Call me a sap but it’s cold in New York, even colder in Paris, and it’s undeniably cuffing season. Tell me I’m wrong. So, I’ve put together a mixtape of tunes to either make love to, or break up (and have make up x) to—it’s your prerogative. Left Bank presents, baby-making music. Hi mom.
Fell Runner – “Come Home“
L.A. four-piece Fell Runner have made the perfect baby-making tune. Influenced from their studies of West African music with Ghanaian drum master, Alfred Ledzekpo, Fell Runner’s “Come Home” has island influences, smooth vocals, a funky guitar, and vocal harmonies that make you want to, well, you know. Tracked live in a bedroom, their newest album captures the spontaneity and improvisation of their live show. “Come Home” is their lead single—probably because it takes every listener back to a time when they were 16 and sitting in a car with their crush, waiting for someone to lean over for the first kiss. There’s something so beautifully nostalgic in this tune, that I can’t get enough of it.
BAYNK – “Go with u”
This song goes so hard. It’s been playing on my Spotify basically on repeat since I first heard it. The New Zealand-based artist sings in a perfect falsetto over an explosive dance beat, singing the praises of the person that they are in love (or lust) with. It’s what falling in love sounds like—smooth, easy, uncomplicated, passionate. What starts out slow and expressive, turns into an undeniably catchy dance tune, and whether you make love or fall in love to it, just make sure it’s on your playlist. You’re WELCOME.
VASSILINA – Blue House
Admittedly, I can’t decide if I would prefer to make love or cry to this tune, but sometimes you just need to do both? (sorry to any future lovers that read that line, but also, I apologise in advance).
London-based VASSILINA has the voice of a dark angel, blending a soft and sexy pop with what eventually turns into electronic instrumentals. It’s the sort of tune you expect to hear at Berghain at 5 a.m. on a Sunday—if you’ve ever been, you know exactly the vibe I’m describing. This also works well if you incorporate any kind of ahem S&M into your play. She weaves the narrative of the blue house and the memories that happened inside throughout the tune, telling a story of sadness, nostalgia, and hope. It’s cutting and real, but also sexy enough that it allows you to forget your sadness for a good moment of dancing in the dark.
James Wyatt Crosby – “Spin”
“I love you more than you’ll ever know it … one of these days I just have to let go.”
This slow and dreamy bedroom pop track, feels like a breakup (and maybe make up) track. James uses his vocal range, and soft instrumentals to tell a story about a love that doesn’t pan out to be what was intended. It’s sad, and true; it’s sweet. It makes me want to cry as I’m writing this.
“Cuz I hear your song, playing in my head.”
If you’re looking for a tune to babymake to, I’m not entirely sure this is it, but if you’re looking for a gorgeous track about human emotion and attachment, that’s what you’ll find in James Wyatt Crosby’s “Spin.”
Rollingchild – “Feeling”
If Otis Redding instrumentals and Alex Turner’s vocals got married, and then brought on Jim Morrison around the chorus, you would have Rollingchild “Feeling.” This track is all soul, no mess—and it’s the track that you put on as you’re lighting up some candles. For your bath, obviously.
“Feeling” isn’t just a track that you listen to, it’s something that you experience. From the guitars to the orchestral background, to Michael Anthony Bostinto’s vocals, “Feeling’ is nothing less than a visceral aural and emotional experience. Cuddle up with it.
Famous Friend – “Loveless”
This track by Los Angeles based writer/producer Famous Friend (Zachariah Carlson) couldn’t describe my mood any better. Break-ups are not fun to get through; they are painful, they are drawn out (in my case), and if you’re really lucky, you also have to be a friend for a close friend who is also going through a break-up at the same time. Did you feel the sarcasm?
“Loveless” is the semi-shoegaze, indie rock tune that speaks volumes through Carlson’s powerful songwriting. You can allow yourself to get lost in the instrumentals, the chorus comes in like a wave, washing away all of your bad feelings, but the lyrics don’t wash away as easily. They stick with you. They make you feel what you’re going through; what Carlson is going through. What we have all experienced. He sings “we’re so loveless” and at least at this moment, you truly believe it.
Music has the power to transcend and also to wrap you like a warm blanket when you’re feeling particularly low, and the track “Loveless” does both with ease.
“Failing, sick of always failing; melodies of aging, I don’t want to try again”
Ed Prosek – “Killing Me”
California-born, Berlin-based Ed Prosek knows how to make one hell of a break-up song. In his new tune “Killing Me” you hear the pain of a partner who sings ‘maybe it was hopeless, from the beginning.’
His intimate vocals and strong songwriting pulls you in from the beginning; his story sounds so similar to break-up’s of my past. He has the keen ability to write tracks that hit home—whether it’s something you’re going through now, or something you can wax nostalgic on—Ed Prosek sings songs of honesty and introspection.
“Maybe in another life everything could have turned out alright in the end.”
Ed Prosek, Killing Me
The son of an opera composer, Ed Prosek’s songwriting is deeply influenced by the classical world, but not inextricably tied to it. Since the release of his debut EP, ‘California’, Ed has spent six years developing, changing and demonstrating his ability to express his unique vision not only as a conventional songwriter but also as a masterful arranger.
Briskey – “Nothing to Lose”
Oh my lord this track by Briskey is so smooth and sensual. A sexier version of Australia’s Parcels, Briskey (also from Oz) brings together R&B and indie rock influences, coupled with soulful vocals in his new tune “Nothing to Lose.”
“It’s about my personal relationship with loneliness and directed at the girl I’ll eventually meet and fall for. I don’t particularly see it as a love song for a person that doesn’t exist. It’s more of a therapeutic way of expressing myself. I feel like it’s me being optimistic about the future of my love life, I’ve got Nothing To Lose.”
Briskey
The 24-year old artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist knows his way around a perfectly crafted track, showing that he’s listened to his fair share of tunes in such a short period of time. And what we get is his incredible debut single, which is nothing if not irresistible. Straight out of Brisbane, the city has certainly played its part in the track: you’ll find themes of love and candid-musings cast shadows on his world of hazy-pop, with a ray of sunshine filtering through the cracks.
Far from just an indie rock track, “Nothing to Lose” is also totally, and completely danceable. Is it indie pop? indie rock? Dance? Listen for yourself and let us know what you think.