Melissa’s DJ Pick this week is “Sidelines” by Phoebe Bridgers! “Sidelines” is a part of the soundtrack to the forthcoming TV adaptation of author Sally Rooney’s YA phenomenon Conversations With Friends. “Sidelines” made its live debut during Bridgers’ Coachella set this week. It’s another sad girl special, a slow burning ballad oozing with dreamy nostalgia and more than a hint of darkness. During her Coachella set, Bridgers jokes about the song, “Now we’re going to pretend we live in a fictional world where people come to a concert to hear a new song”.
“Sidelines” is Bridgers’ second 2022 release, as it follows a live version of “Chinese Satellite”. Bridgers also has a plethora of singles from 2021, including her cover of “That Funny Feeling” by Bo Burnham. Her 2021 covers also include “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica and “Day After Tomorrow” by Tom Waits. The latter is her latest contribution to her annual Christmas cover tradition, which fans patiently await each year. The proceeds of these annual covers always go to charity.
Bridgers’ songwriting style is often compared to that of Taylor Swift, offering an overlap in their fanbases. These incredibly talented women teamed up for Swift’s re-release of her 2012 album, “Red”. Specifically, Bridgers is featured on the track entitled “Nothing New”. While Bridgers has covered and collaborated with plenty of artists, her original music speaks volumes of her raw talent. Her hits include sad-girl anthems such as “Garden Song”, “Motion Sickness”, and “Kyoto”. You can listen to “Sidelines” here:
