By Dalila Bevab
College students can enjoy music on streaming services for a discounted price. That luxury unlocks an opportunity to access thousands of undiscovered songs, which may be useful in relieving stress during finals week. Here are five new albums to enjoy during finals week, either while cramming for exams, while working out in the SuRF or while taking a day to recuperate.
Grammy-award-winning country star Maren Morris released her highly anticipated third studio album, “Humble Quest,” in March 2022 after teasing fans with mid-tempo ballads, “Circles Around This Town” and “Background Music.” “Humble Quest” showcases Morris’ traditional country roots, and she wrote about her experiences with motherhood, love and family.
“What Would This World Do?” is an excellent song to remind people to keep persevering and to not give up in the face of struggle and adversity. Grab some tissues and listen to Morris sing, “I know the sun will set into the ocean / And I know we're gonna get to where we're going / But I still got just one question that I can't work through / What would this world do without you?”
Justin Bieber’s 2021 15-track pop album, “Justice,” features the perfect balance of tracks to scream one’s heart out to and gospel-inspired motivational songs intended to invoke happiness and faith in the midst of an unpredictable time in the world. In a March 2021 Vogue interview, Bieber said, “My objective in making this album was to provide comfort to the listener.”
In the same interview, Bieber said he knows people were feeling isolated after quarantine, and he said he believes music is an outlet to bring people together. The album is an emotional rollercoaster ride, starting off with a romantic ballad “2 Much,” then Bieber transitions into two upbeat, typical-Justin-Bieber songs, “Deserve You” and “As I Am,” which are also perfect songs to drive to with the windows down.
The album takes a few shifts into slow and sweet tracks before transitioning again into hip-hop and pop beats. “Hold On” is a pick-me-up anthem where Bieber sings: “Take my hand and hold on / Tell me everything that you need to say / 'Cause I know how it feels to be someone / Feels to be someone who loses their way.”
The Weeknd dominated charts and was one of the most-played artists on the radio in 2020 and 2021 with retro pop-synth album, “After Hours,” which featured the 80’s-inspired hits, “Blinding Lights” and “In Your Eyes.”
Unsurprisingly, The Weeknd is still dominating the charts and radio stations with his recent project, “Dawn FM,” where he continues his futuristic nostalgia sound. Set aside the books, grab some headphones and ascend into a universe filled with discotheques, synths and electronica with mesmerizing songs like “Less Than Zero” and “Take My Breath.”
Rex Orange County might ring a bell for hardcore Tyler the Creator fans. The 23-year-old artist collaborated with Tyler the Creator on several projects, including the album, “Flower Boy.”
Rex Orange County’s fourth studio album “WHO CARES?” embodies the thoughts of a broken generation, with the introductory track, “Keep It Up,” featuring lyrics like: “I guess it's stress / It's making me feel so depressed / Most my life, I've felt so tired / But every now and then when I try, I say / Keep it up and go on.”
Following songs offer a romanticized view on life, with a juxtaposing dynamic of dismal lyrics and groovy drumbeats. He assures listeners they’re not alone in their anxiety, while masking the somber theme of the album with melodic harmonies and soothing vocals.
Billboard magazine hailed Machine Gun Kelly as the “New Prince of Pop,” and the 31-year-old Ohio native lives up to that title in his new pop-rock album, “Mainstream Sellout.” Tracks on the album are reminiscent of the Blink-182-era of pop-rock, characterized by addicting hooks and angsty lyrics that are evident in songs like, “5150” and “Maybe.”
Machine Gun Kelly said he wanted listeners to connect to him and embrace their individuality and struggles, and the song, “God Save Me,” is intended to evoke those feelings, with the lyrics: “Go make the rules for no reason / Run away, go find where you belong / But don't tell no one you're leaving.”
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