The Daily takes the aux: April music staff picks

April 28, 2022, 10:21 p.m.

Donā€™t know what to listen to? The Stanford Daily is here to help. We have compiled a playlist of our staffā€™s latest jams. Listen to our picks playlist, and check out our article and podcast episode to learn more about the recommendations. 

Jonah Roy & Rome ā€” ā€œPsychoā€ (recommended by Chloe Walsh)

This song was sent to me by one of my most musically-talented friends. It has by far the coolest sound-mixing I have ever heard in a track. It combines about four different beats into three minutes. For me, this song tastes like pink Starbursts and feels like sunlight on my skin. I could (and do) listen to it 50 times and still find a new element to love.

Pond ā€” ā€œGiant Tortoiseā€ (recommended by Chloe Walsh)

For all you Pond fans out there, Iā€™m aware Iā€™m late to the game. As a recent listener of Pond myself, looking to expand my modern psychedelia music beyond the realms of Tame Impala, I can safely say that this song is the best place to start. Honestly, I donā€™t know how I havenā€™t heard this cinematically beautiful kaleidoscope piece of music in a movie montage before.

 FousheĆ© (feat. Steve Lacy) ā€” ā€œcandy grapesā€ (recommended by Chloe Walsh)

If you like Steve Lacy, this oneā€™s for you. The sound of his gentle guitar riff throughout the song combined with FousheĆ©ā€™s angelic voice is calming enough to make me forget about the midterm I should be studying for. Also, thereā€™s a sick interjection in the middle with Lacy trying to figure out what chord to play. Donā€™t take my word for it though; listen for yourself and let me know what you think.

Sarah Kinsley ā€” ā€œHills of Fireā€ (recommended by Kyla Figueroa)

I discovered Kinsley’s music the day before I first arrived at Stanford and have since awaited every release. ā€œHills of Fire,ā€ a dynamic alt-pop track and her first single of the year, serves as a parallel to Kinsley’s viral TikTok song ā€œThe King,ā€ which was released on her 2021 EP of the same name. While ā€œThe Kingā€ serves as a reflection on the past and embracing a new era of self-discovery, ā€œHills of Fireā€ takes a turn ā€” it represents moving into the unknown, after feeling the highs of being on a pedestal. My sophomore year has been a rocky one, and the repetition of the lyrical question of, ā€œWeā€™re driving in hills of fire, can we make it out?ā€ is something I have resonated with.

The Head and the Heart ā€” ā€œCoeur D’Aleneā€ (recommended by Andrew Gerges)

I discovered Coeur D’Alene thanks to Spotify’s recommendation feature. Although it has a French title, this indie song is in English. It’s very jovial and makes me happy while I’m biking through the stress. I recommend giving it a listen.

Omar Apollo ā€” ā€œNo Good Reasonā€ (recommended by Richard Coca)

Off of his newest album, ā€œNo Good Reasonā€ oscillates between a falsetto and distorted Apollo. In combination with the funky beat, the repetition throughout the pre-chorus and chorus makes this production feel effortless, and it parallels the artist’s increasing prowess in the indie music scene.

Gracie Abrams ā€” “Feels Like”  (recommended by Andrea Liao)

This is a song about the beauty of friendship: Gracie and her friend Audrey (who is mentioned in another song, “21”), take the train from New York to Connecticut to catch a movie. I love this piece since it reminds me of something similar Iā€™ve done with my best friend.

keshi ā€” “HELL/HEAVEN” (recommended by Kristofer Roland Nino)

ā€œHELL/HEAVENā€ is an ethereal masterpiece. The combination of keshiā€™s angelic vocals with otherworldly instrumentals and intense lyrics delivers an intoxicating song that I can listen to on repeat for eternity. Itā€™s a short track that somehow manages to make the listener feel like theyā€™re ascending to another reality.

NEZ (feat. Flo Milli & 8AE) ā€” ā€œTo The Money [Aluna & Shadow Child Remix]ā€ (recommended by Cameron Duran)

Everything Flo Milli touches turns to gold, and this remix is no exception. I first listened to this song while searching her discography for more tracks to add to my playlist, and I was instantly transported to my high school dance music phase. I haven’t stopped listening since. 

Conan Gray ā€” ā€œJigsawā€ (recommended by Oriana Riley)

ā€‹ā€‹Iā€™ve been listening to Conan Gray for a few years now, but this song stuck out to me for its pure intensity and raw emotion. Iā€™ve found it to be incredible to listen to when I floor it in the car (for legal purposes, within the given speed limit, down the highway).

 Carpenters ā€” ā€œOnly Yesterdayā€ (recommended by Isaac Lozano)

ā€œOnly Yesterdayā€ is a bafflingly beautiful song (though somewhat sad), and it helps me deal with stress and anxiety. Iā€™ve listened to the Carpenters since sophomore year of high school, when I discovered them on Spotify. Theyā€™re a 70s pop/easy listening sibling duo known for their deep, soulful vocals. Most people know their hit, ā€œPlease Mr. Postman.ā€ I recommend them to everyone!

Frannie B ā€” ā€œMade For You (Avengers)ā€  (recommended by Vanessa Chen)

I recently started listening to this song when it came up on Discover Weekly (a playlist of recommended songs on Spotify). I find it very cool how they incorporated a Marvel theme into the entire song, and itā€™s pretty catchy too!

Bashfortheworld ā€” ā€œDarkest Before Dawnā€ (recommended by Tammer Bagdasarian)

Not much is known about Texas-based rap artist Bashfortheworld besides the fact that his music has cultivated a niche following. Unique flow and delivery combines with refreshing samples as Bash delves into topics of self-doubt, personal growth and his hometown roots in this powerful track.

