Playlist #7: A reboot in sixteen songs
In which I attempt to sort of hit reset on the Once Monthly by writing about the same things in a slightly different way.
First, an announcement: the Once Monthly is now on Instagram and Threads. I would say that I initially considered joining the former but couldn’t quite figure out how to use it to promote the project, since until recently I only used Instagram for my cat’s account. But, really, it’s the Twitter meltdown, which we Substack users have had the misfortune of being at the receiving end of for months now—and I am an incredibly insecure person, and I’ll be the first to admit I need my validation now more than ever. I feel nobody reads these things.
It’s also partly why I’m shaking up the format a little bit. I do realize I have been pouring too much on the personal essay part of what is supposedly a writing project primarily about music. I’m no Howard Stern or Chris Moyles, who’s earned the right to play less music and just talk loads about themselves. So, I’ll try my best to spare you the details, and spare myself the indignities—but I know very well that won’t happen.
One of the Substacks I follow is a deceptively simple one,
, which features three songs weekly. I won’t be copying them. I will still do monthly playlists. But maybe I’ll take a page off them and focus on (maybe) three songs on this month’s mix. If you’ve been following me on Facebook you’ll get the sense I enjoy writing those extended posts digging into why I chose the songs I chose. But maybe you haven’t, so… yeah, consider this a reset. And I don’t necessarily like resets, but here you go.I probably was too young for Liz Phair. I mean, I was four when she released her acclaimed debut Exile in Guyville. I’m certain some purist out there will call me out for admitting that my introduction to her was her self-titled album released in 2003—you know, the one where she went pop, seemingly in response to Avril Lavigne. “How dare you like the sell-out record!” I imagine them saying.
“Why Can’t I?” was the big hit, the sweet and sincere sing-alone. What I latched on all those years ago, though—and what I latched on the past month—was “Extraordinary.”
I suppose a part of me really just like the brash, loud declarations of intent.
I am extraordinary
If you’d ever get to know me
I am extraordinary
I am just your ordinary
Average everyday sane psycho super-goddess
I was pretty busy in May, which meant the first few weeks of June would be pretty lean. I dread those periods, because when I’m not busy my mind tends to wander, and, you know… I mean, it’s June. Everything started to happen in June. I knew this would happen, and indeed, my thoughts wandered.
So, I found solace in a girl-power pop anthem from twenty years ago. I played it on repeat. For a few days, I forgot things.
Now, I’m sure I said this last month, but since I started the Once Monthly I’ve been trying to throw more Filipino music in. A challenge, of course, because since I closed the old music blog I jumped back out of the loop. But, hey, this month, I have three songs!
SunKissed Lola’s an act that has been following me around the past few months, in part because they’re apparently quite popular these days, and I haven’t had the faintest of ideas. “Pasilyo” was the first song of theirs I heard, and I would’ve put it in the playlist if not for the fact that it’s a wedding-themed song and the wedding-themed playlist was already live. But the group’s got that fizzy (in a good way) sound that easily catches you ear. There’s nothing groundbreaking, but then, does it have to be?
“Makalimutan Ka” is an older song. I think it’s their debut? Now, imagine me driving back home and hearing this on the radio.
The other act following me around is the ubiquitous Belle Mariano, actress-slash-singer-slash-endorser-slash-host in the grand tradition of Philippine showbiz. She turned 21 this year, so there was a mini-celebration on the Sunday noontime show ASAP where she sang “Tanging Dahilan” before being “surprised” with an appearance from her on-screen partner Donny Pangilinan. I was writing (this, actually) when all that happened, and I found myself paying attention to the chorus. It’s such a pleasant song, the sort that should punch through the stereotype that songs performed by actors are disposable.
The third local song on the playlist is an old favorite of mine: Cambio’s “Patlang”. I’ve always loved this song; perhaps the masterpiece of the band that emerged from the ashes of the Eraserheads. Perhaps it’s the one-two punch of having Kris Dancel and Ebe Dancel (they’re siblings-in-law) harmonize, illustrating a deeper pain in what is already a mournful song.
Pilit mang pigilin
Even if you try to stop it
Luha'y darating din
The tears will still come
'Wag mo lang sabihin
Just don’t say it
Ayaw mo nang isipin
You don’t want to think about it
'Wag na nating patagalin
Let’s not wait any longer
'Di ka masaya
You’re not happy
Pagod na ako
I am tired
Tapusin na natin ito
Let’s end this
I must go on a tangent and compare Ebe’s voice to Elbow vocalist Guy Garvey. Whenever I hear either of them I can’t help but feel things. It’s why I was always drawn to Sugarfree, Ebe’s main project. His voice sounds like someone badly wounded but still trying to see the positive in things. I suppose I’ll dive into their discography for a future Hyperfocus installment.
But, yeah. In a way I always loved the quiet suffering in this song. Not that I love getting hurt. I guess it’s one of those things you appreciate from afar, rather than in the midst of it. All these years later, it’s really the only way I could end this particular playlist.
Apologies to my non-Filipino readers. That’s three songs you likely don’t understand.
You were still too on the nose, Nicksy.
I tried. Anyway, I should keep the “rest of the playlist” part short, yeah?
I would love to say there wasn’t a theme in this month’s playlist, so I’ll stick with that. I rediscovered my happy indie pop side when I heard Dora Jar’s “Bumblebee” for the first time, and my sad indie pop side when I heard Lucy Blue’s “Deserve You” for the first time.
Late last month I found myself going back to Basia’s “Time and Tide”, playing it repeatedly the same way I did Liz Phair’s song. Same for Cousteau’s “The Last Good Day of the Year”, which I wouldn’t have come across if not for… was it Phill Jupitus’ book Good Morning Nantwich? Your radio geek is showing, Nicksy.
I wasn’t going to add Matthew Ryan to this playlist until Nat and I had a conversation about Roswell. I knew I heard his name somewhere—he is a core artist on a radio station I listened to for weeks on end back then. Your radio geek is showing again, Nicksy.
Yeah, honestly I’m pretty happy with this playlist, but as I write this I don’t feel like digging through the reasons why. I’ll just refer you to my official first ever playlist.
I’ll probably elaborate on the other songs on social media. I need to save some thoughts for all those accounts. Anyway, the next playlist drops on 21 August. If you’ve got a song you think I should hear, drop me a line at nicksyoncemonthly@gmail.com.
All right, that’s it. Was that a good enough reset?
On the playlist
SunKissed Lola—“Makalimutan Ka”
single release (2022)Tennis—“Need Your Love”
Swimmer (2020)This Is The Kit—“Inside Outside”
Careful of Your Keepers (2023)Karen Elson—“Look Over My Shoulder”
Green (2022)Belle Mariano—“Tanging Dahilan”
Daylight (2021)Mercury Rev—“Goddess on a Hiway” (Instrumental)
Deserter’s Songs: The Instrumental Edition (2011)Dora Jar—“Bumblebee”
single release (2022)The Preatures—“Ordinary”
Blue Planet Eyes (2014)Liz Phair—“Extraordinary”
Liz Phair (2003)Manic Street Preachers—“You’re Tender and You’re Tired”
This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours (1998)Matthew Ryan—“Chrome”
May Day (1997)Cousteau—“The Last Good Day of the Year”
Cousteau (1999)Lucy Blue—“Deserve You”
single release (2023)Joy Oladokun—“Somehow”
Proof of Life (2023)Basia—“Time and Tide”
Time and Tide (1987)Cambio—“Patlang”
Derby Light (2004)