January is definitely one of those months that feels like it drags on forever. From New Years Resolutions that last just a week or two to those gloomy days at the office where you don’t know whether to go to sleep under your desk or just power through day, January is a month that has a need for new music. We put together a list of our January Staff Playlist just for you.
Follow the playlist on Spotify here.
Visions of Gideon – Sufjan Stevens
Addie Whelan – Editor In Chief
Sometimes a song becomes like an obsession. It starts to show up in other circumstances or when you aren’t expecting it. Created and released for the indie film Call Me By Your Name, “Visions of Gideon” is a heartbreaking, emotional track from Sufjan Stevens. The track has a subtle piano driven background, with a slow build over the entire song. When I first heard this song, it was paired with a scene in the movie, which has created an almost vision in my head each time I listen to this song. Over the last few weeks, I’ve found myself humming it, working it into another song and even maybe, possibly, listening to it on repeat for two entire days.
Open Your Eyes – Snow Patrol
Alicia Rangel – Art Director
There’s always that song that instantly makes you feel safe and for me, that is Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol. In this song the lyrics the artist is reassuring the person he’s listening to that everything will be alright and the soothing melody really makes you feel that way as you listen to it. It’s a song that is very different from what is on the radio in 2018 but also a song that never gets old.
If You Leave Me Now (ft. Boyz II Men) – Charlie Puth
Gina Scarpino – Photo Editor
To start off the 2018, Charlie Puth released “If You Leave Me Now,” which is the third song he’s released off his upcoming sophomore album Voicenotes. This song is entirely different then the first two songs he released off his record, both of which were very funky and dance-y. But, “If You Leave Me Now” showcases his more raw and vulnerable side, which is great to see in comparison to the first two releases. I was so excited when he released this song because the story it tells is very clearly connected to “Attention” and “How Long,” and I look forward to seeing the story unravel when the album is released.
Consequences – Camila Cabello
Kristen Humphries – Content Assistant
Camila just released her debut album and if there’s any song to credit her genius, it’s this one. I’ve never heard love and the loss of it described with such perfect descriptors, accompanied by a simple piano. This track stuck out to me because lyricists spend their whole lives trying to put love into words and Camila did it on her first album. That’s pretty rad.
Dance with Me Tonight – Olly Murs
Delaney DeAngelis – Deputy Editor and Online Content Manager
I listened to Olly Murs a lot back in my hardcore One Direction fan days (not that I ever left those days) but haven’t listened to him in years. I could heard the person who lives in the apartment above me blasting this song which sent me into a listening spree. “Dance with Me Tonight” is my favorite from his album Right Place Right Time.
Edge of Town – Middle Kids
Madeline Shiffer – Contributing Writer
One of my more recent 2018 goals is to broaden my music scope and find new ways to discover artists. In the beginnings of that search I found the female trio Middle Kids and absolutely fell in love with their self-titled EP. They’ve been at the top of my 2018 playlist since January 1st and I don’t see them leaving any time soon.
Curious – Hayley Kiyoko
Blake Charles – Contributing Photographer and Writer
As the first official single from Hayley Kiyoko’s upcoming debut album Expectations, “Curious” is funky slice of sultry pop, that is perhaps her punchiest and most infectious song to date. With her unapologetically queer attitude front and center, the track sees Kiyoko reminiscing over a past relationship, and wondering how serious her ex’s current relationship is. Kiyoko’s vocals are sweeping on the verses, and striking on the chorus, making for a utterly dynamic track that shows the absolute best of what pop music has to offer.
Gypsy Woman – Jonathan Tyler
Bailey Flores – Contributing Photographer and Writer
This song is very upbeat and rock and roll. The song has a lot of soul in it and Jonathan Tyler’s voice just adds more soul to it!
All On My Mind – Anderson East
Valerie McIntyre – Contributing Photographer & Writer
This song is just great and so is Anderson East. I’m definitely on the lookout for this artist in 2018. Plus the song is just so catchy and will make your day a lot better.
Wilson (Expensive Mistakes) – Fall Out Boy
Alyssa Buzzello – Contributing Photographer and Writer
Wilson is a song off of Fall Out Boy’s brand new album MANIA and it rocks! I saw this song live back in November and already knew it was going to be my favorite from the new album. Plus, Fall Out Boy just announced a summer tour so you can see it live too.
Stay While – She & Him
Lauren Klonowski – Contributing Writer
After listening to their Christmas albums on repeat the past month, I decided to finally listen to their original albums and fell in love with this track! It’s fun, oldie-infused pop that is perfect for a chill night in playlist.
Sugar for the Pill – Slowdive
Abby Fox – Contributing Writer
After releasing their first album in 22 years, this song has been on repeat all month long for me! It’s so catchy and it’s perfect for listening to while driving around and travelling. I’m definitely excited for more music from them.
Karma- Grayson DeWolfe
Sam Aneed – Contributing Photographer and Writer
Do you ever hear a song and it sticks with you for days? I stumbled upon this work of art while scrolling through Facebook and automatically bought Grayson’s EP and had this song on repeat. I wanted to broaden my taste in music this year and I am happy to report I found an artist who puts their all into a song and I love it. Karma is a song I relate too because I have been cheated on and that song just puts it into perspective. Its kind of a way of saying goodbye to the cheater, and wishing them the best but in a sarcastic way. It’s fun, upbeat and I love blasting it in the car. This song is a solid 10/10
Living (Without A Sense of Love) – False Accusations
Stone Fenk – Contributing Photographer and Writer
The chaotic introduction to this song is the perfect ending to False Accusations’ newest EP “I Know You Must Ache”. This song absolutely RIPS and is extremely catchy. With False Accusations on the rise, this song is absolutely the perfect song to define what they are about.
Metaphor – Mt. Eddy
Chelsea Gresh – Contributing Photographer + Writer
I discovered this band a few months back but in the past few weeks or so, I’ve dived very far into their album. This is a song I’ve had on repeat since then. It is so good and such a bop. It has gotten to the point where whenever I get into a friends car, this is the first song they play because they know I will put it on anyway. I’m really hoping 2018 will be a big year for Mt. Eddy.
4 Days 4 Nights – Kitty
Maya Alfia – Contributing Writer
One of the main ways I discover music is through television and movie soundtracks; when they’re put together perfectly, I tend to listen to them for weeks on end after I finish said television show or movie. Lately, after I finished the mini-series Big Little Lies, I couldn’t help but notice how great the music was throughout the show. Singer-songwriter Kitty is one of the best discoveries I’ve ever made through any soundtrack or playlist; her voice will remind you that soulful music didn’t begin and end with Amy Winehouse.
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