Honey Toned Thoughts

beginning with my most played song: black country, new road’s “the place where he inserted the blade” gave me reason to violently sing in my car on my way to the gym every day this month. with my illegally tinted windows down in freezing temperatures. the orchestral background crescendos gave me an existential rush every morning. the cracking in his voice. the raw emotion. fuck, i love rock. one of the best songs to have graced my ears. i can’t wait for the day it’s no longer on repeat so i can hear it for the first time (after a long time) again

after the rush of emotions experienced with black country, new road – i mellowed out with some daniel caesar…

son of spergy was heavily on repeat october-december. somehow the track “who knows” crept into my january top songs. is he reading my journal or something? i swear his lyrics are so rich in feeling. so raw, yet so soft. soulful. introspective, doubtful, yet hopeful. one of my favorite listens of 2025 – will definitely reappear for years to come. makes me wish i was in love with someone or experiencing heartbreak so i can feel his emotional outpour to the maximum degree. i’m not even being dramatic

after crying with daniel caesar (jk, kinda), i’m taken back to my favorite memories with geese

imagine you’re driving california’s highway 1 with beautiful oceanic and mountainous views on both your left and right while listening to your at-the-time favorite album – well that’s the visual i have while listening to getting killed. although during my getting killed peak obsession period – “au pays du cocaine” was my go-to pick – “husbands” was easily my second. earning its way back into my heart in january – it’s that special

but at this point, it’s obvious i am just obsessed with cameron winter….

his solo work fulfills my heart’s desire for more geese-like tracks. one of my favorite songs (and albums) this month. i mentioned in my previous artist praise that one of the themes of this album (in my opinion) is creative struggle, well that’s a theme of my month. learning to write for my non-existent audience (you) is difficult – the learning curve is definitely there. this song encapsulates these feelings so strongly for me. beautiful, yet at-times unpleasant, melancholic, nostalgic-almost. i can’t seem to find the right words to describe this – just give it a listen, …. please?

ok, ok. enough with the alternative-indie-sad-girl music. i swear i’m actually a happy girl. olivia dean knows what’s up. blending elements of soul and jazz with pop and r&b – it’s impossible to not smile while listening to her music

“a couple minutes” and “so easy (to fall in love)” are easily my favorite tracks. got me romanticizing both myself and life with every listen as i dance on the smooth kitchen floor with cotton socks on my feet

the art of loving is simply a must-listen to any lovers out there who crave a sunday kind of love (me) – you will not be disappointed

honorable mentions of january:

6. one of these things first – nick drake (melancholic, reflective)

7. have a baby with me – daniel caesar (warm, nostalgic)

8. love takes miles – cameron winter (energetic, upbeat)

9. la yugular – rosalia (empowering, simply beautiful)

10. if i ever feel better – phoenix (upbeat, optimistic)

but hey, the month isn’t over yet – what songs defined your january? i’d love to see your soundtracks