Lauren Drapeau – Editor-in-Chief:
For my final staff pick, I’d like to highlight “IGOR’S THEME” by Tyler, the Creator. I graduate college this weekend and Tyler has consistently been an artist that I’ve listened to since high school. Being the album’s theme track, it is such a timeless and powerful tune, and I would like to show my future children these staff picks one day and reintroduce myself to the magic of Tyler. If future Lauren is reading this, I hope your career in journalism has proved worthwhile.
Nathan Robillard – Managing Editor:
We’re almost at the end (by the time of reading this, we will be at the end), and my theme of picks through the semester has varied very little. “Someone New” by Hozier falls within that style, but this song has a certain sense of moving forward and pushing through that motivates me just that much more to finish strong. And man, do I need that now. The light at the end of the tunnel is here. My time at the Cigar has officially come to an end, and this is my victory lap.
Maia Hembruff – News Editor:
If y’all aren’t Joni Mitchell fans you gotta get your act together, because darn it that woman can do it all. I was on a bit of a sappy, romantic music kick over Thanksgiving, which extended into the start of this December. Joni owns this genre – her voice is beautifully unique and the rhythm of her songs itches my brain just right. So for this month’s staff pick, I’m choosin’ “Help Me,” from her 1974 album “Court and Spark,” my current favorite of hers.
Ellie Sennhenn – News Editor:
For the last staff pick of the semester, I want to rave about a song I found last week and have been playing ever since: “Black Into Blue” by Nic Fair. The soft lyricism and careful strumming bring me back to my indie folk phase in early high school. Whether editing stories or walking to class, I have managed to include this track in everything I do. I will let the lyrics speak for themselves: “River still flows / Black into blue / And I’ll be right here / Just singing for you.” The end of the year marks the beginning of a new Spotify Wrapped profile and I am determined to have Nic Fair and his three releases make that list.
Ryan Pelillo – Arts & Entertainment Editor:
As the weather outside gets colder, my music taste tends to get heavier. Though I’m typically scrutinized for this belief, winter is my least favorite season. It’s usually cold, wet and windy, not to mention everything is gray (I’ll give it to winter-lovers, snow is pretty cool). My pick of “I Let It in and It Took Everything” by Loathe helps me cope with the poor weather conditions of New England. I’ve only recently discovered Loathe, and the best way I’d describe them is a combination of shoegaze, post-hardcore and metalcore. Maybe those terms sound foreign to you, but darn it they mean something to me!
Zack Petrick – Sports Editor:
Not much has changed in my Spotify playlists since the last time we did Staff Picks but I heard “Hurts Me,” by Tory Lanez, Trippie Redd and Yoko Gold, for the first time right before I boarded a flight to Las Vegas. This song has been a short and fun listen over the last few weeks and I enjoy how Lanez and Redd bounce off of each other. I don’t know how this song found its way into my airpods before the flight but I am happy it did.
Aidan Cahill – Photo Editor: In the era of streaming, plays and view counts, it’s surprising to realize just how thriving the local music scene is. If you find yourself at any number of local venues, it’s truly impressive to see just how much energy some artists can bring to local venues. One such local artist is Moss Boy, who recently released their newest EP, “Throw Me A Bone.” The four-track EP only confirms that they deserve their place in the scene. The EP’s title track is sonically dense, but not overwhelming, with a fantastic vocal delivery before a powerful breakdown in the second half. Though it’s the highlight, the entire EP deserves recognition.
Owen Tierney – Newscast Editor:
Call me a glutton for local music cause I keep gobbling tracks up and shouting “more please!” with one finger raised in the air. One track I have had on repeat this week is “Flower in My Mind” by psychedelic surf rock group Liminal Space. This stylish lick comes from their cerebral and groovy extended play “Fantasyland,” for which I shot the cover (conflict of interest who?) Something about the idyllic voice of Logan, the singer, really moves me, but the almost-funky drum beat gets me up and dancing. I highly recommend this chill track, as well as the rest of the EP — very much worth the listen. And, hey, it’s only three songs long, so you might as well take a dip.
Jenny Arnold – Social Media Coordinator:
As my last pick, this one has to go to “Sailor Song” by Gigi Perez. This song is very calming and nostalgic to me for some reason. This month has marked many “lasts” and this song has been my anthem.
Sully Cummins – Production Manager:
I am a very sentimental guy so this semester has been rough. With so many of my pals retiring from the Cigar, I have been super reflective and thankful this month. Winter is one of my favorite seasons, but all these people leaving have me bummed. I love my friends, and this group that will be slowly leaving in the coming months means a lot to me. I have had “Spiral” by Pinegrove on repeat this month. The song is less than a minute long, and is an affirmation of self love and acceptance that I really love and need during times of change. I encourage you to listen! The first time I did I teared up then listened to it 10 times over.