I believe in love. Maybe not the love-is-all-you-need schtick, but, whether it’s romantic or platonic love, the humans (and animals) in our lives make a sometimes harsh and inhospitable world infinitely more bearable. Even when our hearts inevitably get broken, these patched-together metaphorical organs often function more wisely and, sometimes, even more fully. Love is the drug and—even with its troublesome side effects—it comes highly recommended. Meditate on the many-splendored thing while listening to my Valentine’s Day playlist, Heart Set, below. Heart-hug.
playlist
V.24 No.18 | 4/30/2015
Feature
The Nuclear Option
Stream our uranium-soaked mixtape
We made y’all a mixtape of tunes in the key of Uranium 235.
V.23 No.51 | 12/18/2014
Aural Fixation
Five Christmas Tunes that Don’t Nauseate Us
Our Top 5 holiday tunes come courtesy of The Kinks, Greg Lake, The Who, Bob Dylan and The Flaming Lips.
V.23 No.7 | 2/13/2014

Compfight cc via Kris Krug
Aural Fixation
Such Stuff As (Sweet) Dreams Are Made On
Heartbroken in a Hallmark world? Draw the shades, light some candles, apply eyeliner liberally and queue up our Kohl Heart mixtape.
V.22 No.51 | 12/19/2013

Compfight cc via Rick Harris
Aural Fixation
Stoned Soul Christmas
Gifting funk, soul, R&B, doo-wop and classic jazz
DJ and noise artist Tahnee Udero celebrates TAHNZZ listmas accolades by wrapping up the funkiest and most soulful Xmas mixtape you’ve never heard.
V.22 No.50 | 12/12/2013

Ryan Varsi
Aural Fixation
Nihilist Noël
A bleak Xmas mixtape
Old blues, fire-and-brimstone, spoken word and calypso work as a powerful antidote to seasonal muzak and related depression.
V.22 No.48 | 11/28/2013

Compfight cc via aussiegall
Aural Fixation
Grace Before Meat
Tracks in the key of gratitude
Soundtrack some thankfulness with our überTHXGVNG playlist, feat. Big Star, Magazine, Laurie Anderson and more.
V.22 No.46 | 11/14/2013

Yuri Levchenko
Aural Fixation
From Ballard to Wilde
An existentialist/post-punk odyssey
Wherein post-punk imitates fiction.
V.22 No.44 | 10/31/2013

TIME & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Aural Fixation
Hocus Pocus
Jazz, doo-wop and funk for haunted house parties
DJ Mello scares up a spooky jazz mix to soundtrack your costume/cocktail party.
V.22 No.41 | 10/10/2013

Lynch/Frost Productions
Aural Fixation
Black Eyed Dog and Yellow Wallpaper
Songs in the key of blue
In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week, our managing editor shares her acronyms and an eclectic playlist themed on mental illness.
V.22 No.38 | 9/19/2013

Don English/Las Vegas News Bureau
Aural Fixation
Atomic Café
Songs in the key of Uranium-235
Distract yourself from any number of nuclear disaster scenarios with our atomic playlist.
V.22 No.37 | 9/12/2013
Aural Fixation
Soundtracking the Heebie-jeebies
A Voodoo ritual mixtape
Specters of old blues, Voodoo ritual and superstition haunt our decidely anti-triskaidekaphobic mixtape.
V.22 No.36 | 9/5/2013

yellowcloud via Compfight cc
Aural Fixation
Cold Wave Prayer
Songs for dreaming of winter
If you’re over summer, this cold wave and minimal synth-infused icy playlist may serve as cold comfort.
V.22 No.32 | 8/8/2013

The Candy Lady
Aural Fixation
My Breaking (Bad) Heart
We really did have great chemistry together, “Breaking Bad.” Stream our BrBa OST Spotify “mixtape” as you prep for your watch party.
V.22 No.30 | 7/25/2013

Pink Sherbert Photography
Aural Fixation
I Scream, You Scream
Stream our summery ice cream playlist while savoring your favorite quiescently frozen treat.