Weekly Playlist 4/10

Every Friday, I share the highlights of what I’ve been listening to over the course of the week, from old favorites to new discoveries. Playlist best enjoyed in order.

The playlist this week sort of builds on itself, starting slow and sweet before building to a louder ending. First up is M. Ward’s “Unreal City,” which, like most of Ward’s work, has a subtle, slightly dreamy quality to it — and segues nicely into “January Wedding” by The Avett Wedding, a sweet acoustic love song that might fit well into a wedding playlist.

On their last tour, Fleetwood Mac took to honoring Tom Petty by covering “Free Fallin’” with Stevie Nicks on vocals — it made for a moment in the set that was a moving tribute to a friend of theirs and also a great moment musically. Nicks is a perfect choice for that vocal, and her delivery is heartfelt. While this recorded version doesn’t pack quite the same punch, it’s still nice that it exists. Just go get Fleetwood Mac tickets as soon as we’re all allowed to leave the house.

Things start to get more fun with “This Life” by Vampire Weekend. Father of the Bride is probably the band’s best, with a lot of fun, catchy guitar work but a bit of a mature sound. And then there’s The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” the epitome of catchy, a true pop masterpiece — it’s a shame that it’s by far the best song on that album. Sure, the rest of it is good with plenty to enjoy, but nothing can touch “I’m Gonna Be.”

We step back in time a bit with “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears, a band known best perhaps for “Shout,” but “Head Over Heels” and really, even “Mad World,” is the better song. Then we have Warren Zevon’s famous “Werewolves of London” before closing with a pair of more recent rock songs — Brian Fallon’s fantastic “Forget Me Not,” and finally, the fun and epic “Stadium Love” by Metric, a perfect closer.

Some musicians are drawing inspiration from these strange times, including Pittsburgh band Punchline, who put out this song and video featuring fans in their homes. Enjoy! And please, follow their advice and just stay home — the more of us who do, the better the chances of coming out of this faster and with fewer deaths.