Reads & Readings
A running journal of the songs we've been thinking about — what they mean, why they linger, where they come from.
Cover Story · I.O.I
SPF 100+ (Summer Pop Fantasy): I.O.I's Return as a Love Letter to the Season
A reunion song that uses summer, sunscreen and the beach as metaphors for a love that has survived long enough to feel both brand-new and fated
In this issue
Also worth reading
№02
Jung Seung Hwan
Jung Seung Hwan's 'The Snowman': Standing Still While Someone Else Moves On
A quiet farewell song in which the singer stays behind at the place of parting, wishing a departed love the spring they can no longer share
№03
Shakin' Stevens
Shakin' Stevens, 'Merry Christmas Everyone': the sound of a British Christmas
A deliberately uncomplicated Christmas Eve snapshot built from snow, parties and a mistletoe kiss, designed to feel like the holiday itself in song form
№04
GOT7
GOT7's "Stop Stop It": The Agony of Being Friend-Zoned by Someone Too Cute to Ignore
A guy begs the girl who keeps calling him "just a friend" to stop touching him and smiling at him, because he can't hide how badly he wants to be more
№05
The Pogues
Fairytale of New York: The Christmas Song That Refuses to Lie
Two Irish immigrants in New York trade a shared Christmas Eve memory and a bitter present-day argument, mourning the American dream they sold each other
Also in this issue
The Reading Room
- 06 Ninth Key, Ekoh & Lø Spirit ONE MORE TIME
- 07 HANRORO Question Mark
- 08 Thomas Rhett In a Minute
- 09 The Hunger Games & Lizzy McAlpine The Wheel
- 10 Tyler Hubbard 902180
- 11 Kingfishr The Sun Will Never Settle
- 12 Still Scapes Ombre
- 13 for KING & COUNTRY, Lucas Leach, Beth Easdown, India Brown, Charles Esten & Angel Who I Hope To Be
- 14 Ada Lovelace This Is Love
- 15 XG DEPENDS
- 16 Choi Jung Chul Why Love
- 17 Presley Ann Dreams
