Chills and thrills

and a recipe for rosemary cashews

Like Alice in Wonderland, I’m going down the rabbit hole of Substack and getting lost in a virtual world of wonder.

With so many great publications and writers here, it’s overwhelming to decide what to read and what to subscribe to. Food Stacks of course, but there’s also wonderful poets, photographers and wry observers of life. Political news commentary to keep me informed (and drive me crazy), gardening to keep me sane.

It’s a smorgasbord of the best variety.

Lately, I’ve been hooked on Songletter and it’s quickly become one of my favorite reading corners on Substack. The minds behind Songletter call themselves “music fanatics, digging up new sounds and timeless classics,” and they live up to it. What makes Songletter special isn’t just the unexpected music recommendations—it’s the vibrant community of passionate listeners who jump in daily to share their favourite songs and artists.

Each day, Songletter sparks conversation with questions such as:

• What’s the best closing track of any album ever?
• What’s a great song that has a memorable piano or keyboard intro?
• Which albums from the last five years are destined to become classics?
• What’s a genre or artist you discovered recently that’s way outside your usual vibe?

It’s a place where musical rabbit holes are encouraged and where every scroll leaves you with something new to play, ponder, or fall in love with.

As I’m reminded about the songs I cherish alongside fresh discoveries, I experience that special thrill only music can deliver.

Chills and thrills

I still remember the electric moment ingnited by live music post-pandemic.

It was our first concert back after that long, strange pause, and as Rosanne Cash took the stage at Koerner Hall and the opening lines of A Feather’s Not a Bird soared into the stillness of the auditorium, she broke my heart open.

It was as sudden an emotion as any I have had. A deeply-felt goosebump moment.

frisson

[ free-sohn; French free-sawn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Plural frissons

a sudden, passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion; thrill

That sudden wave of chills while you feel while listening to music, that eerie yet exhilarating sensation, is known as frisson—our mysterious and deeply personal reaction to music. Maybe it’s a soaring violin solo, a key change, a raw vocal phrase or unexpected harmonies that sent shivers down your spine. Or simply a piece of music that evokes a different time and place, a moment when the world and its weight seemed to float as light as the notes of that song.

While many things can trigger frisson—powerful speeches, poetry, breathtaking art—researchers have determined that music is by far the most common cause. Yet not everyone experiences frisson to the same degree. So, why do some of us get this powerful, physical reaction to music while others do not?

It seems the reasons lie deep within the hidden architecture of our brains and personalities. Research published in the academic journal Psychology of Music found that those who possess the personality trait of "openness to experience"—a quality woven with creativity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for beauty—are far more likely to feel these sudden, exquisite chills.

Frisson, it seems, is not simply about hearing a beautiful piece of music, but about how our minds are built to recognize, embrace, and be transformed by beauty, surprise, and emotion.

Unlocking our hearts

So, can we learn to experience frisson more often?

In a way, yes. Researchers like neuroscientist Valorie Salimpoor have shown that frisson is closely tied to how deeply we engage with music—how completely we surrender to its beauty and surprises.

Might I suggest that you invite frisson into your heart? Choose music that builds tension and then breaks it open: soaring melodies, sudden shifts, quiet moments that erupt into something vast. Close your eyes, let the world fall away, and listen with your whole body. Songs that already hold meaning for you, that stir memories or dreams, are especially powerful.

And maybe most importantly, stay open. To emotion, to beauty, to the unexpected. Frisson lives in the spaces where wonder and music meet.

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My Top Ten Frisson Music List (today)

Mood, moment, memories—all can be triggers for frisson. Here’s my top-of-mind frisson playlist.

Elgar Cello Concerto, Jacqueline de Pre

Dvorak Cello Concerto, Yo-Yo Ma (yes I have a soft spot and special chill for the cello)

Something Beautiful, Lynn Miles

A Feather’s Not a Bird, Roseanne Cash

The Circle of Life, Elton John

One Hell of a Life, Tom Jones

I Will Dream, Emmylou Harris

Dancing in the Dark, Fred Astaire

But Who May Abide The Day of His Coming, Patti Austin (turn up the volume!)

And here’s my Songletter-style question of the day:

What song or piece of music gives you frisson chill and thrills?

Rosemary cashews

Ina Garten, Barefoot in Paris

serves 6-8

There’s something magical about the simple pleasures: a favourite song floating through the room, a glass of something crisp and refreshing in hand, and a little something savoury to nibble on. These warm rosemary cashews are just the thing to have on hand. Rich, buttery, and lightly spiced, they’re the perfect companion to an aperitif and a soundtrack you love.

Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they turn an ordinary moment into something that may just give you a thrill.

Ingredients

1 pound raw or roasted unsalted cashews

2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves

½ teaspoon piment d'Espelette or cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Heat the oven to 350F.

1. Spread the cashews out on a sheet pan. Toast in the oven until warm, about 5 minutes. If using raw cashews, roast for 8-12 minutes, until fragrant. Check frequently to avoid burning.

2. In a large bowl, combine the rosemary, piment d'Espelette, sugar, salt, and butter. Thoroughly toss the warm cashews with the spiced butter and serve warm.