By the time I made it to Bowie’s “It’s Gonna Be Me”, I almost started crying listening to this tender mix from Manchester Orchestra‘s Chris Freeman, who explains that the below playlist “plays particularly well whilst showering before the hour of 11 antemeridian Pacific Standard Time.” As crazy as that definitely sounds–I was already listening to a rain noise generator (because I am from the midwest and I am weary of the omni-summer in Los Angeles), so the added sound of water droplets cleansing the atmosphere gave this mix extra gravitas. As it moves from Bowie to Belle & Sebastian to Delta Spirit, it feels like a front is moving through your headphones and the clouds are about to unload. It’s perfect.

If you are familiar with the bulk of Manchester Orchestra’s discography, then you know that the Atlanta, Georgia five-piece speaks a language full of emotional gravitas ranging from blistering garage rock to ethereal, orchestral missives. Channeling the hushed end of that spectrum, Freeman, the group’s keyboardist and supporting vocalist, crafted a playlist that is perfect for spring showers–the hygienic and natural kind (yesterday mother nature really raged during one of the band’s concerts, and we hope they’re alright!).

Check the mix above and behold the accompanying illustration, which looks like a cute little rodent waking from hibernation in a sleeping bag made out of clovers. Look at that lil dude! Just want to poke him on his button nose. Below this illustration, you’ll find a breif description of the mix from Freeman himself.

Manchester Orchestra’s Chris Freeman on his mix:

“This is a mix of songs I’ve been listening to in the morning this winter; At least until Drake and Kendrick came along this spring. But when I’m trying to ease my way into the day, these are the songs I turn to. From Grandaddy’s ‘Underneath the Weeping Willow’ (the only song that could’ve contested Nico in the Royal Tenenbaums in that scene with the bus with the girl with the fur coat) to Midlake still killing it. From Bowie’s vocal melody on one of his more vulnerable and theatrical performances in the studio, to Delta Spirit channeling failure into a bombastic unexpected anthem of uneasy treasure.”

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Let us know what you think about the latest installment of Car Tunes and Cartoons and stay tuned for another this Thursday!