Playlist “13 Songs Centered on Life” features music courtesy of Black Atlass, Cardi B, Cody Jinks, Ghost, and Lana Del Rey among others.

“‘Til we find our place / On the path unwinding / In the circle / The circle of life.”  Oh, the Disney nostalgia! The excerpted lyrics from “Circle of Life” certainly capture the one particular thing that this playlist is all about – life!  Yep, every song on 13 Songs Centered on Life features the word in its song title.  It’s really that simple.  What’s not so simple are the 13 songs, which are each unique in their own right.  Musicians that ‘fuel the fire’ for this life-centered soundtrack include Black Atlass, Cardi B, Cody Jinks, Ghost, and Lana Del Rey among others.

1.Black Atlass, “My Life”

Pain & Pleasure • XO / Republic • 2018

“What if I can never be there? / What if I would always hide? / What if you were temporary? / Look into my mind.” On “My Life”, a highlight from Pain & Pleasure, Canadian R&B artist Black Atlass (Alex Fleming) explores how love mesh with fame. The record is well-produced, fitting the electro, smoky, urban contemporary/pop sound. Fleming embodies the distinct, Canadian R&B sound. His tone is ‘smooth as butter’ on the first verse, treating listeners to falsetto at the end of the verse. The aforementioned pre-chorus is simple, but quite effective and enjoyable, as is the chorus itself.

“This is my life / This is my life / This is my life / To the day I die.”

In the context of Pain & Pleasure, “My Life” concludes strongly, dialing back the heavy processing of the preceding number, “If They Only Knew.” Revisiting the theme of the record, it has been explored by numerous artists.

2. Cardi B, “Best Life”

Ft. Chance the Rapper

Invasion of Privacy • Atlantic • 2018 

“I’m like Big Pop’ mixed with 2Pac, I’m like Makaveli / You need some, Little Caesar’s pizza, I be hot and ready.” Safe to say, Cardi B is pretty damn confident.  In the context of her big-time, debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, “Best Life” is one of many superstar collaborations, featuring Grammy-winner Chance the Rapper. According to Chance, on the chorus: “Said I’m livin’ my best life / Said I’m livin’ my best life / Made a couple M’s with my best friends / Turned all my L’s into lessons.” Fair enough. Ultimately, it is another enjoyable record from Cardi B, even if fails to shine as bright as juggernauts not “Bodak Yellow”, “Bartier Cardi” or “I Like It.”

3. Ghost, “Life Eternal”

Prequelle • Loma Vista • 2018

“Can you hear me say your name – forever? / Can you see me longing for you – forever? / Would you let me touch your soul – forever / Can you feel me longing for you – forever, forever?” Grammy-winning, Swedish metal band Ghost returned with some serious bite on their fourth studio album, Prequelle.  Ghost mastermind Tobias Forge (via Revolver) claims Prequelle is “loosely themed around the concept of death and doom. It’s…themed around medieval times, but … [clings] onto a lot of very current things.”  Fittingly, Prequelle concludes with “Life Eternal.” “Life Eternal” finds Cardinal Copia (Forge) reflecting, oscillating between immortality and mortality. In the grand scheme of the album, death isn’t a matter of ‘if’ but rather ‘when,’ but clearly the protagonist is struggling with the inevitable as the plague takes its toll. Obviously, if you haven’t heard the entirety of the 41-minute concept album, you might miss the ties to the plague of medieval times…

“We dance once more, I feel your hands are cold

Within your heart, a story be told

This is the moment of just letting go.”

4. Yellow Claw, “Another Life”

Ft. STORi

New Blood • Barong Family • 2018

“I knew I was going, about a year on the road and / And I knew that you needed more than just a moment to love me / … But I can’t keep holding you to this cruel fantasy, ooh / Maybe in another life we might collide.” Dutch producer/DJ duo Yellow Claw (Jim Taihuttu and Nils Rondhuis), are known for “bass-heavy productions and riotous performances.” The duo returned in 2018 with their third studio album, New Blood. The cut appearing on this particular playlist, “Another Life,” concludes New Blood.  Featured guest STORi makes her second appearance on the album where fantasy and reality simply don’t line up.  But, “Maybe in another life, another life.”

