I’m an avid music listener. I wear my headphones walking to and from class, I listen to music while doing homework, sometimes I even play something to lull me to sleep.
Some may say that my constant need to have music playing is a problem that keeps me from “living in the moment.” However, I would argue it does the opposite. Life seems so much more vivid when I’ve got music playing.
Whenever I pop on a good playlist, or one of my favorite albums, I feel like I’m listening to the soundtrack of my own movie and I’m the main character. I could stare at something as mundane as a tree swaying in the wind and, so long as I have some tunes playing, I’ll be content.
So, as October has come to a close, I figured I’d give my monthly rap up of what albums I’d been listening to (or romanticizing my life with).
1.) Reading, Writing & Arithmetic
The Sundays released this album in 1990, but its casual rock beats and the angelic voice of Harriet Wheeler, the lead singer, makes it one of the best fall listens today. I’m sure you’ve heard You’re Not The Only One I Know at some point on social media, but I love Here’s Where The Story Ends and A Certain Someone just as much. I highly recommend taking a walk across campus or a drive downtown while you listen to this album as the colorful autumn leaves fall around you. It’s a real main character activity.
2.) CTRL (Deluxe)
I always seem to come back to this album. It’s so “cool girl” coded. This album was released in 2022, but it is an expansion on SZA’s 2017 album by the same name. So, many of the songs have been around for some time, however, the deluxe has Miles which I love, even though it’s only one minute long. Drew Barrymore, Normal Girl, and Go Gina are some of my other favorites. This is SZA’s best album, don’t even try to argue with me.
3.) CINEMA
I was first introduced to The Marias through one of those TikTok’s where people are asked what they are listening to. There was this cute couple listening to Cariño, and I decided to give it a listen after. That song is one of my FAVORITES of all time now. CINEMA is The Maria’s latest album, which came out two years ago. Though this album does not feature Cariño, The album has a good mix of fun upbeat songs, like Calling You Back, and more subdued music, like The Mice Inside This Room, as well as featuring songs with Spanish and English lyrics throughout the album. But don’t worry, it won’t matter if you don’t understand what they’re singing, you’ll still want to get up and dance.
4.) The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We
Mitski’s new album is a must listen, and not just because of My Love Mine All Mine (though that is one of the best songs on the album). I personally love The Deal, I Don’t Like My Mind, and Star, but the whole album is great in my opinion. This album has been on repeat for me since it came out last month. It’s a great soundtrack for long walks, studying, or just laying down in the dark trying to keep it together after a long day, whatever works for you.
5.) 1989 (Taylor’s Version)
This list wouldn’t be complete without Taylor Swift’s new 1989 album. The old version holds quite a few ties to my childhood as I was only nine when it came out (gosh I didn’t realize it was that old), but I can vividly remember watching all the music videos on family laptop and jamming to the songs in the car. This album has so many iconic hits like Style, New Romantics, Bad Blood, etcetera etcetera. Honestly, I think every song on 1989 had been played on the radio at some point, it’s that much of a pop culture staple. It was refreshing to hear the songs I still have memorized since I was a kid revived again. The new songs are great too, Harry Styles is on thin ice after Is It Over Now?, though.