Category: music

Monthly Mixtape #7: Constellate

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 3 Comments

A cassette tape with the words 'monthly mixtape' in a brush script above and below.

Hi there! I’m back with actual playlists for Monthly Mixtape! Monthly Mixtape is a music feature created by Eve @ Twist in the Taile (that’s me) and Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages. Here’s how it works: each month, we give you a one-word prompt, and you make a playlist. We welcome you to interpret the prompt however you want and with whatever music you’re into.

Please link back to the original Monthly Mixtape prompt whenever you make a playlist. We welcome you to use the title image for your blog post if you wish. You can create a playlist in response to any of the prompts going forward, not just the current months, but you won’t be able to add your link once the new prompt is up. The next Monthly Mixtape will be up in the first week of August! And this month’s prompt is…

#7: constellate

constellate, verb: 1 : to unite in a cluster
2 : to set or adorn with or as if with constellations

Add or view playlist links HERE

It took me a while to think of where I wanted to go with this one, but I’m pleased with the final result — it’s sort of a combination of space-themed songs and songs that make me think of unity. I also had a random craving to listen to Life on Mars so that’s in there, but it’s a bop so WHY NOT. Also, Talk to Me has one of my favourite lyrics, ‘there’s a universe inside your head, constellations are the things you left unsaid’. I think that’s such cool imagery. ANYWAYS.

A starry night sky over a hill with the word 'constellate' in brush script.

listen on spotify / youtube

talk to me – lauren aquilina
us – regina spektor
life on mars – david bowie
somebody else – the 1975
the space tapes – shura
i like that – janelle monáe
science fiction – christine and the queens
give yourself a try – the 1975

I hope you enjoy this, and do check out playlists made by Evi, Holly, and Shadowriverdaleharley for last month’s prompt Hamartia if you’re looking for more. 🙂

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Monthly Mixtape #6: Hamartia

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 4 Comments

A cassette tape with the words 'monthly mixtape' in a brush script above and below.

Monthly Mixtape is a music feature created by Eve @ Twist in the Taile (that’s me) and Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages. Here’s how it works: each month, we give you a one-word prompt, and you make a playlist. We welcome you to interpret the prompt however you want and with whatever music you’re into.

Please link back to the original Monthly Mixtape prompt whenever you make a playlist. We welcome you to use the title image for your blog post if you wish. You can create a playlist in response to any of the prompts going forward, not just the current months, but you won’t be able to add your link once the new prompt is up. The next Monthly Mixtape will be up in the first week of July! And this month’s prompt is…

#6: hamartia

hamartia, noun: tragic flaw

Add or view playlist links HERE

And WordPress bloggers, you can also tag your post on with ‘monthly mixtape’. 🙂If you’d like to read a bit more about the use of hamartia in literature then check out this page (or just google it, it’s very interesting). I’ve got around two more weeks of exams to go, but after that I soon to be back and blogging properly, especially as I’m excited by this prompt! Meanwhile, I encourage you to check the playlists made by Shadowriverdaleharley and Michelle @ The Writing Hufflepuff. Hope you have a good week and start to June — and happy Pride Month!

Monthly Mixtape #5: Mellifluous

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 18 Comments

A cassette tape with the words 'monthly mixtape' in a brush script above and below.

Monthly Mixtape is a music feature created by Eve @ Twist in the Taile (that’s me) and Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages. Here’s how it works: each month, we give you a one-word prompt, and you make a playlist. We welcome you to interpret the prompt however you want and with whatever music you’re into.

Please link back to the original Monthly Mixtape prompt whenever you make a playlist. We welcome you to use the title image for your blog post if you wish. You can create a playlist in response to any of the prompts going forward, not just the current months, but you won’t be able to add your link once the new prompt is up. The next Monthly Mixtape will be up in the first week of June! And this month’s prompt is…

#5: mellifluous

mellifluous, adjective: 1 : having a smooth rich flow
2 : filled with something (such as honey) that sweetens

Add or view playlist links HERE

And if you’re on WordPress you can also tag your post on with ‘monthly mixtape’. 🙂 Unfortunately I’ve been really busy with school (my first GCSE is in TWO DAYS *screams*) so I haven’t had time to make a playlist for this post, but I very much look forward to listening to Evi’s playlist and any others you all make!

 

Monthly Mixtape #4: Risorgimento

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 4 Comments

A cassette tape with the words 'monthly mixtape' in a brush script above and below.

