Parsons Playlists: High-Energy Workout and Sport Hype

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by student assistant Claire (class of 2028) and features high energy music to keep you moving.

High-Energy Workout and Sport Hype

Whether you are gearing up for a fast-paced badminton rally, swimming laps in the pool, or simply looking to crush a gym session, this playlist is designed to keep your adrenaline high. These upbeat, high-BPM tracks provide the perfect motivational backdrop and relentless energy to keep you moving from your warm-up all the way through your final set.

Charlie XCX ft. Billie Eilish – “Guess”

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”

Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”

Tate McRae – “greedy”

Dua Lipa – “Training Season”

Fred again … ft. Sammy Virji and Reggie – “Talk of the Town”

Chappell Roan – “HOT TO GO!”

Beyoncé – “BODYGUARD”

Lisa – “ROCKSTAR”

Dom Dolla – “girl$”

PinkPantheress – “Stateside”

Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red”

Peggy Gou – “(It Goes Like) Nanana”

Tyla – “Water”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:

Arachnophonia: Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Griffin (class of 2027) and features Marvin Gaye’s classic 1971 album What’s Going On. Thanks, Griffin!

Marvin Gaye

What’s Going On

Marvin Gaye’s critically acclaimed album, What’s Going On, has been around my music rotation apparatus for some time now. Whether it’s playing in shops, in my mom’s playlist, or playing the album on a long car drive to save my sanity, I’m familiar with Gaye’s magnum opus. That being said, when I saw the vinyl for this album newly shelved at the Parsons Music Library I made sure to sit down and give the full album a listen again (when I wasn’t 5 hours deep staring at asphalt and yellow lines). Although I shouldn’t have been surprised, it is still amazing how magical this album feels even 55 years since its release.

Marvin Gaye’s beautifully emotional voice and tonal range make it impossible to not be a pleasure for the ear. His soothingly melodic vocal performance contrasts the very serious topics covered in the lyrics. Discussing the Vietnam war, race, poverty, peace, religion, environment, the whole album makes social issues the focus. Finally, maybe the most iconic piece of this album is its extraordinary orchestral production. It truly gives the feeling of a huge production and captures magic in a bottle. It’s satisfying picking out all of the instruments being used. (For any fans of the Silk Sonic album, the production is reminiscent of this album.) I highly recommend everyone give What’s Going On a listen, and check out this vinyl at the Parsons Music Library!

Parsons Playlists: Classical Tranquility

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by student assistant Madelyn (class of 2028) and features some music for times when you need calm.

Classical Tranquility

Image shows a row of smooth, dark stones resting on a calm, reflective water surface during a soft sunrise or sunset

Hello everyone! This playlist is a compilation of classical music, specifically the piano. I think this classical piece of various songs truly brings about a sense of peace and serenity. The soft yet passionate tone of this instrument is truly enjoyable. I highly recommend that you listen to these pieces whenever you need a tone of peace and calmness.

Dalby – “New Light”

Isidorus – “Light In Silence”

Eternalistic – “Still Unbroken”

Xaverius Love – “Ryos”

Saverio Lobeone – “Soft Rain”

Isidorus – “The Last Dream”

Joseph Fina – “A Moment Of Peace”

Teemu Aalto – “Hushlight”

Saverio Lobeone – “Contemplating the Horizon”

Skaresnø – “Passing Clouds”

R Eugene – “Discovering Meaning”

Aurelio Li – “Eternal Moon”

Tankeflukt – “Light”

Eigil Leuc – “Meadow”

Aquilegia – “Silent Bloom”

Our Sense – “Meaning of Life”

Valter Soll – “Reverence”

Adrien Anviér – “Plein de Coeur”

Aurelio Li – “Reflections at Dusk”

Here is a link to the playlist on Youtube:

And here it is on Spotify:

WDCE Charts 9-23-26

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WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from 23 September 2026 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 9-23-26

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC chart 9-23-26

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Dinosaur Jr. – There Near
* Interpol – This Mirror Weighs A Ton
* Westside Cowboy – It Goes On
* Sylvan Esso – Ow Infinity

Arachnophonia: “It Had To Be You”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Julie (class of 2028) and features a vinyl collection of popular music played on piano from around the Prohibition era of the 20th century. Thanks, Julie!

It Had to be You: Popular Keyboard from the Days of the Speakeasy to the Television Era

Album cover for " It had to be you : popular keyboard from the days of the speakeasy to the television era"

It Had to be You: Popular Keyboard from the Days of the Speakeasy to the Television Era is a cozy, charming, and thoughtfully-curated collection of piano renditions of popular music from the Prohibition Era. The dreamy atmosphere of the recordings transports the listener back to the Roaring Twenties where the pianist was always the life of the party. The most favored speakeasy pianists played popular music of the time as it was written and without much theatrical flair to emphasize the melody for the benefit of the customers. As a result of those preferences, the music is easily recognizable and creates the perfect ambiance for cooking, crafting, homework, or, of course, hosting!

