Way back in 2009, I had a Tumblr that I started because I was obsessed with music mixtapes. I interviewed artists (sound familiar?), reviewed shows and had a very special place in my heart for mixtapes. the late 2000s/early 2010s, it was kind of trendy for artists (especially DJs) to collab with publications to curate a mixtape. We didn’t really use the word “playlist” then, but that’s essentially what they were. Websites like Jay Z’s Life+Times, Complex’s Pigeons and Planes, Nylon sponsored these mixtapes that have all but disappeared into the digital sands of time.
The Veronica Sawyer Mixtape was released in May of 2011, and was curated by DJ Troublemaker and Josh Madden, for Nylon magazine. Back then, I hyped this thing as the “sound of the summer” and featured it on my Tumblr for the next 2 months. Looking back, I wasn’t wrong. This mixtape still slaps and is packed with tracks that are now certified throwbacks. It doesn’t hurt that Heathers is one of my favorite movies.
The mixtape kicks off with Aphex Twin’s hauntingly beautiful “Avril 14th,” setting a contemplative tone before diving into the upbeat and infectious remix of Two Door Cinema Club’s “Something Good Can Work” by The Twelves. The Aeroplane remix of Human League’s “Go” keeps the energy high, while Kris Menace and The Dream’s “Walking on Lightning” offers a seamless blend of electronic and dreamlike vibes.
Florence and The Machine’s “Cosmic Love” gets a fresh twist with David Berrie’s remix, and Dom’s “Living in America” is reimagined by Expensive Looks. Breakbot’s “Fantasy” featuring Ruckazoid is a funky, feel-good track, followed by DCUP’s “To Be in Love” remix, which brings a touch of house music to the mix.
A Tumblr mixtape wouldn’t be complete without Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks,” a track that became THE anthem of the early 2010s. Finally, Rad Omen’s “Losing Tonight” wraps things up.
Fun fact: This was actually a follow-up to The Alabama Worley Mixtape, but good luck finding that one online.
I’m thinking of making this a regular thing – “Tumblr Throwbacks” (it’s a working title!). A goldmine of forgotten mixtapes from that era is just waiting to be rediscovered. For me, It’s more than just nostalgia. These mixtapes are time capsules of how we consumed music back when curation was an art form and discovery was an adventure. Before algorithms took over, this is how we found new tunes. So dust off your old fedora, pull out that knock-off Alexander McQueen skull scarf and crank this shit up. Let’s make this the sound of the summer again.
