Pandemic Playlist

As we edge into October, month seven of sheltering-in-place, I have been reflecting on my listening habits and how they’ve helped me cope. Here’s what I’ve been listening to (for pleasure, not for work!):

March / April: The initial shock of the shutdown left me unmoored, overwhelmed, uneasy, but also a little bit invigorated. I was watching Killing Eve and therefore listening to Unloved on repeat.

May: Things got dark. I listened to a lot of Vatican Shadow, Prurient, Sunn o)).

June: Spinning from fear, rage, and the imbalance of a massive workload and two kids with nothing to do, I turned to Thao & The Get Down Stay Down’s Temple. Then I jettisoned music altogether and binged three podcasts produced by Q Code: Borrasca, The Left Right Game and Blackout.

July: Things got weird. I bought roller skates and found myself listening to the Xanadu soundtrack more than I probably should have, unironically jamming to Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. And, yes, I listened to Taylor Swift’s folklore a bunch too, though I tell you, I always skipped the irritating duet with Bon Iver.

August: My metal phase. Slayer’s Reign In Blood, Metallica’s Ride the Lightning on heavy rotation, then this four-part compilation of electronic, noise, ambient, experimental, industrial music from over 40 countries, curated and released by Syrphe, benefiting the people of Lebanon in the wake of the disaster in Beirut.

September: What did I listen to in September? I can’t remember. I think I was working…

What have you been listening to?