Arts Vanity: Putting You On

All year, I brainstormed how I could make my third and last Arts Vanity fun and different. Unfortunately, I did not brainstorm hard enough. Oh well. You know what they say — if it ain’t broke!

Keeping in tradition with past years, this vanity will take you through some of the music I have been listening to as of late. However, instead of doing something uninspired like writing about top songs (boring) or monthly playlists (even more boring), this vanity will be unlike any you’ve seen before. I implore you, reader, to open up Spotify or grab a pen and paper because you are about to be introduced to sounds and artists you have (likely) not been listening to enough. In other words, I’m putting you on. Below, in ascending order, are some tracks I have been enjoying recently from artists with under 500,000 current Spotify monthly listeners.

“pretty” by SAIAH (~49k monthly listeners)

This is the perfect winter song. It’s just soft enough to get you through the dark days and just exciting enough to keep you warm.

“Green Eyes” by ooz blèu (~70k monthly listeners)

I’ll admit, I found this song on TikTok. I am not ashamed. Good music is good music. If I ever learn how to drive, this will be the first thing I play on a summer night. This bass and a warm breeze? Sign me up.

“Fooled” by Fat, Evil Children (~102k monthly listeners)

Great band name. Also, great song.

“coolgirl2000” by angelus (~126k monthly listeners)

To be completely honest, I saw this song on my Discover Weekly and only clicked it because of its name, but I am so glad I did! Full of energy, with a satisfying glitchy beat drop halfway through. angelus also released “hell of a lyfe” at the end of last month, a calmer but just-as-exciting counterpart to “coolgirl2000.”

“Nattbuss” by Fricky (~138k monthly listeners)

This song is delightful, made only more lovely by the manner in which I was introduced to it. Imagine me, one of my roommates, and some of our friends hanging out in our common room. Someone proposes a dance party. Immediately, the lights are off, the volume is cranked, and Swedish words we don’t understand fill the room as we jump and prance around. When you listen to this song, make sure you have ample space around you — you’ll want to move.

“Strawberry” by Roy Blair (~152k monthly listeners)

Roy Blair making a second appearance! I mentioned “FANTASIA” in my first vanity but “Strawberry” was released last year and is just as good. It also is on the longer side at over five minutes. Listen to the whole thing — it gets better and better.

“O Nome Do Meu Amor” by Bruno Berle (~166k monthly listeners)

This song was gifted to me by the Spotify algorithm (Apple Music users: you wish). The sound of fingers on the guitar and the beautiful lyrics let the quietness really shine through.

“Long Sardine” by Oxis (~202k monthly listeners)

I have never heard noises like these before but I want them to play in my head forever. Oxis also made a few mashups of this song with others like “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers that are awesome.

“Side by Side” by Jacklen Ro (~300k monthly listeners)

Not to be confused with “Side by Side” by Bladee (also great), this song is pure sunshine! I had it on repeat over the summer and it never failed to put a smile on my face.

“WHAT’S THE REASON?” by Ledbyher (~377k monthly listeners)

Wow! This sound is addicting. The UK drill coupled with the soft but sharp Lana-Del-Rey-esque lyricism is so special. Everyone I’ve shown this song to has become addicted too. You’re next!

“Rock Bottom” by PureSnow (~407k monthly listeners)

A friend of mine sent me this song over text last month. I listened and responded, “FIRE.” If you’ve been on the EsDeeKid/fakemink/Feng wave that much of the internet, and myself, have been on recently, this one is for you.

“AMERICAN GIRL” by Tiffany Day (~418k monthly listeners)

This song has so much bright and bubbly energy, but do not let it deceive you. Listen carefully and you’ll hear vulnerable lyrics that (if you’re like me) might sound eerily similar to your own inner monologue. But don’t fret — the incredible beat drop and release in the last minute is well worth the wait and may heal a part of you that you didn’t know needed healing.

There are many more songs to add to this list, but time is my enemy. And so, this concludes my career as a member of The Crimson’s Arts Board. What a journey it’s been! I’ll miss you.

—Outgoing Editor-at-Large Najya S. Gause was here. Send her fan mail or ask for song recommendations at [email protected].