As the world shakes off the last shivers of spring and steps into the first golden rays of summer, it’s time to load up the playlist with tracks that catch the breeze just right. Here are three soul-soothing, spirit-lifting tunes perfect for that May Friday unwind.
Coco Elise – “Feel Like Rubber” This Filipino-Australian duo taps into the tender ache of young love with their dreamy new single, “Feel Like Rubber.” It’s the sonic equivalent of a hazy, lazy sunset — lush brass hooks, velvety harmonies, and that unmistakable ‘70s soul sheen that makes you want to melt into the couch. Inspired by Clairo’s ‘Charm’ and co-produced by Calvin Bennett, it’s a lush lo-fi number that’s as smooth as it is bittersweet.
Fiona Apple – “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)” After five years away, Fiona Apple returns with “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home),” a haunting piano-driven track inspired by her work as a court watcher for CourtWatch PG. Written in support of Free Black Mamas DMV, the song spotlights the toll of the cash-bail system on mothers jailed pre-trial simply for being unable to pay bail — a stark, sobering plea for empathy and justice. With raw, arresting lyrics that document Apple’s two-year stint as a court watcher, it’s a reminder that even in the darkest circumstances, with the injustice that exists in modern day society, there’s room for empathy and the persistent hum of hope. The song, written in support of Free Black Mamas DMV, is a sobering reminder of the cruel toll of the cash-bail system — and the power of solidarity.
Sabrina Teitelbaum – “Two Times” Blondshell’s Sabrina Teitelbaum is done screaming into the void. On ‘Two Times,’ she channels her raw intensity into a love song that’s all about the quiet, fragile moments — the ones that don’t make it to the movies. With its pensive acoustic guitar and vulnerable lyrics, ‘Two Times’ captures the uneasy push and pull of falling for someone while keeping one eye on the exit. It’s a little bruised, a little scared, but endlessly hopeful.
Plug in, lay back, and let these tracks carry you through your Friday evening — it’s the least we all deserve.
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