Loan Le

(I haven’t posted in awhile, but let’s just ignore that and get on with it, shall we?)

Library Sounds

I miss sitting in a library or a café with other people, our silence unifying us. So, I’ve been listening to tracks that mimic this experience. From coffeeshop chatter to café jazz to library sounds, there’s plenty of videos to choose from. This one brings me back a bit. Plus, there’s a fire crackling in the background! Fancy.

Trap Music

Now I’m going in the complete opposite direction. I consider trap music two or three notches below dubstep (less screeching) and that might not make sense . . . like, at all. Anyway, this is best paired with headphones (I use Bose).

BTS (Jungkook)

I am not over BTS, and I don’t think I’ll ever be. Give them a chance, please!!! I need more friends who listen to BTS!!!

Okay, Jungkook is the “maknae,” or the youngest member, of this group. “Golden” is often used to describe him because he’s insanely talented in just about everything, especially vocals. He’s collaborated with Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Lauv, and I kind of believe he’ll one day release something with Ariana Grande! Their voices would match so well.

I’m a fan of “Still With You,” which he released for free at the start of COVID. It’s jazzy and highlights the honey tone in Jungkook’s voice.

Break Time: Watch JK Strut Like a Goddamn Model

(and enjoy the rest of the performance)

Story Time

At S&S, we’re attending short sessions called Java with Jon. Jon is our CEO. And we’re just chatting about everything. He asked us to talk about something that’s kept us tethered during this time, and I think I screamed “BTS!!!” In fact, I’m positive I put it into the Zoom chat when another employee mentioned BTS.

Totally professional.

Owe This Town by Stephen Brodie

Stephen Brodie is my sister and my brother-in-law’s good friend, and he played at their wedding this past September. Everyone who knows me knows that I don’t listen to country (I mean, clearly), but I really enjoy the composition and the lyrics in this track. It’s about what makes a home, how it feels to see time passing by . . .

Listen to his work here.

LO-FI MUSIC

So, lo-fi. Hm. How to describe it? Well, it’s the opposite of hi-fi . . .

Wiki says, it’s “music . . . in which elements usually regarded as imperfections of a recording or performance are audible, sometimes as a deliberate aesthetic choice.” I enjoy it a lot, and here’s a livestream that I often use as a default.

Gregorian Chants

This is another three-hour track that I put on when I really want to concentrate. I can’t explain it well, but I feel like I’m in a well when I listen to these chants–and I don’t want to get out.

Xica Xica (feat. Uji & Barrio Lindo) by El Búho

I can’t remember how I came across this one, but I’m glad I did.