CYCLE MUSIC #02
Cordelia
“Play Pretend”


This serial column, which began last month, started with an introduction. In the first installment, I wrote about “My Ever Changing Moods” by The Style Council, a song that accompanied my youth and how cycling made the world more enjoyable. In this second installment, let’s introduce Cordelia, a talented young British female singer-songwriter with a hauntingly beautiful voice, whose debut song was released just this summer.

The song “Play Pretend” is a delightful groovy tune with a hint of introspective mellowness, set to the cool, bossa nova-flavored strumming of the guitar that’s hard not to appreciate. I immediately liked it upon listening. However, when I watched her music video, I couldn’t help but think that it was perfectly timed.

The video combines ever-changing landscapes from different parts of the world with her cycling, creating a striking impression. It beautifully reflects her character as she sings and plays in the landscapes of youthful reverie.


Just like Corinne Bailey Rae appeared riding a bicycle in the music video for “Put Your Records On” in 2006, bringing a sense of newness and sweet excitement, this summer indie pop in 2023 has freshened up and colored the season sweetly.

Text_Toru Hashimoto (SUBURBIA)

Cordelia「Play Pretend」

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYzn7dqh6Jw&list=WL&index=56



♬CYCLE MUSIC STORAGE♬
#01 The Style Council “My Ever Changing Moods”
#02 Cordelia “Play Pretend”
#03 Corinne Bailey Rae “Put Your Records On”
#04 Georgie Fame ”Happiness”
#05 Alulu Paranhos “Bicicletinha”
#06 Motoharu Sano “Angelina”
#07 B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”
#08 The Smiths “This Charming Man”
#09 Dominic Miller “Bicycle”
#10 NewJeans “Bubble Gum”
#11 Tank and the Bangas “Smoke.Netflix.Chill.”
#12 Kraftwerk “Tour de France”
#13 Livingston Taylor “Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream”
#14 RM “Bicycle”
#15 Norah Jones “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)”


Profile

Toru Hashimoto (SUBURBIA)
Editor / Music Selector / DJ / Producer. Founder of Suburbia Factory. Owner of Shibuya’s “Cafe Apres-midi” and “Apres-midi Selecao.” Over 350 compilation CDs, including series like ‘Free Soul,’ ‘Mellow Beats,’ ‘Cafe Apres-midi,’ ‘Jazz Supreme,’ ‘Music With A View,’ and many others, have been curated, making him the world’s foremost selector. He oversees and produces music broadcast channels “usen for Cafe Apres-midi” and “usen for Free Soul” on USEN, wielding significant influence in Japanese music scene since the 1990s. In recent years, his ‘Good Mellows’ series with a focus on mellow chillout has gained great popularity both domestically and internationally.

Art Work_spoken words project

CULTURE
CYCLE MUSIC #11
Tank and the Bangas “Smoke.Netflix.Chill.”

In last month’s column, I mentioned the DJ party held on 27th April at Cafe Apres-midi. The event brought together the editor and artwork production team of this series, their friends, and even the staff of “Global Ride,” including designers and translators. The atmosphere was filled by good vibes with an array of fantastic music, and it was genuinely a delightful and lively gathering. During the event, our mutual friend and interior designer, Takashi Kobayashi, who runs the architectural firm ima, was spinning records. This month, I’d like to introduce a favourite song of mine that I remembered, “Ah, this one had a bicycle cover too!” They are acclaimed as the best l […]

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Music Cycles Around The World
#03 Hawaii
Macky Feary Band “Macky Feary Band”

In our new series Music Cycles Around The World, inspired by the idea of travelling the globe with a bicycle and a soundtrack, we explore the theme of “cities and music”. This is the third instalment. This time, in connection with the Honolulu Century Ride – held every year on the fourth Sunday in September and regarded as Hawaii’s second-biggest sporting event after the Honolulu Marathon, with many riders travelling from Japan to take part – I’ll be writing about some of my favourite music from Hawaii (though not the traditional Hawaiian kind). The first thing that sprang to mind was the Macky Feary Band’s self-titled debut album from 1978 – a record I still treasure. Over thirty summers ag […]

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CULTURE
CYCLE MUSIC #09
Dominic Miller
“Bicycle”

Monthly column “CYCLE MUSIC” where essays on bicycles and music are written every time. This time, let’s introduce a song called “Bicycle” by the renowned guitarist Dominic Miller. Born in Argentina to an American father and an Irish mother, Dominic Miller has long been hailed by the media as a “great and gentle storyteller.” Based in London for many years, he now resides in the South of France. However, he is perhaps best known for his illustrious career as Sting’s right-hand man. Sting has praised him as a “colourful architect of sound,” while Paul Simon, with whom he has also collaborated, has lauded his guitar playing as “ […]

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