Listen Hard, Work Hard
by The Music Team
Graphic courtesy of Sam West
September can be a bittersweet month. Amongst the friendly faces and familiar surroundings is an inevitable dread that it is now time to start hitting the books instead of the beach. However, even in the most stressful of times, there is always a good song to help get you through your back-to-school blues. Here are some songs that will be sure to get you motivated for the school year ahead and perhaps make the transition less painful.
“New Rules” by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa, England's newest pop sensation, is here to reminder you that brushing off your romantic distractions is easy as 1, 2, 3. Her hit single rose to number one on the UK charts and features a perfectly choreographed, poolside music video. This girl gang anthem of the summer encourages you to finally drop the phone and focus on yourself, once and for all. – Ngoctram Tran
“Let's Dance to Joy Division” by The Wombats
So your exam didn’t go as well as planned, your group project is totally flaking and your problem set is taking a million hours. Thankfully, The Wombats dished out this power-chord-ridden, upbeat jam that serves as the perfect dance break from your library study session. In the midst of all this school stress, take a moment to “celebrate the irony that everything is going wrong, but we’re so happy." – Ngoctram Tran
“His Story Repeats Itself” by Chiodos
This post-hardcore banger is all about surviving at all costs. It's melodic, technical and exactly the kind of song you would need to help get you through those first few weeks of classes. – Cole Schoneman
“OK” by James Blunt
Remember that guy who told you you were beautiful back in elementary school? Well, he's back and here to remind you that everything will be A-Ok! Listen to this song and hear why this is true. – Cole Schoneman
“Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Who wouldn't want to start their day off with this funky jam? The beat is full of blood-pumping, high energy. There is no way this song can’t put you in a good mood. – Nicole Hymowitz
“Ooh Child” by The Five Stairsteps
All you have to do is listen to the lyrics to find that motivation you need. Things might not start out the way you hoped, but this song convinces you that they will get brighter. This song is simply a friendly reminder that everything will be okay. – Nicole Hymowitz
“Lava” by Zombie Juice
With a delivery that had been compared to Eazy-E, Juice is one of the most exciting members of the Flatbush Zombies. This is his first solo song and it demands as much attention as his verses always do. While the song doesn’t exactly have a chorus, the way the beat keeps progressing finds Juice constantly changing his flow, making for an exhilarating listen. – Jose Alberto Orive
“Brother Sport” by Animal Collective
With its inventive lead melodies and bouncing rhythms Brother Sport is as undeniably infectious as songs come. It's around the middle of the song, however, that things really kick off: the lead melodies melting away into a trance inducing sound collage, which finally bursts into a thrilling bass drum-fueled finale. The perfect motivator for those enamored with the psychedelic. – Paul Stokes
“Beautiful Day” by U2
Standing as one of U2’s most memorable hits, this song can force anyone to look on the brighter side of things and take advantage of the present. Especially relevant during a time when everyone is avoiding the end of summer, this inspirational classic can help put things in perspective and ease you into study mode. – Karissa Perry