Sadie Brandt: Editor-in-Chief
It’s been a long shortest month of the year. Whenever I’ve needed a pick-me-up, which has been frequently, I’ve turned to PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s sunny remix of “Stateside.” I’ve blasted it before nights out, walking across campus in the rain and while my power was out for 36 hours during a historic blizzard. Oh, and my new muse and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu skated to the song last week, cementing her and the song’s status as it-girls in my mind. As mother Larsson said, “Boots!”
Ella Gerdts: Managing Editor
Nothing else could describe my current state of mind better than a human-eating plant. “Suddenly Seymour” from the 1986 adaptation of “Little Shop of Horrors” has been on constant repeat in my mind. Ellen Greene’s iconic voice as Audrey in the film is engraved in my brain. If you know me, you know I am always on my musical theater grind, just so happens that I’m currently hyperfixated on “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Casey Chan-Smutko: News Editor
I hate to say it, but my soul has been taken by the Saja Boys from the movie, “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” For my first pick of the semester, I’m choosing “Your Idol.” EJAE, who wrote the soundtrack for the film, incorporated latin choir music at the beginning, giving the song an ominous start. Then the music immediately switches to classic K-pop, with an upbeat sound and lyrics about eating souls. Absolutely comforting and perfect song to dance to in the middle of the night. Plus, it’s easy to play on the ukulele, even if you don’t speak Korean.
Aria Garcia-Torres: News Editor
In the pits of winter, moody hip-hop is my go-to comfort. When your to-do list outsizes your enthusiasm, it’s angsty enough for consolation, but with a beat to get moving to anyway. JID has been pushing me through the crankiest, and hopefully the last, of these gray days. On catchy “Kody Blu 31,” JID flexes his dynamic vocal abilities and offers simple encouragement: “get your back up off the wall and keep swinging on.”
Jill Cervantes: Arts and Culture/Opinion Editor
Don’t get me wrong: I love the winter, and I adore the snow. I think the outfits are better, the food is better and I would rather build an igloo than a sandcastle anyday. That being said, the final stretch of winter is upon us which can only mean one thing for me: country music is making its way back onto the queue. “These Days” by Rascal Flatts has got me by the reins and as much as I love the snowy weather, I can’t wait to blast that song with the windows down and warm air blowing.
Charlie Adams: Sports Editor
I feel like, as sports editor, I am obligated with my first-ever staff pick to pick the only song that I know of that is directly related to URI men’s basketball and made by one of the players on the team. Sixth-year guard RJ Johnson introduced the world to “Rhody Boys” on Jan. 30 when the vibes couldn’t have been higher, as the team rode a three-game win streak. Following the Rams’ ranked upset win over Saint Louis on Feb. 17, it only feels right to show this song some love. In the song’s 102 seconds, the whole roster, including himself, is referenced, an average of 6.375 seconds per reference. Out of all of the name-drops, one stands out. What has become a burning question since the song’s release: Where Drissa at?
Morganne Judd: Newscast Editor
‘Is this a black-and-white scene? … If so, then I’m in the gray one.’ “Twilight Zone” by Ariana Grande has been on repeat these past two months of school. Upon the release of “Eternal Sunshine,” I never cared for the album. However, after further listening, I realized how much the album really resonated with me. I think we all have moments in our lives that haunt us to this day. It may not always be the person itself that is causing the haunting, but the connection and memories is what has left more of an impact after all this time. It makes you look back and think, “did that really happen?” … and as she sings, ‘sometimes I just can’t believe you happened.’
Nora Kelley: Photo Editor
I always have a really hard time choosing songs for staff picks. The one that has been on repeat the most this past month was “NUEVAYoL” by Bad Bunny. I was gearing up for his Halftime performance by listening to most of his discography. “DtMF” is an album I tend to forget about, even though it is an amazing one. His performance was insane, and it has made me appreciate his music and this album even more.
Brigid Locke: Social Media Coordinator
I’ve been listening to MacArthur Park by Donna Summers in honor of my OLYMPIC CHAMPION Alysa Liu. The groove and the synths mixed with her King-Tut-esqe hair, just screams “aura.”. This song has been stuck on my sports playlist since her debuting this program last season and now with the whole world falling in love with her, it seems fitting to give her my flowers in the staff picks.
