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Playlists: songs about simple pleasures

December 7, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Keys to happiness: Blossom Dearie

Sunrise to sunset and everything in between, food to flowers and all the joys of the natural world, these are just some of the many simple pleasures rendered beautifully in perfect playlists by guest writer Barbryn picked from last week’s topic nominations

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, colours, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, simplicity, pleasure, Etta Jones, Bim Sherman, Kenny Young, Bridget St John, Hilton Valentine, Paul Williams, Teenage Fanclub, Kathleen Edwards, Over The Rhine, Blossom Dearie, The Ink Spots, Phil Harris, Half Man Half Biscuit, The Dandy Warhols, Jimmy Buffett, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Prince Nico Mbarga, The Mighty Diamonds, Joyce Moreno, Vashti Bunyan, Kim Taylor, Sarah Vaughan, Yo La Tengo, Karine Polwart, Rachel Sermanni, Taylor Swift, Barbryn
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Count to zen: songs about the pleasures of simplicity

December 1, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Float your moments …

This week we aim to strip away life’s stresses and complexities to search for songs that capture moments of calm simplicity, enjoying the little things in life. Setting sail with this becalming poem, what moments might float your boat?

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, simplicity, zen, philosophy, psychology, Oscar Wilde, Frederic Chopin, Feist, Frank Lloyd Wright, Billy Gibbons, Charles Dudley Warner, John F Kennedy, Vernon Howard
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Playlists: songs about the colour pink

November 30, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Yes, b’Lady: FAB 1 - Lady Penelope pink Rolls Royce inspired by Thunderbirds

Flowers, champagne, the moon, and even an elephant, it’s a colour that covers many shades and contexts, and from many blossoms of nominations, you’ll be tickled pink by the playlists perfectly arranged by guest of the week Severin

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, country, comedy, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, pink, colours, The Sorrows, Nick Drake, Let's Eat Grandma, Louis Armstrong, Edith Piaf, Meat Puppets, Tash Sultana, Lena, Malia, Joe Liggins and the Honeydrippers, GNOD, Yanawaraba, The Ditty Bops, Red Nichols, The Wabash Dance Orchestra, Madder Rose, Reba McEntire, Lệ Thanh, Nicki Parrott, Prince, XTC, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bruce Springsteen, The National, Tori Amos, Rickie Lee Jones, Procol Harum, Good Shoes, Earl Bosic, severin, Severin
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Tickled? Songs about the colour pink

November 24, 2022 Peter Kimpton

A chance to dance …

Neither red nor purple, this very particular colour has a strong identity and effect, from changing cultural and gender associations to distinctive animals, plants or minerals, how does it come up in song? Read these verses for inspiration …

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, colours, pink, psychology, Joni Mitchell, Grayson Perry, Alexander Schauss, Gore Vidal, William Shakespeare, Shakespeare, prison, fashion, Homer, Edward Degas, art, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, flowers, gemstones, animals, fish, homosexuality, politics, communism
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Playlists: songs about space travel

November 23, 2022 Peter Kimpton

After the many posts … vintage posters

When last week’s topic launched, it went off like a rocket - with hundreds of nominations. Now, out of this musical astral shower, guest playlister Shiv Sidecar has mapped out a song constellation that’s out of this world …

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In avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags Space, space travel, playlists, The Byrds, Ray Anderson & The Home Folks, Public Service Broadcasting, Labrinth, Pharoah Sanders, Judee Sill, Elton John, Brett Smiley, The Imagined Village, Hen Ogledd, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, The Mekons, The Honeymoon Killers, The Blue Men, Chris Kenner, Spiritualized, Broadcast, Lothar and the Hand People, Weather Report, Janelle Monae, Peter Gabriel, Shudder To Think, Automatic Man, Fu Manchu, Blink-182, Teenage Fanclub, Chungking, Pearls Before Swine, Curt Boettcher, Wonky Alice, Children Collide, Soundhog, T.P. Orchestre Poly Rhythmo De Colonou, Rezillos, PJ Harvey, XTC, Amon Düül II, Kendra Smith, Game Theory, The Kaleidoscope, ShivSidecar
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To infinity and beyond: songs about space flight

