Arachnophonia: Recreational Reading – “When No One Is Watching” by Alyssa Cole

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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 Rocio (class of 2027) and features a fiction book from the recreational reading collection currently residing at the Music Library. Thanks, Rocio!

Recreational Reading

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

Maybe your New Year’s resolution is to read more during your free time, or maybe to spend less money on books. Either way, the answer is in Parsons Music Library. The library has a great selection of leisure-reading books you can check out and enjoy before the semester starts to feel a little heavier.

One book that immediately caught my eye, and that I would highly recommend, is When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. This novel is a thriller, but it also talks about real-life issues such as gentrification, systemic racism, and economic displacement. The story follows Sydney Green, who begins noticing mysterious disappearances in her historically Black neighborhood. She teams up with her neighbor to investigate what’s really going on.

When No One Is Watching is an expertly crafted thriller that manages to be as informative as it is entertaining. It’s no easy task to unpack a large amount of American history within a suspenseful narrative, but the author does exactly that. What begins as a slow-burning mystery eventually builds into a heart-pounding reveal. While I found the story incredibly creative and necessary, my only critique is that the pacing felt uneven at times, and the ending seemed a bit too packed with information that might have been better spread throughout the novel.

Knowing that Alyssa Cole (the author) is also known for her romance novels, I was pleasantly surprised to see a subtle love story woven into the narrative. It felt like a welcome and thoughtful addition that helped deepen the characters and their relationships. Overall, this is a highly recommended read! Especially for those who may have all but given up on the thriller genre. This book is a must-read and may just restore your faith in a genre that can sometimes feel stale.

Parsons Playlists: Fun and Funky!

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Susanne (class of 2026) and features some fun and funky songs from various time periods.

Fun and Funky!

This playlist features groovy songs from all over different time periods and genres. From older groups like Lakeside and the Grateful Dead to more modern R&B hits from Frank Ocean and Kali Uchis, this playlist will certainly take you on a “fantastic voyage.” I love listening to music that feels both calming and eccentric, so I hope this playlist is useful for those of you looking for songs with a similar energy.

Lakeside – “Fantastic Voyage”

Steve Lacy – “Infrunami”

BENEE – “Soaked”

Tame Impala – “Borderline”

Omar Apollo – “3 Boys”

Kali Uchis – “Heladito”

Remi Wolf with Dominic Fike – “Photo ID”

Tame Impala – “Piece of Heaven”

Grateful Dead – “Althea”

Celeste – “Stop This Flame”

Steely Dan – “Only A Fool Would Say That”

Frank Ocean – “Swim Good”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:

WDCE Charts 1-28-26

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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 28 January 2026 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 1-28-26

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

NACC chart 1-28-26

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

WDCE Collage 1-28-26

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Melody’s Echo Chamber – Unclouded
* The Replacements – Let It Be (Deluxe Remastered and Expanded Edition)
* Oneotrix Point Never – Tranquilizer
* Hayley Heynderickx & Max Garcia Conover – What Of Our Nature

Arachnophonia: Amy Winehouse “Back to Black”

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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 assistant Jillian (class of 2027) and features Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black album on vinyl. Thanks, Jillian!

Amy Winehouse
Back to Black

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (vinyl)

Amy Winehouse was a British neo-soul songwriter who received attention in late 2006 and early 2007 after the release of Back to Black on October 27th, 2006, by Island Records. Growing up in London, Winehouse was a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, later signing a publishing deal with major record label EMI and then finally Island Records in 2002. She produced two studio albums, Frank in 2003 and then Back to Black in 2006.

In 2008, Winehouse won 5 Grammys for her Back to Black album, Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year for “Rehab”, and Best Pop Vocal Album. In a world where Soul and Jazz are fading genres, Winehouse incorporates a blend of Soul, Jazz, R&B, and pop in her music, drawing from various timeframes. Songs like “Tears Dry on Their Own” and “He Can Only Hold Her” draw from classic Motown tunes such as Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1967 “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and The Icemen’s 1966 “My Girl (She’s a Fox)”, bringing back the 60s. The use of rich horns, dominant bass lines, and big band presence in “Rehab” and “Me & Mr. Jones”, to name a few, demonstrates the artist’s inspiration from 1950’s/60’s Jazz.

