“The making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many do’s and don’ts. First of all, you’re using someone else’s poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing.” –Rob Gordon, High Fidelity (2000)

We all may be confined to our homes for the time being, but you’re not stuck. You’re safe at home, and there are many creative ways to escape, if only for a few minutes. Through all this craziness, I’ve found comfort, escape and freedom in music. Now more than ever, we need our favorite bands and records to distract us from our anxious minds and those blaring news reports.

A few days ago on Instagram, I posted a selection of songs on my story that have cheered me up while social distancing. I asked you guys if you’d like a full blog post with more, and you said yes! So I made a mixtape just for you: The Quarantine Mix, complete with handpicked tunes I love that have kept me grounded over the past few weeks. 🙂

Side A: Take a Moment For Yourself

No matter who you’re quarantined with, you’re bound to get on each other’s nerves at some point. Take time for yourself and recharge! Music has helped me do this a lot lately, and it’s also made it more fun. Being alone with some killer tunes is truly a ~magical~ experience. These first ten tracks are best experienced with headphones on and while lying down. They won’t put you to sleep – they’ll relax you and remind you that you’re not alone. I chose each of these songs extra carefully — all of them have spoken to me in some way over the past few weeks. The common thread through out each of these songs is allowing yourself to enjoy your own company. Learn to be okay with not having plans with others right now. Enjoy it, even! So close the door, lay down and just listen. What’s better than music that leaves you feeling understood? (My fave tracks: 1, 7, 8)

Side B: A Vacation From Your Mind

A lot of trips have been cancelled due to the pandemic. (My family had a big trip planned for December that we’ve now postponed.) Side B of the mixtape is for taking a “virtual” vacation in your mind…away from your thoughts. Each of these tracks evoke images of specific places for me, and they likely will for you, too. Along with these places comes nostalgic feelings, memories and hope. Do you have a particular place you wish you could escape to right now? Maybe it’s your best friend’s house in another city, the bustling coffeeshop on your favorite street, or somewhere exotic and faraway, like France. Wherever it is, picture it while you listen to side B.  (My fave tracks: 3, 9, 10)

Listen to the full mixtape here:

Stay healthy, music lovers! We’ll get through this together. Feel free to tweet me with your own song suggestions.

-Sophie