WIMITLA. PLAYLIST ONE
by Alix Sholomon and Elie Weitzman
As writers for the review section of WIMITLA., we often find ourselves scouring the music scene for new drops. But sometimes, we just want to rediscover some old music, add to our playlists, and generally vibe out songs that we haven’t heard in a while, or even at all. We’re always looking for new music, and seeing as we literally work at a magazine that specializes in that genre of media, we decided to take the WIMITLA. staff’s recommendations and rank them based completely on our own preferences. It’s safe to say they did not disappoint.
Disclaimer: all rankings are a matter of personal preference and completely subjective. We mean no offense to our co-workers and thank them for their contributions. In addition, we made sure to individually rank each other’s songs in order to minimize bias.
10. Kat Chian - “Serotonin” by girl in red
Alix: 5.2 / Elie: 4.0 Avg: 4.6
This song suffers from a phenomenon all-too-common in today’s industry: an artist just trying to do too much. It starts out strong, but as the track progresses, it begins to sound like an amalgamation of different visions colliding and forming one disjointed sound. Individually, these parts are great: they have distinct sounds and draw clear influences from contemporary artists we all enjoy: Halsey, King Princess, and even Wallows. However, their sum does not feel coherent enough to make it onto one of our playlists. Instead, the chorus produces a cacophonous sound. This may have been the intention: to symbolize the discombobulation and frustration of depression and other mental health issues. If that was the case, it was a brilliant move that clearly worked. After all, not all music needs to be catchy and melodic to be good. Ultimately, despite our appreciation for the craft that went into making this song, it does not eclipse the others on this list.
9. Cindy Wong - “Let Me Down Slowly” by Alec Benjamin
Alix: 6.0 / Elie: 6.0 Avg: 6.0
This song is very pretty and gives off a distinct “I hate you, I love you” vibe that we adore. However, it didn’t strike us as anything particularly special compared to other songs within its genre and style of music. Benjamin’s vocals are angelic and absolutely fit the overall tone of the song, accompanied by a beautiful minimalist instrumental that doesn’t try to do more than it has to. That being said, we feel indifferent about this song: we see the appeal, but it does not fit our specific tastes.
8. Alix Negrin - “Scissorhands” by Maggie Lindemann
Alix: 7.0 / Elie: 6.0 Avg: 6.5
At face value, this sounds like a pretty average song. However, there are so many layers to the production, from the scissor sound effects to the symbolic significance of Maggie’s angelic voice juxtaposed with the angsty, tumultuous instrumental. We really enjoyed the parallels to Edward Scissorhands, who, like Maggie, appears to be dark and dangerous at first glance but is really a soft-spoken guy just trying to communicate, just as Maggie does with her voice in this song. Overall, she is a truly unique artist, perfectly balancing the dark pop sound and combining it with her vocals that sound similar to what we expect to hear from Billie Eilish. It truly leaves a lasting impression.
7. Jennifer Chin - “Bad Girl” by Daya
Alix: 7.25 / Elie: 6.75 Avg: 7.0
This is much more pop-infused than the rest of the songs on this list, but we actually don’t hate that. Songs that feel as though they are trying to “escape” pop often come off as disingenuous and unoriginal. Daya, more often than not, does the opposite: leaning into pop and carving out her own sound within the massive genre. The lyrics are simple but enjoyable, and the production is extremely strong, but the most important part of this is her vocals, which are uniquely smooth and create an extremely satisfying listening experience. While we enjoy some of her other music more, specifically “Insomnia,” this track is a perfect example of pop being pop: exciting, fun, catchy, and timely.
6. Elie Weitzman - “For Emma” by Bon Iver
7.5
Bon Iver’s “For Emma” evokes a sensation of being forever lonesome, yearning for someone you long for. The acoustic guitar and soft vocals thrust the listener into a coming-of-age movie, and specifically for me, that feeling of isolation only comparable to a long therapeutic car ride. You cannot necessarily hear the pain in Bon Iver’s voice, but the lyrics feel almost eerie, painting a picture of heartache, lost memories, and intentionally vague imagery. The point of a song like this is to reach different demographics and their respective struggles: a 10-year-old’s best friend moving away, a 16-year-old’s first heartbreak, and it goes on and on. “For Emma” was part of Bon Iver’s debut album back in 2007, written after his band dismantled. It’s so simple, which may be unpleasant for some, but for me it makes it so perfect to listen to when you want to just “feel something,” cementing its place as an indie-folk staple.
