The Platform Playlist: Our May 2020 recommendations

Whether you’re falling through the chasm of deadlines or simply looking to kill time, music is always the answer to get away from it all; our writers are no different. Here’s what they’ve been jamming to this May of 2020…

Ben Howard – The Wolves

Image Credit: Universal Island Records

Since lockdown began, Iā€™ve started listening to music more whilst walking through the countryside near my family home ā€“ often to take a breather from the everyday stresses of family life.

One song that Iā€™ve had on repeat lately is The Wolves by Ben Howard. The indie-folk style of the track from his 2011 album Every Kingdom can really help to calm my mood when lockdown is getting too much. The howling intro is addictively catchy and the first line ā€œfalling from high places, falling through lost spacesā€ sums up, pretty well, the feelings of many of us during these testing times.

Rating: 8/10

By Pete Trifunovic

Hadestown (Original Broadway Recording)

Image Credit: Sing It Again

I love musicals; I believe thereā€™s a musical for everyone! Therefore, when asked what the soundtrack to my lockdown is, I had to pick a musical. Itā€™s called Hadestown, one of my favourites.

Hadestown is about the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. The world itā€™s set in has many parallels to what is happening now. An economic crisis, feelings of helplessness etc. I, like many others, have been struggling financially and mentally, not being able to see family or friends because the actions of just one person matters. However, Hadestown has this message; amid despair, there is always hope, spring will come again. I really recommend listening to it.

Rating: 9/10

By Mel Chilekwa

The Doors – The Doors

Image Credit: Elektra Entertainment

For some reason, The Doorsā€™ eponymous debut album is what I keep coming back to this month. Maybe itā€™s because this album has it all: from the sprawling psychedelic energy of the ā€˜60s to the slower, more comforting lulls of romantic meditation, The Doors seemingly has a track for every mood.

Jim Morrisonā€™s witty lyrics walk the line between playful and otherworldly and, when paired with those electrifying instrumental jams that make The Doors so iconic, make for a perfect listen for any moment.

Rating: 10/10

By Dan Fauzi

Sticky Fingers ā€“ Land of Pleasure

Image Credit: Stinky Fingers and SureShaker

I’m slightly biased as they are my favourite band, but I always find myself becoming more obsessed with this album around this time of year. The album, much likes their others, envelopes a selection of reggae-influenced, upbeat indie-rock anthems, each with their own infectious cheerful bass-line which makes it the ideal soundtrack to lay back to. Their newer work is equally as astounding, but this album will always resonate with me primarily because of the nostalgia but also how uplifting of a mood it puts me in. Some of my newer favourites are Liquorlip Loaded Gun, Gold Snafu and Lazerhead.

Rating: 10/10

By Sarah Ward

Dua Lipa – Physical

Image Credit: Warner Records

Having nothing else to do this month, it seems my main focuses have been music and exercise and while music is something I can waste my days listening to, exercise, on the other hand, is more of a struggle; but I found something that helped me. Physical by Dua Lipa is an energetic pop song that has empowered me to complete my workouts but has also been the soundtrack to many dance parties in the kitchen with my mum. Though it is not my usual genre of music it is well-crafted pop song that will guarantee to get anyone out of a lockdown slump and thatā€™s why its been my tune of the month.

Rating: 10/10

By Amber Malley

Julia Jacklin – Pool Party

Image Credit: Transgressive records

Released way back in 2016 by Aussie Julia Jacklin, Pool Party tells the story of a couple whoā€™s dying relationship canā€™t seem to meet in the middle. Jacklin explores universal human emotions and turns them into poetic lyrics, singing them with the sultry skill of a world-famous crooner. The song channels that must-lusted after Americana vibe, while somehow still sounding completely folk-inspired. Pool Party is musical story-telling at its best, and as the lead single from a debut album, itā€™s pretty impressive.

Rating: 8/10

By Robbie Nichols

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