Monday Mixtape
Featuring Alvvays, Elton John, Local Natives + Suki Waterhouse, Chappell Roan, Sylvie + Marina Allen, Wilco, Abbi Ellis, Paramore + Wet Leg, and Holdan
Howdy and happy Monday from a *very late* Monday Mixtape. But it’s still Monday! So we’re rolling with it!
Today’s Monday Mixtape is a mixed bag. I can’t explain the vibe, it simply exists. You’ll see some familiar faces from past editions featured again, but this time with new tracks for your consideration. I’ve even got some friends featured in this week’s post. 👀
As always, if you’re reading this and the playlist above ^ doesn’t match what I’m writing about in the rest of this post, you might be reading an old post or the playlist may need a few minutes to refresh. Archived tracks from past playlists will live on the Monday Mixtape Archive found here!
Without further ado, here’s what’s been in my rotation lately:
Archie, Marry Me by Alvvays
Those who aren’t new to Not Just Me know my love for Alvvays. Known as an indie pop band from Canada, Alvvays released “Archie, Marry Me” as their very first song. In fact, Alvvays wasn’t technically a band yet when they first played the song live. They debuted the song in Austin at South by Southwest under the lead singer’s name, Molly Rankin. And, unsurprisingly, it’s a HIT. With over 91 BILLION streams on Spotify alone, it’s cemented as one of Alvvays’ greatest hits, and arguably the song that put them on the map.
“You've expressed explicitly your contempt for matrimony
You've student loans to pay and will not risk the alimony
We spend our days locked in a room, content inside a bubble
And in the nighttime we go out and scour the streets for trouble
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie”
I’m late to the Alvvays game in terms of knowing and loving their music, but this band in particular came to me at a great time. Their album Blue Rev celebrated its first anniversary on October 7th, and if you haven’t seen me talk about it in past posts, I’ll say it again: I can’t recommend it enough. Go listen now!!
Reminds me of: Best Coast, Teenage Fanclub (which they’ve referred to as inspirations!), Real Estate, and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues by Elton John
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I’ve been talking a LOT about my childhood spent listening to The Delilah Show. If you’re unfamiliar with The Delilah Show, it was (is?) a show I grew up listening to on 94.9 in Central Florida. I used to only be able to fall asleep with the radio on, and between my stack of CDs and the radio, my parents felt I was in safe, kid-friendly company listening to her show to fall asleep. People would call in with their problems, and Delilah would listen, offer some advice, and then play a song that she thought might help them (honestly, as I’m writing this, I’m thinking about how that is a DREAM job to have). There are memes a-plenty about the show and its out-of-pocket moments, but overall, it was a wholesome show to listen to.
That’s my long-winded way of explaining why Elton John is on my playlist this week. I associate knowing him and his music through The Delilah Show, and this song in particular is etched in my heart forever. I heard it at a local shop a couple of weeks ago and it brought back so many memories. But also, personal anecdotes aside, this song is a classic.
“And I guess that's why they call it the blues
Time on my hands
Could be time spent with you
Laughing like children
Living like lovers
Rolling like thunder
Under the covers
And I guess that's why they call it the blues”
Reminds me of: The Beach Boys, Prince, Steely Dan, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
NYE [feat. Suke Waterhouse] by Local Natives and Suki Waterhouse
I have a special love for Local Natives, and admittedly, I’ve slept on their most recent album. I’m making up for that now. But while I do, I have this remix of the original song from that album to thank for bringing me full circle. Suki and Taylor’s voices complement each other so well. And that harmony at 1:50 “you made it out alive” is SO pretty.
“Tell me, tell me, tell me, she hung on every word
In the Saturn return under mushrooming clouds
I could never really be alone anyway
Tarot cards on the table, candlewax on the ground
You're in between, awake, asleep
Still reeling from the flight, oh
Your New Year's Eve, so sad to leave
You made it out alive”
Reminds me of: Samia, Runnner, and Whitney
My Kink Is Karma by Chappell Roan
I posted a song off of this album the other day with a caption that said the fate of pop music is in good hands, and I don’t mean that Chappell Roan is carrying all of that weight on her shoulders…but she sure is playing her part.
