Friday Feelings — 2nd Edition

One of the primary motivations for this recent writing enterprise is to develop consistency and a routine around reflective thought and creativity (in the sense of putting words where paper once would have been). So, here I am again for Friday Feelings.

This week has been rather direct in highlighting the ways in which we no longer seem capable of productively managing and resolving disagreements. My bandmates and I had a robust and healthy discussion about the right way to eat a sandwich, and we came through it closer, stronger, and united in our condemnation of the wrongness of Stuart’s approach.

By contrast — *gestures at everything*.

If I can make one plea (beyond climate action and greater compassion), it’s that people would stop letting themselves be psychologically hacked and manipulated into myopic irrationality.

Be bigger, broader, and better than Brexit.

That’s neither pro-Leave nor pro-Remain. It’s a reminder that an unhealthy fixation on one issue and forcing it into an us vs them binary is just about the least worthwhile thing that can be done with your limited time on earth.

Unsolicited musical thoughts now, based on Spotify’s Release Radar for me:

• I really love some of the songs on +, and I had been really eager to see Ed Sheeran mature as a songwriter. But he has chosen a different path, and with this Camila Cabello/Cardi B track, which is sonically from the same standard drawer as the other recent ones, I am no longer interested enough to keep checking.
• Cake have a new track out, and it’s so different from the Cake that I know that I initially assumed it must have been a metadata error. Very chilled and electronic, maybe check it out. It’s called Sun.
• Megan Linford’s new song, Autumn, is lovely and would go well with an animated short and a cosy fire.
• Old Coat, by Samantha Whates, is tremendous and equally autumnal. The opening guitar harmonics evoke gamelan, and the song unfolds within an envelope of isolation before the beat kicks in. Ever so slightly evocative of Suzanne Vega.
• John Coltrane.
• Surprise late entry — Sufjan Stevens piano music played by Timo Andres. Really fantastic.

Playing music tomorrow with one of my favourite musical partners. Music is magic. Have a great weekend. x