Put on “’81” while you make your morning coffee. The song starts with a gentle piano and a story about a baby. By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve lived a tiny, beautiful life in those 3 minutes and 50 seconds. It’s that specific, weird magic she captures.
Have One On Me (LP), Joanna Newsom | Muziek | bol
If you’re driving, avoid the sad tracks. “Go Long” will make you ugly-cry at a red light. Trust me.
The album was released in 2010. That was the year we all had flip phones, and nobody knew what a “tweet” really was. Yet the songs feel timeless, like they were written on parchment in a castle. That’s the paradox of Newsom—she’s completely of her own world, yet she speaks to our most universal, mundane moments.
The best way to listen?
Not on a phone speaker. Put it on good headphones when you’re walking the dog, or on a rainy Sunday afternoon when you’re allowed to be lazy. Let it fill the space. Let it take up room in your heart.
You’ll find yourself humming bits of melody while you’re brushing your teeth. You’ll randomly whisper, “Have one on me,” when a friend offers you the last slice of cake. It becomes a private joke with yourself.
Yes, it’s three hours long. But think of it this way: that’s three episodes of a show you’ll forget. This album will stay with you, like a warm blanket you didn’t know you needed.
So, give it a shot. Make a cup of tea, put on your comfiest socks, and press play. Don’t worry about the length. Let Joanna Newsom tell you a story. You might just find yourself staying for the whole thing—and that’s the whole point.
