TRACKS 13-18

13) "Take me back" - HAIM

Selected by: Julie B. (El Segundo, CA)

The chorus of “take me back” is such an ear worm to me! I also love the upbeat bop and the overlapping lyrics. Typically, my mixtape pick is from an artist/band that I’ve seen in concert that year because the energy of new songs being performed live impacts me and tends to stay with me; however, I didn’t go to the HAIM show this year, which I truly regret. Even so, I had a hard time choosing among the many amazing songs from their recent album “I quit.”

HAIM - Take Me Back - Toronto - 9/6/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYvB6z5vO6A&list=RDuYvB6z5vO6A&start_radio=1

14) "Too Pretty for Buffalo" - Baby Nova

Selected by: Harlan K. (San Francisco, CA)

I mean, come on -- the title alone. It's the oldest trope in pop -- "get me out of here!" -- but this song feels of the now, mixing a pop synth sound with country lyrics, and a kind of mid-aughts anthem vibe mixed in for good measure. Plus there's a Hannibal Lector name drop.

Bonus Pick: I listened a lot to Mahashmashana by FJM this year, probably because it feels like the world is ending, but I think it came out in 2024 (so I guess it's not!). Also I love that song "Undressed" by Sombr -- a perfect breakup pop song.

15) "Ovid" - Annie DiRusso

Selected by: Bruce R. (Boulder, CO)

I always enjoy deciding on my annual song for Project Mixtape. This year, I used Spotify and a few other resources to build a playlist for me based on the music I like. Well, according to Spotify, my favorite band in 2024 was Mt. Joy. I didn't even realize that! And Mt. Joy released a new album in 2025, so I listened to that (a lot of times) and there are some great songs on that new album. I especially like "In The Middle" and "Lucy (Infinite Family)" and they made my final list. I also found a song, "Crisis" from The Growlers that I like a lot.

But I decided to go in a different direction and not choose Mt. Joy since they're so well known. And I discovered a pretty unknown artist, Annie DiRusso, who's new release, Ovid, is such a catchy tune and a song I think fits the PMX playlist. The term "Ovid" primarily refers to a famous Roman poet known for his works on mythology and transformation, and this is the year that we're going to start hearing a lot more about The Transformation Economy based on the new book by Joe Pine, the author and "godfather" of The Experience Economy. So it all fit, I hope you all enjoy this song!

Bonus Pick: "In The Middle" and "Lucy (Infinite Family)," both from Mt. Joy and "Crisis" from The Growlers