There’s a persistent and insidious myth that travel is a communal act rather than a purely selfish one. That is, when we go to new places and see new things, we somehow practice our empathic skills, as if broadening our horizons either physically or metaphorically actually brings us in closer to the general fold of humanity.
And that’s a crock of shit, to be honest.
Any traveling I’ve ever done has always been deeply alienating, making me acutely aware of how much my own existence was encapsulated by my narrow and insignificant personal experience. If travel is such a celebration of common humanity, why are airports the ultimate symbol of depersonalization and dissolution of community? No matter what that insipid montage at the end of Love Actually actually says, airports have always held a personal significance as markers of the ends (or beginnings) of deeply solitary journeys.
So maybe this wasn’t what you were fishing for with your leading playlist prompt, but here’s an overwrought and self-absorbed playlist of songs for quiet introspection and a rejection of the value of human contact. Because travel is a valuable experience and something I love, but don’t for a second believe it will actually bring you closer to anybody else. If that’s what you wanted, you’d be better off staying at home.
01. John Luther Adams - “Beginning” (In The White Silence)
02. John Chantler - “The Long Shadow of Decline Pt. II” (Still Light, Outside)
03. James Ferraro - “SUKI _ GIRLZ _ 6” (SUKI GIRLZ)
04. John Dunstable - “Quam Pulchra Est”
05. Bjork - “Show Me Forgiveness” (Medulla)
06. EMA - “Marked” (Past Life Martyred Saints)
07. Gas - “Zauberberg 6” (Zauberberg)
08. Graham Lambkin - “Jumpskins” (Salmon Run)
09. Majical Cloudz - “Illusion” (Impersonator)
10. Gorillaz - “On Melancholy Hill” (Plastic Beach)
11. Jonsi - “Hengilas” (Go)
12. Kacey Musgraves - “Merry Go Round” (Same Trailer Different Park)