Last spring I made a Spotify playlist titled “Spring in Spring.” Something about dancing through this season makes particular sense to me. So much is changing: classes are ending, the world outside is in this weird ugly-to-beautiful transition and, this spring especially, there is lots of really good, really spring-y music coming out.
So many artists are dumping all of their quarantine content on us right now. It’s a bit overwhelming. I have another Spotify playlist named “too much no time” that has hundreds of new songs that I’ve been meaning to get around to listening to.
So, I thought I’d save you the struggle of digging through the depths of “New Music” playlists and give you an all-inclusive, totally comprehensive, not exactly mainstream, full-of-spring-energy, new music soundtrack to get you through these days that are getting a little less gloomy and a bit more lovely.
“Hard To Believe” – Wallows
Of course I had to start out with a band that has been near and dear to my heart the past two years. Wallows are the reason I started DJing at my university’s radio station with a dear friend of mine. This song has hints of cello scattered in as well, which, as a cellist, ignited my love for this song even more. It’s a groovy song and serves as the first track on Wallows’ new album “Tell Me That It’s Over,” so you’ll have to check it out along with the rest of their exciting album.
“Lost Track” – HAIM
With gentle undertones of bell sounds, this song is the epitome of spring energy. HAIM songs have always been hit or miss for me, and after not loving the movie “Licorice Pizza,” which features all of the band members from HAIM, I was not expecting to fall for this song. The opening notes had me hooked, though, and this song will carry you along like a flowing stream–what’s more spring than that?!?
“Postman” – Toro y Moi
I’ve listened to Toro y Moi for a while now, and their groove is so reliable that it is refreshing. Some artists are a pop artist one moment, and then they’re dabbling in rock or folk the next, and it’s hard to keep up. Not everyone can have the insane musical genre shift that Taylor Swift did! There’s none of that from Toro y Moi, though. Check out this steady beat the next time you need a song to practice your model walk to on the way to class.
“Hurt You, Gus” – BENEE
BENEE came on the scene in the past few years because of her songs “Supalonely” and “Glitter.” She just released a new album, “Lychee,” and it’s been fun to get to know her vibe beyond just a handful of songs. “Hurt You, Gus”—like most of her other songs—has indie-pop energy that’s a little groovier. Her voice is super soft, and the bass line carries the song along. I’m a fan of the album as a whole, even though most of the songs sound a bit similar.
“Distance and Drugs” – BROODS
It’s fun, it’s funky, it makes you want to close your eyes and spin around with strobe lights in the background! Other notable mentions from BROODS’ new album “Space Island” include “Piece of My Mind” and “I Keep.”
“ROLLERCOASTER” – The Lumineers
We all know and love The Lumineers—old reliable, right? Well, they did it again. This song is simply beautiful. They cut back to basically just a piano for this track, and it is perfectly peaceful. I love this song so dearly that I am adding learning to play it on the piano to my summer bucket list! It’s a perfect song to study to or listen to as you’re drifting off to sleep.
“Teeth” – Mallrat
I keep finding myself ending up playing girl-rock songs–like this one–on repeat. “Teeth,” however, diverges from the indie and indie-pop songs aforementioned. I’m imagining getting off an airplane and strutting through the airport with this blaring in your headphones. It’s pretty simple, but this song is a good introduction to Mallrat and female artists who are a bit more “punky.”
“That’s Where I Am” – Maggie Rogers
Brand new song alert! Maggie Rogers has been taking what seems to be far too long of a hiatus, so thank goodness she is back. I was losing my patience. You might not know Maggie Rogers outside of her smash-hit “Alaska,” but she did in fact come back with newfound strength. Check this song out, but also give her last album, “Heard It In A Past Life.” She has some of the most beautiful lyrics of any artist I follow.
I hope you get around to listening to a couple, or all, of these lovely tunes this spring. Of course, nothing will beat those summer songs that ride along with you on a sunset drive sunset by the beach, but I know at least one of these songs will be the pick up, relaxation, or inspiration you could use right about now.