Spring into Music: Refreshing Songs for the Soul
Written by Chloe Tabaco
It’s a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing, and flowers are blooming. On days like these, people like me… are creating their 259th playlist.
As the weather gets warmer and we set the clock an hour forward for better sunsets, I find myself wanting to share the gift of music with all who wish to broaden their horizons. I take pride in my search for uncut gems with fewer than 10,000 listens, as well as the songs with millions that I still feel need love. From indie rock to disco-lounge, this article will go over my top five spring songs to stop and frolic in the grass with.
1. “Spring”- Saint Etienne
The opening bells in this song lure you in for a surprise, as in the next 10 seconds, you are greeted with the most symphonic electronic beats and synthesizers that complement vocalist Sarah Cracknell. This song calls for a time to walk through a park by yourself and journal as you reflect on the main idea of this song: that we are all still young, and that it’s never too late to love. With the shift in the season and the new energy around us, the feeling of hope becomes hard to ignore, especially with Cracknell delivering the cleanest high notes I’ve ever heard.
2. “Luv(sic)”- Nujabes
Experimental Hip-Hop is a genre that I feel as if it is overlooked, but Nujabes never fails to make it seem timeless. As a groundbreaking Japanese artist, his ability to blend jazz instrumentals with introspective beats creates an almost oxymoronic feeling of intense calm. When everything feels slow in the best way, the peace that this song creates comes unmatched.
3. “Honey”- Moxie
2021 was the beginning of my habit of curating playlists, and the band Moxie was one of the first bands I fell in love with. Rei Kimura’s voice is powerful and distinct, while the bass and the guitar feel light and clear, reminding me of picnics with my friends. The chorus captures the feelings of curiosity and wanting to get to know someone. Even though it leans romantic, I think it applies to friendships too. Go talk to your “friend crushes” and take the chance to connect. This is beautiful weather for a coffee chat outside!
4. “Baby Love”- Humming Urban Stereo (HUS)
I’ve always found gatekeeping impossible, because all I want to do is put people onto something they might fall in love with. Humming Urban Stereo is one of those artists I can’t help but share with almost everyone I know. As a South Korean indie group, HUS brings a disco-lounge sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshing. Disco-lounge is a style not many artists can truly perfect, but HUS does it effortlessly. “Baby Love” maintains a smooth, dreamy, and groovy quality, which shot this group up to my Top 5 on my Spotify Wrapped.
- “Rom-Com”- Rob Deniel
This Filipino rock song is one that feels like the soundtrack of a coming-of-age, slice-of-life, beach episode. As a part of the growing wave of Filipino artists gaining global attention, Deniel’s “Rom-Com” encapsulates the awkward, exciting feeling of liking someone and not knowing what to do about it. If you want butterflies in your stomach while still holding onto a sense of comfort, this song is for you. With new seasons, new feelings will always come. And sometimes, all you can do is lean into them.
This link is to the playlist of the songs mentioned above and more! Happy listening!
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