Endings & Beginnings: Feb. 2021

Graphic by Christian Ortmann

By Emily Herbein and Christian Ortmann

This month’s playlist feels really fitting considering where we are in the timeline of this pandemic. The theme, whether Christian intended this or not, feels like endings and beginnings. SOPHIE died, Daft Punk broke up, and Taylor Swift re-released “Love Story.” We’re approaching the one-year mark of the day live music pretty much died, and this specific selection of tracks is just sort of hitting me in that way. That being said, I think it’s really cool that these songs listen completely differently for Christian, which you’ll read next. This semi-collaborative project has been a really fun exploration into what the same collection of songs can mean to two different people. I really dig this one, and I hope you do too.

x, Em

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(Eloquently) from Christian:

Had I not put off writing this I would have much more anger and resentment to get off my chest regarding the month of February. It feels wrong to let that passionate inspiration go to waste. In spite of the salvation I find in a streak of sunny fifty-degree days, I will say this:

I hate February.

For too long it was let off the hook for merely being not January but I say no longer. It is the true oppressive dark before the dawn. Every week another weighted blanket of snow has suppressed my spirit even further. Bear with me here, but I cannot help being subconsciously influenced by my environment while curating these playlists. We do have some things to celebrate though, like new records from Black County, New Road, and Slowthai, two prodigal and eclectic acts from England. The precipice of a fresh and free “Fearless” from Taylor Swift. Finally, the life and legacy of a transcendent producer who left our world far too soon: SOPHIE. I will leave behind this month with mindfulness and gratitude, particularly for the gifts that brilliant musicians continue to share so generously with common folk like me. 

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