1. She & Him – I Thought I Saw Your Face Today
This song from 2008 has had a major resurgence over social media in the past few months, seeing over a hundred million views on YouTube, and five hundred million plays on Spotify. The reason why this is popular is extremely evident as it has catchy lyrics and a somber vibe that many resonate with. One of the many excellent songs on the She & Him volume 1 album getting the attention it deserves.
2. “Oh! Tengo Suerte” By Masayoshi Takanaka
Masayoshi Takanaka is like a Japanese version of Jimmy Buffet wielding a life sized surf board guitar. He writes very carefree instrumental pieces that transport me to a tropical island. Whether I’m studying, on a drive, or if I just want background music
3. I Remember Clifford By Masayoshi Takanaka
I love Masayoshi Takanaka’s work and this song comes to my head first when I think of him. His take on an original Benny Goldson piece of 1997 sticks with me as my favorite work of his. As a cover it’s not like his original works, it’s slower and more mellow rhythm can calm anyone down. This song specifically reminds me of walking the streets of Tokyo at night.
4. Be Like a Woman By Chris Rainbow
Another oldie brought to light from recent social media trends. Be like a woman is written by Scottish singer and songwriter Chris Rainbow. This song is very nostalgic to me as it was my mother’s favorite song growing up. Older songs getting brought to light make me happy as audiences of all ages get to enjoy this timeless piece, those who listened when it came out and those who are discovering it for the first time will enjoy this all the same.
5. “Dedina” by Marcel Gidote’s Holy Crab
This song is part of the Original Soundtrack of an Indie Turn Based JRPG Feldevek which is set in 15th century Slovakia where you play as a knight discovering the secrets of an eerie land. I’m currently playing this game and the soundtrack has really stuck with me, this song in particular encapsulates the dark and mysterious vibe the game offers. If you’re a fan of instrumental video game music this is an excellent choice of song. It transcends video game music by it’s value as a solid standalone piece.
