Ask the DJ: The Lost Hours – Top 10 Songs for The End of The World

Twenty year-old singer-songwriter, Callum James Hamilton, aka The Lost Hours, released his debut single ‘Lonely Love’ just last month – “a bittersweet cocktail of emotions. Moving from the introverted intro and verses, into a bubblegum call and response chorus.”

“The Lost Hours are the small hours,” states Hamilton. “Where you spend your time wondering how lonely a prospect it is being a celestial object, and where my obsession of trying to mix John Martyn style acoustic riffs with Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’ era style production whilst channelling the infectious nerving bubble gum melodies of Talking Heads takes place.”

As for his playlist: “With all the uncertainty in the world right now. From economical crashes to the environmental crisis. I’ve compiled 10 songs that help get me through. Whether its songs that politically motivate me, songs that comfort me, songs to reflect and recover and songs that bring me to a different planet and escape. Tracks that make me want to stand up, sit down, curl up, whatever! All these brilliant pieces of music guide me through my day to day life.”

1. Talking Heads – ‘Life During Wartime’

Fear Of Music is one of my favourite Talking Heads records. The groove kicks in instantly and never fails to pull me in. The song depicts life in a dystopian war-torn world. ‘This ain’t no party / this ain’t no disco’ wails Byrne. David Byrne has influenced me as a creator in every sense of the word. He was also born in Dumbarton the same town as my grandmother which also fascinates me.” 

2. Bill Ryder-Jones – ‘Don’t Be Scared, I Love You’

“Bill Ryder-Jones finds beautiful optimism in the miserable disarray. It’s a truly haunting composition. For me, the lyrics were synonymous with the spark of hope before the end of a relationship. His whispered delivery of vocals cut right through me. I listen to this song for comfort amidst my own uncertainty, it helps me reflect and realize my own downfalls.”

3. The 1975 – ‘People’

Matty Healy is a modern example of an artist that makes me want to speak out and have my own voice as an artist. He’s someone who embraces his platform to speak out on our societal pitfalls. This song aggravates an outcry for change and motivates a generation for the better.”

4. Sigur Ros – ‘Hoppipolla’

“I’m instantaneously entranced by this song. It’s immediate escapism for me, I forget everything else and I’m entranced in this beautiful score. I think this song is evidence that there is no need to understand lyrics to connect, the music speaks much larger volumes.”

5. Radiohead – ‘Idioiteque’

“Radiohead is one of my favourite and most influential bands. The politically motivated lyrics, glitch pop production, and Thom Yorke’s siren-esque vocal culminate to a whirlwind of emotions for me. This is a very compassionate song with a very raw concern about the state of the planet. ‘Ice age coming, Ice age coming’ heed the warning!”

6. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ‘O’Children’

“Ok, so I was introduced to Nick Cave through Harry Potter. In the scene, two friends embrace each other amidst a collapsing society ruled by a dark wizard. It sounds closer to home than ever before! I’m a huge fan and admirer of Nick Cave; his storytelling and lyricism are second to none. This song is harrowing in every sense of the word.”

7. Joni Mitchell – ‘Big Yellow Taxi’

“For me, this song takes us through the growing silicon society of today. ‘They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum / and they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see them.’ Everything wrong that comes with gentrification is highlighted in this song. There are independent record stores, pubs and businesses that are pushed out of business by soulless conglomerate corporations. ‘paved paradise and put up a parking lot’.”

8. Arcade Fire – ‘Wake Up’

“This album celebrated its 15th anniversary this year. The whole record is a masterpiece. ‘Wake Up’ is a song that gives me motivation whether it be politically or physical. It’s a great example of a song that is melodically flawless but also has a deep underlying message.”

9. LCD Soundsystem – ‘All My Friends’

“This song feels like a real coming of age tune for myself. ‘You spend the five years trying to get with the plan / and the next five years trying to be with your friends again.’ I first discovered this song whilst all my friends were all moving away, and I moved to London to try and pursue my own career. It was a soundtrack to a poignant moment in my life.”

10. Big Thief – ‘Mythological Beauty’

“This album evoked so much feeling amongst me and my peers. Adrianne Lenker goes against a patriarchal industry in every sense. I really respect her as an artist. This song is one of those ‘remember where you were’ moments.”

You can listen to all Ask the DJ playlists on the FMS Magazine Spotify CHANNEL.

Find The Lost Hours’ playlist below and HERE.

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