Zbigniew Preisner

Ukraine and Europe on my mind — the unification of Europe — and it got me thinking of the brilliant Kieślowski composer. Hearing this lullaby brings light this morning and I’m smiling at the thought of Véronique holding her last note in the rain when The Double Life of Véronique begins. This poetic piece of cinema is about the thrill of life and unpredictability of death — a tale of two Véronique’s played by Irene Jacob. Years ago, Preisner said film music should play a metaphysical role in filmmaking, not just an illustrative one. This beautiful bit of insight has always stayed with me. 🎬

Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders (feat. London Symphony Orchestra)

From the most overwhelming and rewarding record of 2021 — these nine movements should be heard consecutively and in one sitting. Sanders is 80 now and his saxophone work throughout is remarkable. For several weeks I played this every morning and it has left a permanent mark on me. ❤️ This particular movement is quite stunning. The strings that begin to grow and evolve from minute three give me pause this Sunday morning and the crescendos speak to me more than words can.

Roger Waters

Incredible live, pandemic version from Roger and his band. From the greatest anti-war album ever made The Final Cut. A requiem for the post-war dream. ❤️

Youth Lagoon

Still thinking of war today and love the healing, sad, sleepy vibe — but then the tempo change at 1:51 — that relentless clang begins and builds with drums, percussion. I can’t hear this without seeing this beautiful video in my head. Children who lose their fathers in war. The pain never disappears. 💔

Pink Floyd

Today, peaceful cities in Ukraine are under attack after Vladimir Putin launched a full scale invasion. A country that poses no threat to Russia. “This is a war of aggression. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.” - Ukrianian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba

Major Lazer (feat. Amber Coffman)

A gorgeous outlier track — call it melancholy, Jamaican electronica maybe, but the devastatingly beautiful Amber Coffman vocals are these unusual, layered, glorious cries for social justice. My most played track back in 2013 — it is still so haunting and timeless this morning. All that pain and hope is still hanging around. I just want to be / I just want to dream

Majical Cloudz

I think about this beauty a lot. It’s a question I ask myself looking in the mirror: Will you let me change? I want to, but I think you want me the same. Ruminating on all my writing and filmmaking this morning, I track my obsession with characters finding personal fulfillment.

‘Til Tuesday

One night in Iowa, he and I in a borrowed car…

So good and cinematic. So familiar and exciting, but still breaks my heart after all these years. Don’t you know that I could make a dream that’s only half awake come true?

Lucinda Williams

Yesterday’s triumphant (big) music is tempered with heartbreak this morning. What a brilliant vocal from Lucinda here, live in Austin — as our protagonist tries to outrun her pain and grief. A track I hoped to close Redwood Highway with, yet could not afford. There were still highways left for Marie to travel.

The Waterboys

Mike Scott channelled the gods with this one — perhaps the most epic, enlightened and meaningful song I’ve ever loved. Nothing left to say except: You’ll never get there / You’ll never get there / You’ll never get there / But I will ❤️

Beach House

A triumphant piece of dream-pop perfection that has been playing from my speakers since early November. But the real news this morning is that their new record is finally (all) here and it’s a beautiful gift. Four EP’s released over several months — ONCE TWICE MELODY feels like four sides of a double LP. Eighteen songs that are brimming with these big, complex, dreamy melodies. Beautifully mixed and layered, this is a headphone record that will transport you to new worlds. A band that just keeps getting better and better and better — thank you Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally.

Charlotte Gainsbourg

A meditation, a melody, and Charlotte’s vocal intersecting with my life this morning, as I battle familiar feelings of dread and futility. It’s the kind of song that meets the middling part of you in the verses but recharges you in the chorus. It doesn’t take a miracle to raise a heart from the dead. A magical video too. A+.

Talking Heads

A song that keeps giving to me — ever since SPEAKING IN TONGUES came out in ‘83. It has somehow bottled up this beautiful feeling of going home or being home. That elusive, surreal place of safety, happiness, love.