FEATURE:
Relief at a Difficult Time
IN THIS PHOTO: By 6th April, 2020 Charli XCX had announced that she was going to make an entire album (how i’m feeling now) in quarantine/PHOTO CREDIT: Atlantic Records
A Playlist of Songs from Lockdown and Quarantine Releases
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IT may seem like an odd choice…
IN THIS PHOTO: Paul McCartney/PHOTO CREDIT: Mary McCartney
for a feature and playlist, I know! I am thinking back a few years when we were in a position where we could not really go too far. Earlier in 2020, we were in lockdown. It was an unprecedented time that was strange and disconnecting. Whilst I am not sure whether we will ever go back into lockdown because of COVID-19, there is something interesting about studying the albums/E.P.s either recorded or released during lockdown. The way the music was recorded and how we responded to it. Whether it is an album we got earlier in 2020 that provided comfort, companionship or something different, or one that was recorded during that time and the artist was isolated and working in a new way, it is fascinating! Artists have in the past worked in isolation or with little technology and other musicians. In 2020, there was no choice! Many had to adapt how they worked and were worried as to whether this music would see the light of day. I think the best and most compelling albums of 2020 + 2021 were either released during lockdown or recorded at that time. I wonder if those same albums, if released now, would have the same impression and significance if they came out now. Our relationship with music in 2020 especially was emotionally intense. The playlist below has songs from albums that were affected by lockdown and quarantine. Albums and E.P.s that maybe artists did not want to put out at the time but felt we needed. Others that were put out early so that people could get music to get them through a tough time. Work that has lockdown at its heart; a certain sensation or feeling to them. I know albums are coming out now that were made during lockdown. I am included releases that arrived in 2020 + 2021. Even if COVID-19 is still with us and is back on the rise, we can look back at 2020’s lockdown with a certain sense of relief and detachment now – knowing we are unlikely to go back there! These songs in the playlist were included on releases that provided us with some…
IN THIS PHOTO: Taylor Swift in 2020/PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Garrabrant
MUCH needed company and strength.