Annabel Blackman, the musical shapeshifter behind weirdo pop project Solo Career and member of Body Type, brings the same curiosity and coolness that defines her debut album Interior Delirium to this eclectic Crafty Cuts selection. Moving between oceanic calm, nostalgic pop reverence and hypnotic ambient drift, her picks reveal a listening world driven by feeling, humour and quiet obsession.

You’ll find a track that channels the cleansing power of a peaceful ocean swim; a song you just may have heard a gazillion times watching Gilmore Girls ; a confidence-boosting pop classic; a spontaneous, funky DIY gem from a friend whose brilliance feels effortless; a soaring spiritual love song from a hook-writing master; an iconic dance-floor hit that sparked a thrift-store pop deep dive; a jam from her favourite LA witch; smooth yacht-rock comfort with an outro built for kitchen bopping + more.

But first, check out the ultra-cool, Solo Career:

1. Jordan Ireland – Swimming

I live on the South Coast of NSW and often rely heavily on the therapeutic powers of jumping in the ocean. If the conditions are right, and the water’s peaceful and clear, it can really strip you of any ick. This is off Jordan’s ‘Spirit Walking’ album, which is very dear to me on the whole but this track in particular hits me because it somehow summons that power of the mysterious big blue. 

2. Carole King – Feeling Sad Tonight

I never intended to get into Carole King, I don’t really know how it happened. I heard that one song on Gilmore Girls too many times and was never interested in listening to any more of her music but something flipped and I found myself listening to her album ‘Rhymes & Reasons’ on repeat. It’s groovy and there might even be bongos in the mix but it’s balanced with darker concerns / Carole wrestling with her troubles. This track has a resigned sense of drama – perfect for driving home from work. Or sitting in your car in the  driveway before you go inside.

3. T-Pain – I’m Sprung

I came across T-Pain’s NPR tiny desk performance and it was unexpectedly gut-wrenching. It got me hooked and now I listen to his music cos it pumps me up. The way he got torn down for his pioneering use of auto-tune was brutal (“You ruined music” – Usher) but when I listen to I’m Sprung, Bartender, Buy U a Drank, I smile because no one can deny nor destroy that talent. At work I’m the office DJ and I play a lot of ambient music / Severance vibraphone soundtrack stuff so when that’s over I need to strike out on a firm tangent and T-Pain is the answer. 

4. Boba Lego – I Might Dissolve

Rumour has it that Boba Lego aka Occy writes his lyrics on the spot. Whatever he’s channeling speaks to me through its simplicity and sweetness. And I’m kinda obsessed with his guitar manoeuvres but we’re friends so I try not to let the depth of my fandom show. Don’t read this Occy. Anyways this song and this album are hella funky but I recommend listening to Memorys of Newnes too.

5. Todd Rundgren – Healing Pt. 1

Been on a Todd tear for a while now and have yet to listen to everything he’s made cos there’s a lot, but have been particularly enjoying the Hermit of Mink Hollow and Healing, which this song is from. Todd is a pro at writing hooky love and heartbreak songs – it’s almost too easy for him so I think he likes busting out of the conventional hit box and writing soaring songs about spirituality and socioeconomics. He’s coming to Australia for the second year in a row this March so I’m making it my public internet wish that he play this one at the Sydney show.

6. Madonna – Into the Groove

This came on the radio a couple years ago when I was driving and it dawned on me how cool Madonna is, spawning an op shop CD collect-a-thon. At one point I had all Madonna CDs in my car’s 6 stack CD player, a high point in my life. You can’t go past the Immaculate Collection comp if you want a good time on a road trip, or in general. I love Madonna cos she’s outspoken and a self-proclaimed bitch and isn’t a perfect singer. 

7. Jessica Pratt – Life Is

When I heard the opening drums to this it blew my mind. They’re a reference to Glen Campbell’s ‘Guess I’m Dumb’ (I’m assuming) which I used to do a silly Solo Career cover of using a ripped youtube instrumental that’s exactly the same as what you hear in the O.G. song. It framed her whole new album ‘Here In the Pitch’ for me as a subtle Hollywood glamour affair. I love how her sound has changed over the last couple of records to accentuate her style without losing the magic of her earlier simple acoustic recordings. She’s my favourite LA witch. 

8. SWV – Rain

Just when I thought I’d heard the coolest rain sample on Erika De Casier’s song ‘Little Bit’, I came across this one by SWV which is far more drippy. I used to be scarred by the 90s R’n’B my sister pumped when I was a kid but now I’ve done a 180 flip and can’t get enough. SWV is my fave to cook dinner to and there’s a really good NTS compilation of their hits I like to rinse. 

9. Ned Doheny – If You Should Fall

As I’ve said I like groovy stuff and am probably some kind of blue eyed soul yacht rock tragic. I wholeheartedly love the Hard Candy album this song is from so the choice is almost irrelevant cos I just like listening to the whole thing, however the outro on this song deserves an honourable mention for high quality bopping value. Was very excited that Numero Group reissued this record and even more excited to come across it at Northside Records in Melb. Another fave to cook to, good chopping tempos.

10. Blue Divers – Part Way

Bookending this selection with another local coastal, Alec aka the Blue Divers cult leader revels in the powers of ambient guitar loop de loop, and this track is particularly hypnotic. I was lucky enough to be an imposter bean bag shaker on a short Blue Divers tour across New Zealand last year and it was super cool having a break from rock and roll rigmarole. The calmness of the music somehow imbued the whole tour with a sense of calm but maybe it was actually because a certain energetic Joe was running around TMing everything seamlessly. 

Follow @solo.career and @bodytypeband. Solo Career’s Interior Delirium out now on Dinosaur City Records.