I'm excited to present your Debop playlist! It was crafted based on your thoughtfully answered questionnaire, and I hope it acts as an entry point for some more meaningful music discovery.
In curating this playlist, I took into consideration the artists you’ve been loving, as well as your current state of mind - and from there, dove into selecting a range of tracks and artists I think you’ll love. I also noted your gravitation towards melody and rhythm, with a particular focus on the types of instrumentation you’ve been leaning towards (percussion, deep drums, violin, cello). My hope is that this playlist will act as a stepping stone and spark a curiosity in you to take an even deeper dive into these artists’ rich discographies and works.
To encourage an optimal listening experience, I’d recommend:
Setting aside 40-50 minutes of “undistracted” time
Listening on headphones
Reading the liner notes as you go through the playlist
Enjoy!
Your Personal Music Guru,
Deb
Here is the full playlist, but you’ll find each track individually broken down with liner notes below.
Cheers - Faye Webster
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2. Cheers - Faye Webster
adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elementum tempus egestas sed sed risus pretium. Congue mauris rhoncus aenean vel elit scelerisque mauris pellentesque. Elementum sagittis vitae et leo duis ut diam. Tellus molestie nunc non blandit massa enim nec. Tristique senectus et netus et malesuada
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3. Cheers - Faye Webster
adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elementum tempus egestas sed sed risus pretium. Congue mauris rhoncus aenean vel elit scelerisque mauris pellentesque. Elementum sagittis vitae et leo duis ut diam. Tellus molestie nunc non blandit massa enim nec. Tristique senectus et netus et malesuada
link / link / link
4. Cheers - Faye Webster
adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elementum tempus egestas sed sed risus pretium. Congue mauris rhoncus aenean vel elit scelerisque mauris pellentesque. Elementum sagittis vitae et leo duis ut diam. Tellus molestie nunc non blandit massa enim nec. Tristique senectus et netus et malesuada
link / link / link
5. Smoke & Mirrors - RJD2
When I read that you gravitate towards “Syncopated Rhythm,” I knew that I had to add this to your Debop. Ramble Jon Krohn (a.k.a. RJD2) is most famous for penning the Man Men theme, but his masterpiece is the 2002 debut LP Deadringer featuring this song. On “Smoke & Mirrors,” Krohn artfully weaves together obscure soul samples with his own masterful production, creating a haunting, propulsive mood that evokes classic DJ Shadow. Overall, this cinematic album is categorized as instrumental hip-hop, but it defies categorization, and serves equally well for a work session, dance party, or just dinner.
more RJD2
6. Ki Lo - Mazoulew
Neo-classical curiosities lead to Mazoulew, whose anticipated 'Movements' shows the electronica producer/composer delving into the Neoclassical/Ambient space. The musical moniker of Matthew Zouhar Lewis, Mazoulew grew up in Hertfordshire, studied in London and recently relocated to Italy for a break from city life. Written and produced entirely by Mazoulew, genre-defying 'Movements' has been called his "most far reaching and ambitious work to date." Though he was named "One to Watch" by BBC Radio, Mazoulew has a remarkably unremarkable social media footprint, and his work speaks louder than his public presence - feeling like a best-kept-secret that should be protected. "Ki Lo" is the third installment of the 'Movements' EP, and was released alongside a super limited edition vinyl run (fans had to send him a DM to be individually added to the waiting list). "Ki Lo" gets the brain buzzing and body moving, with its unrelenting forward momentum and driving energy. It's sure to help move you through work at lightning-speed.
more Mazoulew
7. All Of The Time - Jungle
The British dance duo returned this year with their third studio album, Loving in Stereo - 40 minutes full of tasty hooks, danceable beats and just straight up positive vibes. Similar to artists like Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, Jungle knows how to combine upbeat "party music" with feel-good, chill beats. "All of the Time" is yet another totally joyful and soulful hit from the duo.
more Jungle
8. Say Goodbye - Hiroshi Sato
Hiroshi Sato, an influential Japanese singer-songwriter/keyboardist in the 70s and 80s, was a master of jazz fusion and soft pop rock. Sato's style of music later fell into the "city pop" category, which also includes artists like Haroumi Hosono. "Say Goodbye" is layered with a variety of synths that all blend together so seamlessly, which make for an incredibly distinct and unique track that you can't help but groove to.
more Hiroshi Sato
9. My Little Japanese Cigarette Case - Spoon
AllMusic aptly calls Spoon “consistently inventive and inventively consistent,” and this track has everything that makes their music pop: taut hooks, sinister riffs, cryptic lyrics, and infectious melodies. Britt Daniel, lead singer, guitarist, and writer of the Austin-based band, only repeats three lines here, yet they’re dense and beguiling. When he sings “Let all my memories be gone,” is he lamenting a lost lover? A drug addiction? Wartime trauma? I’m still not sure, but I can’t stop listening. Given your love of the Strokes and Foo Fighters, you just may find yourself humming this 3-minute gem before it’s over.
more Spoon
10. Dayvan Cowboy - Boards of Canada
Since LCD Soundsystem is one of your favorite bands, I chose this track, which shares some trancelike qualities with James Murphy’s best work. But don’t just listen – watch the video here! It starts with a death-defying parachute jump from nearly 20 miles up (!) that Joe Kittinger took in 1960, then seamlessly segues to mesmerizing footage of big-wave surfing legend Laird Hamilton. As for the music, Boards of Canada actually hail from Scotland, and this song is the standout from their third LP, The Campfire Headphase. It’s my go-to album when I need to do deep work; the duo deftly balances the organic and electronic to create the perfect ambiance for focused motivation.
