It’s that wonderful time of year again. You know the one I’m talking about, don’t you? Where finals and projects start piling up, slowly deteriorating your once agile mind into a squishy blob of mush? An enriching time where all-nighters take the place of actual rest, and work is done in the wee hours of the night. So what usually keeps those heavy-lidded eyes from closing? Caffeine, of course. But also another key element: music. iTunes libraries which blast constantly through your ears to focus the mind at the task at hand. So I’ve taken it upon myself the lowly burden of making a short list of some artists that are bound to make homework more interesting. Or at least tolerable.
1. First on the list is Danish singer/songwriter Oh Land. With her experimental pop beats and her unique vocal styling, Oh Land has been a popular choice in the primetime media. Through many a television show, her catchy songs can be found playing in the background of many TV scenes. This will definitely get some body movement going (or at least a slight head nod to the rhythm):
2. This next group, Youth Rescue Mission, just had their first album released in March, and I found them via a chance encounter on BandCamp.com. They are a three brother-one sister quintet whose lovely familial harmony has won me over. Hailing from Montana (but now residing in the lovely city of Seattle), they are complete with such a whimsical and endearing sound, I can almost smell the verdant pastures of their youth. A nice break from all the hard work, their music will transport you away:
3. The next song comes from UK natives The Boxer Rebellion. While these lads have been around since 2001, their talent doesn’t seem to be disappearing anytime soon. Their rich and embodied sound only seems to add to their beautiful yet poignant lyrics about love and life. Feel free to be swept up in the moment:
4. Australia’s Cut Copy is another source for a truly great alternative dance outfit. With their striking instrumentation and lyrics, their new wave/synth pop influences are unmistakable. The way they exhibit this with their own brand of creativity is what really draws the listener in:
5. This next group also hails from a foreign country (but this one is much closer: Canada), and brandishes their own form of indie rock loveliness. With their simple instrumentation, but more concise lyrics, these guys have found their niche. Gotta love that intro riff:
Enjoy! And hopefully it will bring some good luck for all those end of semester trials/exams/projects etc.
