June Listens
All of June I’ve been on the road. I haven’t listened to much music during the day as I’ve been outdoors, walking and exploring and looking at stone circles and things like that. So, all of what I have listened too, has been in the van, driving. I’ve driven every day and surprisingly have listened to quite a few albums, on repeat, and mostly all old favourites. This has been my road trip soundtrack.
We Will Always Love You, The Avalanches, 2020
Favourite track: Gold Sky
I’ve loved so many tracks on this for a long time. Well, four years. I used to rinse the title track but never listened to the whole thing. I downloaded it for this trip and have gone back to it a lot. It’s quite varied, thanks to all of the features on it, and has been refreshing as I’ve had no service so my listening has been limited and I’ve been listening to the same things over and over.
Enter the Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang Clan, 1993.
Favourite track: Bring Da Ruckus
For some reason, I come back to this for long car journeys. I think it comes from my aunty and uncle playing it in the car when I was younger. I also played this on a hike back from a tiring camping trip which actually got me through.
I Speak Because I Can, Laura Marling, 2010
Favourite track: Blackberry Stone
I love Laura Marling so much. I’ve got a few of her albums downloaded but I’ve been singing along to this. It’s nice for making dinner, and sunset and waking up too- so a good all rounder for this van life I’m living.
Have You Been Good to Yourself, Johnnie Frierson,
Favourite track: Have You Been Good to Yourself
This was released on Spotify in 2016 but was recorded by him in the 1990s at home, inspired by Gospel. I don’t know where I found it. I think on Youtube really, which is not something I do often, but would like to. The whole thing is only 26 minutes to listen to and so I listen twice before changing it.
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, Big Thief, 2022
Favourite track: Change
This is my album of the month. I listen to it in full every day. I love it, and don’t think I will ever know the words. I hope I get to see them at Greenman. I was big into this last November and it kind of took me through winter so it’s been nice to revisit in completely different circumstances. I’ve come a long way since then and this album is special to me for that reason.
Nemozian Rasta, Midnite, 2002
Favourite track: Most High
I got recommended something different to listen to by Midnite, and liked it so had a wee explore on Spotify and downloaded this. My favourite on it, and with the most listens on Spotify is actually by Dezarie and so I have been listening to her too.
Soul Jazz Records Presents Hustle! Reggae Disco: Kingston, London
Favourite track: Love Don’t Live Here Any More
This is actually one of my favourite ever songs. I love this compilation so much, I really recommend it. It’s something which is appropriate for every situation and everything on it is so good.
BRAT, Charlie xcx, 2024
Favourite track: Rewind
This is not an old favourite haha, it came out this month whilst I was in Manchester and was pretty good timing for some long drives at the beginning of my trip. I really like this.
I’m going to stop here, I have listened to so much more than I realised. The entire Kurt Vile discography of course, some Belle and Sebastian and a whole lot more. I apologise for my brief, non-descriptive few words, I’m in the loudest (but nowhere near busiest) pub and I’m very distracted.