THE LOCKDOWN LOWDOWN: What’s Saskia Listening To?

Saskia talks through her favourite albums whilst in lockdown

Hi everybody! 

If there’s one thing I’ve been doing a lot more of during the lockdown, it’s listening to music! I’ve finally had the time to sit down and listen to some albums people have recommended to me, as well as checking out new releases. Here are my top 5 favourite albums that I’ve listened to during lockdown:

Pang! – Caroline Polachek

For fans of: Charli XCX, Weyes Blood

The first thing to say here is that Caroline Polachek’s voice is absolutely beautiful. Having written for artists such as Travis Scott and Beyonce in the past, as well as working in her own genre-defying group Chairlift, Pang is Caroline’s first solo record – and it is the raw, personal content of the lyrics that truly makes it brilliant. Pang is heavily influenced by the PC Music group, with PC-pioneer A.G. Cook featuring as a producer on ‘Ocean of Tears’ The lyrics on the track ‘New Normal’ are scarily accurate to the current times, despite the fact it was written last year. Definitely an underrated gem.

The Night Chancers - Baxter Dury

For fans of: Serge Gainsbourg, Sleaford Mods

It was hard to pick a favourite album from this man, who I have become incredibly obsessed with in the past two months – and for good reason. Baxter has been described as ‘the Cockney Serge Gainsbourg’, and The Night Chancers demonstrates this at its best. Set in a hotel room following a one-night stand, we are taken on a journey through the sleaziness of modern life, offset by the angelic vocals of Madelaine Heart. This comes together to create an album that is entirely unique from anything being created right now. Give it a listen – I’m certain you’ll love it.

Always Ascending – Franz Ferdinand

For fans of: 80s synth pop and 2000s indie music generally 

Like every British person, I was well acquainted with Franz Ferdinand’s top hits like Take Me Out and No You Girls, but had never really taken the time to listen to their other music. Turns out, they have 5 albums – who’d have thought it? After taking some time out to collaborate with Sparks on ‘FFS’ (another great album by the way), Franz returned to the studio with the late and great Phillipe Zdar to create an album teaming with dance-ready tunes. Listen to Glimpse of Love and do some dad-dancing around your living room, à la lead singer Alex Kapranos.

God’s Favourite Customer – Father John Misty

For fans of: Lana Del Rey, Angel Olsen

I listened to Father John Misty after finding out he was friends with Lana Del Rey, and after listening to his most recent release I have realised why – he is truly the king of melancholy. This is another album inspired by hotels, written during a two-month long stay in hotel where Josh Tillman (his real name) was, in his own words, ‘kind of on the straits’. There is something oddly relatable about Tillman’s hotel room delusions in this strange time of a world on lockdown, where I’m sure we’ve all felt we are going mad from being stuck inside.

The New Abnormal - The Strokes

For fans of: The Voidz, Arctic Monkeys

I’m pretty sure everyone has heard of The Strokes. Their new album, released at the start of the lockdown, is a 9-part collection of sad, moody tunes that are heaven to the ears. I absolutely love their use of glitchy synth in contrast with Julian Casablancas’ signature gloomy voice. ‘Ode To The Mets’ is made to be listened to with headphones on when laying on your bedroom floor at 3am, thinking about your life choices. I realise that many of the albums I have chosen are for their sad songs, perhaps a reflection of my mood during the lockdown. However, sometimes you need to cry it out to a sad song to feel better, am I right?

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I’ve compiled a couple tracks from each album into a playlist, which you can see here. I’ll add to this every time I make a music-related post!

What music have you been listening to? Let us know on our Instagram page, I’m always looking out for new recommendations! 

Until next time,

Saskia 

(Photos by Ren Ketzer, insta: @renoirmirage)