Monthly Music Picks- February Edition

In honor of Valentine's day (a few weeks late!), I wanted to share some of my favorite songs via Spotify that I've enjoyed this month. I try to stray away from just pop and have a few unique genres thrown in. Heartbreak, love, and passion, with a dash of snow on top. These are in no particular order, I enjoy them all equally! I've also included their Spotify codes if you'd like to check them out! Simply open Spotify, go to the search bar, and click on the camera on the right hand side. Scan and enjoy!

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1] "Photograph"-Cody Fry

This song feels like a score out of a movie- the lyrics have great imagery, and I love Cody's voice as he talks about wanting the moments to last forever, and how he would if he could. Not to mention the key, violins, and the piano are especially beautiful as instrumentation.

2] "The Most Beautiful Thing"-Bruno Major

Really chill laid back style, with great guitar- his voice is so soothing, and the up beat tune fits so well into the message- he knows someone beautiful is out there for him, so he dedicates it to a future lover that he hasn't found yet, but knows he will. I like the questions in the lyrics and how it sounds like he's pondering each verse in his head.

3] "driver's license"-Olivia Rodrigo

I know this song may be overplayed on TikTok and the radio, but I love the story behind her heartbreak and that she was able to express it through music, in a dramatic piece. Her voice is incredible for someone her age, and I hope this isn't another case of one hit wonder- she's awesome! Fun fact- the sound effects at the beginning were used from her mom's car. (also that transition into the song is so clever!) This is a song you scream sing driving at night-serious vibes.

4] "Joyride"-Adam Melchor Kind of a cheerful tune for a song about divorce and letting go. Adam's style is unique, as he uses real life experiences in contexts that aren't even considered. Sometimes you have to let the small things go, even if you wished for the good times back "before the joy died". There are things that can never be replaced and be as good as it used to be. Although if it was a car, I'm not sure I'd handle it well! Great melody, and the trumpets are a nice touch.

5] "Never Seen Anything (Quite Like You)"-The Script

One of my favorite slow songs- I wish the DJ had played this at my school dances! Although it could be a great wedding song.. anyway, love the story of a person singing singing about their high school sweetheart who they're probably married to now and are in awe of how beautiful and unique they are to them! Can I take a moment to appreciate the cover art? So cool!

6] "XO"- John Mayer

You'll probably hear me talk about John Mayer a lot- I love a ton of his music! The acoustic guitar, his voice, his style.. there's a lot to talk about! Anyway I love the key this is in. This song is actually a cover of Beyoncé's single, played in his interpretation. Very soulful and real, compared to Beyoncé's version, which is more R&B and power pop-sounding.

7] "I Was Made For Loving You"-Tori Kelly, Ed Sheeran

I'm not usually a fan of Ed Sheeran, but this song was actually decent. As usual, love the key it's in and the duet is compatible. A song about new love between strangers, and how right it feels, even if it's scary going into the world of unknown. Their voices blend well together, and the guitar is appreciated.

8] "Untitled"-Rex Orange Country

Short yet bitter-sweet- sounds as though he wrote this one more for fun, although the tones of wistful thinking and regret are prominent. It's not as well known as his other songs, but it's still his familiar genre of alternative and Indie. Definitely a relatable message of being a failure at love in life sometimes.

9] "Easy Lover"-Acoustic-Callum J Wright

I like the clipped chords of the guitar- very stylish. This is actually a cover of Phil Collins, who wrote this rock song about emotional manipulation, as a warning to other guys who pursue her-"she'll take your heart but you won't feel it". A girl you'll easily be charmed by, but will just use you in the end. Different genre styles, same message.

10] "Invisible String"-Taylor Swift

A good rainy day or autumn song in a way. The style takes me back a bit to her first years as an artist while being brand new in a traditional indie kind of vibe. I love the melody so much- and the lyrics are so poetic. Love is hard, but sometimes you will find yourself right back with the person you were always meant to be with. A bond, tied with "a single thread of gold".

11] "Honeymoon"-The Shadowboxers

Actually discovered these guys through an ad on Instagram- who knew I'd pay attention? They played a sample of this soulful kind of ballad- the tone changes as after the lyric "when I pulled back the curtain, she didn't love me anymore". A relationship can feel like the honeymoon, but one day it could die and not feel the same, or you fall out of live with your significant other. He's asking the person he loves to accept him for all his "flaws" and "mistakes". Great message!

12] "I Feel It Coming"-The Weekend, Daft Punk

Time to get a bit sensual! I won't get to deep into the meaning, but this groovy song reflects how intimacy can bring two people together and make them stronger despite their pasts of possibly being hurt. It's also relevant because of The Weekend's recent performance on the Super Bowl earlier this month, which is what reminded me this song existed.

13] "Lovers"-Anna of the North

Anna's voice is breathy and soft, which is paired well with the electro drum beats and track. In this song she sings of lost love and how she feels lost without it, trying to get back to the person, or people, she has lost. She asks them to the light the way for her. I knew this artist before this song was famously featured in the Netflix movie "To All the Boys I Loved Before", so I can say I knew her when.

14] "100 Years"-Jordin Sparks

A little bit of R&B and Pop to mix it up! This really captures the feeling of being so in love with someone and feeling so right with them, and how there's never enough time to spend with them. The monologue in the middle is unique in describing how she feels with this guy she's with and how she knows they're the one.

15] "Same" (Alternate Version)-Josie Dunne

I've actually heard the original of this song before this one, but this version is a bit more dreamy and chill in comparison. Josie sings about telling someone you love them for the first time and how it leaves you speechless and you don't even have the words to describe how you feel about them. Waiting to hear those words can be agony, but it happens sometimes when you least expect it!

16] "I've Got A Crush on You"-Frank Sinatra

A wonderful jazz piece by a classical voice! I like the use of real instruments recorded in a studio as opposed to computer generated tracks and sound effects. Of course, in his time those things didn't exist, but we can't forget the traditions sounds of music. I like the piano improv and flutes, as well as how orchestrated it feels.

17] "Snow"-Axel Flovent

Taking a little break from the love theme for a bit, we've got this wintered themed indie folk piece. Axel is absolutely my top artist choice of all time- I love all of his songs! This one is so calming and peaceful, and I love watching snow fall while listening to this song. He's lesser known as an artist, but still is absolutely incredible.

18] "Coffee Breath"-Sofia Mills

Someone used this song on TikTok while doing a coffee tutorial, so I checked it out for myself, and I liked the Ukulele used. I also like the voice effect she used for her singing. It sounds happy and chill until you listen to the lyrics- a relationship full of lies and fighting, until they eventually break up and leave each other. I feel like coffee breath is a metaphor for how hard it is to get rid of the taste of someone, bitter and/or sweet, out of your mouth and memories.

19] "Hummingbird"-Leslie Odom Jr.

A song that could be referencing a girl or a daughter perhaps (probably the latter). I like the analogy of wanting to catch the attention of someone who flits between people (or flowers), but they move fast, while being beautiful and sweet. Kind of gives me "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder kind of vibes.

20] "Grace"-Surfaces

Last but not certainly least, we have this feel-good chill piece. It's a really good selection for summer, but also is a song about how being with someone can make you feel good and chill with. Someone who brightens your world and makes you happier. Surfaces music is very individual in style and genre, while being relatable to their audience. Watching this song be performed in a virtual concert made my quarantine, and maybe this song will make yours too!

Check back in next month for another list of my top picks!

-Mikayla

How I created the codes: https://www.spotifycodes.com/#