Nostalgic Music

This may go hand-in-hand for my love of vintage everything but recently I have been really into music that has an influence of the music of yesteryear. While I've been looking for music like this for awhile there are now a couple of different ladies to turn to. Their sounds compliment sunny summer days perfectly.

Duffy's Rockferry is perhaps my favorite new album. In particular the single "Mercy," which actually is one of the best songs on the album, not just the most user-friendly, is the song I simply can not get enough of this summer. Its infectious chorus is constantly on repeat in my head. The album has a 60s throwback feel and while not many of the other songs are as upbeat as "Mercy" they'll still have you swaying and singing along.



She & Him's "Volume One" is a breezy, folksy, fifties inspired album. Actress Zooey Deschanel's unique voice is mainly what contributes to the old-time feel. It was what originally attracted me to the album and I was definitely not disappointed. Unlike so many actresses who decide to become a rock star, Deschanel can actually sing (if you don't believe me, watch Elf again). I related most to "Sentimental Heart" and their cover of "You Really Got a Hold On Me."

Ok, so since her leap into fame with her single "Rehab" Amy Winehouse has gotten a bad rap. But can we put those aside for a moment and remember that she actually makes good music too? "Back to Black," in my opinion, is indeed her stronger effort and sticks to her unique genre more. I love how she mixes old-school sounds with sassy modern lyrics. I can play the title song of the album and "You Know I'm No Good" on repeat and shamelessly sing along, pretending that I too am rocking a beehive.


Warning: Lucky Soul's "The Great Unwanted" is sugary, syrupy, high fructose sweet. While their songs undoubtedly bring a smile to my face, particularly "One Kiss Don't Make a Summer," I can only stand to listen to them on those most quintessentially summer days; those where you're so filled with happiness and sunshine you feel like those paintings of the kittens with big eyes.

Sometimes Joss Stone can be a bit too commercialized for me but usually her blues and soul inspired music with that powerful voice of her hits the spot. She is the one artist featured here whose music you can dance along to (or embarrassingly bop in your car to until you realize that people can see through your windows). My favorites from "Introducing Joss Stone," her sophmore album, are "Put Your Hands on Me" and "Tell Me Bout It."