Hold up — I know you were gonna put “Love Story” by Taylor Swift on your Valentine’s Day playlist. But doesn’t your significant other deserve something fresher this time around?
Here are some perfect lovey-dovey songs I guarantee won’t break the mood. Thank me later when your Valentine’s Day extends to Valentine’s Night.
Chrome Sparks: “All There Is (feat. Steffaloo)”
The first time I heard this track, I thought, “This song was made for lovin.” I don’t say “lovin’” in a dirty kind of way but rather in a cozy, cuddly, happy manner. The sound texture Chrome Sparks uses is incredible; a deep, buzzing yet gentle bass, whispering vocals that later get processed into an interesting coo (jeez, I went English major all over that one).
Chrome Sparks, by the way, is a great up-and-coming electronic artist.
Yo La Tengo: “Center of Gravity”
Another one in the “cute love song” category. When two of my friends got married a few years ago, they played this song to start the dancing at the reception, which I thought was PERFECT. Sonically, it’s not complicated at all. In fact, the elevator music business would make a killing out of covering this song.
The line “Whenever you are next to me/ Center of gravity/ Can’t feel both feet on the ground” is quite simple yet very romantic. You don’t have to be Shakespeare to express love like this.
Purity Ring: “Fineshrine”
Here’s a line you might or might not wanna tell your significant other, depending on what he or she would be into: “Get a little closer, let fold/ Cut open my sternum, and pull/ My little ribs around you.”
… OK, maybe not everyone would be into this kind of imagery, but you can’t deny how poetic this is. If you look more into the song’s lyrics, there are a lot of interesting metaphors to digest. I think it’s quite fresh; love songs can get pretty cliche lyrically. Even if you don’t like the lyrics, try listening to it. Also, ICYMI: I wrote about Purity Ring a few weeks ago here.
My Bloody Valentine: “When You Sleep”
I chose this shoegaze song in an attempt to diversify the sound in this list. What is shoegaze, you ask? Educate yourself!
If you can get used to the mix of distortion and etherealness, the song and the album — ironically named Loveless — become classic.
Doss: “The Way I Feel”
How do you even describe this track? No one really knows much about Doss. The only information that seems to be out there is she is allegedly a woman named Baby from Minnesota. I emailed her agents for an interview a few months ago, and they told me she will not be open for one until her next release. I don’t know when that is. But for now, let’s enjoy her self-titled 2014 EP.
Best way to describe the EP and this track? It’s quite emotional and trance-y. In a way it’s perfect for loving or love-making. Yep, I went there. But for now, enjoy this track. It’s one of my favorites of 2014.
Caribou: “Can’t Do Without You”
The lyrics in this track are literally “can’t do without you” and “I can’t do without you.” That could be interpreted in a few different ways, but regarding love, why not see it as an attachment between two lovers?
Also the buildup to the climax of this song is slow, but when it comes, it’s cathartic. I think great love songs tend to feel like that.
If you aren’t familiar with Caribou, he’s considered one of the most innovative electronic artists of our generation. He has an extensive collection of works from the beginning of the millennium that you can easily spend your day with.