Summer Series Part 8: Tommy's Weekly Playlist
By Tommy Rodriguez
Music is the closest thing we’ll get to medicine for the soul.
The power some songs have over our hearts is immeasurable. The bliss we can experience because of them can turn the darkest of moments into the most beautiful or hopeful. During quarantine, a lot of us have been feeling down—social isolation and a chaotic world will do that to you. But, despite all the bad moments, music has always been there to pick us up. Today, I want to cover six songs that’ll empower you: to get you through the day, to make you feel good, and to cast the bad vibes out of your body and replace them with joy. As always, I hope you enjoy!
Read Tommy’s other additions to the Summer Series here.
Weezer - Hero
The special thing about “Hero” is that it is so much more than a masterclass of power pop. It’s more than a beautiful, catchy tribute to essential workers. It’s more than just a great Weezer single. It speaks to the very ideals of being a hero: we all struggle with wanting to be the best version of ourselves, but we still go on and become the hero we are destined to be.
This song is a touching reminder of the great potential we all have within ourselves; it kicks ass with its soaring guitar riffs and impassioned vocals. Whenever you struggle with your own shortcomings and isolation, just remember: you are someone’s hero.
Paramore - Ain’t It Fun
Pop-punk has never sounded so optimistic. “Ain’t It Fun,” beyond being one of Paramore’s most defining anthems, is one of the best pieces of pop-punk from the 2010s. The song’s gleeful guitar melodies and soft xylophone tones are as immediate as an injection of serotonin, with Hayley Williams bringing it all together with her vivacious vocals. The song speaks to freedom in the tough “real-world';” sure, the road to success and peace may be tough, but it can be a fun time.
Little Dragon - Celebrate
The perfect song to set a good vibe off, “Celebrate” is the textbook definition of electronic bliss. The constantly rising and falling synths sound almost Asian-influenced in their timbre, while the hard kicks get the listeners’ butts shaking across the dancefloor. What particularly stands out about this song, however, is Yukimi Nagano’s wonderful vocal performance. She embodies freedom and love, asking the listener to “let love drip” and “lose your grip” as the wild night wanes on. Couple this odd, but electrifying performance with a fiery guitar solo from Agge, and you have a storm of smiles headed your way.
Florence + the Machine - Dog Days are Over
Screw anyone who says an artist’s most popular song isn’t one of their best—“Dog Days are Over” is one of the best Florence + the Machine songs ever recorded. Florence Welch’s vocal’s belt out with the energy of 1,000 suns over booming baroque pop and indie rock production, letting the song’s triumphant nature truly shine. The dark times are behind us, this song seems to say. For times as dark as today’s, this song is a refreshing reminder that there’s always something good to look forward to.
Peach Pit - Live at the Swamp
Peach Pit’s signature mix of pop-rock, indie melody, and vague electronics are incredibly well-groomed on their latest studio album, You and Your Friends. The album’s seventh song, “Live at the Swamp,” has already become one of my favorite songs of 2020, as it exemplifies what makes music so fun to listen to. The song functions as a well-oiled machine, with every guitar lick and robotic vocal aligning to create this dazzling spread of instrumentation. The song’s themes themselves are equally dazzling, simply celebrating a healthy relationship where both partners are bettered by each other’s presence. It’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s sugary...it’s wonderful.
Logic - Amen
Logic came through in a big way on his latest album and swan song, No Pressure. An album that celebrates one man’s love of hip-hop, struggles with fame, and search for meaning, it culminates with the wonderful “Amen.” The song encompasses the feeling of relief and satisfaction, luxurious keys dancing against the wall of a thick bass. What makes the song so powerful is Logic’s songwriting: as he weaves a tale about his own personal struggles in the past and present, his willingness to deal with his own weaknesses, and his fight against the darkness in his head, you can’t help but latch onto his story. We all have our demons, but there’s always hope that one day we can sit back, look at out victory, and say “Amen.”