Mecha Mixtape!
My Mixtape’s A Masterpiece is a weekly feature in which a guest compiles a 12-song playlist around some theme. This week, Melissa Kay assembles twelve eclectic tracks for the electric menace—an ode to Mechagodzilla.
Anyone who likes big, fun monster movies typically has a favorite living kaiju but mine has always been Mechagodzilla. Big, shiny, and over-the-top cool, the mechanical titan is the one of the only monsters who’s stronger than Big Daddy G and feels like the quintessential archenemy.
Godzilla’s great, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something about the way that Mecha G dopplegang’s (it’s a new verb, just go with it) the aforementioned kaiju into something more, that makes him, well, more. I’ve loved his design so much that I’ve modeled my entire, well, aesthetic, er—username—off the lovable mecha. There’s truly no more iconic standoff imagery than the one between these two ‘zillas and you know it to be true.
I’ve mishmashed a few songs that call to mind the robot monster’s supreme reign, as well as songs I think he would want included. He’s a robot, but he has feelings, after all. And taste.
1. “Weapon of Choice” by Fatboy Slim
When I first was given the opportunity to make a playlist based on my favorite mecha, this was the first song to come to mind. Not because it has the coolest music video of all time, but because when push comes to shove, Mechagodzilla is my weapon of choice.
2. “Mechanical Animals” by Marilyn Manson
This was the second song that came to mind and sets a precedent: this playlist will be sexy, this playlist will be glam, this playlist will be weird.
3. “Robot Man” by The Scorpions
I imagine this song being something Mechagodzilla would choose to sing at an old, dimly lit karaoke bar somewhere in the lower east of side of New York City. Yes, I have now stepped into the shoes of said mecha kaiju and chosen for him.
4. “Electric Barbarella” by Duran Duran
A power synthy pop song with another equally cool music video. Have a good friday and check it out for yourself.
5. “Mechagodzilla” by Japan on the Moon
I needed one super weird, atmospheric vibe song, and what better than this one, aptly called “Mechagodzilla?” Wear headphones for a greater effect.
6. “Vessel” by Nine inch Nails
Poor Mecha G, in some iterations, is nothing but a vessel, and that’s sad. He’s so much more than that. Reznor crafts a fuzzy, delicious song that’s a little bit sad and a whole lot sexy. He’s submissive, yet uncontrollably powerful. Mechagodzilla would wear this song as sunscreen, or his own personal brand of lubed WD-40.
7. “Army of Me” by Björk
Björk is a God, and an army of one herself, just like ol’ mecha g here. A necessary addition.
8. “I Am Not a Robot” by Marina
“You're vulnerable, you're vulnerable, You are not a robot, You're lovable, so lovable, But you're just troubled” Mechagodzilla is not just a robot, but he is indeed very lovable.
9. “Retro Machine” by Neon Droid
Just vibe to this one.
10. “The Robots” by Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk always reminds me of robots, and this song especially.
11. “Robot Rock” by Daft Punk
You can’t have a mecha playlist without including some kind of Daft Punk. It’s against the rules.
12. “The Girl and the Robot” by Röyksopp
Listen, this song is pure pop dance-club deliciousness, but it’s also a love ballad about me and Mechagodzilla. Take note.
Bonus:
“A Fistful of Dollars” by Ennio Morricone
You can’t have a fully-rounded out playlist without Morricone, and especially one that calls to mind an epic battle between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla.
