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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A collage of album covers sits in front of a green and blue background. This week's Spotify playlist theme is songs from our Spotify wrapped. (Northern Star Graphic)

Get wrapped up in 2023’s Spotify Wrapped

By Northern Star Staff | December 10, 2023

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/783WbiSh7cOnfnVBdT7hIQ?si=4ceed42fa96047f0 The yearly ritual of counting down the hours to Dec. 1 has come to a close: Spotify Wrapped is here. After a year of late night listens, bedtime bops and tear-jerking tunes,...

A graphic shows a collage of music albums in front of a blue and green colored background. This week’s Spotify playlist theme is songs from musicals and/or movie muscials. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

This week’s tunes from musicals take the stage

By Northern Star Staff | November 19, 2023

This week, Northern Star writers choose songs from the most exuberant genre of music: musicals.   Sarah’s picks: Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton - “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” La La Land Cast - “Someone In...

A cacti picture sits above a playlist of three country songs. This week's Spotify theme is songs by country artists. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Songs that make you go ‘Yeehaw!’

By Northern Star Staff | November 12, 2023

  Angelina’s Picks  Reba McEntire - “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia”  Jason Michael Carroll - “Alyssa Lies”  Keith Urban - “Days Go By”  Reba McEntire is a Queen of country music and has a whole playlist...

A graphic shows a collage of music albums in front of a blue and green colored background. This week’s Spotify playlist theme is songs by problematic artists. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Songs by well-known problematic artists

By Northern Star Staff | November 5, 2023

From artists cheating on their wives to attempting to assassinate presidents, this week holds some of the best songs by problematic singers.  Angelina’s picks: Justin Timberlake - “Cry Me a River”   The 1975, Matty Healy - “Love...

A graphic shows a collage of music albums in front of a blue and green colored background. This week's Spotify playlist theme is Halloween songs. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Spooky tunes for Halloween season

By Northern Star Staff | October 29, 2023

It’s not Halloween season without the songs that complete the holiday. Here is a compilation of songs for the frightful season.  Caleb’s picks:  Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, Richard O’Brien - "Time Warp"  Alanna Ubach, Antonio...

A graphic shows a collage of music albums in front of a blue and green colored background. This week's Spotify playlist theme is cover songs. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Cover songs, better than originals?

By Northern Star Staff | October 22, 2023

For some spice and surprising changes, take a listen to some of these cover songs of well-known tracks. Nick’s picks: Fugees - “Killing Me Softly With His Song” Patti Smith - “Gloria” The Wild Reeds - “I Think We’re Alone...

Spotify logo on a computer with a blurry background.

Be transported with techno, house songs

By Northern Star Staff | October 15, 2023

Feel like you're dancing the night away at a city nightclub with these upbeat, techno tracks.   Jonathan’s picks: Superflight - “Outline” Miami Nights 1984 - “New Tomorrow” LeBrock - “Call Me” Released on...

Spotify logo on a computer with a blurry background.

Songs for that 2 a.m. cryfest

By Northern Star Staff | October 8, 2023

For heartbreaks and breakdowns, here are a compiled list of songs guaranteed to make you cry. Nick’s picks: Odie Leigh - “Double Shift” Big Thief - “Vampire Empire” Fiona Apple - “I Know” Starting with a warm fuzzy buzz,...

Spotify logo on a computer with a blurry background.

A week of favorite artists, No. 1 picks

By Northern Star Staff | October 1, 2023

Nick’s picks: Bob Dylan - “I Was Young When I Left Home” Bob Dylan - “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” Bob Dylan - “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” Any music critic worth their salt will sing the praises of Bob Dylan...

Spotify logo on a computer with a blurry background.

Hispanic voices shine in weekly playlist

By Northern Star Staff | September 24, 2023

September is Hispanic Heritage Month; and in celebration of everything that is Hispanic, here are some songs that are rich in Latin voices.  Nick’s picks: João Gilberto, Stan Getz, Antônio Carlos Jobim - “Doralice” Kali Uchis -...

Spotify logo on a computer with a blurry background.

Groove with these ’80s tracks this week

By Northern Star Staff | September 17, 2023

The 1980's were a time of leg warmers, mullets and big sunglasses. Here's some music that reflects the tubular decade. Sarah’s picks Bruce Springsteen - “Dancing In the Dark” Prince - “When Doves Cry” Billy Joel - “We Didn’t...

Spotify logo on a computer with a blurry background.

Upbeat tunes to listen to during homework breaks

By Northern Star Staff | September 10, 2023

This week's playlist are songs that make you want to put on your headphones and get away from the troubles of school. Nick’s picks Prince - “I Wanna Be Your Lover” Gladys Knight & The Pips - “Midnight Train to Georgia” Aretha...