Music we’re loving right now - April 2025 - A Musical Journey Without Borders
Music has a remarkable ability to transcend boundaries, connect generations, and provide a soundtrack to our most meaningful moments. In our latest podcast episode, we embarked on an ambitious journey through a diverse musical landscape that spans decades, genres, and artistic approaches. What made this mix particularly special was its extraordinary range – from country twang to electronic meditation tracks, from indie rock to soul-infused grooves.
One of the most surprising discoveries was Eric Church's "Hands of Time," a country track with rock undertones that explores how music keeps us youthful despite the inevitable passage of time. The lyrics "we ain't as young as we used to be, but young at heart is so easy when you let some loud guitars and words and rhymes handle the hands of time" resonated deeply, reminding us how music serves as both time capsule and fountain of youth.
The genre-hopping continued with Wet's "Catch These Fists," a track brimming with humorous, relatable lyrics about unwanted advances and personal space invasion. The indie pop group's sophomore album promises to deliver more of their signature style that balances catchy melodies with sharp observational lyrics. Meanwhile, British rock band The Kooks returned with "Never Know," a Brit-pop track with an edge that contemplates life's unpredictability with the poignant reminder to "do all the things we want to do, because you never, never, never know when it's going to stop."
Perhaps the most emotionally raw selection was Haim's "Everybody's Trying to Figure Me Out," a powerful expression of experiencing panic attacks. The song's vulnerable lyrics capture that terrifying moment when "you think you're gonna die, but you're not gonna die," creating an authentic musical portrait of anxiety that many listeners will find deeply relatable. This track stands out as potentially one of the band's strongest offerings to date.
The collaboration between FINNEAS and Kacey Musgraves on "Giver/Taker" provided another highlight, transforming Musgraves' solo track into a stripped-down acoustic duet that showcases both artists' vocal talents. The Apple Music Session format allows for this intimate reimagining, reminiscent of MTV's classic Unplugged series but updated for today's streaming era. FINNEAS particularly impressed, holding his own alongside Musgraves' renowned voice.
One of the most unexpected gems came from Orbital's collaboration with actress Tilda Swinton on "Deepest," a six-minute meditative electronic track where Swinton's hypnotic spoken word continues throughout, creating an experience that functions as both relaxation aid and dance track. This remix of their 1989 original demonstrates how electronic music can transform atmospherically with the addition of a compelling voice.
The mix also celebrated musical legacies spanning generations. The Black Keys returned with the soul-influenced "Baby Girl," continuing their exploration of 1970s funk and soul sounds, while Little Feet – a band formed in 1969 – proved longevity with new music that stays true to their classic rock roots. Arcade Fire's "Year of the Snake" maintained their signature building sound while referencing Chinese zodiac symbolism.
Our musical journey concluded with Charlotte DeWitt's "The Realm," a pure EDM track that highlights the growing appreciation for electronic music that transcends the festival environment to become effective soundtracks for focused work and mindfulness. This selection, along with the Orbital track, demonstrates how instrumental electronic music creates spaces for both concentration and contemplation.
This mix ultimately celebrates music's beautiful diversity and its power to connect us across time, taste, and tradition. From bands with fifty-year histories to emerging artists, from lyrics exploring panic attacks to meditations on living fully in the moment, these twelve tracks represent the kaleidoscopic nature of contemporary music consumption – where a country song can sit comfortably alongside trance, and where nostalgia and innovation can coexist harmoniously.