Weekly Track Roundup #36
Theme: FUELS
Fuel used to be a good thing. It got people to work on time, it kept the lantern going, it kept your house warm. But now we’re realizing that fuel is actually incredibly bad and something that universities should NOT invest money into. In light of last week’s international climate strike, we encouraged our writers to think about what songs come to mind when thinking about fuel, fossil fuels, burning fuel, fumes from the fuel rising higher and higher…. we’re getting angry just thinking about it !!
“Paradise” by John Prine
Is the Peabody Coal Company real? You know it is! Does it deny climate change? Oh yeah it does! Is Wesleyan invested in it? It's not impossible!
*coal is bad*
-Samuel Marcus
“The 1975” by the 1975
With the recent climate protests around the world and "fuel" as the theme of the week, it only seems fitting to talk about The 1975's self-titled track from their newest album, Notes On a Conditional Form. While the 1975 always begins their albums with a self-titled track, it has evolved from an artistic song about blowjobs to a speech by Greta Thunberg, the badass 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist. Her powerful monologue warns us that if there is no drastic structural change, we will fail in combatting climate change and that "it is now time for civil disobedience. It is time to rebel."
-Liz Colannino
“The World at Large” by Modest Mouse
The way I see it there are two strands to this song. In the climate action, bad fuels sense, it speaks to a general movement away from a problem. There is contemplation, observation, and some incentive, but still this persisting sense of restlessness, of watching something slip away and moving on physically but not mentally. Never truly at home or happy, just kind of numb, everything falling around you.
The other strand I see as fuels in the sense of what keeps you going. Despite the loud thoughts, and the hopelessness, the song still moves you along. Maybe it’s not the journey you would like to take, but you feel that there is something you are continuing for. work a little harder, work another way.
-Heddy Parker
“Treat Me Like Fire” by Lion Babe
I listened to this on repeat throughout last spring. Aside from the obvious fire reference, the song personally fueled me to push through the last few months of high school. Comprised of duo Jillian Harvey on vocals and producer Lucas Goodman, LION BABE brings a blend of R&B, funk, and dance to create an addictive and sexy jam. Harvey’s vocals on the track are smooth and impressive, but not so overwhelming that we lose Goodman’s upbeat groove. This unusual mix of soulfulness and danceability is what makes the song so captivating.
-Abby Nicholson
“Burning” by Maggie Rogers
With its driving beat and powerful vocals, this song is literal fuel. Maggie Rogers naturally finds the sweet spot between electronic dance-pop and haunting folk, delivering a catchy tune about the fiery, revitalizing power of new love. This song always leaves you feeling a little more nostalgic than you anticipated.
-Livia Wood
