Summer Mixtape (Labor Day Edition)

This may be the final mixtape of the season–it’s become instantly cooler since August ended and suddenly, the hot weather complaining is turning into hot weather nostalgia. It will soon be time to say goodbye to jorts, t-shirts and mini skirts, so it’s important that we get another playlist in before you start hibernating with Bon Iver and that Fleet Foxes record that everyone went gaga over. Alas, do not worry, this mix will help you hang on to summer at least through Halloween.

Let’s hear it for New York.

Jay-Z (featuring Alicia Keys) – Empire State of Mind
Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up
Michael Jackson (Telepopmusik Remix) – Remember the Time
Crystal Castles – Vanished
The xx – Heart Skipped a Beat
Camera Obscura – The Sweetest Thing
St Vincent – The Party
Cat Power – Fool
Broken Social Scene – I’m Still Your
Feist – Major Label Debut (live)

I Don’t

Cat Power – I Don’t Blame You

I felt like there were too many recent posts about synth-pop and electronic arrangements, so… I bring you 2003′s You Are Free. I know most, but not all, of her albums front-to-back and I’m confident that this is the best. “I Don’t Blame You” is a simple piano-only arrangement, with exposed vocals and a beautiful refrain. Like many of Cat Power’s best songs, the raw power of her voice conveys more feeling than most artists can achieve in an entire album.

Fall in New York, Part 1

One of my favorite ways to enjoy music is to listen to it in the places that suit it best. This happens naturally when I’m excited to be somewhere; in those times it’s surprisingly easy to think of exactly the right song. This is the barometer of instantaneous happiness. It’s apparent in other aspects of life as well; life is simple when you can know it and difficult when you become apathetic.

New York is simple enough in Fall that I expect to follow this post with others, there are too many songs and pictures to choose from. Photos were taken by yours truly and are protected under the creative commons license, but you already knew that.

Ella Fitzgerald – Blue Skies

The Ting Tings – Traffic Light

Cat Power – Fool