Becoming X was one of those key albums of my youth. I don’t listen to much trip-hop these days, but whenever it pops up on my iTunes, serious nostalgia ensues. It’s funny how sometimes the memories from the past are what inspires your future.

I’ve shared my feelings on Ashes Divide’s first and only album, Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright before. Perhaps if the rest of the album had the same tenacity as debut single The Stone I would have received it more favourably; it’s easily the strongest track on the album and my personal favourite.

Give this to me.

I can’t get this beautifully poignant and evocative song out of my head today.

Haunting and emotive, this incredible track from Opeth’s new album Heritage has been on repeat all weekend.

Over the last few days I’ve found myself listening to this song over and over, from The Beatles’ original to both Fiona Apple and Rufus Wainwright’s covers… and I’ve found that there’s something about Fiona’s version that is intrinsically delicate and speaks at the heart of the whimsical lyrics, making it all the more enjoyable. Beautiful and inspiring.

Although Oceansize’s third studio album Frames was trailed as “a lot of songs about grudges and negative energy”, there’s something quite uplifting about the melodies that accompany these depressive themes. Unfamiliar is the quintessential representation to me for this juxtaposition in the music, and subsequently in my life right now – it’s gloomy cynicism is placated by the stirring, inspiring melody and leaves me feeling strangely galvanised.

They say, that silence it sometimes pays
In war, silence it sometimes pays…

But I’m still right here,
giving blood and keeping faith.
And I’m still right here.

If there were no rewards to reap,
no embrace to see me through -
this tedious path I’ve chosen here…
I certainly would’ve walked away, by now.

Gonna wait it out.

I must keep reminding myself of this…
I must keep reminding myself of this…
I must keep reminding myself of this…
I must keep reminding myself of this…

Gonna wait it out.

Lately this song has been on repeat in my mind, speaking to me of my current trajectory – giving me push, reminding me that all good things are worth waiting for.

With the addition of my tumblr to my social media repertoire, the subsequent slow-down in blog content was a natural side effect. Developments in my life are causing a shift behind the scenes, and I’m hoping to be able to exploit these changes by offering (less frequent) better quality blog content that will work in harmony with the visual stream of inspiration I blog (and reblog) on tumblr.

I’ll talk more about the changes as they progress. In the mean time, please enjoy the track that I named my tumblr after.

Remember when you could say “fist fuck” in a song and still win a Grammy?