Arachnophonia: Ariana Grande “Eternal Sunshine”

Posted on November 19, 2025 by marmstr3

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 Mia (class of 2026) and features Ariana Grande’s 2024 album Eternal Sunshine on vinyl. Thanks, Mia!

Ariana Grande
Eternal Sunshine

Ariana Grande - Eternal Sunshine

Ariana Grande’s 7th studio album titled Eternal Sunshine was released in 2024. This album has a wide range of music with upbeat pop anthems as well as meaningful ballads. The inspiration behind this album came from the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind released in 2004. This film looks at two people who go to extreme lengths to forget each other after a rough breakup, and analyzes memories and love. These are themes Grande has experienced through her own relationships with the loss of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, and the divorce of her ex-husband Dalton Gomez. The movie features themes of love, breakups, healing, and growth much like the themes in Ariana Grande’s album.

The diversity of songs across the entire album reach a wide range of audiences, and is played frequently on the University of Richmond’s campus. And unlike her past albums, Grande uses less of her impressive vocal abilities such as her vocal range and runs. Instead, she focuses on the themes of the movie and her lyrics, allowing for a more vulnerable and emotional sound. Critics believe this is her most mature sounding album of her career and shows experimentation and vulnerability.

Parsons Music Library carries a copy of Eternal Sunshine on vinyl. The vinyl record allows for a more rich and deep sound of the R&B songs featured in this collection. Additionally, the sides follow more closely with the themes of the album with the A side focusing on more of the heartbreak and the B side allowing for healing. I personally recommend giving it a listen on vinyl at Parsons!

Arachnophonia: Chappell Roan “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”

Posted on November 10, 2025 by marmstr3

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 Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess on vinyl. Thanks, Susanne!

Chappell Roan
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess

Chappell Roan "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess"

We have more new vinyls to share with you, including Chappell Roan’s hit 2023 album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Roan’s debut studio album has really fun pop elements while exploring themes related to queer relationships, identity, and leaving home as a young adult.

The album is inspired by Roan’s experiences moving to Los Angeles from Missouri to pursue her music career. Her Midwest Princess Tour propelled Roan into global fame and positive reception, culminating in her Grammy win for Best New Artist in 2025.

She writes some of the catchiest choruses you’ve ever heard, including in viral songs like “Pink Pony Club” and “HOT TO GO.” The upbeat pop songs are staples in my playlists, but I also love the more emotionally candid songs like “Kaleidoscope.” Roan’s music truly sticks with you and reveals something new in each listen. It’s definitely a no-skip album with a lot of heart and relevance for young LGBTQ+ listeners.

Parsons Playlists: Chinese Pop

Posted on November 8, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Tim (class of 2024) which features some Chinese pop songs.

Chinese Pop

G.E.M. – “Light Years Away”

G.E.M. – “Long After”

G.E.M. – “Selfless”

G.E.M.– “The Sky”

Wang Xinghe – “Listen Not”

Jay Chou – “Maple Leaf”

Jay Chou – “All the Way North”

Jay Chou – “Step Aside”

Eason Chan – “Ten Years”

Li Zongsheng – “Newly Written Old Songs”

Li Zongsheng – “The Hills”

AGA – “Jiang Haijia”

Jay Chou – “Ming Ming Jiu”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlWvgju4iTC38OnG3qJg6bfr74QR8B2cE&si=MCu9_9zEmF83bwFW

Parsons Playlists: Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo

Posted on November 4, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Luis (class of 2025) and features music by R&B/Latin artists Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo.

Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo

This year I have really gotten into listening to both of these artists. Omar Apollo is a Mexican-American singer-songwriter known for his genre-blending sound, combining elements of R&B, funk, soul, and Latin influences with heartfelt, bilingual lyrics. Kali Uchis is a Colombian-American artist celebrated for her sultry, versatile voice, blending R&B, soul, reggaeton, and pop in her music, often with themes of love, self-empowerment, and cultural identity. I wanted to share some of my favorite songs from both artists, as well as some of the collaborations they have done in the past.

Kali Uchis – “Moonlight”

Omar Apollo – “Evergreen”

Kali Uchis – “Telepatía”

Omar Apollo – “Archetype”

Kali Uchis – “Quiero Sentirme Bien”

Omar Apollo – “Frio”

Kali Uchis – “Fue Mejor”

Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo – “Worth the Wait”

Omar Apollo and Kali Uchis – “Bad Life”

Omar Apollo – “Kamikaze”

Kali Uchis – “Igual Que Un Ángel”

Omar Apollo – “Spite”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyotviKbVnGY5y5w5NRtZap&si=4vWrYZ7JHqLoe5QN

Parsons Playlists: Wasia Project

Posted on October 28, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Eliana (class of 2026) and features the English pop duo Wasia Project.

