I’m not big into matching band music, but I went to a MarchFourth concert on a whim and had a fun time. Lots of juggling, hula hooping, dancing. They even had a guy doing yo-yo tricks to a saxophone solo.

https://youtu.be/8x9Cv-dLw9E?si=1Zh8kC_Q8X0SSI6W

Everything Is Alright - Motion City Soundtrack

A.D.D. - Ten Foot Pole

I loved the first two, but I had a hard time getting through the third. It has interesting concepts but it takes a long time to make its point. Plot structure spoilers:

Apologies for mobile formatting

I have a similar experience when I’m sick. I usually feel more calm and it seems easier to cook or read.

The Children of Time books by Adrian Tchaikovsky have a lot of those themes. Half of the first book is about an ark ship sent out to find a habitable planet because earth is dying. It spans hundreds of years as key crew members go in and out of hyper sleep. Relationships and political factions form and dissolve as the ageing ship continues its mission to find a new home.

The second book focuses on a terraforming crew that was sent to another star system to prepare a planet for humans. However, the planet’s ecology is so alien it proves very difficult to gain a foothold.

I’ve got a playlist, “Everything sucks but that’s ok”. This Year by The Mountain Goats is usually a solid pick. It’s wistful and defiant without being too sweet.

Misanthropic Drunken Loner by Days N Daze is bleak with a wry smile.

Nausea by Jeff Rosenstock.

I got so tired of discussing my future I started avoiding the people I love Evenings of silence and mornings of nausea Shake and sweat and I can’t throw up

And if things are starting to get a little better Good As It Gets by Little Hurt is great. It is incredibly catchy.

Shitshow by Peter McPoland.