You’re over your Spotify mixes, YouTube playlists are becoming repetitive, and wading through your muso friend’s ever-pretentious song suggestions is less appealing than listening to Nickelback’s “Photograph” on repeat for the rest of time. We get it. To relieve your decision fatigue, we’ve asked the hottest rising artists to compile their favorite tracks of the minute.
Here, Jonah Yano shares only songs you need next time you are softly weeping yourself to sleep.
1. Jonah Yano & Nono, “Perfume”
I think this song is about longing and the power of sentiment. I hope that you get that out of this song as well.
2. Chet Baker & Paul Bley, “You Go To My Head”
Chet Baker had a fairly tumultuous go of life and, like many of his songs, this track showcases a somber and deeply expressive side of him. It’s a song about a lover that makes me want to crumble as soon as I hear the first bit of Paul Bley’s piano.
3. Feist, “I Wish I Didn’t Miss You”
Most of my friends know that I hold Leslie Feist’s music dear to my heart. This song messes me up every time I listen to it, no matter the situation or context. Here’s a quote from the song: “In the same city I hope you’re not because the town has shrunk to the size of my thoughts.” If this song doesn’t make you feel something, I think you should make sure your heart is still in your chest.
4. Mount Eerie, “Real Death”
If you don’t know Mount Eerie’s story surrounding his album titled A Crow Looked At Me, I suggest reading up on it. That’s all I am going to say.
5. Earl Sweatshirt, “Grief”
Pretty self-explanatory.
6. Tirzah, “Affection”
My manager put me on to Tirzah. I’ve since rinsed this song about 1,000 times. She floats over a single loop of one piano chord without sounding repetitive, as if her melodies and words are what gives the song life. It’s almost like she doesn’t even need the instrumental to say what she needs to say. This song feels like being right in an argument that is ultimately good for nobody involved.
7. Jack Johnson, “All At Once”
When you think about Jack Johnson, you probably think about Hawaii and beaches and ukuleles and the Curious George movie. When I think about Jack Johnson, I think those same things, but I also think of a truly gifted songwriter who might surprise you with his sadness if you give him a chance.
8. George Winston, “Colors / Dance”
I really love solo piano music. This song is a lullaby and I love it dearly!
9. Bon Iver, “Creeks”
This song, maaaaan. This song.
10. Feist, “The Park”
One Feist song is never enough. Listen to this one too.
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