Staff Pix 2/23: Playlist Buddies

Yeah, you could say milk is thicker than water—and our playlist buddies prove it. Check out what our staffers chose to share with each other, presented with blurbs worthy of a promotional sticker on a jewel case. Tune in to Staff Pix on Fridays 5-6PM EST!

Hollie Raposo

“popstar” by coco and clair clair

Honestly, I was not looking to like this song that I got from my playlist buddy, Farah. As I was listening to “Popstar” I was shocked. It is a little unconventional from other songs, and that is what I like most about this song. I love the vibes that the song gives off. Just being able to do anything I want and that I can get anything I want. It is just the essence of confidence and serving the most. Something about it I just connected with and out of all the songs on the playlist, it’s my favorite. Such a good hype song for getting ready for the day. I usually like having more upbeat songs to go about my day to feel ready, and this song is the definition of that. It is just a song that I can picture putting on blast and dancing in my bedroom. Such an early 2000s type vibe and I am down for it.  “Popstar” gives the luxurious lifestyle that I would love to have. Not letting anyone get in the way, and just overall such a good song. Literally the first lines are “Popstar but I’m your boyfriend’s favorite DJ,” this line just brings so much to the table. It just makes you feel like the hottest bitch alive. The beat, the lyrics, and the concept itself, I can listen to this on repeat and not get annoyed. Being an independent boss ass bitch, is what I would use to describe this song in 6 words. I just loved the playlist, and I can tell this was a good pairing with how similar our music taste is. <3

Kim O’Donnell

“Come Sail Away” by styx

I’m shocked I have never heard this song before. My playlist buddy (shout out Lily!) pointed out that my music taste is very eclectic, which was a very polite way to describe what I would say is manic. But this song hits so many of my weird niches. I love storylines about journeys and sailing seas (see “Lucky” from last week’s Staff Pix), and I also love long songs. With a song over six minutes, there's room both for a slow build that mirrors the development of the storyline and for a long segment of repeating choruses. Some people find the repetition boring, but I like when a chorus is strong enough to essentially stand on its own. Why dilute your message with filler? This song also really leaned into the 70s / 80s vibe I've been on lately, and the absurdity of aliens thrown in at the end was just weird enough for me. It also reminded me of “Champagne Supernova” (one of my absolute favorite songs) in terms of its length, themes, guitar solos, etc. A+++ and thank you again Lily!

Gabriella Collin

“Brilliant Disguise” by bruce springsteen

When I was a kid, I had three CD’s for my Hello Kitty CD player. Moonlight Sinatra (1966) by Frank Sinatra, Shine (2008) by Estelle, and Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. (1973) by none other than Bruce Springsteen. While “Brilliant Disguise” isn’t from that album, it was on my playlist. Being paired up with Karenna, WECB extraordinaire, I knew she would “bring it”, in terms of playlist makings. “Brilliant Disguise” is the perfect transitional song. While February puts up one last effort to chill our bones and block out the sun, Springsteen’s hopeful outlook keeps me walking. This is a great song, and a great song to walk around too. In a similar vein as assorted works by Bob Seeger, strumming guitar is the main focus, with synth sounds in the background to remind listeners that yes, this is still the 80s. My favorite set of lyrics is when Springsteen proclaims, “I’m just a lonely pilgrim / I walk this world in wealth / I want to know if it’s you I don’t trust / Cause I damn sure don’t trust myself”. I mean, come on. Quintessential 80s prose, wrapped up in a neat, 4:14 minute package. Also, Springsteen says “wee-wee”.  

Sofia Giarrusso

“crisis Fest” by Sunflower Bean

Shoutout Payton for this pick! I’ve never heard of Sunflower Bean before, but from my brief overview of their discography, they remind me of The Last Dinner Party mixed with the 80s flair of Pretenders. Their overall style is eccentric and unapologetic, and “Crisis Fest” is a great representation of what they have to offer. This isn’t specifically a song about an event or person, but rather a confession of unabridged rage; “Crisis Fest,” practically begs to be screamed from a rooftop: “If you hold us back / You know that we can shout.” Some songs are destined to be discovered in soundtracks, and this is definitely one of those tunes I can envision playing behind a scene in a high school movie after a big breakup or an epic class prank. Somehow Payton knew subconsciously I needed a song just to lose myself in and “Crisis Fest” absolutely scratches that itch. 

Nathan Hilyard

“army dreamers” by Kate Bush

A few years and three albums into her sprawling career, Kate Bush buckled in with “Army Dreamers,” a winding, catchy tune which critiques the United Kingdom’s military operations. Her famously playful sound tells the story of the UK’s brightest young minds being shipped off to war (“Four men in uniform / To carry home my little soldier.”) In a camo-smeared music video she peeks from behind tree trunks and jumps away from pyrotechnic bombs, all of it gloriously choreographed in a painfully aware dance. The song ends like a grinding march, guitars twinkle on, and there’s a faint chant: “Mammy’s herp… B.F.P.O…” 

Izzie Claudio

“Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth” by Caroline Polachek

Caroline Polachek is an artist that has always intrigued me, but I’ve never dived deep into her discography. This song is an awesome combination of light techno and echoing, almost siren-like, vocals. Polachek loves to play around with her voice, especially in this track. She jumps between whispered spoken word and hypnotizing vocalizations, all amidst a rich synth-filled atmosphere. After hearing this song, and a few of her other tracks, it’s clear that Polachek knows exactly what her sound is. Her innovations are so important, especially in the current world of pop, because her unique sound is like a breath of fresh air. Cheers to Nate for showing me such a cool song, this was my final push into finally giving Ms. Polachek the attention she deserves! 

