I know tumblr is our happy place immune to all evil and horrible heartbreaks that are happening in the world, and I know this is our shelter and sanctuary we come here seeking peace but I can't get over the catastrophe that happened to the Bryants. It's one tragic thing that Mamba died but it's unbelievable that his 13 year old daughter died with him. My brain still can't process it.
Joanie - I know you and I know you’ve probably spent the past five years working your ass off and doing nothing else. Which I appreciate of course, because, you know, here I am, but based on your CD collection (CDs Joan!!! CDs!!! What are you doing!?!? iTunes has existed for nearly 20 years), you haven’t been buying new music. I checked your computer too. You don’t have Spotify or anything (it’s this new streaming service that I don’t understand).
Just so you don’t think I’ve been sitting at home watching Netflix all day, I’ve also been catching up on the last five years of music. Sam and the boys have tried to get me up to speed on all things pop culture but there’s just so much. It’s been a big undertaking and I’m making this a family project now. You and I are both going to start listening to music that’s been released since 2011 (spoiler alert: pop music got gooooood). You need to know what’s going on in the zeitgeist, Joanie. You can’t just listen to Radiohead and The Beach Boys on repeat forever. (don't worry, I got you an actual Christmas present, this is just a bonus)
1. “What’d I Miss” - Hamilton
Okay, you may live under a rock when it comes to pop culture, but I’m sure you’ve heard of Hamilton. It seems like a pretty huge deal. We should try to see it when it comes here on tour but I wanted to start the playlist with this song because if there’s anything I’m known for it’s my ability to make self-aware jokes about the grimness of my situation.
2. “Sorry” - Beyonce
Queen B does it again - I’ve put this whole album on your computer (yes I downloaded iTunes for you) because it is straight fire.
3. “Good as Hell” - Lizzo
A new artist to me and to the world in general I think - it seems like she’s about to blow up, which is totally earned.
4. “How to Be a Heartbreaker” - Marina & the Diamonds
Glad to see Marina is still bringing it. (bet Agent Green feels like the guys in this song 😜)
5. “Cool Kids” - Echosmith
I don’t know how they managed to perfectly encapsulate what it feels like to be in high school but they did. God, aren’t you glad we’re past that stage of our life?
6. “Royals” - Lorde
This chick is SO young and SO talented. There’s buzz that she’s got a new album coming out this year so I’m really excited for that.
7. “Style” - Taylor Swift
Last time I checked, Taylor Swift was that massive country star who sang about Romeo and Juliet? What happened? I don’t know why I’m asking you, I know you don’t know. Have you even heard of Taylor Swift? Well, apparently, she’s like, the biggest pop star now and writing total bangers, so that’s cool.
8. “Level Up” - Vienna Teng
Okay, to your credit, you did have this CD (again, where do you even buy CDs??) but I actually loaded it onto your computer so you can listen on your phone and stuff. This is my favorite song from the album so far. It’s optimistic.
9. “Youth” - Daughter
Listening to this hurts if I listen too closely, but it is really pretty.
10. “Once Upon Another Time” - Sara Bareilles
I know you’re sort of indifferent about Bareilles, but this song makes me feel a certain kind of way, you know? And apparently, she wrote a musical, so we should look into that.
11. “The Greatest Bastard” - Damien Rice
Remember my emo poet phase when I only listened to O for a month? Well, Damien Rice wrote a new album and it’s really great. Naturally my favorite song from the new record is one of the saddest. You can take the boy out of his teen years…
12. “Iron Sky” - Paolo Nutini
Paolo!!! God, this guy is so good. His new album is weird, but this is probably one of the best songs written in the past 5 years and I can say that with confidence because I’m pretty sure I’ve listened to every song that came out in the past 5 years.
13. “33 “GOD”” - Bon Iver
Another weird album - feels like a big departure for Bon Iver. But guess what? He samples the Paolo song in this!
14. “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” - The Arctic Monkeys
The Arctic Monkeys have been releasing the same song since, like, 2005, but I’m not mad about it. I know this probably makes you think about that time in my sophomore year but you promised you wouldn’t tease me about that anymore so keep your mouth shut.
15. “Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time” - Panic! at the Disco
Speaking of emo phases, Panic! kept releasing music and brought back the !. I’m sad they didn’t continue with the sound they were developing with Pretty. Odd., but the new stuff is great too. Adam sent this album to me and it is such a good time (pun intended).
16. “Out on the Town” - fun.
I can’t remember if I ever gave you the first fun. album but it’s the guy from The Format, that band I dragged you to that show of one time the summer before my freshman year of college. Remember? It was that time we got the kielbasa at that weird little stand we would always walk by. Anyway, this album is great.
17. “John Wayne” - Lady Gaga
The twists and turns keep on coming! Apparently Lady Gaga has gone through every genre since I’ve been gone and done them all really well. This is her doing country and it makes me want to like country.
18. “Warm Blood” - Carly Rae Jepsen
Okay, full disclosure, I did not discover this album on my own. It’s something Damien would play a lot in the car and despite any associations with that, the songs are still really good.
19. “Ain’t It Fun” - Paramore
Paramore still singing the truth after all this time.
20. “Somebody Loves You” - Betty Who
I feel like this gal has some great Robyn vibes going on and this song is just really happy. I think we could both use that.
Would you ever write Mark and Joan having a jam session since they're both so musical?
Probably not? Mark and Joan’s musical talents were developed through lessons that their parents had them take - it was never a social thing for them. It’s become a social thing for Mark, but I’m not sure jamming is something these siblings would do together.
"PRIVATE YOGA SESSION" "A MAN'S TOUCH" honestly I can't with these two (it reminds me of my brother and I :D)
I was CACKLING with laughter when Julia sent me that. All the notebook pages were 100% Julia and it is still my favorite thing that anyone has ever done for me. Julia is incredible.
