By Jacob Clavijo – Staff Writer
Music has always been a vital part of my life, shaping my experiences and emotions. My passion for collecting has grown steadily, and I now own over 775 records, each with its unique story and significance. Exploring different genres and rediscovering old favorites keeps my connection to music alive. Lately, I’ve been immersing myself in a few specific tracks that have resonated with me this week. Here are five standout songs from my collection that have been on heavy rotation recently.
1. Clairo, “Second Nature” (2024)
This record has been playing non-stop since its release a few months back. This is Clairo’s best album to date, and while I have many favorites off the album, this song sits atop the rest. When she announced that Leon Michels, who produced the Bobby Oroza album I shared last week, was also producing this album, I knew it would be a success.
2. Rosie and The Originals, “Angel Baby” (1960)
An oldies classic, this song has held a special place in my heart and my collection for a long time. Written by then 14-year-old Rosie Hamlin, who wrote the song for her high school boyfriend, the lyrics are simple yet elegant. If you have that special someone in your life, this one makes for a perfect slow dance.
3. Bill Evans Trio, “My Foolish Heart” (1961)
Even without lyrics, this song always finds a way to pull at the strings of my heart. This song is perfect for laying on the floor and dissociating from the world when times get rough.
4. The Sapphires, “Who Do You Love” (1963)
Between meaningful lyrics about love and beautiful singing abilities, soul music has always been my favorite genre. I have more soul records than any other genre and am constantly searching for more. There are plenty of great soul artists, like Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, and Etta James, but for those who have yet to discover it, there’s an entire world of soul music waiting to be listened to. This song is a part of those rare soul-deep cuts that I am such a big fan of.
5. Rodriguez, “It Started Out So Nice” (1971)
I fell in love with Rodriguez’s music after watching the documentary Searching for Sugar Man, which details his life and career as a musician. He struggled early on, and his music never had commercial success, at least not in the United States. I’m glad some people loved his music enough to share it with the world, find the man once clouded in mystery, and give his career another chance. Sadly, Rodriguez passed away last year, but his music deserves to live on forever. I believe this song is his magnum opus.
I hope you enjoy listening to this week’s selections. Follow me on Spotify @jacob.clavijo for more recommendations.