An Embarrassing Mix
This is Top Secret
I don’t like the term “guilty pleasure” when talking about pop culture because I don’t feel guilty about enjoying any of the capital B, “Bad” pop culture I consume including (but not limited to) The Bachelor franchise, Dancing with the Stars, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, or copious amount of pop music.
Pop is my favorite genre and I am mature enough to admit it. I will go to bat for artists like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Carly Rae Jepsen, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, the Spice Girls, etc. etc. who get written off by Music Snobs for being 1) women 2) making pop music. That said! I think some pop music that is better than others. And there are certain songs I like that I may not be willing to add to public mixes or put on when asked to play DJ. I don’t feel guilty about liking these songs, but I'm not shouting them from the rooftops. “Embarrassing pleasures” is more like it.
To that end, I'm going to make you work for today’s mix. Sorry, but I just said I would not willingly add these songs to a public mix!
I started this newsletter as an exercise after a creative writing workshop a few months ago, and had zero expectations for what kind of audience I’d have. After some self-promotion and a big bump when Shannon of FluentlyForward shared Made You a Mix, there’s a nice little audience and community here. I am so, so grateful for that! And I want to keep up that momentum! To gain access to today’s full mix, I’m asking that you share Made You a Mix with at least 2 friends. You can let me know you’ve done this by either:
Emailing me directly at madeyouamix@substack.com with screenshots of texts/DMs/any other form of communication you use
Forwarding this email to at least three people and CCing me (madeyouamix@substack.com)
Make sure to tell them why they should subscribe! Send them your favorite mix! I’ll reply directly to you with today’s complete incriminating mix.
To pique your interest, here’s the first song:
Broke Bitch- Tiny Meat Gang [the title and artist alone…!]: My brother is 7 years younger than me and he keeps me ~hip~ to Gen Z culture. He introduced me to Youtubers Cody Ko and Noel Miller a few years ago and I’ve been a fan ever since (this video still gets me). Cody and Noel make music together as the duo Tiny Meat Gang. Think of them as a descendent of The Lonely Island. Honestly, I probably would try to put this on at a party and see if I could get away with it.
To find out what other songs are on this mix, send me your receipts!
Thank you so much for reading, listening, sharing, and being here! Dare to share your embarrassing faves?
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