LP // Long Playing

I'm not entirely sure when our ability to digest an entire album faded and our attention span shortened to extend solely to that of a 'single'. However, it's a stark departure from such a holistic way of enjoying music.

How odd would it be to stab at a chapter of a book, read it, and decide whether or not the book was worth reading. So, how do we see it suitable to dissect an album by the judgement of one song?

It dawned on me when I played my first vinyl record. As I listened to Lykke Li's // Youth Novels, I not only heard, but felt the soft introduction of the spoken-word 'melodies & desires' moving to the heartbroken rising action of 'i'm good, i'm gone" finally to find it's climax through 'little bit', then rest in the falling action of 'complaint department' and find it's soft settled denoument in the slow 'time flies' and then coyly leave you wanting more in 'window blues.'

You might find the parts of the story to key in on different songs, but on the whole, the record spins a telling tale.

I would encourage anyone, the next time you acquire a full record, listen to it in it's entirety. Don't be rushed, don't skip, if you dislike something, figure out why, and come to terms with it. It's all part of a story.