Although life may be chaotic right now, music is something I can always rely on to lift my spirits and use to tune out the craziness. While bored in quarantine, I’ve been making endless Spotify playlists to keep myself entertained and create a soundtrack to my current situation. Here are some albums that have been keeping me sane in quarantine:
- “Future Nostalgia” by Dua Lipa
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How could I not include Dua Lipa on this list? “Don’t Start Now” is a quarantine anthem, instructing us “don’t show up” and “don’t come out.” Released on March 27, this uplifting album was a necessary quarantine treat with 37 minutes of straight pop bangers. Honestly, there’s not a song on this album that I don’t like. All 11 songs are extremely catchy and guaranteed to put you in a good mood within one listen.
Key Tracks: “Break My Heart,” “Cool,” “Levitating”
- “Heard It In A Past Life” by Maggie Rogers
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Maggie Rogers’s airy vocals will make you feel like you’re transported to another dimension—she’s that good. Although it was released last year, her debut album is still relatable, as it finds Rogers self-searching and trying to understand the world around her, like many of us are doing these days. Use this album as the soundtrack to your quarantine introspection.
Key Tracks: “On + Off,” “Alaska,” “Say It”
- “Fine Line” by Harry Styles
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Even though just looking at Harry Styles is enough to bring us joy in quarantine, his second album is equally as powerful. While some tracks are more ~heated~ than others (see: “Watermelon Sugar” music video above), the album includes many heartfelt, relaxing tunes that will help you chill out when the stress of the world feels like too much. No shame if you just want to listen to the entire One Direction discography. (Don’t worry, I have too.)
Key Tracks: “Falling,” “Cherry,” “Golden”
- “Apricot Princess” by Rex Orange County
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I frequently turn to Rex Orange County’s lo-fi, indie-pop albums for background noise while doing my work, but “Apricot Princess” is especially captivating. Like Maggie Rogers, Rex Orange County is often introspective about love and life, making it a great listen for deep quarantine thoughts. The album features the perfect mix of meditative ballads as well as jazzy, upbeat numbers like “Television/So Far So Good.”
Key Tracks: “Television/So Far So Good,” “Four Seasons,” “Happiness”
- “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves
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This album will make you feel like you are lying on the beach, being serenaded with a guitar, even when you’re stuck in the confines of your house. A lovestruck Kacey Musgraves sings through the wonders of romance in this Grammy-award winning masterpiece. If you’re stuck in your house with a significant other, this is the perfect listen, and it also works if you’re single as can be!
Key Tracks: “Golden Hour,” “Velvet Elvis,” “Rainbow”
- “After Hours” by The Weeknd
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A departure from The Weeknd’s typically somber albums, his most recent release, “After Hours,” is full of pop tunes to improve your mood. The album’s leading single “Blinding Lights” never gets old (and you can learn the TikTok dance for it!). However, you can rest assured that the album still includes brooding chill songs for when you’re in your ~feels~.
Key Tracks: “Blinding Lights,” “Save Your Tears,” “In Your Eyes”
- “Lemonade” by Beyoncé
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Sometimes quarantine is getting you down in the dumps. You need to let out that pent-up anger from your family annoying you 24/7, and there is only one album that perfectly accomplishes this: “Lemonade” by Beyoncé. This masterpiece has all the right empowering tracks to get you back on your feet and feeling like a 10 out of 10.
Key Tracks: “Sorry,” “Hold Up,” “6 Inch”
- “Melodrama” by Lorde
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Rightfully titled (and extremely relatable), “Melodrama” is a deep exploration into feelings of grief and loneliness, emotions we are all experiencing right now. In addition, more upbeat songs like “Green Light” and “Perfect Places” provide a much-needed rush of endorphins. Lorde recently hinted at a new album in the works, so her sophomore album will have to sustain us for now.
Key Tracks: “Perfect Places,” “Liability,” “Supercut”
- Bonus: “Big Bootie Mix #17” by Two Friends
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While this isn’t an album, Two Friends came back with their 17th Big Bootie Mix right in time for quarantine. If you aren’t familiar, the DJ duo regularly puts out hour-long mashups of current hits and throwbacks with unique electronic production, and the 17th installment is one of their best. Big Bootie #17 is a great soundtrack to quarantine workouts or just motivation to get your reading done.