One of my favorite apps ever is Spotify. I never saw myself buying a subscription when it first hit the scene, but three years and here we are. 

Something I've loved about Spotify over the years is how as the year comes to a draw it shows you the music you've listened to the most. While I miss seeing my stats, the playlist that's been generated for me this year has been a favorite. Below are my top six of 2016. 

To hear the rest of my picks from Spotify, listen below! 

On Repeat: Kids by OneRebublic

This song just speaks to me right now. At first listen, I thought it was just another of the band's catchy tunes; some lyrics that are easy to catch onto and a fun beat that you can sway to when driving.

But then I *heard* the lyrics, actually heard them. Several lines struck a cord with me, but in particular this one: I refuse to look back thinking days were better just because they're younger days.

How true is that? How often do we romanticize the past, no matter how awful or gruesome it actually was to endure them?

How frequently do we glorify the past because it was easier? I do this all the time, especially with things as trivial as classes. I come home for weekends or breaks and help my sister with homework that she's struggling and I just think "wow, i wish these were my problems..." but in her reality, these are a huge obstacle for her. At one point, they were for me too. The only thing that's changed between the two are the life experiences that I have and that she has yet to acquire. Those days weren't really better or easier. They were just younger.

By human nature, we compare everything- our past to our present, ourselves to our neighbors, our possessions to our desires. It never ends. We are stuck in one of two states: reminiscing on what we had or dreaming about what we wish we could have.

This song made me very conscious of how I occupy my own thoughts. Why do I focus so much on the past? I can't relive it, so why am I chaining myself to those moments, to the memories that are so tainted with feeling and emotions that are so distant that the memory itself is no longer accurate? Why do any of us do this to ourselves?

Just because something happened in a younger time, it doesn't make it better. This present moment... it holds so much more promise than a fleeting memory from the past could ever hold. I choose to hold onto this moment, this minute, by gosh, even this second.

To put it simply, "I refuse to look back thinking days were better just because they're younger days."

January Playlist

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listen to the playlist here!

Fall Favorites Playlist

Though this list is short, these five songs have been the ones I've been gravitating to a ton this last month! They're great when you need to power through some homework or are in need of a study break. Perfect for putting on some headphones and tuning out the world (especially when there's annoying people around you in the library).

5 Songs You Need In Your Spring Break Playlist

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For me, spring break is right around the corner. And by that I mean that I have 2 days of classes and then I'm on break. With that sinking in, I've been coming up with my spring break playlist. While I'm not going anywhere warm (team staying at home), I still want some tunes to jam out to while I'm hanging out in my pajamas.

Here are the 5 songs that will be in my playlist & that you need to think about adding to yours!

Pickup Truck by Kings of Leon | If this song does't make you think of the sun rising over a new day... I'm not sure what song could. It's got a certain coolness that I've been obsessed with lately and I love listening to this first thing in the morning.

Sugar by Maroon 5 | This song is as sweet as it's name and I cannot stop listening to it. Plus, have you seen the music video? So cute!

Clouds by One Direction | This song is just...cute. I think it's got a catchy beat and it's an instant lift-up song for me. And come on, who doesn't like a boy band jam from time to time.

Birthday by Kings of Leon | Again with the Kings of Leon, but they're so great. Honestly, their music off of their last album just reminds me of the beach. Just about every song is amazing.

Style by Taylor Swift | This song is bubbly and sassy so it basically describes me pretty darn well. Unless you've been living under a rock, I know for a fact that you've definitely heard this song before.

What songs are a must have on your spring break playlist? 

---

LMJ

Music For the Moment: Lorde.

Someone who has been on my radar for quite some time now within the music scene is seventeen year old sensation, Lorde. Hailing from New Zealand, the young singer-songwriter's music can be heard on almost any station out there. Hop in your car and within minutes of listening to the radio, you're likely to hear her hit song Royals, or her now rising tune, Team.

Her exceptional voice and bold sense of style casts and almost mysterious light upon the young starlet. Tabloids have taken this opportunity, calling her a snob. Some even go as far as to say her song Royals casts a racist stereotype on today's modern music, scolding her for denouncing the rap/hip-hop's praise for expensive cars, outlandish fashion statements, and nights spent too long in the club. Despite the rumors, her talent is an undoubtable sigh of relief on today's air waves.

Her album, Pure Heroine, debuted September 17, 2013, and has been on constant replay in my room ever since. Her music is perfect for most occasions, ranging from driving in the car to cramming for my French tests the next day. Lorde's fresh, modern sound is what I believe sets her apart from other artists her age. While her music may appear to be somewhat dark at first listen, it sneaks up on you and hits you like a tidal wave, pulling you into her lyrics and her unique sound.

If you have been hesitant to give Lorde's other music a try, I would suggest you finally take the plunge. Ignoring the amount of times you may hear her recent hits on the radio, she truly has other gems on her album and her previous EP. I give her tracks 400 Lux, Tennis Courts, and Bravado top notch ratings, though all of her songs appeal to me.

If any of you out there have given Lorde's music a spin, leave a comment down below sharing your thoughts! I look forward to hearing your views on her sound. As always, feel free to leave suggestions for future posts as well. Thanks for reading!