Groovy tunes to spice up your typical Notre Dame life

We all have our favorite tunes for certain times—walking across campus, hanging out with friends, or getting ready for a party—but adding new music to the customary playlist keeps life fresh and exciting. The Rover took a look at some of the best new tracks that have come out over the past few months and suggests about how these six songs can suit your Notre Dame rhythm.

“Fire Escape” (Andrew McMahon, September 8) – This song has elements of your classic pop love-anthem—a firm beat and straightforward melody that make it easy to dance and sing along to—but the tambourine and xylophone give it a refreshing sound. The regular pattern of the song is clever enough, but the toned-down bridge (2:15), though brief, really makes it shine. Suggest this song at a good dance party, or enjoy it solo as you walk home to your dorm after a long day to get you pumped for homework.

“Welcome to Your Life” (Grouplove, September 9) – Almost immediately, the song’s rhythm and melody sink into your head and make you want to bop along. What makes this song stand out, however, is the decorations: a peppy background melody, a fusion of chic sound effects, and a few unexpected high notes to shake up the steadiness. Listen to it while prepping for a night out or while taking on that long stretch of South Quad toward the library because let us face it, studying is “your life.” On the same album, Big Mess, “Enlighten Me” is also a memorable song that ties together a good melody with an energetic beat.

“Waste a Moment” (Kings of Leon, September 9) – Kings of Leon playfully flip logic throughout the song by combining a theme of taking time with a flying rhythm and quick lyric. The busy instrumentation and fast pace make this a great song for running—or at least for speedily getting to class—but it paradoxically also fits a relaxed setting when “wasting time” with friends in your dorm room really is the goal. The full album WALLS by Kings of Leon is set to come out on October 14.

“Magnitude” (Hot Hot Heat, June 24) – A moderate beat meets a sliding melody, and a soft piano tune tempers an edgy guitar. This song successfully mixes sounds and moods to produce a serene yet vigorous sound. In addition, the lyrics are not only poetic but delivered through a spunky, varied melody that simply dances from the low-end of notes to the high. Take advantage of this highlight on Hot Hot Heat’s latest and final album as you walk from Main Building to Main Circle.

“Solemn Oath” (Band of Horses, June 10) – The gentle yet staccato strum of the guitar at the beginning of this song gives it a sweet and eager sound. It eventually builds as the electric guitars and drums join, but the core simplicity remains. Elements recall the rawness of the Lumineers, but this song distinguishes itself through moments of country-like twang and deep, full vocals. Enjoy this tune as a calming background to some homework or as the soundtrack to your jog around the lakes.

“The Dream Synopsis” (The Last Shadow Puppets, April 1) – Take the echoing lilt in lead singer Alex Turner’s (also the lead singer of the Arctic Monkeys) voice and combine it with the haunting chords of strings and piano, and you get one captivating song. The Last Shadow Puppets released their first album, The Age of Understatement, in 2008, and they are back after a hiatus. The same haunting atmosphere floats throughout this album, Everything You’ve Come to Expect, but this song sweetens it into a melody most effectively. Listen to it to de-stress after a long day, or while walking from LaFortune to the Law School.

Sophia Buono is a junior PLS major and ESS minor, and Crystal Avila is a senior Film and Television major. Listen to these and other fabulous tunes on their hit radio show, “Since the Seventh Grade,” Thursdays at 7 p.m. (ET) at wvfi.nd.edu. Contact the DJs at sbuono@nd.edu and cavila3@nd.edu or like the “Since the Seventh Grade” Facebook page to make music suggestions.