Getting Through

When life keeps taking shots—taxes, lawyers, your mom nagging about chores—the only escape is music that makes you feel like everything’s a musical. That was my week. Everything looks better when there’s a beat under it. So here’s what actually got me through.

Hercules & Love Affair - Blue Songs

Pure hedonism. Nostalgia, glitter, gay girls, strip shows, confetti cannons, sweat, Miami Vice, flamingo shirts. The excess doesn’t know when to stop, and why should it. If you’re not dancing to this, something’s wrong with you. Dead inside. Probably kicking puppies for fun.

Azari & III - Azari & III

Can it get gayer than Hercules & Love Affair? Barely, but yes. The 80s trash energy is so thick it puts you in darkrooms thinking about ecstasy instead of confetti. If ecstasy was a song, this would be it.

Kanye West - The College Dropout

From glitter to arrogant Ye. He’s become an asshole, let’s be honest—a pompous kid who talks too much stupid shit. But he talks with such fundamental confidence that it’s almost inspiring. The rest of us could use some of that delusion. The College Dropout isn’t pure joy, but it’s got this swagger of someone convinced they’re going to change the world. Maybe they will.

Jay-Z & Marvin Gaye - Brooklyn Soul

Jay-Z rapping over Marvin Gaye samples isn’t new, but this mashup sounds so natural it just works. Headphones, the bus, the city moving past. Berlin’s not Brooklyn, but at least you don’t get shot at every corner.

Weezer - Raditude

They torched half their fanbase with Hurley, but Raditude was better. Not as good as Pinkerton, but it’s got The Underdogs and Put Me Back Together, and if you’re not into electronic music, you need to love those songs.