Academic Burnout

Playlist and Article by: Kayle Ho Yik Ki

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1cij3LkKjpxZtqOsTMNcYE?si=LkV_tdLPRNy4iP7PLFx4SA&pi=u-HLefOr-gQg23

In these trying times of stress, it's easy to lose track of yourself and burnout due to the overwhelming pressure (but innate desire) we call academic validation. This playlist about academic burnout is dedicated to the students out there who think they're not enough, who think they'll never live up to expectations, who think they won't be able to succeed.

A Virtual Hug

Article and Playlist by: By Jeahnelle Garcia

Listen Here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dWbEF1wI4sjaGle8wVbU0?si=U6jWc_8FRHmoSiYtLskNug&pi=u-RBQFahEsTSKg

“If you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends.”

- Penny Lane, Almost Famous (2000)

Many people find comfort in media, be it movies, books or music. For example, you may have a comfort movie or two. One of mine is the movie Almost Famous (2000), which is a very music-oriented movie. In the quote above, one character, Penny Lane, compares music to “friends”. Music can often “get you” in a way people can’t- that’s the beauty of it! Music is a language beyond just words, and sometimes that’s just what you need. No talking, nothing- just a hug. My playlist, “A Virtual Hug” is just that: music that will comfort you and “get you” in the way an old friend or parent might embrace you.

“Like the rock bears the weather,

Not a lot, just forever”

- Adrianne Lenkar, “not a lot, just forever”

Being hugged is good for you, physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s human. When you are hugged. When someone is hugged, the brain produces several neurochemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin. Endorphins give a sense of pleasure, reduce stress and improve a sense of well-being. It can also reduce pain. On the other hand, oxytocin can reduce anxiety and stress levels. It is also said to increase a feeling of connection, boost immunity and be good for heart health. So, overall, hugs are good for you. However, as seen in the recent pandemic, that isn’t always possible, or wanted, as some people just don’t like to be touched. Thus, music is the next best thing.

Like a hug, music can be beneficial in multiple ways- even physically. Music can also help manage pain as well as alleviate mood. This is dependent on the type of music, of course. The music you might listen to during a workout is typically not the music you would listen to when you need to relax. Music, being so versatile, will affect people differently. Nonetheless, listening to certain music can release endorphins and oxytocin, providing a similar sense of comfort, relaxation and connection as a hug.

“The stars are in your eyes

I’ll take a spaceship and try and go and find you”

- The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, “I Won’t Hurt

You”

Music is human connection. Our primary connection was taken away during the Covid-19 pandemic, and so, desperately, many of us turned to other means of connection. There were many times, both during the pandemic and now, that my friends and family members have been struggling. The worst thing is feeling helpless while your loved ones are going through something, and it isn’t always easy to talk about things. This is when I began making playlists similar to this one. It was a way to show my love and support for someone virtually and without words. As a result, I have many shared music-related memories with the people I love that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Truthfully, we don’t know when something may happen, like another pandemic. It is important for us as human beings to continue to support and connect with each other, whether that is through a physical hug or a virtual one. (Go hug your friends!)

“And I had a feeling that I belonged I had a feeling I could be someone”

- Tracy Chapman, “Fast Car”

The songs in this playlist are all songs that bring me and people I know comfort. Many have been on the playlists I previously mentioned and continue to appear on any that I make. All the songs quoted in this article can be found in the “A Virtual Hug” playlist. Whether you want to send this playlist to someone who needs it, or you are in need of it- this playlist is a good, long, 3 hour hug for anyone who needs it.

“Trying is the point of life, So don’t stop trying Promise me.”

- Amanda Palm

Body Image

Playlist and Article by: Eating Rights

Listen Here!: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4g328ii4oLnagO4ju55noj?si=47bf0f5e240845fa

As we enter the 21st century, the prevalence of social media engagement among children and teenagers is exponentially increasing, exerting a significant influence on their impressionable minds. Within this digital landscape, pervasive messages often perpetuate unrealistic beauty ideals, which the audience internalize, subsequently fostering a negative perception of their bodies, including body shape, height, or weight. This many times leads to body dysmorphia.

Body dysmorphia manifests uniquely in different people, extending beyond just dissatisfaction with their physical appearance. It may be the fixation on perceived flaws; whether they are constantly looking at their bodies in the mirror, or feeling unable to even look at them. Those struggling with their body image often are consumed by the fear of judgment from others regarding their bodies. This preoccupation may drive them to fix or scrutinize these perceived flaws. Those grappling with body dysmorphia may believe that they cannot look good without makeup—thus relying on external enhancement to feel presentable and comfortable. Additionally, body dysmorphia intertwines relationships with food, leading to patterns of disordered eating.

There is a pressing need to raise awareness and address the impact of negative body image. Therefore, we have curated a playlist that delves into experiences of those struggling with body image issues.