Hey everyone! I’m back with the April edition of Monthly Mixtape. (You can check out the earlier prompts here.) I found some wonderful new music listening to your playlists — do check out playlists by Michelle and Mer. If you’d like to share a playlist I didn’t see do let me know. 🙂

Monthly Mixtape is a music feature created by me, Eve @ Twist in the Taile, and Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages. Here’s how it works: each month, we give you a one-word prompt, and you make a playlist. We welcome you to interpret the prompt however you want and with whatever music you’re into.

Please link back to the original Monthly Mixtape prompt whenever you make a playlist. Feel free to use the title image for your blog post if you wish. You can create a playlist in response to any of the prompts going forward, not just the current months, but you won’t be able to add your link once the new prompt is up. The next Monthly Mixtape will be up in the first week of May! And this month’s prompt is…

#4: risorgimento

risorgimento, noun: a time of renewal or renaissance; revival

Add or view playlist links HERE 

I hope you enjoy this prompt! Risorgimento (with a capital) actually describes the 19th century movement for Italian political unity, which I didn’t know about before discovering this word. You learn new things every day! As ever, I look forward to listening to your playlist, and you can view other playlists or add a link to your playlists above — of course it’s not obligatory, but I’d love to be able to see your posts. 🙂

Sunlight streaming over grass with a blurry tree in the background. The word 'Risorgimento' in a blocky font.

for rebirth, for reawakening, for learning to be reborn through the destruction.
listen on youtube / spotify

jennifer – fazerdaze
just like heaven – the cure
earth to heaven – esperanza spalding
send them off! – bastille
the future (is learning to…) – ted leo
don’t save me – haim
ain’t it fun – paramore
fireworks – mitski

Feeling out a playlist from the prompt is always such an interesting experience for me! For this one, I sort of tried to combine songs that I wanted to fit into the idea of renewal and revival with, like, an actual revival of old songs I used to listen loads to…? I DON’T KNOW. I think I went a bit wild on the theme but, you know, never mind. (Also, bonus points if you can guess which songs are my ‘old songs’ haha.) (Also, when I say ‘old’, I mean like 3 years old, because I am still a very young person.)

what music did you used to listen to all the time? do you still like it?

Monthly Mixtape #3: Petrichor

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 8 Comments

A cassette tape with the words 'monthly mixtape' in a brush script above and below.

Hey everyone! I’m back with the March edition of my music feature Monthly Mixtape. (You can check out the earlier prompts here.) I’m definitely enjoying this opportunity to discover new music in addition to making playlists of my own — check out those on The Writing Hufflepuff, Scattered Delusions and by my co-creator Evi on Adventuring Through Pages. If you’d like to share a playlist I didn’t see do let me know. 🙂

Monthly Mixtape is a music feature created by me, Eve @ Twist in the Taile, and Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages. Here’s how it works: each month, we give you a one-word prompt, and you make a playlist. We welcome you to interpret the prompt however you want and with whatever music you’re into.

Please link back to the original Monthly Mixtape prompt whenever you make a playlist. We welcome you to use the title image for your blog post if you wish. You can create a playlist in response to any of the prompts going forward, not just the current months, but you won’t be able to add your link once the new prompt is up. The next Monthly Mixtape will be up in the first week of April! And this month’s prompt is…

#3: petrichor

petrichor, noun: a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.

Add or view playlist links HERE 

I hope you enjoy this prompt and, as ever, I look forward to listening to your playlists! You can view other playlists or add a link to your playlists above — of course it’s not obligatory, but I’d love to be able to see your posts!

A close up of two green leaves with water droplets on them. The word 'petrichor' in a script font.

for walking through the forest after a summer rain.
listen on youtube / spotify

undan hulu – ólafur arnalds
mercury –  sufjan stevens, bryce dessner, nico muhly, james mcalister
amar pelos dois – salvador sobral
soothing – laura marling
moon river – frank ocean
february air (acoustic) – lights
naked as we came – iron and wine
featherstone – the paper kites

I’m really happy with this final playlist — the first song, Undan Hulu, was actually used in my school play last year so it brings back very vivid memories for me. Also Frank Ocean’s cover of Moon River is SO. GOOD. ASDFGHJK I CAN’T.

Anyway, I’d love to hear any music you’ve been into lately! Have you ever smelt petrichor?

Monthly Mixtape #2: Schwarmerei

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 17 Comments

A cassette tape with the words 'monthly mixtape' in a brush script above and below.

