Nada Surf - hi-speed soul, 2002

"Reacquainting myself with “Hi-Speed Soul” after a couple of decades was a pleasure. It’s a nice blend of pop and slightly punkish guitar. What really drives it for me is Ira Elliot’s masterful drumming … especially his cymbal work. I’m torn between focusing on the music and the slightly disaffected lyrics, because it’s all luscious. The song’s bridge blends ethereal lyrics/vocals and insistent percussion … and then it breaks down to a tasty bass riff leading into an extended outro that could go on for another five minutes of jamming without any complaint from me."

The Mary Onettes - wdwhl, 2025

"The album starts with a weird sample, but immediately kicks into the dream-pop sound The Mary Onettes have always perfected. On this song "WDWHL" I could swear I was listening to a new Slowdive record."

Pet Shop Boys - yesterday when i was mad coconut one twelve mix, 1994

"An abbreviated (2:12) version of this mix appears on Disco 2"

My Sad Captains - in time, 2014

"Best of Times is the third studio album released by the English band My Sad Captains on 17 March 2014 through Bella Union Records. The album was recorded in London and mixed by Larry Crane in Portland (OR). A single, 'Goodbye' was released on 29 January with a video directed by Dan Davis featuring Vincent Meehan (aka Lavinia Co-op)."

Cocteau Twins - cherry-coloured funk, 1990

"Guthrie’s layered guitar work provides a dense harmonic backdrop, while Raymonde’s bass contributes a melodic counterpoint. Fraser’s vocals—at once emotional and cryptic—serve both as a lyrical and instrumental element, emphasizing sound and tone over literal meaning. The song’s title and repeated phrases evoke vivid, synesthetic imagery that reflects the band’s interest in abstraction and mood rather than narrative."

Nada Surf - beautiful beat, 2008

"Lucky sounds like a celebration of the band's good fortune. Somber songs are still present, most notably the plaintive closer "The Film Did Not Go 'Round," but most of the album is dominated by steady, mid-tempo pop/rock."

Neil Young - jesus chariot, 2012

"Written in the 1800s based on an old Negro spiritual, this song refers to the second coming of Jesus and “she” is the chariot Jesus is coming on. Some interpret this as the end of the world. Others have said that “she” refers to union organizer Mary Harris “Mother” Jones going to promote formation of labor unions in the Appalachian coal mining camps. The Americana arrangement continues the folk process with a new melody, a new title and a combination of lyric sources."

Neva Dinova - it's hard to love you, 2008

"I'd imagine that Old School finds its way into many a Netflix queue at this point in the year, as outgoing college seniors face the grim specter of adulthood. Maybe it's just serendipitous timing, but I can't help but see this film as a primary influence on You May Already Be Dreaming, even if Neva Dinova has been around since the 1990s and are on their third full-length LP. As Saddle Creek's diaspora continues to expand sonically as well as geographically, for their label debut, the Nebraska band (previously featured with Conor Oberst on the One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels EP) sounds seduced by the prospect of "living the dream" via arrested development, in this case, a time when the imprint/collective could be relied on for little more than Omaha natives playing a tears-in-your-Sparks combo of "acceptable country" structure and indie self-centeredness. The simplicity of the form makes it incredibly hard to fuck up, but You May Already Be Dreaming posits that it's also incredibly hard to make interesting."

My Sad Captains - meta, 2012

 

 “Meta” is indeed the closing track — a beautiful, hazy, reverb-drenched slow-burner that feels like the perfect dreamy full-stop to the EP."

Pet Shop Boys - flamboyant michael mayer kompakt mix, 2006

"the Michael Mayer Kompakt Remix of the song includes near the end (at about 7:23) a very brief, faint sample, only a couple seconds in length, lifted from the Boys' own "So Hard"—probably included more as an in-joke and/or "tip of the hat" more than anything else. It also sounds as though it includes, at several different junctures, samples of the soprano saxophone solo from one of the Brothers in Rhythm remixes of "How Can You Expect to be Taken Seriously?" — either the Extended Mix or the Classical Reprise; it's very difficult to tell for sure which."

Neil Young - love and only love live weld, 1991

"We were there all the way through it, and to me, that's what Weld is about. It's very brutal, especially the songs with the big endings. I was trying to create the sound of violence and conflict, heavy machinery, outright destruction. We were watching CNN all the time, watching this shit happen, and then going out to play, singing these songs about conflict. It was a hard thing. And I feel there was nothing else I could do. Whatever could bring people together was more important than me playing a new song. We couldn't go out there and just be entertainment."

Pet Shop Boys - shameless vile celebrities, 2001

"This song, originally released by the Pet Shop Boys as the b-side of their "Go West" single, has long been a fan favorite. And it's such a natural for theatrical treatment that it's no wonder at all that Neil and Chris decided to use it in their first musical. That is, it was made to be a showstopper. The only trouble is, at least in its cast album recording, it's vastly inferior to the Boys' own version. The omission of the third verse is only one of its flaws. More damaging, the musical arrangement isn't nearly as effective (oh, how I miss Neil's sampled "oohs" and "ahs"!). Again, I'm sure that seeing it performed "live"— where the singers and dancers are engaged in a lot of comic posing and interacting — would have helped me enjoy this number a lot more. As it is, I'd much rather go back and listen to the original."