November 17, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Yuri’n the hotseat: Gagarin

After last week's orgasmic theme and playlists, it’s time for thrusting engines over another kind, rockets and space ships, real or fictional, fantastic, wondrous, frightening journeys of all kind, as we boldly go to new musical territory

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags Space, space travel, Nasa, Yuri Gagarin, Jack London, Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, Sally Ride, Michael P Anderson, Douglas Adams, Blaise Pascal, William Burroughs, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Laika, Alexei Leonev, International Space Station, Sputnik, Mir, Voyager, Artemis, Apollo 11, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, TV, Film, film soundtrack, 2001 A Space Odyssey
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Playlists: songs about orgasms

November 16, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Horn of plenty: Rosalía

Yes! Yes! Yes! After days of non-stop, multiple orgasmic musical nominations, it’s time to have a cigarette, sit back and relax as guest of the week magicman presents more than pleasurable playlists that reach even more climaxes …

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In African, avant-garde, dance, disco, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, indie, jazz, music, playlists, pop, postpunk, psychedelia, punk, rock, songs, soul Tags songs, playlists, orgasms, sex, Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention, Fairport Convention, Sugababes, The Rolling Stones, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Major Harris, The Beths, Lil Louis, Starlight Vocal Band, Teddy Prendergrass, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Prince, Machine Gun Fellatio, Rosalía, Turbonegro, Blonde Redhead, Marvin Gaye, Bebe, Alex Puddu, Janet Jackson, Max Romeo, Magic Dirt, Destiny's Child, Apollonia 6, The Dukes of Stratosphear, Liz Phair, Millie Jackson, The Beatles, magicman
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Come together: it’s songs about the orgasm

November 10, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Barbarella tries the musical ‘Excessive Machine’

Expressed in lyrics literally, euphemistically and metaphorically, or in the sheer sound the music or delivery of voice, promises of, or the act itself, few things concentrate the mind and body more. So how to they come together in song? First, enjoy a brief social history of the orgasm by hitting this button …

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, sex, orgasms, Film, television, books, theatre, biology, Shakespeare, William Shakespeare, John Wilmot Earl of Rochester, Lily Seabroke, Lynne Connolly, Jackie Stewart, Tori Amos, Woody Allen, Władysław Podkowiński, art, DH Lawrence, Sigmund Freud, Jean-Martin Charcot, Alan Partridge
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Playlists: songs about fear of missing out (FOMO)

November 8, 2022 Peter Kimpton

A brutally candid fight for confidence: Rebecca Taylor aka Self Esteem

So, where’s the party? Social pressure, time trickling away, fear of the unknown and the elsewhere? Don’t worry, one thing you won’t miss out on are some excellent playlists on this universal subject, picked by guest Loud Atlas from last week’s topic

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In African, blues, country, comedy, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, jazz, music, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, fear of missing out, fomo, psychology, time, social media, Pink Floyd, Courtney Barnett, David Bowie, Shakin' Stevens, Shed Seven, Smokey Robinson, Philip Jeays, Gary Clark Jr, Liz Lawrence, Wolf Alice, Self Esteem, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Velvet Underground, Willie Colón, Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, The Lovely Eggs, Dr Hook, Them, Van Morrison, Imani Coppola, UK Subs, Don Gibson, Billie Holiday, Bad Finger, Lee Hazelwood, Kim Churchill, Half Man Half Biscuit, TISM, Olivia Rodrigo, Henry Britton, Angelivro, Loud Atlas
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Be here/there now: songs about the fear of missing out

November 3, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Fomo-sapiens

FOMO? A social phenomenon term derived in the last 30 years of internet culture and social media, but fear of missing out is nothing new. From big events to looking for love, don’t miss out on this fun topic with songs related to it

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, fomo, fear of missing out, psychology, social media, internet, Alan Arkin, Etty Hillesum, Peter Ackroyd, Naved Abdali, David Bowie, Franz Liszt, Andrew Yang, Cavett Robert, Tony Blair, Fiona Apple, Elton John, Ray Parker Jr, Barry Humphries, Sex Pistols, Kate Bush, Johnny Marr, Woodstock, Glastonbury Festival, history, evolution
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Playlists: songs about gangs