Hey everyone! I’m back with the February edition of my new music feature. I had so much fun with the playlists created last time — do check out those on Little Onion Writes, Yellow’s the Word and by my co-creator Evi on Adventuring Through Pages. If you’d like to share a playlist I didn’t see do let me know. 🙂

Monthly Mixtape is a music feature created by me, Eve @ Twist in the Taile, and Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages. Here’s how it works: each month, we give you a one-word prompt, and you make a playlist. We welcome you to interpret the prompt however you want and with whatever music you’re into. You can link to your Monthly Mixtape here.

Please link back to the original Monthly Mixtape prompt whenever you make a playlist. We welcome you to use the title image for your blog post if you wish. You can create a playlist in response to any of the prompts going forward, not just the current months, but you won’t be able to add your link once the new prompt is up. The next Monthly Mixtape will be up in the first week of March. 🙂 This month’s prompt is…

#2: schwarmerei

schwarmerei, noun: excessive and unbridled enthusiasm or sentiment

I hope you enjoy this prompt and I look forward to seeing your playlists. 🙂 You can add your link or view other links below.

monthly mixtape linksOnce more I’ve made my own playlist — this one was SUPER hard since I could think of a lot of great songs but, ah well, hopefully I’ll still get to use them in the future. Also, this was very heavily influenced by the podcast Wonderful because, well, it’s an enthusiastic podcast and so provides some very enthusiastic songs. (I do love it and would recommend.)

Many umbrellas of different colours suspended in the air along a street. The word 'schwarmerei' on top.

for when you want an excited, bubbly song to jam out your emotions to.
listen on youtube / spotify

secrets – mary lambert
money won’t pay – bo en, augustus
house of air – brendan maclean
don’t take the money – bleachers
happy with me – holychild
sound of silence – dami im
cut to the feeling – carly rae jepsen
good as hell – lizzo

I hope you like it! I also adore the video for Secrets and Good as Hell so if you’re into that I’d absolutely recommend them. 🙂 Have a good day y’all!

 

Monthly Mixtape #1: Luminescence

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 15 Comments

A cassette tape with the words 'monthly mixtape' in a brush script above and below.

Hey everyone! I’m really excited in this new year to begin a new feature that I’ve been wanting to introduce for a while… and without further ado, I welcome you to Monthly Mixtape!

Monthly Mixtape is a music feature created by me, Eve @ Twist in the Taile, and Evi @ Adventuring Through Pages. Here’s how it works: each month, we give you a one-word prompt, and you make a playlist. We welcome you to interpret the prompt however you want and with whatever music you’re into. You can link to your Monthly Mixtape below!

Please link back to the original Monthly Mixtape prompt whenever you make a playlist. We welcome you to use the title image for your blog post if you wish. You can create a playlist in response to any of the prompts going forward, not just the current months, but you won’t be able to add your link once the new prompt is up. The next Monthly Mixtape will be up in the first week of February. 🙂 And the first prompt is…

#1: luminescence

luminescence, noun: a light which is not produced by heat; a soft light. 

I hope you enjoy making playlists from this prompt, and I really look forward to listening to them! You can add your link or view other playlists here:

Purple watercolour swash with the word 'links' in a script font.

I’ve also made my own playlist which I’m rather excited to share since it has a lot of songs I love on it, yay! And remember to check out the playlist that my wonderful co-host Evi made here.

Three circular lamps hanging down over a white wall with hanging leaves. The word 'luminescence' in a script font.

a playlist for sitting by the lake at night. for meeting a forgotten friend. for the soft and bittersweet glow in your chest.
listen on youtube / spotify

wonder – lauren aquilina
secret for the mad – dodie
compartir – carla morrison
young – frankie cosmos
i will – mitski
all that – carly rae jepsen
cool blue – the japanese house
rainbow – kesha

Please do share any feedback you have! (I didn’t find any other blog link-ups like this and I sincerely hope that I’m not accidentally taking it from anyone?) I hope you enjoy, and I’m really looking forward to listening to your playlists and sharing the music I love. 🙂

Playlist: release

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 12 Comments

I return to you today with another playlist! Yay! I’ve been listening to a bunch of cool music lately and I WANT TO SHARE IT WITH YOU A LOT. And I am still working on that music link-up thing, by the way, so keep your eyes out. 😉

