W: Karl Watson I: @myashihabi
Stripped of the noise, the neon, and the labels, what remains is the music that truly matters. The Lifeboat Playlist is a raw deep dive into the sonic DNA of the artists we love, forcing them to answer one high-stakes question: if you were drifting into isolation, which ten tracks would you carry with you?
This isn't just a collection of hits; it’s a survival kit built on gut-level resonance. It is a curated legacy of anthems, heartbreaks, and high-octane riffs that define a lifetime. From stadium-sized roars to vulnerable late-night confessions, these are the songs that keep the fire burning when the horizon feels endless.
Below, the members of Cutflowers break down the essential tracks they’d never leave behind.
Up High! By Cutflowers
Something about this band makes us happy, sad, dazed, ecstatic, bounce off the walls, and occasionally put our fists through the walls... It’s just the Cutflowers effect. We’re incredibly proud of this song. Loads of wonderful people helped us believe in it, and we’re so happy with where it’s ended up.
Charles’ Pick: Talking Heads This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
"Talking Heads has always resonated with me. David Byrne is brilliant, and I’ve been a huge fan of his vibe both personally and musically for the longest time. I think this may be the greatest love song ever made—my defense for that relies strongly on my brother and sister-in-law, as this is their song. It’s intimate, funky, and full of adoration; what more could you want?"
George’s Pick: Post Malone Stay
"This song gives me nostalgic feelings and reminds me of home."
Max’s Pick: Rush La Villa Strangiato
"The best guitar player in the world, who met the best bass player in the world, who met the best drummer in the world, made this masterpiece. Watch the live version on YouTube—it's unreal."
Kai’s Pick: Massive Attack Teardrop
"Kill me and bury me in this song."
Max’s Pick: The Neighbourhood Sweater Weather
"The Neighbourhood is my favorite band right now. Although it’s not my favorite song of theirs, when I listen to it, I get so jealous that my head hurts. The riff, the drums, the bass, the vocals… Damn."
Charles’ Pick: Cameron Winter Drinking Age
"I’m probably going to get a lot of mick for this from the other guys, but I feel such a strong link to Cameron’s style sonically and lyrically. This song makes me feel incredibly seen—it's a reflection of the lowest of lows that allows you to take that feeling and grow. He’s got a dope voice, and defining this style at his age is incredible. I will die on that hill."
George’s Pick: The Strokes Ode To The Mets
"I would float across the ocean to this."
Charles’ Pick: The Districts Through The Smoke
"I’ve been going on many late-night walks recently, and this is the track that gets played on repeat. I believe it was written for the film The Ultimate Playlist of Noise, which I haven't even seen. There’s something sewn into this song that never fails to give me goosebumps and make me think, 'Hot damn, I wish I wrote this.'"
Kai’s Pick: Coldplay Straberry Swing
"So joyous, so colorful, so uncool—that’s how I want to live. It's about running through life without a destination, scars bare and soul offered to the universe. The lyrics don’t 'make sense,' yet they go right through your heart. That looping guitar riff puts me in a healing place. The river never stops flowing, and that is a good thing."