‘Fresh Music Friday’: Spring Break Edition (3/3/17)

Fresh Music Friday’s third edition offers a diverse amount of songs from each person on the Ball State Verge Campus team. Check it out!

Michael Cottone: Out of the seven songs I chose, my favorites for this week are “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson and “Howlin’ at the Moon” by Mod Sun. Jack Johnson’s hit song has always been the epitome of relaxation in my mind. His soothing voice along with his comforting lyrics always put me in a good mood. This song relates to what I will be doing this Spring Break, which is relaxing at home with family and sleeping in often.

“Howlin’ at the Moon” by Mod Sun has been a favorite of mine since it came out back in 2015. Mod Sun is an acronym for “movement of dreams, stand under none.” Mod Sun’s music has played a big part in my life since I discovered it about 4 years ago. This song is great for Spring Break because it reflects the life of a party and celebrating good times with friends. Its feel good beat along with Mod’s uplifting spirit through his lyrics makes for an entertaining listen.

Jacob Lee: My first song I chose is “King of the Beach” by Wavves. It’s always been a song that reminds me of the Spring/Summer time. The upbeat instrumentals set the warm weather mood. It also brings back countless memories of my friends and I jamming to it since it came out back in 2010.

The other song I chose was “Saturday Revolution” by Mathien. I first heard of this song because my Dad listened to it. I like listening to it on Friday’s to help get ready for the weekend ahead.

Clay Easton: My first song is “Space Oddity” by David Bowie. A song of adventure and risk-taking. I recently watched ‘Secret Life of Walter Mitty,’ and since the movie is primarily based around adventure and getting out of your comfort zone, I figured it was appropriate.

The other song I chose was “Spectrum” by Zedd. The excellent combination of bass-dropping production and vocals is something we’ve come to know as vintage from Zedd. The song gives me a good feeling of excitement and is a song I can rely on to brighten my mood.

Max Denari: I chose songs “Girlfriend” by Ty Segall and “Waves” by Joey Bada$$ for ‘Fresh Music Friday’ this week. Segall is a true Californian rocker. He combines the fast paced style of Garage Punk with the distorted sweetness of Surf Rock to create a Rock ‘n Roll masterpiece. The lyrics are shouted rather than sang on this song and it plays into the atmosphere of the track very well.

Even though Joey Bada$$ was a very young MC when “Waves” came out (in 2012), he could step on the track with ease. He has proven to be one of modern hip-hop’s most talented entities, both lyrically and stylistically, and “Waves” as a song, shows how prolific Joey really is.

Mason Pippenger: I chose the song “American Teen” by Khalid. I think he has a really classic and smooth voice. This is a must-listen Spring/Summer song with the windows down cruising with friends. He’s a fresh face in music and has loads of potential. The song is upbeat and very enjoyable. Go check Khalid out if you haven’t already.

Annaleise Loxton: For ‘Fresh Music Friday’ this week, I chose songs “Sunshine” by Atmosphere, and “The Waitress Song” by Seth Sentry. “Sunshine” is a relaxed hip-hop song with a catchy beat. It carries a very unique message about drug addiction that is seemingly buried in the songs happy beat.

“The Waitress Song” is simplistic speak-ease rap paired with an atypical love story. Seth Sentry’s tune has us all hoping that we could fall in love over our breakfast, of all things.

Patrick Brouder: The first song I chose was “Location” by Khalid. Khalid is a singer/songwriter from Texas. His songs usually reflect the genres of soul and R&B. One thing I love about the song “Location” is the simplistic beat and catchy melody, combined with lyrics that are sweet, sappy, and have a hint of depression. Overall, the song is definitely worth a listen and will put you in a relaxed state of mind.

The other song I chose is “Paris” by $uicideboy$. They are a hip-hop group out of New Orleans. Their trap style, dark lyrics, and catchy beats get me bobbing my head every time. If you have a craving for some darker underground rap, “Paris” is the perfect song for you. It has an almost rebellious feeling, that will have you wanting to listen more.

Matt Keyser: My first song that I chose was “The Ocean” by Led Zeppelin. It’s a perfect example of them in their prime. In 1973, Zeppelin was at the top of their game without a doubt. They were on tour in the U.S, playing record breaking crowds and flying their own Boeing passenger jet dubbed “The Starship.” The successes of Zeppelin’s 1973 release “Houses of the Holy” was, at this point, inevitable and “The Ocean” served as the album’s closing number. With its floaty melody and strong background, “The Ocean” is a timeless classic  which never fails to put a smile on my face.

The other song I chose is “At Night in Dreams” by White Denim. It’s the quirky, lovable song which kicks off White Denim’s quirky and lovable album titled “Corsicana Lemonade.” All members of White Denim are respectable musicians in their own right, and have proven that talent can still prosper in today’s music industry. “At Night in Dreams” is chock full of complex instrumentation and nonsensical lyrics, but the end of the song is something I never tire over. Roll the windows down, turn the volume up and enjoy the music.

Cole Callahan: The songs I chose for ‘Fresh Music Friday’ were “Bloodflood” by Alt-j and “Lightning Bolt” by Jake Bugg. I’m taking a trip to the Smoky Mountains this Spring Break, and these are mellow driving tunes that I can roll my windows down to and gaze at the beautiful scenery. These songs bring back memories of previous adventures through the Smoky Mountains as well, so these songs have history with me.

Madeline Grosh: The first song I chose was “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” by Jake Owen. It’s about living in the moment, never growing up, and teaches you to never stop believing in yourself. It truly describes the Spring Break vibes and how you need to enjoy the life you are currently living in.

The other song I chose was “Toes” by Zac Brown Band. The basic premise of this track is running away from life, but isn’t that the point of Spring Break? Enjoying your life, pushing all your problems and worries to the back of your mind, and simply enjoying your relaxation time. The song ends reminding you that you can relax and find a good time wherever you may be; whether it be somewhere exotic or even at home.

Be sure to follow on Spotify for more ‘Fresh Music Friday’ playlists!

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By Michael Cottone

Sophomore journalism student at Ball State University. Lover of music, travel, and photography.

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