As a college student I know the one thing we know better than which websites to get our textbooks from, is how much stress we’re going to get form those textbooks. Stress has become an everyday part of our college lives and at some point it feels like no matter how much Zumba, yoga, sports, or even sleep we get the stress of college never goes away! But there is one more thing that’s become a big part of our everyday college life and has become a great way for helping us to relieve our stress…music! Yes music no matter what kind you enjoy- rock, pop, or even classical music has become the secret stress reliever for most college students. No matter where you turn college students are constantly listening to music whether they are working out, practicing for a game, or even studying for a test. In case some of you don’t listen to music or are wondering if there are any new genres to get into, here are some top 5 soothing music genres to help you get through your college years.
5. Country: Country music is a genre of music originating in the Southern parts of the United States. It’s musical origins come from blues, folk music, and ballads. Country artists often center their music around ballads about their loved ones, songs of hardships, the enjoyment of life, or even dancing! Does anybody remember the “Cotton-Eyed Joe” by the Rednex? Well I bet you didn’t know that song was originally a very popular country folk song, that’s still popular to this day along with the remade version. Overall if you’re looking for some calm, soothing songs that can make make you tear up or grab someone for a hoedown, country music is the way to go. Yee-haw!
Some artists include: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, and Miranda Lambert.
4. Smooth Jazz: Smooth Jazz is a genre of music dating back to 1960s-70s. The musical origins of smooth jazz originate of course from jazz itself, during the era of jazz, blues, funk, and rock and roll. Smooth jazz is a down-tempo genre of music mainly utilizing the saxophone, guitars, trombones and other low sounding instruments. Smooth Jazz songs could be songs of love, romance, or just of happy times. However, more often they are just instrumentals that give a calming feeling and generally set the mood of either love, romance, or good vibes. Overall if you’re looking for a lighthearted, easygoing, smooth genre of music with captivating sounds that don’t need lyrics, smooth jazz is the genre for you.
Some artists include: Gerald Albright (Old School), Mindi Abair (Old School), Billy Withers, and Grover Washington Jr.
3. Soft Rock: Soft Rock is a genre of music originating from its predecessor Hard rock from the 1960s-70s. However, it emphasizes more on the lyrics and melody of the music by toning down the beat to produce a softer, easygoing sound. Soft Rock artists and bands tend to focus more on love songs more than it’s predecessor. Overall if you’re someone who is looking to be put in a calming loving mood: Soft Rock is the genre for you.
Some artists include: Foreigner, Journey, Bryan Adams, and Ambrosia.
2. Soca: Soca music is a genre of music originating in the Caribbean on the islands of Trinidad & Tobago in the late 1970s and was created Ras Shorty I. Originating musically from Calypso, Ska, Soul and other genres, Soca music is generally an upbeat, fast-paced, yet calming genre of music focusing more on rhythms and melodies that will always put you in the dancing mood. Lyrically soca generally focuses on good vibes and times wherever you are. Though soca music originated in Trinidad and Tobago the genre has spread throughout the rest of the Caribbean, from Barbados to St. Lucia resulting in a sub-genre created known as “Groovy Soca.” It is generally a less fast paced more dance friendly version of soca. Growing up in a Caribbean/West Indian household myself, I often heard soca and other Caribbean genres that not only felt calming but also gave you the energy to power through your day as well as being a very popular genre of music at parties because of it’s upbeat tempo. Overall if you’re looking for a genre of music that’s fast paced, dance friendly, and has both calming lyrics and rhythm: soca is the genre for you.
Some artists include: Machel Montnao, Patrice Roberts, Alison Hinds, Square One, Jumo Primo, Bunji Garlin, Rupee, Lil Rick, Skinny Fabulous, and Kevin Lyttle.
1. Reggae: Reggae is a genre of music originating on the island of Jamaica in the late 1960s, and has become a popular genre of music worldwide. Reggae generally focuses on offbeat rhythms that produce a slow easygoing melody. Musically, reggae has it’s origins with Ska, Rocksteady, & Soul. Lyrically reggae artists focus on singing about good times, promoting good vibes, peace, love and being strong in times of hardship. A popular face associated with reggae and Jamaica as a whole is the late Robert Nesta Marley otherwise known as Bob Marley, who took the world by storm with reggae music along with his band “The Wailers.” Growing up in a Caribbean/West Indian household, reggae was often played in the house and always brought with it a soothing, calming melody that would provide the perfect calming atmosphere. Whether it be for a family gathering, long car ride, or even family outings. Like Soca, it is often played at parties and is able to easily provide the partygoers with a relaxing, stress free atmosphere. Overall if you are looking for a stress relieving, calming and soul-soothing atmosphere: reggae music is the genre for you.
Some artists include: Bob Marley & The Wailers, Jah Cure, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and Beerus Hammond.