Valentine’s Day can be a challenging time for those who aren’t coupled up. It’s sad to feel like everyone else is in love besides you. When I decided to blog a playlist for Valentine’s Day, I immediately knew I wanted to make one for those who are single too. Don’t worry, it’s not all songs about feeling sad and alone. I made sure to include angsty songs, lonely songs, tunes about self love and songs about loving the things and people around you.
I truly believe there’s something on this 15 song playlist for everyone. If you’re looking to wallow in those feelings, trying to avoid the annoying couples on social media or just want good music, this one’s for you. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
“Spring” – Angel Olsen
“Island Music” – Tennis
“Charlie Brown” – beabadoobee
“Queen” – Perfume Genius
“Call Me When You Want Me” – Love Apple
“Always See Your Face” – Love
“All My Time Is Wasted” – Hannah Jadagu
“The World Should Revolve Around Me” – Little Jackie
Credit: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences; Flikr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Howdy y’all! As you know by now, I formerly went by museum maddie here at WKNC. Although there was some revamping on my part, my love and adoration for museums has not faded in the least bit. As a wannabe anthropologist/museum-curator, I spend a large chunk of my free time wandering around museums. So, what better to do than to give you my museum recommendations with corresponding songs?! I hope you are able to check out a new spot!
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh)
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences will always have a soft spot in my heart. Beautifully modern, this museum is currently being renovated with a new dinosaur exhibit that should be done in 2023. Noticeable from the streets with a gigantic metal globe. My partner and I recently visited the Exquisite Creatures Exhibit, which showcases the amazing art of Christopher Marley. If you get the chance to go, I highly recommend it!
Masterpiece by Big Thief
Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin
Ride or Die by Hippo Campus
North Carolina Museum of History (Raleigh)
The NC Museum of History is right across the walkway from the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. With rotating exhibits, there’s always something new. The main level exhibit about the history of North Carolina goes deeply in depth with artifacts galore. This museum is an absolute dream, and one of my favorites of all times.
Moon Song by Phoebe Bridgers
Cimmerian Shade by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine
I Think I Like When It Rains by WILLIS
North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh)
The NCMA has two buildings as well as an entire outdoor Museum Park. New work is constantly being showcased, as well as a newer project which puts more modern works next to older works to compare and contrast themes that transcend through time.
Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens
April in Paris by Billie Holiday
Blame by Gabriels
Museum of Life and Science (Durham)
The Museum of Life and Science is interactive and features an expansive outdoor area. The butterfly house and weather machines are two of my favorite things there. Be on the lookout for the dinosaurs outside!
Not Dead Yet by Lord Huron
Where’d All the Time Go? by Dr. Dog
Souvenir by boygenius
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro)
While I have mixed feelings on zoos (and while they aren’t museums), the NC Zoo works on research and conservation and offers 200 species of animals and 40 different plants. You can also hike around the zoo on trails. I really loved The Desert, a glass dome building housing desert plants and animals, and the Honey Bee Garden. Art is featured around the zoo as well.
Change by Big Thief
Wasted by Tomberlin
Sunblind by Fleet Foxes
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art (Charlotte)
A quaint little museum nestled next to the Mint Museum Uptown, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has a small and spectacularly curated collection. Notably is what I believe to be a bronze statue on an outside landing that overlooks the city.
I Fall In Love Too Easily by Chet Baker
Bookstore Girl by Charlie Burg
Once Upon a Dream by Emile Pandolfi
Mint Museum Uptown (Charlotte)
The Mint Museum (Uptown) is a newer visit for me, but it was love at first sight. My partner and I enjoy going to new museums, and The Mint offered an extensive amount of pieces in a beautiful building. We got to see an exhibit there based on borders which was so spectacular and moving.
The Most Beautiful Thing by Bryno Major
Painter On His Way To Work On The Road To Tarascon by Clint Mansell
Dog Years by Maggie Rogers
Discovery Place Museum (Charlotte)
The Discovery Place Museum was my favorite in high school. Although I have not been back in a few years, the memories of the fun interactives have stuck with me through all this time.
