Parsons Playlists: Hopeless Romantic

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features songs for the hopeless romantic.

Hopeless Romantic

hopeless romantic

Laufey & Philharmonia Orchestra – “Let You Break My Heart Again”

Laufey – “Magnolia”

Laufey – “Fragile”

Matt Maltese – “Everybody Adores You (at least I do)”

Eloise – “Trick of the Moon”

Forrest Nolan – “Sinatra”

stories ft. Bruno Major – “My Funny Valentine”

Aspidistrafly – “Landscape With A Fairy”

Dreamer Isioma – “Valentina”

Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone – “A Lovely Night” (from La La Land)

Here’s a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zeyn2L5_xolg0tYL3pPjBsmb

Parsons Playlists: Bollywood on the Block

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features songs presented by UR’s Bollywood Jhatkas and Block Crew in a recent performance on campus.

Bollywood on the Block: The Sequel

Bollywood Jhatkas and Block Crew recently performed their second joint showcase, on March 25th. Here are some of the crowd’s favorite songs/remixes!

Bollywood on the Block dflyer

From Bollywood Jhatkas:

“Dholida” x “Radha Kaise” from Riya Patel Choreography

“Malhari” from Bajrao Mastani

“Garmi” x “Gas Pedal” by UCSC Kahaani

“Oo Antava Mawa … Oo Oo Antava” from Pushpa

“Lungi Dance” by Yoyo Honey Singh

From Block Crew:

“Bia Bia” by Bia

“Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat

“Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars

“N95” by Kendrick Lamar

“Waves” by Normani

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zewq3ffMoV5O2XXN-otBQmGE

Arachnophonia: Elgar’s Cello Concerto, op. 85

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Brianna (class of 2023) and features English composer Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto (1919). Thanks, Brianna!

Cello Concerto, Op. 85
Edward Elgar

Elgar

British composer Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

The Elgar Cello Concerto is one of the most famous and recognized concertos written for solo cello. Composed by Edward Elgar in the aftermath of World War I, this concerto first debuted in 1919 (the same year in which it was written).

The work did not become a cornerstone of solo cello repertoire until a recording by Jacqueline Du Pré caught the attention of the public. Her recording was so captivating that Rostropovich is said to have removed it from his own repertoire after hearing her play.

This piece is one of my favorite cello concertos, and while I also believe that no one can play this better than Du Pré, I greatly enjoyed my time learning from this piece. It is absolutely a work that every solo cellist should play at least once in their career!

Parsons Playlists: Brain Scratch

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Marissa (class of 2025). It’s called “Brain Scratch.”

Brain Scratch

Ever listen to a song that scratches a certain itch in your brain? Or, in other words, a song that no matter how many times you listen to it, you can’t seem to get tired of it? I like to refer to those as “brain scratch songs”. This playlist describes that feeling for me, and I hope it will for you as well.

brain scratch

Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors (Radio Edit)”

Tame Impala – “Borderline”

Declan McKenna – “Brazil”

Kelly Clarkson – “Breakaway”

Edison Lighthouse – “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”

Ariana Grande – “poy”

Hoobastank – “The Reason”

SZA – “Kill Bill”

New West – “Those Eyes”

Ariana Grande – “Honeymoon Avenue”

Ritt Momney – “Put Your Records On”

Engelbert Humperdink – “A Man Without Love”

Grouplove – “Tongue Tied”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEPpzeK8v3s1PzCpE2q1X7ErR5A16lFok

Parsons Playlists: Riot Grrrl

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! To day we feature a collection of Riot Grrrl music curated by Music Library Associate Melanie.

Riot Grrrl

Riot grrrl began in the early 1990s as a DIY, feminist punk movement. Riot grrrl saw girls as a “revolutionary soul force” with the power to disrupt the status quo; rejecting social constructs of how women were supposed to look and behave; and zeroing in on personal and political discussions of sexism, sexuality, sexual violence, female empowerment, racism, ageism, homophobia, fat shaming, and able-bodiedism.

The riot grrrl movement allowed women their own space to create music and make political statements about the issues they were facing in the punk rock community and in society.

