Weekly Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3bMvz05t9MJVmEZjUXM393?si=YkYRwvGXTti0L3VBC9Gbew 

Madelaine’s picks

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Maps”
2. Rebounder – “Japanese Posters”
3. Lorde – “A World Alone”

Formed in 2000, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an indie rock band with over 4.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. “Maps” comes off of the band’s 2003 album “Fever To Tell.” This song may be titled “Maps,” but the lyrics do not have anything to do with maps of any kind and instead sound like a plea for someone to stay. 

Indie rock band Rebounder has over 300 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify. “Japanese Posters” is the band’s most popular song on the platform and it’s understandable as to why that is. The song begins with a catchy drum beat and guitar melody and features lead singer Dylan Chenfeld’s distinctive voice that sounds like a mixture of Alex Turner, lead singer of the Arctic Monkeys and Chase Lawrence, lead singer of COIN.

Sometimes it’s nice to revisit old songs you once loved years ago. When alternative pop artist Lorde released her album “Pure Heroine” in 2013, you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing the third track, “Royals,” on the radio. “A World Alone” is the last track on the album and is arguably the best. This song shows off Lorde’s airy tone, the control she has over her voice and her talent for songwriting. 

Daija’s picks

1. Andy Grammer – “Wish You Pain”
2. Lord Huron – “The Night We Met”
3. Harry Styles – “Fine Line”

While the lyrics of “Wish You Pain” may sound harsh at first, but it’s really trying to say that you have to experience pain and hardships in order to grow into a better person. Grammer lets his vocals come through with a more husky tone and the ability to hear the passion in his voice.

“The Night We Met” was first released in 2015 but gained popularity after it was on the soundtrack for season one of the TV series “13 Reasons Why.” This song is also the finale on the album “Strange Tails” and combines all the themes from the other songs and provides a conclusion of what’s to come next. 

“Fine Line” is the perfect end to Styles’ second album of the same name as the lyrics “we’ll be alright” brings the song to a close to reiterate the message that everything is going to be OK, despite all the highs and lows.

Bailey’s picks

1. grandson – “Blood // Water”
2. Mac Miller – “The Spins”
3. Gym Class Heroes – “Cupid’s Chokehold / Breakfast in America”

This alternative rock artist officially began producing music under the name grandson in 2015. Although a fairly new artist, his music has been quite popular and this song is no exception. The song’s weighty lyrics warn listeners against greed and political corruption and the beat behind the lyrics is just as heavy. 

This upbeat song, produced and created by the late Mac Miller, is a great mood booster. The tempo is extremely upbeat and lyrics compliment the song’s title, which describes the spinning feeling one has when they are intoxicated. Like the feeling, the lyrics don’t seem to have much meaning, but the song stands true to Miller’s hip-hop/rap style. 

Throwing it back to 2005, the Gym Class Heroes’ pop song burst back into recent light with yet another TikTok trend. Aside from the trend, the artists sing of a complicated relationship in a catchy and fun song that is most popular from the album “The Papercut Chronicles.” The artists haven’t produced any new music since 2011, but the music they have created is great when you want to reminisce. 

Kyron’s picks

1. Black Sheep – “The Choice Is Yours”
2. The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”
3. Teena Marie – “Square Biz”

“The Choice Is Yours” is an upbeat ‘90s hip-hop song with great lyrics. The song essentially is about not settling for mediocrity in society.

This pop song is about longing for love and is under the guise of upbeat instrumentals. Most of the Weeknd’s songs have similar themes, but a common characteristic of his music is that they are greatly produced.

“Square Biz” is one of those songs that you can’t help but want to dance to. This is another upbeat tune that has a catchy chorus and the whole song is simply acoustically pleasing.

Quade’s picks

1. DISH// – “No.1”
2. Aimer- “Zankyou Saka”
3. Hironobu Kageyama – “Cha-La Head-Cha-La”

DISH// makes consistent bangers, whether it is a song about love or another dance song. DISH// always brings their A-game with the vocals. “No.1” is a hit in all the right places.

Demon Slayer season two is filled with twists and turns, but one of the best tracks so far in the season is Aimer’s debut, “Zankyou Sanka.”

Hironobu Kageyama is famous for his ‘80s synthwave songs and has become somewhat legendary when it comes to his style. He really rose to fame with his hit “Cha-La Head-Cha-La,” which he really hit it out of the park with by creating a total earworm.