We're two weeks shy of the semester's end, and I'm more eager than ever to reunite with slow mornings, sunshine, and cooler clothes. Spring is always a busy time of year, and I often feel the demanding weight of school and work start to get to me around this point. Thankfully, with the promise of summer just around the corner, and some sweet songs that feel like better days and new beginnings, I feel readier than ever to embrace this season and all of its offerings. Below are some tracks that have been on repeat for me lately!
A comfort listen for me. One of Springsteen's most poignant and elegantly strung together ballads about an emotionally distant lover. What's interesting to me about my attachment to this song is that there's really nothing extraordinary about it: a straightforward story conveyed through straightforward lyrics, and slow, simple instrumentation. Nothing experimental or revolutionary in the slightest, though perhaps that's the beauty of it: a love song that doesn't beat around the bush or hide behind metaphors, but rather is plain and outspoken about its muse. It's a forever favorite of mine, and a beautiful song to end a reflective nighttime drive with.
Spring is considered by many to be a transformative time of year, often symbolizing a season of change or new beginnings, and this song feels like the embodiment of that. A sense of longing for something more meaningful than what you currently have. At the end of each academic year, I'm often plagued by thoughts of "what if?" and wonder what I could have done better, what I could have done more of. While I think it's far more productive to frame these thoughts constructively and focus on personal growth instead, I think there's some comfort to be found in songs like this that capture the feeling of dissatisfaction and the desire to be pursuing something more meaningful.
A song that transcends time. I feel its weight and its meaning no matter the season, and every time I listen, I find something new to admire. Lyrically moving and sonically ethereal, this song feels like a bittersweet ending to a film that leaves the audience glassy-eyed and hushed. This is the song I play when I don't know what to listen to. It always leaves me feeling a little more appreciative and a little more human.
We may never know when the new album will be dropping, but what a beautiful single release this was. Lana's long been lauded for her more cinematic, production-heavy tracks (deservedly so), but I have always had a soft spot for the more stripped-down, simple songs where her vocals are the focal point. They undoubtedly shine in this song. Another breathtaking track depicting a time of progression and change, "Bluebird" feels like waking up early to watch the sun rise while eating breakfast on my porch. It's sweet, it's sentimental, and it's a promising introduction to an album we may or may not ever get (Lana, please come back.)
Speck Mountain is a recent discovery of mine, and I've quickly fallen in love with their soft, hazy vocals. The band feels reminiscent of Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions, though a little less polished (in a good way). If you've ever seen The Perks of Being a Wallflower, this is a good pick for your tunnel song if you're looking for a more mellow and contemplative vibe. "I Feel Eternal" feels like freezing on a beach until someone familiar comes and wraps a huge blanket around you, not saying a word, just sitting beside you in the cold, staring at the expanse of sea. It's been a staple on my night drive playlist recently, and I hope it'll find a home in yours too.
Here's a link to my April playlist featuring these songs and a few more! Happy spring and happy listening <3