Have you ever found yourself falling into an inescapable sync with the beat during a run, your feet pounding the treadmill to the same pulse of quarter notes at the same tempo song after song in a playlist?
Well, you won’t have that problem with this guest list from our buddy Nick Van Heest. He’s gifted us a collection of songs that modulates between poles of upbeat and atonal, breezy and moody, but still governed by a common tone underneath. Subtly is the name of the game here, and these songs can occupy your mind enough to pull it away from the deafening clod of your own feet. Nick will probably introduce some new flavors to your palette here, but he still keeps you anchored with familiar tunes from Japanese Breakfast and Cloud Nothings. Also, can we just say, this is a prime example of using a repeat artist on one list. While we’re sad Nick didn’t put “Lemme see if you can run it run it” on here, we still say jam this playlist at your own speed. Thanks, Nick!
Art by Amrita Marino, illustrator and designer in Brooklyn. Please see more of her brilliant work at her site, illustration.amritamarino.com. This won't be the last time you see her on Best Case!
By Nick Van Heest:
Music is your savior from the mind-melting monotony of the human hamster wheel. A pristine playlist dulls the pain and takes your treadmill tussle to another level. A mediocre mix sets the scene for an early exit. For your oral consumption, I present a charcuterie of my latest and greatest selections.
Pro tip–don’t drop your caseless iPhone onto the treadmill belt. It could get smashed and bent like a boomerang. Not that I would know.
- Fall in Time - Teleman
- Need You Now – Cut Copy
- Mistress – Ejecta
- Varsity – Smith Westerns
- Dusseldorf – Teleman
- Evert’s Song – Little Gang
- Last of a Kind – Neighbors
- Modern Act – Cloud Nothings
- Replica – The xx
- Everybody Wants to Love You – Japanese Breakfast