Written by Nasir Harrison. Graphics by Ananya Panchal.
If I had to rank the seasons on a scale of favoritism, spring would take the top spot. To me, this is the real start of the year. It’s when the weighted blankets are swapped for park blankets, the drawer full of shorts is finally dusted off, and the stuffy noses are traded for, well, stuffy noses.
Sneezes aside, this is the season where I finally feel alive again. With hot days and warm evenings rejuvenating my frozen soul from the winter, I can finally sit in the park and reminisce on everything that now exists as a memory. But what’s a seasonal resurrection without an eclectic playlist to blast into my ears?
“Stay away winter,” reflects the many facets of me. I can be mellow like a cloudy day at the beach or rowdy like a rally on the tennis court in the blazing heat. Above all else though, it pumps the music and memories into my heart that let me love and live in spring.
- “Postcards” by Frex
A poignant, introspective love song that sounds like the coming of spring and the warmth of the season melting away my winter woes.
- “Bust Your Knee Caps– Johnny Don’t Leave Me” by Pomplamoose
An encore of a love song in its own special way; one way more fitting of my springtime mood.
- “One of Your Girls” by Troye Sivan
If there was a song that embodied the feeling of a sunset car ride with the windows down and speakers up, it would be this one. Trust me– I’ve lived out that sentence more times than I can count.
- “Doin’ Time” by Lana Del Rey
A pool-side sandwich and wired earbuds are exactly what this song calls for. This song’s groovy melody and beat never fail to make me daydream about water-side laziness.
- “Everything Is Embarrassing” by Sky Ferreira
A bit of existentialism, a lot more relatability. One of my favorite songs from the playlist that I always find myself queuing again.
- “She Want” by campthehills
A beautiful balance of metaphors and actuality strung into a dreamy melody and a staple of the season. Very human and very fun to listen to.
- “Someone To Call My Lover” by Janet Jackson
If I could nominate this song to run the world, I would. I’m pretty sure it invented the beauty of spring. Every listen feels like the first.
- “Funny Thing” by Thundercat
A wildcard song of sorts. Its unique sound is like the calm before a musical storm; consider it the volta of my playlist and motto of my life, if you will.
- “Anklebiters” by Paramore
The perfect song for a sweltering day full of angst and pent up frustration. I tend to forget that good things can exist during days like this, but this song reminds me how far from the truth that is.
- “Helena” by My Chemical Romance
Yet another love song, but make it rock. Its desperate sound and juxtaposed lyrics never fail to have me singing at the top of my lungs.
- “Paper Planes” by M.I.A.
If I had three minutes and twenty-five seconds left of spring, I would end it with this song. Who doesn’t love a classic teenage-year banger?
- “Sleepyhead” by Passion Pit
Last, but never least in my heart is this masterpiece. Every emotion I’ve ever experienced could be lived out in the span of Sleepyhead’s bridge. The indietronica sound of this song – to me – embodies what it means to be spring.
If you stayed this long, then you have plenty of time to check out “Stay away winter.” A listen a day keeps the cold away.
