No one ever tells us it’s okay

Things are about to get a lot worse or maybe just slightly better, and the gulf between those two things could not be wider. Hopefully some new songs will help.

In much less important news, Crit List #8 is here. Remember that whatever you use for self-care is valid. Remember that it’s necessary to seek your joy when and where you can. For me, tonight, that joy will be one (1) entire Domino’s pizza.

Here’s the art I made for this List and a poem.

Gulfer - “Blurry”

That’s the twinkly guitar sound that make me bop.

I Love Your Lifestyle - “Shilly-Shally”

This catchy Swedish band blends emo and pop.

Attic Salt - “Mud”

Like Superchunk or Joyce Manor? You’ll think this band rules.

The Sonder Bombs - “Crying is Cool”

“No one ever tells us it’s okay, but it’s okay; crying is cool.”

Secret Stuff - “Champion of Nothing”

“What you’re given is enough; hell, it’s more than you deserve.”

Chris Farren - “FALL IN LOVE2NIGHT”

Is that another perfect song I observe?

PUP - “Nothing Changes”

“A new mattress, the same old bitter thoughts.”

Tigers Jaw - “Cat’s Cradle”

“Can’t keep holding on to what was lost.”

The Wonder Years - “Brakeless”

“I heard a song on the radio that said ‘that’s just the way it goes’and I think I’m gonna break.”

Julien Baker - “Faith Healer”

Another Julien song, another devastating ache.

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That was ten new songs. These last few Lists have been all about highlighting new songs and I hope you found something you love. A few weeks ago I was stuck and stressing about what “should” be on one of the lists and how often they should come out and then I remembered: it can be whatever/whenever I want! Then I felt bad about feeling stuck.

Here’s an old one to end things.

Somehow Bad Books I is ten years old. This tune still feels just as good / hurts just as much as it used to. It’s staggering that Bad Books is as good as they are across ten years and three LPs considering the quality of the members’ original projects. I’ll leave you with the full lyrics. Thanks for reading. Forward this to a friend. Be well. Take care of yourself.

Bad Books - “You’re a Mirror I Cannot Avoid”

I caught you caterwauling, giving grief
Thought you were cannonballing after me
I let your actions speak for themselves
And wished you well
But you're a mirror I cannot avoid
Strung out and jittery and paranoid
A leaky battery that can't keep charged
Get in the car
And say what you mean
Explain yourself to me
And I'll try not to judge you more than you would
Let me help, I promise not to tell
Like anyone's asking or anyone should
First time I met you, I was full of fear
Knew that eventually, you'd disappear
Just when I needed you, you'd burned to smoke
And off you'd go
Just come back and peel away the mess
Lay here beside me and open your eyes
Take it back
Your dignity, your tact
Turn back to the person you tried to let die
I caught you nesting with your analog
Glassy eyed from kissing poison frogs
Becoming infinite against his couch
Open your mouth
And say the words
You used to wish you heard
Back when you focused enough to be good
And if you're gone
An endless false alarm
Just remember, I loved you
As long as I could