Weekly Track Roundup 11/21/22: Songs We're Thankful For
There’s much to be said about what a piece of music can do for a person - it can soundtrack a particular time in their life, shape their understanding of the world, worm its way into their brain and never leave for all eternity etc etc. This week, we’re shining a light on those personal qualities we assign to music. Have a great break!
KANA-BOON - “シルエット” (Silhouette)
Silhouette is a fan favorite opening to my favorite anime: Naruto Shippuden. Literally anyone who knows me personally knows how much anime means to me. As someone who struggles a little socially, it opened up a massive community to me to socialize with that I'm thankful for every time I listen to or watch this intro. It reminds of being introduced to something I'll always love.
-Emmett Favreau
The Strokes - “Reptilia”
Reptilia is one of, if not THE song that made me want to start playing guitar. First heard it when I started getting into music in middle school. I probably wouldn't be playing guitar if not for this song, and I love the instrument. So, thank you to The Strokes for making this banger.
-Elijah Davis
Bleachers - “Rollercoaster”
I know, I know... Bleachers two weeks in a row... BUT not only is this the song that introduced me to Bleachers, but it also is one that got me through some rough patches in my life. And it's a song that I've been able to bond with many of my friends over. I love it to this day and will always be thankful for it.
-Maisie Wrubel
The National - “I Need My Girl”
This song was the start of a beautiful relationship, very very thankful <3
-Nicole Motherway
Big Thief - “Certainty”
I solemnly believe Adrienne Lenker and Big Thief have some kind of magical ability. Their music makes me feel practically everything I've ever felt at the same time - but I'm so busy admiring the song itself that I’m just happy to be along for the ride. This track in particular has been one of my favorite things to listen to through all the triumphs and defeats, the epic highs and lows of the past year [of high school football].
-Beatrix Briggs
Stevie Wonder - “As”
There’s a lot of songs I could’ve chosen for this, but for a few reasons, I chose “As” by Stevie Wonder. This song changed the course of my life as a musician from the first time my guitar teacher played it for me in 9th grade. It not only introduced me to Stevie Wonder (the GOAT), but to R&B as a whole, and really feels like the first moment that I can point to in my life where I could truly define what kind of music I liked. For all those reasons (and many more) I am thankful for “As” by Stevie Wonder.
-Terry Brannigan
Dijon - “Many Times”
I love this man and his voice so much. I could write 2000 words about this album easy but I will just say that it has gotten me through my hardest times this year. This song is pure catharsis
-Nathan Hausspiegel
Cosmo Pyke - “A Piper For Janet”
Dynamic doesn’t even begin to describe this song – the flow and lyrics almost feel improvised and create the most comforting atmosphere to escape to. It contains a whole world within itself. If you saw me listening to this on repeat at 1AM in Sci Li last semester whilst panicking/cramming for a midterm, no you didn’t :)
-Kennady Cox
Low - Double Negative Triptych (“Quorum” / “Dancing and Blood” / “Fly”)
THESE THREE SONGS WERE RELEASED TOGETHER AS A SINGLE SO IT COUNTS
i've waxed poetic before about the Double Negative Triptych (and the album in general, many times) but that still doesn't even begin to describe how completely my musical understanding was changed on September 14, 2018, when i hit play on this album and heard "Quorum" for the first time. WAVES of pure noise, and voices crushed under decay - like nothing i'd ever heard before, or maybe since??? it singlehandedly sent me off the experimental deep end, which nothing else had really done up to that point. i’m eternally grateful to Low for all that they've done - Mimi Parker forever.
-Max Levin
JPEGMAFIA - “HAZARD DUTY PAY!”
While JPEGMAFIA’s magnum opus remains the sprawling and unashamedly raw All My Heroes Are Cornballs, his greatest song would not come until a few years later, in the form of an electric case of playing it straight. Delivered over an elegantly chopped soul sample that makes all of this sound easy, the grace of “HAZARD DUTY PAY!” feels akin to waking up on a summer morning, grateful for everything life has granted you so far. In that it is life affirming, and in an ocean of modern music drenched in the sadness or anger of this time, JPEGMAFIA delivers a perfect, concise, and endlessly replayable slice of joy.
-Cassandra Weigle
