By Eluned Darwin Goss, Third Year Law and French
The novelty of the September return to university has swiftly passed by and with October comes piles of reading and the struggle of what to wear on a night out. Some good tunes are needed to lead us through the bittersweet feeling of Summer ending.
When the Laughter Stops – Yard Act, Katy J Pearson
This dance-punk track will get your feet moving on the way to the library. Its lyrics discuss the absurdity and fun of life whilst also having to hide your inevitable struggles – incredibly fitting for the rollercoaster of student life. The song’s rhythmic bass and ironic lyrics by Leeds frontman James Smith are accompanied by Katy J Pearson’s distinguished vocals, with infectious rhymes.
Perhaps most appropriate for English Literature students, the song makes references to Macbeth – ‘Out, out, brief candle!’. Yard Act in its classic manner makes an existentialist comment on the conflict between pessimism and optimism.
LOVED – Parcels
Aussie electropop Parcels’ newly released album LOVED is the perfect blend of mellow to upbeat tunes. Opening track ‘Tobeloved’ builds up from slow, choir-like vocals with fast-paced piano chords, with the beat of a drum gradually adding tension.
Picture yourself in the October morning sun, walking up to your seminar with headphones in and the fresh air cooling you down. Another sweet spot is ‘Yougotmefeeling’, upbeat and groovy from the very beginning. This time, picture yourself in the October sunset, walking home on a Wednesday evening before getting ready for your sports night.
The electric synth in the bridge of the song will get you hyped. ‘Summerinlove’ is pure smoothness and its melancholy lyrics will make you nostalgic for a Bristol summer – so make sure you’re in a good mood when you listen to this track.
Rah That’s a Mad Question – Barry Can’t Swim
This one is for the dance music lovers. An old 2021 track but a banger, this house tune with Barry Can’t Swim’s classic hoppy piano beats will remind you of how much you love Bristol.
Perfect for any occasion – walking to uni, getting ready, pres, locking in. It will get you in a dance trance.
Dance Yrself Clean – LCD Soundsystem
Nobody who likes music will claim that they don’t like this song. Especially Bristol students discovering dance-punk for the first time. The track’s first three minutes and six seconds of build-up with its commentary on social interactions and the expectations of others are calm and almost peaceful.
The rhythmic beat of clapping and shakers don’t quite prepare listeners for lead James Murphy’s sudden unleash of emotion, exploring self-perception and the overwhelming nature of being human in today’s society. The song’s electronic beats repeatedly push and pull us between the relaxed sounds from the beginning and the singer’s emotional outbursts.
The lyrics ‘dance yourself clean’ are apt for student life - this may be the perfect tune for watching the sunset on Brandon Hill on a Friday, reflecting on a long week.
Rein Me In – Sam Fender, Olivia Dean
A classic right now; you can’t go wrong with a song curated by these two artists. Exploring the complexity of relationships, Fender asks to not be ‘reined in’, with Dean responding with a plea for him to not ‘run away from my tenderness’. The sadness of this unfortunately common phenomenon in young relationships is concealed by the jazzy yet rocky vibe of the song.
It is a great song for any social occasion, but try not to listen too carefully to the lyrics if you don’t want to be reminded of that unsuccessful first year situationship.
Wristwatch – MJ Lenderman
Up and coming indie-rocker MJ Lenderman has a way of unchaining nostalgia from the depths of your mind. His electric guitar, creating a consistent, bittersweet rhythm from the opening of the song, which reminds one of a barbecue on the Downs. But now, it’s a back to school track to listen to in your student living room, playing cards and laughing with your housemates.
Lenderman’s lyrics are centred around his ‘wristwatch’ which is also a ‘compass and a cell phone’ which presents the status of his relationship. By the end, the wristwatch tells him that he’s ‘on my own’. Whilst this is another tune which is reflective of modern relationships, its ambiance sounds like something of an earlier time.
Yo No Soy Celoso – Bad Bunny
For those who don’t speak Spanish, this is the perfect blend of reggaeton and bossa nova for cooking. It’s the song you play at the start of the semester when you tell yourself you’ll meal prep throughout the year.
Whilst actually meaning ‘I am not jealous’, it will have you swaying in the kitchen, with Bad Bunny’s melodious whistles concealing the deeper lyrics challenging societal expectations of men being jealous in relationships.
Paper Romance (Purple Disco Machine Remix) - Groove Armada, Purple Disco Machine
This old tune, recently remixed by Purple Disco Machine, is the perfect tune for when you’ve just polished off an assignment. This remix embodies the feeling of closing your laptop, pushing your chair back and swaggering out of the ASS.
Whilst the original track explores the superficiality of certain romances, this disco version is a little less serious, reflecting more carefree thoughts. Get a groove (Armada) on and finish that essay.
Now She Knows – Swimming Paul
This is for the part before you submit that assignment – the part when you’re almost done but have one last lock-in session. Repetitive lyrics ‘I guess I f*cking love it…I guess she f*cking knows it’, accompanied by uplifting electronic beats have an excitement-building quality, whilst also being calming.
The closing track of his 2024 album ‘Smiling Through The Pain’, this should be the closing track of your lock-in playlist.
Featured Image: Sophie ScannellWhat is your go-to back to school track?
