Listen Here #16: Jackie Mendoza, Lionel Hampton, Spoon
Hi friends,
It was my first day at the new job today (yay!). Faith and Madeline kindly had me over to dinner, and afterwards, we shared a lovely time watching movie trailers and Kendrick music videos on YouTube. And then… approximately 45 minutes ago, I realized… it’s Monday! And that’s newsletter day, baby!
I started walking home as Faith was literally typing out her recommendation for the VERY fun Jackie Mendoza song below, got to my house a mere 5 minutes later, and cracked open ye olde newsletter doc. And now here we are (woohoo!). Hopefully this will hit your inbox a minute or two before Tuesday.
yours in haste (but, in like a chill way),
<3 Lauren
P.S. If you are waiting for a sign, this is it: send in your song recs! Heck, send in multiple at once! I’ll sort it out, don’t worry!
This Week’s Songs:
Any song that was shared via Spotify link has been added to this public playlist for easy access. And (many thanks to Rae!) there’s also an Apple Music playlist.
Song/Artist: “Let's Get Maui'd” by Jackie Mendoza
Genre: Tropical Pun(no k) Pop
Feels like: High spirited, silly and giggly
Loved by: rubiksboob
Why I love this song: I was trying to be a Serious Music Lady reading college radio reviews and this silliness was the standout
Other context: Shout out to WTUL music directors for covering such a wide swath
Song/Artist: "Just For Laffs - Instrumental" by Lionel Hampton
Genre: Jazz
Feels like: Kitchen dancing with a sweetie
Loved by: Lauren
Why I love this song: I made a mini-playlist for my niece's birthday this weekend (happy birthday to R!). I was narrowing down the selections and it became a whole vibes-and-brass-indie-songwriter Moment. This felt like the perfect song to break things up - it's mellow, but still has movement, life, and absolutely scads of charm.
Other context: Lionel Hampton, absolute jazz legend of the vibraphone, I salute you!
Song/Artist: "The Way We Get By" by Spoon
Genre: 2000's indie-pop-rock
Feels like: junior year of college
Loved by: Lauren
Why I love this song: I think I heard this song on the radio in 2010, and it took over my life for like a full two weeks. Was I getting high? Breaking into mobile homes? Making love? ABSOLUTELY not. Did something about this catchy-ass song still speak to my early-20's angst? Yes, yes it did. And that's the power of music.
Other context: It's Spoon! Started in 1993, still going strong. I'm going to put "Hot Thoughts" on my Valentine's Day playlist ;)