The new releases to soundtrack your Valentine’s Day

Little is quite as divisive as Valentine’s Day. At one end of the spectrum, there are those who see it as a bit of good fun and a time to focus on their female friendships with tongue-in-cheek “Galentine’s” celebrations. Conversely, there are those who bemoan the ways it seems to commodify love and relationships, reducing the most intimate facets of our lives to a card and some flowers.

In this spirit, we’ve compiled a selection of newly released tracks that each embody one of the very different reactions that the 14th of February can conjure up. Buckle in, it’s going to be an emotional ride.

Here’s what you can expect:

– Queer longing from Arlo Parks in “Eugene”, a song about falling in love with your best friend…who just so happens to have a boyfriend. A healing balm for heartbreak.

– “Hallway Visions” an ambient-infused track from house producer Octo Octa, taken off the latest compilation from experimental NYC label Air Texture… Ideal if you want to zone out from all the celebrations.

– An anthem for frenemies, nemeses and that ex you really, really hate, “U Suck”, taken from Sega Bodega’s debut album. An anti-Valentine’s Day anthem.

– “Girl Crush” a sweltering collab from Rico Nasty and Boys Noize tracing the beginnings of girl-on-girl attraction to a pounding club beat. Perfect for all the baby dykes out there. 

Listen to the playlist below or on Spotify.