When making this playlist, I didn’t have a theme or mood that I was trying to get across. These are songs I just have a lot of random memories attached to – some good, some bad. I hope you all enjoy these songs as much as I have.  The playlist can also be found on Apple Music and Spotify.

Back In The Day – Ahmad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Xk5VKY73Q

The way in which Ahmad captures his past with such clarity makes you feel like you’re a part of the same time period he grew up. The chorus of this song always seems to bring me back to when I was a kid, playing nine-square at ice cream socials and going on night adventures with kids from the block. Play this song if you’re feeling nostalgic.

Cum – Parallelephants

A few months back, I started a weekly playlist exchange. And to my surprise, someone I hadn’t talked to since elementary school replied and was down. It’s interesting that someone across the country who I barely know has shaped my music as much as she did. Parallelephants is one of the artists she’s put me on to recently. Play this song right when the sun comes up.

So Into You – Tamia

You know the phrase “everything gets better with time?” Well, that captures how I feel about this song, specifically. I heard the Fabolous version and Childish Gambino’s cover of the song before I heard Tamia’s original version. Play this song if you’re into someone.

Close To You – Frank Ocean

Although this is one of the shortest songs off of “Blonde,” it quickly became one of my favorites because of the way Ocean describes different versions of memories being the only thing keeping two people close. The live version of “Close To You” is Ocean’s rendition of Stevie Wonder’s cover of “Close to You” by Burt Bacharach, and The Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye.” Play this song if you’re missing someone.

WILD – Dijon

I remember when I first found out about Dijon while scrolling through Reddit, “Skin” and “WILD” were the only songs I listened to for a few days. The lyrics in “WILD” remind me of my dream world, where my subconscious thoughts are brought to the forefront of my imagination. Play this song if you’re having a restless night.

No Pressure – Sports

I think “No Pressure” describes what it’s like to wish the best for someone, even if that means that things didn’t end up the way you thought they would. I wouldn’t consider it a sad song, though, just an honest one. Play this song while driving at night.

The Ocean – Richard Hawley

I always feel the most at peace whenever I’m near the ocean. Growing up in Sonoma County, the beaches near me were always cold and isolated: something I grew to love. Whether it be Goat Rock Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore or Baker Beach, swimming in the cold ocean always gives me a nice reset whenever I need it. Play this song at sunset at your favorite beach.

STAINS – BROCKHAMPTON

Stains helped me through the beginning of the year when a lot of things weren’t going too well. The song always managed to pick me up and let me look at situations from a different perspective. Play this song if you need a pick-me-up.

Didn’t I – Darondo

“Didn’t I” is one of my favorite throwbacks. I loved the main message of the song: that the choices you make don’t always reflect your intentions or emotions. Play this song if you’ve made some mistakes that you can’t really explain.

Embarcadero – Toro y Moi

Toro y Moi is one of those artists that, whenever I listen to him, I am usually playing through his entire album. Embarcadero is one of the more mellow songs off of Boo Boo. It also reminds me of my birthday, when my friends and I took a trip to San Francisco and ate ramen and looked at jellyfish. Play this song if you’re trying to zone out.

Brian Luong can be found @brianxluong on Apple Music and Spotify and @brianluongorion on Twitter.