After a brutally cold winter, spring is finally (kind of) here. Although this is the cloudiest, rainiest and definitely dreariest spring of my college experience, the rare pockets of warm, sunny weather are a more-than-welcome reprieve from the end-of-year academic slog. While I normally embrace spring with open arms—it’s always been my favorite season—this year, with graduation imminent, I’ve been feeling much more ambivalent about the changing of the seasons. The following playlist is a mix of upbeat and melancholy songs that, I hope, encapsulate the bittersweet emotions that always resurface when another semester ends. Wherever you are in your journey at Case Western Reserve University, perhaps you can find comfort in this playlist too.
“Ohio All The Time” – Momma
I’ve encountered a few “Ohio” songs while browsing Spotify, and they always disappoint me.
An exception to this is “Ohio All The Time”, which is not only a solid song, but also fun, high-energy and doesn’t make living in Ohio seem like some horrible tragedy. I love that despite its release this past April, it has a distinctly early aughts pop/rock sound with lots of guitar and distorted, reverberating vocals. Plus, a lot of its lyrics are strangely relatable. “I’m standing by the sign”—could that be the Cleveland sign? The ugly Case Quad sign? The narrator also mentions being “stuck in 22,” the same age as yours truly and likely one-quarter of the people reading this article. It’s not enough to speak to the soul, for sure, but the song is probably at least a little personal for many of us, which is nice.
“Here is Someone” – Japanese Breakfast
“Here is Someone,” also an April release, is an ethereal number with light, floaty vocals and flowing instrumentals (namely keys and acoustic guitar). It opens Japanese Breakfast’s latest album, “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women),” and is my favorite song off the record. I think “Mega Circuit” and “Honey Water” are also solid, upbeat additions to any spring playlist, and I nominate “Orlando in Love” for a sadder pick.
“Miles Away” – Yo La Tengo
“Miles Away” has the same otherworldly, float-y feeling as “Here is Someone,” but with a much darker ambiance. I’ll admit that this seven-minute-plus, lyrically sparse song is probably not for everyone, but it’s truly beautiful and builds an atmosphere wherein you can fully immerse yourself. For a song with a similar vibe that’s a bit of an easier listen, you can try the band’s “Nowhere Near” instead.
“oh baby” – LCD Soundsystem
“oh baby” by electronic rock band LCD Soundsystem has the no-fail combination of a quick, driving rhythm and dreamy synth and vocals. It’s bright and sunny-sounding without being cloying, a sure pick-me-up after “Miles Away.”
“A Personal Issue” – The Cleaners from Venus
This low-key, eccentric rock song from the ‘80s is playlist filler in the best kind of way. Featuring a strong beat and simple melody, the track is light and fun and stays firmly in its own lane. I also love the album’s cover art, which features an alien-adorned postage stamp on a uniformly green background. It’s cute and quirky, just like the record itself.
“I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” – Jim Croce
I only know about Jim Croce because one of my friends is a superfan of this ‘70s singer. “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” is stripped-back and tender, and is about a true incident where Croce couldn’t find the words to tell his wife he loved her except through song. While the track seems like a sweet, happy ending to this playlist, a closer examination of its history reveals that it’s actually quite sad. See, “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” was released posthumously after Croce’s death in a plane crash. It’s pretty much the textbook definition of bittersweet, making it a perfect complement for the difficult end-of-year emotions we’re all feeling.
Honorable mentions: There’s A Rhythm (Bon Iver); Henry, come on (Lana Del Rey); Aerial Troubles (Stereolab); Reichenbach Falls (Racing Mount Pleasant); Someone To Call My Lover (Janet Jackson).