Sophia Kearns spins a winding melody of music and memory.
Winter's grip loosens, and suddenly we're veiled in days that feel like summer. The sun's sting is a familiar yet surprising sensation on our skin. As if emerging from a cocoon of jumpers and jeans, we stretch out to touch the warm breeze, everything feeling a little bit sweeter and everyone seeming a little bit chirpier. It's as though Slowdive's "Alison" is playing in the background, its dreamy, wistful tones perfectly capturing this transition, this awakening.
The festivals may be called off this year, but that doesn't stop the music. Each summer brings a new sound, destined to become nostalgia in the future. It starts so fast and ends even faster, the summer haze so strong we lose our sense of time. It's like being caught in My Bloody Valentine's "When You Sleep", where the blissful, swirling guitars mirror the blur of warm, fuzzy memories we're creating.
Days spent working hard melt into nights spent in the balmy air, sipping and chatting. These moments feel like Ride's "Vapour Trail" – uplifting and nostalgic, a perfect soundtrack for summer evenings. I'll wash the salt from my hair and skin, dry my hair straight, and let the sun's kisses blush my cheeks. We stroll to our destinations because the weather is too delicious to escape on a bus. Each step feels like we're walking through the ethereal landscape of Cocteau Twins' "Cherry-Coloured Funk", the world around us vibrant and slightly unreal. When the night ends, there's no need to worry. Tomorrow, the sun will rise and kiss my cheeks again, much like the gentle, repeating melodies in Slowdive's "Machine Gun" – atmospheric and expansive, like a warm summer night stretching endlessly before us.
Driving home after a day at the beach, I slip "Pitch the Baby" by Cocteau Twins into the stereo. The shimmering guitar line cascades like water, washing over me like the last rays of sun on my skin. As Fraser's voice soars with wordless melodies that defy comprehension yet stir deep emotions, I tap the steering wheel in rhythm with the steady drum beat. The layered sounds build, with synths and additional guitar textures joining the mix. My fingers tap, and I find myself humming along, not words, but sounds that blend with hers. The song's ebb and flow mimics the cars rushing past, fading away, while I'm aware of my salt-stiff hair and the sand stuck to my legs. It's a moment of sensory overload, much like the wall of sound in Lush's "Bleed", capturing the intensity and beauty of summer emotions.
At a red light, I close my eyes, letting the music swirl around me, bringing me back to the beach with waves lapping at my feet. A horn honks, jolting me back to reality as I turn onto my street. The track begins to fade, matching my mood of still floating in that beachy dreamland but slowly coming back to reality. It's like the moment in Slowdive's "Catch the Breeze" when a cool breeze cuts through a hot day, bringing a moment of clarity.
Pulling into my driveway, the last notes echo away, and I sit for a moment, savoring the lingering warmth on my skin and in my mind, not quite ready to let the day go. This moment, suspended between experience and memory, feels like the misty, introspective tones of Lush's "Celia's Dream".
As I step out of the car, the night envelops me. The air is heavy with the scent of jasmine, and distant laughter carries on the breeze. I look up at the star-studded sky, feeling slightly detached, as if I'm observing summer unfold around me. It's a bittersweet feeling, knowing these perfect moments are fleeting, yet finding beauty in their transience – much like the melancholic yet beautiful mood of Slowdive's "Sugar for the Pill".
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