1. “Welcome Home, Son” by Radical Face

I can’t help but tap my foot to this song, I love the rhythm so much. Ben Cooper(Radical Face) has an amazing voice. I highly recommend this song as background music for cleaning your room.

2. “All Will Be Well” by Gabe Dixon

You might recognize this song from Parks and Recreation. It’s beautiful from start to finish, and it’s just such a happy song. I love singing(badly) with it, and I think you should try it too.

3. “Spicks and Specks” by the Bee Gees

This is everything I like in a song. It also sounds a little bit like the Beatles in my personal opinion.

4.“Not Alone” by Darren Criss

I listen to this all the time and it’s just such a great song. I’ve been listening to it more this summer both because I got to meet several members of StarKid(literally the highlight of my life), and because it deserves so many listens in general. I love every lyric and every note, and I especially love Darren.

5. “San Francisco” by the Mowgli’s

This song is amazing. It is so happy and wonderful and uplifting. I could listen to it on repeat for so long; I absolutely love listening to is while I’m driving home at night.

6. “Weekend in Western Illinois” by the Mountain Goats

This song is about the town that my college is in, which makes me miss school even more, but this song is worth it. It captures the beauty in our very non-conventionally beautiful town so well, and it’s a brilliant song in general. I’d like it even if it wasn’t about a town I like so much, but it makes it even better that it is.

7. “Small Words” by Gavin Creel

My best friend introduced me to this song by putting it on a mix CD that she gave me before she left for college while I was still in high school. It became the single song of the playlist that I listen to most often, and it always reminds me so much of her. It’s a simple, sweet, and sentimental song.

8. “Bloom” by the Paper Kites

Another song introduced to me by someone I love, it’s clever and kind lyrics remind me of her and of what good music taste she has.

9. “The Last Pale Light In the West” by Ben Nichols

If you watch Walking Dead you probably already know this one, but I’ve been especially addicted to it lately. It’s a great song and gets me excited for season seven.

10. “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” by Sufjan Stevens

This has been one of my favorite songs since I heard it for the first time several years ago. It’s dark and sad and so well done. Sufjan Stevens is my favorite musical artist, and this is my favorite song of his. This whole album is so close to my heart, and this song really hits hard. Sufjan captures the tragedy behind it so well, it’s genuinely chilling.