Parsons Playlists: Phonk

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features phonk, a subgenre of hip hop and trap music which is popular in Russia.

Phonk

Phonk songs, especially Drift phonk, usually use distorted/sampled sounds that most of us are familiar with. Regardless, these phonk songs sound quite different from those melodies you might know and love, to the point where you wouldn’t guess in a thousand years that music pieces that you listen to on a regular basis are used for their creation.

This phonk comes from Russia, however more recent works that become popular are in English (That is, of course, if they have any lyrics at all.)

Phonk - Angry Skeleton purple background

PLAYAMANE x Nateki – “MIDNIGHT”

VISXGE – “IMMACULATE”

SHADXWBXRN, ARCHEZ, KXNVRA – “PRINCE OF DARKNESS”

donttrustthem – “PHONK – all alone”

MoonDeity – “NEON BLADE”

MC ORSEN – “WARNING”

ONIMXRU x SMITHMANE – “SHADOW”

Isolate.exe – “Crystals”

АДЛИН — “Dead Inside”

KORDHELL – “MURDER IN MY MIND”

MC Mazzie – “Ele Te Bota Soca Soca” Feat. Mc RD (DJ Wizard e DJ NpcSize)

Freddie Dredd – “Devil’s Work”

Funk Tribu – “Phonky Tribu”

Ezekiel – “help_urself (prod.dyn remix)”

KUTE – “AVOID ME”

líue – “Suffer With Me”

GRAVECHILL – “Twilight”

PlayaPhonk – “KERAUNOS”

PlayaPhonk – “PHONKY TOWN”

PASTEL GHOST – “Silhouette”

Dxrk ダーク – “RAVE”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZextsRtFgHC_dcqnR0d4GkMm

Parsons Playlists: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s “Midnights”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features songs inspired by Taylor Swift’s newest album Midnights.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Midnights

This playlist is inspired by Taylor Swift’s latest album. If you liked Midnights, check out these ten songs similar to her latest tracks!

Taylor Swift - Midnights

Doja Cat – “Been Like This”

Harry Styles – “Daylight”

Billie Eilish – “TV”

Taylor Swift – “Cornelia Street”

Arcade Fire – “My Body Is A Cage”

Dua Lipa – “Boys Will Be Boys”

Coco & Clair Clair – “Pretty”

Lana Del Ray – “13 Beaches”

Born At Midnite – “Hawt Heart”

Troy Sivan – “Easy”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewUUyWFhQfDSJDIm3st-Y7q

Parsons Playlists: Chamber of Secrets

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Esther (class of 2025) and features an assortment of chamber music.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”

One of my favorite aspects of chamber music is exploring the intimacy of its subtle expressions. Here are some of my top chamber music pieces (including some I’ve been gatekeeping).

Chamber Orchestra

Robert Schumann – Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major Op. 44, Mvt. 1

Sergei Rachmaninoff – Trio élégiaque in G Minor No. 1

Johan Halvorsen – Passacaglia for Violin and Viola

Antonín Dvořák – Bagatelles Op. 47, Mvt. 5

Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quartet in F Minor Op. 18, No. 1, Mvt. 2

Felix Mendelssohn – String Octet in E flat Major Op. 20, Mvt. 3

Dmitri Shostakovich – Two Pieces for String Octet, Op. 11, Mvt. 2

Franz Doppler – Nocturne, Op. 19

Pablo de Sarasate – Navarra, Op. 33

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zew5NyVTiSg-ofiHKC01sZha

Parsons Playlists: “The Turn of the Seasons”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Marissa (class of 2025) songs celebrating the transition from summer to fall.

The Turn of the Seasons

This playlist starts out with that feeling of missing the warm weather and the ease of summer. As the songs go on, the listener feels more accepting of the new season, and is eventually overwhelmed by the excitement of leaves falling and sweater weather.

Taylor Swift – “august”

WILLIS – “I Think I Like When It Rains”

The Beatles – “Yesterday”

Taylor Swift – “right where you left me”

Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried – “Slipping Through My Fingers”

Ed Sheeran – “The A Team”

Harry Styles – “As It Was”

Wabie – “Love Me Tomorrow”

Green Day – “Wake Me Up When September Ends”

Post Malone – “Circles”

Ritt Momney – “Put Your Records On”

Coldplay – “Yellow”

Declan McKenna – “Brazil”

Earth Wind & Fire – “September”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn_0zPAfyo8&list=PLEPpzeK8v3s2_m0TioXsHNJ_80uYGSfCl

Parsons Playlists: “Mid Day Car Rides”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manger Brianna (class of 2023) and features songs to enjoy on a mid day car ride.

Mid Day Car Rides

These are my favorite songs to play when I am on the way home from a long day.
P.S. This playlist is even better if the windows are rolled down.

