As a DJ on WZLY, Wellesley’s radio station, I can speak (write) about music with confidence because I know what I am playing/listening to is good. You may be asking, what does it look like to be a DJ on the radio show and how can you be a part of this organization? During the first semester that you join, you are an intern which means that you don’t have your own radio show slot yet but instead are attending the meetings for your respective subgroup. Starting second semester you can have your own radio show and time slot! DJs can play music for 1 hour or can do a podcast for 1 hour or a mix of both! It is an amazing outlet for creative expression. The artists that I am writing about today are my favorite and are crowd pleasers on my radio show. Let me tell you about my big 5 artists and my favorite songs from these respective artists.
- Clairo
I have seen Ms Claire Cottrill twice in concert. She is one of the best artists that I have seen live. I saw her on her Sling tour back in 2022 at the Greek Theater in LA, and I saw her on her Charm tour in Boston at the Roadrunner this past in 2024. Both times she completely blew me away. Arlo Parks was the opener artist in LA, and Alice Phoebe Lou was the opener artist in Boston.
I have always been a fan of Clairo since middle school. I personally wasn’t the one who found her, but it was someone who I had a big crush on in middle school who shared that song with me. He said “You should listen to this song.” It was called “Pretty Girl” off the EP Diary 001, and then later he said that he sent that song because it reminded him of me. I was absolutely floored, and so this song is always special to me.
As for other songs I really enjoy, I like a lot of her older music as well. I really like “Sis” which is one of her singles that she released back in 2019 and “North” from her Immunity album. From what I understand looking at the lyrics from both songs it is about opening up emotionally in a new relationship and how scary it can be but being with the right person can make a relationship less scary.
But there are songs that showcase the not so great side of relationships. She has a song called “Slow Dance” on her Charm album where she is questioning her partner’s commitment in the relationship based on their actions. She has a song called “Glory of the Snow” from her Charm album that is reminiscent of a past relationship. The flow of the song is so lighthearted and upbeat even though the lyrics are quite sad.
- Men I Trust
I have not seen Men I Trust in concert yet, but I hope I can one day. I have listened to them since I was in late middle school. I really enjoy the dreamy and jazzy style that they have. This band can sing about very sad topics but have that dreamy feel to the song which makes it less emotional.
I want to start off with “Sugar” from their Untourable Album. This song is about a relationship that is prolonged for an extended period of time due to justifications as to why they should be together. When in reality the relationship should have ended sooner. I have not played this song on my radio show quite yet, but I plan to definitely in the future. I really enjoy “To Ease You” from their Equus Caballus album. This song is so comforting to me because it is essentially reassurance in a song. It is about helping someone alleviate their pain and stress, they will be fine. On the other hand, I also really enjoy “Carried Away” from their Equus Caballus album. In this song it shines light on the fact that during a time when someone is consumed by their emotions or situations they lose sight and clarity of right from wrong.
- Beabadoobe
I have had the blessed opportunity to see Beabadoobe live this past year in 2024 at the Roadrunner in Boston. I have been a big fan of hers since middle school and wanted to see her live for many years, and I was beyond excited that I got to see her live. My videos from the concert are unwatchable…I screamed so loud all of the lyrics people can’t even hear Bea sing (embarrassing).
Starting off strong from her album This Is How Tomorrow Moves, there are three songs. The first is “California.” I love this song because it has a rock element to the song that has quite an angsty feel to it. It is about emotional neglect and the feeling of longing to be with someone and whatever you do will never be enough. We have all been here and felt this 🙂 Next is “Post” and this one is incredibly sad (and foul because this song cuts DEEP). The song explores the feelings of longing and unrequited love with the struggle of moving on. Lastly I save the best for last from this album, “Beaches.” This song is the one I cried the hardest to at the concert (you can ask Jaya, Rachel and Campbell to vouch for this). I was absolutely blubbering screaming this song. This song is a reflection on the journey of self-discovery and acceptance. This hit so close to home for me because I went through this time during my first year of college. We learn so much about ourselves and others being away from our family and away from our close friends.
From her Beatopia album there are “10:36,” “Sunny day,” and “Talk.” I will just say that the first time I listened to these songs, I was IMMEDIATELY moved. They are so upbeat and uplifting that I can listen to them over and over again. Beabadoobe was my most listened to artist according to my Spotify wrapped this past year, and I was in the top 0.5% of listeners so yeah I really like Beabadoobe. She is an Asian American icon. Bea is Filipino who was born in the UK!
- The Strokes
My dream is to see them live. This and the fact that I have a crush on Julian Cassablancas. I started to listen to the Strokes in early middle school. I thought that I was so cool because none of my friends listened to them, and they were my secret underground band I told nobody about (Shocker they are a huge band but I didn’t know).
I will list the songs by album. From their album Angles there are two songs: “Life Is Simple in the Moonlight” and “Machu Picchu.” Both of these songs were the first two Strokes songs I listened to when I first got into their music. They will always have such a special place in my heart. Examining the lyrics to “Machu Picchu”, I think this song is about all of the bad and crooked things that are happening in the world and there is nothing that we can do to stop it. It is not a sad song but has a warning tone to it. As for “Life Is Simple in the Moonlight” I can’t quite place my finger on the meaning of the song. I interpreted it as the harsh reality of growing apart from people that you were once so close with. I thought it could even allude to Julian’s thoughts of leaving the band during this time.
The second album that I play quite a few of songs from are from the New Abnormal. This album was released during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. I found a lot of comfort in their music during this difficult time and I quite literally immersed myself in it and when I listen to these songs on this album it brings me great comfort. My top three are “Selfless,” “Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus,” and “Eternal Summer.” “Selfless” is about a relationship that went sour and the protagonist is taking accountability for their actions and expressing their regrets for their actions. I find there to be such an emotional layer especially in the chorus I can hear the emotion in the music that comes across so clearly. “Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus” has a reminiscent tone about the supposed best years of their lives during the eighties. Meanwhile “Eternal Summer” is about eternal bliss and the consequences that it carries with it. I started to listen to this song more because it is summer, and it has been such an incredible experience with growth and so much fun. I don’t want it to end.
- KAYTRANADA
I recently started to listen to KAYTRANADA, and it has opened my eyes to soft house music. My favorite four songs are “Neverender- Kaytrana remix” with Tame Impala and Justice, “Hold On” (feat. Dawn Richard) from the TIMELESS album, “Witchy” (feat. Childish Gambino) from TIMELESS, and “YOU’RE THE ONE” from the album 99.9%. For these I don’t feel as though I listened to the songs enough to have a grasp of the meaning of the songs. I really enjoy listening to these songs because they are so upbeat and fun. I drove down the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down with my close friend Nina in the car listening to “YOU’RE THE ONE,” and it was such an animated and lively car ride with the wind blowing through the car.
Thanks for reading, I know it was a lot 🙂
Best wishes,
Chelsea