Over the few past years I’ve enjoyed reading musical histories and biographies. So when I saw Bono was releasing a new book last year, I knew I wanted to read it. When I saw that Bono narrated the audiobook version of Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, I knew that’s how I was going to read the book.

To be honest I can’t say I’m the biggest U2 fan. I enjoy The Joshua Tree, and All That You Can’t Leave Behind was a college musical staple, but I can’t say I’m intimately familiar with deeper cuts. This is what made listening to Bono recount his story as well as U2’s progression such an enjoyable experience. Listening to Bono’s story exposed their influences to me, allowing me to better understand their aims during various musical periods, and come to re-appreciate their music again.

So this week’s playlist is a collection of older tracks or ones I was less familiar with. I’ve tried to avoid popular, well-known tracks, though I have a couple like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” as learning about song’s history made me appreciate the song all over again.

I’ve also become mildly obsessed with the sphere, especially with how U2 has made it such a visual experience.

Playlist:

1. “I Will Follow”, Boy (1980)

2. “With A Shout (Jerusalem)”, October (1981)

3. “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, War (1983)

4. “Indian Summer Sky”, The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

5. “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses”, Achtung Baby (1991)

6. “Window in the Skies” (2006)

7. “The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)”, Songs of Innocence (2014)

8. “You’re the Best Thing About Me”, Songs of Experience (2017)

Continuing last week’s electronic theme, this week’s playlist focuses more on ambient, atmospheric tracks to help you get into a groove. I’ve especially enjoyed Kasbo’s and Bonobo’s tracks this year, so if you only listen to 1 or 2 tracks, check those out.

Playlist:

1. Kasbo – “Shut The World Out (feat. Frida Sundemo)”

2. Tourist – “A Little Bit Further”

3. ODESZA & Yellow House – “Heavier”

4. Bonobo – “Bambro Koyo Ganda (feat. Innov Gnawa)”

5. PLÜM – “To Stay”

6. Tycho – “Time To Run”

7. LöKii & Linney – “Don’t Let Go”

8. Slow Magic & juuku – “Emotions”

Apple Music playlist for those of us not on Spotify.

I have music playing in the background almost all the time while working. Occasionally I go off on a side trail listening to up-tempo electronica with big beats and heavy drums. That’s what I’ve pulled together this week. Enjoy. 🤘

Playlist:

1. Flume – “Go”

2. ODESZA – “Love Letter (feat. The Knocks)”

3. Everything Everything – “Teletype”

4. QUIET BISON – “Goblin”

5. Battles – “Titanium 2 Step (feat. Sal Principato)”

6. M83 – “Do It, Try It”

7. SLUMBERJACK – “Afraid, Unafraid (feat. Syndee Carter)”

8. Snakeships, Daya, & EARTHGANG – “Sometimes…”

Apple Music playlist for those of us not on Spotify.

Playlist:

1. Cold War Kids – “Double Life”

2. Royal Blood – “Shiner In The Dark”

3. Beach Slang – “Art Damage”

4. Real Friends – “Tell Me You’re Sorry”

5. Jeff Rosenstock – “Doubt”

6. Teenage Wrist – “Still Love (Feat. Softcult)”

7. Off Road Minivan – “The Breakdown”

8. Anberlin – “Animals”

Apple Music playlist for those who aren’t on Spotify.

This post kicks 4TRX, a weekly (hopefully) newsletter offering four tracks (but never more than eight) loosely themed. Not every track will be brand new, but it will be something that I’ve been digging recently and wanted to share out.

This week’s post features all female-fronted bands who rock out. I’ve especially been digging the first two tracks the last few weeks, but all of these tracks have made it on my annual playlist. The Beaches’ track was a last minute as I’ve only started listening to it this week, but it’s a tight groove paired with Jordan Miller’s almost mumbling vocals on the chorus before belting it out on the chorus.

Playlist:

1. JOSEPH – “Nervous System”

2. Deb Never – “5 O’Clock”

3. Blondshell – “Joiner”

4. Honey Revenge – “Airhead”

5. MONOWHALES – “Hear Me Out”

6. Alice Merton – “Waste My Life”

7. Boyish & King Princess – “Kill Your Pain”

8. The Beaches – “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid”

Apple Music playlist for those who aren’t on Spotify.

That’s why 4TRX exists.

Every Friday I’ll share somewhere between 4-8 tracks that I’ve been enjoying recently. Most of the tracks will be in the rock, pop, and electronic area with occasional forays into folk, country, bluegrass, and hip-hop/rap. Playlists will mostly be built a theme, but not always. Some weeks they might be less than 8 tracks, but never more.

I hope you find something new (or rediscover something older).

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