Parsons Playlists: Lo-Fi Music

Posted on April 11, 2025 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Sophia (class of 2028) and features some lo-fi tunes.

Lo-Fi Music

Lofi Fruit Music – “Stan”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Lucid Dreams (Shape of My Heart)”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Night Trouble”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Sweater Weather”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Another Love”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Beggin’”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Jocelyn Flores”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Glimpse of Us”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Leaves From The Vine”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Can We Kiss Forever?”

Lofi Fruit Music – “7 Years”

Lofi Fruit Music – “A Thousand Years”

Lofi Fruit Music – “I’m Yours”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Steven Universe”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Riptide”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Fantasy (Talking To The Moon)”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Do I Wanna Know?”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Dancing in the Moonlight”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Everything I Wanted”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Una Mattina”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Gangsta’s Paradise”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Take Me To Church”

Lofi Fruit Music – “As It Was”

Lofi Fruit Music – “See You Again”

Lofi Fruit Music – “First Class”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Redbone”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Easy On Me”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Let Her Go”

Lofi Fruit Music – “I See Fire”

Lofi Fruit Music – “STAY”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Cradles”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Get You The Moon”

Lofi Fruit Music – “SAD!”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Arcade”

Lofi Fruit Music – “The Less I Know The Better”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Fireflies”

Lofi Fruit Music – “City Of Stars”

Lofi Fruit Music – “The Cave”

Lofi Fruit Music – “L’s Theme”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Better Together”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Toxic”

Lofi Fruit Music – “All We Do”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Still D.R.E.”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Industry Baby”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Frozen”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Congratulations”

Lofi Fruit Music – “ABCDEFU”

Lofi Fruit Music – “Sunset Lover”

Lofi Fruit Music – “The Remedy For A Broken Heart”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp8XNR9pwF9znUdjeEpADRzEY_tujL03d&si=_cqfum8qi124xq_K

And here it is on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Coldplay “X & Y”

Posted on April 9, 2025 by marmstr3

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 Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features Coldplay’s 2005 album X & Y. Thanks, Ibrahim!

Coldplay

X & Y

Coldplay’s third studio album is titled X & Y and was released in 2005. It revealed an immense change in their musical style. This album contains some of their most popular songs, including “Speed of Sound,” “Fix You,” and “Talk.” X & Y has various genres of music in it and discusses uncertainty, hope, and love among individuals, thus making this album a favorite among fans.

What makes X & Y unique is its terrific songwriting and expansive sound. Songs such as “Talk” borrow things from other bands—its melody is borrowed from an electronic band named Kraftwerk. “Fix You” is among the top songs by Coldplay because it consoles individuals who have been through tough times and provides them with hope. Whether you have known this band forever or just recently came to hear about it, this album is fun to listen to.

The Music Library has X & Y on CD, so you can experience its rich feelings yourself. If you prefer to think about the songs, listen to pleasant music, or simply have it playing in the background, most fans just love X & Y.

Arachnophonia: Justin Timberlake – “The 20/20 Experience”

Posted on March 17, 2025 by marmstr3

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 Marissa (class of 2025) and features Justin Timberlake’s third studio album The 20/20 Experience. Thanks, Marissa!

Justin Timberlake

The 20/20 Experience

One of the “Greatest Artists of the 21st Century”, Justin Timberlake is an American pop singer, songwriter, producer, actor and dancer. He started off his career in the music industry as a featured member of the popular boy band *NSYNC in the late 90s. He can also be seen in the 2010 movie The Social Network as Napster founder Sean Parker.

His third studio album titled The 20/20 Experience dropped in 2013, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 and it eventually became Billboard’s best selling album of 2013. The singles on the album include “Suit and Tie” featuring Jay-Z, “Tunnel Vision,” and, my personal favorite, “Mirrors.” These songs and more can be found in the Parson’s Music Library today on The 20/20 Experience CD.

Arachnophonia: Adele – “21”

Posted on March 5, 2025 by marmstr3

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 Jillian (class of 2027) and features Adele’s 2011 studio album 21. Thanks, Jillian!

Adele

I came across this album while shelf reading and instantly was washed over by nostalgia. At the time this album was released I was 10 years old, but my mom loved Adele’s staples such as “Rumor Has It,” and “Rolling in the Deep,” so I heard these songs quite often. I remember listening to them on long car rides to my sister’s ballet classes, never really understanding the lyrics, but I liked the beat.

