Weekly Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7dTOyH2GJr0zN4tZpnp4kF?si=gdJJPr5ST7eoOwon5No-cw 

Madelaine’s picks

1. Bedroom – “In My Head”
2. Vampire Weekend – “Hannah Hunt”
3. Nicolette Larson – “Lotta Love”

Dream pop artist Bedroom, real name Noah Kittinger, has created a catchy hit with “In My Head.” The song’s lyrics talk about the struggle of anxiety or depression becoming consuming and overwhelming to an individual. Although the lyrics are sad, the sound of the song itself has an upbeat drumbeat. The lyrics and the sound make for an interesting combination because of this. If you like dream pop, you’ll like this song.

Vampire Weekend is one of the best indie-rock bands out there. “Hannah Hunt” is one of the band’s slower songs that showcases lead singer Ezra Koenig’s truly unique voice. The song’s lyrics are about a relationship that starts off like a fairytale that eventually ends. Fun fact: if you’re a fan of “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation,” then you know who Rashida Jones is. Koenig and Jones are married and have a child together.

“Lotta Love” comes from Nicolette Larson’s 1978 album “Nicolette” and is one of Larson’s most popular songs. The song has a soft, ‘70s-sounding track. The real star of the show is Larson; her voice is smooth, strong and captivating.

Angelina’s picks 

1.  Rag’n’Bone Man – “Grace”  
2.  AURORA – “Through the Eyes of a Child”
3.  You Me At Six – “Take on the World” 

Rag’n’Bone Man is known for his deep baritone voice, and “Grace” shows off his soothing vocals beautifully. The song describes that moment when you just know you’ve made a grave mistake that you’re not sure how to come back from and the pain that comes with it. However, through that pain you can find the strength to do better and find humility. 

AURORA’s “Through the Eyes of a Child” is about how everything is better through the eyes of a child. The older you get the more your vision changes and is distorted by the world. She wishes she could go back to innocence and see everything with a childlike point of view. The lyrics have a rather sad tone and the song ends with, “Please don’t leave me here…” 

“Take on the World” feels like an anthem with powerful lyrics and upbeat music. It is a declaration from one person to another that “even though the world isn’t always fair and time will get hard, I will be right there with you to help make it better.” The world won’t always have sunshine, sometimes there is a storm and that’s OK. 

Daija’s picks

1. Madeline The Person – “As a Child”
2. Taylor Swift – “Tell Me Why (Taylor’s Version)”
3. Hozier – “Would That I”

Madeline The Person is a singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas, and “As a Child” is her debut single that was released in March of last year. With a guitar ballad taking up most of the song, Madeline describes losing a parent as a child and wanting to talk to them, but only being able to do it through a song. She also tackles how when you lose someone that young, you revert back to your childhood self. 

“Tell Me Why” was originally released in 2008, but was re-released on “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” last year. Swift describes developing feelings for someone but them not knowing what they want and the frustration that comes with that. As this is a re-recorded version, we get to hear Swift’s mature vocals on a track that is 13 years old, but with the same funky, country-style beat. 

In “Would That I,” Hozier describes his past romances as trees he used for shelter, but that a new love has come in as fire and burned them all down. With an instrumental that has beautiful and airy backing vocals, you get the sense of how Hozier felt being with someone who felt like trees blowing in the wind.

Kyron’s picks

1. LAUNDRY DAY – “FRIENDS” 
2. Lil Durk, Gunna – “What Happened To Virgil”
3. Jack Harlow – “First Class”

“FRIENDS” might be one of the most perfect songs to listen to in the summer. The song simply has a great melody and was featured in the finale of the third season of the Netflix series “On My Block.” The song is about nostalgic memories and the beauty of friendship. The lyrics are about the strong bonds with friends and how friendship will always bring people together. 

“What Happened To Virgil” is another hit song by Chicago rap artist Lil Durk. It has a catchy beat with fast-paced lyrics that still hold substance. The song pays homage to the late Virgil Abloh, fashion designer and founder of the clothing brand Off-White. The lyrics highlight the achievements and legacy of Virgil Abloh but also can be relatable to anyone who has lost a close friend.

Jack Harlow has been a rising star in the industry and one of his latest songs, “First Class,” has been a hit with fans. “First Class” contains samples of “Glamorous” by Fergie and Ludacris. Jack Harlow implements the samples flawlessly and adds his own twist and lyrics to create a hit that is catchy and will undoubtedly be played throughout the summer.