Alas, it’s internship season. That means it’s time for Bwog to tell you what Albums Defined Our Semester.

Ursula Vollmer

So Close to What by Tate McRae

“I need to lock in.” 

The amount of times I said those words this past semester, you would think I never left the library. However, this phrase pertains to more than the countless hours I spent in Butler writing for class: it is something I had to do for myself. I had to lock in all aspects of my life in order to see results come to fruition. Thankfully, I had this album by my side. 

When I first heard Tate McRae’s third studio album, SO CLOSE TO WHAT, I could tell immediately it was going to be a hit. The rollout campaigns were big, the concepts there, the songs well produced and come February 24th, many were immediately added to my playlists. Global hits like 2 Hands and Sports Car were pregame songs as much as they were hype up walk to class and survive the day ahead songs. More lowkey hits, such as Like I Do and No I’m Not In Love, were reserved for staring out the subway’s flashing windows, nodding my head, and contemplating life. An album of perfect balance, if you ask me. 

This semester, amidst my (now successful) quest to balance a part time job, apply to internships, and manage my usual classload, I needed music that would empower me throughout it all. It’s Ok I’m Ok and bloodonmyhands reminded me that a failed love life is merely a construct, and I really do need to just “dance like I can’t be bothered.” Or tell myself: I’m okay, like you can have him anyway. I don’t want him anyway, girl, take him.

Words Shakspere could never have dreamed of. 

In no way can I dance like the master Tate is, but I can say there was something that just worked hearing her music this semester. I got semi-nostalgic listening to Greenlight, but the minute it transitioned back into 2 Hands, I was back on my internal dancefloor or tapping it back at Soulcycle. There was no time this semester to be that sad. She helped me see that.

At the end of the day, my junior spring has been a time of only moving forward. And if So Close For What has any stand out message I heard, is that there is no reason to be reminiscing on something that is just taking up space. Let it go and please, remember who you are. 

Riley Stacy

No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire by Dora Jar

Dora, you’re so right. There is no way to relax when you are on fire, and that is something that I learned while taking my initially-22-credit semester this spring. All jokes aside, Jar’s debut album is an incredible amalgamation of alternative, 90s inspired (in my opinion), dreamy music. If you like Fiona Apple, Imogen Heap, Wendy and Lisa, Bjork, or any artist of the sort, I think you’ll love this album. 

I spent much of my semester listening to this album on repeat while doing my problem sets, writing papers, and crashing out about what my future is going to look like. For the latter activity, “Debbie Darling” acts as a reassuring anthem, affirming that while everyone has parts of themselves that they’re insecure about, we can still make peace with that and grow through it (for the better!). This was a welcome addition to the album for me.

“Timelapse” is my personal definition of a Citi Bike song. Mentioning various NYC landmarks and neighborhoods, it is my go-to song once I unlock one of those bad boys and get on Riverside. It’ll make you feel really cool. Similarly, the titular track, “No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire,” is a dreamy, atmospheric track that just fills me with joy. This is a definite runner up for best Citi Bike song on the album. Other honorable mentions on the album include “Cannonball,” “Ragdoll” (especially the live version), and “Sometimes All Ways,” though there really isn’t a skip on the record.

This album is really a cohesive, intentional piece of work, which is something I value a lot in an album. Dora is incredibly cool and provides such an inspiration to follow your own unique path and connect with yourself, a lesson I deeply needed this semester. Altogether, on this record Dora reminds us that we don’t need to set ourselves on fire all the time. Sometimes we just need to relax.

Audrey Czarnecki

The Theory of Everything by Jóhann Jóhannsson

I was on a bit of a movie hype after winter break and set myself on watching The Theory of Everything this semester. I decided to listen to the soundtrack while doing my homework some time before watching the film. I suddenly found myself in tears from the softness yet palpable strength of the music. I had a general understanding of the plot, but the ethereal beauty of the orchestral pieces alone moved me.  

I mostly listen to movie soundtracks as they seem to make me the most studious. I’ve found many that make me emotional, but Jóhannsson struck deep into my soul with his classical-style music (I even listened to a whole playlist of classical music recently to relive the experience). Each piece gave me a different emotion to process, much like the semester, with several challenging yet rewarding courses and much to do outside of classes. I have gone from stressed to tired to elated to at ease. The soundtrack does a brilliant job of mirroring these feelings. Following is a review of a select few songs and my experience while listening to them: 

“Cambridge, 1963” feels like anticipation and buildup to something new and exciting. 

“Rowing” is a call to adventure.

“Domestic Pressures” and “Epilogue” have a curious yet apprehensive quality to them as if someone is exploring the unknown and processing what they are seeing, much like my encounters with new and abstract scientific material.

“Collapsing Inwards” and “Coma” are painful and stressful, reflecting a loss of hope, but they retain elegance and do not spiral into chaos. There is a small sense of control in the organization of the music, and this reflects the fact that we are resilient and can make the best of a situation, even the most difficult ones. 

“The Origins of Time” and “A Spacetime Singularity” feel curious once again, but with an added “Eureka!” moment. The information finally clicks. 

“The Wedding” is pure bliss and ecstasy. 

“A Brief History of Time” seems to mirror the slow yet constant passing of time, especially during moments of calm. 

“A Model of the Universe” mixes beauty, accomplishment, and sadness. It feels like something is coming to an end in a bittersweet fashion, much like the semester. I look forward to the summer and the next school year, yet I will miss my dorm and classes from the past year. 

“The Theory of Everything” feels like a beckoning from the future. I may reminisce about the past, but there is so much more to look forward to. 

Lucia Towne

Ride the Cyclone: The Musical (World Premiere Cast Recording) by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell

This semester, I had the honor of directing CMTS’ MainStage production of Ride the Cyclone and working with some truly amazing artists to bring the show to life.

Naturally, my Spotify wrapped is fucked.

This cast recording has been in my ears constantly, on the subway, waiting in line at the gates, right before class, right after class, out loud in my bedroom, and during many, many hours of homework.

Ride the Cyclone follows six high school choir students who die tragically in a roller coaster accident. The musical sees each student take turns singing about their hopes, dreams, and fears from back when they were alive. A pretty bleak soundtrack to my semester? Nope. The cast recording is full of joy (somehow). It’s funny and sharp! It’s inspiring! It’s a damn near perfect musical and if you think otherwise you’re wrong. Fuck up your own Spotify wrapped and give it a listen immediately.

Olin Bose

Head East Live! by Head East

These 17 songs kept me doing Organic Chemistry homework for hours on end. Great songs from start to finish, all 70s hard rock.

The album has many great songs, but it climaxes into the three-punch of “Never Been Any Reason”, “Elijah”, and “Jefftown Creek”.

The album has great energy, thanks in part to the banter of vocalist John Schitt. 

Madeline Douglas

The Bends by Radiohead

I’ve always been a Radiohead fan. Yet, TikTok editors have managed to use this album in such a way that it makes me reimagine the music itself. I’ve seen these songs used for a variety of fandoms: Yellowjackets, Black Mirror, The Bear, and so many more. Somehow, someway, these songs evoke an emotion unknown to me.

It took a lot in me not to put down OK Computer. Partly, because I already put it last year. But, there is something so whiny and real about The Bends. It has peaks, valleys, and a whole lot of in between.

Honorable mentions: 

Audrey Czarnecki: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by James Newton Howard, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by James Newton Howard, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore by James Newton Howard, The Day of the Jackal by Volker Bertelmann 

Lucia Towne: Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii

Madeline Douglas: Next to Normal (Original London Cast Recording) by Brian Yorkey, OK Computer by Radiohead