And the Beat Goes On
In the U.S., we are still processing Tuesday’s election results, so it is extremely difficult to go back to talking about music and the good sides of life. But especially in times like these, it is essential to keep a larger perspective and to not let yourself be drawn into the vortex of negativity.
Last Friday, the U.K. post-punk band The Cure released their 14th studio album, the first since 2008. The title is Songs From a Lost World, which feels apt in many ways. In their almost 50 years of history, The Cure has explored several musical styles. Still, the latest record goes back to their dark, brooding roots as a backdrop for singer Robert Smith’s explorations on mortality.
For those who listened to The Cure in the 80s, it may be a throwback to the times when mortality was an abstract concept and wallowing in sadness and despair was more about exploring one’s own emotions and part of growing up. So it is comforting to be in the same boat as the 64-year-old Smith and reflect on the past and what we have become since then.
Songs from a Lost World is a good listen in that way, although I would prefer the old classics. You find the album on Spotify or Apple Music.
The British musician Imogen Heap is 20 years younger than Robert Smith but has also not released new original music for many years. She has been working at the cutting edge of technology and explores – of course – AI in creative and artist-friently ways. So her latest song “What Have You Done To Me” (Apple Music | Spotify) is not entirely new either, but includes a rework of the 2005 song “Hide and Seek.” It is a wild ride, but worth listening to.
glamglare favorites
Listen to glamglare favorites on Spotify or below on YouTube.
Once Oliver and I settled on a theme -Mood Boosting Songs- I initially felt overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of possibilities. But then, I spotted our small collection of 7”, the several dozen “Singles” that are currently not in storage, and the formerly daunting task became easy! This is a selection of songs from three decades and four countries:
1974 Germany
Singer/songwriter Reinhard Mey wrote many beautiful songs, but “Über den Wolken” might remain this German Liedermachers biggest hit. No surprise thanks to its tranquil flow and pensive lyrics like
[..]
Above the clouds,
Freedom must know no limits,
All fears and sorrows,
They say
are hidden below [the clouds]
And then
Everything that has appeared so big and important
Suddenly feels vane and small.
[..]
1984 U.K.
By now, I no longer know with certainty whether “Shout” was the song that made me forever fall in love with Tears For Fears (Roland Orzabal in particular) but isn’t it just absolutely perfect?
[..]
In violent times
you shouldn’t have to sell your soul
[..]
2016 USA
Luckily, we not only have every Warpaint full-length on vinyl but a few 7” too, like the gorgeous “New Song,” one of my favorite tracks of Oliver’s favorite band.
Finnland 2018
Helsinki pop-trio Beverly Girl toured the US in 2018 and premiered “Change Begins With You” via glamglare and also played one of our glamglare live shows. Beautiful memories!
2019 USA
Richmond, VA via Brooklyn, NY, indie-pop artist Sophie Colette creates dreamy pop pearls, and “Version” is a particularly tender one.
Oliver’s Notes
Song Pick of the Day
Listen to/watch all seven songs on YouTube. Follow our daily updated playlists on YouTube and Spotify for the 50 latest Song Pick of the Day features or subscribe here to receive them into your mailbox in real-time. Thank you for following us and sharing the excitement.
- Tragic Sasha - Prototype
- Rainlights - Your Records
- Kings Elliot - Sweet Nothing
- Giungla - Something
- Sareena Rama - Dead End
Nine Photos of Sunrises & Sunsets
Initially, I wanted to show a few impressions of the elections here in Manhattan, where Kamala Harris got more than 80% of all votes, yet I no longer feel like pursuing that topic. With a glorious sunrise this morning, despite all that went down, I decided to go with nature’s glory: sunrises and sunsets. Enjoy!
- Sunset in New York Harbor.
- East River Sunset as seen from Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
- All Faith Cemetery Sunset.
- Sunset on the Atlantic Ocean, on board the QM2.
- Sunrise in Ocean City, MD.
- Sunset in Peekskill, NY.
- Every day, the sun rises over the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River.
- Lisbon, Portugal sunset spectacle.
- In Fitts Village, Barbados, where we’ve experienced the most spectacular sunsets.
Photos: Elke Nominikat & Oliver Bouchard