New Order - crystal radio edit, 2001

"Alternative Dance pioneers who fused electronic sounds and dance club rhythms to an indie rock aesthetic, proving dance music could be sophisticated and taken seriously. Formed by the remaining members of Joy Division in 1980 after the suicide of Ian Curtis, New Order at first struggled to emerge from the post-punk shadow of their prior success."

Neva Dinova - squirrels, 2008

"On your way home on a calm Monday evening you pass by a back road so inanimated that you can hear your own gaits and your own breath, when suddenly some sweet sound gets you prick-eared. Is there someone playing guitar? Where does this lyrical singing come from? You glance through the window of a self-help-bicycle-repair-shop where Jake Bellows seems to do some unusal rehearsal. Surrounded by bikes of all sizes and styles Jake starts the song “Squirrels” anew."

Nada Surf - the way you wear your head, 2002

"The Way You Wear Your Head" is a jangly, bittersweet power-pop song with Matthew Caws’ signature introspective lyrics about self-consciousness, identity, and quiet resilience."

My Sad Captains - resolutions, 2012

“Resolutions” is a bittersweet New Year’s/reflection song about failed attempts to change, holding on to small moments of warmth amid loneliness"

Neil Young - i am a child live at massey hall, 1971

"This concert was filmed and recorded with such care that Neil later called it one of his favorite live documents. The version of "I Am a Child" here is considered by many fans to be definitive."

The National - rylan, 2019

“Rylan” sat around for nearly a decade before it finally was recorded on The National’s 2019 album I Am Easy to Find. Matt Berninger wrote the song some time around the band’s 2010 album High Violet was made. They started playing it live, and it immediately became a favorite of many concertgoers who heard it. Why then wouldn’t the band put the song on a record? Well, for one thing, they couldn’t quite settle on an arrangement that felt just right. On top of that, The National are sticklers for having the songs on each album contribute to an overall sense of thematic unity. For whatever reason, “Rylan” was the odd song out each time they settled in to make a new one."

New Order - round and round ninety-four, 1994

"New Order's first compilation album, Substance (1987), finally broke the group through to commercial success in the U.S. Its second one, The Best of New Order, isn't exactly Substance II. The previous set was a singles collection, and Best Of does pick up that story, including a series of songs - "True Faith" (in a new remix), "Touched by the Hand of God," "Blue Monday 88," "Fine Time," "Round & Round" (in a new remix), "Run," and "World in Motion" - that were bigger hits in the U.K. than in the U.S. (Also included is the group's biggest U.S. hit, "Regret" as well as its charting follow-up, "World [The Price of Love].") But in addition, the compilers have included one song each from the group's albums - "Dreams Never End" from Movement, "Age of Consent" from Power, Corruption & Lies, "Love Vigilantes" from Low-Life, "Vanishing Point" from Technique, and "Ruined in a Day" from Republic."

The Moody Blues - ride my see-saw live at the royal albert hall, 2000

"Ride My See-Saw" (from their 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord) served as the explosive encore closer, ramping up the energy after hits like "Nights in White Satin" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)." Reviewers called it a "metal melting point" high, with the orchestra amplifying the song's playful psychedelia into something triumphant and crowd-pleasing. The full concert runs about 90 minutes, capturing the band in fine form for an audience heavy on longtime fans."

Club 8 - working on the next life, 2025

"Club 8, the Swedish indie pop duo of Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergård, released "Working on the Next Life" as a single on March 7, 2025. It's their third single of the year, following "Stay Together" and "Sneaky Feelings," and serves as a key track on their 12th studio album, Seasonal Echoes. The album dropped on October 10, 2025, via Shelflife Records and Labrador, blending their signature dreamy, melancholic pop with influences from 60s British and Francophone pop, layered in shimmering dreampop production."

My Sad Captains - round and back again, 2011

"There’s no better way describe Fight Less Win More than to say that it is the perfect album for a fall afternoon. The acoustic guitar is finger-picked superbly (as on the excellent Heavy Lifting) while the bass and drums establish a sort of coffeehouse laid-back groove and the keyboard launches subtle but affecting atmospherics."

Pale - dreaming, 2025

"Pale delivers melodic alt-pop with winding guitar lines, dreamy shoegaze textures, and introspective vibes reminiscent of Soccer Mommy or early Alvvays—think hazy, cathartic soundscapes perfect for late-night introspection."

The Moody Blues - question live at the royal albert hall, 2000

"The Moody Blues performed "Question" live during their concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 1, 2000, backed by the World Festival Orchestra. This performance was part of a special Hall of Fame induction celebration and was captured for both audio and video releases. "Question" (from their 1970 album A Question of Balance) was the penultimate song in the 14-track setlist, delivering an energetic, orchestral rendition that highlighted Justin Hayward's soaring vocals and guitar work."

Pet Shop Boys - you only tell me you love me when you're drunk live at the mermaid theatre, 2006

"The live version of "You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk" (the third track on the album) captures the song's poignant, synth-pop melancholy with lush orchestral swells, emphasizing its themes of conditional love and emotional vulnerability."

