Have you been listening to the same songs for a while? Are you looking for something new to add to your Spotify/YouTube/phone playlists or your iPod? Have I got a deal for you: I’ve collected my current favorites into a nifty list for you to peruse. This list is eclectic (read: random) so I hope you can find something here that you like, and I hope you will listen to them all. Don’t get discouraged if you find one you don’t like; the next one might be your new favorite! Here’s a Spotify playlist with all the songs on it, or if you prefer, here is a YouTube playlist with all but #3 and #8.
1. "The Hymn of Axciom" by Vienna Teng
“Somebody hears you; you know that.”
This song was first introduced to me by PLU’s female acapella group (shoutout, HERmonic!), and I started crying at those first lines. I have been in love with this song ever since.
2. "Strangers of the Heart" by Groove For Thought
“I think I used to know you, but I haven’t seen you in a while.”
A fun jazz tune, this song really grooves. It’s written with a quintuple meter (five beats per measure) and that’s only one of the reasons I love it. It has one of my favorite scat sections ever, and I love the message: I feel like I know you already; our hearts are connected.
3. "Prayer-lude" by Naomi Scott
“We’re lucid dreamers stuck on the outside.”
You may know Naomi Scott from the DCOM, Lemonade Mouth, or as Kimberly in the upcoming Power Rangers movie, but did you know she just released an EP? I listened to it on repeat for hours the day it came out. Prayer-lude is my favorite; it’s absolutely ethereal. Scott hits the high G in the chorus effortlessly and lightly (none of the screaming belting we’ve grown accustomed to in pop music).
4. "Moon and Back" by Alice Kristiansen
“When my skies are grey and my whole world is shakin’, to the moon and back, you’ll love me more than that.”
This is just a cute little song about a couple’s little quirks and how they’ll love each other “to the moon and back” through everything.
5. "Rise" by Selena Gomez
“Yes, I know there are those who will wanna bring you down, but you can rise with your mind and make your higher power proud.”
This is my anthem, right here. I feel so powerful after listening to this song. I have no words. The song speaks for itself.
6. "Chicago" by The Icarus Account
“And if I hear that you’ll be in Chicago, then I’ll take the first flight tomorrow.”
You know it’s a good album when you can listen to it straight through without skipping any songs. The Icarus Account just released a new album, Over The Moon, and I’m obsessed. This is one of my favorites from the album.
7. "Jasmine" by The Icarus Account
“I caught the clock at 12:34 and wished that she would be mine, but before any words had escaped to my voice, oh, that four became five…”
While we’re talking TIA, here’s one that I’ve been in love with since about the tenth grade.
8. "Be Yours" by Betsy Phillips
“Our story was short; seems it barely had an end.”
Something about this very simple little tune and its lyrics really speaks to me. Have a listen, and see if you can figure out why I like it so much.
9. "Midnight Sun" by Phillip Phillips
“Stay strong, live on, and chase the midnight sun.”
I can’t even describe why I love this song. I think it's in the the orchestration; it really speaks to me. It makes me want to go on adventures, honestly.
10. "Kaleidoscope" by A Great Big World
“Violets and purples, diamonds and circles, you’re my kaleidoscope.”
I cannot help but dance when I hear this song. It never fails to make me happy; it’s so cheerful!
11. "Pocketful of Poetry" by Mindy Gledhill
“I’ve got a pocketful of poetry; I’ve got a head full of songs, a heart with wings…”
A sweet, whimsical song, I could listen to this one forever, probably.
12. "Celebrity" by Snarky Puppy
I would be remiss if I didn’t include one of my favorite instrumental jazz pieces of all time (and my favorite by Snarky Puppy). This one just makes me so inexplicably happy. Please love it. (Here's an interesting and different live version, if you're into that.)
13. "O Nata Lux" by Morten Lauridsen
I also simply can’t create a list of really good songs without including some choral music. I have often said that if my soul could take musical form, this would be it. You’re listening to my soul. Please enjoy.