5. Cody Jinks, “Lifers”

Lifers • Rounder • 2018 

“So, here’s to the lifers / The struggle-and-strifers / Workin’ long after the day is done / Here’s to the broke-backs / The cowboys in old hats / The last of the great generation / It seems they still dream.” “Lifers” serves as the title track for country musician Cody Jinks’ eighth album. Set in a minor key, “Lifers” seamlessly blends the grit of rock and traditional, totally ‘anti-pop’ country music.  Often, it is country-pop that’s viewed as possessing the most crossover appeal, but there’s something truly organic about the retro approach that Jinks employs here. In the context of Lifers, the album, four songs in, there’s plenty to fan-boy and fan-girl over.

6. Martin Garrix, “High on Life”

Ft. Bonn

High on Life (Ft. Bonn) – Single • STMPD RCRDS B.V. / Epic Amsterdam • 2018

“Killed the demons of my mind / Ever since you came around / We’re a river, running wild / How could I have been so blind?” Dutch DJ and EDM wunderkind Martin Garrix stayed busy throughout the course of 2018.  Among numerous singles released, Garrix collaborates with pop singer/songwriter Bonn (Kristoffer Fogelmark) on “High on Life”. Expectedly, Garrix provides a fitting backdrop for Bonn, who is in reflective mode. The principle instrument during the verses is piano, matching the regret Bonn captures regarding love – “How could I have let you go?” In addition to the awesome keyboard work, there are other sounds that appear including beautiful strings, a light, but rhythmic groove, and a dash of electric guitar.

On the pre-chorus, Bonn sings about living fast and reckless, until the final line: “But with you, I feel something real.” He continues with the ‘change of tenor’ on the chorus, asserting, “And I’d walk a million miles, just to see your smile / Till the day I die / Oh, I need you by my side, we get high on life.”  Naturally, the backdrop picks up steam on the chorus, adding bright, shimmering, aggressive synths.  The chorus is where Garrix is at his best and most energetic.

7. Thomas Rhett, “Life Changes”

Life Changes • Big Machine • 2017

There is clearly an autobiographical tone to “Life Changes”, a song that finds Thomas Rhett reflecting on the past, present, and future.  Highlighting the autobiographical nature of “Life Changes,” Rhett talks about adopting a child from Uganda, and having a baby on its way. This particular part, the bridge, amplifies the thoughtfulness of this particular record. While this is a serious record, it’s not blasé.  Rhett still delivers the title track in a fun, memorable way.  In the context of the Grammy-nominated Life Changes, reminiscing isn’t new by this point.  Still, ole boy continues to do it well.

8. Lana Del Rey, “Lust for Life”

Ft. The Weeknd

Lust for Life • Interscope • 2017

“They say only the good die young / That just ain’t right.” “Lust for Life” pairs alternative pop artist Lana Del Rey with Grammy-winning urban contemporary artist The Weeknd.  She incorporates sultry speaking, as well as her signature vocals. She’s captures the Hollywood sentiment, exhibiting lust to be a successful star. She also focuses on her relationship. Ultimately, exemplified by the chorus, she uses the titular lyric, showcasing the optimism to live.  While The Weeknd is restrained on this particular record, his contributions are highly effective.  In the context of Lust for Life, “Lust for Life” packs even more punch than the respectable opener, “Love”.

