The Monthly Mixtape: April 2025
Hey there, music lovers! Welcome to another edition of Word of Mouth's Monthly Mixtape series, where we share the soundtrack that's been fueling our creative engines each month. You know how sometimes a song just perfectly captures your mood or helps you power through that challenging project? That's exactly what these playlists are all about.
These mixtapes are inspired by everything from the shows we've been binging to the coffee shops where we've been camping out with our laptops. You'll find a delightful mix of new discoveries, tracks that are new to us, and those beloved classics that never seem to lose their magic. Consider this our musical journal, a little window into what's been inspiring us lately.
I'm loving this unexpected benefit of sharing my monthly playlists — so many of y’all have been sending your own mixes my way! It's like we've created this beautiful music exchange program that's constantly introducing me to artists and tracks I might have otherwise missed. Keep ‘em coming!
Have you ever noticed how certain bands seem to follow you through life? I had to laugh when I realized Weezer has appeared on my last three playlists, especially considering I haven't actually listened to any of their new albums since 2014. Yet somehow, they keep finding their way back into my rotation. This time, it’s inspired by the news that Keanu Reeves has been cast as the villain in their upcoming mockumentary-style movie. It's being described as a cross between Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story — essentially a nexus point of everything I love. And there I go down the rabbit hole again.
There's this specific sound in many Weezer songs that hits my nostalgia center with laser precision. You can hear it on “I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams” — that wailing, distorted Moog synthesizer is my sonic signature. It's a siren call that makes me instantly fall head-over-heels with any artist who employs it. This month, I've been revisiting other bands that capture that Weezer-adjacent feeling — check out Ozma and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin on this playlist for that vibe.
Sometimes I wonder if we ever really escape our formative musical influences, or if they're just constantly recycling through our lives in new forms. Maybe that's not such a bad thing. After all, It was a big part in crafting the theme of my upcoming podcast. This month, a dear friend helped me develop the aural identity for the pod. As music is such a key influence on my work, we wanted to create something that genuinely reflects my personal tastes while still capturing the tone and content of the show. I can’t wait to share it with you this summer!
Let me take you through the shows and films that have been scoring my April — as always, they've contributed quite a few gems to this month's playlist.
The White Lotus: I went on a complete binge, devouring the first two seasons so I could watch the latest season live and join the cultural conversation. While many complained this season was weaker than previous seasons, I think the exploration of spiritual tourism and the quest for self through Eastern religious practices added this rich layer of depth to the show.
Freaky Tales: What a way to celebrate my first year in Oakland! Set in 1987 Oakland, the film celebrates the city and features the historic Grand Lake Theatre — the very first movie theater I ever visited in Oakland. I made a point to see it there, surrounded by a crowd that erupted in cheers throughout the screening. The Tarantino influence is unmistakable — it draws from both Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill in the best ways. Sure, it's a bit unpolished around the edges, but it takes these bold stylistic swings that I absolutely loved. Plus, unexpectedly hearing one of my favorite Public Image Ltd songs used (“The Order of Death”) brought me hella joy.
Andor: After two years of anticipation, the continuation of Cassian Andor’s rebel journey is finally back. I did a complete rewatch leading up to the premiere and have been thoroughly enjoying the first three episodes. Composer Brandon Roberts deserves special recognition for how wonderfully he's expanded upon Nicholas Britell's original score from the first season. “Niamos!” from season 1 was excellently remixed in this season’s “Brasso” – both on this month's playlist.
