Recently, Spotify has become the most popular music streaming service. A huge reason is its vast variety of playlists: easy to compose, huge in number, and easy to find exactly what you’re looking for, even in the most obscure searches. I myself don’t use Spotify much, as I’ve been mooching off a friend’s premium account, but even with infrequent visitations to the app, I’ve still managed to hone in on a playlist so wonderful that it’s about all I’ve been listening to. It’s like a favorite song that you overplay, except it can’t be overplayed because the songs that make it up are so unique and bizarre that I’m constantly surprised and pleased. I stumbled across Spotify’s alona chemerys playlist as a result of discovering the YouTube channel while in search of new music (classic rock is great, but there’s only so much of it to listen to in eighteen years of existence). I’m not even entirely sure what alona chemerys is; the channel lacks a description or explanation beyond “sugar and cream are mainstream.” It is as mysterious and enigmatic as its songs.
The playlist is composed of most of the same songs as the YouTube channel, including genres anywhere from alternative, to indie, dreampop, low-fi, and psychedelic, featuring an eclectic mix of obscure artists, such as Brad Stank, Mustard Service, spookyghostboy, and many more. A lot of these musicians and groups have their debut tracks and experimental styles featured on this playlist, hence their unpopularity. In addition to these unheard-of-artists primarily featured on the channel, the Spotify playlist contains a good amount of more well-known bands in the mix as well, such as The Velvet Underground, The Lumineers, Yung Heazy, and my current favorite, Houndmouth.
While the flow of songs on the playlist is nice, it isn’t the best part, and it can easily be listened to on shuffle with the same pleasant effects. It’s difficult to describe the way this combination of songs makes me feel, but in a few general adjectives: surreal, hazy, relaxed, high, sensual, and confused, in all the best possible ways. Each song evokes its own spiral of unique thoughts and sensations based on its lyrics and instrumentals.
The alona chemerys playlist on Spotify may be one of the strangest collections of musicians and songs in history—and if you still don’t believe me after all this, go listen to Cocaine Jesus by Rainbow Kitten Surprise. It’s a great playlist for its uniqueness, diversity and the way it all makes you feel. Additionally, it’s a great way for upcoming artists to express their creativity in experimental ways and to get their names recognized next to already popular and established artists. If you’re looking for new music, a soundtrack for when you’re high, or even a good laugh at some song titles (Toilet Boy, What the Heck, salvia plath), I highly recommend alona chemerys.