This playlist is inspired by the Music Library’s current exhibit: “Girls to the Front: The Riot Grrrl Revolution” which you should come to the library to take a look at should you have the time or inclination.
It features riot grrrl music from the 1990s(ish), and tracks by fellow travelers, antecedents and descendants.

Riot Grrrl

Bikini Kill – “Rebel Girl”

Sleater-Kinney – “Call The Doctor”

Bratmobile – “Cool Schmool”

Excuse 17 – “Watchmaker”

7 Year Bitch – “Dead Men Don’t Rape”

The Runaways – “Cherry Bomb”

Screaming Females – “Glass House”

Bikini Kill – “Double Dare Ya”

Sleater-Kinney – “Be Yr Mama”

Tribe 8 – “Neanderthal Dyke”

Babes In Toyland – “Sweet ’69”

Le Tigre – “Hot Topic”

Slant 6 – “Poison Arrows Shot At Heroes”

Mary Lou Lord – “Some Jingle Jangle Morning”

Emily’s Sassy Lime – “Mr. Moneybag$”

Autoclave – “Go Far”

Bratmobile – “Bitch Theme”

X-Ray Spex – “Art-I-Ficial”

Babes In Toyland – “He’s My Thing”

Lunachicks – “Bad Ass Bitch”

riot covers

PJ Harvey – “50ft Queenie”

Gossip – “Where The Girls Are”

Heavens To Betsy – “Me & Her”

Team Dresch – “Uncle Phranc”

Bratmobile – “Gimme Brains”

Sleater-Kinney – “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone”

Bikini Kill – “Suck My Left One”

Sleater-Kinney – “Dig Me Out”

Bacchae – “Read”

Wet Leg – “Wet Dream”

Riot Grrrl Sessions – “I Eat Boys Like You For Breakfast”

Maya Jupiter – “Never Said Yes”

Lady Parts – “Bashir With The Good Beard”

The Linda Lindas – “Racist Sexist Boy”

Honeyblood – “You’re Standing On My Neck”

Tacocat – “Men Explain Things To Me”

BABYMETAL – “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!”

Kate Nash – “Fri-End?”

7 Year Bitch – “Kiss My Ass Goodbye”

The Linda Lindas – “Oh!”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezIt5ZNJHN15UP-GdKW3huz

And here it is on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Hadestown

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Nicole (class of 2024) and features the musical Hadestown. Thanks, Nicole!

Hadestown
Music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell

Have you heard of the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice?

It is an ancient Greek legend about the story of two lovers that ends up with them being separated by the Underworld for eternity. Singer and songwriter Anaïs Mitchell released her fourth album inspired by this famous tale, with a twist, back in 2006. It has been advertised as a “folk opera” which eventually became a stage production in 2019.

Hadestown tells the story of two lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, trying to get through times of economic hardship. Unlike the original tale which highlights the location of the Greek Underworld, the stage production depicts a hellish industrial version of it. Orpheus reassures Eurydice that by composing songs he will find a solution to all their problems (“Wedding Song”). Other characters in the story are Hades, the ruler of a town where citizens are exploited for their labor, and Persephone, the beautiful and kind wife of the tyrant that rules Hadestown.

When Eurydice, unsure about Orpheus’ ability to provide for them, gets convinced by Hades to seek a better life in Hadestown, Orpheus sets on a journey to find her, which becomes the premise of the musical.

This successful musical, written by Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, was a winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Hadestown was the first musical I ever saw live when it began being performed in 2019. Not only does the story provide an original twist on a great classical tale, but also, the composition of the songs make this a stellar performance. The cast featuring Eva Noblezada and André De Shields have provided high quality performances for the last couple of years which help make this musical even more worth giving it a listen.

You can check out the piano/vocal selections score of songs from Hadestown at the Music Library!

Arachnophonia: Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Wonyoung (class of 2024) and features Mozart’s opera Le Nozze di Figaro. Thanks, Wonyoung!

Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The Marriage of Figaro cover to full score

Most people in the 21st century have forgotten the appeal of classical music. One of these includes operas and arias. A majority of people will have a general idea of Mozart but when asked to identify some of his works, they will only be able to associate him with only pieces that are played by just an orchestra. However, one of Mozart’s most well known works is Le nozze di Figaro.

