Welcome to Summer 2021, friends of the fandom persuasion! My apologies for those who are still in school or who have entered the Adult World of No Summer Vacation 😝. This week marks the beginning of a series inspired by the original Saturday Shuffle that began with the birth of this blog. I’ll be bringing you a wide variety of songs every Monday, each one paired with an unexpected partner that somehow sounds amazing when blended together. Prepare to have your mind blown by the magic of smooth transitions and automatic mixing, courtesy of Spotify. Enjoy!
1. “Strawberry Swing” + “My Blood”
First on this week’s mixtape is the dreamy “Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay. This song starts with a minimalistic clapping rhythm under soaring vocals, later joined by electric guitar, drums, and a hint of strings. Easy on the ears and easy to hum along to, this song is perfect for a rainy morning at home in early summer. And as “Strawberry Swing” fades back into the staccato it began with, the heavier sound of “My Blood” begins to take over. Twenty One Pilots’ Tyler Joseph brings a more rock-and-roll style with bass guitar and drums, and his own unique range (the high notes of the chorus are 💯). What makes these two songs work so surprisingly well together is the underlying beat that is especially prominent at the beginning of each.
2. “Love” + “Try Everything”
Next up is Imagine Dragons’ “Love”, which sounds like it was written much more recently than 2018. The song creates an image of ignoring the problems of the world, set over a distinctive machinery-inspired beat, then shatters it with a literal shattering glass effect that is repeated throughout. The ending sounds of “Love” blend perfectly into the more upbeat sound of Shakira’s “Try Everything” from the Zootopia soundtrack. Even for those who prefer to avoid Disney soundtracks like the plague, this song is an uplifting and dance-worthy pop ballad that’s definitely worth a listen.
3. “Myra” + “Sweet Disposition”
Third on our list today is a meet-up of modern Christian rap and folksy pop rock, and the result is truly magnificent. We begin with Tay Collier’s “Myra” which combines a smooth electronic backing track with rhythmic lyrics and a resounding conclusion of choral proportions. The heartfelt finish of “Myra”, which rests at a slower tempo than the rest of the song, echoes into the pounding guitar-and-drums beat of “Sweet Disposition,” and the mix of the two will send chills down your spine. The Temper Trap’s vocals alternate between held-out, soaring runs and shorter intervals. These combine with the continuing undertone of drums and guitar for an intoxicating soundscape that you’ll dive into again and again.
4. “Reflections rough” + “Come Sail Away”
Andy Mineo’s “Work in Progress” album is absolutely amazing on its own, and “Reflections” is a packed full of powerful moments. Mineo’s emphatic lyrics stand in relief over a background of piano and horns and a hint of drums. Seriously, this song is absolutely essential to any fan of Andy Mineo, and will truly make you consider things in a different way. And as the heavily introspective tones of “Reflections” fade away, another piano-backed song comes to the forefront: “Come Sail Away” by the 1970s rock band Styx. If you or your parents are fans of 20th century rock music, then you’ve most likely heard this song. And why wouldn’t you? Styx presents this song, which begins with a melodic solo line and escalates to epic rock ballad, as a storytelling masterpiece. Over electric guitar solos and space-inspired electronic notes, you’ll travel from the weary world to the heights of the sky, borne aloft on angel (alien) wings. A whole different type of introspection that totally rocks! 😎
5. “Carry On” + “Miracles (Someone Special)”
Wrapping up this week’s mix is a classing of 2010s-era pop. “Carry On” starts out with a quiet, almost defeated-sounding solo line, then grows to a rousing pop-rock anthem with electronic elements, flutes, and even a hint of bagpipes. Like “Come Sail Away,” this song also includes an air guitar-worthy solo moment, though it definitely hails from a later era, with lingering influences of the 90s and early 2000s. And as “Carry On” fades to a single drumbeat, the dulcet tones of Coldplay take the stage once again. This time they add a more upbeat tempo of pop-style drums and guitar to their characteristic celestial strings. “Miracles (Someone Special)” also includes a feature from Big Sean, who adds another layer of interest with rap interludes backed by the smoothness of the song as a whole. This song’s texture and its lyrics will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take on the world!
Speaking of feeling inspired — here’s a not-so-subtle link to a whole post I wrote dedicated to this most excellent Coldplay song. Do go take a look if it should please you to do so ☺
I hope you’ve enjoyed this first mixtape of the summer. If you did, please let me know what you think, and send me all your recommendations for more weird-but-awesome song combinations 😎
Happy listening!
