Music
Encore, encore! 5 songs to keep you studying all night
It’s reading week, which means we’ll all be burying ourselves in Olin Library and trying not to lose our minds. Hopefully, these songs help with the latter:
Rainbow Kitten Surprise, “Seven”
Yes, go back and read the band name again. No, it’s not a joke. Yes, they perform a type of music I like to call explicit folk. No, that’s not a joke either. If you like study music that fades into the background, but when you actually listen to the lyrics they turn out to be life-changing, then Rainbow Kitten Surprise is the band for you. Just take “Seven.” The chorus goes, “Seven, six, five, four, three, two one, everybody got a name, everybody got a number/ Seven sins in six frames, five for the two of us, three is too much when there’s only one love.” That’s some quality wordplay if I’ve ever seen it. I dare you to play with words better. Plus, saying you’re listening to Rainbow Kitten Surprise never ceases to be amusing. —Wesley Jenkins
Bob Dylan, “New Morning”
“New Morning” is the title track from one of the most underrated Dylan albums. The album was the follow-up to the artistic fumble that was “Self Portrait” (which was the musical equivalent of Dylan walking around in the dark, looking for the light switch). Sound familiar? Yes, “Self Portrait” Dylan is representative of you in the depths of the despair trough that is finals. But “New Morning”? That’s the sound of you walking out of Olin after an all night study session, your head held high. The song is upbeat, celebratory, but has just an air of despair to it. The early morning air rushes past your cheeks and you think, “Gee, was I really in there all night?” The answer is yes, you were. Now go enjoy yourself my friend. It’s a new morning. — Noah Jodice
ODESZA, “Sun Models”
This is about as chill as electronic music can get, but upbeat enough to keep you energized and focused on the task at hand. From the duo’s sophomore album, “In Return,” “Sun Models” has a vibe-y background beat to get you in the zone, with a calming melody that will keep you sane despite hours of research for an essay or endless math problems. Honestly, any song off the album will do a swell job—and if you’re really looking to be lulled into another world, just play all the remixes of “Say My Name” in a row. There are indeed words in these songs, but just the right amount to spice things up without creating any real distraction. — Erica Sloan
Bear’s Den, “Elysium”
Yes, there is a band named Bear’s Den, and it is an amazing group (official school band candidate?). Think Mumford & Sons with less banjo solos and a lot more lyrical depth. Almost any song off the band’s “Islands” album would be great to study to: calming, steady and a bit dreamy. However, the band’s secret weapon is several songs that start out slow and then shock you right out of your finals stupor with a powerful second chorus change. They will keep you focused and—hopefully—awake! “Elysium” is my personal favorite due to its message and amazing background effects, but also check out “Agape” and “Magdalene” if you get hooked. — Kendall Carroll
Roo Panes, “Tiger Striped Sky”
If you’re looking for something that is just upbeat enough to keep you pushing onward but not so much to take you off your studying game, this is the song for you. Andrew “Roo” Panes’ music offers a warm acoustic vibe that will make that library cubicle a little bit cozier. Though all of his music is worth a listen, one of his more popular pieces, “Tiger Striped Sky,” keeps a steady rhythm and incorporates soothing instrumentation with the acoustic guitar, violin and deep vocals to get you into an easy academic flow. Speaking of “handsome readers read[ing] through the dappled shadows” and illustrating the image of a “tiger-striped sky,” the song unintentionally recognizes the vast amounts of reading that are to be done this week, while simultaneously embracing lasting optimism and looking at life through a positive lens. — Greer Russell