Sometimes we just need a little music to calm our hearts during the school year. Most people, myself included, can NOT even try to study to headbangers, but I find myself falling asleep to non-lyrical lullabies. Or, if you don't find yourself really doing schoolwork lately, these gems are the perfect night off or relaxing lazy day tunes. Here's a few indie-alternative songs to get your Spotify study playlist started for those long weekdays ahead in the library or at your desk.
1. Mykonos- Fleet Foxes
This song will never be old to me. It's the perfect mind-wandering music if you're down for a heavy brainstorm. During finals week, I usually set Fleet Foxes on repeat for the majority of my time in the library.
2. Library Magic- The Head and The Heart
Says it in the title, right? I like The Head and The Heart a lot just for listening music, but this song is a little more mellow to set as a background song.
3. Go Outside- The Cults
Maybe I'm the only person to ever like this song, but I highly recommend giving it a shot. It's also a really good meditating song because it's slow, yet a solid, semi-hypnotic, beat.
4. Young- Vallis Alps
You might be taken to another world with this mellow tune. The vocals are goldenly soft and a perfect tone for reading or writing.
5. Hostage- Danrell x Smaland
Another one of my newly found loves, which isn't as quiet as the others on this list. Especially wait for the end, it gets better as it goes.
6. Stop This Train- John Mayer
Who doesn't swoon over John Mayer? This is one of my favorites of his, and this whole Continuum album is gold if you haven't heard it. Which I highly recommend. Listen to it now actually.
7. Dark Paradise- Lana Del Ray
By the queen herself, this looming tune will help you relax. Not to mention Lana's spectacular vocals, that's a plus.
8. Let's Be Still- The Head and The Heart
I had to add another song by The Head and The Heart to this list because I usually hit their whole collection while studying.
9. Cult Logic- Miike Snow
I think it's the upbeat yet chill vibe of this song. It's one that I can rock to in the car on full volume, or sit back and relax to. MiIke Snow never disappoints my mood.
10. Falling- Opia
Just as good as the Weathen Redo version, this original will set your mind on another path. Good thing is, the redo is a perfect song to run to. Best of both worlds!
11. Blood Bank- Bon Iver
Bon Iver makes me want to move to a cabin in the woods and never listen to any artist but him. This is one of my favorites of his, but all of his work is pure gold as a singer and songwriter.
12. Work Song- Hozier
Here's another for the upbeat listener for a change of pace. Hozier is always a classic along with others on this list but is still so underrated. Oh well, that means his concerts aren't out the ass expensive yet, am I right?
13. Big Black Car- Gregory Alan Isakov
I saw Isakov at a small festival last summer and was fan-girling... hard. This song has a very mellow intro that slowly builds up, and I don't think I could ever get sick of his voice.
14. Big Jet Plane- Angus and Julia Stone
I love how many remixes there are to this song, and how they are all unique in a way. This one is actually a favorite song of mine because I never get tired of it. Any song with Angus and Julia Stone are worth a listen if you need a new artist to add variety to your day.
15. Open Season- High Highs
Last but absolutely not least. If I were going in order, I'd probably have this one at the top of my list. Truly a song I have spent time listening to on repeat. Oops?
I hope some of these songs add a little variety to your days spent walking to class, sitting in the library, or cuddled up in bed on a rainy afternoon when you would do anything to not get out from under the blankets. If you enjoy this list, add them to a new Pandora playlist and the songs they recommend for you will be just as great. Happy few-weeks-after-syllabus-week first tests!