Wasia Project

Wasia Project is an up-and-coming English sibling alt-pop-duo created in 2019 by Olivia Hardy and William Gao. The name “Wasia” comes from a mix of Chinese and English, reflecting the backgrounds of the two artists. With Olivia on vocals and guitar and William on vocals, keyboards, and piano, the two have made a name for themselves. They released their first track called “why don’t u love me” in 2019 and later released the EP “how can i pretend” in 2022. I personally saw Wasia Project when they opened for Laufey in DC, and even though I had listened to them previously, I fell even more in love with their music after seeing them. Some of my favorites are “ur so pretty,” “impossible,” and “Remember When.” The songs give me a nostalgic and longing feel through the different use of vocals and instrumentals.

Wasia Project – “why don’t u love me”

Wasia Project – “Is This What Love Is?”

Wasia Project – “Remember When”

Wasia Project – “My Lover is Sleeping”

Wasia Project – “Petals on the Moon”

Wasia Project – “ur so pretty”

Wasia Project – “impossible”

Wasia Project – “Takes Me Back Home”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez30OwOKuoVYTWm_LS3hc-r&si=3X0WcyV9kheSFun4

Parsons Playlists – K-Pop

Posted on October 21, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Sophia (class of 2028) featuring some K-Pop tunes.

K-Pop

Aespa – “Supernova”

Aespa – “Drama”

ILLIT – “Magnetic”

NewJeans – “Super Shy”

BABYMONSTER – “Sheesh”

LE SSERAFIM – “Easy”

(G)I-DLE – “Super Lady”

VIVIZ – “Maniac”

(G)I-DLE – “Wife”

BABYMONSTER – “Batter Up”

YUQI – “Freak”

(G)I-DLE – “Queencard”

BABYMONSTER – “Like That”

LE SSERAFIM – “Perfect Night”

NewJeans – “Attention”

BLACKPINK – “Pink Venom”

(G)I-DLE – “Fate”

Aespa – “Spicy”

ILLIT – “Lucky Girl Syndrome”

RIIZE – “Get a Guitar”

LE SSERAFIM – “Antifragile”

LE SSERAFIM – “Unforgiven”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp8XNR9pwF9xKdCequw-rBEjlDzOz6CRE&si=MgWCyZeR2Utk55aV

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Pop

Posted on April 23, 2024 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features a selection of pop music for your enjoyment.

Pop

This playlist will make you feel like a model.

Gwen Stefani – “Bubble Pop Electric”

St. Vincent – “Masseducation”

Grimes – “Genesis”

Madonna – “Vogue”

A$AP Rocky – “Fashion Killa”

Coco & Clai Clair – “Pop Star”

Charli XCX – “Vroom Vroom”

Daft Punk – “One More Time”

Tommy february6 – “Lonely In Gorgeous”

Vendredi sur Mer – “Écoute Chérie”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexqZHBWeRfZkoDdnSMTJRo-&si=mAsoIBIHrr9CH-mX

Arachnophonia: Barry Manilow

Posted on April 10, 2024 by marmstr3

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 Eli (class of 2024) and features a vinyl LP of Barry Manilow hits. Thanks, Eli!

Barry Manilow

While perhaps somewhat unknown among younger generations, Barry Manilow’s music career has spanned seven decades and has produced 51 top 40 singles and 13 platinum albums. He is most known for his hits “Copacabana,” “Mandy,” and “Could it be Magic,” but my far and away favorite Manilow masterpiece is “I Write the Songs.”

Manilow’s soft and sentimental ballad reached the top spot of Billboard charts upon release in 1977. Except, the song is not Barry Manilow’s. Written in 1975 by Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston, the song was first released by teen sensation David Cassidy in 1975. Cassidy’s version peaked at number 11 on the UK singles chart but has been far outshone by Manilow’s recording, which has tens of millions of plays on Spotify today. Manilow originally refused to record his own version of the song, as he felt that the public would not carefully listen to the lyrics and would think Manilow was singing about himself, instead of another, mysterious “I.” Following the massive success of his version, Manilow wrote and released another song called “I Really Do Write the Songs” as a bonus track of his 2006 reissue of This One’s for You.

If you would like to take a listen to Manilow’s version of the song, as well as his other greatest hits, pay a visit to our vinyl LP collection.

Arachnophonia: Ariana Grande “Sweetener”

Posted on March 19, 2024 by marmstr3

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 Marissa (class of 2025) and features Ariana Grande’s 2018 album Sweetener. Thanks, Marissa!

Ariana Grande

Sweetener

Ariana Grande‘s fourth studio album Sweetener was released in the summer of 2018. Collaborating with other artists like Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliott, this album is loved by many different audiences. It won Best Pop Vocal Album of the Year in 2019, giving Grande her first Grammy award.

This pop and R&B styled album includes themes of womanhood, romance, and hope in the face of tragedy and loss. The three singles on the album are “No Tears Left to Cry,” “God Is a Woman,” and “Breathin‘,” each charting on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The last track, “Get Well Soon,” is a tribute to the lives lost at the Manchester Arena bombing during her previous tour. There are 40 seconds of silence at the end of this song to commemorate the 22 victims who passed away, bringing the runtime to 5:22 (the date of the concert).

If you’d like to listen to these songs mentioned and more, you can check this CD out from the Parsons Music Library today. You won’t regret it!

Parsons Playlists: Best K-Pop 2023

Posted on December 8, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and it features some of the best K-pop from 2023.

Best K-pop 2023