Springtime Mixtape 25/03/18

Whether the sun is shining or the rain is pouring wherever you dear reader, happen to be, the fact is that it is five days since the vernal equinox. Similarly, whether you believe in the whole crucifixion/resurrection/son of God thing or not, it is five days before Good Friday.

That means that it is officially Spring and a few days before Easter.

Here then is our mixtape for the week, filled with twelve carefully curated songs that aren’t necessarily about spring but that just give me that springtime feeling.

You can also find all of these lovely tracks as a playlist on our Spotify and Youtube channels.

---

Always Spring by I’m from Barcelona

I’m from Barcelona are not from Barcelona, they are from Sweden, there are 28 of them playing a really diverse selection of instruments and they sound amazing.

Any one of several tracks, including Treehouse or We’re from Barcelona, but the title, the lyrics, the sound… how could it not be Always Spring?!

Short Court Style by Natalie Prass

If you aren’t familiar with Natalie Prass then it is probably because she is not nearly as well as known as she deserves to be. After a few EPs her debut album was released in 2015, and her second album which this track is taken from was just released in February 2018.

It Runs Through Me by Tom Misch

The lyrics are about music and the way that it runs through and moves you, but with just a little shift of perspective you could easily apply them to the springtime feeling.

Oh, also it features De La Soul, and there are few things they touch that aren’t pretty special.

Reach For The Sun by The Polyphonic Spree

The Polyphonic Spree were bound to pop up in one of these playlists sooner or later, it’s taken a little while but if spring isn’t the right time for a bit of ‘choral rock’ then when is?

I Do Not Care For The Winter Sun by Beach House

See, I’m not sure that I can agree with the title because I love the winter sun, but I also love the spring sun, and I love Beach House, there is something about their sound that just makes me feel a bit warm inside and that can’t ever be a bad thing.

Strawberry Swing by Coldplay

I know that it is very cool to dismiss Coldplay and it is true that they have a tendency to repeat themselves and can be a bit formulaic and dull. Having said that they also write amazing songs with lots of subtle and clever musical details that are actually quite hard to miss if you just focus on the lyrics.

I’m not even sure that I have an undivided opinion of my own, but this is one of those well put together gems.

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

Simply because there is no way that this little slice of joy penned by George Harrison in 1969 doesn’t sound dated at all and can’t help but make you smile and feel good even if it is pouring with rain outside.

https://youtu.be/xS30bEO2aEU

Across the Universe by Fiona Apple

From a Beatles song to a cover of one, and a beautiful one. Is Fiona Apple’s version of Across the Universe better than the Beatle’s original? It’s all down to opinion but mine is yes, I actually think that it is.

Ease Your Feet into the Sea by Belle & Sebastian

I spent pretty much an entire spring a few years ago riding Bicing around Barcelona and listening to The Boy With the Arab Strap on repeat. It’s a sublime album and I still listen to it in it’s entirety at least a couple of times a year.

Little Lies by ODIE

I know very little about ODIE, I don’t even know where I heard this song but wherever I heard it, it sticks in my mind, and I think it is great. I can’t say anything more that I don’t know, so just enjoy…

Can’t Stop the Spring by The Flaming Lips

You can crush the flowers
But you can’t stop the spring
No matter what you say

Quite.

Everything is Everything by Lauryn Hill

I don’t think that I have forgiven Lauryn Hill yet for what was probably the most disappointing gig that I have ever been to where she showed utter disdain for the crowd, turned up massively late, and sounded, well, shit to be honest.

BUT The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is still an absolutely amazing album, there isn’t a weak track on it and in places it is truly brilliant. For that reason this song makes it onto the list despite her ridiculous diva like behaviour in recent years.