What to say of Volume 5? 2015. It was an interesting year. It was the age of innocence before the awakening. It was a year where one thought they knew everything. Where everything was planned out so there was more time to play. It was the freedom before the crash landing. This mixtape is a reflection of that. Enjoy.
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
First of all, who doesn’t love the Beatles? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Thought so. Secondly, I find this a great way to introduce a playlist as it brings some hope that spring will bring warmth and sunshine.
2. Falling Into Space – Don Dilego
Ok, I discovered this years before 2015. This song is perfect though because of it’s catchy lyrics and beat. Darling you won’t ever see / the coming of your destiny / while you are always staring at the ground. True that Don.
3. Day Wave – Drag
This came out around April 2015 with their album Headcase. The lyrics aren’t the most happy, but the overall feeling is tranquil. I think of the drive through the hills of 360 in the early morning hours of 7 AM going to school, just when the sun is coming up. The skies are a mixture of lavender and a light orange with hints of blue taking over. The bluebonnets take over the grassy field medians like mini ponds. It’s a nice escape if you ever need one.
4. When The Night – St. Lucia
St. Lucia’s debut album came out in 2013. Think Johannesburg meets England meets New York. It’s a blend of synth pop and indie pop. It makes you dance despite it’s a song about questioning. The doubts go away but is it enough? Considering 2015 was in the middle of my college days, it’s a great song to portray the thoughts that raced through my mind as I tried to figure out what to do with my life.
5. Every Night – Walker Lukens
As is customary of every DT Mixtape, ATX is represented. This time around, I’ve chosen Walker Lukens. He, according to Free Press Houston in 2016, is considered “one of the best songwriters in Texas”. This track was released in 2015, with the help of Spoon drummer Jim Eno and Lukens’ side band, The Side Arms.
6. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
Ah Billy Joel. I went through a mini Uptown Girls phase in 2015. Who doesn’t love young Dakota Fanning? And the fact her sister Ella is rocking the movie world, it’s fun to go back and see the early days of the Fanning family. And I mean, come on, it’s Billy Joel.
7. Queen of Peace – Florence + The Machine
Queen of Peace is the third single that was released for Florence + The Machine’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. The song gives the analogy of Florence’s relationship to a royal medieval battle. She is the Queen trying to keep the peace in her relationship to the King, or lover. But, the King doesn’t necessarily do the same, causing her to run to her escape, possibly referencing the Americas. It’s a beautiful song and is wonderful when listened to live.
8. Born Again Teen – Lucius
“Born Again Teen” is the 9th track on Lucius’ Good Grief album. The single was released at the tail end of 2015, in the beginning of December. It’s catchy, it’s fun, it makes you feel young and invincible. I like to call this the semi-climax before the fall into the abyss. (Also, it’s cool to compare this album to 2013 debut album, Wildewoman, as well as their latest album, Nudes)
9. Dancing on Glass – St. Lucia
St. Lucia’s “Dancing on Glass” makes the perfect ending for a playlist like this, which is why they appear for a second time on this mixtape. It’s a nice paradox to the chill nostalgic vibes of “Here Comes the Sun. While “Hear Comes the Sun” is seen as more optimistic and certainly played for the more optimistic moments in TV/cinema, “Dancing on Glass” is about moving towards and desiring things that aren’t the most beneficial to us. It’s rhythms and beat makes it hard to not dance, even with the darker undertone of its lyrics. Though this song didn’t come out until 2016, it is a nice song to foreshadow the year after 2015: 2016.
Zelly & Ol' Hem's 