It’s that time of year again. For a select few weeks out of the year, college students hunker down in their dorms, the library, or pretty much anywhere to conquer the horror story known as finals. Still, caffeine and constant cramming alone cannot be your only helpers in this never-ending quest for academic excellence. Every good study session needs an amazing soundtrack to go along with it.
The Soundtrack to “Tron: Legacy”
If you love Daft Punk and any other kind of techno/electronic music, this album is perfect for your studying, especially if it is last minute. The insane beats and sounds make you feel like you are doing an insane amount of work. Also, the fact that it does not contain lyrics makes it easy to concentrate on your work. Plug this album into your headphones, and you will be transported to the digital frontier… of studying.
The Soundtrack of “The Social Network”
The soundtrack to this award-winning film was not on the top of the iTunes charts for soundtrack for weeks for nothing. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross outdo themselves on this album. One of its signature tracks “Hand Covers Bruise” is pure ambience. This album was pretty much made to have work done to it. After all, it does provide the background sound for one of the most innovative inventions in history.
“Channel Orange” by Frank Ocean
If you haven’t heard of Frank Ocean yet, finals are the perfect introduction to his relaxing and unique style of music. Before the release of his album, Frank Ocean has been a ghostwriter for artists like Justin Bieber, John Legend and many others. His voice is gold, and the way he mixes funk, jazz and other elements into this album makes it versatile and great for any studying environment.
“Helplessness Blues” by Fleet Foxes
This second album for the indie folk band has definitely made an impact in the music industry. They may be the reason for the A on your next final. Honestly, it sounds like they recorded all of their tracks in a magical forest. Allow them to transport you to an amazing plane of calmness, and your studying habits will improve tenfold.
“Lungs” by Florence + The Machine
By now, everyone and their grandmother have heard “Dog Days Are Over.” Florence Welch’s lovely voice has graced many a television show and other forms of media. The wide range of instruments Florence + The Machine uses spans from xylophones to various forms of percussion. These mingle with her voice to create a lovely dream instead of a panicked study session.
“Some Nights” by fun.
fun. practically is the soundtrack to any student’s triumph against the horrible marathon on finals. This album is suited to the final stretch of this academic race. The titular track says it all, “This is it boys. This is war.” Nate Ruess is an astounding musician and knows exactly what to sing to bring you out of your test-induced coma.
Soundtrack to “Lord of the Rings 3: Return of the King”
There is no doubt that several of you reading this are scratching your heads at this addition to the list. In reality, LotR has some of the most amazing scores ever seen in movies to date. It ranges from serious battle scene music to whimsical romps through fields. The music practically screams that it is meant to suit the rollercoaster of emotions students feel during finals week.
Soundtrack to “Cloud Atlas”
Cloud Atlas is rapidly gaining notoriety for being a fantastic movie. Why should its greatness be limited to the screen? A portion of the movie concentrates on music, and the moviemakers excel at bringing the film to life through its score. Honestly, this soundtrack is nothing but pure beauty. It would be a crime not to include this in your studies.
“Light and Gold” by Eric Whitacre
Many students who were, or are still in, choral groups have probably heard of the legendary Eric Whitacre. His soothing melodies are key for those study sessions right before you go to sleep. “The Seal Lullaby” is by far his most popular, and everyone should listen to it at least once in his or her lifetime.
Any Sort of Classical Music
As many studies will surely tell you, classical music is probably the most suited to any sort of studying. The lack of words and rhythms do not distract your mind like modern music. Any Internet radio station always has a “classical” genre station making it super easy to find certain tracks.