The start of the semester is one of the most confusing times for any student, getting a whole new workload and having to find a rhythm. As for me, the only things that can get me through the day are angry girl, angst music and a nonstop tapping of my feet. My favorite part about listening to music is having my whole brain filled with the sounds of the song and having the background noise of my day-to-day make me feel and think something. Luckily, I don’t gatekeep my music, and I have some great songs that will give us just enough energy to get through the next few weeks. Hopefully, this list will be a cool introduction to some of my favorite artists. If I can only give you a list of great songs you already know, so be it.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World; Tears for Fears
If you aren’t listening to this song daily, what are you doing? An old staple, Everybody Wants to Rule the World feels great to have pumping in your ears first thing in the morning. This song for real puts me in a trance and is motivational like crazy: everybody wants to rule the world, but I’m gonna be the one to do it.
Oxford Comma; Vampire Weekend
This song is for all my fellow STEM majors. Again, an older song, but don’t be fooled. Vampire Weekend has some great songs, but this one has me in a chokehold. What even is an oxford comma? That comma that comes before the “and” in a list of objects. Here’s the thing: this song is upbeat, angry and the lyrics are so good. And I don’t give a f*** about an oxford comma in that sentence.
Booster Seat; Spacey Jane
This song makes me feel. I don’t know how else to put it. It’s nostalgia being pumped into your ears, and nostalgia is the feeling I hold on to when I need to focus on my work but I’m routine-less and disorganized. I can’t even explain this song. Just listen.
What’s Up?; 4 Non-Blondes
Another on the list to make you feel something. I’d be surprised if most people didn’t know this song, but I’d be more surprised if those that do know it, don’t listen to it regularly. This song is the female experience, it is the pinnacle of college lifestyle. “I wake in the morning, and I step outside, and I take a deep breath and I get real high, and I scream at the top of my lungs: ‘What’s going on?’” Ugh. Shivers.
Lost In Yesterday; Tame Impala
Tame Impala is not exactly a niche band, and I’m probably not introducing you to this song, but I will say that this whole album, “The Slow Rush” is a great album to fill your ears and your brain with complex sounds and all kinds of feelings. This song is about living in the present, always recognizing that the feelings of regret and longing for past times are not giving enough credit to the longing that we will feel for this time, a few years from now.
Bad, Bad News; Leon Bridges
This song is vibes and motivation at its finest. “They tell me I was born to lose, but I made a good, good thing out of bad, bad news.” This song is on some other level in its production of good feelings and self-love. Stop what you’re doing and listen to Leon Bridges. Please.
I like That; Janelle Monae
Something about Janelle Monae’s music is so breathtaking. A young, powerful, woman of color, singing her own complex lyrics about her life experiences?? Dirty Computer, my favorite work of hers, is really genius in its vast juxtaposition between happy, powerful, motivational music and jaw-dropping social commentaries. This song, however, screams independence and self-confidence; something we all need in this coming semester.
So We Won’t Forget; Khruangbin
This song is to remind you all that the boomers say this is the “best part” of our lives. Write it down, take pictures, journal your every thought and tell people what you think and feel. Do these things: don’t forget who you are, and don’t forget where you are.
Hand In My Pocket; Alanis Morissette
You can’t say you like the angsty woman music if you don’t know the queen herself, Alanis Morissette. This is, to be honest, one of her more relaxed songs. She’s really an astonishing rock and roll vocalist, but the easygoing feel in this song slows down my racing mind and produces a sense of joy for living life.
Talk It Up; Sammy Rae and The Friends
There is nothing I can say about this band, this song, that would come close to doing it justice. Sammy Rae has a painfully enviable singing voice and writes songs and covers in a modern funk style that I can’t get out of my head. Ever heard a funk Cher cover? You’re missing out if you haven’t. This song in particular is my “don’t stop, keep going, you can do it” anthem. It should be yours too.
The Breeze; Dr. Dog
This song brings back feelings of the childlike curiosity that I think we’re all trying so hard to hold on to. Now we’re supposed to be studying our passions, but how to we maintain our love for learning under all this stress? This song has beautifully layered harmonies and excellent production value and encourages the curiosity that we miss.
(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone; The Monkees
These last two are different vibes than the rest. This song, an oldie but a goodie, singlehandedly skyrocketed my ego. Dance and scream to this song and I promise you’ll feel it too.
Dance This Mess Around; The B-52’s
Speaking of dancing and singing around…I admittedly learned this song from Big Little Lies, but let’s be honest; that show’s soundtrack is a masterpiece. This song is exactly what you think it’s going to be. Dancing is just better when it’s to angry screaming women.
Try not to judge too quick, I will say that this is not a comprehensive list, but it is a damn good one, and in no particular order, so try out anyone on the list. Music holds my life together, and a good playlist for different periods in our lives can really make a difference in how we enjoy it.