9. Luke Bryan, “Win Life”

What Makes You Country • Capitol Nashville • 2017

“Well, I don’t know it all / Hey, but I know how it feels / To be the guy that’s trying to come back from behind / Just trying to win life.” Luke Bryan concludes his 2017 album What Makes You Country with “Win Life,” a reflective cut about living his best life.  Throughout the course of the song, Bryan makes it clear he’s a normal guy (or at least that the character he plays), has had his share of mistakes and missteps, but just wants to live to the best of his abilities. “Just be more drunk in love and habits kicked / More miracles than magic tricks.”  After all, Trix are for kids!

10. All Time Low, “Life of the Party”

Last Young Renegade • Fueled by Ramen • 2017

On their seventh album Last Young Renegade, emo darlings All Time Low realize that youth doesn’t last always. Last Young Renegade finds the band in reflective mode, embracing newfound MATURITY.  Still, on the album’s sixth track, “Life of the Party,” frontman Alex Gaskarth manages to sneak in a youthful f-bomb: “I keep thinking about you, how you level me out sometimes / When I’m out on my head, and I don’t wanna face it / You said it’s all for a reason, what the fuck is the reason now?” “Life of the Party” has ample pop sensibility, but don’t call the gem a sell-out.  Intriguingly, Alex seems to question his identity on the chorus, which fits the vibe and overall sentiment of the album.

11. Grouplove, “Welcome to Your Life”

Big Mess • Atlantic • 2016

“We’re back in business / You’re such a big mess / And I love you / Yeah, I love you.” Alternative band Grouplove returned in 2016 after a three-year hiatus with Big Mess. Highlight “Welcome to Your Life” commences Big Mess sensationally. Well-produced, well-written, and captivating, the opener possesses more depth than it’s given credit for.  In a general sense, the band seems to make the statement, make the most of life, even if it’s imperfect. Christian Zucconi and Hannah Hooper – partners in real life – share vocal duties.

“Welcome to your life, yeah, yeah / It could be a fantasy, yeah, yeah / Welcome to your world, my girl / Let it be your fantasy, oh yeah.”

12. Future, “Low Life”

Ft. The Weeknd

EVOL • Epic • 2016

“I just took some molly, what else? / Got some bitch from Follies with us / She gon’ fuck the squad, what else? / I fuck her broads, what else?” “Low Life” indeed Future.  One of the most popular hits from the Atlanta rapper’s catalogue appears on his 2016 album, EVOL.  Prominently featuring The Weeknd, expectedly, the Canadian R&B musician plays right into the shallowness Future served up on the aforementioned song intro.  On the first verse he sings, “Girl go ‘head and show me how you go down / And I feel my whole body peakin’ / And I’m fuckin’ anybody with legs wide / Gettin’ faded with some bitches from the West Side.”  Of course, Future maintains the low-life status without a doubt – “Turn a five-star hotel to a trap house / Roaches everywhere, like we forgot to take the trash out.”

13. Arcade Fire, “Afterlife”

Reflektor • Arcade Fire • 2013

“Afterlife, oh my God, what an awful world / After all the breath and the dirt and the fires are burnt.” While Everything Now (2017) had its fair share of moments, Arcade Fire had a stronger project four years prior with their Grammy-nominated double album, Reflektor.  While the title track earned the most buzz for the project, single “Afterlife” was another compelling and fantastic moment from Reflektor.

Appearing on the second disc of the LP, contextually, “Afterlife” has a variety of meanings.  For one, it can be tied to the Eurydice and Orpheus storyline that’s prevalent on the second disc.  “Can we work it out? / We scream and shout ‘til we work it out?” Win Butler sings on the chorus.  He’s backed by his wife and fellow bandmate, Régine Chassagne.   While the chorus can fit old-school, mythological tales involving underworld (Genius cites Dido and Aeneas), the lyrics feel wide-open. Afterlife is best examined loosely here, not only focusing on mortality, but also love and relationships. After all, “It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife with you.”

Photo Credits: Arcade Fire, Atlantic, Barong Family, Big Machine, Capitol Nashville, Epic Amsterdam, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Loma Vista, Pixabay, Republic, Rounder, STMPD RCRDS B.V.

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