October 2024 Playlist: Fall Sounds, Familiar Faces & Festive
A Fall Mix of Haunting Covers, Hidden Memories, and Fresh Spins
October’s playlist is here, and it’s all about unexpected twists and contrasts. This month, I’ve curated a mix that swings from upbeat grooves to eerie, introspective sounds—perfect for those moody fall vibes.
We start strong with Purple Disco Machine’s “W.T.P” featuring Metronomy, setting a groovy tone before moving into the reflective space of “Conceited” by Lola Young. Lola’s new to me, but her sound hit me hard, so I had to include both “Conceited” and “Flicker of Light” this month, even though I was tempted to save one for later.
From there, we dive into “I Believe in Love” by Baba Stiltz and Okay Kaya—a meditative track that flows perfectly into Bahamas' “Working on My Guitar.” I first met Bahamas in 2012 at South by Southwest (Photo Gallery), and his twenty twenty-three album has really struck a chord with me, especially this track with its standout guitar solo that I just can’t get enough of.
As the playlist unfolds, you’ll hit St. Vincent’s “The Strangers” and FLOOR CRY’s haunting cover of “Happy Together.” Normally, I’m not big on covers for songs that are already perfect, but FLOOR CRY puts a completely new, moody spin on it. Speaking of new spins, Charli XCX’s “Mean Girls” with Julian Casablancas brings some serious The Voidz vibes—dark synths and Julian’s unmistakable vocals make it feel like a nod to his work with Daft Punk and The Strokes.
The Nation of Language track, "Weak In Your Light," is remixed by The Classixx (check out this photo gallery from a Halloween party I threw at Ella Lounge in October 2009, where they played alongside Gavin Royce of Walker & Royce, Lucas Walters (who just gave me this awesome hat last week), and the Boogie Brothers). This one brings back early NYC memories, with that familiar Classixx vibe perfect for a throwback moment.
Clairo’s “Love Songs” and Lola Young’s “Flicker of Light” (her second track on the playlist) bring things down a bit, creating an introspective moment before we dive into Will Dailey’s “Make Another Me.” Will’s someone I’ve known since my Boston days—we first met in the early 2000s on the set of a music video shoot for his old band, and I’ve kept an eye and an ear on since. With Juliana Hatfield’s haunting vocals, this song feels both nostalgic and beautifully new, stirring up memories of those Boston days and everything that’s come since.
As we wind down, Bryan Ferry’s “Johnny & Mary” (twenty twenty-three edit), Perfume Genius’s “All Around Me Now,” and Hot Hot Heat’s “Kid Who Stays in the Picture” keep the eclectic energy alive. And finally, the mixtape closes with Puddles Pity Party’s breathtaking cover of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” A dear friend in LA recently introduced me to Puddles, and I’ve fallen in love with his voice and his ability to transform covers into something completely new. If you can, check out the video—it’s an experience in itself.
Give this mix a listen, and let me know which tracks pull you in hardest.
Oh yeah, and now for the mix tape itself ;)
Tracklist:
W.T.P (feat. Metronomy) | Purple Disco Machine, Metronomy | Paradise
Conceited | I Believe In Love | This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway
I Believe in Love | Baba Stiltz, Okay Kaya | I Believe In Love
Working On My Guitar | Bahamas | BOOTCUT
The Strangers | St. Vincent | Actor
Happy Together | FLOOR CRY | Covers
The Owl And The Tanager | Sufjan Stevens | All Delighted People
Mean Girls (feat. Julian Casablancas) | Charli XCX, Julian Casablancas | Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat
Weak In Your Light - Classixx Remix | Nation of Language, Classixx | Weak In Your Light (Classixx Remix)
Love Songs | Clairo | Love Songs
Flicker of Light | Lola Young | Flicker of Light
Make Another Me | Will Dailey, Juliana Hatfield | Make Another Me
Human Touch (feat. Bahamas) | Kathleen Edwards, Bahamas | Human Touch (feat. Bahamas)
The Actress | Goldie Boutilier | The Actress
Keeper | Hana Vu | Public Storage
Johnny & Mary - 2023 Edit | Bryan Ferry, Todd Terje | Retrospective: Selected Recordings 1973-2023
Kid Who Stays in the Picture | Hot Hot Heat | Kid Who Stays in the Picture - Single
All Around Me Now | Perfume Genius | National Anthem (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
What Was I Made For? | Puddles Pity Party | What Was I Made For?
If you haven't listened to previous months:
P.S. Congrats on making it this far down the scrolly scroll zone! As a reward, enjoy this photo of Ruthie & Me taken this morning by my newest friend:
