CommRadio Weekly Playlist: April 11

Story posted April 11, 2022 in Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts & Entertainment Department.

Here, members of CommRadio’s Arts and Entertainment Department will talk about the songs that dominated their playlists during the week and what makes them so good.

“Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)”- Taylor Swift

About one year ago, I was sitting at home in a Zoom class scrolling through Instagram on a random Wednesday. Then all of a sudden, I see that none other than Taylor Swift surprise dropped a vault track as a single before her first re-recording was released that Friday.

The first anniversary of “Mr. Perfectly Fine” had just occurred, and I’ve found myself re-listening to this banger of a breakup song.

Like any Swift track, the lyricism from this song is clever and a highlight. Her storytelling is crafty and can express dealing with a breakup and watching your ex thrive so well.

“Mr. Perfectly Fine” is also such an upbeat and lively track. While it may seem to contrast the lyrics, it helps convey the themes and story that Swift is illustrating so well.

This song is so enjoyable every single time I listen to it. The fact she had this good of a song kept it in a “vault” for 13 years is a testament to the caliber of artist that Swift - Sophia D’Ovidio

“Fluorescent Adolescent” - Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys is a very famous band. Their most popular album is “AM.” Due to this, I feel like their album “Favorite Worst Nightmare” is underappreciated.

To highlight that album, I decided to talk about my favorite song, not just from the album, but the band in general: “Fluorescent Adolescent.” The chill mellow rock sound is so unique that it feels raw and professional at the same time.

It is a unique thing that very few bands can do. The vocals match the tune perfectly. Plus, the lyrics are easy to catch onto, so in a matter of a few listens it is easy to sing it. Any song that you can sing along with is automatically a better song.

So, for any pop rock, chill rock, or Arctic Monkey fans, they should listen to “Fluorescent Adolescent” and the whole album “Favorite Worst Nightmare” in general. - Ethan Hetrick

“The Archer” - Taylor Swift

This song is a lyrical masterpiece and it isn’t appreciated as one, even by Taylor Swift’s biggest fans. 

“The Archer” served as a promotional track for Swift's 2019 album, “Lover,” which was her seventh studio album. This song was both co-written and co-produced by Jack Antonoff, who has since produced several more albums with Swift.

The lyrics of this song detail a sad story of someone who is worried about the future of a relationship because of their own personal insecurities. This is highlighted in lyrics like “who could ever leave me darling / but who could stay?” Swift has said that the song represents how people who have been in relationships that ended poorly often worry that other relationships will also end badly.

This song has many references to Swift’s life, including past mistakes and reflecting on them. For example, the lyrics “all of my enemies started out friends” are thought to reference her past feuds.

Swift has consistently been at her best when writing deeply personal and metaphorical lyrics, and this is why “The Archer” has been one of my favorites since it came out. - Izzy Charboneau

“Black Math” - The White Stripes

Recently, I’ve been listening to The White Stripes’ discography in preparation for Jack White’s new solo album “Fear Of The Dawn.”

Caught up with other music, I’m ashamed to say I forgot how amazing their albums “Elephant” and “White Blood Cells” were, as I love all of those indie revival bands: The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Libertines, etc.

Coming off of “Elephant,” the second track “Black Math” might be one of my favorite songs by the indie rock duo. 

As one of their most aggressive songs, Jack White’s guitar playing and vocals pack a punch, while Meg White’s usual drum skills are unmatched, driving the track’s wild pace and energy.

If you’ve never listened to anything by The White Stripes — other than “Seven Nation Army —” this is a great place to start. - Jon Mead

“Chasing Cars”- Snow Patrol

This beautiful love song that is slow and sad, yet upbeat and positive has really had a grasp on me this week.

The lead singer, Gary Lightbody, sings a plain melody over sparse guitars with an ever-building crescendo, and the instrumental becomes even more powerful when the drums kick in.

Although plain, the melody pairs well with the sweet and soothing lyrics of love. I really appreciate the soft and slow pace of it all.

This is a unique song on its own, but also for the band, as Lightbody claimed that it is the purest love song that he has ever written and is unlike his other love songs which have a dark edge.

He named it “Chasing Cars” as a tribute to his father, who called him a dog chasing a car in reference to a girl he was infatuated with. Lightbody shifted this meaning into something romantic which really makes this song special. - Rachel Fisher

“Overwhelming”- Jon Bellion

I have little to no doubt that “Overwhelming” by Jon Bellion will be my most listened to song of the year. Everything about this song makes it fun to listen to on repeat, from the upbeat music to the silly yet descriptive lyrics.

Bellion begins the song with a quick rap about the girl he is seeing and how well their relationship is going. After one rap verse, Bellion sings the pre-chorus and allows the beat to drop and EDM music joins him as he sings the chorus.

In the first verse, Bellion describes things he loves about the girl he is seeing, such as her “presidential soul” and the Top Gun themed nicknames they have for each other. In these lines, Bellion uses many descriptors and metaphors for the relationship he is in, but once the chorus begins, he switches from this style of song to simply describing his relationship in one word: “overwhelming.” Bellion states that everything about his significant other and his love for her is overwhelming.

The verses and pre-chorus resemble someone telling their friends about the person they are seeing; Bellion rushes these lyrics, making it seem as though he is so excited that he can not stop talking about his new significant other. The five-line chorus, however, is a very simple and sincere declaration of love with no frills.

Although the chorus is short and simple, Bellion manages to pack all his feelings into the song and captures the feeling of being in a new relationship or falling in love for the first time very well. - Rachel Newnam

 

Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.

Ethan Hetrick is a first- year majoring in communications. To contact him, email eth5186@psu.edu.

Izzy Charboneau is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email ijc5186@psu.edu.

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.

Rachel Newnam is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email ren5102@psu.edu.