Just Good Bops: March
Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit
What do you play during a national emergency? I don’t know exactly — I started creating a new March playlist a little over two weeks ago, which might as well be an entire lifetime ago at this point. But what I do know is that the process of hunting down new (or new to me) tracks has always been a meditative activity for me, and listening to music makes me feel better. Because I’ve canceled all social engagements, anything I can do to keep myself busy indoors right now is extremely welcome.
I also know that the best I’ve felt in the past week was this morning, when I threw on Valerie by Steve Winwood. I was genuinely surprised by how quickly my anxious puttering turned into unabashedly silly dancing. It was fun and provided the laugh we desperately needed.
So, I’m sharing two playlists today — one to put on in the background, and a second one to get up and dance to. I hope listening to them will ease your mind as much as curating them for you eased mine.
(And here’s the usual disclaimer! I’ve never been good at curating a playlist that ebbs and flows in just the right way, so just throw this shit on shuffle and have a good time.)
Just Good Bops: March 2020
This one’s packed with lots of new releases (and one song from 1996, for good measure).
I would also recommend spending a little extra time with the following albums:
Immunity, Clairo
La vita nuovo, Christine and the Queens
Fine Line, Harry Styles.
I must say, I’m really surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed this album. It’s not exactly groundbreaking — it’s like an extremely watered down version of Fleetwood Mac or David Bowie — but sometimes it’s nice to put something on that just feels…uncomplicated.
Just Fun Bops
This is an adapted version of a “morning bops” playlist I made a year and a half ago. I’m not a morning person, but I found that listening to some upbeat music first thing helped wake me up, and get me excited for the day ahead. And when the day ahead involves existing within the same four walls, why not wiggle around, belt some lyrics, and try to have a little fun?
Pro tip: Most of these songs double as excellent karaoke songs. But please, I’m fucking begging you, do NOT go to karaoke right now. We’ll have karaoke again eventually. 🎧