Photographer: Beatrice Helman
Illustrator: Alex Kidd
Publishing date: Feb, 12, 2021
Rachel Sennott is riding an alt-comedy wave into the mainstream. She has a knack for mutating mundane everyday thoughts into pure unadulterated sex-positive comedy about everything from relationships and body issues to petitioning POTUS Joe Biden to get a limo for every girl in America.
Her most recent film role is in the hilarious dark comedy, Shiva Baby, where Sennott plays the part of 20-something Danielle. Attending a shiva (a seven-day mourning period after a death in Judaism) with her parents, she finds herself bouncing around a house full of familiar faces, haunted by relationships from her past.
Sennott proved she can turn even a funeral into a relatable comedy while working through the complexities of human emotions. And she’s not shy about it. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, she offered to send us her hot-and-heavy playlist (for the makeout session vibe). “This is the playlist I play when I’m kissing someone who I want to fall in love with me,” Sennott says. “Pop it on, soft kiss, and look at each other’s faces—a couple hours later, you’re in love.”
“I’m On Fire” by Bruce Springsteen
If a song starts with, “Hey, little girl is your daddy home?” there’s no way I’m not getting turned on! This song makes me think about my Dad the perfect amount that you should think of your Dad when you’re kissing someone, which is like four seconds.
“Love On The Brain” by Rihanna
I feel grateful to Rihanna every time I listen to this; truly one of the greatest love songs of all time. If I put this on a playlist for you, I already love you and I’m waiting for you to say you love me, because I said “I love you” first only once and I will never do it again.
“Adore You” by Jessie Ware
This song is like casual-sexy on the surface, but the subtext is deep devotion/true love. I like to play this on dates 3-7 because it’s not too intense, but the undertone is there.
“Love” by Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is the only person in the entire world who’s ever made me want to suck dick. Every Lana song is perfect for falling in love while you’re in a car. And you haven’t truly “listened” to a Lana Del Rey song until you’ve listened to it while you’re crying during sex.
“Knee Socks” by Arctic Monkeys
If Lana’s music is for soft mouth kissing, Arctic Monkeys is for sex. I’ve never actually had sex to the Arctic Monkeys, but I have imagined myself having sex to Arctic Monkeys countless times, which is almost better. I’m putting it on this playlist so I have to commit to actually doing it.
“Lonesome Town” by Ricky Nelson
I love kissing to songs about being lonely and missing your lover because they are fighting in a war, etc. It really makes you appreciate the fact that they’re with you right now.
“Be My Baby” by The Ronettes
When this song plays I’m imagining our kids. Just so you know, they are both girls.
“New Love Cassette” by Angel Olsen
I learned how to be a woman when I was living with two of my best friends in New York in an apartment built for one person above a meat pie shop. Some of the things I learned were how to take three hours to eat a protein bar, how many candles you should light when a guy is coming over (two), and that you should always listen to Angel Olsen when you’re falling in love.
“Motion Sickness” Phoebe Bridgers
Ok this is NOT a love song, but I haven’t been through a break up since it’s come out so I put it on my kissing playlist and I feel like it really raises the stakes.
“Clumsy” by Fergie
This song is actually written about my life. I remember hearing it for the first time when I was in middle school and dreaming about being a total love slut one day who is always ready to bounce back from heartbreak and fall in love again.
“Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton John
This is less of a kissing song and more of a song to perform for someone at karaoke if you want them to be charmed by you. I have done it multiple times to varied results.
Shiva Baby will be released on April 2 in select theaters and TVOD