1. Skyscraper -  Demi Lovato
   This song was written during the time when Demi Lovato was struggling with an eating disorder and was also suffering with other mental health problems. The song's lyrics discuss the pain she experienced when she was suffering from eating disorders and self-harm. Many people found this song very inspiring, especially those who were in a similar situation.

2. pretty isn’t pretty - Olivia Rodrigo
   The pursuit of beauty is the theme that revolves around this song. Society has bestowed expectations of what is considered as pretty. In the first verse, Olivia reflects on her effort to conform to the beauty standard: she covered her face with makeup to look pretty, skipped lunch and stopped eating cakes on birthdays to maintain a slim figure. Despite this, she still feels like her appearance will never measure up to the idea of perfection.

3. Prom Queen - Beach Bunny
   “Prom Queen” centers around a young woman grappling with self-acceptance; the lyrics encapsulates the insecurities that come with the efforts to conform to the conventional beauty standards of society. The song serves as a reminder for individuals not to compromise their authenticity to please others.

4. Orange Juice - Melanie Martinez
   A song about the struggles of bulimia. Lines like “Oh, oh, stick it down your throat…” also refers to self-induced purging. The lyric “When you're screaming at the mirror…” reference how people with body image issues look at themselves in the mirror; “screaming” is a pejorative word, oftentimes associated with the feeling of anger. What do people with body image issues feel when looking at the mirror—self hatred, anger at themselves for not looking perfect. Mentions of “Stuffin' up your mouth like t-t-tissue…” highlights the dangerous practice of the cotton ball diet, in which people digest cotton (or in this case, tissue) to feel full without gaining calories (fun fact this can clog your intestines).
   
   Moving on to the chorus, “You turn oranges to orange juice/ Into there, then spit it out of you…” This reference mirrors the act of vomiting, where solid oranges enter the mouth and escape the mouth as a liquid/juice. The phrase “Your body is imperfectly perfect…” is a juxtaposition, almost ironic, as it could be understood in two different ways: given the context that this song is talking about and comforting a character who suffers from bulimia, this sentence could mean that the singer is trying to tell the character that by having flaws, she is perfect. On the other hand, it may also suggest that the character does seem to have the perfect body, but are her ways of achieving it perfect? “Everyone wants what the other one's working…” reflects societal pressures to conform to certain body ideals, even at the expense of one's health.
   
   Finally, (a small theory from the co-author of the article) the use of the word “shoving” in the line, “Shoving clementines and orange bacteria…” hints that the character is silencing herself about her bulimia. Instead of telling people about it, it feels as if something is clogging her throat to avoid letting the truth spill out.

5. Tied Together With a Smile - Taylor Swift
   Taylor Swift wrote this song for her friend who was suffering from an eating disorder. The lyrics storytell the things her friend went through. “One thing I have noticed in my life is you can never judge what somebody else is going through, even if they seem like they have it all together.”

6. Scars to Your Beautiful - Alessia Cara
   Cara explicitly stated in an interview, “they tell us that there’s only one kind of beauty. This song basically contradicts that idea. It’s saying, ‘well, if the world doesn't like how you look then they should change. They should change their perspective. You don't have to change yourself.’ ” Unrealistic beauty standards have tainted today's society; constantly comparing ourselves to others who we consider more attractive to gain public approval/fit in the beauty standards.
   
   The song's lyrics are a bit difficult to comprehend due to the punctuations located based on lyrical pauses. But put into effective sentences, the opening lyrics reads: She just wants to be beautiful. She goes unnoticed. She knows no limits. She craves attention. She praises an image. She prays to be sculpted by the sculptor. This song tells us to embrace who we truly are and to not be afraid to show our true colors, as well as coming to the conclusion of loving ourselves, “You don't have to change a thing/ The world could change its heart/ No scars to your beautiful/ We're stars and we're beautiful…”

7. Love Myself - Hailee Steinfeld
   Just from the title itself, Hailee Steinfeld's storyline for this song is about a lady learning to love herself after a heartbreak, depicted in the lyrics “Gonna love myself, no, I don't need anybody else…” Even if the context is about heartbreak, the song serves as a reminder that we should first love ourselves first before allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and seeking love and validation from anyone else, “I’m gonna put my body first, and love me so hard 'til it hurts…”

8. Most Girls - Hailee Steinfeld
   Another one by Hailee, this song tells us that we are all different from physical aspects, behavior aspects, personality, etc, and that it is okay. Just because we aren't like everyone else, doesn't mean that we are outcasts: “No two are the same…” There are days where we don't like the way we are, but it's alright to change because, just like the song says, “You look greatest when you feel like a damn queen.”

9. Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars
   Shifting perspectives from how one views oneself, this hit by Bruno Mars tells us that other people may see us differently than how we see ourselves, implied by “When I compliment her, she won't believe me/ And it’s so, it’s so/ Sad to think that she don’t see what I see…” The way that the song is written, in second person, makes it seem as if it’s aiming directly towards the listener, reminding them they don’t need to change who they are, because “Girl, you're amazing/ Just the way you are…”

10. Body Dysmorphia - Eyedress
    To conclude the playlist, “Body Dysmorphia” is selected as it highlights the importance of loving and accepting oneself despite societal pressures. The chorus echoes the recurring message, “You don't have to change/ You're perfect the way you are…”, encouraging the appreciation of people for their worth beyond superficial appearance.

As we tune in to these songs, we hope that more people have a deeper understanding of the personal journeys of those grappling with body image issues. Together, we can foster an environment where each individual is celebrated for their unique beauty and their worth.

Trini Carnival

Playlist and Article by: Jeahnelle Garcia

“I feel I could run in town again, jump and shake the ground again Wave with all my friend and them, no place like home, home, home”

- Mical Teja, “D N A”

The quote above is from the song DNA by Mical Teja, which can be found in my playlist. This song won Road March (song played most during Carnival Mas) 2024, and rightfully so. This song perfectly encapsulates the passion that not only Trinis have for their country, but anyone who visits the island to celebrate. Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of Carnival- it is the biggest, most vibrant and culturally rich festival of the year, bursting with music, dancing, artistry and vibes.

Carnival is a big part of Trinidadian culture, and has been for a long time. Carnival was first seen in Ancient Egypt as a pagan sabbat ushering out the winter spirits to make way for spring. This was later adapted by the Greeks and Romans into what they called a Bacchanal after the god Bacchus. This was celebrated with wine, dancing, drinking and generally excessive behaviour. More relevantly, a Bacchanal today is “a crazed party with drunken revelry, ecstatic sexual experimentation, and wild music”. It was adapted further, by multiple cultures, later with a Christian name “Carnevale” (carne meaning meat and vale meaning farewell) to prepare for Lent. During the years of colonisation and slavery, it was brought to the Caribbean by European settlers who celebrated it with indulgent, elaborate fancy-dress balls, dancing all night in their masks and excessive dresses and wigs.The slaves soon began their own version, a satirical mimicry of their slave owners, creating characters that we see today such as the Moko Jumbie and Dame Lorraine. The festivities included drumming and chanting and, of course, dancing.

“Sweet sweet T and T, Lord how I love up dis country No place in dis world I'd rather be

Lord how I love up me country”

- David Rudder, “Trini 2 De Bone”

Carnival today is just as extravagant and hedonistic. The Carnival season spans from right after Christmas to Ash Wednesday, with Carnival Monday and Tuesday being the peak of celebration. Throughout this time, a plethora of spirited parties and cultural events are held. Many musical artists release music during this time, supplying each season with new and familiar high-energy sounds. On Carnival Sunday, there are King and Queen of Carnival competitions in the Dimanche Gras show, during which gorgeous, dynamic original costumes can be seen crossing the stage of the Queen’s Park Savannah, showcasing the skill and creativity of the creators. Carnival Monday and Tuesday are the height of it all, where residents, returning citizens and tourists flock to the streets of Port of Spain to play mas (short for masquerade). Crowds play mas dressed in opulent costumes from different bands, which are showcased on television as masqueraders make their way to the stage in a sea of beads, feathers and a rainbow of colours, dancing all the while. Carnival is a time of inclusivity and body positivity, with everyone being welcome to celebrate, dance and show off some skin, all having a good time as one.

However, these events are not exclusive to adults, with Kiddies Carnival, where the kids get a chance to play mas (a family-friendly version) and schools participating, with many holding school “jump-ups”, featuring costumes, dancing, competitions and, of course, music.

“Carnival come back to me Cause you know you're my healing I said the Soca is my therapy

It take away all of my anxiety”

- Patrice Roberts, “Anxiety”

Music is the flesh and bones of Carnival. From more traditional calypso, to steel pan, to soca, to more prevalent and popular music choice; there is no Carnival without the music. The steelpan is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. It was created in the 1930’s and is the only instrument to be invented in the 20th century. Traditionally, it was crafted from a steel drum container. Winston “Spree” Simon is accredited as one of the inventors, although there are a few names credited as innovators. The annual Panorama competition has been held in Trinidad since 1963, and is typically held during the Carnival season. It features bands with as many as 125 players playing complex arrangements of songs. Calypso, on the other hand, is a form of song characterised by catchy rhythms and lyrics that often serve as social and political commentary. The Calypso Monarch competitions have been held in Trinidad and Tobago since 1939 and considered the most prestigious calypso event. Some noteworthy names include The Mighty Sparrow, Black Stalin and Mighty Chalkdust.

