Songs On Repeat: October 2023 🎃

Amy

The Wonder Years - Local Man Ruins Everything (2011)

Pure, unfiltered emotion. The most powerful, poignant lyric I've ever heard. This song quite honestly changed my outlook on life. The greatest tune ever written. I mean, could these words be any more resonant: "it's not about forcing happiness, it's about not letting sadness win" - I live by this every day.

The Wonder Years - I Wanted So Badly to Be Brave (2015)

This song makes me feel super sentimental. The line "you weren't born my brother, but you're gonna die that way" always makes me think of one of my best friends, Ray, the big brother I never had. It reminds me that even though life changes and stuff gets in the way, I really do need to make time to talk to him more.

Bad Religion - Big Bang (1989)

A repeat from last month because it's just too perfect not to listen to on repeat. It's opened a whole gateway to a world filled with Bad Religion-shaped happiness.

Bad Religion - What Can You Do? (1988)

Another addictive offering from my newest obsession. A phenomenal fast-paced old school punk sing-along. I love the political rant. Its a frightening idea that the ones in power, who are meant to guide us through tough situations are as clueless as the rest of us. Another resonant thoughT from ‘What Can You Di?’ is the idea everyone is running around frenzied, trying to move forward in life when in reality, all you'll ever be is someone else's fool.

Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Piña Colada Song) (1979)

I was having a really crappy day a few weeks back, and I put this on off the back of it being mentioned in a Wonder Years track (This Party Sucks), and my mood was instantly lifted. Such a bright, breezy, uplifting tune.

All About Eve - Flowers in Our Hair (1988)

A beautiful fusion of jangle pop and gothic rock, 'Flowers in Our Hair' is a transcendent, immersive sound that captivates with haunting quality and stunningly lush vocals. The words are an exceptionAL too, enchanting with the idea of wanting to regain the wide-eyed expectation of children. To love truly and purely with openness and honesty rather than bottling up feelings, only daring to murmur "I love you" after several glasses of wine.

Millencolin - Battery Check (2002)

I've meant to listen to Millencolin for years but never have, and I've been missing out. 'Battery Check' is a stunning rock meets punk anthem. Passionate and cathartic, it brims with electrifying riffs and stunning, emotive vocals. The words really hit with the idea of living your life for everyone around you, forgetting to ever live for yourself and your own happiness. A liberating notion of freeing yourself from the chains of other people's expectations.

Sleep In Motion - All For Me (2021)

Some of the best modern grunge I've heard. There's a captivating, darkly explosive vibe and a stunning, hazy Nirvana-comparable tone. Chiming, distortion melds with pulsating drumbeat and fuzzed out wonderment while the gritty vocals capture your attention, immersing you more as the track progresses. An absolute gem of a tune!

Scott

Reel 2 Reel - I Like to Move It (1994)

Sam Fender - Play God (2019)

David Bowie - Let's Dance (1983)

Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl (2003)

John Williams - Dual of the Fates (1999)

Sam Fender - Getting Started (2021)

John

Ash - Girl from Mars (1996)

This song takes me back to my late teen to the era of Britpop where there were so many great songs.  This song still sounds as fresh today as it did years ago.

Alisha’s Attic - I Am I Feel (1996)

For me personally Alisha’s Attic were one of the most underrated duo’s in music.  As I had spent most of my life in Chadwell Heath, the Poole sisters were hometown heroes with this track.  Despite it’s fun and questionable lyrics, it is still one of my favourite tracks to this day

Terrorvision - Pretend Best Friend (1994)

Taken from the brilliant ‘How to make friends and influence people album”. This track still remains a firm favourite today, not only to listen to, but some hilarious attempts to keep up and singalong to after a few beers.

No Doubt - Don’t Speak (1995)

Another great indie song from the 90’s.  Don’t speak, still remains my favourite No Doubt track and recently saw a Gwen Stefani performance on YouTube, which shows she is still a fantastic vocalist.

Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun (1994)

This song was one of my obsessions in the 90’s that cost my parents a fortune on their telephone bill, from me phoning up The Box and requesting it.