The Wave by Bedouine
A Mermaid in Lisbon by Patrick Watson and Teresa Salguiero
It’s nearly that time of year again, when roses and chocolate hearts are all the craze and every couple you know is just slightly more annoying than usual. I’ve loved Valentine’s Day for as long as I can remember because I’m a hopeless romantic who loves love. If you’re like me, or you’re in a relationship, or you just want a banger playlist about love… you’ve come to the right place.
This playlist contains songs you can slow dance to, songs to sing your heart out to and songs that are downright sappy. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
The passage of time has been difficult to process, especially during the pandemic. At the end of last year I found myself desperate for a blank slate, wanting to escape everything that the last two years have had to offer. Unfortunately, we live on Earth, where magic doesn’t exist, so that isn’t possible. But what is possible, is using music to process your emotions. Here are four songs that have helped me process we’re in another brand new year with the same old problems. I recommend listening to these in order for the full effect.
“I Want You To Love Me” by Fiona Apple
This may seem like an odd choice, but the lyrics are perfect for a new year during the pandemic. The desperation for love feels like a desperation for peace, calm and acceptance. The love Apple craves in this song is the peace I crave in my life.
“And I know when I go / All my particles disband and disperse / And I’ll be back in the pulse / And I know none of this’ll matter / In the long run / But I know a sound is still a sound / Around no one”
“This Year” by The Mountain Goats
This is a more obvious choice, and has been my anthem for the last couple of years. John Darnielle’s desperation to push through feels accurate and apt for what we are going through, despite having been released in 2005.
“I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me”
“New Year” by ADDIE
A more obscure pick, but probably the most apt. The first verse sums it up perfectly. ADDIE’s vocals are the soothing calm you need to make you feel like everything is going to be okay.
“New year and everything’s the same / Maybe I just don’t have the capacity for change / New year and I’m still feeling stuck / New year is bringing back the ache of growing up”
“New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift
This track is a more optimistic view of a New Year, and is especially fitting if you have a significant other you’re going into this year with. It’s more a love song than anything else, but still feels right for the new year.
“Hold onto the memories they will hold onto you”
If you want to listen to these songs in order like I recommended, I made a Spotify playlist just for you.
Lots of artists make incredible music while still flying under the radar. Some artists are well known in the underground/indie scene but haven’t found their way to commercial or mainstream success, at least not yet. Here are some of my favorite artists that I think exhibit enough potential to blow up this year.
Remi Wolf
A graduate of Thorton School of Music and a former contestant of American Idol, Wolf has nothing to prove with regards to her talent. I’ve been listening to her since the Fall of 2019, mere months after she started releasing music, and I immediately fell in love with her unique voice and her catchy songwriting. She manages to have such a carefree, youthful sound while making music that is very detailed and carefully thought out. I’ve been watching Remi Wolf grow more and more popular over the past few years, and would not be surprised if she becomes a mainstream act this year.
When I first found the Texas rapper on a Spotify playlist, he had around 400,000 monthly listeners. At the time of writing this, he has 2,454,279 monthly listeners, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he breaks 5,000,000 by the end of this year. He’s released various singles over the past year following his 2021 debut album, “DLOG,” and each single has been fantastic.
Dimes’ music mostly consists of bangers begging to be played at a party, but he’s also a gifted songwriter, showing lots of versatility with his clever lyrics. At only 21 years old, Mike Dimes shows lots of talent, and I’m anxiously waiting to see what he does in 2022.
Recommended tracks: “NO TRENDS,” “WISS,” “BACKROOM,” “MY STORY (DLOG)”
seeyousoon
This eight-member Florida hip-hop collective is the definition of an underrated gem. If I had to describe their sound, it’s a mix of Brockhampton, Tyler, The Creator, KAYTRANADA, and JPEGMAFIA. seeyousoon is a band with a dynamic and exciting sound that doesn’t let themselves be confined to the rules and expectations of hip-hop. And even though they take opportunities to experiment with their music, they still stay true to their sound, and they don’t let their experimentation take away from the quality of their music.
Seeing a rule-breaking yet accessible act always excites me, and I’m confident that seeyousoon has more incredible music up their sleeves. Hopefully, we get another album in 2022, but either way, I’m excited to see them grow and progress as a band.
Recommended tracks: “BEN AFFLECK,” “FIX YOUR FACE,” “STEAMY,” “MAGIC,”
Below is a Spotify Playlist where you can check out all of these artists.