November 1, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Mommy Long Legs

Girl gangs, guy gangs, punk, rock, folk, pop and more, since this topic was launched last week it’s been a group effort, and leading us out with his pick of the nominations, guest ParaMhor makes songs about gangs great

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In blues, country, comedy, dance, disco, dub, electronica, folk, funk, indie, hip hop, gospel, metal, music, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, gangs, Pulp, Bikini Kill, Sault, Mommy Long Legs, The Creation, Drake, The Monochrome Set, Dexys Midnight Runners, Junior Murvin, Shirley Collins, Elbow, Bruce Springsteen, Cabaret Voltaire, Leather Boy, New Uniform, The Devotchkas, Irving Berlin, Columbia Quartette, The Times, The Shangri–Las, Chaos UK, Raveonettes, Chron Gen, The Ruts, Joe White, Drive-By Truckers, Milton Nascimento, The Housemartins, The Jam, Massive Attack, ParaMhor
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Join here: songs about gangs

October 27, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Quadrophenia (1979)

Crime, culture, music, identity, fashion? From family belonging to sheer survival, there are many reasons to join a gang, but how do you get out? From street kids to Mafia organisations, this huge and colourful subject has inspired many songs …

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, gangs, crime, fashion, politics, fascism, Film, film soundtrack, Jesse Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Quadrophenia, The Who, Los Angeles, New York, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, Philippines, mafia, triads, John Boorman, Shane Meadows, Peaky Blinders, Martin Scorsese, John Singleton
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Court in the act: songs about judges and trials

October 20, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Sing out the scales of justice …

It’s time for the musical scales of justice to sing out as we explore songs about trials, short or long, from or about any perspective of those present, accused or accusers, jurors or judges, or even lawyers, as long as as the action is in court

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, law, judiciary, Socrates, George Herbert, Charles Dickens, George Chapman, Roe v Wade, US Supreme Court, Lord George Jeffries, Judge Judy, television, Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson, Court Cam, Lord Denning, Lord Wilberforce, Lady Hale, Ketanji Jackson, Peter Fonda, Film
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Pan’s people: songs and pieces featuring steel pan

October 13, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Panoramic range

With origins from slavery, then made in Trinidad & Tobago, let’s explore how this beautiful instrument appears across genres, within original material or bringing a new timbre to covers, or mixing with other sounds

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In calypso, African, dance, country, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, musicals, playlists, musical hall, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, traditional, soundtracks Tags songs, instrumentals, instruments, pan steel, Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago, Derek Walcott, Curtis Greasley, Africa, Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra, Winston 'Spree' Simon, Elliott 'Ellie' Mannette, Tony Williams, Bertie Marshall, Rudolph Charles, Len 'Boogsie' Sharp, Ray Holman, Liam Teague, Russ Henderson, Andy Narell, Andy Akiho, Othello Molineaux, Jaco Pastorius, Jonathan Scales
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Playlists: songs about the meaning of life

October 11, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Some of this week’s house band …

Aristotelianism to absurdism, cynicism to nihilism to stoicism and more, this week’s musings on our existence come no shortage of great musicians as well as philosophers, thoughtfully chosen and superbly described by guest playlister Uncleben from last week’s theme

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, folk, experimental, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musicals, playlists, postpunk, pop, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, philosophy, nihilism, stoicism, Aristotle, Diogenes, William James, Douglas Adams, existentialism, Epicurus, René Descartes, Socrates, The Weirdos, Clinton Fearon, Soul II Soul, Odyssey, Indigo Girls, Black Uhuru, The Shins, Rudy Vallee, Joy Ellis, Dr Alimantado, Propaganda, Liza Minnelli, Dionne Warwick, Buzzcocks, Villagers, Fontaines D.C., The Heptones, Penetration, Bruce Springsteen, Hitsujibungaku, Charlie Rich, Joe Higgs, Hex, Cabbage Boy, Band of Holy Joy, Blackalicious, The Wailers, Kurt Vonnegut, Plato, Abraham Lincoln, Uncleben, CLR James
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Like a butterfly: songs about the meaning of life

