Music for...
the journey ahead
by Party Dozen

The quest for romance is an unstoppable force. It only made sense that during this great lockdown people eventually started going on cyber dates, all at once fanning the flames of love while never setting a foot out of their own bedrooms. I think this song is about losing love.

Overseas travel was such a privilege and especially now, I love hearing my friends recount hilarious adventures from abroad and dream out loud about the places they’re going to explore once they’re allowed to again. That’s definitely the Party Dozen plan anyways. As soon as we can, we’re coming straight to your town to visit you. See you soon xoxo.

It’s a rough time for all the single people out there. No one wants to get within 1.5m of you let alone press their sweet quivering lips up against yours. There might be a global germaphobe problem after all of this passes. Personally I will be hugging and kissing everything and everyone who allows me to.

I think this song needs no explanation except for; the lyrics are “Oooh baby, sweet thang”. And also at 2:18 it sounds like someone says “Quarantine” in the right speaker... 

Somehow this song always ends up in my playlists. It has an undeniable swagger to it, and even though it seems to be about Tim Buckley cheating on his partner, which is unacceptable, you can’t say he doesn’t have a sensual side. Apparently this happened in his ‘Sex Funk’ stage, a stage of which we must all have at some point in our lives. I love the ad libs at the back end of track as it winds down: "Sweet sweet sweet surrennndddderrrrrrrrr...”

If you measured up all the best slow burner songs in the world, I’m convinced ‘The Rip’ would come up the greatest of them all. It’s steady, repetitive but offers little glimmers of sound gifts as it grows into a loop you just never want to end – unlike this year.

It just hit Spring here in Sydney and once I start getting those big facefuls of jasmine and other glorious blossoming flowers I get an overwhelming and irrational appreciation for every little bug and every little reflection of light, as the world around me turns into a scene from a Disney movie whilst I’m the princess twirling and singing in the middle of it all. I’m not sure how this relates to the blues, but I think it’s got something to do with appreciation.

This is my favourite Prince song. Prince is a God and everything he did was the best anyone has ever done, but this song in its demo form has such a timeless and raw sound to it. This one is perfect if you’re away from a loved one and you miss them dearly. I love you Mum and Dad.

This track has a beautiful sadness to it. Sometimes boredom can be a great motivator (I’ve already picked up and dropped a fleet of hobbies in the last couple months including; rug weaving, blacksmithing, and interior design). Other times boredom can be a heavyweight amplifying our negative feelings. Everyone gets sad sometimes. If and when you do, please reach out to someone and talk if you need to. There’s always someone willing to listen.

I remember when I was 8 my parents used to play the ‘Memories from the 60s/70s’ double tapes in our family van. This song would come on all the time and I thought it was hilarious. I always thought it was a song about smoking the Mary J, but apparently it’s not. Anyways, don’t ever take drugs but do whatever you gotta do to get through this.

All time greatest Van Morrison track. Apparently it was one of 31 improvised tracks which he recorded in one session to fulfil contractual obligations with his record label. I think it perfectly reflects our attitudes towards this particular year and perhaps maybe brightens up someone's day just a little bit.