Tag: contemporary music

One of the doctors I followed on Twitter frequently posted his satisfaction with his Dua Lipa family car sing alongs, and he was fun, so as part of my minimal effort to be aware of US pop culture, I looked her up. And now, this song is in my spinning (exercise bike) mix of the moment.

…to you baby
when I’m out of words you haven’t heard

This is (also) from Teddy Swim’s album, “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Part 1,” appearing just before The Door. I like the speed/density of some of the lyrics, such as:

please
don’t go
got my heart rate up (real high)
vocabulary (running low)
out of breath I keep (going and going)
oh no

So catchy…

I listen to a lot of web radio. The music of my niche downtempo stations washes over me, provides a soundtrack to my life, and tips me off to artists I might want to hear more of.

I am not always aware of how recently music was issued: there’s a mix of retro and current music blended seamlessly by talented DJs, so I haven’t actively pursued ‘keeping up’ with new releases or distinguishing new-to-me music from actually-new-music. But it turns out that I am keeping up a bit, thanks to web radio. (A new colleague recently recommended a station playing 1980s-1990s music, and I told him I’m trying to focus on music released after 2010 now, which just made him laugh.)

I went into my phone’s music app to look at what they deem new & popular (selling well). I was shocked that I recognize and enjoy some of the songs.

How did that even happen? I think Antennae Bayern – Chillout (https://www.antenne.de/webradio/chillout) has worked many of these songs into my head without me noticing.

Here are three that I was surprised to recognize (and have purchased).

Hozier: Too Sweet (from the 2024 album, “Unheard”)

There is something about the simplicity of the guitar lines that hooks me. It’s a very satisfying song. (Also: do not date the protagonist of this song: he will always be hung over, will criticize your delicious green juice, and you’ll have to drive him to too many medical appointments later in life.)

Teddy Swims: the Door (from the 2023 album, “I’ve Tried Everything by Therapy, Pt. 1”)

Gospel-ly, danceable, singable in the shower. I could not have guessed his appearance (friendly neighborhood bear with even more tattoos). Lose Control from last year is also familiar to me.

Myles Smith: Stargazing (Take My Heart Don’t Break It) (2024)

Upbeat and cheerful.

It is so encouraging to listen to music that is enjoyable to me and succeeding – despite the fact that I like it!