Beyond just catchy tunes, music holds memories. The M-A Chronicle interviewed students about their personal playlists and the connections tied to them. From indie pop to alternative rock, songs hold different meanings for each student.
Zane Nahas
Sophomore Zane Nahas’ ‘Summer 2024’ playlist contains a dually upbeat and chill mix of indie pop, country, and retro tracks. A few songs that resonate most with Nahas are “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee, which he has been listening to since fifth grade, “10,000 Hours” by Justin Bieber, and “7 Summers” by Morgan Wallen. “Those are some summer songs I like and used to listen to a lot,” Nahas said. Alongside these modern hits, Nahas’ playlist features old songs, reflecting his connection to his dad. “Old music reminds me of my Dad because that’s what he would listen to,” Nahas said. Another one of Nahas’ favorite artists is Frank Ocean, whose melancholic tunes create a sense of peace for him.
Ruby Pence and EB Hoffman
Best friends and seniors Ruby Pence and EB Hoffman have something better than a regular playlist—a combined playlist. Each week, Spotify creates a custom playlist for them based on their individual music data through the ‘blend’ feature. Never getting boring, the playlist has new tracks every week that Pence and Hoffman can enjoy together. Their playlist, titled ‘Rubert,’ is diverse, encompassing various genres including folk, house, country, and music from the ’90s and ’80s. “There’ll be some specific songs on here that bring back memories of me and EB, and our friend group, so they bring me back to experiences of good times,” Pence said.
Geovanni Pantoja
Sophomore Geovanni Pantoja’s playlist ‘Chill’ is a compilation of rap, indie pop, and electronic music. He created his playlist with songs that remind him of his special someone, along with relaxing tunes that help him study. “I listen to it throughout my day and it helps me focus throughout my classes,” Pantoja said. “It just puts me in a chill mood.” His favorite song, “Dark Red” by Steve Lacy, is one of the songs he can listen to throughout the day without getting bored. ‘Chill’ is both calming and enjoyable, offering a perfect balance between relaxation and focus. Whether he’s studying for a test or just unwinding after a long day, this playlist never fails to set the right mood.
Zoe Yob
With a combination of alternative rock, laid-back indie music, and oldies that are rarely listened to, junior Zoe Yob’s ‘Sunny’ playlist perfectly captures her essence. The Kings Of Leon and The Killers hold a strong connection to her close friends, reviving nostalgic moments. “I have a really strong connection with my friend Zara over Coldplay which is the type of music we connect over,” Yob said. Her playlist is made up of artists and songs that lead her back to certain people in her life—for example, anything by the Grateful Dead or Sublime reminds her of her dad. “We have one specific song called ‘I Will Take You Home’ by Grateful Dead and the guy who wrote it in the band was inspired by his daughter. So that’s always how I connect with my dad,” Yob said.
Elly Mancia
Freshman Elly Mancia’s playlist ‘🧍♂️🧍♂️’ has a mix of smooth R&B and laid-back rap, offering a relaxed and mellow vibe. “My playlist doesn’t have a lot of upbeat songs,” Mancia said. “It’s very chill so I can listen to it whenever.” But Mancia’s playlist is more than just background music—it holds special significance to her, carrying memories of her time spent with her sisters. “When I’m hanging out with my sisters, we like to listen to this music together,” Mancia said.
Mae Kunihiro
“If you search for vintage, chill, cool girls—it’s me, it’s my playlist,” junior Mae Kunihiro said. Kunihiro blends a variety of indie pop, rock and a touch of nostalgia in her music taste. She credits her brother for introducing her to many of the songs and artists that define her style, explaining how her music taste is influenced by him. Every time she listens to it, it brings back memories of them. During finals week, a bad day, or just when she needs a break from reality, Kunihiro can turn on her ‘✌️’ playlist and it will instantly relax her.
