Laura Palmer's Secret Diary

This month has a been a struggle to say the least. I hope that you are safe and that you are finding some peace. I have been working on finding joy through all of the chaos and uncertainty and one thing that I can always count on is music. This playlist is filled with music that has touched my life or in inspired me over the past three months. 

Like most Gen-Xers, David Lynch was a big cultural influence in my life. The news of his passing earlier this month hit hard. It felt like a fitting tribute to this legend to kick off this playlist with Julee Cruise’s iconic theme song “Falling” from Twin Peaks, one of Lynch’s most influential works. The title of this playlist is a nod the show as well. Rest in peace, David.  

Next up, are two new songs from two of my favorites, FKA twigs and Lucy Dacus. FKA twigs just released her latest album Eusexua on Friday and it is incredible. Lucy Dacus released two new songs a few weeks ago from her forthcoming record Forever is a Feeling which comes out March 28th. She is also one of two Boygenius members on this playlist. 

In November, I was lucky to go see the Canadian band Tokyo Police Club’s final U.S. show (Shout out to Brendan!). We started handling PR for he band in 2006 when they were just teenagers! “Nature of the Experiment” is from their debut album A Lesson in Crime which we booked them to perform on the Late Show with David Letterman in 2007.

I have to give credit to my friend Dawn who raved about two artists on this playlist and insisted that I listen. I am so glad she did!  The first is Tunde Adebimpe from TV On The Radio whose single “Magnetic” came out at the end of last year and will release a debut solo album sometime this year. 

Last week I finally got to see the Redd Kross documentary Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story and it completely reignited my love for this band. The number of times my college roommates and I watched them in the ridiculous movie The Spirit of ’76 is just insane. I chose an early track from when they were teenagers and before they were sued by the Red Cross and had to change the spelling of their name. “Annette’s Got the Hits” is their tribute to ‘60s actress and original Mouseketeer, Annette Funicello. 

Julian Baker is my second Boygenius member on this playlist and her latest single with Torres is called “Sugar in the Tank.” They will be releasing a country record together at some point this year and I can not wait. 

The last three are from 2024 releases that almost made my Top 10, so I wanted to give them a little love. First up is Las Palabras, the solo project of Rafael Cohen who is also a member of NYC dance-funk band !!! (pronounced “Chk Chk Chk”).  Fe was released in November and “Escudo y Espada” is a standout. Thanks, Dawn! 

One of the last projects that I worked on before I left music publicity was the debut EP by a very talented New Zealand musician, Amelia Murray aka Fazerdaze. Watching her music evolve has been a real treat and her latest album Soft Power that came out in November is her best work yet. “Cherry Pie” wasn’t intentionally picked because of Twin Peaks, but it works. 

The Cure’s first album in sixteen years Songs of a Lost World caught me by surprise. It is rare for a band that has been making music for so long to release something this good. How could I have ever doubted Robert Smith? “And Nothing is Forever” from the album is hauntingly beautiful and the perfect way to close out this playlist. 

Julee Cruise - Falling 

FKA twigs - Perfect Stranger 

Lucy Dacus - Ankles 

Tokyo Police Club - Nature Of The Experiment 

Tunde Adebimpe - Magnetic 

Redd Kross - Annette’s Got the Hits 

Julien Baker & Torres - Sugar in the Tank 

Las Palabras - Escudo y Espada 

Fazerdaze - Cherry Pie 

The Cure - And Nothing is Forever 

“Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it. Don't wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot black coffee.” - Dale Cooper, Twin Peaks 

xo, 

Julie