Audio Feedback

with Leah Clifford

SONGS OF THE MONTH BY GENRE

Classical/ Instrumental:

Pini di Roma, P. 141: I. I pini di Villa Borghese (The Pines of the Villa Borghese)

Before I say what I’m going to say: if you listen to this song, it is IMPERATIVE you wear headphones and turn the volume up. There is almost no point in doing it any other way (I mean there is, but why skip out on a transcendental experience)? I found this song on a Spotify playlist called “Audiophile Classical,” which is essentially classical songs that have been re-engineered for headphone usage, and when I tell you I literally felt myself levitate when I was first introduced to the roaring trumpets and the twinkling bells and then it segued into airy flute harmonies I am not exaggerating. No words can do this song justice-- not only is it like you’re sitting in an operatic chamber listening to the orchestra play around you, but the sheer variety of instruments and how they all work in tandem so beautifully will blow your mind. It’s literally like an entire musical production was encompassed in three minutes of instrumental insanity. 

Rock:

Since I’ve Been Loving You- Led Zeppelin

I am surprised it has taken me this long to include a Led Zeppelin song on here, but since this is my first, I will begin with one of my favorite songs of theirs (also, I wanted to shoutout Led Zeppelin III, my favorite album and an exemplar of their range as a rock and roll band). This song begins with an incredible guitar solo, paired with a very simple and seductive background of heavy drums and keyboard chords, builds in intensity, and then pulls back to accompany the ever-familiar vocals of Robert Plant. It is not long before we return to the centerpiece: the real nucleus of this song resides in Jimmy Page’s astounding guitar solos. They make this piece-- probably why the guitar solo in here has been considered “the best guitar solo of all time” by some. 

Rap/ R&B:

THAT’S THAT- MF DOOM

Obviously, in the wake of Daniel Dumile’s (MF DOOM’s) recent death, I felt it was only right to include a song of his in here. I did opt out of recommending one of his more experimental songs, but I think it’s a great example of his stellar ability to bend rhythm and rhyme to his will in a very distinct way. Specifically, his use of rhyme density-- he rhymes multiple words per bar. For what it lacks in the attention he pays to thematic detail in albums like MM...FOOD or Madvillainy-- both of which I advise you all to listen to all the way through-- it makes up for in his raw talent and lyricism. This song makes me more emotional than I’d like to admit. 

Pop:

august- the long pond studio sessions - Taylor Swift

Okay yeah it is time to include Taylor Swift in here. But I intentionally chose the long pond studio session of this song because there is something that cannot compare to that good electric guitar sound. And then a subsequent guitar solo, because all my favorite songs have one. For all her cheery word inflections and youthful descriptions of “summer love,” (hence the title) this piece is permeated with the reflective bittersweetness of having loved someone that you could never really have. Taylor Swift toys with themes of adolescence and innocence in her airy singing, particularly her usage of upspeak in her chorus, and descriptions of the relationship the narrator experienced. While doing so, she also entertains concepts of lost or unrequited love in her reflective verses and strong-voiced bridge, striking a sort of juxtaposition in the song. The juxtaposition is matched in the background instrumental of a dancing, light electric guitar melody that culminates in a heavy-handed solo. This song is just a real piece of artwork.

Indie/ Alternative:

Heaven or Las Vegas- The Cocteau Twins

Okay so forgive me for including a song I think every indie person knows at this point, but if I could describe a word to describe this one it would be like being on Mars in kind of a really cool way. Maybe it is because they sound like they are speaking an alien language, but the electronic instrumental paired with the dissonance of their voices and the messy harmonies places you on this transcendental, dreamy alien planet. If strobe lights were to be translated to music, it would sound like this song in the best way. Also, if you want to feel nostalgia for something you have never experienced, I would recommend you read the Youtube comments under the music video while listening to the song. It is just evidence of the fact that this is music you make teenage memories to.

Personal Favorite of the Month: 

Idaho- Slow Pulp

If the world was ever burning, it would burn to Idaho by Slow Pulp in slow motion. It opens with these intense, heavy drums, paired with beautiful synth and strong guitar chords before it pulls back to accompany Emily Massey’s voice in all its melancholy beauty. Definitely reminiscent of Phoebe Bridgers (who I’m sure we all know and love) in its depressing indie-ness, but it goes harder on drums and backing instrumental in a sort of gorgeous post-apocalyptic way. It also communicates the universal and complicated experience of trying to be loved by others when you don’t really love yourself, and the way you can lose yourself in that. Very relatable, very sad. I don’t know if it’s the sad feel of January weather or the addictive nature of grunge-y synthy sounds, but this song has been on repeat for the last week.