It’s difficult to deliver this week’s Glasswerk Friday Playlist with our usual enthusiasm facing a crushing wave of disappointment today pertaining to the UK General Election results. This does not arise from a feeling that our own personal views are not being represented, more from a sense of injustice for those less fortunate and a reinforcement of a sad fact: we have created a society whose moral values are so wildly askew that we no longer even care for the most vulnerable amongst us.
Instead of despairing, now is the time when those of us who are able to must stand up and come together to do everything possible to support and care for those who have no access to the privileges of the few. Every cloud has a silver lining and it’s heartwarming and reassuring to see that this election has brought out the best in many people and has completely re-engaged an entire generation in the political system.
It’s now our collective responsibility to look to the next five years and do whatever we can to protect values that the arts and culture are indelibly intertwined with – values of liberalism, equality, justice and progressive thinking that we cannot allow to be eroded. There’s a heavy mood that hangs over the nation for many today, but if there’s one message to take away it’s that we are lucky enough to live in a democracy where we have the power to make a difference through our actions and enact the change we want to see.
A small and humble message it may be, but through sharing our love of music and creativity with you, our readers and colleagues, we spread a much deeper and more meaningful connection to each other and reinforce the humanity that’s at the heart of creativity.
With that in mind, enjoy these tracks we’ve lovingly selected for you from our inbox this week and keep fighting the good fight.
– Jamie Otsa
@jamieotsa