CommRadio Weekly Playlist: Nov. 14

Story posted November 15, 2022 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Department

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.

“I’m In Love With You” - The 1975

One thing about me is that anything Jack Antonoff produces will likely become a song on constant repeat in my residence.

The 1975’s recent release, “Being Funny in a Foreign Language,” is an absolute banger of an album that has likely been overshadowed by another project Antonoff had a hand in.

Now that I’ve finally taken a break from “Midnights,” I haven’t been able to get “I’m In Love With You” out of my head.

Between the lively Bleachers-adjacent vibes, catchy lyrics and a perfect bridge, “I’m In Love With You” is a song I can’t stop listening to even though I couldn’t not relate to it harder if I tried.

Front-man Matty Healy is notoriously witty and his charisma oozes through the entire song, especially the bridge.

If any other artist had lyrics of “don’t f*** it, you muppet! It’s not that deep,” it would be laughable, but it is what keeps me coming back to listen.

The song is a coming-of-age movie soundtrack aesthetic in the best way possible. It’s hard to only listen to this song once or even twice. - Sophia D’Ovidio

“All Your’n” - Tyler Childers

This 2019 song is a cheerful cry of love, perfect for late night bonfires. I was playing a Morgan Wallen radio station on Spotify when this song came on. Instantly, my heart melted as my ears fell prey to the enchanting pitch of Childers’ voice.

The sweet chorus softly croons, “I’ll love you ‘til my lungs give out.” This love song fills my mind with thoughts of young love growing old without any frays. If “All Your’n” had been written earlier, it would have been absolutely perfect on the soundtrack of the 2004 film, “The Notebook.”

This is such a versatile song because it can be belted in the car, sobbed quietly on the couch, whistled while working or sung around a campfire.

Childers’ voice has a crisp tone, sounding out passionately over the jovial acoustic guitar and piano accompaniment in this song. “All Your’n” has a balanced nuance of a country and folk sound.

I feel blessed to have discovered Childers’ discography just in time for the rest of fall. I anticipate his songs being added to all of my cozy, winter playlists. - McKenna Wall

“Brazil” - Declan McKenna

I have “Brazil” in my playlist this week, as I think it’s great for the fall.

This song is timeless for me. I cherish the memories of me driving around my hometown, sometimes by myself and sometimes with friends, blasting this song.

The long guitar part in the beginning and Declan McKenna’s sweet voice combine perfectly, never failing to make me appreciate the greatness of the song.

For a very chill and simple song, “Brazil” just has a certain vibe that makes it feel great every time.

Even though it was released in 2017, I know I will have it on every one of my playlists from now until the far future because it will never get old in my opinion.

“Brazil” was one of the best songs on his first album, “What Do You Think About the Car?” I consider McKenna’s premiere album to be his best of all time. I think it is very representative of his sound. I love being able to listen back to this song and compare his voice to previous albums.

The lyrics of the song are thought-provoking as well. I enjoy the fact that the interpretation is left up to the listeners.

Adding to its true uniqueness, a simply spoken “And that was my triple collateral on Free-for-All” ends the song. I will forever say it and then decide if it’s time to listen just one more time. - Cassie Baylis

“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” - Jeff Buckley

When I am unsure of which song to listen to next, I never regret hitting play on Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over.”

Beginning with a beautiful melody that transitions into a sweet strum of an acoustic guitar, this song contains a multitude of emotions and incredibly delicate lyrics.

Buckley has a soft, unique voice that sounds nothing like anything I have ever heard before.

He sings, “She is the tear that hangs inside my soul forever,” and I listen in awe, as music today just does not sound the same.

This song is a ballad that touches on his tug of war between being “too young to hold on” and “too old to just break free and run,” as he sings.

He uses the repetition of the phrase, “It’s never over” to explain how he cannot let his love go, no matter what he does or how much it tears him apart.

Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” is found on his album titled “Grace” containing other hits such as his cover of “Hallelujah,” which was originally written by Leonard Cohen.

Although he was popular in the 90s and sadly passed away later that decade, his music lives on in the hearts of those who are hopelessly in love. - Allie Scaggs

“That’s What You Get” – Paramore

With soul rocking guitar and high octane drums, Paramore’s “That's What You Get” distinguishes itself from just about every other song released in 2007 within the first 10 seconds. Evocative yet unpretentious lyrics further contribute to its incredible staying power.

There’s something about the hint of melancholy in Hayley William’s voice intermixed with the beautifully epic accompaniments of Taylor York’s guitar that make this track resonate to the depth of my soul. It captures a unique feeling in between the often overly poetic or angsty sound common in the scene, and instead it just feels real.

Maybe I’m nostalgic for my days as a wee lad performing for virtual crowds in “Rock Band 2” alongside my virtual band composed of my cousins. Maybe I miss the simpler days from my emo awakening when this perpetually blasted out of my speakers.

Whatever the reason, this song earned certified “no skip” status and compels me to sing along like I am still performing in front of a virtual crowd, or wallowing in the depths of teen angst. 

It evokes the memories of attending highschool in the mid 2000s which I only vicariously feel given I was four years old at the time of its release. - Luca Miceli

Sophia D’Ovidio is a second-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.

McKenna Wall is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email mew6140@psu.edu.

Cassie Baylis is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ceb6085@psu.edu.

Allie Scaggs is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email ajs9412@psu.edu.

Luca Miceli is a first-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email lfm5592@psu.edu.