Sounds for Back to School - August Staff Picks

Wolf Alice - “Don’t Delete the Kisses” off Visions of a Life (2017)

Entertainment Editor & Staff Writer Megan Lorich - Having a crush is brutal, especially when limerence and yearning are such old friends. Time and time again, when I have a crush on someone, I find that this song is the one I listen to the most as opposed to anything outright romantic. The questioning and unknown are the toughest parts about harboring feelings for someone. Unsure of if there's a chance. After all, as the internet repeats again and again, a crush is a lack of information. You're much more prone to fantasizing, especially if the subject of your affection is someone you don't know that much about. It's projection. But, through it all, regardless of how much you know about the subject of your affections, there is so much fear. I think love and romance isn't just giving affection to someone, or the fear that those feelings will be rejected - but rather the bravery to continue to seek love out regardless of how big those feelings are or any rejection that may follow. The people who love best are the ones that try over and over. "What if it's not meant for me, love?" Part of the pursuit of it is feeling that emotion. Like the Hot Priest from “Fleabag” said, "Love is awful. (. . .) It’s all any of us want, and it’s hell when we get there. So no wonder it’s something we don’t want to do on our own." Love is meant for all of us. We just have to get up again and again.

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

Staff Photographer DeAnna Garza - I’ve been on a Pink Floyd run lately, listening to this album specifically anytime I’m on the road and wanting to listen to a concept album that is also a huge piece of music history. Favorite song is “Money” off the album.

Femtanyl - CHASER (2023)

Staff Writer Tony Lister - Glitchy, turbocharged, apoplectically angry, euphorically happy in equal measure, and catchy as all hell, Femtanyl's debut EP, CHASER only lacks in length being only six songs long. However, to my and many others' delight, Femtanyl has not been slow in her output in the three years since, and I have been a superfan the whole way.

Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (2004)

Staff Photographer Glenna Van Kempen - This is just one of those no skip albums for me personally. Considering this is Kelly Clarkson’s second album too is crazy to think about! She has truly remained one of the greatest powerhouse vocalists of our generation and this album will always be my favorite personally. Aside from “Since U Been Gone” my next favorite would have to be “Behind These Hazel Eyes.” Brings me right back to my childhood!

Phoebe Bridgers - Lost Weekend (2026)

Staff Photographer Arika Suits - All I’ve done since this album came out is cry. Then again when has Phoebe Bridgers ever released music that doesn’t make everyone cry?

Sarah Krohn - “Another Piece of Gum” (2026)

Staff Photographer Mari Garcia - I've been a Sarah Krohn fan for over a year now, and with each single release I'm surprised by how she takes the Indie Rock genre down a different route. She has softer melancholic love tunes with dramatic builds ("Sammy", "If You're Down"), poppier upbeat songs about crushing ("Hung Up", "Greetings from Virginia"), and some intense story-telling-indie-rock ("Your Best Friend You Used to Sleep With"). I've gone through my phases of obsession with all these tracks, but this most recent release is a little heavier, a little more Midwest Emo, and with a sick guitar solo and devastating lyrics, "Another Piece of Gum" has been on repeat this month.

Taylor Swift - folklore (2020)

Live Coverage Editor & Staff Writer Rebecca Ackerman - Every August I find myself running back to folklore. To me, folklore is quintessentially summer. Those who consider it a fall or winter album are just wrong! With songs like "the last great american dynasty," "exile," and "betty," I can see myself at a metaphorical beach town staring out as the waves crash onto the shore. I also turn back to this album because of the song "august." I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that "august" is my most-played track of all time on Spotify (673 listens). Please don't inquire about my mental state!

My Chemical Romance - “Early Sunsets Over Monroeville” (2002)

Live Coverage Editor & Staff Writer Kaitlyn Serafin - This time of year has always felt dreary to me, what with another year of grad school coming under way and the continued effects of global warming tormenting me in Florida. It’s humid, hot, and sometimes hopeless. I struggle to find another song that’s been representative of how I feel lately. Yes, as with like all MCR songs, this one has some sort of out of the box story attached to it that doesn’t apply to my situation. However, it’s the melancholic down-tempo vocal delivery of “But does anyone notice? / But does anyone care?” that really feels right as I trudge into another dreary, rainy day that feels the same as the last. Also, I’m emo so I don’t have to explain this any further.

Slow Joy - Esteban Flores (2026)

Staff Writer Christine Nickle - I’ve been listening to Slow Joy for some time now, and had been impatiently waiting for this album to drop! It’s as good as I had hoped and more, the shoegaze-y, unusual styles of his music mixed with the raw emotion of the lyrics makes it an AOTY contender for me. “SLC Punk on an SSRI” is my favorite song by far, possibly my favorite song released this year!

Dolly Parton - The Grass is Blue (1999)

Staff Writer Jill Nuelle - Like so many, the passing of Dolly Parton hit me hard this month. I have loved Dolly since I was a little girl, and during quarantine in 2020 decided to listen through her entire discography. As much as Dolly is celebrated, I still don't think she gets enough credit for her prolific talent as a songwriter. Some of her lesser known records are now my favorites, particularly 1999's The Grass Is Blue. The album is on the more somber side lyrically for Dolly. “Steady as the Rain” is my favorite track, and I listened to it on the day the news of her passing was announced. Her words about tears falling down aptly describe what much of the world was feeling. I am so grateful for the mountain of beautiful music she left us with and forever inspired by her shining kindness and giant, giant heart. Dolly forever!

John Summit - CTRL ESCAPE (2026)

Social Media Editor Virche Galloway - I was truly reminiscing listening to this album, thinking about when I saw John Summit live at Coachella this year. Me and my dad sat and rewatched John’s whole Coachella set on YouTube because we miss it so much. Hearing “LIGHTS GO OUT” live was life changing and I’ve had it on repeat ever since. CTRL ESCAPE is a hypnotic album I can listen to and make me feel good!

Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven (2024)

Staff Writer Paulina Rochelle - At the start of the month, I finally listened to this album top to bottom for the first time. All I can say is I am incredibly upset with myself for not having listened to it sooner. No matter what was going on this month, I had this album soundtracking my days and it somehow always seemed to fit. "I Don't Know You" in particular quickly became a favorite of mine from not only the album, but also their entire discography. I've been a casual listener of Mannequin Pussy for years now, but this album, and song specifically sent me into a deep dive of them, and I am so happy it did!