The Hidden Track Team’s playlist

What better way to introduce ourselves than to share with our readers some of our favourite songs ? Each member of the team was asked to provide 4 of his favourite tracks, to reflect our different tastes in music.

Aurélien

Love Henry, by ØXN

I could have gone with Lankum’s The Wild Rover, another timeless song sung by the great Radie Peat, but ØXN’s version of Love Henry is a proper tour de force as it uses modern soundscapes to bring a new life to this harrowing tale of jealousy, murder and sorrow.

Clay Pigeons, by Blaze Foley

In an interview to the TED Youtube channel, Ethan Hawke (who directed a biopic about Blaze Foley) explained that art and poetry comes into play in anyone’s life when they need to cope with emotional events. Great songwriters and poets help us to find words to deal with love, grief, heartbreak, depression. When Blaze Foley sings “I could build me a castle of memories just to have somewhere to go”, it’s difficult not to recognise him as one of the greats.

Haqq al-Yaqin, by Om

It’s been more than ten years since Om released their last album, Advaitic Songs… which makes Haqq al-Yaqin their last original song to date. A few years ago, Al Cisneros said that a new album was ready to be mixed but we are still waiting. So we have no choice but to listen to Om’s discography up to this (hopefully) temporary conclusion.

R.E.S. (Live version from All That Glitters Is A Mares Nest), by Cardiacs

Tim Smith was a genius and Cardiacs were the greatest British band of their generation. Listen to Cardiacs.

Liam

Neverland, by Marillion

Since their neo-prog heyday in the lates 1980s, Marillion have continued to move to with the times and evolve their sound. The closing track from their 2004 masterpiece, Marbles, is a hauntingly beautiful song that perfectly demonstrates the band’s musical growth. Steve Hogarth’s impassioned vocals drive home his bittersweet longing to be something more than he is, while he ad libs over a gorgeous extended guitar solo for the song’s seven minute long outro.

Universal Flame, by Devin Townsend Project

With a career that has touched upon a multitude of genres, it’s difficult to pick one track that properly reflects the enigmatic Devin Townsend. But this catchy pop-metal song from his solo band showcases many of his recurring attributes: the wall of sound” production, the contrasting soft/harsh vocals, and a surprisingly uplifting spirit. With a chorus of overdriven guitars and backing vocals galore, it is a deceptively sweet love song, masquerading as a typical heavy metal number.

Somebody to Love, by Queen

It’s no secret that Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest frontmen in rock history. And while Somebody to Love may be overshadowed by some other songs from the Queen’s extensive catalogue, it still stands as one of the best examples of the band’s unparalleled pop-rock sensibilities. With an effortlessly catchy piano melody, a choir of backing vocals and an unmistakable Brian May guitar solo, this is the quintessential Queen song.

Bad As Me, by Tom Waits

Tom Waits has long been established as one of the great songwriters of the last 50 odd years, and the title track from his most recent (to date) album is a perfect example of his distinctive style. It is a wonderfully delirious alt blues number, a cacophony of chaotic instrumentation. As the music ebbs and flows, sounding as if it could all fall apart at any moment, Waits holds it all together, delivering a typically demented vocal performance.

Richard

Space Oddity, by David Bowie

Every time I listen to this song, it strikes me as the obvious: this is the perfect song. The melody, the harmonics, the progression, the changes of pace, everything is well put together. The single was released in a hurry on the 11 July 1969 to capitalise on the Appolo 11 Moon Landing mission departing on the 16.

Arnold Layne, by Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd’s first single is about a man with a strange hobby: collecting ladies clothes from the washing line. It was apparently based on mysterious man in Roger Waters and Syd Barrett’s neighbourhood in Cambridge. The band used to play it live for 10 or 15 minutes, but obviously had to record a shorter version for its release as a single. Despite reaching #20 in the charts, the prominent pirate radio Radio London banned it from its airwaves because of its transvestism theme.

