Every Wednesday, the ugly hug shares a playlist personally curated by an artist/band that we have been enjoying. This week, we have a collection of songs put together by Ella Williams of the Chicago based project, Squirrel Flower.

Squirrel Flower has become a monumental project in the Chicago scene and beyond, not just in the case of sharing beloved releases like 2023’s critically acclaimed album Tomorrow’s Fire or 2020’s I Was Born Swimming, but also as an example of what community should and can be, including being the first artist to pull out of SXSW due to their ties to the defense industry and in support of the Palestinian people. Ella’s writing has always been one of defiance and accessibility, a precursor to keep moving forward even when everything feels so inhibiting and cruel. Yet, at its core, Squirrel Flower blends this confrontation with curiosity, taking personal confessionals through dynamic instrumentation and haunting melodies to lure out the beauty that still exists all around us in the world.

Along with her playlist, Ella shares;

these are songs that i’ve been listening to a lot over the last few months. mostly gentle, warm music that’ll hug you and help you get through~~~~ peace+love

Listen to her playlist here!

Earlier this year, Squirrel Flower released a cover of Neil Young’s “Cortez The Killer” recorded live in Austin, Texas at an unofficial sxsw showcase. The track includes performances by Alex Peterson (alexalone), Greg Freeman, Dimitri Giannopolous (Horse Jumper of Love), Travis Harrington (Truth Club), Michael Cantella, and Kai Wilde (Teethe). Listen to it here.

Written by Shea Roney | Featured Photo by Alexa Viscius