This album was a fun one to listen to for the first time. I had zero expectations and zero spoilers. I was pleasantly surprised to find banger after banger on this album. She’s also touring with Olivia Rodrigo on her upcoming tour. Good for her!!
Also, I loved this comment under the video, because yes:
“People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching
You ruin your life, you losing your mind, you dyeing your hair
People say I'm jealous, but my kink is watching
You crashing your car, you breaking your heart, you thinking I care
People say I'm jealous, but my kink is karma
Wishing you the best in the worst way
Using your distress as foreplay
Six months since April and I'm doing better
No need to be hateful in your fake Gucci sweater”
Reminds me of: Samia, The Aces, and The Regrettes
Further Down the Road by Sylvie and Marina Allen
This song without a doubt has a spot in my fall 2023 playlist. The vocals are so freaking pretty, and the instrumentation paired with it is hugely reminiscent of Carole King circa her Tapestry era.
“'And so we must part
To face that open space alone
But I know if we give it time
Our love will find it's way home”
Reminds me of: Carole King, Weyes Blood, and Kacey Johansing
Sunlight Ends by Wilco
I’ve been listening to these songs on repeat for the past couple of days and this one in particular clicked as soon as the temperatures in Florida dropped below 80. Something about a crisp, cool fall day, with the lakes twinling and the swans swimming in Lakeland, listening to this song…it felt right. It sounds like the soundtrack to an afternoon walk, smiling at strangers and thinking about life as it is at that moment. It’s sweet.
“You're not the kind of mountain stream
Anyone can cross
You're the kind of flashing sign
That only gets you lost
You dance
Like the dust in the light
Where the sun comes in
And I'm following
Until the sunlight ends”
This one comes from Wilco’s newest album, Cousin, and it instantly won me over.
Reminds me of: Jon Brion (not in terms of sound but in terms of ambience)
You Doubt/You Breathe by Abbi Ellis
Abbi has been featured before on the Monday Mixtape, and this time the feature comes with her debut album, Clementine. Real fans know “You Doubt/You Breathe” from her past releases but I’m so glad this version ended up on Clementine.
Abbi is a dear friend and an incredibly talented singer and songwriter. “You Doubt/You Breathe” speaks to the heart and the soul, encouraging the listener to “slow down and breathe” in the midst of all of the insecurities, trials, and tribulations life throws our way. It brings me to tears almost every time.
“You live in fear of standing on your feet
Even though you were made for more you sit
You try on new clothes ‘cause your skin won’t fit
And soft smiles hold the weight of the world that you’re hiding in
I guess you care more than you thought you did
I guess it hurts more than you thought it would”
Reminds me of: Leith Ross, Alice Phoebe Lou, Kacey Johansing, and Hannah Cohen
C'est Comme Ça (Re: Wet Leg) by Paramore and Wet Leg
Paramore recently released Re: This Is Why, a reimagined take on the original album released earlier this year, featuring artists who have remixed or, again, reaimagined the original songs. I thoguht it’s a really cool approach to releasing a non-traditional remix album, and as far as “C’est Comme Ça” goes I think I like this version even more than the original. I’m so sorry Hayley.
“I'm off caffeine on doctor's orders
Said it was gonna help to level out my hormones
Lucky for me, I run on spite and sweet revenge
It's my dependence on the friction that really hinders my progression”
Reminds me of: Momma, Wet Leg (obvs), Blondshell, and Bluboi Rager
Mood by Holdan
Try watching this video without smiling. I dare you.
Holdan is also a mega talented friend making music out of sunny Los Angeles (and occasionally Lakeland). His newest single, “Mood,” is vibey, youthful, and radiates the warmth and sunshiney-ness that Holdan completely encapsulates as a person.
“Mood” features airy, delicate vocals from Sara King, and the harmonies between both Holdan and Sara’s voices in the bridge work so beautifully together. I also cannot get over the bassline.
“Cause when I’m missing you it doesn’t feel good
This happened to many times to be misunderstood,
So when I’m missing you, I feel like we should try again,
And again”
Reminds me of: The Marias, Marlin’s Dreaming, Stil Woozy, and Matt Maltese
Hope you enjoy + happy listening!
-Pam