I understand that some people only cared about Spotify Wrapped 2021 the day (and maybe day after) it dropped. That being said, I still care. Elliott Smith was my top artist but sixty-four of my Top 100 Songs on Spotify were rap. As the Assistant Underground Music Director, this makes sense. Which rap songs you may ask? I’m not going to list all of them, but here are some favorites:
“Baby I’m Bleeding” by JPEGMAFIA
“New Slaves” by Kanye West
“Just How It Is” by Young Thug
“girls like drugs” by Paris Texas
“EAST” by Earl Sweatshirt
“Ghost (In the Shell)” by MAVI
“Throw Dem Gunz” by Lil Ugly Mane
“Campbell” by redveil
“Primma Donna” by Vince Staples (feat. A$AP Rocky)
“Please Forgive” by Powers Pleasant (feat. Denzel Curry, IDK, Zombie Juice & Zillakami)
“Jailbreak the Tesla” Injury Reserve (feat. Aminé)
Here’s to rap music being the most transformative and flexible genre,
Howdy Y’all! I hope your finals week has been good and manageable. With the semester wrapping up, the beautiful urge to read thaws out from within. Here is the song recommendation guide: book edition. These are a handful of songs that I believe pair well with the books I’ve read lately. I like to imagine that a book has a corresponding soundtrack, and here is what I think some would sound like. Hopefully you get the chance to try one of these books over break.
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Song of Achilles is a beautifully moody love story set in the Greek Heroic Age. It is an adaptation of Homer’s Iliad told from the perspective of Patroclus. This was my favorite book of the year. Be prepared to have your heart ripped out.
Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths
PATROCLUS MEETS HIS FATE by Andrew Achilles DiMestico
Anchor by Novo Amor
To Be Alone With You by Sufjan Stevens
The Night We Met by Lord Huron
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Annihilation is the first book in the Southern Reach Trilogy and centers around a team of four women’s journey through Area X. The book is better than the movie adaptation!
Deep End by Holly Humberstone
My Heart Goes Bum Bum Bum by Flatsound
To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra and Patrick Watson
Cherry Wine by Hozier
Oceans by Seafret
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
One Last Stop was a great LGBTQ+ read. Casey McQuiston, author of Red, White, & Royal Blue, pens a perfectly crafted sapphic love story with some twists.
mom i think im gay by Boyish
Space Song by Beach House
Shut Up Kiss Me by Angel Olsen
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now by The Smiths
Her by Dizzy Fae
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People was another one of my favorite reads of the year. Great for the hopeless romantic turned realist.
All I Want by Kodaline
You’re Somebody Else by flora cash
Like Real People Do by Hozier
Icarus by Fana Hues
Wash. by Bon Iver
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
We Were Liars was an easy read. This book is very last-great-american-dynasty-esque, following a girl from a wealthy family and a tragic summer.
If you read We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, try…
Home for the Summer by Sara Kays
As the World Caves In by Matt Maltese
Things We Lost In The Fire by Bastille
Our Time is Short by Gang of Youths
Royals by Lorde
I hope you enjoy this song recommendation guide: book edition and have a safe and happy break/holidays!
Howdy y’all! You know those songs that, when they come on, you’ll never skip past? Maybe you’ll even go back and listen to it again as soon as it ends? I wanted to share a list of my never-skips with you and a tidbit about why. I hope you have had a great holiday weekend and I wish you the best with finals!
Upbeat
Kokomo by The Beach Boys
My boyfriend and I used to sing this in the car, so whenever I hear it it’s like a happy memory.
Bloom by The Paper Kites
Reminds me very much of 2014 Tumblr
baseball by Hippo Campus
What I imagine people who like sports feel when their team does well.
It’s My Party by Lesley Gore
1960s delightfulness
Melancholy
A Sunday Kind Of Love by Etta James
Not necessarily melancholy, but not necessarily upbeat either. Makes me wish I was living in New York City.
Tommy’s Party by Peach Pit
So sad yet so good.
I Found by Amber Run
Another 2014-esque sad song.
By and By by Caamp
I love Caamp, and By and By is probably one of my favorite songs from them.
