Every so often, I’ll hear a song and it’ll inspire me to create a new Spotify playlist. Seems like it hasn’t happened all too much over the past six to eight months, but that’s how it goes. I’ll go stretches with nothing, then one new song will hit me and spark the fire of inspiration.
I’ve always loved crafting a good playlist, and I’m one to meticulously fret over organization and flow. There’s a scene in the Hulu rendition of High Fidelity where Mac chimes in about listening to Rob’s playlists. Yeah, that applies here.
Aside from a few catch-all playlists, the intent is and will always be for them to be played in order.
Let’s dig in.
Playlist Inspiration: “Gibson Girl” by Ethel Cain
The song that inspired this playlist was the recent new track by Ethel Cain called “Gibson Girl.” Cain has been making waves lately, despite not yet having released a full LP. We won’t have to wait long as Ethel Cain will be releasing her debut LP Preacher’s Daughter on May 22, 2022.
As of right now, I haven’t seen what formats it’ll come in, but I have my fingers crossed it’ll get pressed to vinyl. So far, the singles she’s released have all been digital.
Playlist Name: “Touch Red” by Chromatics
I tend to name playlists based on one of the songs included within. As this playlist is a bit more sensual, “Touch Red” seemed to fit, and the cover art follows suit. “Touch Red” is by Chromatics, who sadly split within the past year or so after two decades as a band (2001 – 2021). You can find the song on their 2019 album Closer to Grey.
I have a decent number of Chromatics albums in my collection dating all the way back to their 2003 debut Chrome Rats vs. Basement Ruts. Their final LP, Closer to Grey, remains on my wantlist though.
Here’s “Touch Red”, the song from which the playlist takes its name.
5 Recommended Records from the Touch Red Playlist
Alright, since I pride this to be more of a vinyl blog, I’d be remiss without including some picks on wax. Several tracks within, including highlights like Ethel Cain’s “Gibson Girl”, Bernache’s “Your Name”, and MTNS’ “Lost Track of Time” are currently digital only, whereas others have been released on vinyl but are hard to find or out of print.
Here are five picks you can grab on vinyl, though!
Cigarettes After Sex: Cigarettes After Sex (Vinyl)
I included a few selections off the self-titled Cigarettes After Sex album, including the seductive “Sunsetz” and the spectacular “Apocalypse.” The album was released in 2017. In fact, just last week, I added their 2019 album Cry to my collection as well (also linked below).
I’ve been crushing on “Sunsetz” long before adding the album its on to my collection. Easy to see why, too; the song is powerful and sensual with a seductive beat and lyrics ripe with nostalgia and longing.
And when you go away
“Sunsetz” by Cigarettes After Sex
I still see you
The sunlight on your face in my rearview
This always happens to me this way
Recurring visions of such sweet days
Here’s the song:
Spoon: Hot Thoughts (Vinyl)
Spoon’s new album Lucifer on the Sofa is one of my favorite new albums of 2022 and likely to make an appearance in the top 10 when I compile my Best Of list come December. But for this playlist, I selected the title track of their prior LP, Hot Thoughts. Singularly, I think it’s one of their best songs, and I’ve loved the sexual nature of it since the moment I first heard it.
While both copies linked above are the black vinyl versions, they’re worthy of your collection simply due to the fact that they’re great records! Spoon is one of those bands that continually churns out great tunes release after release, and while nothing from their new one is on this playlist, Lucifer on the Sofa has quickly become my favorite record from the band.
Here’s “Hot Thoughts” by Spoon:
Chet Faker: Thinking in Textures (Vinyl)
I included two Chet Faker tracks, including “Gold” off Built On Glass and “I’m Into You” from Thinking in Textures. The former has been out of print a while, so it comes at a pretty penny, but a handful of Thinking in Textures copies are still available. I have yet to check out the new album, Hotel Surrender (also linked below), but that may change by end of day…
When I press an ear up to your breast
“I’m Into You” by Chet Faker
I can hear the rhythm start
It’s hard to tell our beats apart
So I hope you’re listening right now
‘Cause I can barely hold my tongue
The shit we do could warm the sun.
Here’s the official video for “I’m Into You”. It’s reminiscent of those fleeting moments when you’re alone yet your mind continues returning to the person you’re falling for or whom you’re in love with.
It changed. I listened to the album and ended up adding a third track from Hotel Surrender.
Beach House: Once Twice Melody (Vinyl)
Once Twice Melody is the latest from Beach House, and it’s pretty solid! My favorite album remains 7, but there’s plenty on this new one to warrant a contender! For this playlist, I picked “Through Me” as the highlight track to include. It’s plenty dreamy. Take a listen:
Caroline Rose: Superstar (Vinyl)
Caroline Rose is a relatively new addition to my collection. While I still need to pick up Superstar, I do have her 2018 album Loner on red vinyl tucked away on my record shelf. “I Took A Ride” is about heartbreak and love with some great beats to accompany it.
The Full Playlist
Dig into the playlist below, and don’t forget to follow me on Spotify!
