Albums That Will Keep You Company During Summer Fever
by Alp Yücel
As we approach the most unique summer of our lifetime, probably in isolation, we must find a sense of companionship. Since it is not possible to meet with everyone and gather in public places, music would be a good choice to consult. In this list, I tried to curate projects from different genres so that we can also spend time discovering new kinds of music.
Klaatu - 3:47 EST
As it can be deciphered from the name, the album orbits around the story of an alien who tries to get in contact with the earth. Klaatu is the name of the alien from 1951’s sci-fi classic ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’. A relatively short one, the album consists of eight songs which tells different short stories of an alien who contacts the earth. The highlight of the album is the opening track called ‘Calling Occupants of the Interplanetary Craft’. Other than giving a taste of the whole album, this song is definitely the most approachable one. The album opens with forest sounds recorded by ornithologists from Cornell University- called an ‘Evening in Sapsucker Woods’. Album mainly consists of harmonic pop songs which would fit into many listeners’ ears. However, the delight for me is the progressive rock bridges that are spread between choruses in the album. Considering its release date of 1976, coming from totally another place, Klaatu still managed to add their own music in famous 70s rock.
I drew connections between this album and our own World Contact Day after quarantine. Like the narrated alien in the songs, we will be alienated towards social life; however, we always should try to keep in contact in the best way possible.
Self Discovery for Social Survival Soundtrack
Self Discovery for Social Survival is a surf documentary which is the product of the collaboration between record label Mexican Summer and Pilgrim Surf & Supply. Documentary mainly tells the story of surfers from Maldives, Iceland, and Mexico with shots from the respective places. More interesting part is the stakes of Mexican Summer: providing music under their reach. Mexican Summer’s artists such as Dungen, Peaking Lights, and Allah-Las decorate the soundtrack with instrumental sounds. Other incredible artists such as Connan Mockasin and Andrew VanWyngarden also collaborate in this project. If you are planning to isolate yourself with some eccentric companionship, I would recommend this album. As it is obviously stated in the name, this mostly instrumental piece is produced to be your accompany in the isolated coasts of Iceland, Maldives, or your house.
MGMT - Congratulations
Besides all the opportunities to self-reflect in a summer which will be isolated for use, we must recognize the cons of such an atrocity. MGMT’s sophomore album ‘Congratulations’ is the emotional rollercoaster that can recognize both the opportunities we have this summer and depressing realities. The amazing production in a sense works for the stages that we might go through this summer- a zigzag. Album consists of versatile sounds. Comprehensively, one can describe as a frenzied psychedelic surf-rock accompanied by new wave sounds. The C-Side Siberian Breaks is the album that highlights how an emotional ride can be during quarantine. As a ‘Pop-Surf Opera’, the 12 minute length of the songs comprises three different sections for me. The opening is the acceptance of our isolation and the current situation. The bridge is the ‘rock bottom’, where regret and consciousness fuses with the sequential guitar riffs; the last part is recovery and elusion, ‘Congratulations’ to us for going through this time without going insane.
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
As I mentioned in the beginning, I wanted to curate albums from different genres; therefore, I chose ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’ by Animal Collective. Noise and tribal ambient roots of this record maybe does not make it the most approachable one; however, the album is based on themes of summer and connection. Yes, it is the opposite of probably what we will face this summer but I think having a glance of our optimistic expectations would not harm anyone. What stands out of this album musically is Animal Collective’s stability. Noah Benjamin Lennox depicts his interactions in the album, such as in the songs ‘Summertime Clothes’ and ‘In the Flowers’ as lush flashbacks that are like a shoegaze album cover- blurry and unclear. Maybe that is how we will remember our last glances of social life during the course of this summer. An album being relatable can be a perfect mini gift to at least distract ourselves.
If you look at the album cover for a long time and focus, it speaks for itself.