September MixTape - Autumn (don't) Slow Down
Have you ever had a feeling that time slows down at the beginning of autumn? I definitely have. It’s a cross between longing for the summer gone too soon and coming to terms with ominous ascent of the autumn that sets off the slow motion mode in me every year. And yet again, I find myself looking back at the warmer, brighter days as I cling to the last warm sunrays, not yet ready to descent into darkness. Besides hiding myself under more layers of clothing, I also turn to particular artists and albums at this time of the year. To use a well-worn term, to me September is a state of mind.
Music is a great mood enhancer. It does have the great ability to either enrich your condition or to change it. I am hoping that this month’s playlist will help you ease into the inevitable season change a little bit. Fittingly, the selection manages to mirror this transition organically with a mix of this summer’s hot tracks and orange tinted autumnal pieces. As our mixtape took a pause on the regular selection last time and went travelling around Poland (check out it out here), there’s a little bit of catching up needed to be done. If you also have been away for the summer, the first part of the playlist is here to help. With laidback, breezy delights by YUMI ZOUMA, POMPEYA, ROOSEVELT, ALFIE TEMPLEMAN, THE BLAZE to keep you relaxed and more upbeat tracks from LIZZO, HARD TOZ, TOTALLY ENOURMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS, the mix will instantly take you back to the summertime. Big names such as DISCLOSURE, JUNGLE, APHEX TWIN, THOM YORKE and JOHN GRANT have gifted their fans with some new material. However it was the ladies causing most of the excitement again. MARY J BLIDGE, ROBYN, NENEH CHERRY, MARIAH CAREY and LANA DEL REY battled for the title of the comeback queen. The “summertime side” also contains some of the most euphoric alternative servings of the past two months. The likes of THE DODOS, SUDAKISTAN, GUERILLA TOSS, FLAT WORMS, ICEAGE and UK’s punk mavericks IDLES proudly represent the thinning guitar band army this time. Finally, LANA DEL REY’s chilled out, folky psychedelic new single ties these two moods neatly together. “Venice Bitch” could easily soundtrack the last days at the beach.
Scrolling down the playlist we retreat into the next section where the yellow-red light starts to trickle through the leaves. As the sun in sinking lower songs by THE VILLAGERS, JULIA HOLTER, KURT VILE, HYPOLUXO, MOTORAMA, LOW and MAC DeMARCO will provide you with a certain warmth and comfort. But it’s not all smooth and easy all the way, as few sonic kooks and spooks crept into the mix from the shadows bringing some rough, uneven textures. YVES TUMOR, SOPHIE, MARIE DAVIDSON and OURI will keep you from eventually dozing off with all that comfort overdose. Don’t forget, Halloween is just around the corner.
And if you couldn’t get enough of that amazing polish music presented to you last time here, you’re about to be serves some more at the last section of the playlist. That paragraph includes latest tracks by PAVLOPAVO & LUDZIKI, BOVSKA, OXFORD DRAMA, THE DUMPLINGS, KAMP!. Make sure you say “Cześć” to them, too. Just a quick side note: NOSOWSKA, the alternative female artist from Poland, with the emphasis on THE, will be promoting her upcoming album with Dublin gig at The Academy on 7th of October. Make sure you check out her new single, “Nagasaki” included in the mix.
That’s it for this month (or what’s left of it). I hope this mix will help you a little with saying goodbye to the summer and come to term with days getting shorter. Or you can just pretend it’s not really happening. I might go with the second option, while I’m listening to the summertime bangers on the loop.
Stay warm.
Love,