Confessions of a Basic, Picky, Safe, and Surprisingly Unique Taste
Equal parts mainstream, nostalgic, emotional, and unexpectedly specific, Julio’s self-proclaimed “basic, picky, safe, and surprisingly unique” taste reflects a lifelong relationship with music.
Nostalgia, emotional connection, and shared discovery all shape the way Julio (@vinyl.juls) moves through the May 8 to 10 prompts. His selections reflect someone who forms strong attachments to music, whether through songs memorized over years, artists whose voices feel impossible to ignore, or albums recommended by people who already understand their power.
The prompts offer a closer look at how Julio has experienced music across different stages of his life. The first one centers on a song he knows by heart, which to him is tied to childhood memories and the uncovering of treasures. Another turns to an artist’s vocals he loves, one that leaves an immediate impression and continues to linger long even after the music stops. The final prompt focuses on an album discovered through another music lover and reflects on how a single recommendation can completely open the door to a whole new world and eventually become part of your everyday listening life.
What's a song you know by heart?
I first discovered it when I stumbled upon my dad’s old songbook, which was filled with songs from the 80s, 90s, and even older classics. The book included both lyrics and guitar chords, and I remember being fascinated by it because it felt like uncovering a hidden treasure at home.
Out of all the songs in that book, Crazy for You by Madonna stood out to me the most. I kept going back to it because it was such an easy song to listen to, memorize, and sing along with. It’s not a big belting song and the lyrics aren’t overly complicated. Since English is my second language, songs like this really helped me practice, it felt natural and enjoyable to learn through music.
The second verse really stands out to me. There’s just something about it that feels so satisfying to sing. When you really listen to the lyrics, it captures that subtle, almost magnetic moment of two people slowly being drawn to each other, and I love expressing that feeling. Now that I’m older, the lyrics hit a lot deeper. Back when I was single and out clubbing, I’d sometimes catch myself relating to that feeling of longing and hoping to lock eyes with someone and have that instant connection. The song really captures that quiet anticipation and emotional pull in a way I didn’t fully appreciate before.
What made the song even more memorable was hearing a local band back home perform their own cover of it. Watching them sing it helped me understand the emotion and style of the song even more. From that point on, it became one of my go-to karaoke songs. I started singing it as a child, so I’ve had years of practice performing it from start to finish. Even now, whenever I hear the opening notes, I can immediately sing along without missing a word.
Which artist's vocals do you love?
One artist whose vocals I really love is Hozier. I first came across his music through a GIF of the “Take Me to Church” music video on Tumblr. I remember noticing that it centered on a gay love story, which immediately caught my attention. That made me look up the full song, and that’s when his deep, haunting voice really hit me. I was instantly drawn in, not just by his vocals, but by the emotion of the song and the power of the music video. From that point on, I found myself wanting to explore more of his music.
I think his voice is one of the most unique among male singers today because it feels instantly recognizable. There’s a soulful, rich, and haunting quality to his vocals that makes every song feel deeply emotional. What I appreciate most is how perfectly his voice matches the themes of his music. Whether he’s singing about love, heartbreak, faith, or social issues, his delivery always feels powerful and sincere.
His voice has this lingering effect where it stays with you long after the song ends. It’s almost haunting in the best way possible, and it makes listening to his music feel like a one-of-a-kind experience. Songs like “Take Me to Church” and “Cherry Wine” highlight the emotional depth in his voice, while “All Things End” from his more recent album really shows how captivating and moving his vocals can be. He’s one of those artists whose voice alone can make you stop and listen.
I’d definitely recommend his debut album, especially songs like “Someone New” and “Angel Of Small Death & The Codeine Scene.” Those tracks really showcase his unique sound and storytelling. From his more recent work, I’d also recommend “All Things End,” it has a different feel but still carries that emotional depth he’s known for.
Which album did you discover through a fellow music lover?
One album I discovered through a fellow music lover was The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean. I decided to give it a listen after seeing Jamie (@jamieb1nine73) post about Olivia Dean and talk about how much their family loved her music. Their enthusiasm really caught my attention and made me curious enough to check out the album myself. At the time, I didn’t know much about Olivia, so I went into the album with very little expectation.
After listening, I was honestly blown away. The album feels really refreshing in today’s music landscape. It blends R&B, soul, and pop in a way that sounds both modern and timeless, and Olivia’s voice really brings everything together. For me, that combination makes it stand out from a lot of mainstream pop right now. “Loud” is especially striking; her vocals give it such a haunting, emotional quality. Then you have songs like “Man I Need” and “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” which feel like perfect pick-me-up tracks. Overall, the album balances emotional depth with lightness; it captures both heartbreak and the feeling of being in love really well.
I remember thinking that this was probably one of the best music recommendations I had ever received. Her music felt soulful, refreshing, and incredibly easy to connect with. I loved discovering an artist I may not have found on my own, and it reminded me how meaningful music recommendations can be. I’m definitely grateful to Jamie for introducing me to her music.
Since discovering her music, I’ve added “The Art of Loving” to my vinyl collection. I also went back and listened to her earlier album, “Messy,” and ended up really enjoying songs like “Dive,” “The Hardest Part,” and “UFO.” Now I’m actually on the hunt for her debut album on vinyl; hopefully I can find one at a reasonable price.
For Julio, music is usually tied to that first exposure moment. A childhood karaoke song, a voice that got its foot in the door by the story depicted in the music video, an album recommended by someone online that suddenly becomes part of his everyday listening, it all sticks with him for different reasons, but always in a personal way.
He describes his taste as “basic, picky, safe, and surprisingly unique,” which falls short at encapsulating all of his complexities. His playlists can jump from Taylor Swift to Eminem to Paramore without warning, but somehow it all fits together. He loves pop music, has a soft spot for older classics he grew up hearing at home, like Eraserheads (the Beatles of the Philippines), and gets deeply attached to artists that somehow manage to put feelings into words before he even knows how to explain them himself.
A listener with a self-described “basic, picky, safe, and surprisingly unique” taste, moving freely between pop staples, nostalgic favorites, and artists that somehow always seem to understand what he’s feeling.