My personal favorite tracks are “Kitten on the Keys” by Zez Confrey, a fast-paced ragtime composition; “Aquellos Ojos Verdes” by Nilo Menendez, a Cuban song with a mellow Latin rhythm; and a jazzy rendition of “La Vie En Rose” by Louiguy and Edith Piaf, which is a lovely version of the well-known tune. Each of these piano covers blends seamlessly into the next, leaving the listener wanting nothing more than to spend an evening chatting and dancing away.

Parsons Playlists: Running

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Joyce (class of 2027) and features music to motivate you while running.

Running Playlist

image shows two runners sprinting on a red running track with white lane lines

This playlist is upbeat and exciting, giving you the energy and motivation you need for a run. The songs in this playlist consist of genres like EDM, house, and dance-pop. This collection of strong, consistent beats help your body keep its pace and match the rhythm.

David Guetta ft. Sia – “Titanium”

OneRepublic – “I Ain’t Worried” (from Top Gun: Maverick)

Calvin Harris & Rhianna – “This Is What You Came For”

David Guetta ft. Kid Cudi – “Memories”

Sonny Fodera, Jazzy, & D.O.D. – “Somedays”

Ed Sheeran – “Azizam” (D.O.D. remix)

Curtis Mayfield – “Move On Up”

Cyril x Moonlight X The La’s – “There She Goes”

Panic! at the Disco – “High Hopes”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:

WDCE Charts 9-16-26

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WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from 16 September 2026 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 9-16-26

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC chart 9-16-26

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Phoebe Bridgers – Lost Weekend
* Ezra Collective – Here Because Of Hope
* Dinosaur Jr. – There Near
* James Ivy – The Seams

Arachnophonia: Noah Kahan “Busyhead”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Jillian (class of 2027) and features Noah Kahan’s 2019 album Busyhead. Thanks, Jillian!

Noah Kahan

Busyhead

Noah Kahan - Busyhead

Noah Kahan is an American pop/folk singer-songwriter raised in Strafford, Vermont. Starting his musical career at the age of eight, Kahan uploaded his songs to SoundCloud and YouTube, soon after getting his first guitar at the age of 10. Navigating through high school, small venues, and his own mental health, Kahan released his first studio album, Busyhead, in 2019.

Busyhead explores the inner workings of Kahan’s mind and how difficult it can be to find one’s way in life. Featuring themes of growth, self-doubt, anxiety, and overthinking, songs from this album quietly and softly touch its listeners. Songs such as “False Confidence” and “Mess” dive into the struggles of imposter syndrome and discovering that not everyone sees you the same way you see yourself, while “Sink” and “Tidal” focus on depression and overcoming it. His single “Hurt Somebody,” featuring Julia Michaels, achieved a placing of 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, accelerating his career to national prominence.

In 2023, Kahan started the Busyhead Project, a foundation dedicated to raising money and awareness for mental health and supporting accessible care. This project continues today and has raised over $6 million since 2023.

The Busyhead Project logo

Kahan continues to explore the theme of personal growth with his subsequent albums, I Was/I Am (2021), Stick Season (2022), and The Great Divide (2026), reaching international fame after his single “Stick Season.”

Parsons Playlists: Appreciating the Simple Moments of Life

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Jillian (class of 2027) and celebrates life’s simple moments.

Appreciating the Simple Moments of Life

Balloons

A grounding playlist that acknowledges the little things in life. Whether it be acknowledging a person, place, or thing, these songs explore themes of gratitude, optimism, and love.

Ziggy Alberts – “Simple Things”

Caamp – “Strawberries”

Ziggy Alberts – “The Great Divide”

Caamp – “Somewhere”

Van Morrison – “Days Like This”

The Beatles – “Here Comes the Sun”

Otis Redding – “Try A Little Tenderness”

Ziggy Alberts – “Learn Yourself”

Nat King Cole – “L-O-V-E”

Olivia Dean – “I’ve Seen It”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:

WDCE Charts 9-9-26

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WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from 9 September 2026 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 9-9-26

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC chart 9-9-26

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

WDCE Collage 9-9-26

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Westside Cowboy – It Goes On
* Phoebe Bridgers – Lost Weekend
* Dinosaur Jr. – There Near
* Yard Act – You’re Gonna Need A Little Music