No Words, No Cry

While words can be powerful, there is something undeniable about an instrumental melody that speaks for itself, and I think it is time we show a bit more love for our dearest, lyricless gems. Whether you are ruminating on the year behind us or solidifying your “ins” and “outs” for 2025, let this playlist be a soundtrack for reflection, solitude, and everything in between. 

“Snow Day” by Menahan Street Band

You might recognize Menahan Street Band from their song, “Queens Highway,” which has amassed over 75 million listens on Spotify alone. You may not know that the group is a culmination of the minds behind some of your favorite groups, namely The Black Keys, The Roots, The Avalanches, and more. Their music has been sampled by Kendrick Lamar and other legendary hip-hop and rap artists, standing as a testament for their universal sound. “Snow Day” follows their aforementioned hit on their 2021 album, ‘The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band’–their first release in nearly a decade. Featuring the band’s classic palette of instruments–the saxophone being a standout, in my opinion–this track evokes a tasteful balance of playfulness and cozy introspection.

“Trying to Escape” by Arc De Soleil

If you enjoy music by the likes of Khruangbin (a fellow resident of this playlist), you would be doing yourself a disservice by not tapping into the excellence that is Arc De Soleil’s discography. Although Daniel Kadawatha has only been releasing music as Arc De Soleil since 2019, this is truly the music of a seasoned instrumentalist and producer. In "Trying to Escape," the guitar takes center stage for three straight minutes, stepping into the role of a lyricist with its expressive, storytelling capabilities. For readers hailing from Europe, Texas, California, and select other US cities, be sure to catch this song live in February or March.  

“Gift of Life (Instrumental)” by Brainstory

“Gift of Life (Instrumental)” is one of 11 songs on Brainstory’s EP ‘Sounds Good (Instrumentals)’ which features, you guessed it, solely the instrumentals of the songs gracing their 2024 album ‘Sounds Good’. Although the original rendition of this track features the trio’s signature and nostalgic vocal harmonies, this version is a bit more delicate–perfectly tailored for a laid-back listen. The concept of releasing an instrumental version of an album isn’t necessarily novel, but I do hope more artists follow Brainstory’s lead in the near future; I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out.