Have you ever wished you had a playlist full of songs perfectly curated for an oddly specific feeling or a super niche scenario that feels almost unreal? You might even just want songs similar to a popular one you’ve heard before. Well, you’ve come to the right place!
This week’s playlist is called “Lowkey Nights in 1851,” a collection of songs that remind you of staying in on a chilly night to study but make you feel like you’re on a late-night drive down an empty highway. These songs are a mix of slow and upbeat hip-hop with funky beats.
1. “Passionfruit” by Drake
A classic off of Drake’s 2017 album More Life, this is the perfect first song. The intro gives you time to get settled into whatever night-time activity you have planned, and once the first verse starts, you’re bouncy and ready for anything. Drake’s smooth beat feels like driving on the highway and passing under the streetlights once it’s late enough at night that they look purple. “Passionfruit” is one hand out of the window of a car catching the wind and purple glows.
2. “OMG Plz Don’t Come Around” by THE DRIVER ERA
In the best way possible, this song reminds you of TV static (slow + reverb). Ironically enough, the album cover has a dark vignette outline which adds to that vibe. Ross Lynch carries the main vocals, which he strains throughout the song for this whiny voice that drives you crazy (once again, in the BEST way). The Lynch brothers know how to make alt-rock sound like heaven.
3. “Açaí Bowl” by Dominic Fike
As one of Fike’s 2019 singles, “Açaí Bowl” is a smooth and mellow track. The muffled autotune mixed with Fike’s raspy vocals makes a perfect song to lean back and relax to. The lyrics aren’t memorable enough to distract you, but the beat has the perfect number of riffs to make your head nod along to it.
4. “Little Miss Sunshine” by Bazzi
The fourth track on Bazzi’s third studio album Little Miss Sunshine is perfectly titled. The amount of serotonin this song produces in your brain is unmatched. This is one of the most upbeat songs on the playlist and the chorus keeps you hooked even if you’re feeling mellow. In line with the idea of car rides, if “Passionfruit” was like sticking your hand out of the window, then “Little Miss Sunshine” is your whole head outside, hair flying everywhere.
5. “You Get Me So High” by The Neighbourhood
The Neighbourhood is known for their slow and sensual music, but this song is more grunge than anything. Allow me to describe the niche scenario this song reminds you of — waiting for the train in a subway station, looking up at the dimmed yellow overhead lights. Locking eyes with someone longingly before they get onto their train is an important addition. The chorus includes multiple simultaneous vocal lines, which give an almost transcendental feel to the track.
6. “Glitch” by Taylor Swift
“Glitch” is a bonus track on the 3 a.m. edition of Taylor Swift’s new album Midnights. The album experimented a lot with synth sounds, and this song has an irregular beat that scratches your brain just right. The best way to explain this track is that you cannot help but move your hips from side to side when you’re listening. Swift’s voice is so romantic that it’s hard not to sway along.
7. “Shirt” by SZA
After teasing it two years ago, SZA finally released the full version of “Shirt,” and it’s even better than expected. No one makes R&B flow as well as SZA does, and her voice is so soothing over such a sharp drum pulse. This song is perfect for a night when your situationship isn’t answering and you’re getting ready to hang out with your friends to get it off your mind.
8. “Lost Me” by Giveon
Following the release of his highly anticipated album this summer, this song quickly became a fan-favorite toxic anthem. If “Shirt” by SZA is getting ready for a night out, “Lost Me” is the walk home. The air is humid, so you use the claw clip you bought the summer before to pin it up. It makes you think of going out every day and cutting off your toxic ex. This song is Giveon’s self-care girl boss era.
9. “late at night” by Roddy Rich
This is just one of the bangers on Roddy Rich’s album LIVE LIFE FAST. The theme of late nights and fast drives is constant throughout the album, and it’s heavy on this track. It’s a nice song to vibe to when you need good background music that can keep you upbeat but not distracted.
10. “Shut up My Moms Calling” by Hotel Ugly
If you’re a Vista Kicks fan, then you’ll love their mellow and sweet cousin Hotel Ugly. The R&B rhythm with the indie vocals make you feel some type of way. If this song were a person, they would have freckles and strawberry blonde hair, and they would wear oxford shoes and red silk dresses. They would be so soft but give you female manipulator energy. This song is clearly immaculate.
If you need chill study music for your late-night library endeavors or want to drive around town when the streetlights come on blasting good tunes, this one is for you. Here’s the full playlist to complete your night!
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