Afternoon Escapism

It has been a while since I’ve written an actual music related post, but I promised, and I am so ready to throw myself into it… I just needed a bit of inspiration.

I’m trying to get back into the music and gig review life, but funnily enough artists and promoters aren’t exactly overjoyed when a blog who hasn’t regularly posted since pre-pandemic approaches them looking for opportunities. Fair enough. I totally get it – but this left me wondering what I could actually post about.

So I asked for some prompts from pals and amongst all the serious ones and subjects I could really get my teeth into, one message jumped out at me: “why don’t you just shame yourself by talking about one of your Spotify playlists?”

Interesting.

I guess this is something to write about at least.

If you’ve read any of my more personal blog posts or if you know me then you are probably aware that I have the tendency of getting overwhelmed, panicked, anxious, all of the above… I am in a much better place than I was a year ago but sometimes it is like life is screaming at me, begging for attention that I feel I’m not in the position to give it. One thing that does help in those situations is getting lost in music.

The name of this playlist which I threw together in an hour of need is influenced by a song called ‘Afternoon Escapism’ by Graywave. Jess Webberley a.k.a. Graywave is an artist who self-describes her releases as “music to take you elsewhere” and that’s what I need when I’m feeling overwhelmed. The song ‘Afternoon Escapism’ is actually no longer available on streaming services, but I listen to in on YouTube sometimes – it’s worth checking out, as is the rest of Jess’ discography. Her song, ‘Like Heaven’, is actually the first track on the playlist.

So, what ingredients make up a playlist that takes me elsewhere and stops me from feeling overwhelmed? Here are ten that I can think of.

1. Slow Tempo Tracks

Even though I love a punk rock track with a quick beat (say hello to the drummer in me), they aren’t going to help regulate my breathing. There is research that suggests listening to fast paced music, increases heart rate which can be explained by people who love going to the gym who also love talking about how they go to the gym, and they drop in conversation what tunes get them pumped up. On the flip side, slower tempo music does have a calming effect.

I personally do notice a difference. I am someone who listens to a lot of music that is pretty pacey, but I’ve found music from some of my favourite artists who are rockers and create tunes to get you jumping into a mosh pit that actually do take it down a notch or two. For example, Calva Louise have a song called ‘Wondertale’ on their first album which fits the bill along with former indie group Spring King’s ‘They’re Coming After You’. I also have a soft spot for Skinny Living’s soulful, ‘No Messiah’.

2. Calming Vocals (sometimes helped by some sweet harmonies)

Now I love a punk band with shouty vocals but there is a time that they don’t quite fit the mood. Sometimes what I need is some easy to listen to vocals, maybe even some beautiful harmonisation. An example of this would be Grafton Ash, a band who I’m gutted are no longer making music together today. I thought they had something, including bounds of musical talent and top class harmonising which can be heard in ‘Never Meant To Happen’.

One artist in particular whose voice I find calming is Nick J.D. Hodgson’s along with his style of music. A part of this may stem from the fact I used his debut album, ‘Tell Your Friends’, as a bit of a crutch during a difficult period of my life. I could probably add the majority of that record if not all of it to this playlist for that reason, but I’ve limited it to a few tracks including ‘Tomorrow I Love You’ and ‘Feel Better’.

Nick was once the drummer in Kaiser Chiefs and coincidentally one of their songs that he took the lead on vocals on, ‘Remember You’re A Girl’, also made the playlist.

3. There Has To Be A Good Balance Of Melancholic and Upbeat

The aim of this playlist is not to make me depressed. Just because I like a song with not-so-quick tempos and harmonies when I’m not doing great, doesn’t mean I want to be sad… but a little sad is good.

There’s something very human about feeling melancholic. I find that it grounds me and makes me believe that it is okay to have these moments of unease. With a rhythm guitar line and soothing vocals, ‘Blushing’ by Bonnie Kemplay is the right level of melancholy that soothes the mind, but as I said it is important to find the balance so in comes Rat Boy’s upbeat ‘LAIDBACK’ with a nostalgic riff.

