The Romantic Megamix

Happy Valentine's day to you! To mark the occasion I'd like to share a playlist that I created a few years ago. It's full of romantic love songs to set the perfect mood for a date. Originally a simple idea, it quickly turned into and unwieldy project to find the perfect mix. So it is embarrassingly well researched. Although, having got caught up with the music side of it, the romantic function was somewhat forgotten and I never used it for its intended purpose. But hopefully I can pass it on and somebody might find something useful in it. 

It consists of a balance between ultra cheesy classics, some great lesser-known songs and a few personal favourites, plus some smooth jazz and instrumentals thrown in for good measure. It's probably not to hard to guess which is which, if you know anything about my music taste. The mix is divided into three 'discs', each providing more than enough background music for an evening. Each disc has a slightly different theme. They represent different levels of a relationship, increasing from first date to committed. Withing each mix there is a mix of low and high energy and also a progression from chilled out and chilled out to more... 'frisky'.

So feel free to use them in making your own romantic playlist. I would have been grateful for a list like this when I started the project. I think I've weeded out the worst of the cheesy love songs and there are a few less conventional songs that can still get people in the mood for love. And even if you don't really get the whole point of valentine's day, like me, at least you can appreciate some good music. And like love itself, sometimes we all just need a little cheese!

Poetry: Top That

Top That

by Patrick Shortall

Getting out of bed is the biggest achievement of my day

I quickly reach my peak and then slowly fade away

I open up with greatness and I close with infamy

the dark hours of the night, I hit my lows

My energy is wasted simply trying to move my head,

Every time I wake up I think I'd prefer to be dead.

After my great achievement the rest of the day is a waste

My waking days are spent looking for a challenge to replace

The simple joy of starting a day, no longer so simple.

Not even joyous, just anti-climactic, delirious.

Instead of triumph, the hours stretch out in front of me,

Like a range of mountains to be traversed, an eternal fruitless quest.

The goals of life seems trivial when compared with my desire

to diminish the struggle but increase the glory of my morning mire

I strike before the iron is hot, before it's even burning,

I envy that infernal clock, the hands are always turning.

My secret struggle of every day, my life's biggest achievement

If I'm to ever top it, I need to give up

and asleep I stay.

Review: Peaks EP and Speaks (Remix) EP

Peaks EP - Peaks

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This twin release from EDM producer Peaks, from Dublin, is the 8t/9th release from fledgling label iH! audio. These four tracks and three remixes are a 46 minute trip of progressive electronic music.

These beats are immense. Each track clocks in around the 120-130 bpm mark but the rhythmic development is so engaging. Set to a fairly steady bass beat, the constant embellishments are surprisingly danceable. On top of this are layered rich synths and industrial glitches. It reminds me a lot of Sasha's Airdrawndagger and the Aphex Twin influences are also evident. Each track is minimal yet intense.

The opening track On Every Beach is the most chilled-out. Starting minimal, it builds slowly for almost the entire track until the beat finally evolves into the steady four for the last minute while the other elements fade away.

This EP falls into that sweet spot where you could listen to it chilled out in your room but also bang it out during a DJ set. These long evolving tracks are only a taster for what Peaks can do live. Check him out if you get a chance.

Speaks EP - Various (iH! Audio)

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The accompanying remixes feature some fellow iH! Audio producers chopping up three of the tracks from the Peaks EP. Speaks builds on all the original features of Peaks' music and pushes it further. Adding more swirling pads, chopped glitches and high-energy breaks.

The stand-out track is the On Every Beach remix by Ben Bix. The heavy distorted beat first grooving and funky before ramping it up. Bix's signature overload of timbre is so distracting that you hardly even notice it's in 5/4!This will make you move, even if you don't want to dance it will shake you into submission.

You can name-your-price download both from the iH! Audio bandcamp page.