CommRadio Weekly Playlist: December 6

Story posted December 8, 2021 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Staff

The CommRadio Weekly Playlist – Here members of the Arts and Entertainment Department will talk about the songs that dominated their playlists during the week and what makes them so good.

“DIMANCHE SOIR” - Hubert Lenoir

Don’t be fooled by the goofy photo on the cover of the LP that this track comes from, this song takes the cake when it comes to French indie-pop.

“DIMANCHE SOIR,” by French Canadian artist Hubert Lenoir, will catch your ears from start to finish. This song immediately draws you in with its cool, funky, heavy beats.

The album, “PICTURA DE IPSE: Musique directe” presents an interesting concept and if you like this song, you’ll definitely love the other tracks that its record offers, like “SECRET” and “OCTEMBRE.”

Don’t sleep on this just because it’s in another language, you’re truly missing out if you do. - Jon Mead

“Ode To The Mets” - The Strokes

This song starts off with a catchy beat that quickly fades and merges with a completely different beat. The clash is rather strange, yet each provides something to the song that just works.

Then, the melody kicks in and the song switches into something slow and relaxing with soothing vocals from lead singer Julian Casablancas. This continues until my favorite part, where Casablancas says “Drums please, Fab” during the song to drummer Fabrizio Moretti, and the song picks up with the drums.

Casablancas sings in a higher range throughout the rest of the song and brings powerful vocals, especially during the bridge.

The song was written by Casablancas while waiting for the train outside the stadium after a Mets game, but it is not about baseball. However, the lyrics behind the song relate to feeling continuously disappointed which is what a Mets fan goes through. - Rachel Fisher

“月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart)” - Teresa Teng

In spirit of almost having the sweet relief of the semester’s end, I’ve been finding myself more relaxed and more appreciative of the weather and the perfect wintery song to set my mood has been “月亮代表我的心 (The Moon Represents My Heart)” by Teresa Teng.

Originally released in 1977, this love ballad carries an elegant waltz-like sound that absolutely soothes listeners. The song doesn’t contain vocal riffs or crazy impactful beats, however, the drums, strings and Teresa’s beautiful voice make this song such a simple joy.

The delicate melody isn’t overwhelming, but it is enough to make a person want to get up and twirl around with a loved one. Even listeners who don’t understand Mandarin can still enjoy and feel the warmth of Teng’s vocal ability to sing high notes and maintain graceful sound.

If people are ready to transition into the Christmas spirit, but aren’t quite ready for full blown festive music, this song is ideal. - Erell Williams

"Say It Right" - Nelly Furtado

“Say It Right” by Nelly Furtado may be one of the most infectious pop hits that I had somehow forgotten. I rediscovered the track while spending quality time with fellow CommRadio collaborators, and frankly, my mind was blown. How could I have let all of this time slip without having this jewel in my rotation?

The hook is beyond compelling as Furtado’s vocals are joined by an array of synthesizers. Her performance is otherworldly and contains an abundance of passion, pain and gleam. Timbaland does his thing, as usual, providing another classic beat, and background vocals.

The song's lyrics are simple, yet introspective enough to have people derive different meanings from each verse. What exactly does the love song mean? Well according to Furtado herself, she doesn’t even know.

The single topped the charts on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006, and for a good reason. The tragedy is that there are other people, just like me, who had forgotten this track. Do yourselves a favor, and be sure to stream “Say It Right” as soon as possible. - Caelan Chevrier

“Break My Stride” - Matthew Wilder

“Ain't nothin' gonna to break my stride, Nobody gonna slow me down, oh no, I got to keep on moving…”

These three lines are the thread I have been hanging onto throughout this stressful week.

Everytime I think about how close we are to winter break, I remember the hurricane of finals that must pass first.

Thanksgiving break was the calm before the storm everyone knew was brewing, but quite honestly we were all trying to put our time toward spending time with family and friends that many of us haven’t seen since the time we got to the university.

Although the next two weeks may be the most grueling of the semester, it is the most crucial, considering the effect it can have on the hardwork many of us have put in already this semester.

Finals season reminds me of something my cross-country coach reinforced time and time again to me and the other girls on the team: What you do at the end of the race, can make or break it.

The first time I heard that, I felt the pressure of having to do well, however, I’ve thought about it from time to time and what he was trying to say is that we all have it in us to finish up strong, it is just a matter of making that decision to tap into our full capabilities.

So in the weeks between us and the holidays, I plan “to keep on movin,’“ will you? - Abby Chachoute

 

Jon Mead is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jkm6040@psu.edu.

Rachel Fisher is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism.  To contact her, email rlf5481@psu.edu

Erell Williams is a first-year majoring in broadcasting journalism. To contact her email exw5303@psu.edu.

Caelan Chevrier is a second year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email cjc6789@psu.edu.

Abigail Chachoute is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email axc6070@psu.edu.