Another summer ends, another school year starts, it’s a tale as old as time. Listen to this playlist to make the slog of starting all over again just that much more bearable.
“Can’t Do” by Everything Everything:
The last day of summer usually involves many highs and lows. To deal with conflicting feelings, play this song so that you can dance at a last-day-of-summer pool party, and then later have a crisis about your age on the car ride home.
“Commotion” by The Hundred in the Hands:
Back-to-school shopping can give you confidence as you envision your school year. To maximize that confidence, connect your phone to the store speaker and blast this alternative dance banger for a perfect shopping experience.
“Fancy Footwork” by Chromeo:
Waking up is the hardest thing in the morning. To combat it, set this as your alarm. Soon enough, you won’t even have to think about getting up, because you’ll already be busting a move to one of the catchiest electro-funk songs of all time.
“Apple Cider” by beabadoobee:
With school comes homework, and with homework comes studying. If you want to find a study buddy, lure them in with this peppy indie rocker. Or, you could just procrastinate and imagine that scenario instead. Do whichever is easiest.
“Goosebumps” by Travis Scott:
What’s possibly even more inescapable than another school year is a tsunami of fans gearing up for a new NFL season. You can get excited too with this modern trap classic that hypes up anyone in earshot.
“My World” by Descendents:
Unfortunately, the NFL isn’t for everyone, so you might have to settle for Ithaca High School’s world-famous football team instead. But you can still channel the team’s underdog spirit at a game by chanting some old-school punk.
“Silhouette” by Julia Holter:
You should probably disregard this if you’re not a senior, but if you happen to be in the class of ’25, play this wispy and ethereal chamber-pop tune while filling out college applications to make yourself cozy while trying to keep your future afloat.
“Cruise Control” by No Age:
Unless you’re in first grade, icebreakers on the first day of school are met with universal groaning. Make sure you go first, and ignore everyone else’s equally unenthusiastic answers by discreetly cranking the volume on this raucous rock rager in your AirPods.
“While You Were Sleeping” by Laufey:
Sometimes you want to do something new, like join a new club. To appeal to every club you try out, play this piece wherever you go. The jazzy vocals will make anyone in any club immediately want to be your friend.
“Pale Eyes” by Iglooghost:
Getting used to your new grade can take a while, especially with the new freshmen replacing the previous seniors. To speed it up, listen to this glitchy, contorted UK bass song while lying in the grass and letting the ladybugs crawl over you. Just remember that everything will be alright.