Turning Page by Sleeping At Last
This song reminds me of Twilight and brings tears to my eyes. I love love!
That Funny Feeling by Bo Burnham (BUT the Phoebe Bridgers cover)
While Bo Burnham’s version of his own song is grand, the Phoebe Bridgers’s version takes the cake for me.
Savior Complex by Phoebe Bridgers (or any other song off of Punisher)
Melancholic music knows no genre bounds but rather manifests in the minds of people with similar thoughts and feelings. I’ve put together a playlist that includes some of my favorite “sad” music that makes use of insightful, personal, or simply raw lyricism. There’s quite a bit of genre mixing as the first line of this post implies, so I hope there’s a track or two (or fifteen) for everyone.
“Drive All Over Town” by Elliott Smith
“Giving Up” by Corbin
“And I Love Her” by Kurt Cobain
“Milk and Honey – 2001 Remaster” by Jackson C. Frank
I hope you all aren’t feeling melancholic, but as winter approaches rapidly and with a cold bite, maybe this playlist will keep you warm when you’re not feeling so right.
Here’s to plugging Elliott Smith into WKNC content as often as possible,
Howdy y’all! In my semester off during my freshman year, I spent my time working as a barista at a small stand-alone coffee shop. I had total control of the music at 6:30 a.m. in the morning – a total dream! Using my knowledge of coffee and music, I bring you the recommendation guide to translate your favorite drink into a new song to listen to.
Espresso Drink Song Recommendations
If you order an americano (shots of espresso + hot water), listen to Wet Dream by Wet Leg. Anybody who orders an americano is ready to start their day, and this upbeat song feels like a bright morning brisk walk around the neighborhood.
If you order a latte (shots of espresso + milk + optional flavor), listen to New Song by Maggie Rogers and Del Water Gap. Like a latte, this song is dependable and consistent for relaxing after those long days.
If you order a lavender honey latte (shots of espresso + milk + honey + lavender syrup), listen to Fall in Love with You. by Montell Fish. This song is warm, dreamy, and ultra-comforting, similar to this drink.
If you order a seasonal drink (pumpkin spice latte, peppermint mocha, etc.), listen to White WInter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes. Chances are you start decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween, and nothing pairs better with a peppermint mocha than this buttery smooth Christmas-lite song.
If you order a cappuccino (espresso shots + splash of milk + foam), listen to Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens. Cappuccinos originated in Austria and were further developed in Italy. Mystery of Love was used in a movie that took place in Italy. Romanticize your cappuccino.
If you order a red eye (shots of espresso + brewed coffee), listen to As the World Caves In by Matt Maltese. This song is dramatic, emotional, and sultry. Also, are you doing okay?
If you order a dirty chai (shots of espresso + chai), listen to Coming Back by James Blake featuring SZA. Coming Back, which samples Lake Shore Drive by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah, is easy and mellow. SZA’s feature adds something equivalent to shots of espresso in a regular spiced chai.
Non-Espresso Drink Song Recommendations
If you order matcha in any capacity, listen to Je te laisserai des mots by Patrick Watson. Romanticize your walk to class, matcha in hand, with this beautiful French song. I highly advise reading what the lyrics mean if you don’t understand French (like me). So lovely.
If you order a frappuccino (blended beverage – Starbucks coined this term), listen to I Know A Place by MUNA. Frappuccinos are a staple in the Starbucks menu, and I Know A Place should be a staple in your current playlist if this is your drink.
If you order a brewed coffee, listen to You Needed Love, I Needed You by Angelo De Augustine. This song is melancholy, similar to sitting at your window on a rainy morning with a good old cup of joe.
If you order a London Fog (earl grey tea, water, vanilla syrup, steamed milk), listen to Love in the Time of Socialism by Yellow House. Sweet and comforting are just two similarities between a London Fog and Love in the Time of Socialism.
If you order a chai, listen to Clay Pigeons by Michael Cera. Michael Cera’s cover of Blaze Foley’s Clay Pigeons sounds like it should be smack dab in the middle of a coming of age movie. Enjoy your warm chai with this homely cover.
I hope you enjoy this song recommendation guide and feel inspired to try a new drink! Linked here is a Spotify playlist with all of these songs.
