In this episode of Note by Note, I spend time with Doomed by Moses Sumney. I first heard this song during a quiet but devastating scene in Ted Lasso, and it stayed with me.

We talk about how a single unanswered question can carry so much weight, how the song’s slowness and restraint shape its emotional impact, and how the music mirrors the lyrics by refusing to resolve.

I also look at a live KEXP performance where something soft is allowed to take up more space.

“See Her Out (That’s Just Life)” is built on almost nothing - a looping synth, a few chords, a simple groove. And yet, the feeling it creates is enormous.

In this first full episode of Note by Note, I spend time with this song from Francis and the Lights. We talk about how repetition can create emotional tension, how a melody can feel like it’s rising without ever going anywhere, and how restraint can sometimes say more than excess ever could.

If you’ve ever been moved by a song that feels small on the surface but massive on the inside, this episode is an invitation to slow down and listen closely.

Note by Note is a podcast about songs I love and what happens when we slow down and really sit with them.

In this short introduction, I share why this show exists, what kind of listening experience you can expect, and the kind of relationship I hope to build with you as a listener. Each episode of Note by Note focuses on a single song - sometimes familiar, sometimes overlooked - and explores what makes it emotionally powerful, musically interesting, or personally meaningful.

This isn’t a review show. It’s not a history lesson. It’s closer to a conversation, the kind you have with a friend when a song stops you in your tracks and you feel the urge to talk about why.

If you love music and enjoy thoughtful, unhurried reflection, I’m glad you’re here. And when you’re ready, Episode One is waiting.