As the fall semester draws to a close, and you are working on papers, exams, etc, it can be fun to look back on what one has accomplished.
Our student employees have worked hard curating Parsons Playlists all semester, so here’s a roundup of all their spring semester posts for your enjoyment.
Clicking on the links will take you to each playlist post.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Susanne (class of 2026) featuring some songs for studying.
Study Songs!
This playlist features some of my recent favorite songs for studying or doing homework. I find them super soothing so I hope you all find something you enjoy and want to add to your own playlists!
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Eliana (class of 2027) and features songs by singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd.
Malcolm Todd
One of my favorite artists right now is Malcolm Todd, an up-and-coming American singer and songwriter whose music is a blend of alternative, pop, and R&B. His music creates a unique sound and heavily uses elements of electric guitar, violins, trumpets, layered vocals, and more, telling stories of love, insecurities, and self-discovery.
Malcolm first gained popularity after two of his songs, “Art House” and “Roomates,” gained a lot of traction on TikTok in 2023. At the time, Malcolm had only released a few songs, such as an EP (extended play) called “Demos Before Prom” and a few singles. Since then, Malcolm has released a number of singles and a couple of albums, including “Sweet Boy” and “Malcolm Todd.” One of my favorite things about Malcolm Todd is his music videos. In some, like “Roomates,” he is just messing around with friends, while others, like “Cheer Me On,” contain just a single shot of Malcolm showcasing his emotions.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Alexandra (class of 2026) featuring some chill R&B tunes for your enjoyment.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Ibrahim (class of 2028) featuring songs that have been stuck in his head lately.
On Loop
Hello everybody! These are songs that have been stuck in my head on loop recently.
* “Agbadza Dance – Volta Region of Ghana” Agbadza is an Ewe music and dance that evolved from a very old war dance into a very popular recreational dance. Today the dance is often performed at weddings, funerals, and parties.
* Bizung Students – “Bamaya Dance”
Bamaya (which means “the river (valley) is wet”) is a traditional dance popular in Northern Ghana. The dance tells the story of an ancient drought and a desperate prayer sent up to the gods to bring rain. It is said that the gods listen to women’s prayers first, so the men dress as women to perform this dance.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Madelyn (class of 2028) and features some violin pieces she enjoys listening to while studying.
Quiet Resonance
Hello everyone! This playlist is a compilation of diverse calming violin pieces that I greatly enjoy while studying. This playlist is designed to create a serene space of focus and reflection. With these soothing yet powerful harmonies, I hope this playlist will allow your mind to stay grounded and focused while studying or reading. Hope you enjoy it!
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.
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Griffin (class of 2027) which features some songs karaoke-d at a recent party.
Karaoke Songs
I recently hosted a karaoke night event, and thought it would make a good playlist as a reference for the future, as well as a memento of the songs that night. Below are the songs that were sung, plus a few more that were queued up, but we ran out of time. Hope you enjoy!
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.
