By Aliki Barnes
It’s easy to get caught up in the gloom of the colder months but here are five tracks guaranteed to chase the winter blues away. There’s nothing like a banging playlist to inject some sunshine into your life, after all, who says it needs to be spring to have a spring in your step? Dive into this happy mix of new and old-school feel good songs and add them straight to your playlist. Turn up the volume and enjoy!
Hear You Calling - PAWWS
Lucy Taylor, known as PAWWS, first gained traction in London's alternative-pop scene over a decade ago. After a break following her 2014 EP 'Sugar,' she worked behind the scenes writing on global hits for artists like Dua Lipa and Future. Now, splitting her time between Sydney and London, she has returned to PAWWS with the 80s-inspired pop single 'Hear You Calling’. The song explores themes of youthful romance and unrequited love, aiming to evoke the heartache of retro Hollywood movies, PAWWS says “Hear You Calling is a song for the hopeless romantic, still believing in the impossible. I started writing this track on a rainy day in London with my good friend and ex-band mate Daniel Lindegren. I wanted to create the same heart ache I got after watching old 80s movies where the underdogs were the heroes”.
Blue Lightning - Big Thief
Big Thief, originating from Brooklyn, New York, is an indie-rock band with deep folk roots. Their music explores themes of loss and love, and this track gets me every time. The upbeat and lively chords, paired with the unique folk electric guitar progression is playful and fun. The cheerful melody stands in stark contrast to the song’s narrative. “Blue Lightning”, the title itself, signifies a rare and potent moment destined to disappear, leaving behind a bittersweet trail of memories. This song is a reminder of the ephemeral nature of love and desire. Like lightning in the sky, it dazzles fleetingly before disappearing, urging us to cherish it while it lasts.
You Make My Dreams (Come True) - Daryl Hall & John Oates
You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Daryl Hall and Hall & Oates, known for their iconic leather jackets, has left an indelible mark on the music scene for over four decades. With over 40 million records sold globally and an impressive 246 weeks in the US charts during the 1980s, surpassing even Michael Jackson and Madonna, the band became a musical powerhouse. While renowned in the UK for hits like “Maneater” and “I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)”, “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” is their most recognisable track yet.
Characterised by an electric piano riff and a soaring chorus, condenses three minutes of pure pop euphoria. Despite never being released as a single in the UK, it has garnered over one billion streams, thanks in part to its features in cult films such as The Wedding Singer and 500 Days Of Summer. Daryl Hall tells the BBC "It's a very unique situation. It wasn't a number one record, but what has happened to that song, and the way the world has embraced it, is absolutely astounding."
You make my dreams come true is an all-time favourite of mine and my go-to when I need a pick-me-up on a dark dreary day. It’s a classic party tune and is bound to put a smile on your face. A bright, happy, sunshine hit for any day!
Sun Showers - Disclosure
The song "Sun Showers" by Disclosure seamlessly melds trance gates and a dynamic bassline with the duo's distinctive sound. Listening to the track feels like being transported to an empty woodland, drenched in sunlight after a refreshing storm. The vibrant energy exuded by the song contrasts with a backdrop of rainstorm sounds, symbolising the emergence of light and liberation following a period of darkness. As Guy Lawrence notes, the album “Alchemy” signifies the duo's newfound creative freedom, underscored by their autonomy from a major record label and their deliberate choice not to embark on a tour.
Headz Gone West- Nia Archives
Nia Archives, a 22-year-old British DJ producer is making waves in the dance music scene. Born and raised near Leeds to a Jamaican family, Nia's dual-cultural identity plays a crucial role in shaping her musical sound. Growing up surrounded by sound-system culture, Nia was immediately drawn to the drums and distorted bass inherent in the sound. Her musical upbringing was diverse, encompassing reggae, disco, rap, gospel, and indie. Her own sound reflects the broad tapestry of music that surrounded her, without strict boundaries. In this track, Nia layers liquid chords over lo-fi jungle breaks, delivering a lyrical ode to the experience of getting high. This one is bound to get you dancing!