“Salt (feat. The Grogans)” – Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers

The freezing cold weather has had me feeling a little angsty this January. I’ve been chasing the perfect pop-punk sound, and nothing can top Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers for me right now. This Australian quartet has that sweet Aussie warmth baked into their sound. One track that I keep coming back to is “Salt (feat. The Grogans)”. Listening to this song feels like driving down an empty backroad in late August with the windows down. The lead guitar is clear and sharp, cutting through the mix with a bit of reverb, and The Grogans are a great addition to the track. This -15 degree weather truly has me screaming along “Tell me something good”.

-Kea

“Blowin’ in the Wind”–  Timothée Chalamet and Monica Barbaro

After recently watching A Complete Unknown, I’ve had the song “Blowin’ in the Wind” on repeat. While nothing can quite beat the original by Bob Dylan, I can’t stop listening to the 2024 version featuring Timothée Chalamet and Monica Barbaro. I love their unique interpretation of this classic tune, and the way their voices blend together in harmony is mesmerizing. This song, along with the rest of the film’s music, has quickly become my winter soundtrack, reminding me how much I appreciate the timeless music of Bob Dylan.

-Bronwyn

The Age of Pleasure – Janelle Monae

It’s January, it’s cold, and by February I’ll officially be over winter. Janelle Monae’s music always puts me in a better mood, and The Age of Pleasure in particular sets a lovely (summery) vibe. A welcome addition to my winter rotation. All of the swimming imagery doesn’t hurt at all. 

The transitions on this album are so smooth. It’s easy to miss the beginning of a new song, until you hear another guest on the record (Doechii, Grace Jones, Amaarae, Sister Nancy to name a few). If you missed this one in 2023, check it out. It’s pretty fun.

-Julian

SOS Deluxe: LANA – SZA

One of my favourite artists gifted her fans just before the holidays with a deluxe version of her beloved album SOS Deluxe: LANA. SZA dropped a whopping 14 brand new songs! From “Kitchen” to “Drive”, it’s the perfect deluxe album to jam to no matter what you’re doing. These fresh additions feel like the afterhours of her original SOS songs, showcasing even more of her authentic self through her bold lyrics and classic R&B tune. And the best part? Every track feels like a new little world to dive into—one minute you’re matching your past experiences to her lyrics, the next you’re grooving to a catchy tune that you know will be stuck in your head for the next week. Going into 2025 with new SZA music was everything I needed and more.

-Tricia

“DtMF” – Bad Bunny

You know a song hits different when you’re crying and you don’t even understand the language the lyrics are in. Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” from DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos did just that. After sobbing through it, I translated the lyrics—and the tears kept coming.

 As we bring in the new year, we’re also bringing in change. Change in our families, things happening without explanation, and the bittersweet realization that nothing stays the same forever. The song’s message, wrapped in Bad Bunny’s heartfelt delivery, is a reminder of how fleeting time can be and how precious our moments with loved ones are. It’s a call to cherish the family we have, to hold tight to the memories we create, and to preserve those moments in any way we can—through photos, videos, or simply being present.

“DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos” isn’t just a song title; it’s a sentiment that many of us can relate to. We often don’t realize the value of a photograph until it’s all we have left of a person. As I navigate the changes this new year brings, I’m letting this song be a reminder to capture the beauty of our everyday lives and to appreciate the people who make our lives meaningful.

Family is everything, and photos are our way of holding on to the love and connection we never want to lose.

-Sophie

“Dancing Through Life” – Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Cynthia Erivo, Marissa Bode

I hope you’ve all seen the new(ish) Wicked movie or heard the soundtrack at the least. Wicked has always been my favourite musical, having seen it on Broadway many times and always singing along. Since the movie recently came out, I haven’t stopped listening to the soundtrack, specifically, “Dancing Through Life” on repeat! This song ironically makes me want to stand up and dance it out wherever I am. I love that so many characters sing this song together bringing so many vocals and turns into one pretty looooong song.

-Riley

“Into Your Room” – Holly Humberstone

Holly Humberstone has held a top spot on all of my “sad girl but I still want to groove a little” type playlists for years now, but one song that has consistently remained one of my favorites is “Into Your Room.” I didn’t think the song could get any better until she collaborated with the greatest band in the world, MUNA, for a version that is currently going triple platinum in my ears. 

It’s the perfect little dream-pop song that you can’t help but smile while listening to—despite the heartwrenching lyrics about having a toxic devotion to someone you shouldn’t. And for a hopeless romantic like me, it’s the song I love to have playing while I walk on the street and pretend like I’m the main character in a rom-com.

-Leila

Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen

A little late to the country scene but Morgan Wallen and his album,Dangerous: the Double Album, has completely taken over my playlist in the last month, shattering my music biases in the best way possible. Country has never really been on my musical radar but I recently stumbled upon his hit song “Wasted on you” through my Spotify shuffle playlist and it’s been on repeat ever since. Wallan’s music transformed my entire perspective on the country genre, shifting it from the stereotypical “country-hick” vibe to something far more versatile and genuinely enjoyable. His seamless blend of heartfelt storytelling and trap-infused beats makes it nearly impossible not to love. If you’re a country skeptic like I was, Dangerous: The Double Album might just be the album to change your mind.

-Sophia

DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos – Bad Bunny

Every time Bad Bunny releases a new album, I fall in love again. ‘Debi Tirar Mas Fotos’ is a love letter not just to Puerto Rico, but to Latin American culture as a whole. Taking you on a rollercoaster of emotions, this album is perfect for every mood. Completely different from his usual reggaeton and trap music, this salsa-focused album is iconic. Baile Inolvidable is a masterpiece. Highly recommend!

-Estefi

“Another Life” – SZA

SZA is an artist that has captured the attention of the world due to her authenticity and raw storytelling. When listening to her songs, it feels like she is writing directly from her journal entries and singing from her heart. As we enter the new year, SZA’s latest deluxe album ‘Lana’ has already gone triple platinum in my household. However, there is one song that has stood out and been on repeat and that is “Another Life”. 

“Another Life” tells a beautiful tale of unrequited love through brilliant instrumentation and honest lyrics. Hearing her sing ‘in another life, maybe we could ride out boy’ is all too relatable as she brings the feeling of ‘right person wrong time’ to life. It’s a relatable and timeless feeling given that unrequited love will always be a personal battle everyone goes through. It propels you to reflect on your past experiences while also providing comfort in knowing that this is something everyone has gone through. She does an exceptional job of evoking feelings of nostalgia through effortless storytelling and vocal delivery, I can’t wait to hear it live!

-Kristian