You’ve got a friend–crush. You just met so–and–so, and you’re just blinded by their infinite coolness. You know your next move could lead to weekly Sweetgreen dinners and pregames at your place. Show off your great taste without seeming like you’re trying too hard. You should include: o “Breaks” – The Black Keys o “Disco Infiltrator” – LCD Soundsystem o “Beard Lust” – Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head o “Meantime” – Givers o “Teen Creeps” – No Age
You’ve got a real crush. Valentine’s Day just passed, but we know, you’re still pining. We’ve all been there, perusing the half–off candy aisle at CVS with that special someone in mind. All’s not lost; a thoughtful post–Valentine’s Day mixtape will — subtly — send the right message to your future squeeze. If you’re really bold, throw in some Barry White: o “Ready to Start” – Arcade Fire o “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” – Weezer o “Cigarettes and Coffee” – Otis Redding o “How Come You Never Go There” – Feist o “Dilettante” – St. Vincent
You want to impress your American Poetry TA. Can't stop checking out your TA's Warby Parker glasses and wing–tipped shoes? Maybe you wanna bone them, or maybe you just want to talk Kerouac over a cup of Fair Trade coffee. Regardless of your intentions, you want to communicate (but not Pound into their heads) that you’re as literate and witty as they are. o “No Surprises” – Radiohead o “Enjoy the Silence” – Depeche Mode o “The Vowels, Pt. 2” – Why? o “The Shrine/An Argument” – Fleet Foxes o “The Man Who Sold the World” – Nirvana
Your old man wants to get hip. But not too hip. You want to introduce your parents to new stuff, but you don’t want to scare them — especially if the last album they bought was Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction. Stay away from anything that fits the title “experimental,” “avant–garde” or “post–rock,” and stick to these (new–age) classics. o “Doncamatic” – Gorillaz o “Modern Guilt” – Beck o “I’m Amazed” – My Morning Jacket o “Little Cream Soda” – The White Stripes o “Home” – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
Your best friend just got dumped. And you refuse to watch them eat another half dozen tear–soaked Insomnia Cookies. You want to drag them out of that dark scary place and remind them there’s a world outside of Say Yes to the Dress reruns. Avoid the instinct to feed them break–up songs and give them some instant mood–boosters. o “Tongue–Tied” – Grouplove o “Feeling Good” – Nina Simone o “Kick Drum Heart” – Avett Brothers o “Silver Living” – Rilo Kiley o “Mean” – Taylor Swift
