Welcome back to Band Practice where I’m excited to share my obsessively-labored-over Fall playlist—my favorite of the year!1 It’s my favorite because I really try to hone in on a specific sound and vibe—perfect for spooky season (imo the best part of Fall). Read on as I share the meaning behind the playlist, or scroll down to the links if you want to get right to it.
The playlist is loosely inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass (sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), only on the other side of the glass it’s just as much weirderland as it is a wonderland—a place for the misfits, weirdos, and those challenging the status quo. It’s a place decorated by acid trips, talking to God, and questioning what it means to be alive. It’s existentially topsy-turvy.
Much like a looking-glass, the playlist (also loosely, ok!) reflects back on itself. The second half of the playlist mirrors the first, as if it were laid out in a line on a piece of paper and then folded in half so that the ends meet. The final song is a response to the first track, “The Doldrums,” and its existential woes. “I’m feeling my way to a meaning,” and, “I’m coming upside-down to a real life,” sings Polly Mackey (aka Art School Girlfriend). It ends the playlist with hope, and enough interest to pull you back in again.
If that sounds rather dark, I won’t lie…it does have some of the darker songs out of all my playlsits (but not too dark! not too depressing! I won’t let you dwell in sad sack territory!), but it also has some of the most beautiful songs that I’ve come across this year.
The genres consist of mostly alternative and electronic, with a measured dash of pop, R&B, and hip-hop. It has some fun twists and turns with a few throwbacks and, of course, an excellent cover song. It features some of my playlist regulars like Doja Cat, Art School Girlfriend, and James Blake, and some breaking artists like Blondshell, Naomi Sharon, and Helenor. And (fun fact!) it consists of mostly female artists. #girlpower
One of the fun parts about continuing to make these playlists is that they’re becoming your playlists, too—or rather playlists that are built thanks to your recommendations. This playlist features songs shared with me from several readers: Erica (Eat the Acid), Katie (Hold Me Down), Kate (Don’t Cry), and Laura (I Got It). Thank you to all of you for making me aware of these exceptional songs. If you have a killer song that you think I should put on the Winter playlist, leave a comment or reply to this email. The tentative theme is “songs that sparkle.”
If you want to read on, I’ve included notes about some of my favorite songs on this playlist, but I recommend listening to the playlist without peeping the track list or spoilers first and then coming back to the annotations once you’ve finished or as you go. But you do you!
P.S. If you have Apple Music, the playlist sounds especially great if you set the crossfade to two seconds.
Apple Music link
The annotated playlist
Namesake — Noname
Rapper Noname is a genius and bold in speaking truth to power. In this absolutely scathing track, she calls out Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kedrick Lamar for…well, you’ll see. Feeling the second degree burns!
Alligators Getting Up — Curve
Curve is an alternative band that came up in the 1990s that I only just found about from a recommendation in the Substack newsletter, Perfectly Imperfect, which I highly enjoy. Each issue they feature some notable person who share’s “a taste of their taste” with recommendations for music, movies, skin care products, and more. I don’t remember who it was that suggested Curve, but I’m glad I found them. Their shoegaze sound fits perfect with the playlist’s vibe.
I Can’t Stand The Rain — Tina Turner
Of course I had to pay tribute somewhere in one of my playlists to the late, great Tina Turner, and this song just happened to fit perfectly. I loooove the transition from “It’s Only Pain”—the change from a minor to a major key wakes you up, but the electronic feel of the song keeps it smoothly blended into its surroundings.
Skin & Bones — Lolo Zouaï
I discovered female pop singer Lolo Zouaï one day when I saw a hoard of fashionably dressed femme Gen Z-ers lined up in front of a small, local music venue and I was dying to know what was going on. I looked up what was playing at the venue and it was Zouaï. I pulled up her latest album and was pleasantly surprised and impressed. This song has an ethereal wistfulness that makes it light enough to feel like a breath of fresh air in the playlist, without feeling out of place.
Warm Ways — Helenor
In even more random discoveries, I found alternative artist Helenor through the Instagram account they run, “What dumpster fire are you?” in which they personalize images of dumpster fires with names on them. You, too, can be a dumpster fire! This song was the hardest to place because it starts off a little acoustic-y. But oddly enough it works really well after James Blake’s electronic thumper, “Tell Me.”
I Been Young — George Clanton
This is one of my favorite tracks of the year. That late 1980s/early 1990s alt-pop/electronic sound is so delicious. This song is also one of the more existential moments. Clanton reflects back on his life—the ups and the downs, the rights and the wrongs. It’s not in the center of the playlist, but it still feels like kind of a centerpiece, acting as a bridge between “The Doldrums” and “Real Life.”
Salad — Blondshell
This song mirrors the second track of the playlist, “Pure Smile Snake Venom” —both female protagonists have the power to kill but (barely) choose not to. It also has a great, chugging intro that may cause you to ask yourself, “What in the Metallica is this??” But it is not! Fooled! Keep listening.
Thanks for reading! If you listen to the playlist and enjoy it, let me know in the comments or reply to this email. The next issue of the newsletter is back to reviews. I’ve listened to albums from Olivia Rodrigo, Mitski, The Chemical Brothers and more so far, and have many others to listen to ahead. Find out what my favorites are by subscribing and keeping an eye on your inbox!
Kesha song is so haunting. I loved this playlist. All of it (even the Tina track) was new to me.
Listening while I enjoy some brek now! And the crossfade is perfection. ✨👌🏻