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 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