Music for the Majors
Who doesn’t love music? Actually, one German major I know doesn’t really. But, for the most part, music is an integral part of a Reedie’s life. I know that I listen to an obscene amount of music, listening to 226 artists last week for 2,952 minutes, therefore making me at least semi-qualified to present this list.
Art: Ignoring the possible dig in the album title, Somebody Loan Me a Dime by Fenton Robinson is a great album to listen to while getting into an artistic headspace and creating. A legend of blues music, this particular album is a staple in the Chicago blues genre, and “Directly From My Heart To You” is one of my favorite blues songs.
Dance: While there are many good picks for the dance major, the disco-inspired Coeur by French singer Clara Luciani takes the cake. The ‘encore’ version has French language covers of classic disco songs, but the original cut is my favorite, with songs like “Le reste” and “La place” being my top two from the album.
Music: Since music majors are probably even more qualified to write this article than I am, I don’t think I should be telling you what to listen to. However, I can’t recommend the album Mistakes on Purpose by Akalé Wubé and Girma Bèyènè enough. “For Amha” is unquestionably my favorite track on the album, and I recommend checking out the Éthiopiques series as a whole if you have the time.
Theatre: I also don’t think I should be telling you what to listen to since music and theater are already so enmeshed, but I’ll still recommend The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance anyway. While any theater kid who survived high school is certainly superficially familiar with MCR, the rock opera concept album is an interesting dive!
Anthropology: Given that the worldwide reaction to her and her music would be fascinating to look into anthropologically, I will be recommending none other than Miss Swift. My favorite album of hers is easily Red, but any of her albums would work given the massive cultural impact of the Eras Tour.
Economics: For Econ majors, I recommend The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. Not just because of the song “Money.” Okay, yes because of the song “Money.” I’m sorry. But, if it’s any consolation, it’s really late and that’s all I’ve got.
History: Although it seems like everyone else has moved on, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac is my Roman Empire. The British blues root of the Fleetwood Mac project is something I think about more than anyone else I know, so it felt fitting to share this album with the History majors of Reed.
Political Science: Arguably the most political band of the British invasion, The Kinks explore socialist themes and embed critiques of the British political system in their music. Having a Reed connection, since they’ve performed on our very campus (I fangirled…), I recommend Everybody’s In Show Biz to anyone looking for a new classic album to check out.
Sociology: After stalking my Soc major friend and looking at what they were last listening to, I am going to recommend the album Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me by the Cure. Although they were listening to Three Imaginary Boys, I decided to ignore that because Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me was like a lifeboat in the turbulent waters of last semester and the first semester of my freshman year.
English: The Shins' lyrical prowess is on display even with their first album, Oh, Inverted World. Going into college as an English major, “Caring is Creepy” and “Girl Inform Me” were on repeat the minute I stepped foot on campus and held me through long nights of reading works by everyone from John Keats to Zadie Smith.
Spanish: Although a basic pick for the Spanish major, I think that Superclean Vol. I and II by the Marías are deserving of the spot given how many times I’ve shed tears while singing “Basta Ya.” Bueno…
French: While the album itself is not entirely in French, in the same vein as Superclean, I think that Melody’s Echo Chamber’s Melody’s Echo Chamber is a great pick for Francophiles. Produced by Kevin Parker and recorded in Australia, the artist herself is from Aix-en-Provence in Southern France, and does sing in French on some of her tracks.
German: As you’ll see with the next three majors, I’m out of my depth with German music. However, I think German majors will appreciate A Moving Sun by Berlin’s own Lion Sphere.
Russian: I listen to just about zero Russian music (sorry), but I’ll take the opportunity to plug the album Adorn by You’ll Never Get To Heaven. Their most popular song “Caught in Time, So Far Away” is on repeat lately and, dare I say, it’s kind of sexy. Holographic Catholic has an interesting synth-y cover of the song for anyone interested.
Chinese: I also listen to no Chinese music so I have nothing specifically Chinese to recommend (also sorry…), however, I do hope you’ll accept Duster’s classic album Stratosphere as my suggestion. It’s a great album to listen to while you’re hard at work studying.
GLAM: Although the major is Greek and Latin, I texted my aunt who lives in Greece to suggest a Greek album for the GLAM major. While initially I was going to go with Arleta by Arleta, my aunt suggested Die For You by Antique and anything by Katy Garbi, the latter of which she says is more Greek-sounding. Much to choose from!
Biology: Biology is difficult, so relax to the sweet sounds of Antisocialites by Alvvays. While it doesn’t have a direct biology tie, I did listen to the album a lot while studying biology over the summer. You may have already heard “Dreams Tonite” with over a million streams, but “Your Type” and “Saved by a Waif” are my favorites from the album.
Chemistry: Given there’s a song called “Bed Chem” on Sabrina’s new album, Short & Sweet, I am suggesting it as the pick for chem majors. The song is upbeat and fun to dance around to in your living room, which is not how chemistry has ever made me feel, but we all have our passions!