Lunar Isles - dust, 2025

"Lunar Isles - Dust (2025)Lunar Isles is a hazy indie-pop project based in Seoul, South Korea, led by musician David Skimming. Known for their motorik dream pop sound—often compared to The Sundays with Slowdive influences—their music features ethereal, reverb-drenched guitars, introspective lyrics, and a nostalgic, summery vibe."

My Morning Jacket - i can’t wait, 2015

"I Can't Wait" is a standout track from My Morning Jacket's seventh studio album, The Waterfall, recorded at a cliffside house in Stinson Beach, California. The song captures the band’s signature blend of psychedelic rock, soulful melodies, and Jim James’ soaring falsetto. It’s a dreamy, mid-tempo love song with lush reverb, shimmering guitars, and a heartbeat-like rhythm section."

Mar de Sintra, ontem, 11 de novembro de 2025, esperando a chegada da tempestade Cláudia

Nada Surf - what is your secret, 2005

"Nada Surf have composed fine songs for free-thinking, analytical, and pensive individuals, without being overly complex. The result of all this experience and reflection is that Nada Surf and producer Chris Walla have made a great pop/rock record. It's more of an emotive affair, with soft-hued guitar layers, hushed harmonies, and frontman Matthew Caws' signature aching, bittersweet vocals."

The Moody Blues - legend of a mind live at the royal albert hall, 2000

"The Psychedelic Experience (1964) was the inspiration for John Lennon's song "Tomorrow Never Knows", on The Beatles' album Revolver (1966). The Moody Blues recorded two songs about Leary. "Legend of a Mind", written and sung by Ray Thomas on their album In Search of the Lost Chord (1968), begins: "Timothy Leary's dead. No, no, no, no, he's outside looking in". The second was "When You're a Free Man" on the Seventh Sojourn album."

Neil Young - la, 1973

"Young's is a pain-dominated, rather Old Testament sensibility, and nowhere is all this more obvious than in 'L.A.' Young's self-righteousness becomes absolute, and he depicts himself as some neo-Israelite prophet warning the unhearing masses of the inevitable apocalypse."

Nada Surf - always love, 2005

"The album was produced by Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla and mixed by Geoff Sanoff, John Goodmanson, John Agnello and Ed Stasium. Tom Beaujour did some guitar overdubs. The album features vocals from the Long Winters frontman John Roderick."

Pet Shop Boys - left to my own devices live at the mermaid theatre, 2006

"Recorded at London's Mermaid Theatre for Radio 2 in May 2006, Concrete offers grandiose orchestral arrangements not just of songs from current studio album Fundamental but many of the duo's most memorable hits from their quarter-century spanning career too. The album's most striking characteristic is evident at the close of the first track. Tennant, already comfortable with the dual role of lyricist and vocalist, becomes narrator of his own career too with a range of plummy vignettes about each of the songs."

The Moody Blues - ride my see-saw live at red rocks, 1993

"Ride My See-Saw," originally written by bassist John Lodge and released as a single from the band's 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord, closes the concert as the explosive encore. The song's themes of life's ups and downs (using the see-saw metaphor) blend psychedelic rock with driving rhythms and the Moody Blues' signature spoken-word intro."

Sister Irene O'Connor - fire luke twelve forty-nine, 1973

"Fire of God’s Love is also a quintessential winter record, perfect for the cooler months ahead."

The Moody Blues - question live at red rocks, 1993

"The Moody Blues made a some sort of a come-back in 1993 with this album, which also can be founded as DVD. I won't comment only the album but also the DVD which is a nice way to know this band a bit more. All the golden oldies are there: Tuesday Afternoon, Question, I'm just a singer in a Rock and Roll Band."

Club 8 - sneaky feelings, 2025

"a tale of love possibly gone wrong soundtracked by a warm but sparse arrangement. The vocals of Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergård have a hint of melancholy about them, and the jangly guitar is full of summery hope that goes against the grain of the lyrics."

My Sad Captains - all hat and no plans, 2009

"Melancholic indie folk-rock with jangly guitars, subtle keyboards, and Ed Wallis's warm, narrative-driven vocals. It evokes a sense of wistful reflection, fitting the band's "sad captains" theme—perhaps nodding to Philip Larkin's poem "The Old Fools" or just poetic melancholy."

My Morning Jacket - in its infancy the waterfall, 2015

"And there's a scenic drive out there where you pass lots of waterfalls. Whenever I stand in front of a waterfall, I try to pause it in my mind, then rewind it and make it go backwards. Obviously you can't do that."

Pet Shop Boys - it's alright cover live at the mermaid theatre, 2006

"This performance of "It's Alright" (a 1989 cover originally by Sterling Void) is a standout from Pet Shop Boys' orchestral live show at London's Mermaid Theatre on May 8, 2006. The concert, titled Concrete: In Concert at the Mermaid Theatre for Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra, was an exclusive event for BBC Radio 2's Sold on Song program, broadcast on May 27, 2006. It served as a launch for their album Fundamental and featured the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Trevor Horn, plus guests like Rufus Wainwright, Frances Barber, and Robbie Williams. The intimate 600-seat venue created a unique blend of synth-pop classics and new tracks with full orchestral backing—PSB's first official live album release."