Adele’s 21 album was created while she was 21, therefore all of the events and feelings she went through during this time of her life are expressed in these songs. As I’m turning 21 this year, I found it comforting to listen to the music again, because now I could actually understand what she was going through and relate. I think this goes to show you that while new music is exciting, it’s always fun to revisit the music you listened to when you were young, especially when you’re feeling down.

As a college student, it’s important to ground yourself once in a while. Revisiting your old music taste can bring back memories, comfort you, and remind you of who you used to be. With pressures of due dates, presentations, and exams, it’s always good to reflect on how far you’ve come. Music is a means of transporting you to that old self so you can appreciate where you are now. So, I suggest you go back and listen to that old playlist, album or song. Because who knows, after listening maybe you’ll discover a new meaning to it.

Arachnophonia: Adele “25”

Posted on January 29, 2025 by marmstr3

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 Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features Adele’s 2015 album 25. Thanks, Ibrahim!

Adele

Adele’s 25 is more than just an album; it is a deeply emotional work of art, in such a way that love, heartbreak, and self-discovery are so well elaborated. This record would go on to achieve cultural phenomenon status in November 2015 by setting records and deeply resonating with people all over the world. To me, 25 poignantly touches on how we go about the passing of time and the relations shaping us.

“Hello” led off the album with raw emotion, powerful vocals barely contained, as if the heart were calling to the past, reconnecting with parts of ourselves we may have left behind. It’s a recurring theme throughout the album, approached so well that this record can be related to by nearly anyone. Songs like “When We Were Young” have a bittersweet ache of nostalgia, while “Million Years Ago” distills the longing for simplicity in today’s convoluted times.

What really makes 25 different is inimitable: the way Adele converts her vulnerabilities into captivatingly beautiful songs. Be it the melancholy of “All I Ask” or the uplifting rhythms of “Send My Love (To Your New Lover),” each song narrates a story of rising above the storm. It is an album for contemplation and solace, upheld for its honesty.

Adele herself describes 25 as a “make-up record,” one that came to reconcile the past into embracing the future. It’s an album that expresses great balance between heartbreak and hope in a swell manner, revealing her growth both as an artist and a person. If anyone’s looking for a soundtrack to his journey of self-discovery, then 25 would be an eternal selection.

Be it for the old-time fan of Adele or just a new listener, this album is definitely not to be missed. This just proves that around storytelling in music, there is always something to surprise you, and in the most broken moments, too, there will be beauty found.

Arachnophonia: Stevie Wonder “Songs in the Key of Life”

Posted on November 11, 2024 by marmstr3

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 Lay’la (class of 2025) and features Stevie Wonder’s classic album Songs in the Key of Life. Thanks, Lay’la!

Stevie Wonder

Songs in the Key of Life

Looking for a calming, captivating and engaging recess? Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life provides this very experience. Released in 1976, this double album is not just a collection of songs; it’s a profound exploration of life, love, and social consciousness that remains salient today.

Songs in the Key of Life is a fascinating blend of genres, seamlessly weaving together soul, R&B, jazz, and pop. From the infectious tunes of “I Wish” to the haunting beauty of “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” each track showcases Wonder’s unparalleled musicianship and vocal prowess. The album opens with “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” a gentle yet powerful reminder of the universal need for compassion and understanding.

Wonder’s experimentation with sound is evident throughout the album. He uses an array of instruments — from harmonicas to synthesizers — that were groundbreaking at the time. Tracks like “Isn’t She Lovely” showcase his ability to craft a beautiful melody that celebrates the joy of fatherhood, while “Pastime Paradise” tackles social issues with a reflective tone, incorporating elements of classical music that add to its richness.

The influence of Songs in the Key of Life extends far beyond its initial release. It has inspired countless artists across genres and remains a staple in music education. The album’s themes of love and social justice continue to resonate, making it a timeless piece that encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.

You can listen to Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life on CD at the Parsons Music Library!

Parsons Playlists: Happy Fall, Y’all

Posted on September 27, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Jillian (class of 2027) and features an autumnal mix of pop and jazz.

Happy Fall, Y’all

Start the Fall season off with a comforting and fun mix of pop and funky jazz!

