Starting this month and each month moving forward, we’ll share a playlist of songs our staff is listening to. From pop songs on the radio to the smallest indie band, our staff is always combing through to find the best music out there. Read our thoughts and listen to the playlist below!
Bite My Tongue – Logan Henderson
Addie Whelan – Managing Editor
Truthfully, I grew up a boyband fan. From Backstreet Boys to One Direction and everything in between, I listen to a lot more music from former boy band members than I care to admit. About a month ago, former Big Time Rush star Logan Henderson released “Bite My Tongue,” a song that I am still recommending to everyone I know.
A Dedicated Instrumental – Jon Bellion
Gabi Talisman – Director of Content
Rediscovering this song after not hearing it for a few years, due to Bellion’s back catalogue not being on Spotify or iTunes has been mind blowing. Now that the entirety of Bellion’s catalogue is available for purchase and streaming (and fittingly titled, “Growth,” I’m hoping that many more people find the song.
Life Changes – Thomas Rhett
Alicia Rangel – Art Director
In this song, Thomas Rhett sings about how sometimes things don’t go as planned. The chorus says “Life Changes, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” This lyric brings hope to those that are seeking a better tomorrow and those that just need a little faith that things don’t always have to go as planned for them to be great.
Dear Hate – Maren Morris (feat. Vince Gill)
Gina Scarpino – Photo Editor
I’ve had this song on repeat ever since it was released at the beginning of October. It was released in response to the tragedy that occurred in Vegas, but the song itself reflects on decades of tragedies and reminds listeners that no matter what happens, “love’s gonna conquer all”. Musically, it’s beautifully simple in every way, which allows listeners to pay closer attention to the message of the song.
Little of Your Love – Haim
Madeline Shiffer – Deputy Editor and Online Content Manager
This song is a bop and a half and the music video is insanely good. One of my most consistent go-to girl power jams since this summer!
Hero – Family of the Year
Delaney DeAngelis – Deputy Editor and Online Content Manager
I like this song simply because it’s just a nice, calm, fall-like song. It was the first song my boyfriend shared with me, so it just always makes me feel happy on the inside.
watch – Billie Eilish
Anna Xu – Contributing Photographer and Writer
Spotify’s (previously) best kept secret, Billie Eilish is killing the indie pop game at only 15 years old. I love the percussive match strikes throughout the song coupled with eilish’s smooth, entrancing voice.
New – Daya
Blake Charles – Contributing Photographer and Writer
As the first single from Daya’s upcoming sophomore album, “New” sees Daya more passionate and emotive than ever. Much like “Don’t Let Me Down”, her collaboration with The Chainsmokers, the song has an EDM inspired beat drop, which Daya passionately wails over. Daya cries out that she thought she wanted to move on and find someone new, but comes to find out that she is wrong, and wants the same boy as before. From a lyrical, vocal, and production standpoint, “New” is Daya at her absolute strongest.
Summer – The Hunna
Marissa Sandoval – Contributing Photographer and Writer
This song came out about a month ago and I’ve been pretty much listening to it since. This is their first release since their debut album last year and it definitely makes me excited to hopefully get a second album soon!
Save Yourself – Kaleo
Bailey Flores – Contributing Photographer and Writer
From their live performances to their recorded albums, Kaleo never fails to impress me. I recently saw the band twice, one of the times from the barricade! They’re a great band to sing along to especially with friends and family.
Second Skin – The Gits
Valerie McIntyre – Contributing Photographer and Writer
I’ve recently watched a documentary about The Gits. The grunge and punk feel to this song will satisfy any underground or alternative listener. I recommend the documentary called “The Gits” which is on Amazon Prime.
Home of the Strange – Young The Giant
Courtney Cook – Contributing Photographer and Writer
This song has been my go to song lately. It’s so catchy yet so simple. You can never go wrong with Young the Giant.
Knuckles – Moose Blood
Alyssa Buzzello – Contributing Photographer and Writer
I chose this song because I’ve been listening to a lot of their music in the car lately and it’s really infectious! They fuse pop punk, emo and pop together really well in this entire album.
Crack Up – Fleet Foxes
Maya Alfia – Contributing Writer
I’m a firm believer that Fleet Foxes, years into their musical career, continue to make the best folk albums of their time. “Fool’s Errand”, a highlight from their new album “Crack-Up”, is an clever track that hides in frustration and then shines in an outburst of bright, uplifting resonance. It’s a beautiful clashing of thoughts, melodies, and rhythms, that eventually ends in the calm compromise they’re known for.
Easy Love – Lauv
Lauren Klonowski – Contributing Writer
I have been addicted to everything that this guy has released and this song is no different! Lauv’s music is pretty different from what I normally listen to, but I think it’s really the lyrical content of his work that draws me in. They are so honest and relatable and I can’t wait to sing them at the top of my lungs at his world tour!
If I Ever Lose Your Love – Colouring
Abby Fox – Contributing Writer
“If I Ever Lose Your Love” is the latest release from Colouring’s EP, Heathen. It is a heartachingly beautiful song driven by soft piano and acoustic guitar. The gentle vocals are full of longing and emotional tenderness, and it’s the perfect song to listen to when you’re feeling blue or even during early mornings taking in the fall weather.
Out of Sync – Hodera
Kristen Humphries – Contributing Photographer and Writer
I find my favorite songs to be those exuding honesty and transparency — where it feels like someone stepped into my brain and wrote down everything they saw and heard. For me, Hodera is that band where every song feels like a friend reaching out and this is especially true with “Out of Sync.” Along with the haunting vocal harmonies and the driving guitar riff, I fell in love with this song because of lines like, “There’s nothing too wrong with my existence, so why does it still feel like there’s something missing?” and, “Emotions so potent, thought that they’d never end.” This is my favorite song at the moment because it’s one of those “Hey, you’re not alone in your thoughts,” kind of songs and I truly appreciate the comfort in knowing that.
Current Location – LANY
Sam Aneed – Contributing Photographer and Writer
Such a good song, a good beat and really relatable to my life at the moment.
Sinking – Jesus Piece
Stone Fenk – Contributing Photographer and Writer
This is three minutes of pure hard hitting sound by Philly based hardcore group, Jesus Piece. This is the second track to their self-titled EP, which you should be sure to check out!
BRB – SWMRS
Chelsea Gresh – Contributing Photographer and Writer
This song first caught my attention when I saw it live. The energy it brought me really impressed me and now I am completely obsessed.
GOLD – Brockhampton
Charlotte Freitag – Contributing Photographer and Writer
After releasing two albums this summer, Brockhampton has been on fire. Of the influx of music they’ve released this year, “GOLD” is a clear standout due to its sharp production and the group members’ passionate delivery.
Sorry Not Sorry – Demi Lovato
Penelope Martinez – Contributing Designer
I haven’t stopped listening to Demi’s album since it came out because seeing her progress not only artistically but as a person has been inspiring and beautiful. This song represents something—a feeling possibly—I hope to achieve someday. It’s inspiring to see all that Demi has endured and what she’s still fighting to this day, but the growth and progress she continues to make (as well as this song itself) helps me keep working towards that as well.
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