By Meredith Nardino
I’m not sure how it happened, but we’re coming up on the final stretch of the spring semester. Spring break starts tomorrow, and once we (somewhat begrudgingly) return, the rest of the school year flies by at lightning speed. Whether you are road tripping to Colorado for the fresh powder or lying on the beach in Cabo sipping margaritas, you are going to need some killer tunes to get you through the week. Even though this playlist isn’t filled with Top 40 hits, you’ll find yourself singing and dancing along until your lungs give out.
- “The Tide” – Pale Waves
Once again, Pale Waves are proving exactly why they’re one of the year’s most highly anticipated indie acts. The Manchester four-piece is still finding its footing in the mainstream, but has built a nearly obsessive fan-base of starry-eyed teenage romantics. Taking inspiration from modern alt-pop icons The 1975 – and, thereby, classic new wave artists like The Cure and David Bowie – Pale Waves emit a magnetic energy on this dreamy spring break bop.
- “Get Out” – Chvrches
It’s been almost three years since we’ve heard new material from this Glasgow synth-pop power group, but their return couldn’t be more timely. Gearing up for the release of their third LP, Love is Dead, Chvrches have given the people exactly what they want. Before dropping their surprising collaboration with The National’s Matt Berninger, the band’s upbeat lead single “Get Out” reminds us all why we love them so much. It’s ambitious and elevated, showing growth without changing the classic Chvrches sound.
- “Saturday” – Twin Shadow (feat. Haim)
George Lewis Jr. – aka Twin Shadow – is the embodiment of chill-wave. The Bushwick based artist is a jack of all trades; he has three albums under his belt, is set to appear in a film later this year, and has written a novel. “Saturdays” is one of those songs you can play on repeat for hours without even realizing it, and the Haim sisters’ verse tops their entire sophomore record. The high-profile collaboration is unexpected on paper, but these two artists blend their styles perfectly.
- “Don’t Stay” – X Ambassadors
It makes so much sense that Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds played a crucial role in getting X Ambassadors a deal at Interscope; the two bands are cut from the same cloth, but each is still completely their own. “Don’t Stay” is just one of many examples of X Ambassadors’ impressive versatility. Released alongside the somber single “Joyful,” “Don’t Stay” masks the devastation of heartbreak with a soulful beat and out of this world vocals.
- “Rich Friends” – Portugal. The Man
Few bands have had a better year than Portland’s own Portugal. The Man. Their eighth studio album, Woodstock, earned them multiple top 10 spots on Billboard’s Alternative and Rock charts, and even peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200. “Rich Friends” is a party anthem with a hard rock beat and live-fast-die-young lyrics that make it perfect for whoever is hoping to live the most reckless, decadent lifestyle over spring break.
