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Indie Music Madness: A Seven-Song Playlist for Following Your Path

Seven Songs About Finding Your Way

By Ashley Hans: Philly Music VocalizerPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 5 min read
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PHOTO CREDIT: Lauren McLean/Queen McLean Media

There's nothing more beautiful than following your path. It's the one and only road to self-actualization. But how do you know what you're meant to do? You know because when you're doing the thing you're supposed to be doing, it feels right. The feeling is quite literal, a vague and sweeping warmth that grows in and from your solar plexus, the center of your being.

Finding your path may be a struggle at first. But once you find your way, it will make everything else in your life click into place. And if you ever feel like you've stepped off your path, then no worries, my wayward soldier. Just listen to this playlist and you'll find your way back.

1. Port Isla — "Adventurers"

If following your path isn't an adventure, I don't know what is. Aside from this song, that is. "Adventurers" is one of those dynamic rootsy folk-rock songs I put on endless repeat. I listened to this Port Isla song many times yesterday as I took the long way home. I often take the long way home because of a neuroscience hack for creativity I learned about years ago. One of the best ways to come up with creative solutions to complex problems is by activating your brain's daydreamy default mode network — a mental state most typically activated when you're on autopilot performing a simple motor activity, such as showering, walking, or driving. So go ahead, you friendly finder. Put on "Adventurers" and go off on a little adventure of your own; just be prepared for all the path-finding insights that come your way.

2. Friendly Fires — "Live Those Days Tonight"

A tingly tune from English indie rockers Friendly Fires, this rowdy romper makes me want to dance. Or drive around the city at night. Or better yet, dance in my car as I drive around the city at night. It's a fun thing to do. Definitely worth trying, since the only way to love your life is to live your life. Just do it soon 'cuz you never know when it'll all be over.

3. Maria Taylor — "Time Lapse Lifeline"

While on the topic of terrestrial terseness, my thoughts instantaneously traverse to the heart-tugging track by Maria Taylor. Its chorus gets me every time. "Oh we dreamed a life / It was just like that, was just like that / And just like that, and just like that it's done." Are you dreaming your life? Or are you living your life? People often dream their whole life away, not realizing they're replacing reality with dreams. When it's too late, they realize they never really had a life; all they had was air. So instead of putting your dreams before your reality, put your reality before your dreams. Live in the actual world, not in a fantasy world. And while you're here, work on your dream every single day. Then maybe, just maybe, your dream will become your reality. If it does, you're no longer dreaming your dream. You're living it. Which is exactly what happens when following your path.

4. Longwave — "Everywhere You Turn"

Longwave's lovelorn song is about two people who are in love, but they don't want to get hurt, so they hold back their feelings from one another. Nobody wants to get hurt so it's only natural to act — or not act — in ways that preclude rejection. But this isn't the right way to love. Nor is it the right way to live. Dive in and take a risk. Things might not end up the way you wanted, but at least you'll have an answer. Even if it's not the answer you preferred, an answer is still nonetheless better than holding back repressed feelings that come "barring down like an atom bomb."

5. VISUALS — "Levitation"

This jaunty arena track from VISUALS sounds like it could've been made by U2. The brainchild behind this Brooklyn-based duo, Andrew Fox, describes the chippy chirper (along with a free download) as “a meditation on the urban landscape as it relates to the desire to move ever upward and outward.” What a great way to describe how to navigate life. You need to rise up out of yourself, to look down on yourself, so you can see how you relate to the bigger picture. Some people do this through meditation. Others through psychedelics. Others yet through effervescent guitar riffs, such as those found in VISUALS' "Levitation."

6. Coasts — "A Rush of Blood"

Hypnotic vocals mixed with soaring melodies, swooping synths, and enveloping percussion are willfully obscured like the adrenaline haze from a top-shelf bottle of tequila. The disbanded Coasts, a former five-pieced English rock band, became somewhat of an indie darling in the mid-2010s. The band was best known for adding shine to a sound kept intentionally rough around the edges. Indeed, sonic layers unfurl themselves as listeners are soaked in "A Rush of Blood" and drenched in its reverb, then hung up to dry in arena rafters where only the echoes of celestial dirge can reach them.

7. NONONO — "Pumpin Blood"

Let's keep with the blood theme, since blood is our life-force. An indie pop masterpiece, this smashing single from Swedish sweeties NONONO is all about moving forward. It will make you want to say "YESYESYES" because the triumph of a track truly does have a way of moving listeners along. When I first heard "Pumpin Blood" all the way back in 2013 upon its original release, I immediately thought to myself, "This has commercial written all over it." Sure enough, this sound stunner was then featured in both a Samsung Galaxy IV and a Sparkling Ice commercial. But just because the song is commercial, don't blow it off… unless, of course, you're blowing wind through your lips, whistling along to this piece of indie pop perfection. And then you can keep on whistling. While you work, because following your path takes a whole 'lotta that.

But as a wise woman named me once said, "Work hard. Play hard. And nary a distinction shall be made."

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About the Creator

Ashley Hans: Philly Music Vocalizer

Indie music lovers pride themselves on having an eclectic taste in music; so do I. But there are two differences between the pretentious masses and me. One, my taste is better. Two, I'm not pretentious.

(e): [email protected]

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