Dear Beats of the Week Readers, 

The few of you loyal believers left, maybe have been wondering where I have been for the past while. The truth is, I’m not really sure myself. Senior year has not been all it was chalked up to be, and while we all have been trying our best (yes you senior!), some things have just been more difficult than others. If you know, you know. Case in point, I apologize for my drop off the planet, and I am back to share with you what I have been listening to. 

To start off here, I want to talk about something that I have seen going around, and I would like an explanation for. At the beginning of each month, upon looking at everyone’s Instagram stories, you will find their Spotify “receipt.” My social media tirade has only been recent, and so I am unaware of the social implications of this. If anyone knows, please reach out. The only thing I know is that I am not, and may never be, brave enough to post mine. However, I will share mine from the past month with you all, with a brief explanation as to why I think each song has been generated. 

SEE YOU AGAIN (FEAT. KALI UCHIS) – TYLER, THE CREATOR, KALI UCHIS

I think we all know why this is no. 1. I love this song, as do many people that I know, and I think that this is 100% the song of the summer. Someone described it to me recently as “flowy,” and I think that that is a rather perfect description. I am certainly late to this party, but I can’t see anyone going home anytime soon. 

LOVESTAINED – HOPE TALA

This is a song that I stole from someone else’s playlist, but I love it as if it were my own. For me, this is another song of the summer. The vocals are soft and airy, and the instrumentals and track are really cool. I love the way that this song sounds, and feels, and I would highly recommend giving it a listen. 

ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS STAY – TAYLOR SWIFT

This is a classic, and I have been obsessed with 1981 recently. This one might be my favorite.. But I can never say for sure. I certainly won’t say anything about this being my favorite Taylor Swift album, but I think that it’s probably one of my most listened to. In the wake of the Eras Tour, my inner Swifty has been reborn, and I am happy to have her. 

HENNY IN THE HAMPTONS – BREN JOY

This is another poached song, but probably one of my favorites from the past few months. There is something I think about songs that have to do with The Hamptons, I just love all of them. Someday I will go to the Hamptons, and I will listen to this song, and my life will be complete. It feels really cool, and is another very chill song. I am sensing a pattern with my wannabe most listened to for this summer. 

OUT OF THE WOODS – TAYLOR SWIFT

Here she is, back again. I will admit, I was never the biggest fan of this song, until I realized that all I had listened to was the Kidz Bop version. Since being introduced to the actual song, and realizing that Jack Antonoff sings backup vocals, I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. 

THANK YOU – LENNON STELLA 

I have been a really big Lennon Stella fan for years now. I think that she has a lot of really unique music, while at the same time being really cool and listenable. This song is just a really sweet love song, and it’s been balancing out my playlist. If I get married during the summer (which I will) I want this song to be played at some point. I think her music is beautiful, and this song is beautiful, and I highly recommend. 

I WISH YOU WOULD – TAYLOR SWIFT

I guess I don’t have much to say for myself, except for that I really do love this album. I think it does a really good job of each song being individual, whilst also having a similar sound. This is the best album for listening to when you are getting ready to go out, or when you think you’re getting broken up with. Very versatile. 

DESERT SONG – SÄJE

If you know me, you know that I grew up with my dad singing barbershop, which means I have a special fondness in my heart for harmonies. This is not barbershop, but it is one of the most beautiful, harmonic, mesmerizing songs that I have ever listened to. I’m surprised it’s not higher up on the list. This song is wonderful, and if you have ever been in a choir, you will be very impressed listening to it. 10/10 recommend. 

SHAKE IT OFF – TAYLOR SWIFT

I do adore this song, but I truly have no idea how it made it onto this list. I don’t think that I have to do much explaining, only that if you haven’t heard it, then you suck. 

SALVATION ARMY – HARRISON WHITFORD

This song is from the beginning of the month when I was still deep in my sad gurl era. It is beautiful, and the instrumentals are really cool sounding. I think that as I move into the summer I won’t listen to it as much, but I have a deep appreciation for songs like this, that got me through.