It’s not the first time a musician has sung about love, and it’s certainly not the last. But on Bnny’s sophomore album, One Million Love Songs, the Chicago-based band don’t try to define the matter, fall into, or attempt to create their own tropes. Rather, they acknowledge the mutability, and endlessness, of love. Throughout the album, we see singer-songwriter Jess Viscius staunchly lean into the emotional Hubble Deep Field and embrace the million ways that romance and human connections can present — both universally and across just one person’s own experience.
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Riding the current of a relationship, the album fumbles beautifully and naturally through self-love to self-loathing, trickles through a narrative of heartbreak with a Mazzy Star sound, while finding solace and hope in fuller, brighter hooks that proclaim that love, and life, are short. There’s an ASMR element, with the drawing of breath, little gasps, and sighs, that truly plants Viscius’ performance in fertile ground, and from there, the album only grows in depth of character — though it should be made clear that this is not a linear story. But neither is love.
Inspired by the new album, Viscius told us her inspirations. Here are her top 10 love songs of all time.
Modest Mouse – “Sleep Walkin’”
Many of my favorite love songs are early Modest Mouse songs, but this one takes the cake. It’s sweet and a little bit haunting. My sister recently got married, and this was the first song she and her partner danced to. It was this beautiful full-circle moment.
John Fahey – “Sligo River Blues”
I don’t know if this is a love song, but to me, it is. An incredible, timeless instrumental. It makes my heart sing.
Mariah Carey – “Emotions”
For years, this has been the song I listen to when I’m getting ready to go out. It always puts me in a good mood and makes me feel sexy.
John Lennon – “Starting Over”
This is a great love song for people who’ve been in a lot of dysfunctional relationships. It’s a hopeful song about starting over, hoping things will be different next time.
Scout Niblett – “Fuck Treasure Island”
Scout Niblett is hugely influential to me. Her songs are simple, sad, angry, and perfect. I love these lyrics so much: “And we drove across the bridge/And we missed the exit/For treasure island/But I was so excited/Just to be in your car/Oh, fuck treasure island/Oh, fuck treasure island/My smile’s as wide as the bay/Did you see it didn’t die/For hours and hours and hours/I was alive that day.”
Sparks – “When I’m With You”
This song perfectly describes what falling in love feels like. It’s also fun to dance to.
Courtney Barnett – “Small Poppies”
I listened to this song endlessly when it came out. It’s a great slow burn that turns into a rocker. I love when she sings, “I used to hate myself, but now I think I’m all right!” Self-love!
Buzzcocks – “Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve?)”
A sort of anti-love song. I remember the first time I heard this song, I was in a car barreling down I-90 smoking cigarettes with my high school ex-boyfriend, and I thought it was the coolest song I’d ever heard. It still holds up!
Irma Thomas – “It’s Raining”
As I’m compiling this list, I’m realizing most of my favorite love songs are sad. And this one is no different! I first heard this song in the Jim Jarmusch film Down by Law. It’s this beautiful scene where a couple who just met and fell love are dancing very strangely around their kitchen.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan has been a constant in my life for many years now. My all-time favorite songwriter. His music has inspired me in one million ways, consciously or subconsciously. To me, they’re all love songs!
