Ah, Valentines Day. The holiday in which we snuggle up with our loved ones, take them to dinner, and give them fancy things. Or plop down with a cheap handle of vodka and terrible television and pass out at 11:30. However you like to celebrate, one thing can be sure – music can help set the mood for any situation, and Metrojolt is here to help you out.
House - House music is generally thought of high energy and full of heavy bass, but like every genre if you strip it down to its core its just a big ol’ softie. Here are a few choice house tracks to supplement your most intimate of moments:
The combination of smooth, warm synth tones and Gledhill’s beautiful voice make this Kaskade single a wonderful choice for perhaps the end of a date and the beginning of the..ahem..rest of the evening. The lyrics don’t hurt either.
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (Avicii Remix) – Coldplay
While I personally am not a huge fan, I must admit that Avicii knows how to make a really catchy and euphoric riff. Mix this talent with the nice sound of Coldplay and progressive house bassline and you have a perfect drive to the spot with the nice view track.
Another progressive house track for that drive to the top of the mountain with the really nice view. Seems like the biggest names in scene make the best in Valetine’s Day house.
The name says it all. This is to get you and your girl/boy moving and dancing around in your living room while you caress both each other and a nice bottle of wine and perhaps some chocolates. This dance continues for awhile, and leads you into the next genre…
Disco - I don’t even need to write anything here. Disco is sexy as fuck.
Breakbot is the cream of the crop when it comes to sexy disco magic time. This track is ideal for slipping on a nice silk robe and continuing the dance from before, perhaps a little closer and sillier this time (you have drank a fair amount of wine, you drunk). What I’m trying to say here is that playing anything by Breakbot is going to set the mood, boy or girl. It’s just so goddamn sexy. This will lead you to -
Need I say more? This has obvious implications, and happens to be quite funky and intimate. Just don’t watch the music video.
And now things are calming down. You go and put a nice cake thing in the oven, and of course while you do this you must dance. You dance and bask in the glorious euphoria that is this wonderful disco fueled track, feeling the lyrics and enjoying the nice smell of your chocolate raspberry cake.
A nice, calm, track to finish off the evening, you and your partner lie in bed, cigarrettes burning in the ashtray, cake in your bellies, and drift off into a nice, dream filled sleep. French people know whats up. Now, if you aren’t feeling quite up to this level of French debauchery, there are of course some other ways to spice up your evening -
Indie/Rock - The indie or rock band, to me at least, has always symbolized a unique combination of energy, loneliness, and romance. There is something that makes us feel warm and fuzzy about a perfectly crafted guitar pattern and a beautiful voice in perfect harmony.
The Wilhelm Scream – James Blake
You all knew James Blake was making it first on here. This guy’s voice and piano lines are filled with so much emotion it is impossible to exclude him from a list relating to any romantic holiday. This is one of those artists (I had a ton of trouble choosing exactly which song to use – it ended up being between this and his cover of Feist’s ‘Limit To Your Love’), that really puts himself into every song he makes, and it shows. For the purposes of this list, he is neither for the couple nor the single girl/boy, he is neutral. I see this song as both incredibly romantic and sad all at the same time.
This one is definitely on par with James Blake in terms of its feeling. This song is one of the loneliest things I have ever heard, and one can’t help but sympathize with the guy. We’ve all had lows, and this simple song represents alot for a ton of people, especially today, I’m sure.
Vein Of Stars – The Flaming Lips
Moving away from songs that have the capacity to make us depressed for the rest of the month is this dreamy track by The Flaming Lips. For some reason, Wayne Coyne’s voice instantly makes me swoon, and is one of my go to singers for any kind of romantic getaway.
Broken up band Grandaddy rounds off the rock list with their most popular track, A.M. 180. A simple synth line mixed with rock riffs and a calmer breakdown section makes for a soothing song that is sure to put you in a nice mood. The lyrics are both simple and complex, and perfectly embody both the band and that cross of romance and loneliness we’ve been talking so much about.
Hip-Hop - Rappers have for a long time been concerned with those ever changing ‘bitches’ and thus must have some interesting things to say on Valentines Day. Thankfully, everyone I’ll post here is respectful and has talent, unlike some people (cough cough essentially every popular rapper nowadays cough cough)
Me or the Papes – Jeru the Damaja
Jeru lays it down over a smooth piano driven beat on the topic of gold diggers. This one is for all the dudes looking for love in the wrong places – putting themselves on the line emotionally for women that only want dat paper.
Perhaps not exactly a romantic song, but a song that is applicable nonetheless. No Valentines Day can be harmed by some soulful hip-hop that makes you sit back and reflect on your life. This is the kind of track that just puts you in a correct mood, no matter what factors may be stacking up against you to ruin this special day, just throw this on and chill out for a second, you know you’ll work through them.
This one goes out to all the 420 friendly couples that just want to sit on the couch, eat food, smoke a giant blunt, and enjoy each other’s company on Valentines Day. Strangely enough, this might actually be the most sensual song on the list regardless of its weed related subject matter, just listen to that intro riff! Either way, I can’t imagine a more romantic thing than a feel good song with a nice voice and message about chilling the fuck out. And that guitar! Damn!
Say what you will about the guy, but this song is absolute sex. The singing is absolutely brilliant, and the piano beat is wonderfully smooth and sultry. Its a phenomenally relaxing and reassuring track, and is sure to add a nice lil’ something to your Valentines.
Electronica - Last but certainly not least is the electronic music that fits under no category but electronica. Defying genre boundaries must bring up some romantic feelings in these dudes, damn.
I could listen to this woman’s voice forever. It is simply mesmerizing, and is bolstered quite well by the electronic accompaniment. Dreamy songs like this are perfect for hanging out and gazing over a cityscape, or even simply gazing out a window of an apartment building. They have the capability of making even the most mundane situations romantic – they give you that little push to find the beautiful things in every situation.
The State We’re In – The Chemical Brothers ft. Beth Orton
See above, with more dreamy synth sounds.
Mmmhmm – Flying Lotus ft. Thundercat
Nothing like a little trip-hop to round out the list. I don’t have much to say about this song – trust me and play it out when driving with your significant other. You’ll be pleased at its brilliance. (No DL here, go out and snag this beauty).
We all know DCFC’s lead singer has an incredibly romantic voice. But how can we transport it away from the usually depressing subject matter and make it a feel good Valentines friendly track? Perhaps some beats and arpeggios from Yeasayer? Works for me.
Honorable Mentions:
Another World (Radio Edit) – The Chemical Brothers
Welp, that’s all the help we can give you. Get off of the internet and go have an awesome Valentines day, courtesy of the Metropolitan Jolt!
