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
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