October 6, 2022 Peter Kimpton

The monarch butterfly: a profound life cycle, and ‘a rainbow of chaos’

It’s a big question. But how might it be answered in song lyrics? Not merely through broad definition or metaphor, but also through philosophy, practical advice or experience. See many inspirational ideas here, but it’s also time to let your answers take flight …

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Playlists: songs about taxation and wealth distribution

October 4, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Who gets the crown? Hint: the bird is the word …

Feeling taxed? Get some relief here. Blues, reggae, funk, punk, post-punk and more, we’ve got a full revenue of great music in store with no duty to pay, courtesy of an excellent distribution by guest playlister Severin picked from last week’s topic

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In African, avant-garde, blues, calypso, classical, comedy, country, dance, disco, drone, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, indie, instrumentals, jazz, metal, music, musical hall, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, rocksteady, showtime, ska, songs, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, tax, poll tax, wealth, equality, economics, Prince Buster, J.B. Lenoir, The Members, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Massive Attack, Saul Williams, Professor Gabriel Zucman, The Exploited, Daniel Caesar, The Fall, Los Tigres del Norte, Village Man's Store, Mighty Sparrow, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Sharon Jones, The Dap Kings, Rip Rig And Panic, Fred Wesley and the JBs, The JBs, Fred Wesley Jr, Gene Autry, Crap, Loose Ends, Stick In The Wheel, Duke of Iron, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Toots and the Maytals, The Heptones, Junior Parker, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Clash, A Tribe Called Quest, Rubella Ballet, Champion Jack Dupree, Busi Mhlongo, Pink Floyd, Lonnie Donegan, Keith Moon, BJ and The Bear, severin, Severin
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Spend it wisely: songs about tax and wealth distribution

September 29, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Trickle down economics, all the way down to …

During a time of fiscal crisis, while policy helps the wealthy avoid paying what’s due, here at Song Bar we’re open and pennywise with our playlists. So what contribution might you have on this taxing subject of social justice? Spend your time wisely …

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Playlists: songs with more questions than answers

September 28, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Bande à part: Roxy Music

Inspired by Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave cinema movement, music poses questions in all forms - in sound, form, structure, as well as lyrics. Picking from last week’s topic, guest playlister pejepeine has excellent answers by example

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In avant-garde, blues, classical, comedy, experimental, folk, funk, indie, instrumentals, jazz, music, musicals, playlists, pop, postpunk, prog, psychedelia, punk, hip hop, gospel, electronica, songs, rock, reggae, soul, soundtracks, traditional Tags songs, playlists, French New Wave, Jean-Luc Godard, Charlie Parker, Joao Gilberto, Annette Peacock, Paul Bley, Roxy Music, Gang of Four, Boards of Canada, Cat Stevens, Reeps One, Jefferson Airplane, Public Enemy, Rosalia, Stereolab, Mitsujibungaka, Diana Ross, Johnny Nash, Supertramp, The Grateful Dead, Les Paul, Mary Ford, Moloko, Wire, Stump, Barry Mann, Hortense Ellis, Jean Constantin, Film, film soundtrack, pejepeine
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What's going on? Songs with more questions than answers

September 22, 2022 Peter Kimpton

Un bout de souffle (1960): Under cover? How soon is now? Where did our love go?

