Mixtape Take 2: Spacing out

Mar 22, 2010 by Joshua    1 Comment     Posted under: music, music feature

I have consulted once again with the music appreciation committee to bring together a mixtape with the theme of “spacing out”. Drug use implications aside, the music is meant to give one a feeling of weightlessness, allowing one’s mind to wander, leaving the body still and relaxed – possibly in a reclined position.

The idea for this mixtape came to me at the close of a difficult winter quarter. While listening to “Asleep From Day” by the Chemical Brothers, I experienced a strong feeling of relaxation, and I wished to share this feeling with others.

So, sit back (or, better yet, lie down), relax, and give in to the music. If you would like to hear the entire album (except “The Circus” by Company Man”) auto-play from start to finish, check out this YouTube playlist. Otherwise, click on each individual song title to see the video for that song.

1. “There Are Birds” by The Ruby Suns – I wrote about The Ruby Suns before, and this particular song always strikes me as rather peaceful.

2. “Everything You Do Is a Balloon” by Boards of Canada – Suggested by a member of the board who is from Canada, this song has a rather eerie video and sound. It’s a bit tense but at the same time rather mellow.

3. “Another Day” by Air – Get lost… in space!

4. “Kettering” by the Antlers – This song is sad and beautiful. Perhaps it will make you feel the same.

5. “The Circus” by Company Man – Company Man’s music is not on YouTube, unfortunately, but it can be heard on the band’s Web site using the player in the upper right corner. The whole album is great, but the last song, “The Circus”, has a certain gravity to it that is compelling.

6. “Lover’s Spit” by Broken Social Scene feat. Feist – Feist does beautiful music, Broken Social Scene does beautiful music. By their powers combined, they make… beautiful music.

7. “Decollage” by Les Balayeurs du désert – I heard about this song from the provided video, and it has stuck in my head since. This music is just as surreal as the imagery it accompanies.

8. “Winning” by Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton – Coming from another project of the lead singer of Metric, this song is solemn and sweet.

9. “1/1″ by Brian Eno – From “Music for Airports”, an ambient album that delivers on the promise of its title, this song is sure to put anyone at peace. It is not the entire song, which runs to about 16 and a half minutes, but one could achieve a similar experience by replaying the song a few times.

10. “Lose Me on the Way” by Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions – This track is a nod to the inspiration for this mixtape and a sample of the beauty that is Hope Sandoval’s voice. The singer possibly best known for her work with the group Mazzy Star paints a beautiful melody with her ethereal voice.

11. “Bound to be That Way” by Do Make Say Think – I am not sure what to say about this post-rock tune, so I will let it speak for itself.

12. “Hafsól” by Sigur Rós – Easily one of my favorite tracks by the Icelandic band, it has a drive to it that crescendos from the meager beginning to the climactic end.

13. “Residential Love song” by K.C. Accidental – Here is another post-rock song that just sounds so nice.

14. “Look Into the Air” by Explosions in the Sky – It would not be a complete post-rock collection without Explosions in the Sky.

15. “Asleep From Day” by the Chemical Brothers feat. Hope Sandoval – Here it is, the song that inspired the whole thing. If you have gotten this far, I hope the experience has been calming and regenerative.

So that’s the list, as constructed by me (with help from a few friends – thanks, guys). Now I would like to hear your responses. What songs do you listen to when you want to relax and just space out for a little while? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

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