By Indira Midha
I’ve had headphones in constantly this past month. I always do, but between lots of work and traveling, this month has been extra musical for my ears. I’ve discovered some new music and found some old gems as well. I hope you enjoy this playlist as much as I do!
Acoustic Love
Recently, I’ve been really into stripped-down songs with beautifully crafted lyrics. Something about the simplicity of a guitar and a vocalist, nothing more, makes the message of the song so impactful.
Best Part (feat. H.E.R.) by Daniel Caesar
Dive by Ed Sheeran
Earned It by Prince Royce (originally The Weeknd)
Fire Away by Niall Horan
Girl Crush by Harry Styles (originally Little Big Town)
Helpless by John Mayer
Nina by Ed Sheeran
No Good Alone by Corey Harper
Perfect (Acoustic) by Ed Sheeran
River of Tears by Alessia Cara
XO by John Mayer
You and Me by Niall Horan
Bailando
I’m half Hispanic, so I always have a Spanish section of every playlist I make. The beats in Reggaeton, Bachata, Salsa, Cumbia, and Flamenco just make me dance immediately! Latin music has become increasingly popular because of Despacito, and I want to keep this trend going.
Bonita (feat. Jowell & Randy) by J Balvin
Échame La Culpa by Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato
El Chico Del Apartamento 512 by Selena
Fruta Fresca by Carlos Vives
La Negra Tiene Tumbao by Celia Cruz
Lo Que Pasó, Pasó by Daddy Yankee
Rebelde by RBD
Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos) by CNCO
Sin Contrato – Remix (feat. Don Omar and Wisin) by Maluma
Stand by Me by Prince Royce (originally Ben E. King)
Tengo Un Trato by Mala Rodriguez
Boy Bands
So I thought I had gotten my boy band fix when I was 13 and One Direction came out. I was very wrong. I finished Black-Ish and was looking for a new show to watch on Hulu, and I stumbled across ABC’s Boy Band. The competition was an interesting mixture of X-Factor and American Idol, but with the end goal of creating a boy band. The show was amazing, and I absolutely love the group of guys that ended up winning, In Real Life. The band is unique because they have a Spanish speaker who auditioned with a Bachata song; a rapper; a guy who can sing opera; and two guys with insane vocal ranges. They are all extremely talented singers as well as super nice guys. I’m low-key in love with the rapper, Michael Conor. This chunk of the playlist includes songs by In Real Life; songs that were sung on the show; songs the guys sing on their Instagram livestreams; and a song by one of the guys who didn’t make the band but released an amazing single. Be sure to check out the guys of IRL on social media – they’re coming out with an album in the new year!
Drag Me Down by One Direction
Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by Backstreet Boys
Eyes Closed by In Real Life
Feel This Christmas by In Real Life
I’ll Be Home For Christmas by In Real Life
A Little More (feat. Victoria Monet) by Machine Gun Kelly
Stand by Me by Prince Royce (originally Ben E. King)
That’s What I Like by Bruno Mars
Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
Work Out by J. Cole
You Were There by Andrew Butcher
Bumpin’
This is the random collection of songs I’ve been jamming to this month. There is no real pattern with these songs, so it’s very representative of my musical taste. From rap to R&B to pop to rock, with even a little bit of country, here you have it.
Broken Clocks by SZA
City Slums by Raja Kumari & DIVINE
Come Together by Michael Jackson (originally The Beatles)
Deliver by Lupe Fiasco
Everybody by Logic
Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith
Here by Alessia Cara
Miss Me More by Kelsea Ballerini
Perm by Bruno Mars
The Pretender by Foo Fighters
Redbone by Childish Gambino
Sober by James Arthur
Superstar (feat. Matthew Santos) by Lupe Fiasco
Watch Me by Jaden Smith
Without Me by Eminem
Woman by Kesha
The Hits
These are my favorite songs from the radio, top hits playlists, and really all over the place. I like that even in this “top hits” section there is a variety in genres. I love hearing rap or alternative music on the “Chicago’s Favorites” stations!
Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man.
Havana (feat. Young Thug) by Camila Cabello
HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar
Learn To Let Go by Kesha
New Rules by Dua Lipa
Praying by Kesha
Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato
Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith
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The Spread 