Inspired by the recent death of a creative great and the movement he spurred, this week it’s time to pose questions of the listener, existential or otherwise, perhaps found lyrics or titles, but more than just in a random line, and perhaps also in often in form, structure and sound

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DRINK OF THE WEEK

spring blossom cocktail


SNACK OF THE WEEK

cherry blossom easter egg


New Albums …

Featured
LuxJury - Giving Up.jpeg
Apr 8, 2026
LuxJury: Giving Up
Apr 8, 2026

New album: Catchy, funky, witty, insightful and candid soulful indie-pop debut by the London trio fronted by Nicole ‘Lux’ Fermie, with songs inspired by a formative first queer relationship and subsequent exploration of identity

Apr 8, 2026
Snail Mail - Ricochet.jpeg
Apr 7, 2026
Snail Mail: Ricochet
Apr 7, 2026

New album: American indie singer-songwriter Lindsey Jordan returns with a third LP, awash with natural tendency for shoegaze-y melancholy, but also with a warm embrace of jangly and acoustic guitars in this introspective release about time, fading friendships, mortality, the afterlife, and the quiet terror of watching the things you love slip away

Apr 7, 2026
Dark Sky Reservation by LYR.jpeg
Apr 6, 2026
LYR: Dark Sky Reservation
Apr 6, 2026

New album: Filled with beautiful stillness and vivid, intricate images, gentle wit, lilting profundity and contemplative moments, this gorgeously illuminating third experimental LP by the trio of UK poet laureate Simon Armitage and musicians Richard Walters and Patrick J Pearson begins on the constellatory contradiction that the furthest points of light in our skies can only be seen in the dark

Apr 6, 2026
Birding by deary.jpeg
Apr 5, 2026
deary: Birding
Apr 5, 2026

New album: A shimmering, sparkling, ethereal dream-pop and shoegaze debut by the London trio with an ornithological theme in the context of human impact, and significant echoes in flight of their key influences Cocteau Twins, Lush, My Bloody Valentine, and Slowdive

Apr 5, 2026
Vol.II by Angine de Poitrine.jpeg
Apr 4, 2026
Angine de Poitrine: Vol. II
Apr 4, 2026

New album: A weirdly wonky hot sensation on social media, the mysterious Quebec duo are instantly recognisable by their oddball, masked polka dot disguises, but this second release of mostly instrumental prog-rock bendy loops and riffs between guitar and drums remain just as mesmeric in their musical skill and complexity

Apr 4, 2026
Thundercat - Distracted.jpeg
Apr 4, 2026
Thundercat: Distracted
Apr 4, 2026

New album: Rich, deep, squelchy grooves and high falsetto in the distinctively funky-jazz-soul-afrofuturistic-cosmic-rock return of the outstanding Los Angeles bass player with his first LP for six years, and an impressive array of collaborators, including Mac Miller, Tame Impala, Flying Lotus, A$AP Rocky, and The Lemon Twigs

Apr 4, 2026
Memorials - All Clouds Bring Not Rain.jpeg
Apr 1, 2026
MEMORIALS: All Clouds Bring Not Rain
Apr 1, 2026

New album: Innovative, eclectic fusion of psychedelia, folk, dub, krautrock, 60s soul, garage rock, prog, pop, electronica and 70s spiritual jazz by the Canterbury experimental duo of Verity Susman and Matthew Simms

Apr 1, 2026
 Against the Dying of the Light by José González  2.jpeg
Apr 1, 2026
José González: Against The Dying Of The Light
Apr 1, 2026

New album: A gentle, reflective, meditative, but quietly defiant fifth LP by the Swedish-Argentine indie-folk guitarist and singer-songwriter, following his last, Local Valley, broadening his perspective in an urgent call to preserve the light of humanity as technology advances in ironically darkening world

Apr 1, 2026
Raye - This Music May Contain Hope.jpg
Apr 1, 2026
RAYE: This Music May Contain Hope
Apr 1, 2026

New album: A highly entertaining, exuberantly stylish, cross-genre 17-track, 73-minute odyssey by the London popstar, with a huge musical show of a second LP, spanning swing-era jazz to soul, R&B, house music, pop, dance, gospel, classical and the full kitchen sink, with orchestral band, family members, Hans Zimmer, and even Al Green

Apr 1, 2026
Pitou P2.jpeg
Mar 30, 2026
Pitou: P2
Mar 30, 2026

New album: Brilliantly quirky, original second LP of experimental folk pop by the Amsterdam artist, who has the free spirited musical adventurousness reminiscent of Tune-Yards’ Merrill Garbus and Fiona Apple in this clever, playful, stop-start work with oodles of vocal loops and layering, electronica and unusual field recordings across themes of freedom and restlessness

