Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features some cyberpunk and synthwave tunes.
Cyberpunk/Synthwave
Enjoy this Cyberpunk/Synthwave playlist!
Daft Punk – “Sea of Simulation”
Code Elektro – “Cosmonaut’s Dream”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
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 22 October 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):
For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):
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:
* Snooper – Worldwide
* Wednesday – Bleeds
* Geese – Getting Killed
* The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die – Dreams Of Being Dust
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 assistant Claire (class of 2028) and features Ariana Grande’s 2024 studio album Eternal Sunshine on vinyl. Thanks, Claire!
Ariana Grande’s latest studio album, Eternal Sunshine, was released in 2024. This album showcases Ariana’s growth as an artist, blending smooth R&B, electronic pop, and introspective lyrics. It contains some of her most talked-about songs, including “yes, and?” and “we can’t be friends.” Eternal Sunshine explores themes of self-reflection, love, and personal growth, making it a favorite among fans.
What makes Eternal Sunshine unique is its cohesive sound and thoughtful songwriting. The song “We can’t be friends” highlights Ariana’s emotional vulnerability, while other tracks provide a balance of energy and melody. Whether you’ve followed Ariana’s career from the beginning or are a newer listener, this album is enjoyable and engaging to experience.
For students interested in studying contemporary pop, themes of self-reflection in music, or the intersection of electronic production with emotional lyricism, Eternal Sunshine is a great resource. But beyond analysis, it’s also simply an enjoyable listen — a vinyl record that captures both the challenges and beauty of growth.
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 Prince and the Revolution’s classic album Purple Rain (available on vinyl and CD at the Music Library). Thanks, Griffin!
How did Prince’s legacy we honor today as an international pop superstar begin? For starters, it comes from this record smashing album that is one of the most iconic records from the 80s. Already making quite a significant headway in the music industry from earlier songs like “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” that got Prince to the peak of some mountains, this album was the ship that blasted off Prince into the stardom we know today. Earning Prince best album of the year, song of the year, and movie of the year, and awarded 4th place on Apple’s 100 best albums list, Purple Rain brought forth the future of music as we know it.
Released in 1984, the album broke the rules of the music genre like never before. This is unsurprising for Prince who always fought against being bound to any one particular label and its restrictions (literal music labels as well as the metaphoric ones). The album mixed pop, soul, funk, R&B, rock, gospel, and neo-psychedelia into an unpredictable sonic experience. This fusion found new ways of expression through music and sent waves of influence into the present landscape of music.
As for the content, Prince explores themes of love, lust, identity, alienation, loss and spirituality. Singing with raw emotional depth, the topics give a profound view into the artist’s life and speaks to the human experience. Through “I Would Die 4 U”, Prince challenges ideas of masculinity and sexuality, becoming one of the first artists of color to champion gender-fluidity on the global stage. Purple Rain also influenced how albums were sold because of its content. The track “Darling Nikki” spurred public backlash for its sexually explicit themes, creating the rule in the music industry that albums with child-unfriendly material must have Parental Advisory stickers.
Overall, Purple Rain was one of the most culturally significant albums created and the magnum opus of the late artist formerly known as Prince, and you can check out the vinyl at the Music Library today!
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Joyce (class of 2027) and features songs for a sunny day.
Sunny Day
This playlist carries an upbeat yet relaxed energy, carrying the atmosphere of a sunny day free from obligations. It creates a soundscape that encourages you to slow down, embrace the present, and simply enjoy the moment!
Aaliyah – “At Your Best (You Are Love)”
The Carpenters – “(They Long To Be) Close To You”
Ilene Woods & Mike Douglas – “So This Is Love”
Kali Uchis – “Sunshine & Rain…”
Wave to Earth – “Play With Earth!”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
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 15 October 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):
For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):
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:
* Wednesday – Bleeds
* Snooper – Worldwide
* Geese – Getting Killed
* Big Thief – Double Infinity
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 Sophia (class of 2028) and features an historical overview of the music of China. Thanks, Sophia!
Chinese Music by Jin Jie
Translated by Wang Li and Li Rong.
As a student minoring in Chinese studies and a fan of Chinese music, I often find myself listening to older songs that were released before I was born.
The book Chinese Music explores the unique styles of Chinese music, including a variety of musical instruments that played an important role in shaping its culture. Music began with people singing, a form of expression that spread across regions and inspired labor workers to sing while working, offering encouragement.
Back then, people didn’t have the modern instruments we use today, so they created their own. For example, they made flutes out of bones and used special stones called qing to produce clear, piercing sounds. They crafted drums out of bronze and developed instruments like the xun, which resembles an ocarina, sometimes nicknamed a “potato flute.”
As time passes, the instruments they use also evolve. During the Qing Dynasty, performers played instruments like erhus and south bangs. The erhu is a two-stringed instrument played with a bow and held vertically on the lap, similar to a violin. A South Bangs is a small drum struck with a stick.
I found it fascinating to read about these historical instruments, especially since I’ve seen some of them in the shows I watch. If you’re interested in learning more about traditional Chinese music, I highly recommend checking out the book Chinese Music at the Parsons Music Library.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Alexandra (class of 2026) and features some music for the changing season.
Hello Cold Weather
Some songs I loved listening to this summer, now that summer feels like it was so long ago, as we finally start feeling some cold!
Role Model – “Writing’s on the Wall”
Billie Eilish – “Getting Older”
Role Model (feat. Benee) – “Notice Me”
The Verve – “Bittersweet Symphony”
Jeff Buckley – “Everybody Here Wants You”
Rolling Stones – “Wild Horses”
Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:
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 8 October 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):
For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):
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:
* Superchunk – Songs in the Key of Yikes
* Jeff Tweedy – Twilight Override
* Cass McCombs – Interior Live Oak
* Wednesday – Bleeds
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 Susanne (class of 2026) and features Billie Eilish’s 2024 studio album Hit Me Hard and Soft. Thanks, Susanne!
Billie Eilish
Hit Me Hard and Soft
Great news, music library people! Our vinyl collection is expanding and we have some exciting new(er) records to share with you all. One addition that’s been super exciting to me is Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft.
Eilish’s third studio album was released just last year on May 17, 2024 and was co-authored by her brother, Finneas O’Connell. The album features 10 tracks, most of which you’ve probably heard on the radio, on social media, or out in public. Hit Me Hard and Soft was widely praised and received two Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. It explores themes of love, heartbreak, insecurity, and queer identity and relationships.
When I first listened to the album I jumped between songs a bit, not realizing the musical and narrative elements that flowed between each track when played in order. Each song blends into the next, creating a really cool, cohesive listening experience which, in my opinion, is even better when using physical music like a record instead of a streaming platform. My favorite songs have shifted a lot since the album was released, but as of right now I would recommend “Chihiro,” “The Greatest,” and “Bittersuite.”
Hit Me Hard and Soft is at times humorous and snarky, occasionally heartbreaking, and always vocally and musically superb. Definitely check it out (literally, at the library!) and enjoy this album that has so much to offer.