I’ve been mulling over this playlist for quite a while — the first version had so many different songs — but as ever I’ve edited it down to something I think is more cohesive. But I still just love all the music! Argh, it’s so difficult to choose. I do hope you enjoy.

release 2

release

for the summer dusk. for the ache of a feeling half-remembered. for looking back and perhaps finally letting the memories pass on into the night.
spotify / youtube

fools – lauren aquilina
blud – soak
high – phoebe green
saw you in a dream – the japanese house
supercut – lorde
around u – muna
saint claude – christine and the queens
meteorites – lights (midnight machines version)

I’m actually scheduling this post, so as you read it I will hopefully be having lots of fun learning Spanish (?!?) which is cool. HOPEFULLY. So I might be a bit delayed in commenting. I hope you’re all having a good day, wherever you are. I’d love to hear what you thought of this playlist, or any music recs you might have!

Playlist: Hey April

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 14 Comments

I haven’t made a new playlist in what feels like absolutely ages — okay, I just looked it up and AUGUST; I need to find a playlist prompts thing — and I have also been listening to some rad new music lately. This is a bit of a mixed playlist, but I suppose it’s just a collection of songs that make me think of April! I hope you enjoy 😀

hey april playlist cover

Hey April

for the of threading daisy chains on the damp grass. for the ripening citrus summer. for the sun through the clouds as it rains, splintered but bright.
listen on spotify / youtube

i love you (but i’m leaving) – rusty clanton

absolutely smitten – dodie

past lives – børns

don’t take the money – bleachers

happy with me – holychild

bwu – tegan and sara

don’t kill my vibe – sigrid

feel it still – portugal. the man

the wire – haim

edge of town – middle kids

I KNOW. TEN SONGS. More than usual, right? But what can I say, I’ve been hearing some good tunes. Last month was pretty cool for me because I got to go see Dodie on tour with some of my friends which I am STILL SCREAMING ABOUT. Rusty Clanton was the opening act, and I hadn’t heard of him before but I really liked his music, so!

I actually sincerely want to find a music playlist prompts thing, because I used to love doing the one that went around this corner of the blogosphere. MAYBE I SHOULD JUST MAKE ONE. Hmm. *strokes beard*

Isn’t It Strange? Collab Review

~ Eve @ Twist in the Taile ~ 8 Comments

Processed with Snapseed.

If you have yet to experience my intense Lauren Aquilina flailing, HERE IS YOUR CHANCE. Today I’m so thrilled to be reviewing (!!) her debut LP (!!) with An Overthinking Teenager (!!) @ Mixolydian Musings. We’ve both been massive fans of her for a while so obviously ALBUM NEWS was amazing to hear. It’s been a long wait for Isn’t It Strange? but I truly think it was worth it. 😀 We also reviewed some of her earlier music including the Ocean EP here, if you’re interested!

We’ll be going through the album track-by-track, but we’ll also discuss the album as a whole and general comments throughout.

midnight mouths

I personally wasn’t that keen on this upon my first listen — I think I was feeling a bit nervous that Lauren had gone completely electronic? But now I adore this one, especially the chorus!

Me: And I also love the whole ‘midnight mouths thing and the entire aesthetic of the song haha.
AOT: I loveeee how the texture thickens just before the chorus, it makes it so powerful… and I personally quite like tropical house/dance music so I like old Aquilina but I was well on board with the new electronic era too.

(Again I’m slightly paraphrasing and editing for readability, by the way. Not completely direct quotes! Because those had a lot more terrible punctuation and capitals on my part.)

wicked game

Wicked Game is definitely a favourite of mine on the album. I love the combination of darker lyrics with more electronic-y production, and the lyrics basically kill me every time. We also thought that the contrast of the lower verse with the higher chorus was super effective — the contrasts in this song do just work REALLY WELL.

AOT: And the lyrics kinda reflect a lot of life, like “nobody ever taught me to play this wicked game”…it kinda reminds me of how much of life you’re just expected to navigate alone.
Me: YES that is a good point! It’s kind of…both specific yet extremely relatable?

kicks

We discussed this one a bit in our previous review, but basically WE STILL LOVE IT. The production feels so seamless to me; the clapping and the little electronic-y riff going on are really cool. It was also fabulous to see a more positive song here! We also thought this (like many others on the album) felt more mature and experienced compared to the EPs.

AOT: AND ALSO KICKS = KICKING ME AROUND = PUNS/WORDPLAY = LOVE.
Me: IKR WHAT GREAT WORDPLAY HONESTLY.

