Electronic tracks that bubble with charged sentiments and leave you with a sweet aftertaste.
Read my track-by-track breakdown and learn about this playlist’s “artist-to-watch,” Danny L Harle, below.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
1. Danny L Harle, – “Me4U”
The opening “You” vocals pop off like the fizz after a can of soda is opened–– the foundational element of this playlist. In contrast to the noisier futuristic production, the pitch and melody of the vocals are warm and endearing.
I think what makes “Me4U” so moving to me is the repetition of its simple lyrics. They become amplified when they appear against new soundscapes throughout the song.
2. Silver Sphere – “football game”
Synthesizer textures bubble on all cylinders of this one. When Silver Sphere first wrote the song, it was about the bittersweet experience of “exploring sex and love for the first time,” as well as “the feeling of nativity that comes with that.”
As a sync placement in a film or series, “football game” provides many production elements that could transition to different actions of the story and emphasize them. For example, the explosion of synth in the chorus could soundtrack a girl vengefully pouring a milkshake over her ex-boyfriend’s head in slow motion–– at the football game of course.
3. Loote – “This Is How You Feel”
I thought of this playlist’s title as soon as I heard this song. It contains fizzing vocals, repeating lyrics, bubbling rhythms, and sweet melodies. The lyrics are simple and sweet, but the energetic production paints a love larger than life.
4. Daya – “First Time”
“First Time” builds tension the best on the playlist. A marimba beat pulses with her vocals, and it’s like bubbles rising to the surface.
5. Terror Jr – “Have You”
This one fits in nicely with its energetic pacing and repetitive lyrics. One lyric that nails this playlist’s theme is “Have you ever kicked a toxic person out of your life / But it felt bittersweet?”
“Have You” would be a great placement for the denouement of a road trip, buddy comedy film like Unpregnant (2020)
6. Charli XCX – “forever”
Charli XCX is the queen of the noisy production and endearing vocals combo. I chose “forever” song to follow the last one since it leans into bittersweetness. In this case, that bittersweetness is about vowing to love their person forever even if one day that romantic relationship ends.
I could see this song soundtracking a relationship that starts in one place and hopes to continue once they have to leave.
7. Passion Pit – “Sleepyhead”
“Sleepyhead” is just one example of Passion Pit’s ethereal soundscapes. This one is particularly interesting since it was inspired by lead singer Michael Angelakos’ unpleasant moments with an ex. It “exemplifies the extreme ways she would scream about his sleeping in” – Genius.
Artist-To-Watch
Danny L Harle has produced for top names like Charli XCX, Nile Rodgers, and more. This artist-to-watch highlight is focused on his solo work, which includes the song on this playlist.
On his latest solo album, he takes on the personas of four different DJs. Each DJ has a specific rave–inspired sound: DJ Danny, MC Boing, DJ Mayhem, and DJ Ocean.
Listen to his 2021 debut album Harlecore:
My all time fav playlist to date