‘Song Challenge’: A Quarantine Trilogy

I can’t really believe that my last post (about the Alfa Mist gig) was written this very month, since a ridiculous amount of things have happened since then. Now that I have settled into my isolation spot, I have the head-space to post some more things on this blog. For my first mid-pandemic undertaking, I will be tackling the ’30 day song challenge’ which has been floating around the internet (shout out to Olly who sent it to me!).

Instead of posting everyday for 30 days, I will submit my answers in three parts. Here we go with days 1-10…

1. A song you like with a colour in the title:

Afro Blue by Robert Glasper Experiment feat Erykah Badu

This song is off the grammy-winning album ‘Black Radio’ – jazzy, smooth, with Badu’s gorgeous vocals. An paradigmatic example of how jazz can be blended with influences from other ‘genres’.

2. A song you like with a number in the title

715 – CRΣΣKS by Bon Iver

Every song on this album has a number in it so I very much struggled to choose one! This song is stripped back, putting Bon Iver’s pitch-corrected, glitchy voice front and centre, and it is beautiful and heart-breaking.

3. A song that reminds you of summertime

Spaceships by Rejjie Snow feat. Ebenezer

I listened to this whole album A LOT during the spring/summer time of my first year at university. I feel it is appropriate to describe this song as sunny, and so the combination of it’s grooviness and sentimental value for me makes it a good contender for this one.

4. A song that reminds you of someTHING you’d rather forget

Claustrophic by PJ Morton feat. Pell

I’ve switched the ‘someone’ from the challenge to ‘something’ because I was struggling to think of one! The abum this song is on was all I listened to during the peak revision period for A-levels, a time filled with much anxiety 🙂 So, sadly, as amazing as this song is, all I can think of when I listen to it is very stressful times.

5. A song that needs to be played loud

Crabs in the Bucket by Vince Staples

Listen to it and you’ll know what I mean!

6. A song that makes you want to dance

Gidget by Free Nationals feat. Anderson.Paak

Upbeat, bright and funky, can’t help but dance to this one.

7. A song to drive to

Midnight Mischief (Tom Misch Remix) by Jordan Rakei

For some reason this song seems perfect to put on full volume, windows down, driving down a long straight road while the sun is setting – hopefully I’ll get to give this a try soon.

8. A song about drugs or alcohol

Drink Dat by Thundercat feat. Wiz Khalifa

This whole song is literally about partying, and it drags you into the mindset of an intoxicated Thundercat. Speaking of Thundercat, I am very very excited about his new album coming out next week!

9. A song that makes you happy

Finish Line / Drown by Chance the Rapper (feat. T-Pain, Kirk Franklin, Eryn Allen Kane & Noname)

This album is linked with a lot of happy memories for me, and this song in particular radiates a happy vibe so thought it would be a good choice for this one.

10. A song that makes you sad

Don’t Miss It by James Blake

These song deals with themes of depression and anxiety, and James Blake is so open, honest and authentic about his struggles with mental health. It’s a heart-wrenching song yet a beautiful one.

That concludes Part 1 of my Quarantine Trilogy – watch this space for Part 2 🙂