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 Columbus-based artist Winston Hightower.

Having toured and collaborated excessively since he was a teenager, Hightower’s songwriting is detached from all genre restrictions. Combing through countless sonic fixations and varying inspirations on his K records debut album Winston Hytwr released earlier last year, each track expands our concepts of both immediate and unsuspecting pleasure as Hightower further defines this exciting DIY world on his own terms.

About his playlist, Hightower shared;

The tracks I selected for my playlist consist of vibes past and present, many that I have been inspired by over the last year. I have been going through a musical switch as far as inspiration lately and each selection of songs is a testament to that. 

Songs 1-4 deal with the subtleness of folk music and how its lyrical components can alter a simple chord melody into a deeply powerful and overwhelming masterpiece, something I’ve been trying to master the balance of myself with my work lately.

Songs 5-8 focus on the more villainous folk, that of which inspires me mainly in its combination of grit and grace to make a sweet and sour collective of sound.

Songs 9-13 are more of a vague mixture of tracks that TO ME just remind me of parts of the 90s that inspire me a lot in my song writing. Although some tracks are older than others, tracks from Fish Narc and Draag remind me of a sort of cadence that resonates with the undertones of 80s/90s/00s pop/grunge/ spun in a different web.

Songs 14-17 stem from my overwhelming obsession of 60s/70s twee and folk songwriting lyrically and stylistically. Really hope to write an album like Margo Guryan sometime in my life. 

Songs 18-20 purely the heart of how using abstract vocal cadences and chord progressions alter songs in super powerful ways. I grew up loving bands like Animal Collective, Black Dice, etc due to how they could mix group chanting vocals with such acoustic melodies.

Songs 21-23 are simply tracks I’ve loved the past year and glimmer what I aspire to get my music too in a live setting.

Listen to Winston Hightower’s playlist here.

Listen on Apple Music here.

You can listen to Winston Hytower out everywhere as well as purchase a vinyl copy here.

Written by Shea Roney | Featured Photo by Jolie M-A