as a band, and it was wildly overplayed. Musically? Ten out of ten. I want Chappell Roan to cover this song so badly, acoustic guitar and all! The "oooooooooo-ooooooo-oooooo", part plays.....wow. The guitar solo taking it home at the end is the cherry on top. I love re-discovery. (1997)

December 20th // "Space Oddity" - David Bowie

  He was so different. I miss him. Every cover of this on YouTube is so serene. I think we are from the same place, wherever that is. (1969)

December 21st // "Solar Sailer" - Daft Punk: Tron: Legacy Soundtrack

  I want Daft Punk at Bonnaroo so bad and I never thought I would say that. Apparently they have retired from touring, but The Eagles say that all the time. I re-watched Tron: Legacy recently and of course, became hyper-fixated on the soundtrack again. I love circling back to art and discovering songs you have overlooked; it feels so much like winds shifting. This is music is my favorite - don't tell. (2010)

December 22nd // "ilomilo" - Billie Eilish

  God knows I have beef with this album on this album as a Norman Fucking Rockwell! fan; however.....this song live on the Hit Me Hard And Soft Tour was ridiculous. It was like hearing it for the first time again. I truly believe that is the power of live music, and how thrilling it can be to experience top-tier production. I hope I get the chance to run a tour like this one day! (2024)

December 23rd // "DENIAL IS A RIVER" - Doechii

   I don't even know where to begin! I saw her live performance of "Denial is a River" / "Boiled Peanuts" - LIVE on The Late Show and lost my mind. Her ability to incorporate a conversation with anyone during "Denial is a River" tickles me in the best way. The songwriting, flow, and creative direction her performances have taken recently make her my new on-to-watch! Even the album cover is hard as fuck! (2024)

December 24th // "Don't Think Twice, It’s All Right"- Bob Dylan

  I am in the middle of reading The Help, and they write about this song being a shifting moment for the character, and ever since then I can't help but feel like a part of it is also meant for me. It is also fitting that the movie with Timothée Chalamet is out in theatres. (1962)

December 25th // "No One Mourns The Wicked" - Wicked Soundtrack

  "Look at her, she's wicked! KILL HER", that is top-tier. What a perfect movie until they ruined "Defying Gravity". I have been so obsessed with this soundtrack again after watching it. My mom said we saw the Broadway musical 15 years ago in Dallas, and I was obsessed with it then! My Elementary School music teacher showed me the story of Elphaba and Glinda; I even found hime on FaceBook, I just got cold feet. I relate to what Ariana Grande said about coming back to her childhood so much with this project though. (2003)

December 26th // "The Boxer" - Simon & Garfunkel

  This is one of those songs where every version is perfect; Of Mumford & Sons do a perfect rendition of this song on Babel. Parts of me wonder where music like this went as the years progressed, but luckily songwriters never went away. Whenever this song comes on shuffle I have to stop and listen to it closely as every lyric is new. I ran into Paul Simon once in the town I used to work in; it was like seeing history walk past you. (1970)

December 27th // "8TEEN" - Khalid (Live)

  Wow. What a blast from the past! If there is any album in the world that transports me back to high school instantly its this one. I have not explored his music beyond American Teen, but I might have to start a deep dive. How magical music can be when it takes you back in time!! I have always said we would never see a year like 2017 musically, but 2024 was a beautiful one indeed. (2017)

December 28th // "Bad Idea" - Ariana Grande

  Wow. This song came on at work and it was like hearing it for the first time. I seriously wonder if I ever took the time to listen all the way through till the end because the transition from strings to trap is one of the best things about the album. I hate to address it, but how can anyone say she is incapable of performing/writing music like this right now? Eternal Sunshine has plenty of material that aligns with her sound from Thank U Next. Anyways! This is her magnum opus. AND her deluxe edition is on the horizon! (2024)

December 29th // "I LUV IT" - Camilla Cabello

  Ok, here me out....If you watch her live performance from Lisbon on Apple Music you will know what I mean. This song samples "Lemonade" by Gucci Mane which is so fucking sick. It was a debut performance of this new song, along with "June Gloom", where Cabello transformed her stage into a playground. I need you to watch the performance just to see how cool the filming and stage design is; I even googled the creative director, Ferran Echegaray. From the album cover, to the performances, C, XOXO is the hidden gem from 2024. (2024)

December 30th // "Songbird" - Fleetwood Mac

  I have not touched this song since Christine McVie died. I was in my Christmas spirit, decided to deep-dive holiday covers, and stumbled upon the Amanda Seyfried cover of "Songbird". Her voice is so stunning. I know her name has been going around again because of her rumored Wicked audition, and I have loved her since Mamma Mia!. She has such a classic voice, I feel so few singers have in today's mainstream industry. Who knew she could play the piano so beautifully.... multi-talented angel. (1977)

December 31st // "Doses & Mimosas" - Cherub 

  Core memory occurred on New Year's Eve when the DJ at my job played a remix of this song right when the ball dropped! I have not focused on this song since High School, and it revived my soul. The entire end of this year musically was surrounded by past projects, and I always say nostalgia only clicks with music. Also, their album is called Year Of The Caprese...how perfect for me is that? True nostalgia only clicks with music I fear. (2014)

playing next

"For Good" - Wicked Soundtrack

  "I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason..", holding space for this lyric. 

"Dance Till We Die" - Lana Del Rey

   The subtle trap beat that she paired with this song tickles me just right. 

"Drive" - Miley Cyrus

  This album is perfect. I heard Christian fans weren't allowed to attend her tour.....just something I heard. 

"Guess" - Charli XCX

  A mutual friend on Twitter posted a clip of Charli XCX playing this at one of her early boiler room sets and it changed my life. I am so happy she released this song because the remix was so good for the culture.

"Self Care" - Mac Miller

  This song is so special, just like Mac. He had such a talent that was showcased on this album. Sigh.