Welcome to Hell Week, college kids! The next couple of weeks are going to be rough. You’ll be stressed, tired, overwhelmed, and downright anxious, and it may seem like you’re stuck in a hole. Something that always helps me is having the right music to fit my mood or situation, so here are some album recommendations to make your finals week just a little bit easier! If whole albums aren't your jam, I've also included a playlist of the "Songs Worth Noting" at the bottom.
How to Be A Human Being - Glass Animals (2016)
I got introduced to this album this year during finals week of first semester, and let me tell you, it basically saved my life. The sound is a little hard to explain, but it just gets you in this mode where you feel like you can accomplish anything.
Songs Worth Noting: “Life Itself," “Pork Soda," “Mama’s Gun”
How Will You Know If You Never Try - COIN (2017)
This album came out really recently, and I’ve been playing it nonstop since. Highly awaited since the release of their self-titled album, this album definitely did not disappoint. The variation of moods it takes you through is pretty relatable to the roller coaster finals week takes you on, but definitely more enjoyable and with about 75% less stress.
Songs Worth Noting: “Boyfriend," “Are We Alone?," “Miranda Beach”
The Human Condition - Jon Bellion (2016)
Jon Bellion has kind of a Twenty One Pilots vibe; so much, in fact, that I thought that his hit “All Time Low” was a new Twenty One Pilots song that I had somehow missed getting released. In any case, this album has been there for me through countless all-nighters, so it’s a definite favorite for finals week.
Songs Worth Noting: “Woke The F*ck Up," “Overwhelming," “Morning In America”
The Hamilton Mixtape (2016)
If you’re a fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical Hamilton, then you’ll love this collective of covers that Miranda put together. Where else can you find Ben Folds, Ja Rule, and Jill Scott on the same album? Absolutely nowhere. It’s a relatable way to address social issues, a way to get people talking about them.
Songs Worth Noting: “Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)," “Say Yes To This," “Who Tells Your Story”
Positive Songs For Negative People - Frank Turner (2015)
Kind of an oldie, but still a goodie. This came out my senior year of high school and was the only CD in my car for months. All of the songs have an inherently uplifting message, which really helps it live up to its title. Beware, “Song for Josh” will most likely make you cry.
Songs Worth Noting: “The Next Storm," “Josephine," “Love Forty Down”
Feel Good - The Internet (2013)
Let’s switch gears here for a second. This sophomore album for The Internet has a really chill, easy-going R&B vibe, perfect for those nights during finals week where you just need to get out of your head. It’s simple enough to listen to while getting some last minute reading in, but also upbeat enough to keep you going when you’re out of coffee.
Songs Worth Noting: “Dontcha," “Red Balloon," “Runnin’ ”
Smoke + Mirrors - Imagine Dragons (2014)
If you’re looking to go through a roller coaster of emotions in one album, this is the album for you. It’s fitting for almost any mood: anger, sadness, happiness, you name it. It’s positive and raw messages for hope, believing and pushing on even when you don’t think you can bear any more weight on your shoulders help to make this album inspiring and capable of taking you to places you’ve never been before.
Songs Worth Noting: “Dream," “Warriors," “Hopeless Opus”
Because The Internet - Childish Gambino (2013)
This album is... interesting to say the least. Donald Glover really used this album as an opportunity to play around with an electronic feel and hit it home with an overall uplifting vibe. The lyrics are something special with this one, so if you haven’t already given this one a listen, maybe wait a bit so you can fully appreciate them.
Songs Worth Noting: “I. The Worst Guys," “III. Telegraph," “3005”
The 1975 - The 1975 (2013)
In their first self-titled album, you might be hit with emotions you can’t necessarily describe in words, but something you can definitely feel in your bones. The heavy use of electric guitar paired with the soothing voice of Matty Black (the band’s lead singer) is something out of a late 1980s romcom. Let the sounds of British accents and unique story lines carry you through the finish line of finals and of the semester.
Songs Worth Noting: “Robbers," “Menswear," “She Way Out”
Illuminate - Shawn Mendes (2017)
I think we all knew to some degree that Shawn Mendes was going to be a star, but I don’t think anyone expected him to be this big. With a voice like butter and a personality like the boy next door, his songs both hit the hard stuff of life (break ups, feeling the pain of emotions) and the good stuff of life (being free to choose who you want to be, living a life you love). His first full album is full of incredibly intricate melodies and lyrics. If you want to feel a sense of comfort during the stressful time that is finals, this is the album for you.
Songs Worth Noting: “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back," “No Promises," “Hold On”
Pharmacy - Galantis (2015)
While this compilation includes songs from almost every genre of music imaginable, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned album that you can turn on and just feel good. This is an album for your study breaks - to get up and bust a move, release some energy and get refocused. It can also be an album for when you need to zone out and just let the sounds of electronic melodies clear your head of thoughts about anything other than your finals. Dance it out!
Songs Worth Noting: “Firebird," “Call If You Need Me," “In My Head”
Tangled Up - Thomas Rhett (2016)
Now before you completely skip this recommendation because country music isn’t your “thing”, hear me out a second. There are some albums in country that you just can’t handle: the twang, the songs about tractors, all that good stuff. But this album is different, and here’s why: not only does Thomas Rhett sing about his wife (like, what kind of goals is that?) he sings about the real struggles: like being drunk in the middle of the day on a Wednesday. His feel-good tunes and upbeat pop-inspired melodies are sure to get you in the right mood for summer, which is right around the corner.
Songs Worth Noting: “T-Shirt," “Vacation," “Playing With Fire” (the Jordin Sparks edition)Here's the Songs Worth Noting playlist! Happy Finals!
