“Listen In“ is a weekly feature in which we ask musicians to curate a mixtape-length YouTube playlist of songs they’re currently digging. Click the big play button above to hear the whole playlist or scroll down to see and hear individual tracks.
Craft Spells sophomore LP, Nausea, was created during a difficult time in songwriter Justin Vallesteros’ life. Living with his parents in California, he was overwhelmed by disequilibrium. This sense of unease manages to cut across his placid music, creating songs that at turns feel sinister and melancholy despite their orchestral indie pop influences. Ultimately, though, Vallesteros uses the album as an antidote to his sickness, music that ultimately heals and leaves you feeling hopeful.
The band created this playlist for us including an eclectic mix of experimental, spacious music. Classics like J Dilla echo the reverb-laden tripped out vibes that underlie their music. Their fascination with Japanese music of all genres provides an introduction to some interesting stuff we’ve never heard before, whereas their choice of San Francisco pop like the Belinda Butchers lets us peek into the scene that helped birth this album.
Nausea is out now, it’s available for purchase on Captured Tracks.
“What’s Your World,” Gloria Taylor, 1976
“Bibo No Aozora,” Ryuichi Sakamoto, 1996
“Time: The Donut Of The Heart,” J Dilla, 2006
“Kumomi,” Nujabes, 2003
“Tulips,” The Bilinda Butchers, 2011
“Open Your Eyes,” Bobby Caldwell, 1980
“Love Talkin’,” Tatsuro Yamashita, 1990
“Freeway,” Satan Wriders, 2013
“Leave Me Now,” Matthew Herbert, 2001
“心臓の扉 (Shinzo No Tobira),” Mariah, 1983
