It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air! Or is that the cedar? To help make the special day a little sweeter our staff of hopeless romantics and dedicated misanthropes have pulled together a playlist of Austin music that is guaranteed to put you in the mood…or not.
Peter Babb
Drint – “While It’s Hot”
I don’t think anybody in Austin is making sexier music than Drint. His newest, “While It’s Hot,” is the perfect invitation to take that romantic relationship to the next level. Throw in slinky guitar licks from the always fantastic Alejandro Rios and you’ve got a scorcher.
Victoria Canales
Modern Sophia – “Sleeping in Ur Sweater”
This pastel pink soundscape perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to be in love. With synths that move like soft smoke and pop-up harmonies building on the feeling, this song will have you reminiscing about your high school sweetheart.
Rene Chavez
Como Las Movies – “Una Vuelta Mas”
Lush synth strings set to Mexican folk rhythms make this profession of love easy to catch feelings for this Valentine’s day.
Jody Denberg
Willie Nelson – “Valentine”
From his Across the Borderline album. Followed by Texan Steve Earle’s “Valentine’s Day” of course…
Jacquie Fuller
Spoon – “My Babe”
As a theme, Love runs through many a Spoon track, but usually in its darker manifestations or buried in cheeky metaphor (talkin’ to you, Advanced Cassette.) “My Babe” – from the band’s just-released Lucifer on the Sofa – is probably the first capital-L love song we’ve gotten from them in their nearly 30-year career. It’s earnest and straightforward – normally things I hate in a song – but wistful enough -and Spoon enough – to hook me.
Laurie Gallardo
Black Pumas – “Oct 33”
And now, a Ray Bradbury reference. When it comes to the enigma of the heart and mind, I prefer the amber and burgundy hues of The October Country to February’s rosy swoon. But there’s a song for every tint of heartstring. Mine is the aching “Oct. 33”, immersed in longing with dusky autumnal shades – and two extra days of my favorite month to wallow in the loneliness.
Deidre Gott
The Black and White Years – “Best Friend”
Enjoy this catchy AF song released in 2019 and celebrate all your best friends. May you have many of them.
Jeff McCord
Balmorhea – “Bowsprit”
An elegiac and haunting instrumental, and as its theme song, one irretrievably linked to the series “Rectify”, which makes a case for unconditional love like none I’ve ever seen.
Rick McNulty
Walker Lukens – “Baby”
A demented love song which extols the virtues of credit card fraud. And what a romantic notion: “‘Instead of wearing tuxes and dresses/ Let’s just make out in public.”
Elizabeth McQueen
Tameca Jones – “Good Boy”
I know technically Tameca Jones isn’t an Austinite anymore after she moved to LA in December, but this SONG! If you’re looking for a tune to put you in the mood, this is the one!
Karoline Pfiel
Sasha and the Valentines – “Angel”
There’s no way you can celebrate Valentine’s Day without listening to the very band it was named after! This track by Sasha is bittersweet, adding in a little surf rock, perfect for a cold February in Texas.
Jake Perlman
Willie Nelson – “I’ve Love You All Over the World”
The missus and I try to make time to have record nights together & will often spin Willie Nelson’s Teatro album, nice & loud on the hifi. “I’ve Loved You All Over the World” off of Teatro is just so darn simple, sweet & romantic. I’m also a sucker for Daniel Lanois’ production.
Jay Trachtenberg
Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys – “Faded Love”
The quintessential song of lost love, a hallmark of Texas music, put on the map by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys and covered by Austinites Willie Nelson, Asleep At The Wheel and dozens of other artists over the years.
Ryan Wen
The American Analog Set – “Punk As Fuck”
If you desire to understand what misophonia feels like, make a mixtape for someone. The record button is a curse that burns their name into every melody you choose. This is the first song on the first mixtape I ever made, and it still makes me cringe 20 years later.