Stephanie Weber

“Shut up and let me go” by The TIng Tings

This song always reminds me of the early 2000s. I listen to it and imagine I’m in the opening credits of a grainy feminist TV show with a spunky female lead who is struggling to find her way in her 20s. That’s uber specific but this song fits perfectly in some 2000s or 2010s TV montonage of The L Word, Gossip Girl, or even And Just Like That, the spin off special of Sex and The City. The Ting Tings are British, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this song played on Skins, especially because it came out in 2008. “Shut Up and Let Me Go” is upbeat and fun—it’s loud and gritty. It could be pop but it’s just indie enough to where you feel cool saying “Oh hey, I know this song” blasting from the speakers at the local coffee shop (this happened to me). Lyrics like “For the last time you will kiss my lips / Now shut up and let me go” are justifiably mean; the listener is rooting for the singer to finally break it off with their significant other. It’s angsty and full of moodiness, but it’s also danceable and perfect for reliving your high school days.

Payton Cavanaugh

“Heaven’s On Fire” by The Radio Dept.

SOFIA thank you times a million for this track. I think I played it collectively 20 times while developing in the darkroom and it is so perfect. To start the Thurston Moore vocal sample to start the song was such an interesting tribute. Moving through the track something about the lyricism draws me in and reminds me of the infatuation that often coincides with frustration and resentment. In my case, the song reminds me of falling back on toxic people and consistently being drawn in by those who you should rather push out. I think this is such a relatable experience, and this track does such a great job of exemplifying this experience. 

Lia Klug

“Creature comfort” by arcade fire

A few years ago I saw Arcade Fire on SNL and I really enjoyed them, I added a few of their songs to my playlist and then sort of accidentally forgot they existed. Flashforward to listening to the wonderful playlist my playlist buddy Nora made for me while I do my laundry. When this song came on shuffle I literally put my laundry basket down in the hall to see what it was. Immediately the song seems fun, in a bouncy synth-pop way. But the lyrics are so dark, inevitably referring to suicide as a “creature comfort” or a thought/object that makes a person feel more comfortable or happy. However, later in the song the band makes clear that this isn’t the case, that it isn’t painless, the whole song ends up being about of friend of theirs who they miss. “Creature Comfort” really takes care to blame the system rather than the victims of suicide in a really moving way. 

Sage Liebowitz

“Kiss City” by blondshell

This song provides the perfect, dreamy atmosphere for a night alone in your room. I imagine myself listening to this song staring out the window and looking at the city (which honestly fits the title). I was really drawn to the mystical opening sounds that reminded me of a glittery escape. The song has a powerful, sensual tone underscored by guitar reminiscent of 80s power ballads. The build is fantastic, starting with a wide-eyed, sweet opening and ending with a yearning release. This song is going to be on repeat for a long, long time. Thank you, Steph!

Remy Foeller

“Supercut” by Lorde

There’s no way Sydney could have ever known this, but the first album I ever really fell in love with was Lorde’s Pure Heroine. I was gifted the CD of the deluxe version when it first came out, and I listened to it on repeat every single night while obsessively going over the little lyric book, memorizing every word. As time has passed, I’ve felt like I’ve grown up with Lorde and her artistic journey. While Pure Heroine remains one of, if not my most, favorite albums of all time, Melodrama comes pretty close. As everything in my life changes, I’ve felt like I’ve turned to Melodrama as an exploration and meditation on my first awkward months in college. Its mature themes hit closer to home, and I love forging new connections with songs I love as I grow and change. “Supercut” in particular reminds me of an indie film montage—drizzly rain on car windows, figures dancing under streetlights, small glimpses into lives I will never know, yet somehow understand as but a fragment of the intrinsic human experience. “Supercut” feels like being in love and being on top of the world because of that love.

Sam Shipman

“High Times” by Jamiroquai

Looking at Salem’s playlist once they sent it to me, two things went through my mind. The first was how impressed I was by the sheer diversity in the mix they sent me-ranging multiple time periods just like my own playlists. But the second was excitement accompanied by a large grin on my face reading the word “Jamiroquai”. High Times is a great song to introduce the whole package that is Jamiroquai. A song that Embodies the beautiful funky jazz rock band that backs Jay Kay’s legendary vocal performance that hits every song by the band. Not to mention High Times is a tune that comes out swinging with such a snappy bass and synth intro it does an incredible job of making the listener itching to explore the band’s wide discography.