Music for Mid Day Car Rides

Young Mister – “Anybody Out There”

Your Neighbors – “Chicken”

snny – “Better To Leave It”

Between Friends – “Suburban Wonderland”

Tommy Newport – “Tongue & Cheek”

Sarah and the Sundays – “Take Your Time”

Tame Impala – “Patience”

French Cassettes – “City Kitty”

Magic City Hippies – “Champagne on the Rider”

Djo – “Personal Lies”

Laundry Day – “Jane”

Hippo Campus – “Ashtray”

OK Houston – “Slowly Spinning Room”

Goth Babe – “Weekend Friend”

Here’s a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez6coNtI_6VZ3egjiCG8yPI

Parsons Playlists: “Very Peri”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Amy (class of 2025) and features a playlist inspired by Pantone’s 2022 color of the year.

Very Peri Playlist

Songs that I associate with Pantone’s color of the year for 2022, Very Peri!

Very Peri - Pantone Color of the Year 2022

Lana Del Ray – “California”

Gracie Abrams – “Long Sleeves”

Taylor Swift – “Wonderland”

Tame Impala – “Eventually”

Conan Gray – “Astronomy”

Taylor Swift – “august”

Lana Del Ray – “Watercolor Eyes”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Friday I’m In Love”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Garden Song”

Mitski – “First Love/Late Spring”

The Neighbourhood – “The Beach”

Salvia Palth – “I Was All Over Her”

The Smiths – “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwhUUa5MDIWAzH5pyakXPRsm

Parsons Playlists: “Best Live Performances”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Eliana (class of 2024) and features a selection of songs recorded live.

Best Live Performances

There’s an endless number of incredible live performances, but these are some of the ones that top my list. I suppose being able to see the real thing would be better but a YouTube video is a close second, right?!?

Audience enjoying live music at a concert

Kelly Clarkson – “A Moment Like This” (American Idol winning performance from 2002) – A true cultural reset

Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” (Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983) – An even bigger cultural reset

Rihanna – “Love on the Brain” (Live at Global Citizen Festival 2016) – Performance I would have traded my left kidney for to see live

Miley Cyrus – “Heart of Glass” (Live from the iHeart Festival 2020) – The rockification of Hannah Montana

Soshana Bean – “She Used To Be Mine” from Waitress (From Club Broadway.com 2019) – The storytelling makes this a 15/10

Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Live Aid 1985) – No description necessary

Beyoncé – “At Last” (For Barack and Michelle Obama – Inaugural Ball January 20, 2009) – A defining historical moment that never fails to bring tears to my eyes

Keala Settle – “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman (2017) – BTS you need to see

Ben Platt & Broadway Cast – “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen – (From The Today Show April 2017) – Best of Broadway off of Broadway

Ariana Grande – “One Last Time” (From One Love Manchester June 2017) – Bravery and resilience highlighted in a single performance

Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett – “Just For A Moment” (Live Performance Vevo 2020) – Didn’t age well but the irony only adds to the heartbreak of the performance

Bruno Mars covers Adele’s “All I Ask” (The Live Lounge BBC Radio 1 November 2016) – Fun fact, Bruno wrote this song. And he kills it.

Here is a version of the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexFIivdsXLUDb4weJss_Niy

Parsons Playlists: Quirky Macca

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library Associate Melanie and features some Paul McCartney tracks.

This playlist was inspired by Paul McCartney (sometimes known to British fans as “Macca”) and the delightful quirky streak evident throughout his music career. His odder tracks also highlight the startling versatility of his voice and his interest in experimental recording techniques.

Let’s start with 2 versions of the same song. “Coming Up” was the opening track on the 1980 album McCartney II. The song makes use of synthesizers and sped-up vocals using a vari-speed tape machine.

The video for this version actually premiered on Saturday Night Live on May 17, 1980 and features multiple McCartneys and a couple of Linda McCartneys as a (fictional) band called the Plastic Macs.

This version peaked at number 2 on the UK singles chart, while in the U.S. and Canada a live version of the song recorded in Glasgow in 1979 was released and became the hit version peaking at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

McCartney’s old bandmate John Lennon really liked the album version of the song, saying “I thought that ‘Coming Up’ was great, … And I like the freak version that he made in his barn better than that live Glasgow one.” So herewith, a playlist highlighting Macca’s “freaky side”. I might have gotten a bit carried away with this list, but there’s so much fun stuff out there, I couldn’t resist! – MAA

“Coming Up” (McCartney II version, released 1980)

“Coming Up” (Live in Glasgow, December 17, 1979)

“Pretty Little Head” (Dreamy and atmospheric. From Press To Play, released 1986)

“Monkberry Moon Delight” (A scream-y stomper with some of the oddest lyrics you’ll come across. From Ram, released 1971)

“Check My Machine” (Quite literally created as an exercise to check his home recording machine. From McCartney II, released 1980)

“Nod Your Head” (From Memory Almost Full, released 2007)

“Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” (Short, simple and … lusty. From The Beatles – aka The White Album, released 1968)

“Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (Playful and inventive. From Ram, released 1971)

“We All Stand Together” (Billed as Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus – appears in the 1984 animated cartoon “Rupert & the Frog Song”. The song was a top 10 hit in the UK.)