Mar 30, 2026
Robyn - Sexistential.jpeg
Mar 29, 2026
Robyn: Sexistential
Mar 29, 2026

New album: After a break of seven years, the hugely influential 46-year-old Swedish pop star returns with a new burst of alternative, electro-pop bangers, in this ninth LP, now subverting themes of romantic love in another context since having gone through having IVF and becoming a single parent

Mar 29, 2026
IT'S THE LONG GOODBYE by The Twilight Sad.jpeg
Mar 29, 2026
The Twilight Sad: It's The Long Goodbye
Mar 29, 2026

New album: The Glasgow indie rockers fronted by vocalist James Graham and guitarist Andy MacFarlane return with a tempestuous, highly emotional and moving sixth LP, their first for seven years, with musical input from The Cure’s Robert Smith, fuelled by the illness and passing of Graham’s mother and his subsequent mental health struggles

Mar 29, 2026
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Mar 28, 2026
Courtney Barnett: Creature of Habit
Mar 28, 2026

New album: The Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist returns after a five-year gap to bring more of her witty, indie-country-rock, but with a bittersweet flavour, and an emotionally resonant record that explores change and the central question: how to get out of your own way so you can truly feel your life

Mar 28, 2026
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Mar 26, 2026
Ego Ella May: Good Intentions
Mar 26, 2026

New album: Beautifully crafted but effortlessly performed, a wonderful release of delicious, classy, smooth and smoky soul, jazz and RnB by the London singer-songwriter who has vocal and stylistic qualities reminiscent of Erykah Badu and Sade

Mar 26, 2026

new songs …

Featured
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Apr 8, 2026
Song of the Day: Beth Orton - The Ground Above
Apr 8, 2026

Song of the Day: The British singer-songwriter returns with a profound and beautiful new 8-minute eclectic folk-rock number about how humans are “all vulnerable beings living out invincible lives”, suffused with piano and trumpet, and out on Partisan Records

Apr 8, 2026
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Apr 7, 2026
Song of the Day: Liz Lawrence - Black Ulysses
Apr 7, 2026

Song of the Day: A beautifully moving, melodic and poignant acoustic indie-pop single by the acclaimed British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, from the upcoming album fifth album Vespers, out on 5 June via Chrysalis Records

Apr 7, 2026
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Apr 6, 2026
Song of the Day: Angelo De Augustine - Empty Shell
Apr 6, 2026

Song of the Day: Beautiful, delicate, tender, elegiac indie folk with chamber strings, by the California singer-songwriter, and friend and associate of Sufjan Stevens, who is an inspiration, heralding his upcoming fifth album Angel in Plainclothes, out on 24 April via Asthmatic Kitty Records

Apr 6, 2026
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Apr 5, 2026
Song of the Day: U2 - Easter Parade
Apr 5, 2026

Song of the Day: After February’s politically themed protest EP Days of Ash, another surprise single and EP, Easter Lily, by the veteran Irish rock band, seasonally themed and reflecting the band’s beliefs, with a classic sound harking back to the past, guitar and synths, and a number described as a devotional song, a celebration of new life, rebirth and resurrection

Apr 5, 2026
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Apr 4, 2026
Song of the Day: Bedouine - Long Way To Fall
Apr 4, 2026

Song of the Day: A beautiful, tender, poignant return by the Syrian-American singer-songwriter Azniv Korkejian, with a strings and piano-based indie-folk number heralding her fourth album Neon Summer Skin, out on 5 June via Bedouine Music/ Thirty Tigers

Apr 4, 2026
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Apr 3, 2026
Song of the Day: Jack White - G.O.D. AND THE BROKEN RIBS / Derecho Demonico
Apr 3, 2026

Song of the Day: The acclaimed rock guitarist-singer-singer of White Stripes fame returns with this punchy, scorching catchy organ-backed, biblical-modern-fable-apocalypse-themed number alongside another, the Led Zeppelin-esque Derecho Demonico, out on his label Third Man Records

