Ah, the end of fall semester. A time where you’re dancing in between sitting at home in sweatpants all day watching Netflix, and at your desk at school, bashing your head against your keyboard trying to make the dreaded page-count for your final paper. But, hey! The end of the semester means that soon you can eat home-cooked meals on a regular basis and sleep all day! You just need to get home, whether it be by train, by bus, or maybe your parents were feeling extra kind and picked you up. You’re tired and you don’t want to be bothered, so I’ve created a playlist to accompany your travels home. Never again will you have to suffer through the loud gum-chewers on the subway, or the snoring man next to you on the bus, or even the time-old parental questions: “How is college?” “Why are you still single?”
Dude, I don’t know; let me listen to my tunes.
“White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes, off of their eponymous debut.
I find this song to be perfect to stare out the window to. With the world blurring by you, the drum keeps you tapping your foot, but lets you drift off peacefully. Your odyssey home is about to begin.
“Mess Is Mine” by Vance Joy, off of Dream Your Life Away.
There is something about an acoustic guitar that can make any long journey bearable.
“I Saw You Blink” by Stornoway, off of Beachcomber’s Windowsill.
Obviously, the end of the semester also means saying goodbye, temporarily, to those you love, those you’re crushing on, your friends, etc. This song, while bittersweet, is a cute one. It will be only a few weeks until you’re traversing back to campus to see everybody again.
“1957” by Milo Greene, off of their eponymous debut.
This song screams “travel” to me. Whatever mean of travel is “taking you away”, Milo Greene is certainly going to accompany you the entire way.
“One Time Too Many” by Phoenix, off of It’s Never Been Like That.
This band, made mainstream by their hits “1901” and “Listzomania” from their album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, has a softer side; a side that doesn’t have hard hitting drums or synthesizers. This song is just that.
“Misread” by Kings of Convenience, off of Riot On An Empty Street.
Pair that acoustic guitar with a piano and a dreamy Norwegian voice and try to complain that traveling sucks. Just try.
“Kelly” by The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, off of Days of Abandon.
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart (shortened sometimes as TPOBPAH), other than having a really long name, is a group everyone should be listening to. But please, it may be a relaxing song, but don’t pass out on the train and wake up at the end of the world. You have food to eat, people to see, dogs to pet, the works.
“Can You Tell” by Ra Ra Riot, off of their album The Rhumb Line.
An old song, but a good one. It captures exactly the twists and turns, the emotions and the frustrations that are involved with liking someone. The sounds of the violin and the cello are a journey of their own.
“East Coast Girl” by Cayucas, off of their album Bigfoot.
I am absolutely biased when I hear this song because one: I am an east coast girl and two: I am studying English literature. So clearly, it’s about me. Reminiscent of summer, keep in mind that this winter won’t be forever. You’ll be on a beach sooner than you know.
“Days” by The Drums, off of their album Portamento.
By this time, I hope, you’ve reached your destination. The Drums know that this semester has been particularly difficult, but now you get to kick back with your friends from home and your family. Can you imagine anything better? Probably not.