Hello, my name is Carolina, and I am a senior! If you don’t know already, in this column, I’ll create monthly eclectic playlists full of genres from classical to ’70s rock and R&B to pop. I want to create mixes that revolve around the time of year—for example, a fall mix or a playlist full of study favorites to get you through exam season. Maybe you’ll listen on your way to school, while you study, or just for fun! Mixed with house music and doo-wop, my eclectic playlist may strike a chord with you, get your toes tapping, and teach you a little about what you are listening to.
It is finally that time of year: the end of the semester and the start of the holiday festivities. I wanted to share some songs I listen to during December outside of my extensive holiday playlist (which I have included below!). As always, I hope you enjoy listening! Without further ado, here is Solstice: Carolina’s December Edition Playlist.
Listen here: Apple Music & Spotify
Listen to Pudding Mix (Holiday favorites) here: Apple Music & Spotify
My first song on this playlist is “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Bridges first gained widespread attention in 2015 with the release of his debut album, likewise titled “Coming Home.”
Bridges’ voice sounds as soft as honey, contributing to the album’s unique vintage sound, which played a role in earning Bridges a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album. His following albums showcased different sounds but continued to pay homage to his roots in soul. Leon Bridges has collaborated with artists such as John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, and—as some of you may remember from my October edition last year—Khruangbin. Bridges has a talent for mixing the old and the new, creating music that merges vintage and contemporary styles. His lyrics are heartfelt and his melodies rich, showcasing his passion for the art of songwriting and producing.
As mentioned above, I have written about Leon Bridges before. I loved his collaboration with Khrungbin on “Texas Sun,” and my fascination with “Coming Home” began in a similar manner. After one of my many road trips to Arizona, I decided it was time to create a solid road trip playlist for me and my parents to listen to as we drove along the highway. I titled said playlist “road trip,” (very creative, I know) and my dad added some Leon Bridges songs. As a lover of 60s music, I instantly adored the vintage sound
that he was able to produce, and it made me want to listen to more of his music. The song “Coming Home” especially captures an era of music in the 60s where elements of doo-wop, gospel, and blues met to create a soulful sound. When I first heard the intro of “Coming Home,” I was intrigued by the fact that I couldn’t place what time period it was from; I really believed it was an older song. After Bridges began to sing, I realized it was more of a modern song and was fascinated by how easily he was able to incorporate these different eras of music so seamlessly, leaving my ears wanting more.
Another artist I wanted to include in this edition was Imogen Heap. You might recognize the name from TikTok (she is going viral right now)
or, if you’re an Ariana Grande fan, from the many times Ariana has covered her music. An English singer, songwriter, and composer, Imogen Heap is known for her innovative blend of electronic, pop, and classical music.
Her solo career took off with the release of the album “Speak for Yourself” in 2005, which included “Goodnight and Go,” the song I decided to include in this edition’s playlist. Heap’s music is known for its experimental nature and intricate production that utilizes vocoder technology. She also pioneered the MiMu Gloves, which allows for real-time control of music through hand movements. The gloves use sensors embedded in
the fingertips, wrist, and palm to detect hand movements and gestures.
These sensors then capture data which is then translated into digital signals, allowing users to control virtual environments, create music, or interact with 3D models in real-time. Furthermore, Heap has also contributed to film and television scoring, including “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” and the “Harry Potter” series. Heap continues to push boundaries with her ever-evolving sound and passion for blending artistry and technology.
I first discovered Imogen Heap when I was on YouTube watching a playlist of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. After singing two songs, Heap gave a short demo with the MiMu gloves, testing the different hand signals that correlated with different sounds. She closed her fist to create a loop in the music and then deleted it by throwing her hand down. She also moved her hands left to right which lowered and accelerated the reverb on her voice. I mean, it was a crazy thing to watch.
I first heard “Goodnight and Go” when it was sampled on Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener” album. I had no idea it was a sample until I looked up the song. I love the techno sounds that Imogen Heap produces. The song is so catchy—I have caught myself singing the lyrics multiple times while writing this piece. Both “Coming Home” and “Goodnight and Go” capture the warmth that brightens up the cold winter season, and in my opinion, this edition’s playlist sets a slower mood for the month of December.
As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy listening!