The Cranberries – “Dreams”

Caroline Pennell – “We’re Going To Be Friends”
(Cover of The White Stripes as performed on The Voice)

Earth Wind and Fire – “September”

Midnight Breakfast – “If You Comfort Me”

Vulfpeck – “Wait for the Moment”

Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens – “Don’t Be Shy”

The Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”

Jamie Davis – “Isn’t She Lovely”

Noah Kahan – “Stick Season”

Anderson Paak – “The Bird”

The XX – “VCR”

KALEO – “All the Pretty Girls”

Rebby – “Sayonara”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezjnT0gVxAWMmDZ4zX-_WEn&si=bTQKuA1A0PBpuI4q

Arachnophonia: Barry Manilow

Posted on April 10, 2024 by marmstr3

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 Eli (class of 2024) and features a vinyl LP of Barry Manilow hits. Thanks, Eli!

Barry Manilow

While perhaps somewhat unknown among younger generations, Barry Manilow’s music career has spanned seven decades and has produced 51 top 40 singles and 13 platinum albums. He is most known for his hits “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” and “Could it be Magic,” but my far and away favorite Manilow masterpiece is “I Write the Songs.”

Manilow’s soft and sentimental ballad reached the top spot of Billboard charts upon release in 1977. Except, the song is not Barry Manilow’s. Written in 1975 by Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston, the song was first released by teen sensation David Cassidy in 1975. Cassidy’s version peaked at number 11 on the UK singles chart but has been far outshone by Manilow’s recording, which has tens of millions of plays on Spotify today. Manilow originally refused to record his own version of the song, as he felt that the public would not carefully listen to the lyrics and would think Manilow was singing about himself, instead of another, mysterious “I.” Following the massive success of his version, Manilow wrote and released another song called “I Really Do Write the Songs” as a bonus track of his 2006 reissue of This One’s for You.

If you would like to take a listen to Manilow’s version of the song, as well as his other greatest hits, pay a visit to our vinyl LP collection.

Parsons Playlists: Victoria Monét

Posted on March 18, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features music by American R&B artist and songwriter Victoria Monét.

Victoria Monét

Victoria Monét, a talented R&B artist and songwriter, secured three well-deserved Grammy Awards at the 2024 ceremony, including the coveted title of Best New Artist. Witnessing her triumph filled me with absolute joy, as her musical creations, both as a songwriter and a vocalist, are nothing short of extraordinary. Recognizing that not everyone may be familiar with Victoria’s incredible talent, I decided to curate a playlist featuring some of my favorite songs penned by this exceptional artist.

Victoria Monét – “We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Interlude)”

Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”

Victoria Monét – “Coastin’”

Ariana Grande (with Victoria Monét)- “MONOPOLY”

Victoria Monét – “Moment”

Chole x Halle – “Do It”

Ariana Grande – “love language”

Victoria Monét – “Jaguar”

Victoria Monét (feat. Kehlani) – “Touch Me”

Victoria Monét – “Dive”

Victoria Monét – “Ass Like That”

Victoria Monét – “Alright”

Victoria Monét – “Go There With You”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwj_Kf7CeJxvFP8fYXe6OQw3&si=jQAtNl3RU1Dw-lNE

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Autumn Anthems

Posted on November 3, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Susanne (class of 2026) some songs for the shorter, colder days of autumn.

Autumn Anthems

As the days get shorter and the air grows colder, it’s always fun to listen to music that matches the ambience of our weather. This playlist features songs with a range of folk, indie, pop and acoustic roots that take inspiration from the natural world around us. Whether you’re cooking festive foods, hosting a game night with friends, or hiking in Virginia’s breathtaking mountains, this soothing yet upbeat playlist is sure to have you singing along and inspired to reconnect with the earth.

The Lumineers – “Walls”

Mt. Joy – “Evergreen”

Noah Kahan – “Everywhere, Everything”

Taylor Swift – “ivy”

Hozier – “First Light”

Jonah Kagen – “The Roads”

Lord Huron – “Ends of the Earth”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Moon Song”

Wild Rivers – “Thinking ‘Bout Love”

MisterWives – “SUPERBLOOM”

Maggie Rogers – “Fallingwater”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez28BPfSvouKU9LILeLlYdF&si=4pgXfi_0t8nrAW1N