As students spin out of the parking lot with stereos bumping, and seasons changing, one look into your playlists, and you’ll find that April songs are not the same as December’s.
The winter with shorter days and no end to school in sight, students know it’s time for cuffing season.
That time of the year is known among music enthusiasts as the season for contemplation.
During fall and winter, students prefer heavier rap lyrics and slow soul. Catered towards, hoodies up, heads down, and late study sessions.
From bravado-filled tracks in summer to intricate storytelling of J. Cole or the warmth of the vinyl sounds from Frank Ocean and SZA.
Senior Enzo Vinoly said that his January pick was ‘“One Thing At a Time”’ by Morgan Wallen, adding that “any of (Morgan Wallen’s) albums” does the trick.
Low-end bass lines and a slowing tempo match the ‘colder’ weather perfectly. They make music into the sound of staying in on a homework laden January day. Shelter instead of a call to come out and party.
But it doesn’t last forever. Usually, as seasons change the first day you instinctively roll down the windows, you also start to notice that on your playlist slow R&B is giving place to an upbeat house synth or a country twang from a steel string guitar.
In contrast to the shorter days, the spring and summer invoke action.
There’s no way to keep a slow, sad ballad with an opened roof.
That’s why our quads, and parking lot are filled with energetic beats brought by house music (an artistic revival by Gen Z) from Fred Again,
Disclosure, or Kaytranada and followed by the annual trip to country music, which ranges from Zach Bryan or Carrie Underwood, to crossovers from Morgan Wallen or plenty of niche variants.
And then there’s Reggae. Is there a genre better fit for the first 80-degree Fridays?
The funky guitar riffs and cool basslines from Bob Marley and other artists (like Stick Figure or Buju Banton) provide the perfect excuse for you to stop moving around and simply relax, unlike the intense winter moodiness.
Sophomore Luke Rice, another avid listener, mentions his love for the song “Brain Stew” both before and during a spring lift, because the song “makes me happy which ultimately makes me more motivated.”
But why is it happening?
Music psychology tells us that we use music to regulate emotions.
In the dark months, the inner mood is reflected in the songs.
During warmer weather, people use music to shift it towards happiness and energy.
Music teacher Zach Wallace said, “Justin Vernon” whose name literally translates to Justin Winter, “is great to listen to in the Winter.”
Where as songs like, “Southern Nights,” feel more appropriate on a summer night, which is largely due to, “tempo, beats per minute, and the overall moodiness of a song.”
As you are rushing towards the year-end celebrations, check out your own playlists. Winter heavy lyricism of rap and slow soul songs will soon be replaced by the summer vibe.
