With finals still a few weeks away and midterms safely in the rearview mirror, evenings once spent in the company of coffee, textbooks and course readers are now replaced with ever elusive free time. With the right playlist, this free time can be used to let loose and do some much needed de-stressing. Below are eight tracks that will get you out of your chair (and potentially on your desk), ready to dance the night away and get some positive endorphins flowing. A dorm-room dance mix, if you will.
“Chicago Falcon” by The Budos Band
If you don’t fall into a scrunch-nosed head bob when the beat drops on “Chicago Falcon,” you may want to check your pulse. This New York-based afro-soul outfit never fails to get a room moving. Extra credit if the old school horns on this track remind you of Amy Winehouse or Sharon Jones; members of The Budos Band have toured and recorded with both artists.
“Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff (feat. Rob Swire)” by Deadmau5
You may or may not be old enough to go to the club, but a Deadmau5 track and a decent imagination can take you there regardless of the residence hall triple you find yourself in. Relentless bass and a fantastic hook by Rob Swire make this song a must-have for any dance party.
“One” by Ratatat
The first track off the album “9 Beats,” “One” by Ratatat is a great piece of instrumental hip-hop. This track comes with a precaution though ““ any amateur rappers in the room might try to show off their skills once the beat drops.
“Make It Funky” by James Brown
I don’t know what “it” is, but by the end of this extended James Brown jam, “it” has to have been made incredibly funky.
“Hendrix With KO” by Caribou
This song by Canada-based Caribou is the manic pixie dream girl of the mix. Carefree and adventurous, “Hendrix With KO” encourages one to shake it and smell the roses at the same time. Lush, thoughtful electronic textures will also please any music snobs hanging about the fringes of your dance therapy session.
“Digital Love” by Daft Punk
Daft Punk shows the softer side of dance music with “Digital Love.” With lyrics like “The time is right to put my arms around you / you’re feeling right / you wrap your arms around too,” this may be a good time to try and dance with your proximity infatuation. And hey, if it doesn’t work, you can always regain your confidence with a wicked air keytar solo at the 3:09 mark.
“Lady Brown (feat. Cise Star)” by Nujabes
This beat is business casual. Late Japanese producer Nujabes showed off his refined brand of hip-hop by fearlessly dropping drum machines and bass lines behind jazz pianos and nylon-stringed guitars. “Lady Brown” is no exception, with the primary sample coming from Brazilian guitarist Luiz Bonfá’s “The Shade of the Mango Tree”.
“Dirt Off Your Shoulder” by Jay-Z
In addition to being one of producer Timbaland’s finest beats, this track by Jay-Z can also serve as a metaphor. Study hard and like the midterms before them, finals will just be dirt off your shoulder. So go ahead, brush your shoulders off.