Parsons Playlists: New Voices, Old Soul

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Laeticia (class of 2026) and features some modern jazz tunes.

New Voices, Old Soul: A Modern Jazz Playlist

Modern Jazz

Jazz has always been about pushing boundaries while honoring what came before. It is a genre that never died. It just changed addresses. This playlist is proof that the genre is very much alive in the hands of a new generation of artists who grew up on everything from hip hop to classical music and brought all of it into the jazz tradition. From intimate vocal performances to genre-bending fusion, these tracks represent the new sound of jazz, one that feels both familiar and completely fresh. Let this be your introduction to the voices shaping jazz right now.

Samara Joy – “Guess Who I Saw Today”

Lizzie Berchie – “We Found Love”

BrandonLee Cierley ft. Jimmie Herrod – “Naia’s Song”

Laufey – “Falling Behind”

Gregory Porter – “Consequence of Love”

Harrison ft. Jaleel Shaw – “You hate jazz?”

Esperanza Spalding – “Black Joy”

Herbie Hancock ft. Norah Jones – “Court and Spark”

Richard Bona – “Souwedi Na Wengue”

Jill Scott – “The Way”

Lindsey Webster – “Music in Me”

Brad Mehldau – “Exit Music”

Norah Jones – “Don’t Know Why”

DoomCannon ft. Lizzie Berchie – “Real Love”

Samara Joy – “Day By Day”

Kendrick Lamar – “For Free? (Interlude)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube:

Arachnophonia: Laufey “A Matter of Time”

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 Joyce (class of 2027) and features Laufey’s 2025 album A Matter of Time. Thanks, Joyce!

Laufey

A Matter of Time

Laufey - A Matter of Time

I chose A Matter of Time by Laufey because her music is a combination of genres that I have always been drawn to. I like jazz, and Laufey’s sound blends that style with pop in a way that feels both modern and timeless. I think her music is especially compelling to me because of its classical influence. She often sings with an operatic tone, and her background in classical music as a cellist shapes the structure and emotional depth of her songs. That classical foundation gives her music a richness that sets it apart from typical pop albums.

This album is important to me because it feels versatile and comforting. My favorite song, “Lover Girl,” is especially catchy and lively, and I think it is good to listen to in everyday moments. It is the kind of song I enjoy playing while going on a walk or cleaning my room. Overall, I think this studio album captures why I appreciate Laufey as an artist. She creates music that is approachable and fun, yet grounded in a strong classical background.

Parsons Playlists: “Mocha Mousse”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features songs inspired by Pantone’s 2025 color of the year.

Mocha Mousse

Mocha Mousse - Pantone Color of the Year 2025

I have finally reached my fourth annual Pantone playlist, just in time for my last semester as a student employee at the Parsons Music Library. 2025’s color of the year is Mocha Mousse—a warm, inviting hue that captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. Pantone describes Mocha Mousse as a velvety, gentle mocha tone that enriches mind, body, and soul with its comforting sophistication. Pantone collaborated with Spoonflower, Pura, and Libratone to celebrate this trend. Spoonflower introduced a collection of fabrics in Mocha Mousse, Pura created a line of artisanal candles based on mocha mousse, and Libratone launched earbuds in mocha mousse. Here are 18 songs I believe are a mix of mellow and cozy warmth.

Field Medic – “mood ring baby”

SZA – “Crybaby”

First Aid Kit – “Emmylou”

Lana Del Rey – “Say Yes To Heaven”

Norah Jones – “Don’t Know Why”

Adele – “All Night Parking (with Erroll Garner) Interlude”

Thee Sacred Souls – “Will I See You Again?”

Faye Webster – “In A Good Way”

SZA – “Kitchen”

Laufey – “Dreamer”

Clairo – “Add Up My Love”

Bon Iver – “For Emma”

Big Thief – “Paul”

Gregory Alan Isakov – “Big Black Car”

Lizzy McAlpine – “Spring Into Summer”

Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”

Alice Phoebe Lou – “Open My Door”

Faye Webster – “I Know You”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwgk29zVCiZI-F4kc76ROd5y&si=V2cHYzrU-PhA-2FM

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Hopeless Romantic

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features songs for the hopeless romantic.

Hopeless Romantic

hopeless romantic

Laufey & Philharmonia Orchestra – “Let You Break My Heart Again”

Laufey – “Magnolia”

Laufey – “Fragile”

Matt Maltese – “Everybody Adores You (at least I do)”

Eloise – “Trick of the Moon”

Forrest Nolan – “Sinatra”

stories ft. Bruno Major – “My Funny Valentine”

Aspidistrafly – “Landscape With A Fairy”

Dreamer Isioma – “Valentina”

Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone – “A Lovely Night” (from La La Land)

Here’s a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zeyn2L5_xolg0tYL3pPjBsmb