Kempsey

Sleep Token - The Offering (2019)

This track is always in my main playlists and rotations, I absolutely love it. It’s so brutal and gentle all at once. I can't get enough of Sleep Token in general, such a great band! 

Don Broco - Gumshield (2021)

I was never a big Don Broco fan, but this track lives rent free in my head sometimes, it came up on my playlists randomly and I instantly clicked with it and I gave them a second chance. 

Repetitive and angry, the ideal fight song.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Justify (2006) 

The mid 2000’s were a good era for metalcore, post-hardcore and emo genres. This one really sent me back to my highschool days when I was around 12/13. It’s very passionate and melodic, I admire those chunky iconic riffs.

Måneskin - Bla Bla Bla (2023) 

I haven’t been a big Måneskin fan but recently I have really jumped into their world. My closest friend and I have a Spotify Blend so they come up quite often and I find this to be rather addictive, sarcastic and fun. It has an attitude and bite. I love it.

Saosin - Voices (2006) 

Another from the mid 2000’s emo archive, I don’t know how I got on the bandwagon of this vein of music as people would describe that I was too late for it, they are right but they are slowly making a come-back with the likes of Spotify and reunion tours. Voices is just another iconic track from back then and will peak an elder-emos ears but I still love it today. 

Poppy - Motorbike (2023)

This recent release is also living in my head rent free, it’s very repetitive and empowering. I loved Poppy’s previous album but it seems we’re entering a new era and I am loving it. It’s a very short, punchy and seductive track but I love it more that it’s purpose is to leave the listener wanting more. 

Tyler

Blue Öyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper (1976)

We're kicking off the spookiest of months with the spookiest of sounds, goth surfer rock. Blue Öyster Cult's 1976 iconic hit is well-appreciated all year round, but it's spooky qualities are often overlooked come Halloween time. Don't let the smooth guitar tone and scream-free vocals fool you, pay attention to the macabre lyrics and enjoy that rad solo that epitomises Halloween. This one should be a mainstay on any future Halloween playlists you make.

The Smiths - Pretty Girls Make Graves (1984)

This one definitely leans less into the horror vibes, but Morrissey himself is a strange eldritch creature that overshadows incredible talent with unfathomable twattery, so I think it counts. I wouldn't call this one of The Smiths best songs, but it's another often overlooked classic worth checking out. It's definitely been on repeat for me the past few weeks, I find mostly thanks to the aggressive punchy drums and killer guitar tone. If you like The Smiths, listen to this Smith and give this one a listen.

Dusty Springfield - Spooky (1968)

To my broken, deranged ears - there's no better song to epitomise the Halloween spirit than this 1968 track from the legend Dusty Springfield. That's right, I'm jumpscaring you with the favourite song in the middle of the list, BOO! With its skulking atmosphere and, of course, spot on sultry vocals from Dusty herself, this is the kind of sound track a Scooby Doo villain listens to for motivation. If that doesn't read as a glowing recommendation to you, I have no idea why you're reading this list.

L7 - Pretend We're Dead (1992)

This 1992 rock classic has been burnt into my head ever since I heard it playing Skate 3. The overdrive is cranked to 11, the vocals are echoey, and the head is banging. Quite frankly, I have no idea what the instrument is playing that droning earworm of a melody, but I like it, and the track as a whole, a lot. This is another that's playing it fairly loose with the Halloween theme I imposed upon myself, but I hope you'll allow me for the sake of a radical newcomer to your October playlist.

Deerhoof - Midnight, The Stars and You (2018)

Confession, I've never seen Stanley Kubrick's horror icon "The Shining". However, those who have might love the two-song 2018 EP "Deerhoof Plays The Songs of The Shining" even more than I did. I'll leave the second song on the "album" for you to discover yourself, but this one has been stuck in my head for a while even as a non-fan of the original property. 

With its spooktacular leading vocals and eerie but warm atmosphere, this is a great song to stick on your sleep playlist to creep the F*CK out of any potential home invaders. Give it a try tonight!