5. Kenny Tse - “2/14” by The Band CAMINO
Alix: 8.75 / Elie: 8.25 Avg: 8.5
The Band CAMINO draws upon various inspirations, both old and new, for this opener to their 2016 EP My Thoughts on You, and is the perfect way to start the release: peppy, synthy, and impossible to tire of. It is eclectic, catchy, and relatable, similar to that which we are used to seeing from them. Although this style of music, reminiscent of songs like The 1975’s “Chocolate,” fits into a more niche category — alternative, indie, and generally anti-Billboard Top 50 vibe — 2/14 transcends genre, style, and era of music. With its retro vibe, contemporary lyrics, and infectious melody, this song is perfect for a long drive. Yes, Kenny is our boss, but Alix is a long-time listener to this band and actually showed it to Elie a while back, so don’t worry: there is no conflict of interest here. This song is just that good.
4. Alix Sholomon - “Berenstein” by The Band CAMINO
8.75
Now, it’s worth mentioning that this isn’t the only The Band CAMINO song on this list, as it joins our boss Kenny Tse’s pick. However, I really love this song, so I’m going to have to rank it higher than its cousin. The synthwave opening evokes imagery of neon lights on a starry sky, the entrance of the upbeat guitar and drums pans my view down to an open top-convertible speeding down an empty road, and the beginning of the lyrics take me into the mind of the man driving—who, in this fake music video I have just conjured in my imagination, is the lead singer of the band looking directly into the camera. It’s so hard to choose a “best part” of this song, but the buildup to the chorus is just so good that it deserves that label, with each instrument slowly coming in on top of the consistent synth until it finally reaches its apex and explodes in a beautiful, fiery blaze of sound and emotion. Each component of this track complements every other part to create a truly whole piece of music. It is so hard to find a flaw in a song that sparks such joy in one’s heart, so I won’t even try to nitpick in order to find one. I cannot say enough about how absolutely incredible this band is, which is why I’m so glad it’s on this list twice. “Berenstein” is the perfect indie-rock anthem in every way, and while some may dock points for the way it panders to many cliches of the genre, I say that makes it even more endearing. CAMINO simply does not miss, and this song is my primary piece of evidence for that thesis. The composition, emotion, talent, versatility, and overall awesomeness of “Berenstein” truly cements its ranking on this list.
3. Eli Goodwin - “Somethin’ Stupid” by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra
Alix: 9.5 / Elie: 9.5 Avg: 9.5
What can we say that hasn’t already been said about this timeless classic? Some may say that Eli went with too safe a choice with his pick, guaranteeing a better ranking. We agree. But this song is just so good that it’s impossible to place it anywhere other than towards the top. The melody, the lyrics, Nancy and Frank’s perfect vocals, and the sheer recognition factor of this song all combine to create one of the greatest duets of all time. Sure, Buble and Glee had some pretty great renditions, but nothing beats the original. As a whole, it’s a timeless classic, but it just doesn’t make us feel the same way as the song that has taken the top spot on this list. For that, we dock half a point.
2. Charlie Goodwin - “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey
Alix: 9.5 / Elie: 9.5 Avg: 9.5
There’s a reason this song is a classic: it’s a quintessential song for every generation. Need we even say more? Well, yes: it’s a bit overdone, and for that, we’re going to have to dock half a point. Also, we’re ranking this over the inferior Goodwin brother’s pick. That, my friends, is the Michigan Difference. Sorry, Eli.
1. Amanda Michels - “The Spins” by Mac Miller
Alix: 10.0 / Elie: 10.0 Avg: 10.0
This review might have been the easiest to write on this list, and it’s probably because we happen to love (and miss) Mac Miller. This timeless bop is one of the best from his entire discography — an impressive feat, considering the fact that it is accompanied by instant classics like The Divine Feminine, Swimming, and Circles. Through those three immense successes, though, Miller’s ode to carefree living has stood the test of time and remains one of his most recognizable songs. It truly earned its spot on this list.