Throughout the BBC’s centenary year, some of the nation’s best loved figures are curating personalised music mixes as part of the new My Sounds series on BBC Sounds.

Four hour-long mixes themed around Happy and Escape, handpicked by Louis Theroux, Alex Scott, Martin Freeman and Stacey Dooley, are available from today. A new mix follows every fortnight for the rest of the year from BBC favourites including Russell T. Davies, Ade Adepitan, Nicôle Lecky, Stephen Fry, Jodie Whittaker and more.

As well as mood lifting mixes, My Sounds offers listeners insight into some of the BBC’s biggest stars’ musical tastes and explores the stories behind some of their favourite songs.

Louis Theroux's Happy Mix
Louis Theroux, whose latest BBC series Forbidden America is coming soon, describes his first encounter with Feist’s iconic ‘1-2-3-4’ while making BBC Two’s Law & Order In Johannesburg back in 2008. Louis also reveals the track he regrets not including on his recent Desert Island Discs for Radio 4, is the same one he listens to at the end of every party – Nina Simone’s ‘Just In Time’.

Martin Freeman
Ahead of his return to BBC One in The Responder, Martin Freeman reveals the first album he ever owned was The Specials’ self-titled debut. During an eclectic mix featuring Prince, David Bowie, The Clash, Nuyorican Soul, Massive Attack and more, Martin shares his passion for music and why it makes him happy.

Alex Scott Escape Mix
For her Escape themed mix, Alex Scott selects some of her favourite songs including Otis Redding’s Dock Of The Bay, which Alex reveals she is still trying to learn the guitar for. Combining some classics from Tom Petty and Lauryn Hill with recent hits from Billie Eilish and Jessie Ware, it’s the perfect soundtrack for getting away from it all.

Stacey Dooley's Happy Mix
Stacey Dooley remembers a day off during the making of BBC Two’s Homeless In Detroit sound tracked by Janet Jackson’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ and shares her favourite track of all time, Aretha Franklin’s ‘Get It Right’.

Louis Theroux says: “For My Sounds mix, I’m sharing some of my favourite tracks and the music that makes me feel very, very happy. I hope it makes you feel happy as well. Happy Birthday BBC!”

Alex Scott says: “As part of the BBC’s 100th birthday celebrations, I’m going to share the songs that take me away from it all and make me feel relaxed, and allow me to go to a place where I’m thinking about something totally different.”

Martin Freeman says: “I’m sharing the music that makes me smile. Not all of it is happy music, but it makes me feel happy all the same. Music to me is like an anaesthetic and it goes with me everywhere. It makes everything ok.”

Stacey Dooley says: “To celebrate the BBC’s 100th birthday, I’ve put together this mix for My Sounds to share some of my all-time favourite tracks and the songs that make me smile.”

Music On BBC Sounds

Through the music tab on BBC Sounds, listeners can enjoy music to suit their moods as well as discover new sounds. The mixes are curated by artists, DJs, some of the nation’s best known names and our expert music teams, from across radio stations and music genres.

Whether it’s Sophie Ellis Bextor’s Kitchen Disco, Charli XCX’s Best Song Ever, Big Narstie’s Narstie Night Out, Romesh Ranganathan’s For The Love Of Hip Hop, Nadia Jae’s R&B Chill, Baby Queen’s Gameplay or Artist In Residence series with Phoebe Bridgers, Loyle Carner and Arlo Parks, more listeners are turning to BBC Sounds for their music fix with on-demand music listening increasing by 24% in 2021, compared with the previous year.

My Sounds music mixes are available only on BBC Sounds from 21st January with a new mix every other Friday.