Paul McCartney - all my loving live back in the us, 2002

"In a candid and perhaps unguarded moment, Paul McCartney told Guitar Player in 1990, "What do they say? 'A good artist borrows, a great artist steals' – or something like that. That makes The Beatles great artists because we stole a lot of stuff." McCartney wasn't admitting to theft. He was saying that The Beatles didn't operate in a vacuum and they assimilated what was happening around them to create original music. Their "yeah, yeah, yeahs" had previously been used by Elvis Presley and The Isley Brothers and their introduction to "I Feel Fine" mimics Bobby Parker's "Watch Your Step". When McCartney woke up one morning with a beautiful melody in his head, he was sure he had nicked it. After friends told him it was original, he recorded it as "Yesterday". I would speculate that McCartney had heard Nat "King" Cole's "Answer Me, My Love". The mood and the tempo are similar and Nat even sings, "You were mine yesterday, I believed that love was here to stay." Written in 1963, "All My Loving" was McCartney's first attempt at writing an MOR standard, but play "Kathy's Waltz" from the Dave Brubeck Quartet. You might think that a modern jazz group was improvising around "All My Loving", but "Kathy's Waltz" was recorded in 1959."

Neil Young - king of kings journey through the past, 1972

"Journey Through the Past is a double LP soundtrack album from the film of the same name by Canadian / American musician Neil Young, released in November 1972 on Reprise Records, catalogue number 2XS 6480.[4] It peaked at #45 on the Billboard 200. Its initial release was on vinyl, cassette tape, reel-to-reel tape, and 8-track tape cartridge. Although its follow-up Time Fades Away was finally released on CD in August 2017, Journey Through the Past remains the only 1970s Neil Young album yet to see an official CD reissue."

Peter Bjorn And John - longer nights intro, 2018

"Peter tackling what's happening in the world right now, Bjorn delving into relationship issues and John, the most existential, exploring the shadows of our own psyche."

Nada Surf - blizzard of seventy-seven, 2002

"A funny thing happened to Nada Surf on the way to sure-fire late-'90s alt-rock stardom. Despite obtaining a decent amount of MTV exposure, their sardonic first single, "Popular," ultimately arrived just moments too late to capitalize on the era's short-lived mainstream fancy with geek rock."

My Sad Captains - here and elsewhere, 2009

"There’s no getting away from it, there’s something distinctly Blue Peter about this Camden quintet. We can’t help picturing them playing in matching knitted cardigans and black-rimmed specs chiming every fourth beat of the bar in an organic juice café in Brighton. With this in mind, there is a certain ‘here’s one we made earlier’ feel about their lethargic Wilco/Sparklehorse melodies and downbeat tempo. This Americana-indie debut does exactly what it says on the tin, but the fact is we’ve been here, there and elsewhere already with the jingly-jangly, vegan harmonies of The Magic Numbers, The Little Ones and… oh, you get the idea. All in all, it’s an agreeable debut, but a predictable one nonetheless."

Damien Jurado - tundra, 2025

"It's a sparse, atmospheric folk piece that evokes themes of isolation and reflection—fitting its title, which conjures vast, frozen landscapes."

Pet Shop Boys - dreaming of the queen live at the mermaid theatre, 2006

"Dreaming of the Queen" from their 2006 concert at London's Mermaid Theatre is a standout track from their first official live album, Concrete. This rendition features the duo (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe) backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, giving it a lush, orchestral swell that elevates the original's witty, satirical take on British monarchy and celebrity culture from their 1993 album Very. The song's spoken-word verses and soaring chorus shine in this intimate venue setting, with Tennant's deadpan delivery adding extra charm."

The Moody Blues - nights in white satin live at red rocks, 1993

"recapturing the song's poetic melancholy while adding symphonic depth—think lush strings and brass amplifying the themes of unrequited love and introspection."

My Morning Jacket - into the woods, 2005

"The album was the second highest rated album of 2005 according to Metacritic, behind Sufjan Stevens' Illinois; the album has a total score of 90 out of 100. Technically, both Z and Illinois were tied for the highest Metacritic rating in 2005, with a score of 90 each. However, the score for Illinois was based on a larger overall number of reviews: 40, compared to 31 for Z."

The Everly Brothers - cathy's clown, 1960

"Cathy's Clown" was inspired by Ferde Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite. It was a major influence on the Beatles, who — having "once toyed with calling themselves The Foreverly Brothers" — three years later copied the Everly's harmonies on their first U.K. No. 1 hit single, "Please Please Me".

REM - i'll take the rain, 2001

"In an April 2021 interview, Michael Stipe declared Reveal his favorite R.E.M. release. While lacking the consistency of Automatic for the People or the ferocity of Monster, Reveal remains among them, a worthy offering from a brilliant band entering middle age, and looking toward the future with history still in mind."

The Moody Blues - lovely to see you live at red rocks, 1993

"Every once in awhile someone has a good idea that actually turns out well. That is what happened when The Moody Blues decided to record a live album backed by The Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The result, A Night At Red Rocks With The Colorado Symphony Orchestra, was recorded to celebrate the 25th anniversary release of Days Of Future Passed."

James - trouble demo, 2018

"Trouble (Demo)" is a bonus track by the English alternative rock band James, released in 2018 as part of their 13th studio album, Living in Extraordinary Times. The demo version captures a raw, introspective vibe typical of the band's style, with frontman Tim Booth's emotive vocals layered over atmospheric guitars and subtle percussion. It explores themes of mental turmoil, addiction to overthinking, and finding reassurance amid chaos—the chorus repeats the mantra "Trouble, trouble, trouble / It's gonna be alright" like a self-soothing incantation."

