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
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.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Rocio (class of 2027) and features some fall vibes, Gilmore Girls style!
The Perfect Fall (Gilmore Girls Vibe) Playlist
The La’s – “There She Goes”
○ Genre: Jangle Pop, Britpop
○ Why: This is the ultimate Stars Hollow anthem. It’s upbeat, nostalgic, and perfectly captures that feeling of magical, small-town charm.
Fleetwood Mac – “Landslide”
○ Genre: Folk Rock, Soft Rock
○ Why: A classic for a reason. It’s pure, heartfelt emotion—perfect for a Rory-and-Lorelai moment or a reflective walk through falling leaves. Or it might even be a vibe you might catch on as you walk to class during our fall Richmond weather.
Simon & Garfunkel – “The Only Living Boy In New York”
○ Genre: Folk Rock
○ Why: That melancholic, autumnal harmony is pure East Coast fall. It sounds like a rainy day in Hartford or a thoughtful moment on the Richmond campus.
The Bangles – “Eternal Flame”
○ Genre: Pop Rock, Power Ballad
○ Why: For the Lane Kim vibe. This is a perfect 80s power ballad that would have her and her bandmates air-drumming in Mrs. Kim’s garage.
Patti Smith – “Because the Night”
○ Genre: Punk Rock, Rock
○ Why: A little edge for Lorelai’s rebellious side. It’s passionate, powerful, and perfect for a late-night drive in her Jeep with the top down.
Sam Phillips – “Reflecting Light”
○ Genre: Baroque pop, Folk
○ Why: This is the song that played during Liz and TJ’s wedding and the iconic Luke-and-Lorelai dance. It’s soft, magical, and utterly Stars Hollow.
The Pogues (ft. Kirsty MacColl) – “Fairytale of New York”
○ Genre: Celtic Punk, Folk Punk
○ Why: While a Christmas song, its folk-punk energy and bittersweet feel are so Gilmore. It makes you think of a festive fall festival in the town square.
Joni Mitchell – “River”
○ Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter
○ Why: Melancholy and beautiful, this song is for those introspective fall day It’s the soundtrack to Rory studying at her window with a cup of coffee.
The Beatles – “Here Comes The Sun”
○ Genre: Folk Rock, Pop
○ Why: A hopeful, cozy tune for a sunny autumn morning. It’s the musical equivalent of the first cup of coffee at Luke’s.
Norah Jones – “Come Away With Me”
○ Genre: Jazz Pop, Soft Jazz
○ Why: Smooth, cozy, and intimate. This song feels like a warm blanket and perfectly fits the show’s softer, more romantic moments.
The Shins – “New Slang”
○ Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Folk
○ Why: An early-2000s indie gem that would definitely be on Rory’s college playlist. It’s a little quirky, poetic, and perfect for a new season.
Billy Joel – “Vienna”
○ Genre: Piano Rock, Soft Rock
○ Why: A wise, piano-driven ballad that feels like advice from a wiser character (maybe even Richard Gilmore). It’s about slowing down, which is a perfect fall message.
Alexi Murdoch – “Orange Sky”
○ Genre: Indie Folk, Acoustic
○ Why: This song is the sound of peaceful contentment. It’s acoustic, warm and feels like the credits rolling on a perfect autumn day in Stars Hollow.
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.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features songs to play this Spring.
Spring Equinox
Spring cannot come soon enough, and I’m so excited to celebrate the warmer days, blooming flowers, and sunny afternoons. Here are a few songs I think are the best to play to welcome in Spring.
Another year, another Pantone color playlist! This is my third annual Pantone playlist, and this playlist might be my favorite. 2024’s color of the year is Peach Fuzz, which Pantone’s website describes as a color that “captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul. Pantone collaborated with multiple companies this year, including Cariuma Sneakers, a ripe peach flavored tea from TEALEAVES’, Peach Fuzz colored Polaroid film, and a peach-colored lip oil from Shades by Shan.
Here are 15 songs that I think are reminiscent of the color peach fuzz:
Editor’s note:Arachnophonia 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.
One of my favorite albums (and singers) is Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me.This might sound odd, but it’s what I most frequently listen to when cooking or baking — it’s the perfect rainy day music.
Her tone is so soft and sweet and her songs are very melodic. I love that intertwines jazz and blues because it’s hard to find that type of music now. Jones was a lot more popular in the early 2000s — I was first introduced to the album when my mom and dad would play it in our house when I was in elementary school.
She has lots of awards and has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. In the beginning of the 2000s Billboard deemed her the top jazz artist of the decade. She has won nine Grammys and writes her own songs as well as plays the piano.
Norah Jones at Bright Eyes at Town Hall 29 May 2007 (credit: Yaffa)
Come Away With Me is the album that kick started her career and launched many of her songs into popularity. The album is a fusion of jazz with country, blues, folk and pop. It was certified diamond, meaning that it sold over 27 million copies. This album alone was enough to win Jones five Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. My personal favorite songs from the album are “Don’t Know Why” and “Shoot the Moon,” but all of the songs are so unique and enjoyable in their own way. I tend to listen to a lot of mainstream pop because it’s always on everywhere and I want to stay up-to-date on all the trending music, however, this is a nice change of pace from that. I think it’s important to listen to a wide range of artists and music, and Norah Jones is the kind of singer that I believe almost everyone would like.
Some other singers that mirror her musical vibe are Diana Krall, Corinne Bailey Rey, Alicia Keys, Adele, and Duffy. I’d say her style is a bit more laid back and the songs aren’t as fit for blasting on the radio, but her songs are written about similar themes and use little auto-tuning or electronics.
