Hola, friends. If you are partaking in the college lifestyle, then you are aware that finals are looming before us (or you've already started, OR you're already done. And if you're done, let it be known I despise you). I thought I would share some of my favorite tunes for studying, inspired by my On Repeat this past Friday. Check that out here.

Now I understand that there are two types of people in this world: those who can study with music that has vocals, and those that cannot. Luckily, I fall in the realm between these two (so I guess there are three types of people? Or just two and then me? It's irrelevant). Therefore, I split this post up into two categories.

Music with Vocals:

Ellie Goulding
   This girl, doe. My obsession with her last semester was almost unreasonable. I listened to her basically all semester and pretty much equate her with Organic Chemistry I. Her vocals are like no one else and she has enough music out to keep the playlist from getting repetitive. I really enjoy listening to her music while studying because there's a great mix of upbeat and slower songs so you don't feel like you're cracked out the entire time but also aren't getting sleepy. Also, I'm going to lump Lana Del Rey in here as well because they just seem to go together for me. Let's also note that Boyfriend calls Lana his "bad bitch". Now you understand why he and I get along...

HAIM
   This band was put on my radar by Tessa and Rachel earlier this semester but I never got the chance to listen to them because I was too busy listening to other bands. Lo and behold, they are one of my absolute favorites now. *Surprise* Tessa and Rachel have great taste in music sans One Direction. In fact, I'm listening to Haim at this very moment. Their music is catchy without being distracting so you're not super focused on the lyrics but the beat is enough to maintain the ole study grind.

Best Coast
   Last but not least, Best Coast was a late favorite last semester for me. They have an extensive discography so it's hard to get sick of them! They maintain their signature beachy, California, pop sound throughout their albums that increases your mood just enough to power through that last study guide.

Instrumental

Pride and Prejudice Soundtrack
   Need I say more? However, I will. This soundtrack is my shit. Like fo realz, since forever. Possibly one of the best soundtracks of all time. Whenever I listen to it, I immediately want to channel my inner Elizabeth Bennett and stick my head in the nearest book to become more knowledgeable. Seriously, check it out.

Downton Abbey Soundtrack
   On a similar note, the Downton Abbey Soundtrack is pure gold as well. Not as good as P&P, but getting close. There are a few actual songs on here with vocals, but they can easily be skipped to get to the gorgeous instrumentals that transport you to the early 20th century. Although I've been avoiding this soundtrack for a little while due to the horrendous ending of the third season that I'm still bitter about. Screw you, actor or actress who decided to leave the show (didn't want to spoil that for you all).

That's all for me! Apologies for being a day late.

xx
Jen

The Wire - Haim
Okay so quick change for this week's On Repeat. I was originally going to post something from NWTS, even though I promised myself I wouldn't give into the hype, I did and I still love that album. But I saw an ad for a HAIM show that was coming to town in a few weeks and had been meaning to listen to them so I finally did and my God. Why did I wait? These girls are ridiculously talented. Their album drops September 30, but they've got some singles & EPs already out. So check it folks, cause they're great and fantastic and I should've listened to BuzzFeed from the start.



RACHEL
Team - Lorde
     We here at FBG are no strangers to Lorde. She's essentially the biggest musical badass on Planet Earth. Probably, anyway. At age 16, she's made it onto the Billboard Top 100 and boasts some incredibly relatable pop tracks that put some of her older counterparts to shame. If "Team" is any indication of how her new album (Pure Heroine, dropping Monday) will pan out I'll be the first to get my hands on it. The same clever lyrics have returned, and somehow the beats have gotten better still. This woman.





KAYSON
National Anthem - Lana Del Rey
Okay so, i'll be the first to admit that I honestly despised Lana when she first became a huge hit. I'm not sure why, I just didn't like her persona I guess you could call it. Yet lately, I've been very intrigued by her music(also very intrigued with her). I dig this song because of her lovely voice as well as very interesting lyrics. It's true "tell me i'm your national anthem" okay!?





TORI
Sticks and Stones- Arlissa
It's been a very woman themed week! I guess Jen didn't get the memo, jk, jk.
Anyway, Arlissa has a crazy awesome voice. It is so soulful and just I don't even know. I love this song because it is a more soul/r&b type song but then it has this amazing beat that shouldn't actually work with the song but it makes it just that much better. I can't wait to hear more from this girl!

TESSA

TESSA
Where Will We Go - IAMDYNAMITE
     So my father thinks he's really cool because he introduced me to this song a few weeks ago and I heard it on the radio the other day on my way home from work and haven't really stopped listening to it since. I linked a lyric video because the actual video is a little weird for my taste, but whatever floats your boat. Anyway, this song is super catchy and one of the first alternative songs to catch and hold my attention in a while. I haven't looked up anything else by them, so I'm not sure if they're a one-hit wonder for me or if they'll become one of my favorites. I guess we'll find out eventually. But in the mean time, listen to this song.
TORI
Merry Happy- Kate Nash
     As we all know, boys are stupid. A phrase I've heard many times from my manager at work is, "boys are stupid, throw rocks at them." Kate Nash does a lovely job with this song from 2007 in having a strong, hopeful outlook about crushing on a guy who just couldn't really be bothered to like you back, which is just a bitchtastic situation. With lyrics like, "you make me merry, make me very very happy, but you obviously, you didn't want to stick around," and "I can be alone, yea, I can watch a sunset on my own." And let's be quite honest, this is a much less depressing track in comparison to Nicest Thing. So. Yea.



RACHEL
Time – Pink Floyd
     Alright, I think it’s long overdue that I post a Pink Floyd track. My mother has informed me that Floyd was a total stoner band (as if this was difficult to deduce) which all of the W.U.B.Bs in her high school listened to. In case you were wondering, that stands for “We Users Buzz Better” and represents the kids who apparently stood at the top of the bleachers during assemblies yelling “FREEEEBIRD!” So if you don’t trust seventies stoners to guide your music taste, who can you trust? Anyhow, I chose “Time” because it’s currently my favorite of theirs. Never enough British musicians or lengthy guitar solos in my life. (Speaking of, if you’re a fan of said guitar solos check out the kickass one at the beginning of “Hey Friend” by JEFF the Brotherhood – all thanks to Tori for introducing me to this band).


JEN
Breezeblocks - Alt-J
     So this song was originally introduced to me by my friend Kevin when he just had to show me the kickass video, and it's been my obsession ever since. I am beyond livid that I can't see them in concert because I'll be halfway across the country already. So bitter. Anyway, this song is absolutely amazing. The lead singer's voice is really interesting which is something I look for since I'm a singer as well. This song is so easy to get stuck in your head and randomly start humming and singing around work (I totally have NOT done that...). The rest of their debut album is just as amazing and has a great mix of upbeat and slower tracks that are just perfect for a lazy summer afternoon. This band is also recommended by Tessa so even more reason to check them out!


  KAYLEY
Young and Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
     So, like most of you I'm sure, I saw and read The Great Gatsby. The movie was not only great, but the soundtrack was even better. One of the tracks includes "Young & Beautiful". I like this song because it's such a powerful and personal song to me. I haven't always been the biggest fan of Lana, but she's definitely got me interested with this song. She's the perfect voice and person for this song. I recommend it indefinitely.