Back to School, Ring the Bell!
Summer has been sweet, but Autumn is creeping up on us faster than we are ready to welcome its -ber months. With school right around the corner, it is time to greet the new year with tracks to get you back in the swing of things. We have a feeling this playlist will serve as the perfect concoction for embracing your youth and diving headfirst into whatever comes next.
“Buzz” by NIKI
The twists and turns happening in the pit of your stomach before the first day of school are normal. In fact, that feeling never really goes away before facing the unknown.
And that is what makes it so thrilling.
The amalgamation of fears, anticipation, and curiosity always lends itself to the sweetest surprises. NIKI grasps hold of what a rush of excitement tangibly looks like throughout the first track on her album: “It’s the anticipation when the amps turn on / Just cables and crackle.” Whether it is about someone new that has caught your eye, or the chance at a dream job, it is all about taking in the split second before the actual moment happens. NIKI recognizes what might come next, but acknowledges that extravagance can also be found in the moments we normally bypass leading up to it.
“We’re Going To Be Friends” by The White Stripes
We have yet to meet all the people who are going to leave an impact on our lives. The people we invite to our dinner parties, spend birthday brunches with, and call to cry over bad breakups with might still be waiting at the door for us. This track peeks through the beginning of a budding friendship through a childlike lens, and the simple beauty behind choosing a friend to experience all aspects of life with. Make the first move in your class if you see someone you are interested in getting to know. The possibility that they might become your best friend for life is worth the risk.
“Favourite” by Fontaines D.C.
The Perks of Being Wallflower is arguably one of the best coming-of-age films, and surely this track belongs to the infamous tunnel scene in an alternate universe. Fontaines D.C. bring intense drum rhythms and wistful guitar lines reminiscent of The Cure to a timeless track that captures an unexplainable euphoria and curiosity during adolescence. It is paired with a music video as equally as nostalgic, showcasing flashes of band members as children vs now. The bright musical composition and grungier vocals invoke charm, warmth, and optimism that will help romanticize your morning drives to campus.
“Be Cool” by Joni Mitchell
Ever find yourself overwhelmed by how everyone is perceiving you? During the moments you feel your face getting warm after passing by your campus crush or failing to land a joke you made to a group of friends, this cheeky track encourages you to “play it cool.” If there is one person who could help boost your confidence, it is Mitchell’s vocals in this track advising us to “Keep things light / Keep your worries out of sight / And play it cool” atop a floaty, jazz-like number. She sings with ease and keeps the message conversational with her listeners– as if Mitchell was casually giving advice to her close friend who just ran into their ex in the cafeteria: “Don’t get riled up / Smile, keep it light / Be your own best friend tonight.”
“Coming of Age” by Julia Jacklin
Life moves by in the blink of an eye, and Julia Jacklin knows the feeling all too well. In this track, she drowns in sentimental nostalgia as she mourns a time that felt a bit more simple. Whether you are just starting school, or about to enter your last year, nostalgia always creeps up– and it is a bittersweet realization. This gritty track is meant to blast out your car windows as you scream the lyrics, “Yeah now I’m gonna learn this new stage / I didn’t see it coming / My coming of age” alongside Jacklin. It is a liberating feeling to join her as she comes to terms with both the chapter that just ended, and the season ahead that is waiting for her to explore it.
“These Are The Days” by Inhaler
The memories that survive time are often the ones that involve humor and the people we love most. The four-piece Irish alternative rock band puts it best: “These are the days that kiss you on your broken nose / These are the days I don’t miss the feeling of being alone.” In this addictive, anthemic track, the Irish four-piece alternative rock band successfully bottles up the feeling of embracing your youth, cherishing the people around you, and partying until you can’t feel your feet anymore. The grand guitar riffs and pounding drum hits serve as a celebratory melody for the perfect coming-of-age sequence. On the days you are off from studying and going to classes, this song reminds you to seize the school year’s spontaneous moments so they do not pass you by. Those will be the times you will look back fondly on down the line.