“Free Now” (A little musique concrète in collaboration with Youth and Super Furry Animals. From Liverpool Sound Collage, released 2000)

“Où est le Soleil?” (A synth-y electronic vibe en français. The lyrics translate as “Where is the sun? In the head. Work.” From Flowers in the Dirt, released 1989)

“Smile Away” (From Ram, released 1971)

“Wild Honey Pie” (A snippet in the key of F# major (that’s 6 sharps!). From The Beatles’ White Album, released in 1968)

“Kreen-Akrore” (A lo-fi instrumental jam session. From McCartney, released 1970)

“Mary Had A Little Lamb” (Not a rocker at all, it’s a cute little children’s song based on the nursery rhyme. A non-album single, released in 1972.)

“Hi, Hi, Hi” (Quite a fun little rocker. Banned by the BBC for sexually suggestive lyrics and drug references. A staple of Wings live shows in the 1970s. Non-album single, released 1972)

“Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight” (A track by The Fireman – a collaboration between McCartney and Youth. From Electric Arguments, released in 2008)

“Magneto and Titanium Man” (A comic book inspired song featuring Marvel characters. Endorsed by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. From the Wings album Venus & Mars released in 1975.)

“Temporary Secretary” (Another 1980 track from McCartney II. Described in Rolling Stone as an “oddly catchy electro-pop nugget, about a slightly creepy-sounding guy looking to hire a temp.” Can’t argue with that assessment, really.)

“Step Inside Love/Los Paranoias” (This track from the Beatles Anthology 3 begins as a demo of a song for Cilla Black and morphs into an amusing jam session. Recorded in 1968. Released in 1996.)

“Oo You” (From McCartney, released 1970)

“Old Siam Sir” (From the seventh and final Wings studio album Back to the Egg, released in 1979)

“Flaming Pie” (A track from the 1997 album also entitled Flaming Pie.)

“You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)” (A rather nutty music hall comedy number recorded between 1967 and 1969 and released as the B-Side to “Let It Be” in 1970. Listen for McCartney’s sleazy lounge singer character!)

Here is the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zey6hqfXCEL9s9O3V6ZfkYRk

And here’s a (slightly longer) version of the playlist on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: “Midnight Delight”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Danny (class of 2023) and is entitled “Midnight Delight”.

Midnight Delight

(the title depends heavily on if you enjoy letting your feelings out before a good sleep)

Moon on Cloudy day.

Drake – “Marvins Room”

Maroon 5 – “Won’t Go Home Without You”

Shawn Mendes – “Fallin’ All In You”

Pink Sweat$ – “Pink Moon”

Ed Sheeran – “Love In Slow Motion”

XXXTENTACACION – “changes”

Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”

Dion – “Only You Know”

Roy Orbison – “Crying”

Sam Smith – “I’m Not The Only One”

The Killers – “Why Do I Keep Counting?”

blackbear – “why are girls?”

Giveon – “For Tonight”

fun. – “The Gambler”

ZAYN – “fOoL fOr YoU”

Bruno Mars – “If I Knew”

Chance the Rapper – “Same Drugs”

The Shadowboxers – “Honeymoon”

The Moth & The Flame – “The New Great Depression”

The Weeknd – “How Do I Make You Love Me?”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeydhaS982XvRcWBpGa0b7rh

And here is an extended version on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: “POV: 1:30am and you have two finals tomorrow”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Danny (class of 2023) and it may be somewhat relatable during exam season. Hang in there!

POV: 1:30am and you have two finals tomorrow

coffee

MARINA – “Oh No!”

The 1975 – “UGH!”

Roy Orbison – “Crying”

Cast of Hamilton – “Helpless”

The Beatles – “Help!”

Janelle Monáe feat. Zoë Kravitz – “Screwed”

Snow Patrol – “This Isn’t Everything You Are”

Rhys Lewis – “Better Than Today”

Tate McRae – “feel like shit”

That Poppy – “Lowlife”

Mabel, Jax Jones & Galantis – “Good Luck”

The Killers – “Everything Will Be Alright”

Drake feat. Sampha – “Too Much”

The Vaccines – “I Can’t Quit”

Jane Krakowski – “A Trip To The Library”

Lauv – “Adrenaline”

blackbear feat. Stalking Gia – “wish u the best”

The Story So Far – “If I Fall”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezBO2PYAYVXq9avemL-zl0w

And here it is on Spotify: