Angelina’s Corner: Roundup
Words by Angelina Singer
I loved this folksy track about nostalgia and coming of age. Reflecting on a lost love is never easy, but this song will help you feel less alone in the process. Angsty vocals show all the different nuances of hope and healing, and the deep percussive beats fill in the gaps alongside the glittering electric guitar motifs. Fun fact: the artist played on the same stage as James Blunt in support of his music. Blast it to experience your own growth and start your new era in real time.
This bright track sounds like a love song dipped in orange juice and sunshine. The lyrics are a beautiful portrait of a character that you “meet” through the course of the song, who’s allegedly “as sweet as cinnamon pop tarts”. I really loved the dynamics in this song as well, mostly provided by the acoustic guitar that ebbs and flows throughout the song. For an instant mood boost, play it often.
This is one of the best coming-of-age songs I’ve heard in a while. “They ask when do the kids come / but I’m just a kid inside” is extremely relatable, and I absolutely love the chorus that inspires listeners to stay present. The sparkling piano keys alongside the guitar chords transports me to a sunny summer evening in a cute country cottage — a lovely escape from the stress of adult life. I also appreciate the way the strong is structured with the verses depicting areas of stress, building into the pre-chorus questioning the growth process, and then resolving with the hopeful choruses. If you’re a twenty-something (or even just a young adult kid at heart) like me that’s feeling overwhelmed with life, this song will help you find your rhythm.
What I Think I Follow by Shuttter
This alt rock track has all the best the Midwest-emo genre has to offer, despite the band hailing from New Jersey. Yet another, more aggressive approach to process the coming-of-age process and letting go of things that you learned later in life weren’t what you expected, this song is an electric-guitar covered hug. With incredibly honest lyrics and a beat you can rock out to, this song will sympathize with all your life struggles while providing you with a place to let out all your pent-up energy.
The Moon Moves by Lost & Profound
This is such a calming song that would be ideal to fall asleep to (but not in a boring way). I love the reflective quality of it, helping listeners think about their place in the universe in both love and life. The harmonica interlude adds so much to it, and despite the seemingly simplistic lyrics, it’s a cozy and safe sonic place to sink into. Like a warm hug after a long day, this song would be great for families to share, or anyone who simply needs a nostalgic, childlike tune to relax with.