these days
songs i'm currently obsessed with
this post was inspired by my friend, lucy, who recently posted a list of soft and gentle songs she enjoys: read about it here.
1. basic being basic by djo
basic being basic is djo’s newest single, and since its release, i’ve had it on repeat (genuinely back to back to back). i loved his last album, decide, so when he announced this track along with the rest of his upcoming album (as well as his tour woo hoo), the crux, i was beyond excited. let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
i love how djo’s music feels both retro and futuristic, almost like being inside a video game. basic being basic critiques superficiality and materialism while yearning for deeper, more meaningful connections. it’s super upbeat and fun, and the bridge is so catchy that i replay the song just to hear it again.
one of my favorite lines is “what an empty epitaph that is.” something about the way it sounds is so satisfying in my ears, and it’s also a cool new word (at least for me): an epitaph is what’s written on your tombstone in your memory, and in this context, it suggests that focusing too much on superficial qualities, you're left with nothing of real substance or meaning in your memory.
2. more than my hometown by morgan wallen
i have no shame in saying it—i love morgan wallen. i’m not a huge fan of country music in general, but i’ve been obsessed with his music for a couple of years now. i think it’s because his sound is more modern, blending country with pop and rock, kind of like shania twain’s (who i’ve previously referred to as my canadian queen). country music also has this inherently “summer-y” feel to me, which makes it even better. it captures that pure bliss of summer drives on the backroads with the windows down, early mornings filled with fresh air, and warm nights under a clear, starry sky.
more than my hometown is from my favorite album of his, dangerous: the double album, which has so many of my favorites like 865 and 7 summers. this song has been stuck in my head for weeks, i catch myself humming it all day. one of the things i love most about morgan wallen is his storytelling, and while the story in this song is a little sad, the beat and chorus make me want to twirl and dance.
his music is extra special to me because he’s my brother’s favourite artist, and sharing something like this with my siblings means more to me than anything, especially since i don’t get to see them that often these days. i think i’ve been hyperfixating on his music even more lately (which feels a little off-brand for me in the winter) because i scored tickets for my brother and me to see him live at the end of this summer. i’ve been telling him for years that the next time morgan wallen goes on tour, i’d get us tickets since i’m the concert girl, and this is one of the only shows he’s ever truly wanted to see. and now, it’s happening. i can’t even put into words how much it means to me to experience this with him.
3. amoeba by clairo
i’ve been on a bit of a clairo kick since charm came out, and that only intensified after seeing her live in december. i wouldn’t say her concert was one of my absolute favourites, but at this point, it’s on such a high scale of marginality that the difference is barely noticeable—so that’s not to say it was bad.
amoeba was a standout for me live, and ever since, i’ve had it on repeat. it’s super groovy, and yet another chorus that i catch myself humming to in the mirror constantly. the song reflects on change and shifting priorities to take care of yourself. i especially love the opening line: “between the gaps, i was swimming laps. got close to some epiphany.” the pool and water imagery, mixed with the woods motif she weaves throughout the song, makes the song feel so vivid and immersive. i actually used this line as the title of my last post, which you can (and should) read here.
4. paper bag by fiona apple
i haven’t been listening to this song on repeat as much as the previous ones i’ve listed, but i absolutely love it and this entire album. fiona apple is so talented, and i can’t help but be drawn to a woman in rock. her jazzy style is so unique, and it always feels refreshing when i listen to her.
in paper bag, i’m especially captivated by how she repeats the same lines, but the intensity in her delivery changes as the song progresses. the timing feels different too, adding even more emotional depth. what i really admire is how eloquently she describes despair, making it feel both raw and deeply real.
5. somebody else by the 1975
i know, i know—everyone and their mom knows this song. it’s the 1975’s most streamed track on spotify. BUT for good reason. i also think it’s totally okay for me to rave about the popular tracks, because not everything needs to be underground and indie to be cool or good. i’ve obviously loved this song (along with the rest of their catalogue) for a long time, but every once in a while, a song just resurfaces in my mind and takes center stage again.
lately, i’ve been obsessed with somebody else because of the lyrics: they’re bittersweet, reflecting on the feeling of watching someone you used to love become “intertwined with someone else.” it’s pretty tragic, but at the same time, it’s such a bop. that contrast is exactly why this song has been in every single one of my playlists, no matter the theme, since i opened my spotify account. it’s sad, but it makes you want to dance.
i’ve also had the privilege of witnessing this song live three times over the years, and every time, it’s surreal. matty completely loses himself in the moment, in some sort of state of desolation, which emphasizes the emotion in the song even more. and then, of course, the whole crowd follows up that heartbreak with a very passionate “f*ck that, get money!”, which is honestly hilarious. overall, very mixed vibes, but it all just works.
from the second time i saw the 1975: still… at their very best tour, toronto, 2023
6. your new favorite song by wallows
it’s in the name—my new favorite song! i’ve been extra obsessed with wallows over the past year, and i’m still riding the high of seeing them live twice last year (phenomenal), so this dropped right when i was hungry for more of them. it’s a bit different from the rest of their tracks that i usually gravitate toward (like scrawny or pleaser with their more rock-heavy sound), but the bridge in this one is so good that i keep the song on loop just to hear it again (just like basic being basic— i can listen to it a million times in a row and not get sick of it).
it’s such a peaceful track, perfect for journaling, and honestly, how could you not fall in love with dylan’s voice? and the best part is that they announced a new EP, and this song is part of it, so now every time i listen, i get even more excited.
7. a kiss by the driver era
this one has just resurfaced for me within the past week, but i had a spell of listening to it on repeat last june—which is one of the reasons why i am loving it again: it feels like a warm summer night in my car. every time i listen to it now i am instantly taken back to one night in particular: i had just gotten off the train at the end of a beautiful sunny day at school (i commuted last year, interesting decision to say the least). it was about 9 or 10 pm, the air now smelled like rain (best smell in the world), and in the distance, dark clouds stretched across the deep blue sky—it was about to thunderstorm. i drove home blasting this song with my windows down, watching the lightning explode in the sky. it was so beautiful. and now, every time i hear this song, i have that picture in my mind, because the song sounds like that night.
8. are you bored yet? by wallows featuring clairo
this one is basically a staple in my queue now, because i’ve been listening to it multiple times a day since august, and i don’t see that changing anytime soon. it’s genuinely one of the most perfect songs ever, and it’s definitely earned it’s spot in my all-time favourites. plus, i have to say clairo + wallows is one of the best collabs ever, i will never get over the fact that they’re the perfect pairing and totally made for each other.
and, as i mentioned, i saw both of them live last year, so of course that only deepened my love for it. are you bored yet? is the ultimate coming-of-age song—bittersweet, nostalgic, and beautiful. i love how it ties into the album’s themes of growing up, learning to love, and navigating heartbreak. i got nothing happens on vinyl for christmas, which made me appreciate it even more. and honestly, i relate to the lyrics in a way that hits deep—because, yeah, i too, wonder if people will just get bored of me.
from start to finish, this album perfectly soundtracks the transition from my teenage years into my twenties, and are you bored yet? will always hold a special place for that.
braeden (my fave <3) from the second time i saw wallows: model tour, london (uk), 2024. you can hear the crowd singing along with the guitar and i think that’s just adorable.
9. milk by the 1975
finally, saving the absolute best for last. if you know me at all, you know that milk by the 1975 is my life. it's my all-time favourite song, and it always has a spot in my “on repeat” playlist. i don't have much to say other than that it's my song, and i’ll never, ever get sick of it. it's the perfect track to listen to on repeat, and i love it more than anything.
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