Tired of listening to the same songs? Here is a glimpse at what your fellow Wildcats are listening to in between classes!
Cyradis Gonzalez, a first-generation University of Arizona student studying linguistics, attributes her taste in music to growing up in Three Points, Arizona. Located roughly 25 miles outside of Tucson, Gonzalez described the town as having “rural influence” from which a “country subculture” emerged.
For Gonzalez, listening to music is an everyday occurrence, especially when doing homework on the bus headed toward campus.
“When I don’t want to be listening to podcasts or don’t want to be present, [music] helps me zone out. It can also help me get in the zone when I am studying,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez listens to a number of genres alongside country, such as pop-punk, folk-rock, rock & roll and songs that call for social justice.
“I have playlists for different moods. I have one for when I want to feel happy and instrumental music for when I want to feel sad. It helps me focus my emotional energy outward,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez’s favorite songs and top artists:
- “Eat Your Young” by Hozier
- “Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys
- “Ghost in the Jukebox” by David Lee Murphy
Songs on repeat for Gonzalez:
- “Delirium Tremendous” by Felix Hagan & the Family
- “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel
- “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis
“‘Chelsea Dagger’ and ‘Delirium Tremendous’ both have a very, I don’t want to say unhinged, but it’s got a franticness. I think that’s really good for midterms coming up; sometimes, you just need that energy boost. ‘Scenes from an Italian Restaurant’ has really fun imagery,” Gonzalez said.
Gabe Cordova Arce, a UA student studying aerospace engineering, was born in Costa Rica and moved to the United States around 12 years ago. Arce’s musical taste was heavily influenced by his cultural upbringing and has expanded as he completed his schooling in Arizona.
“In Costa Rica I only listened to reggaeton, bachata and cumbias, just Spanish music. When I first came to the United States, I didn’t listen to any music in English, but I eventually started to listen to rap and hip-hop. That helped me learn English, and right now, I listen to both,” Arce said.
For Arce, the playlist he decides to listen to is dependent on the mood he wants to have.
“If I want to get hyped up, I listen to Spanish music. If I feel like fighting somebody or am angry, I listen to hip-hop or grime [a genre of UK EDM],” Arce said.
Arce’s favorite songs and top artists:
- “Location” by Dave
- “Mbappe” by Eladio Carrión
- “LA CAPI” by Myke Towers
- “MONACO” by Bad Bunny
Songs on repeat for Arce:
- “DILUVIO” by Rauw Alejandro
- “ESQUIRLA” by Feid
- “Incredible Sauce” by Giggs
When making playlists, Arce’s preferred method is organizing by genre.
“I have one playlist that is just Spanish music; even though some might be different, like trap-Latino, I still bunch them together. I have a lot of classic old-school reggaeton mixed in with the newer genres. Then I have my UK playlist and some old-school rock like AC/DC or Billy Joel. For when I’m with other people, I have a hip-hop or rap playlist,” Arce said.
Check out Arce’s Spotify playlist, “Latin music.”
Adelaide Ruekgauer works with assistant professor Kerri Rodriguez, studying human-animal bonds at the UA. She grew up listening to scene music in Baltimore.
“[I listen to a] lot of All Time Low and Fall Out Boy. My interests have always been alternative. Definitely influenced by my sister and the people I was around. I think I carried that with me into adulthood. I have always appreciated alternative music,” Ruekgauer said.
Ruekgauer takes any opportunity she can find to listen to music, like listening in the car, when studying or while she is working. Her musical interests range from indie alternative to mainstream pop.
“I listen to more alternative music when I am in my feelings, and typical pop stuff is for when I feel okay and just need some background noise to carry me through my day,” Ruekgauer said.
Ruekgauer’s favorite songs and top artists:
- “Road Runner” by Lainey Wilson
- “Slow Burn” by Kacey Musgraves
- “A Palé” by Rosalía
- “cowboy like me” by Taylor Swift
Songs on repeat for Ruekgauer:
- “Country’s Cool Again” by Lainey Wilson
- “Deeper Well” by Kacey Musgraves
- “Lonely Town” by Brandon Flowers
Ruekgauer recommends starting shared playlists with friends in order to find new music.
“I am not a person that listens to the radio a lot, but my friends and I all have shared playlists, and if we like a song, we add it. That way, when we are all listening, we can get input from each other’s tastes, which has been really great,” Ruekgauer said.
Ruekgauer creates playlists with her feelings in mind. She has motivational playlists and uplifting playlists ready for when she needs them.
Check out Ruekgauer’s Spotify playlist, “Currently Listening.”
Whether you are looking to explore new genres or are just willing to step outside your comfort zone, check out the songs that are getting Wildcats through midterms.
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