Ah, back to school. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping... and you're still in bed at noon.
We've all been there. It can be difficult to get back into the swing of things after a long summer break of low commitment.
Even if your summer break was packed with two jobs, an internship and an intense workout schedule that all relied on a 6 A.M. wake up call, this playlist is for you.
1. "Stop For Nothing" - courtship.
This bop is fun and optimistic. You'll instantly feel like dancing, and it will give you the motivation to grab your planner and map out the first few weeks of your semester.
I first heard this song while browsing through the racks of some fancy boutique in Center City. Indie pop bands always pique my interest so, naturally, I hustled to re-download Shazam onto my phone and find out the title and artist. I'm way too self-conscious to use Siri for the exact same function.
Listen here.
2. "If There's Time" - ODESZA
If you're into EDM, you probably already know ODESZA. They're one of my all-time favorite artists, in any genre. Their sound is appealing because you can go from relaxing on a break in between classes to dreaming of your next road trip, to feeling like you're in another world all within the span of three tracks.
Major shout out to my best friend and former roommate for introducing me to this amazing duo of musicians.
This is one of the spacey tracks. I highly recommend giving all of their albums a listen. You won't regret it.
3. "Lie" - Shallou, Riah
When I listen to this song, I'm instantly put into a happy trance. The lead synth, Riah's soft voice, the super relatable lyrics about a destructive relationship. The message isn't a particularly happy one, but for some reason, I love this song and it puts me in a happy place. It's definitely Shallou's work on the beat.
This song is perfect for when you need to just zone out and forget about the stress of classes and everything else that we need to face as college students.
4. "Alone" (Calvin Harris Remix) (Feat. Stefflon Don) - Halsey
This Halsey original was funked up by Calvin Harris. I love most of his work, and Halsey is such an icon right now — and will be for years to come. It's a stark contrast to the original.
Unfortunately, Big Sean doesn't appear in Calvin's remix, but Stefflon's part stays pretty much intact. Personally, I love pop remixes and what Calvin Harris did with this track inspires me to push myself further with my own art.
When you need a boost of creativity, give the remix a listen.
5. "ATM" - J. Cole
Of course, J. Cole is making the playlist. He's one of the most talented rappers on the scene right now. Every one of his songs has a lesson to teach or a story to tell. When I listened to Album of the Year - Freestyle, I felt like I was listening to a legit lecture in school. If only my professors had that much style while teaching.
"ATM" is something else. He's speaking about using money as a motivator, the harm that it can do to your mental state, and the inevitable hunger for more wealth. No matter what your motivation for grinding through school is, "ATM" will get you pumped to go in big time towards your dreams.
6. "no tears left to cry" - Ariana Grande
This one's on the radio quite a bit, so it's hard to avoid, but that's not really a problem for me. Ariana is sticking with her typical fun, playful vibe while presenting a message that is about empowering EVERYBODY.
Press play when you need to feel empowered at 3 A.M. when you're cramming for a huge exam.
7. "Broken Clocks" - SZA
Even though she's working her ass off, SZA still has some love for whoever she wrote this one about. I really love SZA and I think she's what my generation of female hip hop fans needed. Here's another super empowering lady that I'd love to be best friends with.
If you ever need a reminder to put yourself, your education, your career, your fitness/health, or anything else before a romantic interest, this is the song to bump on repeat. If your person truly loves you, they'll understand that you need to grind.
8. "In My Feelings" - Drake
Okay, I know, this song has been EVERYWHERE this summer — thanks, Kiki — but it's honestly fire and does. not. get. old. This is perfect for when you need to go nuts and get crazy with your friends.
Go dance your ass off. Just try not to get caught by Rowan campus security when you're doing the Kiki challenge in the empty parking lot of Dick Wackar Stadium... not giving anyone any ideas here.
9. "Higher" - Audien
If you don't know who Audien is, don't worry, I had no idea until this came up on my Discover Weekly. Another one to put you into a trance-like state, this is an awesome song for your workout playlist. About halfway through, there's a cool buildup that will amp you up.
When you want to take things up a notch, listen to Higher.
This is a short playlist with just nine songs, but this was really fun to write. If you guys like it, I can make some more playlists!
