New York, hometowns, new beginnings, they’re all wrapping up our year in songs.

Eve Bertrand

Romance by Fontaines D.C.

While I’m not studying abroad this year, a girl can still dream of Ireland. Romance by Fontaines D.C. was therefore the perfect soundtrack to my fall semester. 

Starburster, with its quick lyrics and repeated gasping noise, accompanied my hurried walks to class. This song was actually inspired by a panic attack the lead singer had. Desire is a moody, cloudy song that can help any late-night study session. Bug reminded me of the indie rock music like Smashing Pumpkins that I was raised on, drifting off during long car rides. Favourite is just the sweetest, most sentimental song that makes me feel cozy and warm. The jangle of the guitars hits in just the right way. 

When I listen to Romance, I’m transported to a rainy Dublin day in the early 2000s. Let me have my escapism. It’s necessary for finals season

Ashna Shah

Son of Spergy by Daniel Caesar

As my last semester on campus before going abroad (and living more than an hour away from home for the first time in my life), these past few months have been ones of lots of reflection about my priorities and goals, as well as time spent with loved ones. Daniel Caesar’s Son of Spergy was the perfect soundtrack for this, with hauntingly beautiful harmonies and poignant insights on his relationship with his father. Standouts for me include “Who Knows,” which speaks to the inherent uncertainty underlying future plans and relationships, “Sins of the Father,” with layered harmonies and strong symbolism, and “Root of All Evil,” which deals with themes of feeling stuck. 

Mel Yu

Sam’s Town by The Killers

Sam’s Town is about the complicated feelings of resentment and nostalgia for the place you grew up in. When I think about my hometown, it brings up terrible memories of people who hurt me, people I didn’t know how to love, and mistakes I hope nobody remembers me for.

A lot of college students feel isolated away from home. I feel the opposite; I never felt like I belonged in my hometown, and every day I’m glad I had the opportunity to distance myself from there. At the same time, though, it was the place that raised me; the people I love now, they love me because of everything that has happened to me up until this point. And Sam’s Town is about that: it’s bitter resentment towards your past, but at the same time, finding it difficult to imagine the present coming to be in any other way.

Gabi Álvarez

Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny

Nothing hypes or wakes me up for an 8 a.m. class like Bad Bunny. I promise this album has NO skips, automatically moving your hips to the beat. 

With its release in 2022, this album has gotten me through plenty of school years and continues to do so! Perfect for tropical summers, birthday parties, grwm’s before your nights out, the slow walk to your 8ams, and a great mood booster during the coldest NY winters!

My favorite song is “Agosto” (very hard to choose a favorite from this album), I can’t stop imagining myself on a tropical beach in the pinkest bikini when listening to it.

Chancey Stefanos

Who’s the Clown by Audrey Hobert

Who’s The Clown, Audrey Hobert’s debut album, is truly a flawless release. Hobert has effortlessly used her background in screenwriting to develop an addictive style of pop-forward songwriting that has earned May listeners’ hearts, including mine. I was lucky enough to attend Hobert’s first-ever show in NYC this summer, before the album was even out. She played a few sneak peeks acoustically, and I knew it was inevitable she would go platinum in my headphones. I’ve genuinely had it on repeat since its release. She’s quirky and doesn’t shy away from authenticity, making her lyrics a sure hit for the socially awkward girls of our generation. My personal favorites, “Thirst Trap” and “Chateau,” are perfect songs, but I don’t think there’s a song on the album to skip. 
Plus, at the end of the semester, I went through a breakup, and it was really nice to have songs that didn’t make me want to cry my eyes out! “Don’t go back to his ass,” girl. 

Olin Bose

Rock and Roll Over by Kiss

“Rock and Roll Over” by Kiss was an album I found myself listening to a lot this fall semester. The album is almost entirely composed of energizing hard rock songs. All ten songs are great, and I usually listen front to back without a single skip. 

Each song has a great intro, including the double-guitar riff of “Ladies Room”, the catchy riff in “Calling Dr. Love”, and the quarter-note beats of “Baby Driver”. Ace Frehley’s guitar playing permeates the album and his solos amplify every song; my favorite solos include those on “Dr. Love” and “Take Me”. 

Frannie Wied

The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean

I love the versatility of this album – perfect for studying, hanging out with friends, or winding down after a long day. As a first-semester freshman, one song I particularly resonated with this semester was “Baby Steps.” I have no idea what I’m doing, but I guess I’ll figure it out as I go! This album helps me romanticize my life. I really feel like the main character whenever I put this on. 

Madeline Douglas

Ok Computer by Radiohead

While I do listen to other bands and other music, I can’t help but always fall back on Radiohead. I only have one semester left in school, but every time I put on this album, I can look fondly on the days I’ve spent in college and look forward to the ones ahead. As technology seeps more and more into my life, this album also reminds me to take a step back and go offline for a bit. That means saying yes to going out with a friend, spending time crafting with my hands, and allowing myself to connect with the world around me in person, not through the phone.

Honorable Mentions

Ashna Shah: SOS Deluxe: LANA by SZA, Tidal by Fiona Apple

Madeline Douglas: Who’s the Clown? by Audrey Hobert

Header via Madeline Douglas