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Music for...
Rewinding
by Gordi

Sophie Payten – the folk-pop singer and producer known as Gordi –  compiled the playlist 'Music for... Rewinding' ahead of her show at Vivid LIVE 2022.

Gordi began her latest album Our Two Skins at a point in her life where everything was ending. Finishing up a long-term relationship and coming to terms with a new truth in her identity – which played out against the backdrop of the same-sex marriage vote in Australia – led to an isolated internal state, further fuelled by distance, trying communication and lost loved ones. 

This playlist is a reminder to take the time to rewind and recentre to allow yourself a journey of self-discovery – or rediscovery, as Gordi has done with her latest record.

▷ Dnè - Asos Model Crush

“Dnè is a musician out of the Czech Republic. I stumbled across their music a few years ago and fell in love with the way the sounds are processed and so textured. I love the title of this song, too.”

▷ Big Red Machine - Deep Green

“Big Red Machine is the brain-child of Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner. The first record they put out is particularly special to me because I sang backing vocals at the PEOPLE festivals with them. I love the off beat chord changes, it gives it such impact and groove.”

▷ Helado Negro - Running

“One of my favourite discoveries of the last few years is Helado Negro and his 6th record, 'This Is How You Smile'. It is so beautiful and simple.”

▷ The Japanese House - Face Like Thunder

“The dense, brooding vocal of The Japanese House has always resonated with me. 'Face Like Thunder' is one of her best demonstrations of songwriting; such classic hooks but with such an idiosyncratic style.”

▷ Sufjan Stevens - Death with Dignity

“This is just a beautifully written song. Sufjan at his best with delicate, high-register guitars and a breathy heavenly vocal.”

▷ Frank Ocean - White Ferrari

“I am in the camp that believes Frank Ocean is a genius. This song is my favourite of his. There's a rolling snare that appears for a flash before quickly disappearing and then the song morphs into this slow acoustic guitar ballad.”

▷ Ásgeir - Frost

“The bubbling, metronomic synth and warm piano chords meant I loved this song in the first 10 seconds. Iceland is one of my favourite places in the world and everything Ásgeir puts out just takes me right back there.”

▷ Perfume Genius - Alan

“This song seems to hang suspended the entire time it plays. The vocals pause in all the right places and I always feel like I'm on the edge of my seat listening to it.”

▷ Regina Spektor - Samson

“I've listened to Regina Spektor for a long time and she really is the master of telling a story through a piano ballad.”

▷ David Gray - Please Forgive Me

“This song reminds me of being on beach holidays with my family as a kid. We the 'White Ladder' album on CD and then on our early iPods and would always blare it through the speakers.”

▷ The Album Leaf - Twentytwofourteen

“This song is from a beautiful instrumental record from The Album Leaf. It demonstrates perfect restraint and simplicity while showing having a real uniqueness about it.”

▷ Mac DeMarco - Watching Him Fade Away

“This song is from a beautiful instrumental record from The Album Leaf. It demonstrates perfect restraint and simplicity while showing having a real uniqueness about it.”

▷ Bonny Light Horseman - Bonny Light Horseman

“I have sung a few times with Anais Mitchell and am such an admirer. A previous album of hers is now a broadway musical (Hades Town) and album showcases another of her projects. This song sounds like it has been in the world's diaspora for centuries.”

▷ Sharon Van Etten - Everytime the Sun Comes Up

“The lines 'I washed your dishes, but I shit in your bathroom' and 'People say I'm a one-hit wonder, but what happens when I have two?' have got to be some of the greatest lines in modern music. I love Sharon.”

▷ Amanda Bergman - Falcons

“This Swedish artist released an album called 'Docks' in 2016 and the first track, 'Falcons', was one I listened to a million-times over. The brass, the rolling snare, the glittery guitar; it's all there.”