To me, there is no greater gift in friendship (or perhaps in life) than the act of sharing music — “putting someone on,” as they say. Barring those who do so as a clout-chasing endeavour, I’ve always felt that sharing music — extending a piece of what one enjoys to another — is a small act of love. In honor of Thanksgiving and this season of gratitude, I’ve compiled a playlist of songs that friends have recommended to me over the past few years, as a way to show I’m thankful and give credit where it is due. I hope these songs bring you as much joy as they did when they were shared with me. (For anonymity’s sake, I’ve stuck to first names.)
1. “Cherry” — J.J. Cale (1976)
J.J. Cale, an Oklahoma native known for capturing the essence of the “Tulsa sound” — a laid-back blend of blues, country, swamp pop and rock — paradoxically became famous for being uninterested in fame. He never compromised his values or lifestyle for the sake of stardom, and songs like “Cherry” feel all the more genuine because of it, making for simple, easy listening. It’s no surprise that musicians like Eric Clapton, Neil Young and John Mayer cite Cale as a foundational influence on their work. Recommended by Scarlet.
2. “September Rain – 2018 Remaster” — Makoto Matsushita (1982)
“September Rain,” a song I regard as pure bliss, was originally a test recording for TV Asahi’s new 16-track system, before it caught a producer’s attention and became the headline track of Makoto Matsushita’s debut AOR record, “First Light.” While the album didn’t sell much when it first came out in the ‘80s, it has since developed a cult following with the 2010s resurgence of city pop. Recommended by Tyler.
3. “May Ninth” — Khruangbin (2024)
“May Ninth,” a subdued and folksy outlier on “A LA SALA,” is layered with recordings of nature and soft vocals inspired by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg’s infamous collaboration “Je’taime…moi non plus.” To me, this song carries all the warmth one needs to make it through the harshest of winters. After all, even Khruangbin’s bassist, Laura Lee, likens their sound to “a version of Mom’s chicken noodle soup. The ultimate comfort.” Recommended by Kyra.
4. “BABY BLUE” – Fishmans (1996)
While Ricky introduced me to Fishmans’ 35-minute track “LONG SEASON,” I thought I’d spare you the growing pains of such an acquired taste — one I’m still trying to accustom myself to. “BABY BLUE,” off the album “空中キャンプ” released the same year, is a much more minimal, chill gateway into Fishmans, a band that blends reggae, dub, dream pop and psychedelic rock. Recommended by Ricky.
5. “Gnaw” — Alex G (2010)
Written and recorded at just 17, Alex G released “Gnaw” on his first full studio album, “Race,” in 2010. Fittingly, this is the first Alex G song I ever purposefully heard (barring soundbites from short-form media), courtesy of my dear friend Chloe, to whom I’m now forever indebted, as he’s become a fierce contender for a top-five spot on my Spotify Wrapped this year — it’s just that good, folks. Recommended by Chloe.
6. “Broken Window Serenade” — Whiskey Myers (2011)
Whiskey Myers, a Southern rock band from Texas, is often praised for their phenomenal live sound and onstage chemistry, which makes sense, considering they have been actively touring since their formation in 2007, with over 2,500 shows in the books. “Broken Window Serenade” is a fan favorite and one of the saddest, most heartfelt tracks in their discography. Recommended by Andrew.
7. “Cross Your Mind” — Shelley (2025)
After a five-year hiatus, “Cross Your Mind” marked the comeback of the bedroom pop band Shelley, originally formed by Clairo and three of her best friends from college during quarantine. The group disbanded shortly after releasing their 2-song EP, “Steeeam” and “Natural” — the rumor in circulation being that members Claud and Noa, who were dating at the time, discovered they were distant cousins. Recommended by Rachel.
8. “Margie’s Candy House” — Larry June, The Alchemist (2023)
I first heard “Margie’s Candy House” on aux while driving through LA, not too far from Santa Monica, home to The Alchemist’s private studio and the place where part of this album, “The Great Escape,” came together. The combination of his masterful production and Larry June’s delivery, which one Reddit user calls “luxury rap incarnate,” is smooth and simply a vibe. The pair documented the whole process in a mini documentary released alongside the album. Recommended by Jagger.
9. “untitled 08 | 09.06.2014.” — Kendrick Lamar (2016)
Off Kendrick Lamar’s “untitled unmastered.,” a collection of demos and samples that didn’t make the final cut for his 2015 album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” “untitled 08” is one of the funkiest Lamar songs I’ve ever heard. It’s one of the tracks my brother, Joseph, first put me on to, and as such, it’s never lost its ability to lift my spirits. Recommended by Joseph.
10. “Paper” — UnoTheActivist, Travis Barker (2020)
The merits of this collaboration by UnoTheActivist and Travis Barker seem to be under harsh examination on the r/hiphopheads subreddit, with critiques ranging from “the mixing is horrible” to “meh” to “so flames.” Whilst I can’t speak for the rest of Uno’s discography, when it comes to “Paper,” I land firmly in the latter camp of hip hop heads. It’s a banger if you give it a chance. Recommended by Ada.
11. “lessthanthree” — lor2mg (2024)
Sent to me by my very chic fashionista friend, this song is exactly that: stylish. The Fader described lor2mg’s 2024 album, “LOR4LIFE,” as a “melodic rap moonbeam,” full of “addictive” tracks built from “layers of digital fog” and “ethereal vocal melodies.” The same feels true of the single, “lessthanthree” released two weeks earlier — a song I often play more than three times in a row. Recommended by Talia.
12. “Cops & Robbers” — Sammy Virji, Skepta (2025)
This collaboration between Sammy Virji and Skepta merges two distinct U.K. scenes — garage and grime — into a catchy, high-energy track made for the dancefloor. If Skepta’s run of features has proven anything, it’s that he can turn almost any beat into a guaranteed banger. Recommended by London.
13. “Topanga” — Trippie Redd (2018)
When Trippie Redd’s “A Love Letter to You 3” dropped in November 2018, teens everywhere collectively bandwagoned in appreciation of such a musical masterpiece. “Topanga” is the only song I avoid playing on purpose, just to preserve the joy and nostalgia it brings me for simpler times spent with friends. As such, it remains my ultimate recommendation to you, emblematic of a season of friendship and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
