1. Seeing Stars by BØRNS.
This song never fails to make me smile; it is so joyful and wonderful and just really bright. This song is on their EP called Candy and it is the perfect cute/happy song.
2. Any song Dodie Clark (dodie) has ever written.
She has an EP out called "Intertwined" and each song on it is beautiful and well written. My current favorites by her are When (which is on the EP) and Would You Be So Kind (which is not), both of which you should definitely listen to if you have the chance. Not only do her songs just sound so wonderfully like her, they are all lyrically outstanding and clever. She writes beautiful lyrics such as "I've pinned each and every hope on you/I hope that you don't bleed with me" and "watch how a cold broken teen will desperately lean on a superglued human of proof". Enough said.
3. Wild Heart by Bleachers.
This band has an incredible sound and it is very well reflected in this song, and in all the rest of their music. Jack Antonoff, who writes for the band, is also a largely successful songwriter in his own right, most notably for working with Taylor Swift on her songs.
4. In a complete change of pace, I would also recommend Prairie Empire to anyone and everyone.
Strangely enough, I found this band through a Broadway show entitled Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (aka one of my favorite shows, if not just my favorite). Though I was a fan of Brittain Ashford before I saw the show, it was only after I saw her as Sonya and read her bio in the playbill that I found she had a band. I immediately fell in love with the unique and beautiful sound their music has through songs such as Like Birds and Folded, From The Storm. They have an EP out called The Salt, if you want to take a listen.
5. Turn to Stone by Ingrid Michealson.
I first heard this song through a Gateway to the Arts variety show. One of their dance classes did an absolutely stunning dance to this song and I immediately fell in love with it. It has such a beautiful color to it, as is true with so many Ingrid Michealson songs.
6. On a somewhat related note, I would like to suggest any song that's been written by Sara Bareilles, as everything she writes and sings is beautiful.
She is one of my favorite songwriters and I find her to be so honest, funny, genuine, and genius. She is currently on as Jenna in Waitress, a musical that features her original songs, for which she has released and album entitled What's Inside: Songs from Waitress. With that, she has also released pop albums, featuring songs such as Hercules, Uncharted, and Chasing the Sun, all of which you should listen to if possible.
7. On My Own by Tessa Violet.
It is really just such a cool song and I can promise you will feel really awesome walking down the hallway with this blasting through your headphones. She also has a duet with Dodie Clark entitled Burn that I would definitely suggest for the same reason.
