Uncharacteristically, I Will Retake Some Optimism
Some Great Albums for the End of Summer and the Start of the School Year
Uncharacteristically, I Will Retake Some Optimism: Some Great Albums for the End of Summer and the Start of the School Year
As I enter my senior year, I’ve been giving more and more thought to how to maintain the sense of optimism that kept me afloat throughout this summer. I’ve come to the conclusion that every high schooler needs a good few awesome albums in their toolbelt in order to not constantly feel like crawling in a hole. Without further ado, here are some of the things I’ve had on repeat recently and in past years!
Oversleepers International
Emperor X
My most verbose entry on this list is probably this 2017 album from folk punk/indietronica mastermind Chad Matheny alias Emperor X. Throughout his entire discography, Matheny tackles a surprisingly broad range of subjects and topics, from heartache to holy wars to philosophy to use of technology to the German healthcare system. In spite of his trademark dense songwriting, his cheerfully apprehensive music has the power to make you feel lots of emotions in unexpected ways. However, it’s listenable enough not to get in the way of your AP Stat homework.
While it’s probably not possible to fully understand his lyrics without a large wall of college degrees, listening to his music definitely makes you think you’re smarter than you are, but in a good way. This album is pretty much interchangeable with any of Emperor X’s other albums, most notably Western Teleport and The Zones of Lakes B and C, but I decided to include this one because it’s been in my rotation most often over the past few weeks.
Vacation
Bomb the Music Industry!
The 2011 final album of Jeff Rosenstock’s legendary pop punk collective is pretty much the musical equivalent of the SpongeBob 20th anniversary birthday special from several years ago: it’s an insane, summery joyride that works as a fitting end to something that was not actually over. While Rosenstock has developed their musical style in many new and interesting ways since beginning their solo career,
BtMI! has got to be my favorite project they were a part of. Vacation is a personification of the endless struggle between optimism and pessimism; the same songs are equally likely to make you laugh hysterically or bawl your eyes out, depending on your mood. A track like “Hurricane Waves” makes you feel unstoppable walking the halls of your school between classes; however, the cheerful refrain of “I don’t love anything anymore” at the end of the song illustrates that this kind of happiness is impossible without pain. Rosenstock’s raw, heartfelt songwriting and performance coupled with the raucous energy of the band creates music that is uplifting in the deepest and most meaningful sense of the word: it doesn’t exactly make you feel better, but it helps you to appreciate the joys and sorrows that are most important in your life.
Backatown
Trombone Shorty
New Orleans jazz-funk prodigy Trombone Shorty’s 2011 debut album is undoubtedly his strongest, balancing catchy, funky grooves, soulful singing and a killer horn section in a way that unabashedly displays the character of his hometown. As a fellow trombonist, I can confirm that Shorty’s style and performance is one of the most dynamic in recent memory. Backatown is an awesome vibe for riding the bus to and from school or hanging with friends: it’s consistent, energetic and enjoyable for anyone.
More Songs About Buildings and Food
Talking Heads
My oldest entry on this list is the Heads’ acclaimed second album, all the way back from 1978. This music blends the band’s signature guitar-pop approach with elements of funk and art rock, culminating in a blisteringly laid-back cover of Al Green’s “Take Me to the River” on the second half of the album. While less approachable than the most well-known tracks off of 77 or Speaking in Tongues, this album has plenty of variety and rewards listeners over and over again.
No Hands
Joey Valence & Brae
It wasn’t until quite recently that I realized that this album from hometown heroes JVB was one of my favorites of 2024. The two Penn State grads blend a uniquely forceful rap energy with creative, Beastie Boys-inspired instrumentals and frequently humorous bars. While their music wouldn't be out of place on the streets of New York in the 90’s and 00’s, something about their style harkens back to State College, PA in the 2020s.
The two rappers build off of the hardcore sounds of their hardcore debut Punk Tactics, expressing their carefree, independent spirit in chaotic and surprising ways. Collaborations with artists like Danny Brown and Ayesha Erotica keep the album fresh, consistent and a banger from start to finish.
S/T
They Might Be Giants
Bizarre, artsy and irresistible, TMBG’s 1986 debut is an album I find myself coming back to pretty often. Probably the strangest entry in a 20+ album discography, the band’s unique artistic vision takes no prisoners. While tracks like “Rabid Child,” Boat of Car” and “Chess Piece Face” are pretty much indecipherable, “Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head,” “Don’t Let’s Start” and “Rhythm Section Want Ad” are neat slices of life pulled directly from the scene where TMBG cut their teeth so to speak. Surprisingly cheery and teenagery.
There’s Nothing Wrong With Love
Built to Spill
Last but most certainly not least, Built to Spill’s classic 1994 album is a noisy, heartfelt love letter to adolescence. Frontman and lead guitarist Doug Martsch crafts bittersweet, deeply meaningful tales of love, fulfillment, anxiety and loneliness while absolutely delivering on instrumentals that are both heavy-hitting and enjoyable. While the sound doesn’t reach the same depth and experimental-ness of later Built albums, it’s probably the most deeply felt and personal release in their catalog. This is definitely gonna be the soundtrack to my senior year.