August

Last week I was cleaning out my Google Drive, like you do, and I came across a doc I had written nearly five years ago. It was a list of every radio show I had done during my time at Buzz Radio (Brighton University’s radio station). Each entry included the date, a theme, a list of every song that was played, and notes for each track. I was overwhelmed with pride as I scrolled through the list, and I was reminded how much I love sharing music!

So, welcome to my new project…monthly playlists. I’ll work on a more exciting name, but for now that’s what I’m sticking with. Each month I’ll come with a fresh batch of songs and some personal notes on why each track was chosen. These songs will range from new music (meaning out in the last year) or throwbacks to old favorites. There might be genres that take you by surprise or songs you don’t vibe with, and that’s ok! Not all music is for everyone, this is just what I’m vibing with. If you discover a new artist or rediscover a favorite song through this project please let me know, I love hearing that my hobbies are reaching people in positive ways.

So let’s dig in. Pull up a chair, grab some water and a snack, or hop in the car, or pull out the cleaning supplies. You do you. Happy August!

Listen on Spotify – Listen on Apple Music

1. Lavender Haze – Taylor Swift
   • The color brings me joy and this song makes me want to bop around my life leaving lavender in my wake.
2. Danielle (smile on my face) – Fred again…
   • Thanks to Freddie, I’ve gotten back into house music and I’m in a place in my life where I have no shame in enjoying it. His music is so unique and has an authenticity and musicianship that I don’t find in a lot of other house DJs.
3. That’s Where I Am – Maggie Rogers
   • August is Maggie’s month. This song makes me think of summer and being with my favorite people.
4. bellyache – Billie Eilish
   • In the last few months I went back to Billie’s older stuff and I became obsessed with her first album, don’t smile at me, which came out in 2017. She was 16!! 
5. I’m In Love With You – The 1975
   • The 1975 are a group that have been on my periphery for over a decade, but there was a subconscious block around listening to them. I like to think that it was simply a matter of being in the right space in my life for them to come into my listening circle. The music always finds me at the right time. And if it hasn’t found me yet, it’s not the right time.
6. Horses – Maggie Rogers
   • This song is meant to be belted in the car while the sunsets in the rearview mirror. Don’t resist Maggie’s charm. Just let it all out! 
7. Deep in Love – Bonny Light Horseman
   • Daisy, I miss you. 
8. Go in Light (ft. Monica Martin) – Marcus Mumford
   • One of my favorite songs off of this album. Monica and Marcus’s voices mesh so well together and the message underneath touches me deeply every time.
9. Hey Stephen (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
   • Like everyone else on the planet, I’ve been going back to Taylor’s older catalog. The week before Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) was due for release, I spun my copy of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) after imbibing in some herbs, and I experienced one of my favorite things. Listening to an album I kind of knew and discovering a totally new song that gave me pure joy. This would probably make it onto a list of top 10 favorite Taylor Swift songs if I was ever crazy enough to make one of those (which I’m not).
10. PURE/HONEY – Beyoncé
    • One of my favorite songs off of Renaissance, mostly because I came across a TikTok of these incredible dancers showing off their stuff to the last few minutes of this song. Queen B continues to show how she can master any genre she wants and I can’t wait for what’s next. I’ve heard rumors that she’s reclaiming musical genres that were created by black people (ie, country, hip-hop, rock’n roll…) and I’m praying for a Beyoncé rock album.
11. True Blue – boygenius
    • One of the most realistic and authentic love songs I’ve heard in my life. It covers everything from the good, the bad, and the ugly and makes me think of close friends and loved ones that I remember who I am when I’m with them.
12. august – Taylor Swift
    • It’s the title of the playlist, it’s the current month, it’s a great song. Need I say more?