1. “Blessa” – Toro Y Moi
2. “All the Kings Men” – Wild Beasts
3. “No Intention” – Dirty Projectors
4. “Preacher’s Son” – Midnight Masses
5. “Bless This Mess” – David Bazan
6. “Norway” – Beach House
7. “Take Anything” – My People Sleeping
8. “Hammock” – MillionYoung

Available for download on SoundCloud, and as a partial playlist on Spotify.

There’s no relationship between the music and the choice to put George Washington on the cover. I’ve just had him on the brain since reading/looking through the final installment of Maira Kalman’s “Pursuit of Happiness” series of illustrations for The New York Times, of which he’s the subject.

I was surrounded by Washington in my childhood. We lived outside of D.C. for a couple of years, which of course bears his name and is full of tributes to him. We also regularly visited my grandma and aunt in Mount Vernon, Indiana, which is named for his estate. But this was all before I turned ten, and it’s hard to develop an appreciation for history at that age.

It may also be worth mentioning that my father and his father are both named George, though I can’t say for sure that it’s after the president.

I’m still not much into history, but Kalman’s piece manages to make it feel magical. When I visit D.C. and Mount Vernon again, I’ll keep both eyes open.