Calvin, by Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

“This is Bluuuues Power ! Let’s have a party !”. The opening track for Jon Spencer Blues Explosion sixth album ACME is simply an excellent example of what the band can do. It was my gateway to the band and just stuck with me forever. A good Punk Blues explosion as like it.

I am the Resurrection, by The Stone Roses

Is there a better breakup song out there? Really ? I have to say: I always loved this song. But it never held as much meaning as it did after very tough break up. It can mark someone forever. It becomes part of you. It is a process… And this song has such a cathartic effect, it helps coping with it, and eventually, getting over it… And rise again. Resurrect.

Adam

The Place Where he Inserted the Blade by Black Country, New Road

The Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road is on it’s way to being a modern classic by those who have been keeping a keen eye on the band since their first album ‘For the first time’. The Ants From Up There was also the final workings of vocalist, Isaac Wood, whom left the band citing mental health issues. We hear this pain, anguish and depression explored as themes throughout The Ants From Up There – and my favourite song from all of it was The Place Where He Inserted the Blade. It’s gorgeous and it’s painful and I can’t stop listening to it. The first note of the piano has played within my head seemingly every day now since the album came out. The opening lyric opened me up like no song has before, it’s easily one of my favourite songs of the past 5 years.

White Ceiling, by Parannoul

If you pay attention to the modern shoegaze scene in any capacity then you have heard of Parannoul’s 2021 album ‘To See The Next Part of the Dream’ – it’s one of the most renowned and popular shoegaze albums in recent years that has quickly been lauded and praised as a modern classic that will go down with the best of them (Slowdive, Ride, MBV), and it was made entirely made on a MIDI. My favourite song from the album is ‘White Ceiling’ which is ten minutes long that features gorgeous yet crushing melodies that evolve into this thick and vibrant soundscape you just lose yourself in. I could never do the song justice by writing about it, I simply implore anyone and everyone to listen to this song.

Sometimes, by My Bloody Valentine

My Bloody Valentine’s 1991 album ‘loveless’ is pretty much agreed upon to be the definitive shoegaze album. It is usually the first shoegaze album recommended to anyone looking to explore the genre and remains a top five album even years later.

In Sofia Coppola’s ‘Lost In Translation’ starring Bill Murray and Scarlet Johanson, a scene takes place in which Bill Murray travels across Tokyo. The song ‘sometimes’ begins to play whilst the cityscape rolls into view for the viewer and Bill Murray to stare at. It’s deep, yet pleasant riffs and quiet but addictive vocals pulls us into a harmonic trance that we never want to escape from.

 As the song begins to fade and the scene end, the guitar and vocals begin to blend and one cannot help but feel the rhymthic and melodic emotions incapsulated by the music. In my opinion, it’s one of the best songs of all time and is something I still listen to on the daily.

Friends Make Garbage (Good Friends Take it Out), by Low Roar

Hideo Kojima revealed the video game ‘Death Stranding’ at E3 2016, which showed Norman Reedus crying whilst holding a baby surrounded by dead whales on a very grey beach all the while the song ‘I’ll Keep Coming’ by Low Roar plays throughout this somber scene. The song was something so eery and strangely engaging I went straight to Spotify to see what else Low Roar had created. Through this I found their 2011 self titled album ‘Low Roar’. In the coming weeks I would get up at 7am for college everyday and get on a 40 minute bus, which during the dark winter mornings I found incredibly hard. Though with the new addition of this album, it lessened the burden, especially the song ‘Friends Make Garbage (Good Friends Take it Out)’. The song is soft, it’s bright, and warm. It has this eeriness and finality that you can’t describe but never want to let go of. Sadly, the founder, writer and frankly the entire idea and identity of Low Roar – Ryan Karazija passed away in October 2022. It has become a personal mission of mine to tell everyone about Low Roar’s music and I do believe that songs like Friends Make Garbage (Good Friends Take it Out) should be remembered much like how Ryan should be remembered.

