Rex Orange County

Welcome, February! Cheers to you, and cheers to “Friday Junior”. I’m feeling February in a big way already, feeling a burst of energy, of creative motivation, and of Music Obsessions. The sky is beautiful outside, the air warm with a cool breeze, I can still feel the Ocean on my skin from waking up near it, and I feel like everything on my “To-Do” list is conquerable. I feel like dancing. I feel like lying in the sun (with sunscreen) and reading. I feel like getting lost in thrift shops and record stores. I feel like making out for hours like teenagers. And, I feel like turning the Music up LOUD.

How about you? What are you feeling like on this first day of February? What are you listening to today?

Song 1 of Today’s Music Obsessions is a recommendation from my daughter, who has been introducing me to some of her recent Favorites this week. Kevin Abstract’s “Empty” has this gorgeous intro that reminds me of the Music from Guillermo Del Toro’s Film The Shape of Water, and his storytelling/rap style reminds me of Rex Orange County (who I’m recently digging), Matt Champion, and also a little of early Frank Ocean and Lupe Fiasco. Next up is “Sunflower” by Rex Orange County (see, digging him), which leads surprisingly well into The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”. Marc Almond’s rendition of “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye”, with Jools Holland is Track 4 (thank you, Spotify Discover Weekly, for sharing this Version with me). Last, but not least, is Belly’s “Seal My Fate”. I’ve been so into some of my 90’s Music Faves lately, in a big, big way. I want to go back and make Music with Tanya Donelly, Juliana Hatfield, and Liz Phair. Can I have a time machine for my birthday next month, please?

Are you ready for February? Are you ready for Today’s Top 5 Songs? What Songs are you starting the Month with?

Follow the Spotify Playlist for this week’s Top 5 here. Stream via YouTube here, or at the end of this post.

Top 5 Music Obsessions of the Day – February 1, 2018

1. “Empty” by Kevin Abstract

2. “Sunflower” by Rex Orange County

3. “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks

4. “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” by Marc Almond and Jools Holland

5. “Seal My Fate” by Belly

What did you think of this Today’s 5 Songs?

What Songs are you obsessing over this Thursday? Do you have any Songs you would recommend to me, or you’d like to see in an upcoming Top 5 Obsessions post? I’d love to know – please share in the comments.

Check back tomorrow to catch another set of 5 Music Obsessions. Here’s to another Month of Obsession-worthy Music! Enjoy!

Top 5 Music Obsessions – Week of 1/29/18

Making up her mirrored reflection
Monday Mixtape Playlist

Available on Spotify and YouTube (see YouTube Playlist below)

“Shark Smile” by Big Thief
“Loving Is Easy” by Rex Orange County
“Party Police” by Alvvays
“I Could Be Happy” by Altered Images
“Don’t Delete the Kisses” by Wolf Alice
“Bang” by Blur
“Walk On the Wild Side’ by Lou Reed
“Moonage Daydream” by David Bowie
“Somebody Is Waiting For Me” by Juliana Hatfield
“Honey and the Moon” by Joseph Arthur
“Lost Weekend” by Pete Yorn
“La Isla Bonita” by Madonna
“Born to Die” by Lana Del Rey
“I Need My Girl” by The National
“Home” by Daughter
“Shut Up Kiss Me” by Angel Olsen
“Your Love Is Killing Me” by Sharon Van Etten
“Hang On Me” by St. Vincent
“(Feeling Like a) Demon Again” by Primal Scream
“More Than Meets the Eye” by The Bangles
“Real Love Baby” by Father John Misty
“Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” by Car Seat Headrest
“My Little Corner of the World” by Yo La Tengo
“Slip Away” by Perfume Genius
“Pain” by The War On Drugs
“(Nice Dream)” by Radiohead
“New Slang” by The Shins
“Want You Back” by HAIM
“Creature Comfort” by Arcade Fire

Making up her mirrored reflection

Morning After Resolutions (We Start All Over Again)

Available on Spotify and YouTube (see YouTube Playlist below)

“Hey Sunshine” by The Charlatans
“For What It’s Worth” by Liam Gallagher
“The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” by Declan McKenna
“505” by Arctic Monkeys
“Last Words” by The Real Tuesday Weld
“Your Balloon is Rising” by Stone Foundation, featuring Paul Weller
“Take It Out On Me” by White Lies
“At Most a Kiss” by Blossoms
“This Year” by The Mountain Goats
“T-Shirt Weather” by Circa Waves
“Black and Blues” by The Jesus And Mary Chain, featuring Sky Ferreira
“Lola + Joseph” by July Talk
“How To Say Goodbye” by Paul Tiernan
“Places We Won’t Walk” by Bruno Major
“4 Seasons” by Rex Orange County
“B.H.S.” by Sleaford Mods
“All the Wine” by The National
“Wreckless Heart” by Glen Hansard
“The Cranes are Back” by Paul Weller
“The Right Stuff” by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
“Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” by The Lemonheads, featuring Liv Tyler
“10,000 Emerald Pools” by Børns
“Tea-Soaked Letter” by Anna Burch
“Trying” by Bully
“Planet Hunter” by Wolf Alice
“Turn of the Century” by Pete Yorn
“A Smiling Face” Yellow Days
“New Girl (Tom’s Song)” by The Walters
“No Peace” by Syd Arthur
“(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon

Morning After Resolutions (We Start All Over Again)