What music have I been listening to this winter?

            As a current high school senior, the music from this school year feels like a fever dream. Time flew by while I was applying to schools and making college decisions. Speaking of which, I’m moving to Nashville this August!

            My favorite discovery five months into 2025 has been Big Thief. I was hearing “Vampire Empire” (2023) (which you might know from the lines, “You turn me inside-out and then you want me outside-in/you spin me all around, then you ask me not to spin”) everywhere for a while but decided to give the full song a chance. Upon adoring it, I sifted through their most popular songs. I found the gorgeous guitar-carried “Velvet Ring” (2016). Big Thief is now heavy in my spring rotation, and I’m excited to become further acquainted with their music, as well as that of Adrienne Lenker, the band’s lead singer.

The cover of Big Thief's Masterpiece (2016) album

            I also started listening to Doechii, the third woman to ever win the Grammy for Best Rap Album at this past ceremony. Alligator Bites Never Heal (2024) is an insane record. My favorite tracks are “Nissan Altima” and the especially popular “Denial Is a River”. She’s an icon.

            I already briefly covered Tate McRae’s latest album, So Close To What (2025), in another article, but it’s truly marvelous. “Dear God”, “Sports Car", and “Revolving Door” haven’t left my head since February. I desperately want to see her on tour.

            This winter wasn’t all new artists. Carter Faith got back on my radar with “If I Never Lost My Mind…”, in which she showcases her vocal strength and songwriting abilities.

            I was not immune to the fangirl obsession with Sydney Rose’s “We Hug Now”. I’m sure everyone’s heard the lines, “I have a feeling you got everything you wanted, and you’re not wasting time stuck here like me/you’re just thinking it’s a small thing that happened, the world ended when it happened to me”. The entire I Know What I Want (2025) EP is superb. Another great cut is “Five More Minutes”.

The cover for Sydney Rose's hit single "We Hug Now"

            Sabrina Carpenter’s deluxe version of the 2024 hit album Short n’ Sweet is ridiculously good. “Fifteen Minutes” has stayed on repeat since February. “Busy Woman” is one of the most iconic songs I’ve heard in a while.

            Now we get to the really niche moments. I found myself back on a Fleetwood Mac kick as I was digging through old music and became obsessed with “Everywhere” (1987). Lady Gaga had a big viral moment with “How Bad Do U Want Me”. While listening to Maisie Peters’ “Blonde”, I decided to listen to Courtney Love (whom she references on the track). “Hold On to Me” (2004) became a favorite. “Run Away With Me” (2015) by Carly Rae Jepsen, which I found while shuffling a random Spotify playlist, has impeccable production. Finally, most random of all, I've loved the choral “O Love” (2020) by Elaine Hagenberg and the Beckenhorst Singers. My choir learned it, and I was stunned and had to listen more in my free time.

            As spring continues, lots of music teasing is happening. Among the most exciting artists who are releasing music are Renee Rapp, Lorde, and Audrey Hobert! In the meantime, feel free to comment with albums you want me to review, music industry events you want me to analyze, and/or whether you’d be interested in hearing about my college decision process as a music business major.