Under the name SPELLLING, Chrystia "Tia" Cabral makes otherworldly pop music that blends histories and traditions into something that could only come from one voice. Her 2025 record, Portrait of My Heart, has recently been revamped with a handful of new versions of album cuts; remix guests include Turnstile’s Brendan Yates and Natalie Mering, also known as Weyes Blood. So: we were confident she would be able to handle us asking her about ten of her personal Best Songs for extremely specific situations. And we were correct. It’s a great list of songs. Read her responses below!

Best song to listen to during a long solo walk?

“Lucky Stars” by LUCY (Cooper B Handy)

Excellent song to meander to … I would listen to this track while walking my dogs around my neighborhood and it made me imagine my life as an animation ... as this musical ~ comedy~  fantasy ~ drama … Which it is. 

Best song by a Bay Area artist?

“Closer” by Goapole

I’ve said it before and I’ll always say it. It makes you slow down and appreciate. The hardest looking OG Oakland guys blare this song in their caddies when they cruise around town and it makes me cry. Oakland’s national anthem in my opinion. 

Best song that is overtly religious in theme?

“In Him There is No Sorrow” by Elbernita ‘Twinkie’ Clark

I discovered this song through my friend Cinque. He shared a picture of the cover art from youtube on his instagram story and I could tell just from seeing ‘Twinkie’s’ face that this was going to be special. The song breaks me down and gives me so much strength at the same time. Her voice is so pure and the chord progressions are fantastic and alive.

Best song that you played a lot in 2025?

“Hybrid Moments” by Misfits

I spent a lot of time in LA in 2025 and I remember being on a big Misfits kick. The song is romantic and tinged with dread. I was listening to Static Age and on a mission to go visit David Lynch's grave and this song was playing when I pulled into Hollywood Forever Cemetery. 

Best song by Kraftwerk?

“Computer Love” 

This is one of my all time favorite songs. In the ranks with “Beautiful Ones” Prince and “Wake up Alone” Amy Winehouse. All three of these songs strike the same pang inside of me. An enormous and beautifully human longing.

Best song to play while doing tarot? 

“Whales Tails” by Cocteau Twins

The entire album Victorialand is just the perfect musical environment for tarot. Immersive and otherworldly.

Best song with a great music video?

“Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.

I have a bit of an obsession with this song. I wore everyone down in my band on tour in 2022 with how much I would play it. We were in Porto, Portugal playing Primavera and while we walked the streets I was playing it off my phone, and kept asking the guitar player busking in front of my apartment to play it. I took inspiration from the music video for my “Portrait of My Heart” music video. 

Best song that makes you want to write your own song?

“Max Potential” by Nourished by Time 

The thing I’m most inspired by with songwriting is authenticity. I hadn’t felt so inspired and struck with a contemporary artist's vision in a long time until hearing Nourished by Time. I find this song so enigmatic and anthemic at the same time. It conjures the feeling of the credits rolling after seeing your favorite film for the first time.

Best song to listen to while eating sushi?

I’m way too busy eating sushi to think about music. Sushi is superior to music.

Best song that conjures up positive memories of childhood?

“Always on My Mind” by Brandy

Brandy's self-titled album is a happy place for me. My mom played Brandy all of the time so it reminds me of her. There is a sweet bee amber glow around this song. I think she was only about 15 or 16 when she released this, which is so incredible. I remember it making me so excited to fall in love when I heard it.

Photo Credit: Sarah Eiseman