Fleet Foxes - going-to-the-sun road, 2020

"Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic mountain road in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, in Glacier National Park in Montana. The Sun Road, as it is sometimes abbreviated in National Park Service documents, is the only road that traverses the park, crossing the Continental Divide through Logan Pass at an elevation of 6,646 feet (2,026 m), which is the highest point on the road. Construction began in 1921 and was completed in 1932 with formal dedication in the following summer on July 15, 1933. Prior to the construction of the road, visitors would need to spend several days traveling through the central part of the park, an area which can now be traversed within a few hours, excluding any stops for sightseeing or construction."

Young Cardamom And HAB - psv, 2016

"Mamdani is a fan of hip-hop and has composed and produced rap music. In 2016, under the moniker Young Cardamom, he collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB on an EP titled Sidda Mukyaalo, which is Luganda for "No going back to the village".

Pet Shop Boys - the sodom and gomorrah show live at the mermaid theatre, 2006

"a clever, ironic take on urban excess, with nods to Marcel Proust's Sodom and Gomorrah and the biblical "pillar of salt" tale."

Neil Young - sugar mountain live in concert at the canterbury house ann arbor michigan nineteen sixty-eight, 1969

"In 1965 I was up in Canada, and there was a friend of mine up there who had just left a Rock'n'Roll band in Winnipeg/Manitoba near where I come from on the prairies to become a folk singer a la Bob Dylan, who was his hero at that time, and at the same time there were breaks in his life and he was going into new and exciting directions. He had just newly turned 21, and that meant in Winnipeg he was no longer allowed into his favorite hangout which is kind of a teeny-bopper club and once you're over 21 you couldn't get in there anymore, so he was really feeling terrible because his girlfriends and everybody that he wanted to hang out with, his band could still go there, you know, but it's one of the things that drove him to become a folk singer was that he couldn't play in this club anymore. But he was over the hill. So he wrote this song that was called "Oh to live on sugar mountain" which was a lament for his lost youth. And it went like this... [sings a few verses]. And I thought, God, you know, if we get to 21 and there's nothing after that, that's a pretty bleak future, so I wrote a song for him, and for myself just to give me some hope. It's called The Circle Game."

The National - you had your soul with you, 2019

"You Had Your Soul with You" is a song by American indie rock band The National. It appears as the first track on the band's eighth studio album I Am Easy to Find. "You Had Your Soul with You" was released in the United States as the album's first single on March 5, 2019."

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - joan of arc maid of orleans, 1981

"Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in 1982 as the third single from their third studio album, Architecture & Morality. To prevent confusion with the group's previous single "Joan of Arc", the song was retitled "Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Joan of Arc)" for its single release. Both songs are about the French heroine Joan of Arc and both reached the Top 5 of the UK Singles Chart — although this release was more successful internationally, topping the charts in several countries including Germany, where it was the biggest - selling single of 1982. "Maid of Orleans" has sold four million copies worldwide."

James - moving car demo, 2018

"This is a bonus track from their album Living in Extraordinary Times, capturing a reflective, nostalgic vibe with themes of youth, fleeting memories, and the rush of life. It's a stripped-down demo version, clocking in at about 5:37, with a tempo of 129 BPM in the key of E major—perfect for an energetic yet introspective drive."

Peter Bjorn And John - wrapped around the axle, 2018

“Wrapped Around the Axle” is the brainchild of the classic combo’s B: Björn Yttling. “Axle” is an upbeat-yet-lyrically-somber affair, detailing the complications of a platonic break-up."

Fleet Foxes - i'm not my season, 2020

"While the melody of I'm Not My Season is powerful, the vocals are stripped-back, forgoing signature Fleet Foxes harmonies in favour of a a subdued, unguarded delivery that captures the melancholy resolve of the lyrics. These vocals are complimented by the subtle drone of a Moog synth, and the steady gentle strum of guitars that wash over the song like waves lapping against the rocky shore of a windswept island. I'm Not My Season poignantly depicts the experience of being caught in one of the storms and inner-conflicts that inevitably pass through all of our lives, while at the same time acknowledging the transience of these periods. It's a song of hope and perseverance in the face of conflict and turmoil, encouraging us to weather the storm and hold on for a brighter tomorrow."

Pet Shop Boys - i'm not scared, 1988

"It is entirely meaningless and is exactly what you expect it to be. This doesn't stop it roving through an empty space with a fair amount of scarlet charm."

The National - mr november, 2005

"The band supported Barack Obama's presidential candidacy in 2008. In July of that year, the band designed and sold a T-shirt featuring Obama's image above the words "Mr. November", a reference to both the closing track on the album and the month of the U.S. presidential election. All proceeds were donated to Obama's campaign. The song had been written, in part, about John Kerry's candidacy four years earlier."

The Pigeon Detectives - i can't control myself, 2007

“I Found Out” is the superior of the two songs, and in fact is one of the highlights of the album, the incessant backing vocals may at first seem annoying, but upon more listens you’ll find yourself idly humming away with them, amazed that you ever hated them in the first place. Like the vast majority of British indie, this album does, at times, sound the same, and with many of the tracks seemingly borrowing off one another, this is not a diverse record."

