Fully there in that place

Wow... never underestimate the power of music. 

I'm working alongside my GF today so I have my earphones in while listening to music. I unsuccessfully downloaded Feist's album, "Metals", and so when that failed I started listening to Fever Ray (working my way through my music library alphabetically, apparently). For the record I'm listening to Fever Ray's self-titled album... I don't know if that's their only one. 

The moment I pressed play (the first song that played was "Dry and Dusty"), I was taken back to where I most obsessively listened to that album; where I first listened to it and where I enjoyed it most. I swear I could smell the cold air. It was winter of 09/10. I used to smoke back then, I'm afraid (I quit though!), and I can smell the mix of the cold air and my cigarettes. I remember the coat I would wear. I remember where I was at in my life. I remember the apartment I would return to after a smoking session. I remember what it felt like in that apartment... what my life was like.  I remember the books I would read, the layout of my apartment, the movies I was obsessed with... where I spent most of my time... 

I know it wasn't that long ago, but what I'm trying to say is that the moment the first few notes of this song started to play: I WAS THERE. Fully there, in those moments, in that life, in that place. 

I also remember the other album I listened to, basically in tandem with "Fever Ray": "XX" by The XX. I just started listening to that right now, too, and it's the same feeling. They're similar albums, really, and that's where I was at: calm, introspective, quiet, cold, relaxed, focused... It was a good time. And it's good music. 

Currently reading... Lennon Revealed by Larry Kane 
On deck... High Fidelity by Nicholas Hornby, Quiet by Susan Cain