It can be difficult to stay productive or to keep your mind busy during this time of self-isolation that has been advised by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other public health officials due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Since I have plenty of time to spend indoors due to social distancing regulations, I’ve been creating music playlists, streaming my favorite artists on Apple Music, playing some vinyls on my record player and also discovering some new tunes in order to expand my music selection.
So far these four albums have been getting me through the COVID-19 pandemic by keeping me in the groove:
1. Rumours (1977), Fleetwood Mac
image via discogs.com
Let’s start with a classic, shall we?
The British-American rock band formed in 1967, and Rumours was one of the top-selling albums during the 1970s, according to NPR.
“Dreams” has a personal background story where lead singer, Stevie Nicks, sings about the toxic and obsessive relationship she had with the lead guitarist, Lindsey Buckingham. In The Fleetwood Mac Story documentary, Nicks said she wanted freedom from the relationship.
Although they had conflicts going on behind the scenes, both band members continued to produce and perform together, according to Genius.
2. The Slow Rush (2020), Tame Impala
image via Wikipedia
Psychedelic rock one-man-band member who does it all, Kevin Parker, delivers a visual and technicolor experience in his fourth studio album, The Slow Rush.
Each track has a unique sound to offer such as unexpected transitions whether it’s the bass, or the background vocals, this 12 track album nails the mind-expanding vibe.
The introduction in “Lost in Yesterday” starts off with a catchy bass, slight drumming and Parker’s lead vocals.
This song gives an upbeat feel that can get listeners into the groove while also visualizing the sentimental approach the lyrics give: “now even though that was a time I hated from day one/ eventually, terrible memories turn into great ones,” which may signify a dark time that was once experienced, but things do get better.
3. I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (2016), The 1975
image via Wikipedia
Despite the lengthy album title, the British indie rock band delivered their second studio album with a pop genre sound with songs such as “She’s American,” “Somebody Else” and “If I Believe You.”
The 17 track album gives listeners deeper meaning lyrics that are about heartbreak, depressive episodes and even being in love with someone regardless of their sexuality or gender in a pop oriented way.
“If I Believe You” paints a euphoric experience with the background vocalists who sound like a church choir, and a controversial approach is taken towards religion where lead vocalist, Matty Healy, questions if the reason behind his personal struggles are from his lack of faith: “And if I believe you, will that make it stop?/ If I told you I need you, is that what you want?/ And I’m broken and bleeding, and begging for help/ And I’m asking you Jesus, show yourself.”
Although this song displays a mellow, soft pop genre sound, the lyrics represent how Healy has openly stated in a 2014 interview with Starz at joiz that he is an atheist, but does not intend to disrespect other people’s personal beliefs.
4. Fine Line (2019), Harry Styles
image via Pitchfork
Pop rock English superstar and former One Direction band member, Harry Styles, delivers his solo sophomore album two years later after his self-titled album: Harry Styles (2017).
Fine Line takes music to the next level with emotional intimacy on being in love at one point, and how painful heartbreak can be when the relationship doesn’t work out.
“Lights Up” starts off slowly with slight drumming and a “whoosh” type of sound. This song comes off lighthearted even though in the beginning it may interpreted that Styles is in a dark place experiencing mixed emotions: “All the lights couldn’t put out the dark/running through my heart.”
Styles then transitions to the verses: “Lights up and they know who you are/know who you are/Do you know who you are?” where it shows that he is working on self-reflection and self-discovery, as he spoke about the meaning of “Lights Up” in a 2019 interview with Capital.
These four albums are available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify, so give your ears some catchy tunes to listen to during this time of social distancing.
