Slow Burn – Baby Rose
This is the perfect album to listen to while making soup on a Sunday night. It’s cold outside, here’s something warm. Maybe you’re slow dancing alone in your kitchen, reflecting on an eventful week. For this mood in particular, I recommend the last song, “One Last Dance.”
Emma Thomas, Events & Content
Pretty Sick – Deep Devine
Pretty Sick is one of my favorite bands so I pretty much love all of their music but this is the one I listen to the most. It kind of took me by surprise though because I would go about my day and realize I’ve had their songs running through my head. My favorites from this album are “Telephone” and “Angel Landing.”
Loretta Philp, Art
"My God Has a Telephone – The Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY, Aaron Frazer
Soft, sweet medicine like licking my tired wounds. A needed reminder of the ways we’re all intimately connected, especially when the world burns. (p.s. take this as an invitation to see god beyond He, and maybe a more expansive being that lives in everyone and everything, the creative juice, urge, simple presence)
Maile Benumof, Events Manager
Not Through Blood – Pain of Truth
Thirty minutes of fat riffs, grimy bass tone, and explosive drums. karate in the mosh type beat.
Omar Sanchez, Art
Retreat From the Sun – That Dog
One of my favorite albums. The lyrics are authentic and so fun. My favorite tracks are "Minneapolis"' and "Hawthorne."
Isa Cordovez, Art
"If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" – Cat Stevens
This song is from a movie that an amazing old woman at a yard sale told me to watch and ever since I’ve been a changed woman. It’s the perfect song for skipping around and enjoying the sun and the flowers and picking up bugs and whatnot.
Edie, Photo Video
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
I will die on the hill that this is Pink Floyd's best album. While Dark Side of the Moon may have been more commercially successful and Animals more experimental, Wish You Were Here is Pink Floyd at perfection, tinged with human emotion. There is nothing quite like putting on a pair of headphones, clicking play, and getting sucked in by the first couple of notes of "Shine on You Crazy Diamond." By the time the chorus hits, I'm in another place entirely. The rest of the album continues entrancing, till the last note rings out, 45 minutes have passed, your eyes aren't quite as dry as when you started and you barely even noticed the time slipping away.
Asa Dunn, Content
"Medication" – Unlikely
Do yourself a favor and listen to this song as it will uplift and bring you down like the name says so. It’s awesome to hear the dichotomy of happy music to apathetic lyrics come together to create a balanced song. This song is an intro to all the amazing music in their catalog.
Gerardo Lopez, Events
"You Tear Me Apart" – Dev Lemons
Constantly plays in my head. Makes me feel like an angry digital popstar princess and I love it.
Julia White, Content Manager
Submarine – The Marías
The Marías became one of my top artists this year immediately after I started listening to them. Their coherent swoony and dreamy vibe, paired with María's killer siren-esque voice, attracts me to their music. The intro song to kick off their album so strongly is "Hamptons," my favorite song out of their discography (of the moment).
Ava Acuesta, Photo & Video
"Life's A Gas" – T. Rex
January and my melancholy blues go hand-in-hand. This song fits. It's mellow, but not boring.
Sarah Jagielski, Content
"Joyride" – Tinashe
Excellent winter vibes, Joyride is just that. I like listening to it when I’m hibernating and need something in my ears.
Jacob, Physical Media Assistant
On and On – Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson will forever and always be my comfort artist, the embodiment of lazy Sunday mornings. I remember my parents playing his music at our old house, or popping a CD in the car on our way to get Costco churros. Standout songs from this album would be "Symbol In My Driveway" and "Cocoon," although every song is beautiful and gentle.
Makena Locsin, Content
Juno – Remi Wolf
This album immediately puts me in a good mood. Like, drumming on my steering wheel good mood. This album is a perfect listen no matter what I’m doing.
Lydia Tomayko, Web Manager
69 Love Songs - Magnetic Fields
Unfortunately, I am a hopeless romantic! Hope this helps.
Sam Vitug, General Manager
"Te Llevo para Que Me Lleves" – Gustavo Cerati
This song reminds me of Lit Up by Lush and the song is soooo "I love to love omg" typa vibe. the intro "Te conozco de otra vidaaaa" is what stands out, basically I know youuu from another lifeee~ the song is so cute and i get euphoric from it.
Elda Sarat, Events
Operating Theatre the Early Years, Vol. 2 – Roger Doyle
I would've never known the Caroline Polachek song "Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth" was a cover of this 1986 song by Roger Doyle if it wasn't for my Spotify discover weekly, so maybe they do get it right sometimes. The song has like four different way-too-catchy hooks, you'll have a different one stuck in your head everyday for at least a couple weeks. The Caroline Polachek cover is impeccable and she's the only vocalist I think could do this song justice, but the original just has that special early 80s lo-fi charm, from the time when everyone was still figuring out how to use synths well, and the singer, Elena López, could very well be Björk's estranged sister. The rest of the album is probably the best early-80s Irish experimental synth pop you'll ever hear, which isn't saying much but trust me, it's really good.
Sam Thome, Art Manager
Spirit of the Golden Juice – F. J. McMahon
McMahon, a Santa Barbara native, released his one and only godly album in 1969 and listening to it in January just makes sense. All the tracks feel calm and hopeful, but super raw and vulnerable. On walks I'll stroll around with this playing in my ears and realize we are all happily trudgin' through a Central Coast winter together.
Angie Stevens, Content
Loretta Philp is our art director. She made the graphic.