January was oh-so-fucking long, but it wasn’t without its moments
The thing about January is that it demands to be experienced. The past couple of years, Januaries have felt like 72 days long.
I don’t know why that is — my guess is that I (and maybe collectively as people, we) felt that with the turning of the year comes a turning of fortunes. January is the needed reality check that gleefully tells us no, it’s not that simple.
But despite the perceived length of the days of January, there are still so many things to be grateful for — moments to catch up with loved ones, quiet afternoons, moving to music, getting that chore you’ve been putting off for 2 months done in 5 minutes.
So many highs and lows that I got through with these albums/songs on my playlist.
Arthur Nery’s Letters Never Sent
Arthur Nery was a great discovery for me. As someone who grew up in the 90s, his voice and his style throws me back to when I first discovered American R&B as a precocious kid living in the Philippines, where teen-bop ruled.
Don’t get me wrong; I love myself some Backstreet Boys. But I was obsessed with Boyz II Men, Jodeci, and 112. That’s what Arthur Nery reminds me of.
At dahan-dahang ihiga ang katawan
-“Higa”, Arthur Nery
Nang ‘yong malamang ‘di ka nag-iisa
Halika na’t ‘di kailangang pilitin
Dahil para sa ‘kin ika’y mahalaga
I grew up speaking Hiligaynon, but if I’m being honest, in all the Filipino languages, I love the use of Tagalog in the arts. There’s just something beautiful and poetic about Tagalog, especially when used in the context of love and yearning, which this album certainly has a lot of.
Young K’s Letters With Notes
While I’ve been listening to K-Pop for quite some time, I have to say my first encounter with Young K was when he featured in Ben&Ben‘s Leaves.
I loved his voice and figured I should give this album a shot. I think I fixated on it for a week, playing it all the time at an almost loop.
This album kind of felt like a journey. Started off a bit tentative and emotional, turned a bit playful and ended on a somewhat melancholic note. And as I rarely look up the lyrics of foreign language music I listen to (I’m mostly just here for the vibes), I’m basing this all on the music, his voice, and how the words (which I don’t understand) sound to me.
The Rose’s Dual and Heal
The Rose has been on my playlist since 2021 and it was only in January 2024, as I was watching them perform live for the second time, that I figured out why: they’re bringing me back to my teenage and early 20s days when alternative and indie rock ruled my playlist (alongside hip-hop — my musical taste is a spectrum).
And as someone who grew up listening to and singing the music of Southborder and Side A on the radio, The Rose’s music seemed like a natural direction for me to go. So far, my favourite is still “Yes”, with “Cosmo” coming in close second.
Can we just say yes
– “Yes”, the Rose
Don’t be afraid to dive in
Baby just say yes
I’ll be right here beside ya
And if you say yes
Love is on the horizon
Can we finally say yes
As I’m writing this I’m realising that nostalgia was the theme for January 2024. Not surprising, I’d say, because saying goodbye usually brings about nostalgia.
Plus, music for me has always been attached to memories. When I was a kid, I usually wake up on Sundays to my parents playing music on the radio. So, I started this new series on my blog not only to share some new music and maybe get some recommendations, but also capture in words my thought and memories through the coming months.
Have a listen.
Always chasing,
lyrareyes.com 