Computer Science: Because you like to hurt, clearly, I’m suggesting LIFTED or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground by Bright Eyes. My favorite song off the album is “Lover I Don’t Have To Love” (given the lyrical reference at the beginning), but “Laura Laurent” and “You Will” (I don’t want to type it all out) are also excellent. Sorry your department is on fire. XO.
Engineering: While engineering is difficult to connect to any specific band, I am going to just suggest Reading, Writing & Arithmetic by The Sundays to the engineering majors. The Sundays have no bad songs, and this album is the first album I discovered from their discography. Relaxing and beautifully written, the song is a nice accompaniment to a rainy day in the library spent studying.
Mathematics: As my former bass teacher characterized his band as “funky math-rock,” I have to suggest Brother Teresa’s EP Jam Chill Slam. With many of the songs having fewer than 1000 listens and 14 monthly listeners, if they ever have 13 listeners, there’s a chance I’m dead. Brother Teresa is an esoteric pick for the math baddies, and I expect full credit for their discovery should they ever find themselves in the throes of TikTok fame. I hope Salah is doing well these days. He taught me everything I know…
Physics: I phoned my physics major roommate for help on this one, and he said Revelator by Tedeschi Trucks Band. I responded “hot” because I don’t know anything about that album and I’ve never heard it in my life. As a musician himself, I’m sure he’s right that it’s good. So, give it a listen!
Linguistics: After stalking my linguistic major friend’s Spotify account, I was led to Frou Frou’s Details. Frou Frou, a collaboration between English singer Imogen Heap and producer Guy Sigsworth, is a match made in heaven. The album starts strong with “Let Go,” but my favorite song from the album is undeniably “Breathe In.” I can’t recommend a listen enough.
Philosophy: As a philosophy major herself, who better to recommend than Lana? While all of her albums would be winners, I think that my fellow philosophy majors would benefit from the Lust for Life energy. Sitting in the sun, eating blackberries, and listening to the title track and her collaborations with A$AP Rocky (released and unreleased) recently saved me from a case of chronic Cartesian fatigue.
Psychology: I recommend The Loneliest Girl by Princess Chelsea because no one listens to Princess Chelsea unless they have psychological problems, and no one studies psychology unless they have psychological problems. See how that works out? Kidding, but Princess Chelsea is one of my favorite lesser-known musicians, although “I Love My Boyfriend” (whose lyrics are not as positive as the song title suggests) may already be familiar to some listeners. The aforementioned track is intoxicating, but the entire album is worth a listen.
Religion: While critical of religion himself and was quoted saying, “I wanted to be a youth pastor for like five minutes. Then I remembered that I hate children and don’t believe in God,” Father John Misty weaves in religious themes throughout his albums and, most explicitly, with his stage name. God’s Favorite Customer by Father John Misty is one of my favorite albums of all time, if not a serious contender for the top spot, although it’s admittedly a bit of a downer.
American Studies: Admittedly, I’d never heard of American Studies before this article, but that will not prevent me from suggesting our American Studies majors an album! My pick is Nina Simone’s live album, Emergency Ward. Her cover of “My Sweet Lord” mixed with “Today Is A Killer” could bring anyone to their knees, even though the song is almost 20 minutes long. Oh well! Get to listening.
Comparative Race and Ethnicity Studies: CRES as a field offers a wealth of musical history to explore, making this a difficult pick. American rock and pop music was built off the backs of POC musicians whose work often went unrecognized and immeasurably underappreciated in their lifetime. In this vein, I recommend exploring the work of Black and Native musician Mance Lipscomb. Born in Texas to a former slave, Lipscomb was instrumental to the revival of folk music in the United States, and his influence can be seen in the music of artists like Bob Dylan.
Environmental Studies: Given the environmental themes of some of the songs on the album, Surf’s Up by the Beach Boys is my pick for the Environmental Studies major. “Don’t Go Near The Water” and “A Day in the Life of a Tree” both explore the issue of pollution and will be compelling listens for anyone interested in creating a positive impact on the world.
Film and Media Studies: While there are countless albums I could pick for the Film and Media Studies majors, I must go with my gut and suggest The Magnolia Soundtrack by Aimee Mann. While Paul Thomas Anderson stated that he wrote the movie inspired by Mann’s music, no one can convince me that David Foster Wallace didn’t ghostwrite it. I digress. The album itself is worth a listen even if you haven’t watched the movie. “Save Me” is my favorite song from the album, but “Momentum” or her cover of “One” are all immediate winners.
International & Comparative Policy Studies: Since there’s international in the name, I’m going to suggest Canova’s album Vivi Per Semprefor the ICPS majors. This Italian indie band is one of my favorite bands of all time, and if you ever see me on the swing set outside the cross canyons, I’m probably listening to “Ho Capito Che Non Eravamo” on repeat if not Pierce the Veil. Their entire discography is incredible, but Vivi Per Sempreis a worthwhile start.