Staff Picks: Music 🎶

SEP 22 2022

Our staff put together a fun collection of songs and artists that they love for our community to enjoy! Read about our favorites — songs, albums, artists, or all of the above! — and hear from each staff member about why these choices have been so impactful. Find some great new songs to add to your playlist while checking out this wide-ranging list! We love showcasing the unique backgrounds and tastes of our wonderful staff and music is most definitely an incredible way to do it.

Aubrey’s Picks:

1. BTS – Intro: 화양연화 (The Most Beautiful Moment In Life). This Korean song is a solo by Suga (one of the seven members in the group). It is my go-to motivational song when things are rough. The artist uses basketball references and sounds from a basketball court to create a beat that eventually speeds up as he talks about the urgency of the coming future. Reflecting on his present life, he considers if he is happy right now and concludes that he is. The concept of the album that it is from explores the idea that hard times can still be considered a beautiful moment in life. It suggests the idea that happiness is not something you have to achieve, but rather it is something you can feel during the process of achieving something that is hard.
2. My all time favorite artist is Epik High. They are a Korean Hip Hop group with three members that debuted in 2003. I really cannot pick a favorite song of theirs as their discography is absolutely amazing. I am a 90’s kid, so early 2000s hip hop gives me a feeling of nostalgia. The group comes up with really thoughtful lyrics and has a wide range of ballads and fun hype songs. I recently picked up their Swan Songs album from 2005, and it is my current favorite jam for my commute to work.
3. One song that I recently discovered and love is Moonlight by TootArd. They are a Syrian rock band founded by two brothers. I really love the instrumentals that they use. I love exploring and finding songs in different languages as I think that music really transcends a language barrier. A song can really express emotion and meaning in so many ways.

Ariana’s Picks:

1. Los Wálters: A Puerto Rican indie/synth pop band whose music never disappoints! My favorite songs by them are Sin Mapa Ni Bote, Toca Madera, and Claridad.
2. Natiruts: A reggae band at their core, but they mix other Brazilian genres, like bossa nova and sertanejo, for the perfect mélange of easy listening. My favorite songs by them are 1996 and Sorri, Sou Rei, and their entire Good Vibration – Vol. 1 album is pure gold! The dream is to see them live in Brazil one day.
3. Natalia Lafourcade: A Mexican muse who pays homage to Latin American classics through her album Musas. Favorite songs are Hasta La Raíz and Soledad y El Mar.
4. Tonolec: A duo that fuses Argentine folklore with electronic music. A good song to start with is Bienvenidos: Maiche Anawateuo

Jess’ picks:

1. Colors by Black Pumas: a psychedelic soul duo based out of Austin Texas.
2. Tirano by Kali Uchis: a Columbian-American R&B artist
3. Gardens by Parisalexa: Seattle based R&B/soul artist

Jordan’s Picks:

1. The Less I Know the Better by Tame Impala: this is such a feel good song! It has a catchy rhythm and makes me want to dance every time I listen to it.
2. Wildflowers covered by Miley Cyrus: This is a spirit-lifting song for me. Miley’s vocals are so amazing that they give me goosebumps and the message encompasses what it feels like to love someone so much that you pray for their happiness and success more than your own.
3. Once in a While by Timeflies: This song is motivational, enthusiastic, and reassuring. It eliminates stress from the body almost immediately and validates the feelings of fear, hope, regret, and joy that humans experience on a daily basis. The song as a whole feels like a breakthrough after extensive efforts towards a goal.

Amethyst’s Picks:

1. I love John Prine. Souvenirs and Summer’s End are two of my favorites by him!
2. I’m also currently going through an ABBA phase. Their music sounds like summer to me, and offers an immediate mood boost. Great for dancing in your living room.
3. You Can Close Your Eyes by James Taylor is the song that I currently have on repeat. It’s sad, but sweet!

Chloe’s Picks:

1. Como Me Encanta by Kevin Kaarl: My roommate played this for me a few weeks ago and I have been non-stop listening to it ever since.
2. Julia by Mt. Joy: I love this song sooooo much. I am a waitress and this song is about a waitress soooooo I have to love it.
3. The Way I Are by Timbaland: Omg. This song reminds me so much of the early 2000s and that is why it is so amazing.

Misael’s Picks:

1. Entre Dos Tierras by Héroes del Silencio
2. Qchwinclal (plenitude) by B’aktun Cero: they mix Rock and autochthonous mayan music
3. Any Color You Like by Pink Floyd

Danielle’s Picks:

It was extremely difficult for me to pick only a few songs since music is such a huge part of my life. So, the songs that I have chosen are connected to very special memories.

1. Elton John (any song)
2. The Scientist by Coldplay
3. Young Forever by Jay-Z ft. Mr. Hudson
4. Sultan Qalbam by Ahmad Zahir
5. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival 
6. Tujhme Rab Dikhta Hai by Shreya Ghoshal 
7. A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

Lauren’s Picks:

1. Sugar by Remi Wolf: because it’s an upbeat song about being hopeful for the future!

Khalid’s Picks:

1. Farhad Darya: Farhad Darya is an Afghan singer, composer, producer, and activist. I grew up hearing Farhad’s songs and I associate those songs with different segments of my life. Without exaggeration, I know all his songs by heart. He uses stunning symbols in his songs. I even had the privilege to work on one of his projects.
2. Lata Mangeshkar: Lata is a legendary singer of the Indian subcontinent. She is known as the Queen of Melody and sang over 700 songs. Her name and songs are etched in the collective memory of many of us who lived in the subcontinent. I inherited my love for her songs from my Mom and Dad. Sometimes, when I am by myself in the car, I hum her songs. Don’t worry, though, I’m not planning to quit my job to become a singer.
3. Leonard Cohen: I am a latecomer to English songs. That being said, Lenard Cohen immediately elevated to one of my favorite singers and songwriters. His songs are graceful and tender, and his lyrics are deep.

Lyna’s Picks:

Songs —

1. With Your Vibe by Baang
2. ໂສພາ (โสภา ) by AIILA X MD X NUTDAO
3. Sunnanvind by Mares

Artists —

1. Japanese Breakfast
2. A R I Z O N A
3. Jai Wolf

Albums —

1. Whack World – Tierra Whack
2. Mellan hägg och syrén – estraden