With finals coming up next week we all need a break. One of the easiest ways for me to get through hectic times (including finals) is to listen to music that I enjoy, so I have compiled a small playlist to keep me level headed. Enjoy.

1. Peach Plum Pear

A very whimsical song by Johanna Newsom. While Johanna Newsom's voice is not what would be traditionally accepted as beautiful, it has a certain quality that keeps pulling me back in. I especially love the childlike qualities of this piece.

2. Mountain Sound

Of Monsters and Men is one of my favorite indie bands and their songs always have that sense of empowerment about them that I seriously need.

3. Thank God I'm Pretty

I love Emilie Autumn's style just as much as her music. I enjoy how much of a performance artist she is. She can be quite controversial though, so be weary if certain things trigger you.

4. Panda Hero

A cover of a Vocaloid song (refer to my previous article for more info on Vocaloid) by a youtuber known as Miku Tan. I just love the how her voice compliments the backbeat in this.

5. Fast Car

A classic by the lovely Tracy Chapman, need I say more.

6. One Way Ticket

In 1978 Eruption did a cover of this song (which was originally performed by Neil Sedaka). While the song begins very sorrowfully, and the lyrics are full of sadness as well, the jovial beat is anything but,

7. You're Gonna Go Far Kid

If you haven't heard of The Offspring, I don't know what you have been doing with your life. Another good song by them is Staring at the Sun.

8. One of Us

Joan Osborne highlights an important question in this piece. If there was a deity amongst us would we treat each others better? Do we want to meet this deity? I personally I am not religious, so maybe this song holds a different meaning to me than it does to others.

10. Do it for Her

One of my favorite animated shows at the moment is Steven Universe. I love the music within the show just as much as the animation. Do it for Her has to be one of my favorite songs so far and really changed my view point on one character in particular, because of the backstory that was revealed. Spoiler warning if you decide to click the link.

11. Do Wah Doo

While Kate Nash released Do Wah Doo in 2010, the song has a 1960's vibe to it, I think it's the surferish guitar riff, or maybe the trumpet. The scatting doesn't help either.

12. Atticus

So many references to To Kill a Mockingbird. The Noisettes just pull me into another world entirely, so maybe I'll write my next article on them... maybe.

13. The Emergency

Interestingly enough, the person that directed Gileah and the Ghost Train's music video for The Emergency is employed by my university.

14. All Men are Pigs

The Studio Killers reminded me of the Gorillaz when I first discovered them (look further down for a song by the Gorillaz)

15. Moonlight Shadow

Another classic. This one is by Mike Oldfield.

16. Rhinestone Eyes

The Gorillaz are honestly one of my favorite bands, and I would love to help with animated a band in the future.

17. Monster

If you haven't heard of Meg and Dia, you probably still have heard this song, or at least a remixed version of it somewhere around, or maybe not.

18. Playing God

I dub this: the best song written by Paramore for when you are studying for that one teacher's class. You all know the teacher (every college has at least one).

19. No

Meghan Trainor speaks to my soul with this one.

20. You Don't Know What Love Is [You Just do as You're Told]

One of my proffesors actually got me really into the White Stripes. Proffessor Cole, if you're reading this I give you my thanks.

21. Looking Glass

If you're into some heavier stuff I think you might like this (though this is probably one of their lightest songs to be honest).