Levity, life and killer soundtracks
AFTER five years, Issa Rae’s beloved web series turned HBO hit, Insecure, has entered its fifth and final season with episodes airing on Mondays on 1Magic at 10pm. The series’ web of complex, endearing and often messy relationships has been the regular subject of Twitter discourse, recap podcasts and group chats since its premiere in 2015. The show has been lauded for being real, funny and having an incredible soundtrack.
Ahead of the premiere, we asked series regular Natasha Rothwell to make us a playlist inspired by the show. Rothwell plays Kelli, one of Issa’s college friends, and is known for bringing levity, life and plenty of zingers to every scene she’s in.
But Rothwell isn’t just the show’s life of the party; she's also a supervising producer who has written and story edited more than a dozen episodes.
Remember the poignant season 4 finale, when Issa and Lawrence finally reunite years after their breakup, parsing through years of their relationship in a tender, dreamy and sometimes painful bottle episode?
Rothwell wrote that one, and she’s not done yet. This past April, she signed a multiyear deal with ABC Signature, where she’ll be developing upcoming television projects.
The romantic-comedy buff curated a list of 10 songs to make you feel like you’re living in a rom-com, Insecure style.
Read along with her commentary, edited lightly for clarity, below.
1. Heartbeats by the Knife
I can’t resist an ’80s throwback bop. I also can’t help but dance when I hear this song. It’s a vibe.
2. Overjoyed by Victory
I love covers because I get to experience the familiar in a new way. This cover of Stevie Wonder’s Overjoyed is truly beautiful. I mean, it just hits different.
3. Let Me Let You Go by Mega
If you ever see me driving in LA and I’m singing my heart out, I probably have a crush and I’m most likely singing this song and doing my best to harmonise with Mega.
4. Find Someone Like You by Snoh Aalegra
Music is a huge part of my writing process. I almost always make a playlist for the projects I’m working on. The right song can set the tone and even inspire. I wrote a rom-com over quarantine. When it sees the light of day, see if you can spot the Snoh Aalegra moments.
5. Rider by Mereba
I’m a Libran, which means I’m always crushing on somebody. So, when I first heard this song, I had no choice but to go crush-hunting. Anyway, if you get a random flirty text from me next summer, this song is why.
6. Come as You Are by the New Respects
I grew up in the church, and I love it when a secular song about romantic love gets the gospel treatment. And this song understood the assignment.
7. Leave the Door Open by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
This year, cuffing season started the moment this song was released.
8. Don’t Let Go (Love) by En Vogue It’s no secret that I absolutely love karaoke. So, a word of advice for the newbies who want to tackle this song: be careful. Any song brave enough to start with the chorus might inspire you to try to hit notes not meant for you. And yes, I am speaking from experience.
9. End of Time by Beyoncé
I’m glad this song didn’t come out when I was in high school. I almost certainly would have tried to enlist the school band to accompany me during a sports half-time big romantic gesture. I wish I were kidding.
10. Hold the Line by Toto
If saying this gets me cancelled, so be it: Hold the Line is Toto’s best song, not Africa. Now, you can either fight me on this or just play it the next time you’re getting ready for a date and thank me. Choose wisely.
| The Washington Post