Apr 3, 2026
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Apr 2, 2026
Song of the Day: Julia Cumming - Please Let Me Remember This
Apr 2, 2026

Song of the Day: Lush, classic, piano-pop by the New York–born multi-instrumentalist and Sunflower Bean singer and bassist, influenced by Burt Bacharach, Carole King, and heralding her debut solo album, Julia, out on 24 April via Partisan Records

Apr 2, 2026
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Apr 1, 2026
Song of the Day: Jessie Ware - Automatic
Apr 1, 2026

Song of the Day: Infectiously catchy, funk-soul-disco pop by the charismatic singer-songwriter featuring a deep-voiced spoken intro by actor Colman Domingo, and the latest single heralding upcoming sixth album, Superbloom, out on 17 April via Interscope

Apr 1, 2026
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Mar 31, 2026
Song of the Day: Mount Palomar ft. Enola Gay - Feeding Frenzy
Mar 31, 2026

Song of the Day: Pulsating, dark, hard-hitting dance and hip-hop by the Northern Irish music producer, DJ and live electronic hardware artist Neil Kerr, joined by the Belfast indie-noise-punk quartet, on this title track of a new four-track EP, out on Ursa Minor

Mar 31, 2026
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Mar 30, 2026
Song of the Day: Jungle - Carry On
Mar 30, 2026

Song of the Day: Swoonful, beautiful, but also bittersweet and vulnerable, old-fashioned soul-pop by the British band featuring the vocals of Lydia Kitto in a number co-penned with producer Joshua Lloyd Watson, heralding the upcoming album, Sunshine, out on 14 August via Caiola Records / AWAL Recordings

Mar 30, 2026
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Mar 29, 2026
Song of the Day: The Ocelots - Motor Hotel
Mar 29, 2026

Song of the Day: Beautiful, reflective, uplifting alternative folk with banjo, guitar, flute and more by the Wexford Irish twin brothers Brandon and Ashley Watson, from their new five-track EP, Revisions, a mix of new and re-worked, re-recorded numbers

Mar 29, 2026
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Mar 28, 2026
Song of the Day: Lee "Scratch" Perry & Mouse On Mars - Rockcurry
Mar 28, 2026

Song of the Day: A stylish, eclectic, cross-genre single from the late, great, legendary Jamaican producer and performer’s ongoing legacy, heralding his last official album - the project in Berlin with electronic pioneers Mouse on Mars (aka Jan St. Werner and Andi Toma) and the LP - Spatial, No Problem on on 5 June via Domino Records

Mar 28, 2026

Word of the week

Featured
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Mar 27, 2026
Word of the week: veena
Mar 27, 2026

Word of the week: This ornate, curvaceous, south Indian classical instrument, the saraswati veena, is a special bowl lute with a rich, resonant tone, has 24 copper frets with four playing strings and three drone strings, and is used for Carnatic music

Mar 27, 2026
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Mar 12, 2026
Word of the week: wallfish
Mar 12, 2026

Word of the week: It sounds like the singing finned picture ornament Big Mouth Billy Bass that became popular in the late 1990s, but this is a much older noun, derived in Somerset, England, pertains to the climbing gastropod that can slowly climb up any surface

Mar 12, 2026
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Feb 25, 2026
Word of the week: xiphias
Feb 25, 2026

Word of the week: Get the point? This is the scientific name for the swordfish, in full Xiphias gladius (from the Greek and Latin for sword), that extraordinary sea creature with the long, pointy bill. But what of it in song?

Feb 25, 2026
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Feb 12, 2026
Word of the week: yanggeum
Feb 12, 2026

Word of the week: A form or hammered dulcimer, this traditional Korean instrument, with a flat and trapezoidal shape, has seven sets of four metal strings hit by thin bamboo stick

Feb 12, 2026
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Jan 22, 2026
Word of the week: zumbador
Jan 22, 2026

Word of the week: A wonderfully evocative noun from the Spanish for word buzz, and meaning both a South American hummingbird, a door buzzer, and symbolic of resurrection of the soul in ancient Mexican culture, while also serving as the logo for a tequila brand

Jan 22, 2026

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