Category Archives: MUSIC MONDAY

10 Songs to Blast While Getting Ready for a Night Out

Yes, we know: getting ready can take us a while, and we’re OK with that. But it’s not just about choosing outfits, changing hairstyles a few times, and picking the perfect pair of shoes. Getting ready is a ritual about attitude, feeling fierce and confident, and putting yourself in the right mood for a carefree night out.

Pump up the volume, both on your stereo and on that hair, with our 10 songs to get you ready for a night on the town.

 

1. “Love Myself” by Hailee Steinfeld

2. “Hey Mama” by David Guetta (ft. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha, Afrojack)

3. “Run the Word (Girls)” by Beyonce

4. “So What” by Pink

5. “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift

6. “Firework” by Katy Perry

7. “Shewolf” by Shakira

8. “Classic” by MKTO

9. “Live for the Night” by Krewella

10. “Worth It” by Fifth Harmony

7 Songs to Inspire Your Story

Some writers swear by music and others need perfect silence when creating. Whatever your writing process, these songs can help energize you, transport you to another world for a moment, and help you focus on getting your story out. Listen online before or during your writing session and feel the music move you.


 

Brave Sara Bareilles

 

“Say what you wanna say. Let the words fall out.” Sara Bareilles’ wisdom when it comes to love and bravery applies to writing, too.


 

Nothing Else Matters Metallica

 

Let everything else slip away. It’s just you, your characters and your story.


 

You and Me Penny & the Quarters

 

Ryan Gosling himself suggested that director Derek Cianfrance use this undiscovered demo track as the leitmotif in Blue Valentine. The raw vocals of Penny will make you feel all kinds of feelings.


 

Tongue Tied Grouplove

 

For when the story is on the tip of your tongue, but you need a little oomph to get the words on the page, turn on this exuberant pick-me-up.


 

Ritual Union Little Dragon

 

A writing ritual can help trigger inspiration, too.


 

What Makes a Good Man? The Heavy

 

Ask yourself questions as you write, particularly about your characters.


 

Ave Maria Céline Dion

 

And if you’re still stuck, a little divine intervention could do the trick.

Summer 2015 Album Releases

With all the new album releases this summer, we wouldn’t blame you if you found it hard to keep up. Here are some suggestions from us that are worth a listen (or ten.)

 

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – (Indie rock)

Florence and the Machine  If you’ve missed the soulful, yet fierce voice of Florence Welch, or found yourself looping “Spectrum” and “Shake it Out” over and over again the past few years, you were probably as pumped as we were when Florence and the Machine’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful was released this past June.

“Ship to Wreck” has a fast-pulsing beat to shake your hips to while skillfully applying winged eyeliner. “St. Jude” has a more ethereal melody, a perfect accompaniment to a cup of morning joe.

 

Peace is the Mission – (Electronic, electro house, reggae)

Major LazerMajor Lazer’s third album was one of the hottest electronic releases of the summer. If you spent any time at a club, pool party, or around any of your house junkie friends, you undoubtedly heard “Lean On” a gazillion times, and didn’t hate it. With vocals from Danish singer/songwriter MØ, the song features reggae sounds, as is the norm for the group, although accompanied by a more relaxed vibe than may be expected for the genre.

Someone pass the mojitos, and maybe a pillow; we all need someone to lean on.

 

Beneath the Skin – (Indie pop)

Of Monsters and MenOf Monsters and Men’s second album doesn’t disappoint, but, don’t expect the same sounds we heard in My Head is an Animal. While “Little Talks” may have been on your same playlist as tracks from the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons, Beneath the Skin has a more introspective and spiritual feel.

“Crystals” has a quick tempo, with beautifully elaborate lyrics. “Organs” plays like poetry, pleasant and near brooding at the same time.

 

10 Songs to Say Farewell to Summer

Summer officially ends later this month so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best songs of the season to ensure you get the most out of what little we have left.

 

 

  1. “This Summer’s Gonna Hurt Like a Motherf*****” by Maroon 5
  2. “California Gurls” by Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dogg)
  3. “Soak Up the Sun“ by Sheryl Crow
  4. “Feel this Moment” by Pitbull (featuring Christina Aguilera)
  5. “Island in the Sun“ by Weezer
  6. “Steal my Sunshine” by Len
  7. “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato
  8. “Cheerleader” by OMI
  9. “Summer” by Calvin Harris
  10. “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey