Spring Special

Christian rock emerged during the Jesus Movement, a Christian revival that began on the West Coast of the United States in the late 1960s. Artists in the genre blended rock music with Christian themes, messages and values, often garnering as much rejection from the church as ridicule from non-believers.

One of the genre’s key figures was Mylon LeFevre. Born into the Southern gospel family The LeFevres, Mylon began performing at a young age. Among one of his many later projects he fronted a band simply named Mylon. 

The band’s self-titled debut LP, released in 1970, marked a significant shift in LeFevre's career, moving away from his Southern gospel roots toward a more rock-oriented sound that fused blues, gospel and Southern rock. (His foray into secular music—including collaborations with George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Elton John—came to an abrupt end after a near-fatal heroin overdose in 1973, leading him to recommit to his faith and return to Christian music.)

"Peace Begins Within", a track from Mylon’s debut LP (see here for a brilliant live recording from 1971), was recently reimagined by Nadia McAnuff & The SOA as a top-notch reggae ditty. With its vintage vibe and a horn section reminiscent of Mulatu Astatke’s music, it’s hard to believe it was recorded only five years ago. McAnuff’s cover is our song of the day:

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The concept of axis mundi, the world axis, has long been a symbol of transcendence and connection between different realms of existence. In many spiritual and philosophical traditions, it represents the bridge between the earthly and the divine and embodies the desire to rise above constraints and reach a state of ultimate freedom.

But freedom, in this context, isn’t just about liberation from physical constraints—it’s about escaping the mental, societal and existential boundaries that keep us tied to the ground. The sky, birds, angels and even mythological figures like Icarus symbolize the human desire to break free.

Today’s song, “One of Those Days” by Zack Bia feat. Lil Yachty and 347aidan, taps into that feeling of liberation. With its floaty instrumentals and lyrics like “I hope that they don't find me now / I'm hidin’ way above the clouds […] / I just wanna fly right now,” the groovy track becomes a more relatable axis mundi: a brief connection to a place where worries fade, and freedom feels tangible. It’s not always about reaching some spiritual transcendence, though; sometimes it’s just about hitting pause on the grind.

So, why not call it a day and take off? Maybe not with wings, but with a killer playlist.

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With her song “family and friends”, French singer, producer and DJ Oklou offers a tender, bittersweet reflection on the importance of human connection.

While it’s widely understood that healthy relationships are vital for our emotional and mental well-being, their link to physical health might be less apparent. However, research shows that people with strong social ties not only enjoy stronger immune systems but also live longer. Social connections have even been associated with a lower risk of chronic illnesses, including heart disease.

So, as you listen to today’s song, which is a trance- and ambient-influenced hyperpop gem, why not share it with a friend or family member? We’ve made the post featuring today’s song publicly available on our website so you can easily pass it along to someone special.

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