Matt

Scuttle Buttin’ by Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan has been one of my favourite musicians since I started getting into music. I learned his riffs, I watched his live performances with awe and I watched him in an interview describe how he took the classic blues styles and made them his own. Scuttle Buttin’ feels to me like a prime example of what made Stevie such an Icon. The riff itself is unrelenting blues power. It’s a riff that, though known by many, can be replicated by very few. When he transitions to blues licks, they’re constant, played without hesitation, as though Stevie were trying to write down his memory of a dream before it vanished. All of this, by the way, on guitar strings that could hold up the Brooklyn Bridge.

Moonage Daydream, by David Bowie

I never got into music as a kid. Then, at the age of 16, I went to see The Martian. There was a scene, orbiting Mars or Earth with a song playing. That song wasn’t Moonage Daydream. It was a cover of Starman, another track on the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust. I was captivated. I went home after watching arguably the best movie of the year, instantly forgot the plot and played that album on repeat. While the original Starman was and is an incredible song, the standout to me was Moonage Daydream. There was something about it that summed up Bowie’s vibe, his otherworldly energy and his larger than life personality. This was and always will be, my favourite album and song.

This Time Tomorrow, by The Kinks

The Kinks have some great songs. Songs for all occasions. You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night if you’re ready to rock. Victoria and Come Dancing if you’re going to dance. This Time Tomorrow comes on. I love this song because its one of a few songs that becomes more than the music. This song is what I listened to before exams in school. This song is what I listened to on my way to my first day at every new job, every large event in my life because this song makes me forget all of that, calms me down, puts it in perspective for me. This song made its way onto my list, not for the proficiency of a guitarist or the skill of the band but because the song means so much to me.

Gimme Shelter, by The Rolling Stones

As a kid, I never showed that much interest in music. I never asked for CDs, never turned the radio up, never begged to go to a concert. This was not for lack of trying on my dads part. A Rock and Roll fan who grew up in the 50s, 60s and 70s, he made sure that I was surrounded by stellar music my whole life. It’s not his fault I had no taste. So when eventually I came home asking questions about Bowie and Hendrix, he was more than happy to continue my education. One of our shared favourites is the Rolling Stones, who we were lucky enough to see live in 2018. Me for the first time, my father for the 4th, or 5th, or 6th. Its hard to keep track when you go to see that at every opportunity. In any case, this is my dads favourite song and it didn’t take long to become one of my favourites too. The vocals give you shivers, the guitar is classic Keith. How could this song not be on my list?

Peter

Colourblind, by Counting Crows

A hauntingly intimate song, Colourblind captures the raw vulnerability of love and longing. Adam Duritz’s delicate, aching vocals glide over soft piano chords, painting a picture of someone surrendering to emotion, stripped of all defenses. It’s a song about seeing love in its purest form—beyond fear, beyond reason, beyond color.

Man on the Moon, by R.E.M.

Playful yet deeply reflective, Man on the Moon is both a tribute to the late Andy Kaufman and a meditation on belief—how we question reality, history, and even ourselves. Michael Stipe’s evocative lyrics, paired with the song’s anthemic energy, create a timeless journey through humor, skepticism, and the wonder of the unknown. It’s an ode to the dreamers and the misfits, urging us to look beyond what we think we know.

Suzanne, by Leonard Cohen

Few songs capture longing and spiritual transcendence like Suzanne. Leonard Cohen’s hushed, almost whispered delivery draws you into a world of poetry, where love is mysterious and sacred. The song unfolds like a dream, weaving together images of rivers, tea, and the divine, until you feel as if you, too, are lost in the beauty of Suzanne’s world, both real and unattainable.

Lay Me Down, by The Frames

There’s a weight to Lay Me Down that feels almost unbearable, yet it’s filled with aching beauty. Glen Hansard’s voice is steeped in weariness and passion, carrying the song’s desperate plea for rest, release, and understanding. It’s a song about surrender—not just in love, but in life’s endless struggles. The stripped-down instrumentation makes every note feel like a confession, whispered into the dark.