Le nozze di Figaro is an opera that Mozart composed in 1786. It is rich in storyline with themes such as romance and revenge and as well as humor throughout to keep the audience engaged. With some of the most well known arias for opera singers being from Le nozze di Figaro, it is an opera that is worth looking into.

Opera may seem very dry at first but in reality it is just a play but rather than the dialogue being spoken, it is sung. Le nozze di Figaro is very special to me because it was the first opera I got to see live, but not only that it was performed by my voice teacher in South Korea to whom I credit everything I know how to do today. And so I would like to recommend Le nozze di Figaro from our Music library.

Parsons Playlists: Early on the Other Side of the World

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features some Russian songs from the 2000s-2010s.

Early on the Other Side of the World

This playlist includes Russian songs from the early 2000s, and some from 2010s. I myself am not Russian, but these songs were commonly heard on TV growing up in Georgia, very early in my childhood.

moscow-kremlin-sunny-winter-morning-moscow-winter-moscow-kremlin-sunny-winter-morning-moscow-winter-112262112

t.A.T.u. – “Nas Ne Dagoniat (They Won’t Catch Up)”

Yuriy Shatunov – “Белые розы (White Roses)”

Seryoga – “Черный Бумер (Black BMW)”

Aidamir Mugu – “Chorniye Glaza (Black Eyes)”

Grigory Leps & Ani Lorak – “Zerkala (Mirrors)”

Timati feat. Grigory Leps – “Лондон (London)”

Grigory Leps & Irina Allegrova – “Я тебе не верюp (I Don’t Believe You)”

Grigory Leps – “Я ТЕБЯ НЕ ЛЮБЛЮ (I Don’t Love You)”

Grigory Leps – “Самый лучший день (The Best Day)”

Animals – “До скорой встречи (See You Soon)”

Brigade – “Моя игра (My game)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zexp0mUcjLZCaEptvdNZXapC

Parsons Playlists: Indie Bookstore

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Christine (class of 2025) and features music you might encounter in an indie bookstore.

Indie Bookstore

This collection of songs makes me want to get lost in a bookstore and read for hours on end, probably with a cup of coffee and (hopefully?) petting the resident cat.

Bookstore shelves

The Paper Kites – “Renegade”

Radiohead – “High and Dry”

Soccer Mommy – “circle the drain”

Clairo – “Amoeba”

Charlie Burg – Bookstore Girl

Coldplay – “Don’t Panic”

Honeywater – “7 Hours Ago”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Kyoto”

Brandi Carlile (feat. Lucius) – “You and Me On the Rock”

Young the Giant – “Cough Syrup”

The Weepies – “World Spins Madly On”

The Paper Kites – “Woke Up From a Dream”

River Whyless – “Motel 6”

Coldplay – “Shiver”

The Weepies – “Gotta Have You”

Goo Goo Dolls – “Black Balloon”

Foo Fighters – “Ain’t It The Life”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zewuy3QJJ8c0jGnuH9IaTyih

Arachnophonia: Music as Biology

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Esther (class of 2025) and features a book about the connections between music and biology. Thanks, Esther!

Music As Biology: The Tones We Like and Why by Dale Purves

Music As Biology: The Tones We Like and Why by Dale Purves

The innate attraction we have towards music as humans have always fascinated me. Nicknamed the “universal language,” music seems to be so deeply embedded into society. The way it evokes certain emotions within us feels like a concept too abstract to be explained. Why do we enjoy certain combinations of tones over others? How does music remain the same or change over time and cultures? Why do different scales induce different emotions? Music as Biology by Dale Purves was an interesting read that helped me formulate concrete ideas about some of these questions through a biological perspective. 

Dale Purves is a highly accomplished neuroscientist who is currently a professor at Duke University. His lab studies the neurobiological underpinnings of our perception to different stimuli, including sound.  Dr. Purves takes an empirical approach to music, incorporating data and research from biology to support his arguments on how we react to music. He provides additional links to more information on certain questions throughout the book if you were interested in further research as well. Overlapping music theory and biology offered a refreshing insight into how we perceive music. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in music or science!