My Morning Jacket - like a river, 2015

“Like a River”, which is probably the album’s most breathtaking treasure. My Morning Jacket harken back to their alt country roots on The Waterfall and create a remarkable vision of the American countryside in the process, one as filled with solitude as it is with wonder."

REM - the lifting demo, 2003

"Originally released as the opening song on their 2001 album Reveal, the demo appeared in 2003 on the compilation In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 (Rarities and B-Sides). It's a more stripped-down, haunting take compared to the polished album version, featuring a slower tempo, acoustic elements, and slight lyrical tweaks (e.g., the album version omits the line "You think you've felt the lifting" from the demo)."

James - backwards glances, 2018

"Backwards Glances" is a bonus track by the British alternative rock band James, released in 2018 as part of the deluxe edition of their 15th studio album, Living in Extraordinary Times. The album itself dropped on August 3, 2018, via BMG Rights Management, marking a politically charged and introspective chapter in the band's long career. This track didn't make the standard edition but was included on the expanded version alongside other demos like "Moving Car" and "Overdose".

Paul McCartney - silly love songs live wings over america, 1976

"He did the best thing possible, which was to write songs about things that appealed to him, whether it was silly love songs or rock’n’roll. He wanted to experiment and be free to do what took his fancy. Things in everyday life. Cooking. Making breakfast."

Pet Shop Boys - in the night nineteen ninety-five, 1996

"les Zazous, long-haired proto-beatnik dissidents who conscientiously chose not to take sides with either the Nazis or the Resistance, but instead "opted out." As a result, they were distrusted and hated by both sides. The Nazis disdained them as depraved and decadent, while the French Resistance regarded them as collaborators. Obviously Neil was intrigued by the dramatic possibilities of being in such an ambiguous and precarious position. Stylistically the song betrays the influence of American producer "Bobby O" Orlando, with whom Neil and Chris were working at the time. (In particular, note the strong musical similarity to the cult classic "Passion" by the Flirts, written and produced by Bobby O.) A British TV program devoted to fashion, The Clothes Show, used part of "In the Night" as its theme song, which prompted the Boys to record a new version in 1995. The newer rendition, an instrumental, replaced the old one as the TV theme music and was released as a bonus track on the "Before" single. Oh, and in case you're wondering how things turn out for the Zazou addressed in this song, I would be remiss not to point out that its music ends with a percussive effect highly reminiscent of the firing of a machine gun. Make of that what you will."

Nada Surf - eighty windows, 1998

"the first three tracks of the album "Hyperspace", "Amateur", and "80 Windows" show off that signature sound that Nada Surf would become known for."

Marillion - white feather demo, 1998

"He name dropped Toronto in the demo version of WHite Feather! You know at the end when he’s singing, “Glasgow children, Moscow children…” I could swear one of them he names is Toronto."

Moby - the tired and the hurt, 2018

"The lyrics of "The Tired and the Hurt" by Moby convey a powerful sense of longing and nostalgia for a past that was filled with light, hope, love, and endless possibilities. The imagery of light and clear skies, endless dreams, and expansive forests creates a vivid picture of a world that once existed in a state of beauty and purity, where everything seemed possible and nothing was out of reach. However, this idyllic past is contrasted sharply with the present reality described in the chorus, where the singer finds themselves feeling tired, hurt, and broken, surrounded by cold and desolate seas."

James - quicken the dead, 2014

"A line in the bible – “the quick and the dead” – refers to the living (quick probably being similar to animated) and the dead. The title of the song “Quicken the Dead” refers to this. It is an appeal for (the dead) people who don’t know what they are doing with life to understand that they are living, and do so fully (quicken/reanimate)."

The Pigeon Detectives - i found out, 2007

"I Found Out" is the first single from English indie rock band the Pigeon Detectives' debut album, Wait for Me (2007). The track was re-recorded for the 2007 single release with the Smiths and Blur producer Stephen Street."

The Moody Blues - ride my see saw live at the royal albert hall in nineteen sixty-nine, 1977

"This has long been a huge live favourite; in fact, the song’s usually reserved for the final encore. It’s an uptempo, vibrant rock’n’roll song. But lyrically it delivers a scathing attack on people’s desperation to be part of the rat race, all done with a sly whack of humour."

Jome - branches, 2017

"Branches" is the closing track on Jome's debut album Tunnels, released on November 3, 2017. Jome is an indie pop duo from Los Angeles, consisting of Jesse Marc and Christoph Andersson, known for their ethereal, introspective sound blending electronic elements with organic instrumentation."

REM - beat a drum dalkey demo, 2001

"The "Dalkey Demo" is an early, acoustic-leaning version of the song "Beat a Drum" by the alternative rock band R.E.M. It was recorded during sessions in Dalkey, Ireland (a coastal town near Dublin), in early 2001, as part of the development for their album Reveal (released May 2001). This demo version has a more stripped-down, introspective feel compared to the polished studio take on Reveal, emphasizing Michael Stipe's vocals and subtle instrumentation. It was originally released as a B-side on the UK CD single for "Imitation of Life" (April 2001)"

Fleet Foxes - young man's game, 2020

"I thought it would be funny if Hamilton's kids were on it. My original idea was to have it sung by a 10-year-old boy, and then that was just too gimmicky or something. But I wanted there to be kids on it because it's referencing immaturity or naiveté - things about being young."

