Loren's Song: "Apocalypse", Cigarettes After Sex

Last week Christina and I went to NYPL for a piece written by Lou Reed and Stewart Hurwood. Drones was an onslaught of electronica and life instruments (violin, sax, bells, accordion) that interjected intermittently. Prior to going, I spent the afternoon listing to all Velvet Underground and Lou Reed tracks. What's this have to do with "Apocalypse"? I feel like I have been fast forwarded to a new rendition of "Pale Blue Eyes". And similarly I can almost listen to this song on repeat. This four-piece band form Brooklyn has nailed the dreamy, ambient tone that Reed mastered years ago, but with a seductive, smooth voice like their band name promises. Their fourth album is on pre-order now.

Christina's pick: "Eyes Be Closed" by Washed Out

Last night, I'm home early enough with a touch of sunlight left. I could flop, or I could put the sneakers on. I'm circling the track at this small park in Woodside (I think it's called Windmuller? I feel like Loren would know it?) when this euphoria rushes into my ears from shuffle play. Washed Out (whose song "Feel It All Around" got them famous as the opening theme to Portlandia) helped usher in 'chillwave' as a genre in 2008? 2009? Although it's sort of drifted from popularity, chillwave was all about using lo-fi techniques and vintage synthesizers to create a sense of nostalgia, and a relaxed, almost corporeal way of embracing memory. Legs pumping, I sort of took the song title's advice, and just closed my eyes and let myself feel it. Maybe the best songs for running are ones that make us forget we're doing anything at all.