(Okay, I lied about the capitals. WHAT CAN I SAY? Our flailing is too great to be constrained by proper grammar and capitalisation.)

how would you like it?

I loved this one from the first listen, although I think it’s only improved with time. We thought that the stripped production really let the emotion shine through — it’s just such a raw and powerful song. Although again it’s quite a specific situation, ‘how would you like it?’ feels like a really universal lyric too. HONESTLY, this just gives me the chills asdfjkl.

way too good

Me: I love the aesthetic of it like — I don’t know, it feels so classy to me.
AOT: Yesss I agree about the classiness thing, I think that’s because it’s more minimalist and, again, ‘grown up’.

I think I’ve said this way too good many times, but this one is ALSO one of our favourites. I love the humming bit at the start, and generally the whole minimal but also slightly electronic production? The lyrics are honestly SO AWESOME — in particular I enjoy the ‘I am, I am’ bits and the whole vibe of appreciating the moment even though you know it won’t last.

hurt any less

This one is pretty different to the last one, but it has so many great contrasts — the fast verse and then slowing down at the chorus, the lyrics/melody… I adore the pre-chorus bit. ‘This was never love/it was chaos,’ is probably one of my favourite lines on the album!

AOT: Yep it’s amazing and also like that it feels happy even though it def isn’t.
Me: Ooh yes that’s interesting! Like, it does feel rather upbeat but listening to the lyrics you’re like…wait… It’s a bit bittersweet, I guess.

fools – live at RAK studios

So this one is a re-recording of Lauren’s first single, Fools, rather than a new song. She only wrote this age 16 (!?!?) but it’s still an incredibly moving song — like, seriously, where can I get these skills? It still fits well with the rest of the album, and it feels very fitting since it’s been such an important song in her career. We thought it was a little more reflective and subdued than the original. Lauren’s voice has also changed a lot, wow!

Me: Currently I’m just listening to the original of this to kinda compare haha.
AOT: I read somewhere that she rerecorded it because her voice has changed. And I agree with something else she said — about the way she sings it now is more serious and less naïve because she knows how the relationship ends
Me: oh that’s very interesting to hear! I’d definitely agree — I think it actually feels pretty similar to the rest of the album. Like, more grown up.

suddenly strangers

Suddenly Strangers has a lovely water-y vibe, especially at the beginning! The concept of how people can go from knowing each other so well to not talking at all is really interesting, and I think it works wonerfully here. This song has some great lines including the album title, ‘isn’t it strange?’ Once again it feels like a very universal theme.

thinking about

I was pretty excited to hear this one because I’d seen a video of Lauren performing it live about a year ago and I was like OH I REMEMBER THIS LYRIC. (Actually, turns out the video is still up on YouTube!) We really liked that this is pretty pared down yet it’s still so powerful. The melody and lyrics speak so strongly on their own!

Me: Mm yes I don’t think it’s one of my absolute favourites overall but definitely another strong song. (And it reminds me a little more of like kinda Liars-y production? What with all those floaty piano things and stuff.)
AOT: Yes yes yes love it — I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite song overall but ‘all I’m thinking about’ etc is one of my fave lines on the album, I think.

ocean

We also reviewed this one previously, since it came out late last year, but IT’S STILL SO AWESOME. What a fabulous end to the album! To me it feels very cathartic, and it’s a lot more abstract than the others — like, it kind of applies to the whole album in a way.

an overall look

Me: *flails* tbh just…what great music…i think I have used too many ellipses here but yes I am vaguely speechless
AOT: Yess yess yess she’s done so freaking well it’s honestly amazing. 10/10 methinks.

In summary, we absolutely ADORED this. It was definitely worth waiting for, and I know that it’s one of my absolute favourite recent albums. We really liked that the songs sort of followed a linear narrative — going from the more electronic and dark opening tracks, they became a little more reflective as we went along. Something that I also noticed was that third person pronouns were used more; I think there were hardly any in the EPs! The lyrics in general just feel more experienced and direct, though they still retain a beautiful poetic quality. Like, there’s definitely less abstract imagery happening. AAH YAY IT’S JUST SO AMAZING and I can’t wait to hear more from Lauren Aquilina! Thanks so much to my wonderful reviewing partner An Overthinking Teenager, and I hope you guys enjoyed this flailing. 😀

what did you think of isn’t it strange? lauren aquilina fan? listened to any other good albums lately?