The Moody Blues - the story in your eyes live at royal albert hall hall of fame, 2000

"The band appears to be putting more into their playing here, with a pounding introduction to "The Story in Your Eyes," which gets a jagged, very edgy performance emphasizing the beat and some heavy guitar sounds over the original's lyricism."

Moby - this wild darkness, 2018

"The sweeping "This Wild Darkness" finds Moby searching for a reason to continue, following "The Middle Is Gone." As he intones over a lush backdrop, supporting vocalists sing "In this darkness/Please light my way." It's a beautiful way to usher out Everything Was Beautiful, And Nothing Hurt, as if Moby is offering a comforting sonic hug. After an album of such confessional, bittersweet sadness, he needs one too."

The Goon Sax - til the end, 2018

"This song, closing the album, captures the quiet ache of disconnection and unfulfilled potential, with its lo-fi guitars and shared vocals evoking a sense of inevitable fade-out."

Nada Surf - zen brain, 1996

"I’d place “Zen Brain” on my shelf of perfect wistful ‘90s indie rock LP-closing songs with Matthew Sweet’s “Smog Moon,” Superchunk “Martinis on the Roof,” and Radiohead’s “Street Spirit.” Ok, it’s a very specific list, but still. There’s just something about its zoned out sad bliss that has an hypnotic effect; all is OK with the world and with Nada Surf’s High/Low."

New Order - crystal album version, 2001

"Unsurprisingly bored by the stale British club scene circa 2001, the band opened Get Ready with a statement of purpose, a trailer single ("Crystal") featuring a host of longtime New Order staples: a sublime melody, an inscrutable set of lyrics, a deft, ragged guitar line kicking in for the chorus, and Peter Hook's yearning bass guitar taking a near-solo role."

Pet Shop Boys And Elton John - in private seven inch mix, 2012

"No "PSB version" of "In Private" came to light, not even a demo, until more than 15 years later, when the Boys recorded it as a duet with Elton John and released it on the Fundamentalism bonus disc and, in an alternate mix, as a bonus track on the "Minimal" single."

My Sad Captains - goodbye, 2014

"The track is the opener, and it's got that quiet storm energy—languid guitars, even-keeled instrumentation, and lyrics that feel like a gentle wave of regret and resolution."

James - move down south, 2016

"Tim has explained that the song was written sub-consciously about his family moving back to Topanga Canyon after a short time in Berkeley and that his son Luka pointed him to the lyrics of the song as a guide to tell him what to do."

REM - i wanted to be wrong, 2004

“I Wanted To Be Wrong” is one of the album’s unqualified successes. It’s a slow, pretty folk-pop ballad that attempts to reconcile a strong feeling of alienation from George W. Bush’s America and a sense of obligation to feel empathy for people the singer views as a destructive influence on his country and the world at large. It’s a very conflicted song, but it’s surprisingly low on angst — if anything, it comes across like a defeated shrug. There is certainly some anger in the lyrics, but it’s stifled and buried as the singer looks around, struggling to understand a culture that he barely recognizes, and openly rejects his identity and ideals. He’s trying to be fair, he’s trying not to be judgmental, but he can’t help it."

Percy Faith - theme from a summer place, 1959

"In 2025, it's popping up in AI-generated "nostalgia cores" on TikTok, but also in horror parodies—like a viral edit overlaying it on Jaws clips for ironic "summer dread." One X post called it "the soundtrack to your parents' midlife crisis."

Public Service Broadcasting - valentina, 2015

"Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova[a][b] (born 6 March 1937) is a Russian engineer, member of the State Duma, and former Soviet cosmonaut. She was the first woman in space, having flown a solo mission on Vostok 6 on 16 June 1963. She orbited the Earth 48 times, spent almost three days in space, is the only woman to have been on a solo space mission and is the last surviving Vostok programme cosmonaut. Twenty-six years old at the time of her spaceflight, she remains the youngest woman to have flown in space under the international definition of 100 km altitude, and the youngest woman to fly in Earth orbit."

Mythologen - radicalised feat johan duncanson the radio dept, 2025

"Mythologen is the alias of artist, designer and musician Alexander Palmestål from Gothenburg, Sweden. His early demos began circulating in 2002 as Pistol Disco, combining his love for Acid House, Bleep, and Kraut-influenced Techno to critical acclaim. This momentum led to international tours and releases on influential indie labels."

The Radio Dept - swedish guns, 2016

"If you’re familiar with their work, you’ll hear all of the breezy synths, the sweeping guitars and Johan Duncanson’s recognizable vocals. And just like their previous body of work, their new single “Swedish Guns” has this melancholy, sorrowful fervor. The melody at first is calming and relaxing. But the longer you let yourself drown into the song, the more you realize that Duncanson’s lyrics are eerily morose. He repeats the line “Swedish guns” throughout the song making the soothing melodies a dark experience."

