My Semester, Explained In A Soundtrack

How did my semester go?
Well, between stage managing my first show, oddball relationship scenarios, foot injuries, a stint with internet dating, and working 4am shifts awhile assistant stage managing a musical... it was easily one of my favorite semesters of my life.
Here's a storied soundtrack.

JANUARY
I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) Jamie xx (ft Young Thug and Popcaan)

This song gets stuck in my head at least once a day. For the last 6 months. I never liked The xx or Young Thug, but together they made the catchiest song of 2015.
NSFW. Very NSFW. Actually, don't listen to it. 'Tis quite vulgar.


Damage Yo La Yengo

"I used to think about you all the time. Now it just feels weird; there you are."

Does anybody else feel this way in a relationship? It's an awkward transition for an underdog. And nobody knows more about social anxiety romance as well Yo La Tengo.

If I Could Cry (It Would Feel Like This) Jens Lekman

Jens Lekman's Night Falls Over Kortedala is a literal list of the most important girls in his life; friends, girlfriends, crushes, sisters, etc. Listening to this album was like an oracular prelude to my breakup experience. When the moment hit me, the song I turned to most was the only one that didn't talk about a girl. These are the entire lyrics: "If I could cry, if I could cry, if I could cry, it would feel like this."
Cue the hand claps!



FEBRUARY
Make You Feel That Way Blackalicious

I've been a stickler against positive hip-hop for years now. In search of new music, I went to Tiny Mixtapes' Favorite 100 Albums of 2000-2009. Stumbled across Blackalicious, a rap duo straight outta Sacramento. Somehow, this psychedelic rap song-- that goes over winning championship games, brand new days, chilling with your family-- won my cold heart.


I Luv The Valley OH! Xiu Xiu

Another find from TMT's 2000's list. Pitchfork's Brian Howe describes this song as "someone vividly describing their pain." Of all the songs on this playlist, I doubt anyone would like this one (namely for the hollow screaming mid-way through). But to me, it's dark, beautiful, mysterious. I love its song structure more than its pain. This will be on my shuffle for a long time.



Iron Galaxy Cannibal Ox

Produced by El-P in 2001, Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein is the perfect underground hip-hop album. Members Vast Aire and Vordul Mega present two depressed black kids from Harlem who are acquainted with the streets but rather enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons. This song tries to make the sonic sounds of the future on a $10 budget.
NSFW



MARCH
Song for the Asking Simon & Grafunkel

Even more so than most Logan winters, this winter was butt-crack cold. Even when there were turds of snow left on the ground, I considered it "spring" enough for me. I had been wearing shorts around the house since Valentine's Day. To me, nothing transitions winter into spring like Simon & Garfunkel. This song surprisingly brought me to tears in a humbling moment this year.



Random Rules Silver Jews

Loved this song for a while now. Love it to death. Finally bought the album via Amazon. It apparently got lost in the mail and I had to cancel the order.
But at least I got my refund.



Little Green Joni Mitchell

I've listened to Blue a million times. Wasn't until this semester that "Little Green" hit me in the soft spot. Much like my life, things were  100% "green, like the color when the spring is born," and there was "sometimes sorrow." But it became one of the greatest semesters of college life.




APRIL
Holes Mercury Rev

I missed Priesthood session of LDS General Conference because I was ASM at a Dogfight rehearsal (as usual). I later attended the music recital for a friend of mine. On this warm night, I had an overarching "in-the-moment" feeling I hadn't felt since I was 18. I recall standing outside, looking to the stars, soaking in the moment.
Long ago, a counselor once warned me, "Don't freak out once you start feeling things again." I forgot that advice this night and got lost in this song. Glad it happened though.


Someday The Strokes

As I started to live in the moment again, I was able to feel the amount of love I have for my friends.
This was one of my favorite songs back in high school; a soundtrack for my yearbook-ready mind. As sad as the lyrics may seem, this song finally has me reminiscing about the good times again, just like it did high school. There are people in my life now who I will miss dearly when they leave. I'm grateful for what I have now; emotionally, socially, literally.

You Get What You Give New Radicals

Like I said before, I usually dislike positive messages in music. But I've always loved this song, and it means more to me now than ever before. I feel like I've found what truly matters to me in this life. I can breathe from my diaphragm and not worry about everything everywhere I go. Maybe I'll write a hit song about it.