Cassie channels the Raptor from Jurassic Park

while I fantasize about McKay karate chopping Nate in the throat

Let’s be clear-I LOVE a good nostril flare. It means whomever (sometimes moi) means BUSINESS.

Before I dive in, can I just give a serious and sincere shout-out to an adorable shining star in Euphoria this season?

In the first season of Euphoria, you know when Rue illudes to being psychic?

Well.

Guess what. Samesies Rue.

Rue and I possess similar body language when trying to convey/convince others of our psychic genius over the phone.

I drafted this bolded excerpt two weeks ago.

I’ve found my own easter eggs of 90s nostalgia within Euphoria over these past two seasons. Whether it was Sam Levinson intention or my own wishful thinking I can’t be sure.

Then Sam clearly throws a nod to Jurassic Park in last week's episode!

Cue ze Count’s cute ass laugh.

I’ve been wanting to assign a personalized 90s era song to each Euphoria character.

To be clear this is not any sort of subtle shade to the music on Euphoria. The entire score of the series is curated with searing and profound delivery (duh). I wouldn’t change a thing.

Besides you know me, I don’t do subtle shade. I give you the whole damn tree.

Displeasure may be one of my most favorite facial expressions. Ha ha ♡

Anywho! I wanted to put my own #90sMusings spin on things.

What you’ll find on this playlist:

• I’ve included tracks that encompass some of the interpersonal dynamics at play this season.

• Some are what I imagine starts playing in a character’s head when then their antagonist appears.

I created a visual guide to peruse while you listen. I have included some footnotes for context because I’m a psycho (in general) but in particular when it comes to 90s music. I felt strongly that each character deserved the perfect song depiction.

Ok, light up a Tahoe (if you feel inclined) ♡

Push play on my Spotify playlist and let’s begin:

If you haven’t given Everlast much of a listen outside of his radio hits, this one hits a bit differently. I recommend in order to receive the song’s full effect, engage in the following: 1)Pick a balmy summer night to drive around in 2) Find a friend who you vibe well with when it comes to music 3)Make sure windows are rolled ALL the way down to enjoy the before-mentioned Tahoe.

McKay’s signature song was a tie between the 3EB song I chose, and Our Lady Peace’s “4 am”. Both illude to lives, and personal ambitions outside of everyone's immediate view. I miss McKay. There was a lot of depth to his character left on the table and when I say I hope he jumps out from a shrub and beats the shit out of Nate Jacobs-I really mean it.

“Glycerine” by Bush was chosen more because of this quote from Gavin Rossdale that I’ll never forget:

"I was trying to be involved with someone who (a) didn't want me to be involved with her and (b) couldn't be involved with me because her life was too busy and too full for me. It's about the magic of love and loss."- Gavin Rossdale

It kind of sums up the two of them perfectly. Because that’s how they both felt the other viewed them.

I needed songs that navigated the obsessive side of Nate’s feelings for Jules. I think the idea of suppression creates an all-consuming counter-effect. Nothing about Nate’s fixation with Jules is healthy and both Placebo and Garbage have songs that dance around a creepy fixation with the right splash of “ick” that’s appropriate. “Spin Spin Sugar” because, well, Jules was the kind of cool I longed to be. I also enjoy songs about coveting seemingly unattainable humans. Jules was the kind of person you went to school with and always wondered who are they-really? Ain’t nothin like a hot mystery let me tell ya. Maybe I’m more like Nate than I’d like to admit. Yikes.

These are probably a touch more obvious, with Oasis’s “Live Forever” being that kind of anthem all friend groups had in high school. A song laced with dizzying possibilities, just beyond the horizon, not realizing how sad the song actually is. Sort of fitting for this friend group right here. It feels so promising just as it’s about to fall apart.

Ok, this one gets me stupidly emotional. 1) Because duh 3EB knows how to quite literally claw at repressed feelings. If you have not listened to The Background before, I mean like really fucking listened to it-it’s gonna knock you on your ass. 2) This 3EB song is overarchingly and achingly BOTH Fezco and Lexi’s song for each other. 3) SPOILER (don’t read this if you aren’t caught up on this season) This song hits on another level because of the underlying, palpable, and VERY REAL possibility that Fezco may not be meant for the Euphoria universe much longer. He was originally supposed to die in Episode 1 of the 1st season. I HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE!

I would never lie to you, No

I felt you long after we were through

And the plans I make still have you in them

Cause you come swimming into view

And I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do

The words they use so lightly, I only feel for you,

I only know this because I carry you around,

In the background.

If you weren’t already depressed as fuck, I thought I’d throw in some Counting Crows “Long December” to squelch any motivation to be productive for the rest of the day.

Rue’s siren song to me has always been R.E.M. Certain artists/musicians/creatives can access a type of pain not easily conveyed. All three of these songs have an undercurrent of profound loss, bewilderment, and that debilitating feeling of what now. Plus, Seven Mary Three has always been a low-key fav and never really gets the songwriting credit they deserve.

I love assigning songs to people. Can you tell ;)

Music is not just a mood-setter or a barometer.

It’s its own character.

What do you think of my selections?

Some hits? Some misses?

Comment below, and share and share some more!

XO

April

PS: The podcast, the video update (eeek!) it’s all coming! PROMISE.

Have to see these most recent opportunities through. ♡♡♡

More to come ♡