Video game nostalgia is at an all-time high, with clips from the good old days flooding the timeline. I can’t stop thinking about the old players, the graphics, but most of all, the music. It’s been a few years since I booted up my old XBOX 360, but I still listen to my “best of” playlists featuring my favorite songs from FIFA 10 to FIFA 22. 

All that got me thinking, “What would a modern soundtrack sound like?” So, after going through my favorite indie artists’ discographies, I carefully curated a playlist of songs that brought that feeling back. Think of this as the spiritual successor to the soundtracks we all fell in love with while playing career mode and Ultimate Team in the mid-2010s. Hope you enjoy it!

Whiplash! - Your Neighbors

Kicking us off is a track that feels like it belongs in an opening screen menu. In another life, "Whiplash!" greeted us every day after we got home from school. The vibey chorus and carefully placed reverb hark back to a simpler time. 

Feel It Still - Noshows

When this song comes on, I imagine myself sifting through the transfer market, hoping someone listed Arjen Robben for his minimum price. It’s nostalgic yet modern, with a simple melody. Perfect for the background, but not made for it. 

Pure Shores - Hearts Hearts

When I was younger, I always skipped the game’s slower songs. They didn’t get me hyped, they weren’t catchy, and I didn’t care to truly listen. I’ve since grown to appreciate them, and "Pure Shores" feels like my second chance to appreciate the world around me as it existed when I was a kid. It's comfortable and ethereal, like sitting on the couch until 3:51 a.m. while trying to sign Youri Tielemans in your Brentford Career Mode.

Hands on Fire - ufo ufo

I have a theory that the beat makes or breaks a FIFA song. It needs to be fast, but not too fast, and upbeat, but not too upbeat. I could have picked a few ufo ufo songs for this distinction, but the hypnotic chorus and subtle, synthesized melody towards the end hit me in my feels, and the decision was made. This one's been on repeat for me all week.

SOS - Post Sex Nachos

I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of seeing a few of these bands and artists live, and Post Sex Nachos might be my favorite. "SOS" stands out to me for its incredibly catchy chorus and infectious melody. I promise, you’ll find yourself humming the tune while out grocery shopping. 

Free Room (feat. Appleby) - Rayvn Lenae, Appleby

Truthfully, the idea for this playlist has existed in my head for years. I've always subconsciously asked myself whether the song I'm currently listening to belongs on this vibes-forward, imaginary playlist, and "Free Room" is undoubtedly the first to feel like a perfect match. If every other song misses the mark, this one is a bullseye.