George Clanton ā€” ā€œMake It Foreverā€ (recommended by Brandon Rupp)

Built upon a noisy riff right out of My Bloody Valentine’s ā€œLovelessā€ playbook, this track is a seamless combination of chillwave, hypnagogic pop and shoegaze stylings. George Clanton brings it all: a perfectionist’s approach to production, explosive (and addictive) drums and an enormous melody ā€” all in just over three minutes.

Aphex Twin ā€” ā€œ54 Cymru Beatsā€ (recommended by Brandon Rupp)

“54 Cymru Beats” opens like an early arcade game: an 8-bit riser alerts you of what’s to come. From there, the 6-minute drill and bass odyssey showcases the meticulous programming of Richard D. James. There’s a vibraslap, for some reason, and a robot voice repeatedly says “mummy bear.” Why not?

Maude Latour ā€” ā€œLolaā€ (recommended by Malia Mendez)

I became fixated on this song just five seconds into it. The lyrics in ā€œLolaā€ are cutesy enough to catch onto quickly without being saccharine, and the heavy guitar licks bring a new layer to Latour’s time-honored bubblegum pop. On repeat. 

Wilderado ā€” ā€œSurefireā€ (recommended by Peyton Lee)

My older brother introduced me to this song, and I’ve been listening to it non-stop the last few days. The lyrics make no sense, the chords are very poppy and simple, but it’s just such a bop. 10/10 would recommend.

ADDIE ā€” ā€œDrive Slowā€ (recommended by Kirsten Mettler)

Sometimes I feel nostalgia for moments before they’ve passed. This song perfectly encapsulates that sentiment, while also giving space to fears of mortality and the passing of youth. Listening to its smooth vocals and warm guitar strums feels like the soothing burn of a warm shower.

Voxtrot ā€” ā€œThe Start of Somethingā€ (recommended by Kirsten Mettler)

Warning: this song is dangerously fulfilling for those with main character syndrome. The rhythmic pacing and artificially vintage feel are perfect for strutting down the street and feeling your sneakers slap satisfyingly on the pavement.

Alfie Templeman ā€” ā€œColour Me Blueā€ (recommended by Aditeya Shukla)

Alfie Templeman channels an energy of pure joy and carefreeness in his latest song. ā€œColour Me Blueā€ has me singing along to its cheerful and rhythmically intricate chorus every single time I listen to it. The track is a cheat code to instantly make someone happy and excited about the day, no matter what challenges lie ahead. 

Editorā€™s Note: This article is a review and contains subjective opinions, thoughts and critiques.

Chloe Anne Walsh ā€™25 is from Chicago, IL, studying English and Film & Media Studies. She is a columnist for Arts and Life. Talk to her about 70s counterculture, MCU films or frozen raspberries at arts 'at' stanforddaily.com.

Kyla Figueroa ā€˜24 is the former Vol. 260ā€“262 Managing Editor for The Grind, the 263 Screen DE for Arts & Life, and a staff writer for News. Throw pitches and questions her way ā€” kfigueroa ā€˜atā€™ stanforddaily.com.

Andrew Gerges '25 studies economics and international relations and writes for News. He enjoys playing GeoGuessr. Contact him at news 'at' stanforddaily.com.

Richard Coca '22 has previously served as editor of The Grind for volume 258, managing editor of Satire in vol. 257, and CLIP Co-chair in vol. 255. He is majoring in Human Biology and minoring in Anthropology. Contact him at rcoca 'at' stanforddaily.com.

Andrea Liao '25 writes for the Arts & Life section. Contact The Dailyā€™s Arts & Life section at arts ā€˜atā€™ stanforddaily.com.

Kristofer Nino is a writer for the Arts & Life section. contact arts 'at' stanforddaily.com

Cameron Duran '24 is a vol. 265 Arts & Life Managing Editor. Contact The Dailyā€™s Arts & Life section at arts ā€˜atā€™ stanforddaily.com.

Oriana Riley ā€™25 is a News Managing Editor at The Daily. Every once in a while, she drops an iconic Campus Life article. Outside of The Daily, Oriana enjoys running a lot of miles and eating a lot of food. Contact Oriana at news ā€˜atā€™ stanforddaily.com.

Contact Isaac at news 'at' stanforddaily.com.



Tammer Bagdasarian '24 is an Executive Editor for The Daily, and is planning to major in Communication and Political Science. He previously served as a News Managing Editor. Contact him at tbagdasarian 'at' stanforddaily.com

Brandon Rupp '25 is a columnist for the Arts & Life section who served as the Vol. 263 Music Desk Editor. Contact him at rupp 'at' stanford.edu to tell him how much you respect his rigid journalistic integrity (or to send him music to take a look at). He appreciates that you are reading his bio.

Malia Mendez ā€™22 is the Vol. 260 Managing Editor of Arts & Life at The Stanford Daily. She is majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, Prose track. Talk to her about Modernist poetry, ecofeminism or coming-of-age films at mmendez 'at' stanforddaily.com.

Peyton Lee '24 is The Daily's Chief Technology Officer; he also writes in Arts & Life. His interest is classical music performance, but he also enjoys pop, R&B and jazz. Contact Peyton at plee 'at' stanforddaily.com.

Kirsten Mettler '23 is an Executive Editor of The Stanford Daily. She is a former Managing Editor for Arts & Life and Desk Editor for News. Contact her at kmettler 'at' stanforddaily.com.

Aditeya Shukla '23 is an Executive Editor of The Stanford Daily. He is a former Managing Editor for Arts & Life. He enjoys making indie pop music and watching Formula 1. Contact The Dailyā€™s Arts & Life section at arts ā€˜atā€™ stanforddaily.com.

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