Top 10 Tracks to Listen to on a Roadtrip

Over the long weekend many celebrated the sunshine and the fact we can finally be outside together with our friends and family. The markets were back open, the smell of barbeque’s in the air and the parks and the beaches welcomed us. However with this being some of the first interaction with friends in a long while it did bring a lot of anxiety for some. The pressure that we HAD to make the most of the good weather and the long weekend to make up for lost time may have got on top of some people. Unfortunately, I was one of these people. The thing that really got me through was when I spoke to my friends, my boyfriend and I jumped into his BMW, I had some of my favourite songs on and we watched the sunset on Brighton Beach, met up with some of my best friends and laughed. So I have put together this list of my top 10 tracks to listen to on a road trip. (In no particular order).

1.Saint Jude - Keep the Light inside the house

Some of you may be familiar with the artist Jude Woodhead, well Saint Jude is his alias. Jude is a 20-year-old South Londoner who’s mis-matched influences from Floating Points, Jeff Buckley, Four Tet and his dads Congolese and South African records has really led him to shape his very own sound. He uses his own instrumentals, alongside his producing skills, emotive lyrics and raw voice. He really is a stand-out.

2. REAVE - Get to Know Me

Anyone who knows me well knows how much I rave about this Manchester & London based three piece. There is something about this song that almost feels cinematic. Like you are on a journey to discovery. They have a sound that will be loved by so many and as they only formed in 2019 they are one of the bands I just can’t wait to see progress.

3.Joe Goddard - Truth is Light

How could I not include Joe Goddard...Being a member of Hot Chip and having honed many different genres from the 1990’s including Hip-Hop, Indie and Drum and Bass and working with some of the biggest names in the industry it is not surprising that this solo album blew me away. Released in 2017 and 4 years later I still can’t get enough. I can’t be the only one though as Truth is the Light has over 18 million streams on spotify alone.

4. North Downs - Settle Down

North Downs are another new act on my radar. They released Dad’s old tapes back in 2019 and even though I'm a little late to the party on this one but it’s no wonder it takes a spot in my top 10. The beginning with the keys gave me a real classic 90’s hip hop feel. Then joined later with the psychedelic-esque guitar and sultry vocals. It’s really one for any age group - made for when the sun's shining.

5. Maribou State ft Khruangbin - Feel Good

I really struggled to choose a song by either of these artists to feature, because there are just so many that I love. I try to go to almost every event in London that I see Maribou state on, whether it’s live or a DJ set because they bring something fresh and fun every single time, I could never get bored. As for Khruangbin, this Texan trio take genre bending to a whole new level. Could you even begin to explain a genre that they solely fit in? Some of their songs are influenced by funk and soul with psychedelia and Dub. And well, any song with both Maribou State and Khruangbin is set to be an absolute banger.

6.Model Man - Why?

MODEL MAN - Where do I begin. They hold a real special place in my heart, especially the last year as it was the last live show I went to before this pandemic. Even though that feels like forever ago, they have continued to excite me with their releases and they are another group that I really struggle to fixate on one song as I believe that have so many masterpieces. Their live visuals, performance and euphoria that I feel when I listen to them is unmatched.

7. Elder Island - Bonfires

Elder Islands are another London-Based 3 piece who were inspired in their early days together at Uni by no one other than Four Tet. I have been listening to these guys for quite a few years, as well as going to many of their gigs not only with some of my best friends but their families too (big up to the Adkinsons). Their performances mesmerise me as they are all multi instrumentalists. Watching them create such an individual sound right there on stage like you have just bought a ticket to see them make it in the studio.

8.Jamie XX ft Romy - Loud Places

Now i’d be lying if I wasn’t a die-hard ‘the xx’ fan as a teenager and not much has changed with his solo project. Loud places is a song that I find so nostalgic due to Romy’s voice and just purely uplifting. A real feel good one.

9.HNNY - Cheer Up my Brother

Another oldie but a goldie, HNNY released cheer up my brother on the ‘Sunday’ album back in 2015. It’s one I hear a lot mixed into house and Disco sets. It’s the perfect poolside disco sound- but also one to watch the sunset to.

10. Kiasmos - Looped

Kiasmos was introduced to me by the DJ Point Mantis whilst I was working with Nova Music, It really opened my eyes to more ambient side electronic music. It makes me want to dance yet feel at peace all at the same time. When I saw them live at Phonox in Brixton, the music, the crowd, everything made it go down as one of my favourite nights out. The slow build makes me feel like i'm on a journey - hence why it had to have a spot on this list.

Each one of these songs help put a smile on my face no matter how many times I hear them, play them or how fed up everyone around me gets for listening to them on repeat. I hope by sharing how these songs made me feel, that they may help you see the sun if you’re having a dark day. You can find these on one of my Spotify playlists with some extras.

To keep up to date with new articles, playlists, top tracks and artist features please like, subscribe, share and follow our instagram.

Lately LDN.