Sonic Selections Vol 1. Finn Mercer

Sonic Rhythms is a new series where I ask people to submit a 10 song playlist. Without rhyme or reason, these are some songs brought to you by Finn Mercer and why they've been on. Playlist on Spotify below.

Hard To Explain – The Strokes

I spend a lot of time in my car while driving to solo adventures. Windows down, Redbull cracked, flame hat on, and the album ‘Is This It’ playing from front to back. It feels rebellious and free spirited which has made it a perfect way to set the mood for getting outside.

If U Want – Keni Titus

I found Keni Titus a couple months ago. A lot of her songs remind me of the summer nights in high school and falling into your first love. I think she is a brilliant songwriter and will be someone to watch moving forward.

Hello Operator – The White Stripes

Very raw song with intense guitar rift, solo drum sections to break up the song, and vocals from Jack White. This song is simple, captivating, and in your face in the best way possible.

Desert Song – Arcy Drive

First off, Arcy Drive, one of my favorite bands right now (indie rock) This song is slower than most of theirs, but I think it is their most beautiful. It’s a song I cannot describe but you just have to listen for yourself to feel.

Leadlight – Julia Jacklin

I listened to leadlight and Julia Jacklin a lot while in Japan. During my first two weeks there, it rained a lot and was gloomy a majority of the time. Most mornings I would put on my raincoat and go for a run to explore Hiroshima while listening to this song. The song is about staying in a broken relationship for comfort or moving on and being alone.

Doomed – Souly Had

Souly Had has his own very distinct sound. He makes pop R&B music which Andrew, Lucas, and I have been following for a while now. This one is off his new album ‘Sounds Like You’re Still Here’ and I think it summarizes his sound perfectly. It’s the type of song that you can play in any situation and it just sucks you in.

These Words – Natasha Bedingfield

Not a song that I thought would make it on my list… but here it is. 2 am in a hot and humid karaoke room where the sake is long gone, our voices are starting to fade away, they have played the same stock videos of Santa Monica and New Orleans over and over, yet there is no where I would rather be. My friends from Germany would sing this as one of their songs and since then I cannot get it out of my head.

Hard to Handle – Otis Redding

It’s a feel good song, simple as that. Let’s dance around.

Big Talk – SOFY

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR (and it's only May) and this is easily going to be my most played song this year. SOFY’s music is upbeat, extremely catchy, and has clever lyrics and song concepts. If you haven’t, start listening to SOFY. She already got her own article so won't dive in too much,

Celebrate –  The Moss

I got really into these small indie surf rock bands recently (Arcy Drive, Pretty Jane, The Moss). I literally cannot get enough of these kinds of bands and will be playing them all summer while headed on adventures. I particularly like this song because of “grain” to the sound which I think adds another layer of depth to the vocals.