(via Shutterstock)
We are always in motion; it’s the nature of being alive.
But how often do we truly cut loose, surrender ourselves to beat and lyrics and just let our heart and feet take us where they will?
Not often enough; there’s usually too much motion of the humdrum variety keeping us from soul restorative escapist pursuits.
But there are five songs from five supremely talented artists or artist groupings where are guaranteed to set you off a danceable path, pithy, incisive lyrics ringing in your head, yes, but most importantly, a chance to simply move for the pleasure of the pursuit …
“Apple” by Charli XCX
It’s entirely reasonable to say that if just one your songs – and let’s face it, a lot more besides – have their own Wikipedia entry, that you are making a substantially impressionable impact on popular culture.
Charli XCX, an English singer-songwriter, raised in Essex, is definitely way more than a mere blip on the zeitgeist radar, and her song “Apple” is one of many tracks this talented artist has produced than have their own small, informative slice of the internet to themselves.
It’s an absolute moral smash, one of the more high-profile songs lifted from her super successful Brat album, which has not only caused something of a dance craze sensation on TikTok, but an ear worm that has had reviewers unable to forget its irresistibly memorable lyrics (and relentlessly upbeat beat), such as Meaghan Garvey from Pitchfork.
I’ve never had a Charli lyric bounce around my head the way that lines from ‘Apple’ have, with its curious fruit allegory and wonderfully vague remarks about driving to the airport.
And so say all of us …
“Sun Goes Down” by Tobtok & Hanne Mjøen
(courtesy YouTube)
In “Sun Goes Down”, courtesy of a fruitful collaboration by Swedish producer Tobtok and Norwegian music artist Hanne Mjøen, is one of those perfect tracks that get your feet moving and your heart ruminating on all many vagaries of life.
The song addresses the stark contrast between the haunting introspection and sadness of daylight hours and the release that comes with darkness.
It’s hardly a new theme in one sense; it’s a recurrent idea that the night can cover up and release you, even if only for a moment, from the trials and pain of the day but “Sun Goes Down” nails with upbeat beat and thoughtfully sad lyric what it means to be caught between reality and the escape from its exhaustingly dark grip.
It’s a masterful piece of pop that addresses what it is to be loved only when night calls and how lonely and sad that can make you.
At least the escapist bliss of the dance floor, and the “love” it brings, is there to soften the pain …
“All You Children” by Jamie xx and The Avalanches
(courtesy official Jamie xx Facebook page)
Good lord but this track is infectiously danceable bliss.
It kicks with an energetically frenetic choir and a beat that will not be quietened, courtesy of English musician-DJ-record producer-remixer Jamie xx and Aussie electronic outfit, The Avalanches, whose collaboration yields a track that is catchy in the extreme.
It’s a collaboration borne of long-standing artistic inspiration, says Jamie xx.
‘The Avalanches have always been an inspiration for me’, Jamie xx said in a statement about the new song. ‘Their sample technique and how they piece together different sounds is incredible, and collaborating on a track with them has showed me new ways of making music.’ (Pitchfork)
Lifted from Jamie xx’s sophomore album, In Waves, the song encourages people to set aside their crying, embrace happiness and feel the rhythm and dance together.
It’s joyous escapism writ large and sonically expansive, and honestly it takes you no time at all to embrace the lyrical encouragement.
“Back 2 U” by BOVIY
(courtesy official Instagram account)
While Google search might struggle to believe BOVIY, a music artist hailing from Hamburg, Germany, actually exists, there is incontrovertible proof that she is making some very infectiously good music.
Case in point is “Back 2 U”, a title which not only makes use of Gen X text abbreviation magic, but which lyrically addresses what it’s like when you can’t stay away from someone.
They push and push you away but you keep coming back to them, and whether or not that’s an entirely healthy dynamic (maybe not?), the song has music so insistently danceable and upbeat that you will go along with it just to have the song wash over with its gloriously sunshine music.
It’s beautifully optimistic, bright pop that will have you moving your feet and engaging your heart over and over again.
“you fake your british accent” by Meg Smith
(courtesy official Instagram account)
Based in L.A. but originally from Brooklyn, New York, Meg Smith is described by someone who has an “infectious vocal delivery and rousing, unique writing style … [an] artist … who drips with contemporary appeal, and who possesses tunes that feel set for the biggest of platforms and stages.” (CLOUT)
The artist herself describes herself as producing “music that sounds like an early 00s rom com soundtrack!” and “you fake your british accent” is one of those tracks that will slide neatly into a romantic comedy cinematic tracklist.
It’s cheesy and mischievous, makes interesting use of the endless variety of things available on the internet, and beautifully and creatively addresses what it’s like for a relationship to go sour because one part of the equation has behave in some pretty nasty ways.
What’s cool is that even though the song is dripping with love-gone-wrong fury, it’s also highly emotionally resonant, cutting through and making you feel every betrayed line and beat.