Summary

The article discusses the author's personal selection of five songs that provided solace and enjoyment during a challenging week.

Abstract

In "This Week’s Heavy Rotation," the author reflects on the power of music as a source of comfort and connection amidst a tough week. The piece highlights five specific songs that resonated with the author, including classics like "Once In a Lifetime" by Talking Heads and "Save it for later" by The English Beat, as well as more contemporary tracks like "Diving Woman" by Japanese Breakfast. The author shares personal anecdotes about how these songs came into their life recently, from a friend's review of a David Byrne concert to a son's interest in music production. The article also touches on the intergenerational dynamics of music taste, the influence of music on mood, and the serendipitous nature of finding the right song at the right time. Each song is accompanied by a YouTube link, allowing readers to experience the music directly. The author invites readers to share their own musical discoveries and concludes by promoting a related article on winter playlists.

Opinions

The author finds Talking Heads' music perennially relevant and was inspired to revisit their work after reading about David Byrne's "American Utopia."
"Once in a Lifetime" is seen as an existential reflection that resonates with the experiences of 2021.
"Save it for later" by The English Beat is described as a song that has unexpectedly reappeared in the author's life and has aged well despite its release several decades ago.
The author uses music from the '70s and '90s, such as Monie Love's "It’s a Shame (remix)," to connect with their son and influence his musical taste, though acknowledging the son's differing opinion on the aesthetics of the era.
Japanese Breakfast's "Diving Woman" is praised for its ethereal quality, fitting for early morning commutes, and is compared to the work of Yo La Tengo.
Maritime's "Paraphernalia" is noted for its unique blend of influences from The Promise Ring and Dismemberment Plan, with the band's Milwaukee origins humorously linked to their choice to film a music video in a blizzard.
The author values reader engagement, encouraging comments about readers' current favorite songs and suggesting further reading with a link to an article on winter playlists.

Music

This Week’s Heavy Rotation

This last week has been a helluva year. As always, I found refuge in music. Maybe you have as well?

Sometimes a random song is a perfect salve. The universe is mysterious that way. Below are 5 songs that made these past few days a little more light for me.

Once In a Lifetime- Talking Heads

The Heads really never drift too far away from my headphones; they have a knack for finding their way into most of my playlists, or being the record I “just happen” to dig out & play. This week’s rabbit hole started with my reading a friend’s review of David Byrne’s “American Utopia,” and my looking to find it (It’s on HBOMax, btw). I haven’t been able to catch it yet, but I did see a clip on the troupe performing “Once in a Lifetime.”

“How did I get here?!” is the existential question we’ve all been asking in 2021.

Save it for later- The English Beat

This one of those songs I can go years without hearing, only to then hear it everywhere.

First, it came on while I was running one morning. Next, I saw it on Spider-Man: Homecoming. Later, I heard it on a local radio station.

Then I heard it in my head for the next few days…

For a song approaching middle-age, it sure holds up well.

It’s a Shame (remix)- Monie Love

Parents not liking their kids’ music is a time-honored tradition. Life in my house is no different. My son is a budding “SoundCloud rapper,” and while I love that he’s found a creative outlet (and can write!), I could do without the music that’s currently influencing him.

So, like any good stage-parent, I keep trying to guide him in the direction I want. Part of that is sending him songs from the ’70s to “mine beats” from, and tracks from the ’90s that have a “bounce” to them.

I sent him this one this week, and it wound up on repeat. He thought the beat was great, and that the black lights were terrible. Fair point.

Diving Woman-Japanese Breakfast

I drive to work before the sun comes up. It’s strange to be alive when the rest of the world is sleeping, but it can be especially ethereal in winter, with swirling fog and iced-over lakes, and frosted trees. With Michelle Zauner’s wispy vocals, a rolling bassline, and fuzzy guitars, it’s reminiscent of Yo La Tengo. From the “Soft sounds from another planet” album, it’s perfect for a commute that is often otherworldly

Paraphernalia- Maritime

Sometimes “featuring members of” can be a bad way to describe a band. Everyone brings their preconceived notions to the new group.

Featuring members (sorry!) of influential bands The Promise Ring and Dismemberment Plan, Maritime took the best of both and forged something entirely new.

Regarding the video: What do you do when you’re a Milwaukee Wisconsin based band? Film in a blizzard, of course!

Brilliant.

What’s on your list this week? Let me know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy:

My Winter Playlist

Good Songs for Dark Days

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