SONG OF THE DAY

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #32

Today’s song is Hip Hop track ‘Woman’ by ‘Little Simz’ featuring vocals by Cleo Soul from the 2021 album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’. ‘Little Simz’ or Simbiatu Ajikawo is a sensational British Hip Hop artist that is well known for her assured flow with smooth soul, R&B, and jazz-inspired tracks flavoured with orchestral elements in her production. ‘Woman’ is dripping with gentle luxury with its relaxed sound, stunning vocals in the chorus from Cleo Soul, and confident delivery of lyrics celebrating global women by Simz. ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ is a fantastically rich album with dynamic compositions and buttery examinations and reflections. My favourite track from the album is ‘I Love You, I Hate You’ due to this balance between confident restraint and cathartic release.

“I see you glow, you’re the finest gold

When you walk in the room, they feel your soul

Our style it shines, so ahead of time

And you know that you’re fire, you’re so damn fine, girl.”

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #24

Today's track is Abnormalize by Japanese indie rock band Ling Tosite Sigure from their 2013 album I’mperfect. Released as a single in 2012, the track was featured in the opening credits for the mature cyber-punk inspired Japanese animated psychological/crime thriller Psycho-Pass. The original Psycho-Pass is one of my favourite animes of all time, and the band has also provided other works for Psycho-Pass’s other shows and films such as 2014’s Enigmatic Feeling. I have adored this song since it first blew my mind as a teenager. It opened me up to how expressive and experimental production, writing, and music composition can truly be. It really was the beginning of the end for me, especially in terms of my foray into darker alt-rock fantasies. The alt-rock/post-hardcore/math-rock track (I don't even know anymore guys) is one of my favourite Japanese alt-rock songs, I also love Japanese math-rock/alt-rock groups Toe and Lite. If you really wanna go down the anime opener spiral however: if you didn't already know the FAMOUS Tokyo Ghoul OP Unravel was performed by Toru Kitajima or TK who is the lead vocalist and Guitarist of Ling Tosite Sigure. This further proves the point that this band's library is worth checking out and Japanese alt-rock, especially math-rock, is worth your time and effort. I'm not gonna even attempt to describe this track, just please give it a go and if it doesn't blow your mind I'll eat my fucking shoe.

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #33

Today’s track choice is ‘Satellite’ by American Alt-Rock band ‘Guster’ from their 2006 album ‘Ganging Up on the Sun’. The indie/alternative rock song is relaxed with soft whistful vocals and acoustic guitar that tows the track along. What makes the song attention-catching however is its endearingly quirky sci-fi esc keyboard melody. It's beautifully restrained yet layered in a way that can't be appreciated with one listen, it's a lovely wholesome track.

“You’re my satellite

You're riding with me tonight

Passenger side, lighting the sky

Always the first star that I find

You're my satellite”

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #37

Today's song is ‘Everything’s Beautiful’ by Australian alternative Neo-Soul Jazz/Funk band ‘Hiatus Kaiyote’ from their 2024 album ‘Love Heart Cheat Code’. This four-piece from Melbourne is best described as a dynamic relief from the bland monotony of top forty radio hits, ‘Hiatus Kaiyote’ are an auditory delight. This song is an effervescent celebration of life and sound, with the band's leading lady Nai Palm stating that the song is “a testament to the importance of finding simple joy in your day… not the delusion that we live in a utopia... But rather about actively looking for the beauty, grace and joy in life,” (Clash, 2024). I was so lucky to see them live last weekend at the Fortitude Music Hall and it was a religious experience. To quote my dad while exhausted at the end of the night, with the biggest shit-eating grin on his face: “It was a mess, I can't describe it, they were great.”

“Didn't you notice?

Don't you know, love?

Don't you know everything's beautiful?”

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #30

Today's song is You’ve Got The Love by UK band Florence and the Machine from their 2009 debut indie-rock album Lungs. The track is an adaption of Candi Staton’s 1986 dance number You Got The Love, but Florence and the Machines track is its own beast. The song was first performed for festival sets early on in their career, and Welch has described how “even in rehearsals, playing it was just the most euphoric feeling. Then playing it live... was like tearing ourselves open and just exploding on the crowd.” As Welch describes, it is an emotionally charged number with its dainty harp, melodious guitar, and of course soaring vocals. It pulls you in with its strings, ensnares you when it expands after the first verse, then unleashes like a top spinning with Welch’s spiritual chants into a glorious run at 1:58. It is cathartic, it is brimming with love, it is a lightning strike of joy… it’s everything I love about music.

Lungs was the first CD I ever bought when I was a teen, and I cried and screamed whenever I made eye contact with Florence Welch when seeing the experience live for the first time in my 20s. I truly believe my life winds and unfurls with Welch’s music since her songs are so tied to many of my life's moments: from playing Cosmic Love while getting ready for a school dance, playing What Kind Of Man while dealing with hormones and heartbreak, playing Hunger as I was becoming my own person, to playing Free while moving out of my parent's house. I know I am coming across as ridiculous, but Florence and the Machine have defined who I am as a person the same way performers like Queen, Radio Head, My Chemical Romance, or even Taylor Swift may have for you.

“Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air

'Cause I know I can count on you

Sometimes I feel like saying ‘Lord I just don't care’

But you've got the love I need to see me through”

SONG OF THE DAY

Day #35

Today’s song is ‘Golden’ by American Soul/R&B artist Jill Scott from her 2004 album ‘Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2’. Scott’s vocals are velvet smooth over a funky kicky beat, jazzy keys, and a touch of synth. With lyrics full of praise and confidence and a sing-along chorus, the track is celebratory, resulting in a retro feel-good mood setter that glides, rollerblading a relaxed joy through any room.

“I'm taking my own freedom

Putting it in my song

Singing loud and strong

Grooving all day long

I'm taking my freedom

Putting it in my stroll

I'll be high-steppin' y'all

Letting the joy unfold”