There’s a certain kind of summer exhaustion that hits right around five in the evening. You’ve been through another long day, the kids are doing teenager things, and all you want is something familiar to land softly.
That’s when I put on my mixtape.
I call it In a (Summer) Funk. It started as an idea from Austin Kleon — he listens to “Old School Dance Party” every Friday night around 5 PM, right before making pizza night martinis. The show is on KUTX, Austin’s public radio station, and it features certified bangers: the kind of tracks you already know and don’t need convincing about.
I took that energy and built a poolside version for myself. Summer is not an easy time around here. You got to keep your shit together. And I found that the rules of funk help: “Keep it on The One.” Stay grounded. Don’t overthink. Just let the groove carry you.
The mixtape is all classic funk and soul — nothing obscure, nothing trying too hard to be hip. Think warm basslines, handclaps that make your shoulders drop, and vocals that feel like a friend saying, “I know, it’s been a day.” It’s music you can clean the kitchen to, fold laundry to, or stand in front of the bathroom mirror doing your evening skincare routine to.
I listened to it on Spotify, but it’s also available on Apple Music and YouTube if that’s how you roll.
The Glow Ritual
Put on one song before your evening routine starts. Not a playlist. Just one track, hit play, and do your first step — cleanse or toner or whatever your go-to is — while the music runs. It takes about three minutes. Your skin gets tended to, and your nervous system gets something nice to land on.
A little groove, every day. Glow is a habit, not a product.
FAQ
Where can I listen to the mixtape?
On Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
What does “Keep it on The One” mean?
It’s a funk music principle — the downbeat that anchors everything. In practice, it means stay centered and don’t overcomplicate things. I apply it to my skincare too: fewer steps, more consistency.
Is this mixtape updated seasonally?
This version is built for summer 2026. I may revisit the concept when the seasons change — but for now, it’s the one that gets me through the heat.
A note from Johnson
Dan asked what I was humming during my evening routine last night. I told him: it’s just funk. But sometimes “just” is exactly what your skin — and your mood — needs.