Today, soca is the more popular genre of music heard around Carnival, from some more sentimental songs such as “Come Home” by Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous, to more “wild” songs like “Hard Fete” by Bunji Garlin (which were neck and neck for Road March 2023). Soca was developed in the early 1970s and quickly grew in popularity. Some significant names to mention when discussing soca include Lord Shorty (AKA Ras Shorty I), the Father of Soca, David Rudder, Super Blue and, of course, Machal Montano.

The songs featured in this playlist focus more on today’s soca selection, particularly some of my favourites. It includes some artists mentioned previously as well as the songs quoted throughout the article. More people should be able to experience the transcending emotion of soca music, whether or not they have celebrated before; soca is unity.

“We doh see skin, We doh see colour We see strength, We see power”

- Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous, “Famalay”

Life.

Playlist and Article by: Bryanna Hoang

Life. Such a precious little thing. It's a miracle we are even here. Every moment we witness and memory we possess is a miracle. Despite our inevitable end awaiting us all, the beauty lies in embracing every little moment, cherishing our loved ones, and finding meaning in our experiences. Life's impermanence is our reason to appreciate every breath and opportunity to create memories that will linger long after we're gone.

My playlist "Life" contains songs that reflect the highs as well as lows of life. "Slipping Through My Fingers" captures the reality of many people: the regret of not enjoying every moment, being numb to everything around you. By the time you realize all this time has gone by, regret comes seeping in. However, with the company of friends and family, life becomes a little easier. "Lean on Me" represents all your friends when you are having a hard time. It's OK to lean on someone when you need it. Remember to be a shoulder to lean on when your loved ones need you. "Loser, Baby" is a song that features two people. Tied up in their own situations they can't escape, they felt they were all alone in the world, left to deal with their situations alone. However, after opening up to each other, they discovered that they are not alone. You will always have your friends whom you can lean on.

I share with you these beautiful tunes in hope that they will help you through your hard times. Enjoy! :)

Listen here!: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54jWcIGMRGuQBtzrKCrpt9?si=mDqdC3hxTs6MXDf9n6k5kw&pi=u-RCt2GeuTQxuP

Narcotic Notes

Playlist and article written by: Atharva Kokane

Plutocracy is a big issue in Latin America, with the wealthiest 10% of the population receiving 48% of total income and the bottom 10% earning only 1.1%. Furthermore, quoting a Latin American artist, Immortal Technique, "Latino America is a huge colony of countries whose presidents are cowards in the face of economic imperialism" we have a point of view of a citizen how plutocracy has spread through the continent. The artist further speaks about the various issues that corruption within the government run by the rich has caused, such as the embargo in Cuba and the bombings in Vieques.

The drug trade in Latin America involves countries acting as transit points for cocaine destined for North America and Europe. In terms of cocaine prevalence, Uruguay has the highest rate in the region at 2.1%, followed by Ecuador and Argentina. The cocaine market poses a significant global threat, with well-defined production locations in South America and large consumer markets in the Americas. American artist, Nathan Feurstein has said, "I don't know what it's like to be addicted to pills, but I do know what it's like to be a witness, it kills" which puts a real spotlight on the harmful effects of any leisure drugs.

This playlist outlines the issues with Latin American states, from songs like The Poverty of Philosophy and Clint Eastwood, that walk about drug usage, to songs like Money Game and Propaganda, which talks about the issue of corruption and plutocracy within governments.

We all should take a stand and fight. It can be as small as a playlist, but that's how the revolution grows. ¡VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN!

Listen to Narcotic Notes here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/454oONO9RVA7Kw7yH39aKo?si=B8xviTUCR5-Um_9pClFgig&pi=u-fpqm1KtlQZKT

Digital Detox

Playlist and article written by: Atharva Kokane

Today's generation has a certain addiction to the internet. Around 5% of phone users are addicted to internet and social media apps. Surveys suggest that prevalence rates of internet addiction can be as high as 8.2% in the United States and Europe. Now this can result in many horrendous things. Internet addiction can manifest in various forms, including cybersexual activities, online gambling, shopping, social media use, gaming, and information seeking.

Now, I know I may seem like your mother telling you, "Oh you're getting sick because of the internet," or "You are getting bad grades because of the internet." But, researchers do report that excessive internet use can lead to changes in brain structure and function, increased risk of anxiety and depression, guilt, shame, and low self-esteem.

Now this playlist portrays exactly that. From Welcome to the Internet by Bo Burnham to We Don't Believe What's on TV by 21 Pilots this playlist embodies what you need to digitally detox yourself.

Listen to Digital Detox here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/45d32ZC9mHpipGGmaMS6P2?si=d_j4pdwGSzKfW1-UTtDmsQ&pi=u-2bEQQKAkQl6Q