Erin Neal - Lifestyle Sub-Editor
'Seventeen' - Sharon Van Etten. “I used to be free, I used to be seventeen.” A cathartic crescendo on the courage of adolescence and the changing seasons of our lives. Blasting an ode to our younger selves and the mess it takes to be strong. This song reminds me to cherish the present, as soon those memories will return as faint flickers of nostalgia.
Megan Grimston - Sports Sub-Editor
Before introducing you all to my choice of song, I thought about the criteria, or notes, that made it stand out as the one. With the transitional period between the end of summer and September, I like my music to reflect a few things; comfort, energy, and a fresh feeling. I think the thing that makes a song so special is when it can bring people together, and I've never known that happen more here. Introducing 'citypop' the 1970s/80s jazz-pop fusion from Japan, and the so called 'it-girl' genre of this song. Firstly, you have heard of it before, yes. Just take a (re)listen to 'Fly-day Chinatown'. 'Tokyo Reggie' created by Masayoshi Takanaka, one of the genre's greatest; is what I would consider the perfect song to fit this criteria. It's upbeat or catchy music provides the perfect canvas for the fresh feeling I mentioned. To some people it might just sound like 'noise' but I appreciate that aspect of it, it makes it perfect for any back-to-uni situation. In the library I find its sophisticated elements exist as the perfect music, not too distracting but also not the type of music that makes you want to turn it off. On the walk to campus it makes me go just that little faster, with its energy being a welcome glimmer of warmth on those colder 'tember' mornings. Overall, the song exists as a capsule of the best energy, the excitement and freshness of a new academic year, and the comfort of summer and friends.
Callum Borkowski - Campus Comment Sub-Editor
When coming back to university I instantly think of me and my friends preing, doing our makeup and blasting music from the speaker. One song that was a staple any time I had control over the speaker was 'Lola's Theme' by The Shapeshifters. For me personally, this will be a timeless classic in my getting ready playlist. The opening build up with the symphony of trumpets and bouncy baseline instantly boosts your mood when listening to this song. Even the lyrics of this modern disco track have a degree of depth in their meaning, repeatedly saying, "I'm a different person, yeah." To me, these words reflect how I feel like a different, happier person when I'm with my friends at university. Undoubtedly, I will be able to hold more memories to this song as my second year unfolds.
Amy Mescus - Head of Culture
The debut album from Addison Rae, simply titled Addison has admittedly been on repeat all summer for me and I doubt that anything will change as we enter the new academic year. Addison is the perfect blend of exciting dance music and sultry dream pop for whatever vibe the pre-drinks holds. Having the privilege of seeing Addison Rae perform many of the tracks from this album on her recent Addison tour only solidified the album's quality for me. The energy at these live shows is fun, girly, and unforgettable - the exact energy that I want to take into my final year of university. Can't a girl have fun!? Newcastle can be New York if you squint hard enough.