Bernard O'Shea: When the world feels overwhelming, just press play

Exploring the enduring magic of mixtapes and their digital evolution, where science, nostalgia, and the art of Foster and Allen converge.

Bernard O'Shea. Photograph Moya Nolan

Ah, the evocative power of music! Every one of us has that distinctive song which, when played, instantly propels us to sing out loud with all our might. But it's not just the captivating melody; it's an invitation to a bygone era.

My attics forgotten corners recently revealed a treasure from my youth - a mixtape, well, a "mix-cd". Yet, it wasn't just about nostalgia or the memory of that regrettable haircut I once flaunted, vainly trying to channel my inner John Lennon with my distinctively Irish red hair. No, there's a tangible bit of science to this musical time-travelling.