Without fail, every spring I decide that the music I’ve been listening to all winter is complete crap and that I need to get some new tunes. Most specifically, I get tired of sad ambient rock, a la Low, that mirrors the cloud blanket capping us in claustrophobia from October to around now. So I’ve gone on a hunt for bubbly, warm pop songs that make me feel like summer is on its way, along with shorts, sandals and the sweet, sweet smell of sunscreen. I’ve found a newer song by Tennis, old standards by Belle and Sebastian and Faust and a classic by Neil Young, all of which get the blood flowing and the ears tingling. In no particular order, here they are:
“Legal Man” by Belle and Sebastian
“Legal Man” is a great spring anthem, if for no reason other than the peppy chorus, “Get out of the city and into the sunshine / get out of the office and into the springtime!” Stuart Murdoch’s dulcet, Scottish-tinted voice is perfect for soothing those end-of-the-semester blues. I’d take their advice if you can—go! Get out of the library! It’s sunny outside!
“Sparrow Song” by Acrylics
I simply can’t get enough of this breathy, dreamy synth-pop song. I first stumbled upon it on some music blog and was thrilled when it started playing on KUPS. It’s a great glittery song for sunny mornings when you want to sit around and feel like the world is actually an okay place to be.
“Jogging Gorgeous Summer” by Islands
This perky, whimsical tune about living in treehouses and being with the one you love on sunny summer days is one of my favorites by this group led by a Unicorns grad. To make it better, the silly lyrics are set to wonderful sprightly melodies that feel like skipping around on green grass with a picnic blanket nearby.
“Coffee and TV” by Blur
One of the best songs by the ever-brilliant Blur, “Coffee and TV” is a love song with a great driving Krautrock beat. “Take me away from this big bad world / and agree to marry me / so we can start over again,” Damon Albarn sings, and the following scrappy, gnarled guitar solo is great for driving around with your windows down (which you can finally do)! If you have a chance, watch the music video too. You’re really rooting for that milk carton to find true love and his long-lost friend.
“Ride My Llama” by Neil Young
Perfect for those capricious road trip urges that hit when the spring comes, this Neil Young classic describes the perennial desire to ride one’s llama from Peru to Texarkansas. Don’t pretend you don’t have that urge, too.
“The Breeze” by Dr. Dog
I remember lying in my front yard on a blanket during spring of my sophomore year, eating a mango, and listening to this song on repeat. It’s a perfect song for a lazy afternoon: lots of oohs and aahs and slow-building verses. The lead singer’s dusky voice and tinny guitar picking feel like the perfect soundtrack for burgeoning daffodils and itty-bitty buds on trees.
“Jennifer” by Faust
“Jennifer” is one of those songs that is perfect for staring into that special someone’s eyes and whispering sweet nothings into their ears. And since spring is the time when all we want is to meet that someone (or someones if you want to play it fast and loose) then you should listen to “Jennifer” a few times to get into the mood.
“Marathon” by Tennis
This swoony, beach pop tune is sure to have you scrambling for plus towels, straw hats and sunglasses. The lead singer’s sweet and adorable voice croons through laid back yet exciting verses and make me want to dance around a little bit, singing along into a hairbrush. Really, anything from Tennis’ new album is perfect for this time of year, so take a listen if you’re like myself and dying for something fresh and fun.