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

Ultimate make out songs

(this photo is cute + romantic and it's from someone's twitter)

Everyone has (or has had) (or is going to have) that someone who they think about constantly, who is never out of your mind, who makes your heart tingle whenever you think of them. It happens. You also can't go thinking about someone without thinking what it's like to make out with them. And even if you are a One Direction fan, you don't want to be making out with someone whilst 'Best Song Ever' echoes in the background, so make out songs are very important. To everyone.

Blush // Wolf Alice

Taken from Wolf Alice's latest EP, this song starts softly and makes you believe that it will stay this way. In the soft moments of the song, you can imagine everything around you being silent and you can only see that one person. You walk towards them slowly but as soon as the heavy drums come in, you race to them and the rest....well that's for you to decide.

She Changes the Weather // Swim Deep 

Seeing this song live was stunning as everyone stood still for the introduction, just waiting for that moment. Even to a non-Swim Deep fan, this song would sound utterly beautiful. The intro is an echo of Austin William's voice accompanied by a soft piano and guitar. Then the repetitive (but lovely) piano part comes in, complete with sounds of Swim Deep talking in the background. This song reminds me of someone chasing the person that they love and not giving up (as cheesy as it sounds). Like the first song, it seems like a song where you ignore everything around you and your mind is just focused on that one person. I think the video says just that and as a whole, it's very moving. 

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out // The Smiths

Every fan of The Smiths adores this song and I am sure it is very familiar to non-fans too. Just by listening to the lyrics, you know that it is a love song. "To die by your side, well the pleasure, the privilege is mine". Morrissey sings about doing anything for your loved one. Morrissey was (and still is) obviously a very poetic man but deciphering his lyrics is not hard. You can also dance away to this song which makes everything better. 

Warpaint // Baby

A lovely soft, calm song from Warpaint. You can imagine slow dancing to this after a wedding or sitting in the garden after a big party whilst feeling sorry for yourself. To me, this song is also about being maybe too protective of someone. "Don't you call anybody else baby" could have various meanings but I think we should stick to the romantic side of it.

Baby Blue // King Krule

All King Krule songs are absolutely beautiful and could all potentially be wonderful make out songs. Baby Blue is so slow and sweet and I would love to be listening to it whilst sitting under a tree, watching the sun (oh summer I miss you) and just thinking about people and love etc.

Teenage Riot // Sonic Youth

Undoubtedly one of my favourite Sonic Youth songs. This is definitely a song you have to dance to and it's up to you when you decide to stop dancing and make out with that someone. It would preferably be great if you and that someone were both teenagers but it really doesn't effect how great the song is.

My Kind of Woman // Mac Demarco

Mac Demarco makes me feel very lovey dovey and all over the place sometimes. He's a very silly but romantic person. I've walked during a beautiful orange sunset whilst listening to this song and it was such a wonderful experience. This song doesn't have the best rhythm to walk to but you can fool around and dance about instead. 

This is the Last Time // The National

This song was actually only introduced to me a week ago by one of my closest friends and I have absolutely fallen in love with it. The song title itself seems very romantic, but also very tragic, as if someone has had enough. The lyrics "I won't be vacant anymore" also justifies the unwanted feelings in the song.

Youth // Daughter

This is the single version of Youth which I prefer massively compared to the album version. Everyone fell in love with this song when they first heard it. The lyrics put across a sense of braveness but also sadness. "Setting fire to our insides for fun" sounds like something you would write on a protest banner but also something you would write on a goodbye letter. You can choose which way to interpret it. 

"The key to a kiss is a good song"

(Quote by me)

Amy x