Fleet Foxes - maestranza, 2020

"Shore is significantly less immediate than either their eponymous debut album or its follow-up, Helplessness Blues, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As I listened to the album, I found that my impulse to make comparisons with Fleet Foxes’ previous work fell away as I was increasingly absorbed by the new music. There are no obvious “standout” tracks like Oliver James here – Shore is a cohesive piece of work with much segueing between tracks and is clearly intended to be heard in that way."

The Moody Blues - for my lady live at red rocks, 1993

"I remember buying the Moody Blues single “I’m Just A Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” in the early seventies. It was a great rock and roll song. However, the flip side of the single called “For My Lady” caught my interest. The song’s bouncy flute opening had a very Irish ethnic storybook sound that took me someplace out to sea. Moody Blues music always depicts great visuals for those with vivid imaginations. Ultimately, there’s nothing more extraordinary than buying a 45 rpm single and then discovering that the B side is more interesting. Too bad those days are gone."

The Embassy - bad vibe, 2018

"It's hard to recall but the reason we started Embassy was partly that we had the same taste in music and also because of the way we sat, with the legs twisted together like a rope. A physical bond. Our first slogan was a quote by Subway Sect - "We oppose all rock 'n' roll". So being opposed to 'rock' was clearly an issue and we defined 'rock' as stupid and conservative in contrary to 'pop' that supposed to be free and fun, a valid simplification at the time. The ambition was to connect to our readings on the musical history founded in dub, disco, post-punk and acid house and to form discussion groups on the dance floor. It all came together with the Service label, striving for a new stylish hedonism with a touch of intellectualism."

James - all in my mind, 2014

"The mixture of dark, tortured and hedonistic lyrics, the throbbing synths raining down on the beats and Tim’s superb vocal delivery; utterly irresistible."

Nada Surf - icebox, 1996

"The Weezer wannabe tags were certainly understandable when it came to Nada Surf's debut; besides a similarity of intent (a quick, punchy post-grunge pop/rock album with quick, punchy post-grunge pop/rock songs), the production from Ric Ocasek sealed the deal for many. The fact that the band had been going for a while before Weezer's own 1995 splash seems to have been ignored, admittedly. But if Nada Surf never came up with anything that had the influence and lingering impact of Pinkerton, say, High/Low is a nicely frazzled and fun release that actually bears a little similarity at points to prime Cheap Trick. To be sure, it's not an exact comparison (Caws is nowhere near the singer Robin Zander is, for a start), but in terms of spiky intensity shot through with just enough emotional yearning, Caws has the job down well. His guitar playing does the business well enough, while the Lorca/Elliot rhythm section similarly shows its skill track for track."

The Embassy - sure, 2018

"In 2001, a Gothenburg, Sweden-based duo called the Embassy released a 7" titled Sneaky Feelings. Sharing a name with both an Elvis Costello song and a jangly 1980s New Zealand indie-pop group, the four-song EP was little-noticed by Americans at the time, but it marked a turning point for their city's music scene. Blending Fredrik Lindson's yearning vocals and chiming guitar chords with Torbjörn Håkansson' pattering percussion, euphoric electronics, and occasional exotic sample or two, the record had more in common with the twee-meets-house hybrids of early-1990s Saint Etienne than with any record of its period-- even the Avalanches' similarly balmy, ambitious Since I Left You. By the end of the 2000s, echoes of the Embassy's aesthetic could be found in critically acclaimed albums by Jens Lekman, the Tough Alliance (who named their imprint, Sincerely Yours, after an Embassy song), Studio (ditto for their Information imprint), Air France, jj, and the Honeydrips, among others. Gothenburg's indie pop scene was now run by mysterious pranksters all too happy to tie the already thin line between sincerity and artifice up in sailing knots."

The Moody Blues ‎- nights in white satin live at the royal albert hall in nineteen sixty-nine, 1977

"The full concert was recorded on December 12, 1969, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This was a pivotal show for the band, blending their progressive rock sound with live symphonic elements (featuring the London Festival Orchestra). The performance was a critical and commercial hit at the time, praised for its ambition and emotional depth. The Song in the Setlist: "Nights in White Satin" served as the dramatic closer. Written by lead guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward, it's a poetic ballad about unrequited love and longing, originally clocking in at over 7 minutes in the studio with the band's signature Mellotron swells and orchestral backing. The live rendition runs about 6:10, stripping back some orchestration but amplifying the heartfelt vocals and crowd energy."

Electronic - if you've got love, 1996

"Seven of the thirteen tracks were composed by full-time members Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner, and the other six co-written with former Kraftwerk member Karl Bartos. He was recommended to Electronic via a friend of Sumner's, and commuted to Manchester throughout 1995 during the recording sessions, which stretched from late 1994 to late 1995. The protracted sessions resulted in a dense, thick production that was later acknowledged by both Sumner and Marr and criticised in professional reviews; they consequently spent much less time on their next album Twisted Tenderness. Raise the Pressure was also remarked upon for Bernard Sumner's impressionistic lyrics, which some saw as the result of his use of Prozac during this period, following an appearance on the BBC 2 programme The Late Show, which explored the effects of the antidepressant on creativity. According to Sumner, however, he only wrote one lyric whilst under the influence of Prozac. Musically the album comprises guitar pop/rock songs ("One Day", "Out of My League") and more dance oriented tracks ("Until the End of Time", "If You've Got Love")."