1. Turn Me Down by Julia Jacklin
Starting off real emo this week: imagine that pulsing knot in your throat that becomes more and more painful the longer you hold back tears. If that feeling had an aural quality, it might sound something like this song.
Julia Jacklin’s voice has such a defining emotional and transcendental quality to it, but she’s really put herself to the test with Turn Me Down. The first half is seeping with melancholy as she recalls the end of a disintegrating relationship --- but it’s then the second half that has the singer more vulnerable than ever before. (And that's truly telling, as she's set the bar for vulnerability pretty damn high.)
For two full minutes, she sings “Please turn me down” with compulsive repetition, beginning softly but growing into a wailing desperation. It’s beautifully raw and intensely visceral (definitely would not recommend listening if you're trying to keep your head up).
And she doesn’t end it there: she briefly brings back the original tune for one final minute, just to serve up her lethal last line --- “Maybe I’ll see you in a supermarket sometime.”
Needless to say, full attention required.
2. Hot In The Shade by Poolside
Hot In The Shade is magnetic, the kind of track that hypnotizes you into listening to it on repeat.
Made to be played in particular settings – something like a sunrise, a study session, or a solo moment contemplation.
3. Old Man by Stella Donnelly
This song sat in my Spotify library for months before suddenly creeping its way into my playlist of top-tier favourites. (I mean to say that if it doesn’t strike your chord upon first listen, don’t write it off just yet.)
Old Man is the big hit of Aussie singer/songwriter Stella Donnelly’s 2019 debut album Beware Of The Dogs. Because of its incredibly groovy, old-school style, you might not immediately pay attention to the lyrics --- but they are what make this song the fearlessly powerful feminist clap back that it is.
It conveys the (sorry to say) typical story of an old man in power preying on and assaulting women. Certainly not an essay topic to tackle, but the singer’s lyrics are sharp and sometimes even funny --- a personal favourite: “Your personality traits don’t count if you put your dick in someone’s face.”
Despite the fact that she sings about the triumphs of patriarchy (“We sat there silently while you kept your job and your place and your six figure wage”), Donnelly undoubtedly has the upper hand here. She’s in the position of power. The whole song is a threat sung with cool confidence – “oh are you scared of me old man?”
Ideal for when you’re in the mood for a funky tune with feminist bite.
4. Far Out Dust by Talos
I got introduced to Talos as the opening act for Dermot Kennedy's Toronto concert last fall (which I tragically missed due to a midterm --- but thank you to my friends for passing his name along).
In spending time with his music recently, I've learned that the Irish artist is extremely good at taking simple tunes and merging them with thick electronic edits to create something larger-than-life.
My favourite of his so far is Far Out Dust, a deeply captivating song despite its very minimal melody. The first full minute puts the spotlight on the singer’s voice alone, immediately setting the tone with the opening line – “this was the last goodbye”.
If you're not one for melodrama, this track might not be your cup of tea, but there’s something so otherworldly and epic about its celestial energy, as if the artist is really having his final goodbye with the love of a lifetime. (And then how could you not be melodramatic?)
Listen on Spotify to all 'Songs of the week' here.
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