the art of the playlist: my personal recap of high fidelity

I’m not a snob, I just have good taste 

Hulu’s most recent release “High Fidelity '' is a binge-watcher’s delight and I am unashamed to say I bodied the whole thing in one sitting. It's easy to consume while featuring a bright young cast lead by resident cool kid Zoe Kravitz. It’s a slightly glamorized perspective of the most stressful city in the world— complete with a broken fourth wall and enough heartbreak and chuckles to connect to all viewers hoping their 20 somethings don’t kill them. Yep. All my boxes were already checked but what really set the vibe for me was the show’s fabulous soundtrack. I must say, my inclination for the particular™ was very satisfied with every niche musical reference made.

Call me a snob, I really don’t care, but music really does mean a tremendous amount to me. Our sense of hearing is the only one that we can easily and continually challenge without much effort, so I always try to expand my mental catalog of different waves and genres from around the world. For example, High Fidelity touched on the super innovative psychedelic era of Brazil’s Tropicalia movement and the highly political disco fantasies sung by Sylvestre that soundtracked the queer liberation of the 70’s nightlife. Music allows me to make sense of numerous complicated and intricate histories. 

Episode 2, aptly titled “Track 2” highlights the subtle art of making a playlist. Since sentimentality is my middle name, I’ll be pulling a few of my standout faves from the soundtrack and tell you why I chose them. Don’t worry, I’ll try not to include too many spoilers in the meantime. No promises though.

Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton from Perfect Angel

You know that love that feels like a Sunday morning? So bright and cheery that even the birds chirp for you? Minnie Riperton’s iconic falsetto gains its notoriety on this track. Unfortunately for me, every time I hear this song I miss each and every one of my exes all at the same time. Bold move Rob sending this one to your ex-fiancee. At least there were some happy memories along the way. 

Geninha by Bango from Bango

I’m a bit of a Lusophile, meaning I love anything and everything in Portuguese. Not too sure why, I just think the language is so effective in song. Every nasal vowel and squishy consonant pronouncing the mouthful of feelings that love can be. This song is an ode to the sweet, sweet Geninha - whoever the hell she was. I picked this song as my important second track because it picks right up from the opener’s mood - two lover’s who finally left bed to go grab a late lunch. 

Workin’ Together by Ike and Tina Turner from Ike and Tina

How am I painting a picture perfect love story and throw Ike and Tina up in there? Problematic? Yes, definitely. But it’s necessary to explain the idea that there is no such thing as a perfect relationship. The key takeaway from High Fidelity is that love is always more complicated than you think it will be. This track was not a typical one for Ike and Tina to release— addressing the injustice and racism of their time. Ike and Tina’s relationship was also troubled by plenty of abuse (inflicted by Ike) while presenting as pleasant on the outside. I toss this track in to ultimately show that there is a lot more than meets the eye. 

Make a Smile for Me by Bill Withers from +’Justments 

Yep. Another tender one because my favorite string instrument is the heart. Bill Withers has that type of voice that sounds like a hand on your shoulder. That one somebody to lean on. On the night of her 30th birthday, “sad Rob” drunkenly locks herself out of her apartment and Mac just so happens to have an extra set of keys. At that moment, the both of them realize that “leftover need” and share it like a midnight snack. 

There is a note on the cover art of the +’Justments album written by Withers that says, “We will make some mistakes both in judgement and in fact. We will help some situations and hurt some situations. We will help some people and hurt some people and be left to live with it either way.” This summarizes the running pathos of this show’s plot. Shit happens. Some of it is self-inflicting. And you just gotta deal with it.

I Can’t Stand the Rain by Ann Peebles from I Can’t Stand the Rain

This is the part of the story when the clouds start to roll and the sun don’t shine no mo’. I hope the majority of y’all were keen to this sample a la Misdemeanor Elliot, but I won’t pass any judgement. This song closes the first episode of the season and it was a smart way to get me on to the next. Peebles comes from a roster of soul musicians responsible for the “Memphis sound” that revitalized R&B music as a whole by repurposing the drive of old negro spirituals. I toss this song in to remind you listeners that sometimes when it rains its going to pour. 

Yesterday’s Love by Aura from the compilation Aloha Got Soul

Bet y’all didn’t know that funk brought itself all the way to the middle of the Pacific. Not too many know about Aura and how the Mendoza family championed soul music in Hawaii in the late 70’s. It debuts on the show at a moment when we realize that what brought Mac and Rob together was truly left in the past and maybe, just maybe, left there for good. 

Merry Go Round by The Equatics from Doin’ It!!!!

Talk about spiraling? This unabashed cult-classic from a Virginia high-school band perfectly paints the series of unfortunate events Rob gracelessly descends into. One of these sad rebounds is the new boy-toy guitarist, Liam, who sparks something new inside of her. Whatever this is going to be, we’re bound for a bumpy ride. 

I Get Lonely by Janet Jackson from The Velvet Rope 

Is it possible to talk about love and relationships without touching the inevitable state of lonesomeness? You can be in the absolute best company and the feeling can still ensue. Nobody is safe. I feel ya Rob. I really do. 

Nikes by Frank Ocean from Blond 

If it’s one thing you need to know about me, I am absolutely not a Frank Ocean fan. Sue me! However, I am not blind to his genius and the wide emotional palette this Moody Bae can paint from. This song plays during a nighttime walk in the summertime across the Williamsburg Bridge with headphones on— the type of walk you take when everything needs to be sorted out. Funny how this very track highlights one of the most sympathetic scenes throughout the entire show. It takes you there.

Can You Get To That? by Funkadelic from Maggot Brain

The infamous closer. The finale song ends with a very sentimental tune for the brainwash team. Maggot Brain was on heavy rotation for EIC Ayanna and I back in high-school and I always happily associate her with the track. This groovy number lyrics expired love, bitter feels, the type that was wasted “on credit.” Emotionally, probably the most complex feelings we’ve experienced with Rob. At this point, I don’t know if she is my hero or villain, but for some reason, I find myself in those same Old Skool Vans with a hand on my heart.