Music to Be Alive To
make sure that every moment of life is valued with aarushi aggarwal
featuring artists like
Shubh Saran, Alfa Mist, Noori, Ritviz, Tame Impala, Mumford & Sons, Band of Horses, The Paper Kites, Charlie Parker
I like to believe that the wheel of emotions was built because humans are intended to experience the entire range of emotions. This does not mean that we do not chase happiness; of course, human life is wont to do that. But that does not mean that we do not savour the other moments of pain, anguish, failure and heartbreak that inevitably puncture our daily life. Moments like these which challenge our existence and incentivise us to do better and to be better.
Experiencing these emotions is an integral part of every human life and as such, we should take pride in our ability to really feel the way we do and celebrate it. Every celebration needs music so one ought to think of this playlist as a celebration of life. If your life were a movie then this playlist would be your soundtrack: ranging from the victory dance to the gut-wrenching pain.
The diversity is not limited to emotions alone. The playlist is widespread in the genres it represents too. It features as much jazz as it does indie peppered with blues induced country and Indian music. Language is no barrier because love and life are experienced universally. The combination of these tracks does not make a coherent story, rather a muddle that reflects the confusion and non-linearity of life. Love, joy, loss, anger, frustration; all find a place here to make sure that every moment of life is valued; to make sure that at every moment, we are alive.
From Eden – Hozier
30 April 2018
Ahhh this track is so so beautiful. It has been on repeat for days now and I cannot get enough of it.
“Honey, you’re familiar…”
This track has everything that could possibly be expected from a perfect track…
Hannah Hunt – Vampire Weekend
23 April 2018
A beginning, a middle and an end. The three essential (but not sufficient) components of a good story. Ezra Koenig gets it right in Hannah Hunt from the Vampire Weekend’s album Modern Vampires in the City.
End of the Affair – Ben Howard
16 April 2018
There is something so powerful about sorrow set to a tune. It is almost an appeal from the artist to his/her listeners; asking for support and recognition. Yet it is so personal: for every listener to experience their own emotions through the track.
Keep On – Alfa Mist
10 April 2018
Following your friends on music streaming platforms can be quite rewarding. Stumbling upon Alfa Mist was one of the better things that came out of it.
Chal Diyay – Zeb, Haniya and Javed Bashir (Coke Studio Sessions: Season 2)
2 April 2018
Here’s a track that I will never forget to add to my playlists, never stop listening to and certainly never stop loving.
The track probably reflects the ethos of Coke Studio very well. The coming of two different artists, to produce cross-genre music. Chal Diyay has been close to my heart ever since I first heard it…
I Love You, Honeybear – Father John Misty
27 March 2018
It is funny how love can dispel the intense feeling of loneliness but also alienate one from the rest of the world. As Father John Misty sings about his Honeybear, it is interesting to see the picture he paints of the world around them. Their love is messy, but so is the world outside, and they’d rather stay indoors with each other…
Between the Bars – Elliott Smith
20 March 2018
There is no way that someone who grew up in the nineties wouldn’t know who Elliott Smith was–especially if you’ve seen the generation (and genre) defining film Good Will Hunting. The movie was nominated for many Academy Awards, including Best Song in a Motion Picture for ‘Miss Misery,’ a song by Smith. Between the Bars, though, is closer to my heart: used in a precious scene between Will (Matt Damon) and Skylar (Minnie Driver)…
The Geranium (feat. Mike Elizondo, Patrick Warren, Jim Keltner & Josh Nelson) – Anthony Wilson
13 March 2018
Spring is here, and there is no better way of celebrating it–if not with this beautiful track.
By now, it should be no news now that I deeply enjoy guitar jazz (the playlist is full of it) and Anthony Wilson is a great exemplar of the genre. The entire album Frogtown is compositionally brilliant-navigating its way seamlessly between different genres like jazz, folk and soft rock…
Dil Beparvah (feat. Dhruv Bhola & Nikhil Vasudevan) [The Dewarists, Season 5] – Ankur Tewari & Prateek Kuhad
6 March 2018
It is great when two very similar artists come together to make something as beautiful as this track. Ankur Tewari and Prateek Kuhad are not new names in the Indian music scene – well known amongst fans for their indie sounds set in simple yet satisfying melodies.
Indigo Home – Roo Panes
27 February 2018
Sometimes, one gets to know people who one knows will introduce them to good music. A fleeting friendship with a rather interesting person was the source of my introduction to Roo Panes–and I am very happy about it.
Chan Chan (Live) – Buena Vista Social Club
20 February 2018
Although my introduction to Latin American culture is recent, my appreciation for it is deep. At a point last semester, I was studying the region’s history, watching a documentary series on Cuba and following a show set in Colombia. It only seemed justified to also listen to Latin American music and little did I realise that I was introducing myself to wonderful new world, where I was lucky to come across the Buena Vista Social Club.
Ascent – Shubh Saran (feat. Cale Hawkins, Angelo Spampinato, Mark Minoogian, Brian Plautz, Jared Yee, Dylan Aiello, Joshua Bailey & Tara Hanish)
13 February 2018
Sometimes I am rather grateful to my impromptu decisions. Last Saturday night was one such occasion, when on a whim a friend and I decided to go to Piano Man Jazz Club, here in Delhi. Saying that the artists were brilliant will be an understatement. I enjoyed the gig so much that I could not wait to share my favourite track from their album this week…
