As the weather warms up and days get longer, music fans start looking for sounds that match the lighter, more energetic feeling of spring. Whether you’re driving with the windows down or just relaxing outside, the right album can set the mood. Here are seven albums that deserve a spot on your playlist.
By: Megan Mendoza
0.1 Flaws and All by Wave to Earth
0.1 Flaws and All by Wave to Earth is a soft, reflective album that leans into indie and lo-fi sounds to create a calm, emotional atmosphere that feels both personal and relatable with the listener. The project doesn’t try to be perfect; instead, it embraces raw vocals, simple instruments, and honest lyrics that reflect doubt and growth, making it easy to connect with, especially during quiet or reflective moments of early spring.
One listener, Chole Alvarado, ’29, said, “There are different types of music tempos, genres, and it’s really calming to listen to,” and also “no matter what mood you’re in, there’s a song to match it.”
Love Deluxe by Sade
Love Deluxe (1992) by Sade is a smooth, emotionally rich album that blends soul, jazz, and quiet R&B into a deeply intimate listening experience built around Sade Adu’s calm yet powerful vocals. The record explores themes of love, heartbreak, vulnerability, and emotional distance. Songs like “No Ordinary Love,” “Cherish the Day,” and “Kiss of Life” showcase the band’s ability to create music that feels both unique yet powerful. Love Deluxe has become one of the band’s most celebrated releases, praised for its timeless sound and emotional depth.
Miliani Rithiphong, ’29, says why they like the band, “I like how chill their music is and how calming, and I just love the vibe they have.”
Jar of Flies by Alice in Chains
Jar of Flies by Alice in Chains is a haunting yet beautiful album that shows a softer but still heavy side of the band. Instead of their usual classic grunge, the album leans into acoustic guitars, slow melodies, and a darker, more emotional tone that feels quiet but intense. The lyrics deal with pain, addiction, and loneliness; the vocals really carry so much weight. What makes Jar of Flies stand out is how raw and honest it feels without needing to be loud.
Owen Wallace, ’28, says, “I love that album, one of my favorite songs being Nutshell. It’s very emotional, and it’s a reflection of isolation and despair.”
Another One by Mac DeMarco
Another One, by Mac DeMarco, is a soft, gentle album that feels warm and personal from start to finish. The songs are simple yet relatable, built on gentle vocals and interesting guitar riffs. Another One feels so real and comforting. Nothing is overproduced; everything sounds raw and honest.
Francisco Guzman, ’27, shares what he has to say about the album Another One: “My favorite song from Another One Demo is No Other Heart, it’s a nice song. Very calming and nice tune.”
Atlanta Millionaires Club by Faye Webster
Atlanta Millionaires Club by Faye Webster is a soft, bittersweet album that mixes folk and indie into something that feels personal and nostalgic. The songs are calm and simple on the surface, with gentle guitars and smooth vocals, but the lyrics carry a quiet sadness about love, distance, and growing up.
Isaiah Rey Diaz, ’28, says, “My favorite song from the album is Kingston. I like Kingston a lot because it’s a chill song and means a lot to me”.
Camp by Childish Gambino
Camp by Chilish Gambino is a raw, emotional album that mixes sharp humor with real insecurity and self-reflection. The album feels big and dramatic, almost like a story playing out while the lyrics dive deep into identity, feeling out of place, and trying to prove oneself.
Autumn Jean, ’29, says, “The album is super good, and I have a lot of songs from Camp in my playlists. I really like the instruments in all the songs, especially Letter Home because of the orchestra in the intro, and I’m in the orchestra myself.”
Megan Mendoza
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