Ethereal Queens

When I took a closer look at the new tracks that I wanted to include in my February playlist, a pattern emerged: Caroline Polachek, Beth Gibbons, Bat For Lashes, Laetitia Sadler and their ethereal vocals. A line up like that deserves a playlist so Ethereal Queens was born. 

Ambient artist Julianna Barwick might not be on everyone’s radar. Last year she appeared on “This Version of You” by electronic duo ODESZA and I thought it sets the mood of this playlist. “Butterfly Net’ is the gorgeous new track from Carolina Polachek and features another Ethereal Queen, Weyes Blood. “Floating on a Moment” is the exceptional first single from Portishead singer, Beth Gibbons. I can not wait to hear more from her forthcoming album. Lisa Gerrard is the definition of an Ethereal Queen. Rather than choosing a song from her extensive solo or film score work, I chose an early track from her group, Dead Can Dance. I am a huge fan of FKA twigs 2019 stunning album MAGDALENE and chose “holy terrain” which features the rapper, Future. L’Rain’s album I Killed Your Dog is another favorite. I realize I just included a track on my Best of 2023 playlist but I could resist adding “5 to 8 Hours a Day (WWwaG)”. It is so at home on this playlist. Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier released her first solo album in several years last Friday. I lam loving the moody lead off track “Who + What”. Natasha Khan who records as Bat For Lashes announced her new album last week and shared the title track from the album “The Dream of Delphi”. I couldn’t have an Ethereal Queens playlist without including Irish singer and composer Enya. She is an OG EQ. Representing the ‘90s and shoegaze we have Cocteau Twins and Lush. “Feel You” is probably one of the more accessible tracks from Los Angeles-based composer, Julia Holter. This song was released in 2015 but Julia has a new album coming in March. There is no better way to end this playlist than with a song by the legendary Kate Bush. 

ODESZA (featuring Julianna Barwick) - This Version of You

Caroline Polachek (featuring Weyes Blood) - Butterfly Net

Beth Gibbons - Floating On A Moment

Dead Can Dance - Frontier

FKA twigs (Featuring Future) - holy terrain

L'Rain - 5 to 8 Hours a Day (WWwaG)

Laetitia Sadier - Who + What

Bat For Lashes - The Dream of Delphi

Enya - Only Time

Cocteau Twins - Cherry-coloured Funk

Lush - For Love

Julia Holter - Feel You

Kate Bush - This Woman's Work

These light and airy songs are a welcoming transition from winter to spring. I hope you enjoy!  

xo,

Julie

Jabroni Youth

Sneaking this one in under the wire, I have compiled a 2024 kickoff playlist for you all. This one features all new (or newish) songs. Who saw Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé? It literally blew my mind. I mean, we all know she is the Queen but this movie proves that point and delivers the message with multiple exclamation points. Beyoncé gifted us with the extra treat of a brand new song during the ending credits. That track, “MY HOUSE”, is the perfect introduction for this playlist. It’s hard to follow Beyoncé but London’s Vanishing Twin and their new Sub Pop Singles Club entry, “Life Drummer,” does the trick. I discovered the Spanish quartet Melenas’ stellar track “Bang” at the end of 2023 and knew immediately it would make an appearance on my next playlist. Helado Negro will release his new album, PHASOR, on February 9th. “I Just Want To Wake Up With You” is the first single. Katy Kirby released her new album Blue Raspberry this week and I have shared her track “Table” here. New York indie band BODEGA released their new single, “Tarkovski,” earlier this month and their new album Our Brand Could Be Yr Life in April. “My Golden Years” is the new single from power-pop band The Lemon Twigs. Real Estate’s new album Daniel arrives next month and I chose their earworm of a single “Water Underground” for the playlist. Hurray for the Riff Raff makes her second appearance on one of my playlists with “Alibi.” Alynda Segarra is a force. Her new album The Past Is Still Alive is out next month as well. Pete Astor fronted legendary Creation Records bands, The Loft and The Weather Prophets. Celebrating forty years of making records, he has shared a new single “Model Village.” 

I hope you discover something new here that makes the 2024 a bit better. For those wondering, the playlist title is a nod to my favorite Kansas City Chiefs player. I am a pre-Taylor fan and I am pro-TNT. What a ride. Let’s go, Chiefs! 

Beyoncé - MY HOUSE 

Vanishing Twin - Life Drummer 

Melenas - Bang 

Helado Negro - I Just Want To Wake Up With You 

Katy Kirby - Table 

BODEGA - Tarkovski 

The Lemon Twigs - My Golden Years 

Real Estate - Water Underground 

Hurray For The Riff Raff - Alibi 

Peter Astor - Model Village 

Julie's Top 10 Albums of 2023

You know what December means? Year-end list time! As I do every year, I have put together a playlist of songs from my Top 10 Albums of 2023. 

boygenius' brilliant debut full-length the record was my most listened to and most loved album of this year. I was so fortunate enough to see them live twice. First at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens and then a few months later on my birthday at Madison Square Garden. Their live shows are epic sing-a-longs of pure emotion. The friendship and creative partnership between "the boys" - Julian Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus is a revelation and it shines on the record.

I was a bit skeptical of Olivia Rodrigo's follow up to 2021's Sour which was on my Top 10 of that year. Rarely does an artist strike twice especially when they are following up such a successful debut. Guts exceeded my expectations. It is bratty, fun and chock-full of bangers.

Technically SZA's beloved album SOS came out in December 2022 but everyone is giving it a 2023 pass and we all know that it rules. Mitski's cinematic seventh LP The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We is absolutely gorgeous. If you haven't already checked out acclaimed artist L'Rain's (aka Taja Cheek) newest genre-mixing album I Killed Your Dog, you must. Girl Ray are a pop band from North London and their newest LP Prestige was inspired by '70s disco specifically NYC ballroom culture. You know that I am in! Speaking of the United Kingdom, next up is The Tubs debut album Dead Meat. The band features former Joanna Gruesome guitarist Owen "O" Williams. It feels like a throwback to my '90s college rock days. Also throwing it back is the indie pop of San Francisco's The Red, Pinks and Purples The Town That Cursed Your Name. Paris band En Attendant Ana's new one Principia reminds me at times of Stereolab in the best way. Closing out the list is Jess Williamson's Time Ain't Accidental who made my Top 10 list last year with the record she released with Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) under the moniker Plains. 

I'd love to know what artists made your Top 10 this year. Please leave your list in the comments or send me a message. Thank you for listening. Wishing you all health and happiness in the New Year.  

xo, 

Julie 

Julie's Top 10 Albums of 2023 

boygenius - Satanist 

Olivia Rodrigo - bad idea right? 

SZA - F2F 

Mitski - My Love Mine All Mine  

L'Rain - Pet Rock 

Girl Ray - Hold Tight 

The Tubs - I Don't Know How It Works 

The Reds, Pinks and Purples - Too Late for an Early Grave 

En Attendant Ana - Black Morning 

Jess Williamson - Time Ain't Accidental