4. Dreamy Indie Pop Vibes

I didn’t realise how much I vibe for indie pop until I started to get invited to review gigs and festivals. It is one of many genres that I fell in love with when I started to experience it live. Two artists I discovered through reviewing are The Tin Pigeons and KAWALA. There is something instantly uplifting about the chord progressions used in this genre along with the happy drumbeats. Two of my go-to tracks are ‘Always the Same’ and ‘Play it Right’.

5. There’s Something to be Said for a Well-Played Acoustic Guitar

I’m not a guitarist but when an acoustic is played beautifully, I do sometimes get a little envious.

An artist whose shows I’ve been to a few times is Sam Johnson (now known as Cartwright) and an element of his performance that always grabs my attention is his guitar playing. Along with his wonderful voice and lyrics that are storybook-like I would get transported to a happier place. There are a few of his tracks that are on this playlist, one of which is ‘Peter Pan’.

6. Songs that Carry Good Memories

I’ve already alluded to songs that carry good memories, but I have so many. Whether it is music that was popular during good periods of my life or tracks that we would listen to in the car when I was younger on the way to cool places, there are so many that I could pick out.

Two songs I want to highlight carry good memories of gigs I have been to. Bryony Williams was my first gig of 2020, a year that I made an aim for myself to attend at least one gig a week… It didn’t quite play out that way because the world had other plans. There was something that felt very special about that show though, there was a very positive atmosphere. Then fast forward to October 2020 and I went to my first gig post-lockdown which was parade’s. I remember being so relieved to have that opportunity again.

‘I Can Be’ and ‘Colours’ are two tracks that I vividly remember being performed and they’re both very elevating too which is a bonus.

7. Songs That Remind Me of People Who Make Me Happy

This might be because they’re by artists who they love, or they’re tracks that they recommended to me. It’s just a good reminder to be thankful about the people in my life who matter.

Basically the entirety of Kaiser Chiefs discography could fall under this category because of all the amazing friends I have made through attending their shows. I was pretty restrained by only adding five of their songs to this playlist, one of them being ‘Falling Awake’, which is a single that is well-loved by us, but they hate so we enjoy badgering them to play it. They did agree to our request for a livestreamed concert during lockdown – I doubt they will now ever play it again.

Other songs that remind me of people who make me happy include ‘daydreams’ by easy life and ‘8’ by Billie Eilish.

8. Classics That Make Me Smile

The heading kind of speaks for itself but who doesn’t love a classic? One of my favourites is ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen. It reminds me of growing up in a household that loves this band and my older sister learning to play it on the piano. I suppose it is a nostalgic track for me, not just a classic. It was quite a moment hearing it played at the O2 last year by them and by the CBSO this year at Symphony Hall.

9. Stripped Back Versions

There are some songs which I love but don’t exactly fit the brief of a playlist used to help me feel less overwhelmed but thankfully there are a couple of these tracks that have stripped back versions out there for us to also enjoy. ‘Rockstar’ by YONAKA is a great example of this and they have a version which is just piano, strings, and Theresa Jarvis’ stunningly haunting vocals.

There’s also a version of this song which they recorded for Spotify that now as I write this, I realise could make the playlist because it isn’t quite as energetic as the original… Consider it added!

10. A Cover? Apparently…

Covers can be a source of friction between music lovers, but I personally do enjoy a cover – if it is done well.

A cover of The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ appeared on one of my randomly curated Spotify playlists one day and I loved it straightaway. This version is by Pomplamoose and it feels very intimate with the close-recorded piano and female vocals. I recommend checking it out. It’s genuinely very beautiful.

So that concludes my first music-related blog post in what feels like an age. Thank you for sticking with me, and I meant what I said about wanting to throw myself back into it so hopefully there will be much more to come!

It feels too personal posting a link to the full playlist for anyone and everyone to see – especially because it changes all the time – but big love to all the artists currently included.

Follow me on socials:

FACEBOOK | TWITTER (X) | INSTAGRAM