CHECK OUT THE NEW SINGLE '' 'Talking Like An Elephant'
W: Karl Watson I: Honnie Joward
When the horizon stretches out indefinitely and the world’s noise finally fades to a hum, what songs are strong enough to keep you afloat? The Lifeboat Playlist isn't about the charts or the trends; it’s a survival kit for the soul. We’ve asked Mike Ryan and The Salty Oranges to strip away the stage lights and the labels to find the ten definitive tracks they’d carry into isolation. From the haunting, stripped-back poetry of Kim Deal to the transcendent Qawwali rhythms that bridge generations, this collection is a raw look at the sonic DNA of the band.
These aren't just "favourites"—they are the anthems, the heartbreaks, and the high-octane riffs that define a lifetime. More importantly, this curated selection serves as the direct spiritual blueprint for their latest single. By stripping their influences down to the bare essentials, the band has managed to weave the minimalist grit of their heroes into the very fabric of their new sound.
The influence of these tracks is palpable from the first note of the new release. You can hear Kim Deal’s influence in the hollowed-out, honest verses, while the hypnotic, driving energy of the Qawwali masters provides a rhythmic pulse that feels more like a ritual than a radio hit. By revisiting these high-octane riffs and soulful ballads, the band has moved away from over-production, opting instead for the "survivalist" purity found in their lifeboat selections. This isn't just a playlist; it’s the map that led them to their most authentic music yet.
Mike Ryan’s Picks: The Breeders – Off You
I love everything that Kim Deal has done, whether it’s Pixies, The Breeders or her recent magnificent solo album. I think this is the best thing she has ever written. I love how the bass drives the song along, and how beautifully sad she sounds when she sings. I saw her live at the Barbican in London last year, and when she performed this, I sobbed. I’ve always loved Kim’s lyrics, but the words to this song read almost like poetry. “I am the autumn in the scarlet, I am the make-up on your eyes.” I don’t know what this means but I love how it makes me feel.
Elliott Smith – Needle in the Hay
I first heard this song in the film The Royal Tenenbaums and it resonated with me immediately. There’s something about Elliott’s voice and those chord changes that just stirs something inside me. I’ve been obsessing over him ever since. His love of the Beatles is as obvious as mine, and you can hear that in everything he recorded. Later albums would be more lavish, with full band arrangements and orchestral flourishes, but I love how bare this recording is. It’s almost like he’s in the room with you.
Mozin Ali’s Picks: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Mera Piya Ghar Aaya (My Beloved Has Come Home)
Nusrat’s expressive voice holds a really special place in my heart. I grew up hearing Qawwali (or “South Asian soul,” as I like to call it) through my Grandad, and it’s had a huge influence on my musical style. The poetic lyrics, call-and-response melodies, soaring vocal runs and shifting rhythms all build slowly towards this huge emotional climax.
Jeff Buckley – Last Goodbye .
I first heard Hallelujah through Shrek… then discovered Jeff Buckley’s version (arguably the best) AND THEN I learned that he was hugely influenced by Nusrat too, who he called his “Elvis”. That pretty much sealed my fate and down the rabbit hole I went. You can hear Nusrat’s influence in Last Goodbye, and the song itself is an absolute gem. The melancholic lyrics and atmospheric arrangement just hits me right in the feels. I’ve spent countless nights falling asleep to this song on repeat.
Mike Eastaugh’s Picks: The Eagles – Hotel California
For me, this is as perfect a song as you can get. I had an instant emotional attachment to it when I first heard it. It has everything: great vocals and harmonies, lovely musical structure, a storyline that sparks imagination, iconic guitar parts and a solo that is as expressive as it is technical and takes the music somewhere. The bassline is unbelievable, too (seriously, just listen out for it)!
The Doors – Break On Through (to the other side)
This song has a special place in my heart. I can’t not dance to it. It’s almost a guilty pleasure because I’m very conscious of its flaws. I just think it carries all the energy, optimism and wide-eyed sense of adventure and breaking boundaries of the 60s. I resonate with that like the old hippy I undoubtedly am.
James Ryan’s Picks: Deftones – Hole in the Earth
It has everything I love in songs. It has the heavy riff, virtuosic drumming and shoegazy vocals. The guitar part before the end riff is straight up heaven.
Slowdive – Alison
This has other-worldly songs throughout, but if you stripped it down and played the chords and sang it with an acoustic guitar, it’s still incredible. For me, it’s a perfect song.
Noah Eastaugh’s Picks: LCD Sound System – Dance Yourself Clean
Black Country Road – Good Will Hunting