The Study Guide.

If you’re a student, like me, you are probably torturing yourselves over finals or maybe you’re throwing yourself a huge party because you have just survived them. My brain is near dead from all the cramming I’ve been doing, and I think I maybe was on the brink of breaching a psychotic break, but instead I turned to my study guide. No, not that kind of study guide. The kind of study guide that enhances your studying experience. I’ve had this playlist on repeat for the past week and I am attributing my sanity to this list. Maybe it will do the same for you. 

1. Blair- Hello Halo. This song is uber cute and makes you wish you could be a kid again. The lyrics are so precious and bring me back to the days when I didn’t even know what studying was, the days where I eagerly anticipated becoming old enough to be assigned homework. 

2. Foals- Blue Blood. I am in love with this song, it is definitely one of my top three as of now. The vocals and lyrics are perfect, especially for a curling up with a cup of coffee and a fat text book during a winter study sesh. 

3. Perfume Genius- Mr. Peterson. I once saw Perfume Genius perform in a cemetery in Hollywood, pretty epic. And frightening. This song was recently named top 100 songs of 2010 by Pitchfork. Good choice, Pitchfork. 

4. School of Seven Bells- Heart is Strange (Active Child Remix). I’ve talked about School of Seven Bells before and my love for them has yet to decrease. Keepers for sure. I’ve talked about my not-so-positive feelings on remixes before, but this song is yet another exception.

5. Kanye West- Lost in the World. Okay, this song might be for more of a study break, but its great nonetheless. Kanye’s new album received a perfect 10 on Pitchfork, which is pretty profound and rare, but it’s for good reason. This album is nuts. 

6. The Big Pink- Velvet. I started getting into The Big Pink last year and Velvet is still my favorite track and one that I listen to often.

7. Arcade Fire- In the Backseat. You can’t go wrong with Arcade Fire, they are perfect for every occasion. This used to be my least favorite of their songs but now I depend on it to get me through sleepless study nights.

8. Wild Nothing- Chinatown. This is yet another well-deserved top 100 tracks of 2010 by Pitchfork. 

9. Glasser- Apply. I love Glasser! I’m so sad I’ve missed my chances of seeing her perform, hopefully there are more to come. Sorry to be redundant but this song was also place on the top 100’s list. 

10. Zola Jesus- Lightsick. It’s hard to choose a single song because every Zola Jesus song hits the spot for me. But I often depend on Lightsick for nights when I am too hyped up on caffeine to even think about sleeping and need something to calm me down.

There you have it, play this list and prepare to see your study efforts start to soar. If you haven’t heard some of these artists or tracks, I highly recommend taking a look, even if your study days are far behind you.