The Solo List.

What is Valentines Day*? For some of us, it is a myth. A myth that is apparently dumbed down to deep red, roses and dinner -Kanye shrug-. My mate wrote a piece about this, and it is apt. Others will be pretending to not care, some definitely won't. But if you're here, you care. About generating some vibes that make you feel at least plausibly indifferent. With films like How To Be Single recently released, I'm all in aid for championing self-sustainment and casting out the ghosts of romance past.

This is a delicate one, so I've made a point to get large from the start. French Kalash & Pompis "Independent Gyal" is a batty-flicking madness.It calls for too much. Mean-mugging, trigger fingers. Anything necessary to dun the dance.

Next we have three directly meaningful songs. From the "one" chanting in Lauryn Hill's classic "Lost Ones", the throwback to Outkast's "Roses", and Dizzee Rascal's unbelievably clever cyclical "love" story in "Round We Go", you're bound to get lifted. 

This is all good and well, but sometimes you have to harness the negative to make room for the good. We all have different healing processes. Some of us need to wallow to the sounds of some powerful lyrics (Arctic Monkeys, "Do Me A Favour", Etta Bond "Break Free"); some need a smash & flee release ("Best For Last", Adele); or to make some sweeping accusations (Chris Brown). Either way, it's all cathartic.

Sounds like: Strength & weakness
Skanks like: An emotional journey in skankin'
For: Lone wolves *For love, spooning anthems and the like, please see The Valentines List of 2014.

The Hibernation List.

This is hibernation season, otherwise known as Winter. The time when you realise the importance of tog ratings, and/or a secure weave. Yes, it's cold out there. Your lips are probably flaking, and mother nature is unrelenting in her quest to force your entire body into submission with those powerful gusts. When you're up against the wind, shedding uncontrollable tears on the way to an optional outing, thoughts are - is it worth it? I promise you, it's not. Better to stay home. The only turn up you should be worrying about is the dial on your electric blanket. Perhaps the volume on these tracks too:

People dig The Temperance Movement. They are just too damn funky, and I guarantee you someone somewhere wearing pleather pants has ridden a mechanical bull to this track, "Battle Lines". It's blues rock, it's sure to get you internally lit.

Kid Cudi ("Alive" Ft. Ratatat) J. Cole ("A Tale Of 2 Citiez") and T.I. "What You Know" maintain these ~feels~, conveniently the title of Kiiara's inclusion that carries an airy Trap element to it. "In Your Clouds" by MNEK is a smooth addition. It's good to hear variation from him, as we know the guy can destroy if he chooses to opt for a high-pitch. Onwards, aural breezes are better than literal ones this time of year, so enjoy the floaty, peaceful sounds of Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson in "Winter Song", along with KING's "Supernatural". The latter are mainly self-produced (respect), and seem to have a roster of tracks that are ideal with soup. Yep.

Sounds like: Soup for the soul
Skanks like: You have no central heating
For: Winter

The Skit List.

I love a good skit. Conceptual skits that add to the flavour of what the artist is trying to deliver in the totality of an album. Even if that is just catching a few lolz from voicemail recordings ("Just A Rascal", Dizzee Rascal). Nevertheless, skits have multiple functions. Some are transition pieces, like the fictional fraternity Broke Phi Broke in "Skit #4" (Kanye West). Others are integral to the album's whole, like Tyler The Creator's "Goblin", and The Streets' "Get Out Of My House".

Folks consider Eminem the G.O.A.T. on the skit front, but these are up there, all with funny undertones. You'll catch Kanye (again), but this time enlisting the help of Chris Rock in "Blame Game". You know the one...yeezy taught you well :D. 

I dare you not to crack up at Azealia Banks dismantling girls that like to act brand new ("Van Vogue"), or perhaps Juicy J's ridiculous outro on The Weeknd's "Same Old Song". Enjoy, listeners. First is Robyn's first track on her eponymous album, equipped with assertions to make anyone feel gassed.

The Gas List.

Quite simply, 8 tracks that are bound to get you amped. Any pre-mashup activities, draw for this playlist.

Nothing wrong with bubblin' to instrumentals. Especially beats that sound like pure chaos in the best possible way. Chimpo knows how to get the skank started; ask anyone that's been to Hit & Run. "Blowfish" is not for cheap laptop speakers or crappy room acoustics. Sort. it. out. and. skank.

Always enjoyable hearing musicians utilise every aspect of a track. No time-wasting with fillers while keeping up lyrically to very decent beats. Kano, Wiley, Wretch 32 & Scorcher are testament of this in "E.T.", as are Frisco and Shakka in "Different Kind". Two great hype tracks, and the Grime continues with "Armageddon", a dub interlude by Mungo's Hi Fi, and a powerful intro by Young Spray on "Better Just Know". The latter features swift skanking Tempa T, so you know there's relentless energy involved.

EDM is synonymous to party music, so it's almost compulsory to include Calvin Harris. Dawn Richard concludes this one though, with experimental glory and the general idea here - dance!

Sounds like: The soundtrack for the weekend
Skanks like: Lord of the dance
For: Hype

The Righteous List.

It's very important to flex on the fact of merely being alive. Feeling good, loving thyself and transfiguring into a full-fledged badman. For this reason, first up - Florence and the Machine, ladies and gentlemen:

Listening to Florence Welch is like experiencing a sermon, embarking on a celestial journey full of Godly righteousness, ominous chanting, power and spirit. This is the gospel. She even flips verses from the Bible, and well. "Bedroom Hymns" is the one. The one that makes you want to drink from the highly compelling cup that is Flo, until Kingdom come. Feel supreme and power up!

Tap-dancing loops (Wizzy Wow), a tale of ascension by the amazingly stylistic Wretch 32, and a conflation of Christian goodwill and batty-whining persuasion by Wizkid in "Eledumare". 

Of course, you can always head-bang to the political inclusions - Plan B's "ill Manors" and "F**k the System", equipped with standard System of a Down fury. By the time you reach Betty Davis (who was almost listed just based on the strength of her afro), it's a lot more humble brag. Hashtag people power.

Sounds like: Giving you life

Skanks like: Nobody's watching
For: Supreme everything

The New Year List.

Start as you mean to go on. Consequently, it's only fitting that Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Who Gon' Stop Me" is the perfect catalyst to dead the plateaus of 2015. If that's not enough, you have the option of amping up on a purely instrumental level to Labrinth - "the UK Timbaland."

Worry about yourself - you can catch Janelle Monae and Limp Bizkit exploring similar sentiments. Shedding nonsense is the theme here, so you know Jhene Aiko is queued. A timid voice with prolific powerful messages. You better sway! And do so all the way into Little Simz' "Wings" with peak self-belief.

Skepta's crowning of the new year-new me feels on Chipmunk's "Someone To Love Me" is the seal:

"Do some work. Talking about doing work, is not doing work."

And with that, Happy New Year folks!

Sounds like: Hype music

Skanks like: Warm-up > workout > cool down
For: Motivation