The artist’s impact on the world of retro-soul led to the release of the biopic Back to Black in 2024. According to IMDb, the film received a 6.3/10 rating, though focusing more on Winehouse’s romantic relationships than her career, according to the New York Times. The movie paid tribute to Winehouse and her career’s impact after her unexpected death in 2011 due to alcohol poisoning. Her timeless music remains popular today, with 2026 marking the 20th anniversary of the release of this album which brought her to fame.

Parsons Playlists – 2026: This Is Your Year

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Jillian (class of 2027) and features songs to get you off to a good start in 2026!

2026 — This Is Your Year

Your year is waiting - go get it

This playlist is made to remind you that you are in control of the coming year. While we are all busy with school and work, don’t forget to spend some time doing the things you love. Book that trip, start that new hobby, and/or say yes to something new. Whatever it is, make 2026 yours. 🙂

Chance Peña – “The Mountain Is You”

Michael Marcagi – “In The Light”

Rusted Root – “Send Me On My Way”

Olivia Dean – “So Easy (To Fall In Love)”

Jess Glynne – “Ain’t Got Far To Go”

Imagine Dragons – “It’s Time”

Ellie Goulding – “Anything Could Happen”

Athlete – “The Unknown”

Natasha Bedingfield – “Unwritten”

Florence + The Machine – “Dog Days Are Over”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:

WDCE Charts 1-21-26

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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 21 January 2026 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 1-21-26

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

NACC chart 1-21-26

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

WDCE Collage 1-21-26

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Melody’s Echo Chamber – Unclouded
* Oneotrix Point Never – Tranquilizer
* The Replacements – Let It Be (Deluxe Remastered and Expanded Edition)
* Dry Cleaning – Secret Love

Arachnophonia: Grover Washington Jr. “Winelight”

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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 Rocio (class of 2027) and features a song from Grover Washington Jr.’s 1980 album Winelight. Thanks, Rocio!

Grover Washington Jr.
Winelight
“Just the Two of Us”

Grover Washington, Jr. - Winelight album cover

While I was walking through the vinyl section of the library, I ran into a major throwback: the record featuring “Just the Two of Us.” It’s one of those songs that can totally lock you in or give you just the right amount of motivation at the beginning of the semester. Just you, the music, and your assignment lining up perfectly and locking in. That said, it’s way too early in the semester to be stressing about procrastination and deadlines when it’s literally only week one.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but with 2026 feeling like the new 2016, nostalgia is definitely in the air. Naturally, I had to bring this jazzy vinyl back into rotation.

For a little background: “Just the Two of Us” was released (as a single) in 1981 by Grover Washington Jr., featuring Bill Withers, and it’s one of those rare songs that blends jazz, soul, and R&B so smoothly that it never really goes out of style. AND it won a Grammy Award! In addition, this record has been sampled and referenced countless times since, which probably explains why it still feels so familiar even decades later.

This vinyl is perfect whether you’re listening in a library study room, vibing with your AirPods on (yes, you can do that in this library, kind of iconic if you ask me), or checking it out to play in your dorm and fully romanticize your evening. It’s low-key, timeless, and the kind of sound that makes studying, just existing, or feeling a little cooler.

WDCE Charts 1-14-26

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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 14 January 2026 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 1-14-26

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

WDCE Collage 1-14-26

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Sharp Pins – Balloon Balloon Balloon
* Oneotrix Point Never – Tranquilizer
* Julia Julia – Sugaring A Strawberry
* Melody’s Echo Chamber – Unclouded

WDCE Charts 1-7-26

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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 7 January 2026 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 1-7-26

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

NACC chart 1-7-26

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

WDCE Collage 1-7-26

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* The Replacements – Let It Be (Deluxe Remastered and Expanded Edition)
* Oneohtrix Point Never – Tranqulizer
* Sharp Pins – Balloon Balloon Balloon
* The Cords – The Cords

WDCE Charts 12-10-25

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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 10 December 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE chart 12-10-25

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

NACC chart 12-10-25

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

WDCE Collage 12-10-25

The top four albums played on WDCE this week were:
* Snocaps – Snocaps
* The Belair Lip Bombs – Again
* The Slackers – Money Is King (EP)
* Tiberius – Troubadour