Songs to drive to, windows down and sunglasses on.
There are songs that make you feel like you’re in a indie movie filmed on a Super 8 camera, windows down while you’re driving near the sea with your sunglasses on. They are dreamy songs, that sound a bit like they were made in the 1960s-70s with slow beats on electric guitars and old microphones, but you’re not quite sure of their release date. They make time slow and soothe your soul. They are dream pop songs.
I started listening to dream pop song a few years ago, and I always come back to them when the sun pops out.
Here is a playlist of my favourite songs of that genre. Let yourself be driven to the sea - in thought or in reality.
Under the nickname Goth Babe is hidden Griff Washburn, an adventurous and curious man who produces his own songs in between his trips around the US and the world. I adore his psychedelic influences that make you see the world in slow motion.
This song always puts me in a good mood and I love driving to it. It’s also really hard to resist not walking in sync to the beat when you’re having a stroll...
I actually cried many times while listening to “The Hills”. I don’t really know why, but there’s something to it that sounds really nostalgic to me. It’s a bittersweet song which makes me feel both sad and hopeful…
Another upbeat song that will make nod your head with appreciation
The most psychedelic song I’ve heard from Goth Babe. Leaves you floating around for a bit - and it’s nice.
I found this band on bandcamp (stay tuned for an upcoming blogpost on this website later) and immediately bought their records. Their song “photographs & laughs” was featured in a video made my LaMadelynn whose work I really like. She has a really vintage lifestyle and aesthetic and this song perfectly suited her video. Unfortunately, their EPs are not available on Spotify, only on bandcamp, but it’s worth the detour.
https://dvdfair.bandcamp.com/track/photographs-laughs
Mac DeMarco is quite a character. You won't be able to watch a live performance of him where he does not just behave as though he was on his own. His music sounds more like chill indie rock, with strong 60s-70s vibes going on. My favourite albums are “This Old Dog” and “Salad Days”, but you can start off with these songs:
1. “The Stars Keep on Calling My Name"
This one makes me want to jump around and just enjoy the summer, and the guitar solo is irresistible.
Sounds strongly influenced by The Kinks’ “Picture Book” and it’s lovely!
3. “Still Beating” & “This Old Dog"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5RSQaF0I2o
This one’s is chill, just like the vibe of this live really. This is pure Mac DeMarco, is he more focused on the parc or on the music? A bit of both.
In my opinion, Beach House are one of the absolute ambassadors of the dream pop genre. Some of their songs are the definition of what it feels like to fall in love, to let yourself drown in a sleepless but calm summer night.
A pretty powerful song to dream on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFhJRTdmviA
This one actually helped me understand the kind of feelings I felt for someone I was idealising. I had know this person for years and “re-met” him in my 20s. To me, this song represents the idea of making assumptions about someone and about yourself and understanding that your thoughts actually don’t match reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihAwsK0nKpI
Here’s your first-class ticket to dream pop heaven.
Vansire’s music is like falling in love effortlessly. You don’t feel yourself fall, it just happens and it feels so natural.
I realised I had fallen deep for someone listening to this song. I still feel some butterflies in my tummy when I play it.
And finally, “Halycon Days” will soothe your mind in a split-second.
There you have it, a little starter for your summer 2019 “driving/travelling” playlist! Dream on.