Februrary playlist

Ah February, you old swine. As much as I have a limited quantity of violent feelings towards this time of year, it always feels as though it is a rather confused month. Everyone seems to recognise January as being the worst month of the 12, despite the fact that some nice things actually happen (my dad's birthday, for example). Because February often feels neither here nor there, I am personally left feeling quite melancholic, for several reasons - first of all it is still freezing cold, furthermore, it is still spine-breakingly freezing cold (I rest my slightly frozen metaphorical case). Therefore, in my frankly "mmmm lists" centred brain, I have taken it upon myself to create a playlist in order to make you feel like you could take on the world (or even go outside for the first time all weekend!) Also, seeing as Andrew VanWyngarden's birthday was yesterday (frontman of MGMT, all round good-egg) there will be a few tracks of theirs rightfully featured.

> Brian Eno // MGMT
It wouldn't be a Sunday playlist without this gem of psychedelic wonder. An ode to the synth master himself, it's quirky and energetic, with a strong beat and the odd twinkling synth to keep your desire for beautiful melodies satisfied for approx 4 minutes 32 seconds (NB: Times depend on the frequency of you replaying the last minute)

> Colours To Life // Temples
Another suitably uplifting and trippy wonder from Kettering golden boys, this track contains enough lo-fi whirring noises and spaced-out moments of glittering guitars that should at least guarantee you'll get out of bed on a Monday morning...

> Get off Of My Cloud // The Rolling Stones
"HEY HEY YOU YOU GET OFF OF MY CLOUD!" enough said.

> Best friend // The Drums
Admittedly, this isn't the most gladdening of songs for a supposedly 'cheery' playlist. Complete with tale of lost friends and a moping Johnny Pierce in full brooding mode, it seems unlikely that it would enliven even the most optimistic soul. However, the music behind the dark lyrics is quite the opposite; a jangly rhythm that pushes the song along with the aid of an angular bass line that somehow makes the emotional wreck that is my mind-set  experience a temporary window of happiness.

> Morning Crumble // Holidays
Gently whirling guitars and a strong bass line with softly delivered lyrics makes you feel like you're on 'holiday' (wow appropriate) and engaging in some romance not to dissimilar to those badly acted out in rom coms. A clear winner for making you want to get up and "do stuff" (#lifelessons).

> Kooks // David Bowie
Reportedly written for his son, 'Kooks' for me, is essentially an ode to childhood belonging and feeling like your parents could do anything and everything for you, until the crushing moment when you realise that they're only human, and they can't hit your ex-boyfriend in the face for you. The score has just the right tempo for a bit of head-bobbing-and-old-man-foot-tapping to occur. "IF YOU STAY WITH US YOU'RE GONNA BE PRETTY KOOKY TOO."

> Your Life Is A Lie // MGMT
It would initially seem that this song is telling you that everything in your life is done with utter distaste, but on closer inspection, it feels like an ode to getting out of a boring life. It's a bit of a self esteem booster, as though you're being told to leave your boring house in a boring street and go and do something half interesting. Deal with it, folks.

> Can't Buy Me Love // The Beatles
What could a supposedly 'happy' playlist be without the 1964 classic?

> Dreamin // Mac DeMarco
Cymbals have managed to make this song so very 60's it seems like the 60's couldn't have created this track. Although it's slow and wandering qualities give it a feeling of desolation at times, it has enough contrasting moments of light to make you feel like a hip New Yorker when you walk around school.

> Ask // The smiths
"SHYNESS CAN STOP YOU FROM DOING ALL THE THINGS IN LIFE YOU'D LIKE TO" Anything I write about this would ruin it for myself and everyone else, it is simply too pretty for human words.

> Surf Bitches // Best Friends
"I WANNA BUILD A PEPPERMINT ISLAND" Lo-Fi vocals and guitar riffs are delivered in the style of FIDLAR, while a stronger driving force behind the music to give it a pacier feel remains. A New favourite.

I hope that some of these songs will help you face February and beyond. What are your favourite tracks for this time of year?

Lots of love, Paige x x x

Super cool people what I like

This post is more a form of unadulterated self indulgence than a legitimate excuse for a Sunday post, but let me explain. I have several eye watering inducing exams coming up and as music is the true hero at getting you to forget about all your problems (!) I thought I'd write a little bit about what bangin' chooons I'm loving at the moment...

Happy Anniversary by Best Friends
The Sheffield 4 piece have been recommended to me on several occasions and I'm glad I took the initiative to listen to then because they're wonderful. "Happy Anniversary" provides aprox. 3-and-a-half minutes of blissful wanderings and a nice spattering of rowdy guitars and drums that provide enough of an edge to make you think the style could completely and very suddenly change, while retaining the swirling, head-bobbing-along feel that I have grown to love them for.

Holy By Frightened Rabbit
Scottish rockers got my heart a-racing with this track off their early-2013 album "Pedestrian Verse". This track begins with a feeling it's going to be relaxed, until the music builds up with the aid of a wonderful bass and drum arrangement, which allows it to have a raw feel without feeling in any way unrefined. The amount of accolades they've received, there really isn't much of a point in trying to tell you why I love them, but I do, so I will tell you (so there).

Nightmare by Guards
I discovered New York three piece Guards when they were supporting MGMT on their recent UK 2013 tour. After hearing two songs, I went and bought their album  straightaway from the merch stand and continued to wave my arms at them like a nutter. The track begins with a strong opening of rich bass and swirling vocals. It develops into a Tame Impala-esque stomp with a sway and melody that is perfect for getting your groove down.

What tracks are you loving at the moment? (Let me know if you can be bothered).
Lots of Love, Paige x x x