The Break. 02

10 mins of music to dip your toes into.

Having not subjected myself to a plunge into the sea since a particularly fresh* new year's dip; the lengthening days and time-distorted memories of a type 2 endeavour, such that it was, are inevitably planting the seeds for a visit to the ocean in the near future. With that in mind, I've put a swimming related angle to the songs that are in the break this week.

What other songs would you add to this? Let me know in the comments

Firstly we have Sea Swimming by Jack O'Rourke. I feel this captures the tranquility of swimming out in nature. The escape of submerging yourself beneath the surface that really focuses you on the here and now, and nothing else. It’s carried by the depth and clarity of the piano, with the additional texture from the strings lifting everything when needed, simultaneously strong and gentle.

Up next is Loudon Wainwright III with The Swimming Song. This really does what it says on the tin, a song about swimming. It highlights the simple joy you can have from being in the water, in all of its forms. You just have to hold your breath, kick your feet and move your arms around.

Finally we have Sailor’s Boots by Frank Turner. Ok, it's not swimming but there's still an obvious aquatic link. At its heart this song is a simple reflection on what might have been in a different time. This was one of the first Frank turner songs I came across and Tape Deck Heart went on to become a frequently visited album on many a long drive. It’s short and sweet, but succintly conveys the desire escape to something that might be less complicated than this modern life.

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*absolutely, brain-hurtingly freezing