"woke up by a girl i don't even know her name"

Between holiday parties, final projects, final exams, and shopping for my loved ones, December was a pretty jam packed (and slightly stressful) month.

Despite the fact that I love Christmas music, and holiday music in general, there are no festive songs on this playlist. Instead, I went for a wild assortment of songs, across a variety of genres.

Some of my favorites from this playlist are Bleachers' "Rollercoaster" featuring Charli XCX (who's voice was literally made for pop music), The Weeknd's "Party Monster," and Terror Jr's latest track, "Heartbreaks," which has phenomenal one liners like "sending naked pictures with your iPhone / but you'll fuck her with your eyes closed" and "running laps 'round these bitches in my flip flops."

Below are the thirteen songs that served as my soundtrack during the month of December:

1. "Go Fuck Yourself" - Two Feet
2. "Party Monster" - The Weeknd
3. "After the Afterparty" (feat. Lil' Yatchy)
4. "Advice" - Kehlani
5.  "Bad Things" - Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello
6. "Entropy" - Grimes & Bleachers
7. "Deja Vu" (feat. Justin Bieber) - Post Malone
8. "Some Kind Of Drug - Earwulf Remix" (feat. Marc E. Bassy) - G-Eazy
9. "Let Me Explain" - Bryson Tiller
10. "Wasted" - Dreezy
11. "Phone Down" - Erykah Badu
12. "Rollercoaster" (feat. Charli XCX) - Bleachers
13. "Heartbreaks" - Terror Jr

Happy Listening, 

Robert

"i used to believe change is all i wanted"

photo by Rebel Rae (@rebelraemusic)

After releasing perfectly simple and extremely aesthetically pleasing visuals for "Tomorrow" and "War is Over," R&B songstress Rebel Rae has dropped the third visual from her EP, Twenty16.

"Tears on the Altar," directed by Josh Sikkema, is set in a abandoned town in the middle of the desert. Throughout the video, Rae is seen roaming through the town alone while exploring the various structures and art pieces.

Once again, Rebel Rae has delivered an incredibly beautiful visual and I can't wait for her next release. 

Happy Listening (watching),

Robert

"keep those words locked in a bottle"

Though November is a month that many of us would like to forget, I did try to stay positive because it marks the beginning of the holiday season and I got to celebrate my 20th birthday (!).

My playlist for November is filled with uptempo, dance-floor worthy songs like Shakira's "Chantaje," certified bops (that can only be played at full volume) like Travis Mills' "I Doubt It," and songs that you'll want to scream at the top of your lungs like Greyson Chance's "Hit and Run."

Below are the twelve songs that served as my soundtrack for the month of November:

1. "Fake Love" - Drake
2. "Chantaje" (feat. Maluma) - Shakira
3. "On Hold" - The xx
4. "Hit & Run" - Greyson Chance
5. "Murder" - Lido
6. "Nobody's Better" (feat. Fetty Wap) - Z
7. "Super Powers" - Terror Jr
8. "Hands Free" - Keke Palmer
9. "Ain't My Fault - R3hab Remix" - Zara Larsson
10. "Black Beatles" (feat. Gucci Mane) - Rae Sremmurd
11. "Otra Vez" (feat. J Balvin) - Zion & Lennox
12. "I Doubt It" (feat. Blackbear and Skizzy Mars) - Travis Mills

Happy Listening, 

Robert

"fighting flames of fire"

Historically, my October playlists have been very gloomy, often filled with slow, somber songs about heartbreak and regret.

However, I'd like to think that I switched it up a little bit in 2016. With a mix of bangers (sort of) like Bruno Mars' "24K Magic," feel good tracks like Phoebe Ryan's "Dollar Bill," and slow jams like Solange's "Don't Touch My Hair," my October playlist is more "chill" than gloomy.

Below are the eleven songs that served as my soundtrack during the month of October:

1. "All We Know" (feat. Phoebe Ryan) - The Chainsmokers
2. "Trust Nobody" (feat. Tory Lanez & Selena Gomez) - Cashmere Cat
3. "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)" - Dua Lipa
4. "Body Moves" - DNCE
5. "Dollar Bill" (feat. Kid Ink) - Phoebe Ryan
6. "24K Magic" - Bruno Mars
7. "Flex Your Way Out" (feat. Blackbear) - Sofi de la Torre
8. "Edibles." - JoJo
9. "The Loudest Silence" - Maurice Moore
10. "Drum" - MØ
11. "Don't Touch My Hair" (feat. Sampha) - Solange

Happy Listening,

Robert

"i got fake people showing fake love to me"

photo by Drake (@champagnepapi on Instagram)

Just ahead of his 30th birthday, Drake announced that he would dropping a new project in December titled More Life. In addition to relieving the title of the project during a special birthday episode of OVO Sound Radio, Drake premiered four tracks, including two singles "Fake Love" and "Sneakin'" featuring 21 Savage.

"Fake Love," an infectious, tropical hip-pop, and unmistakably Drake record about fake people, has gained more traction than its more rap heavy counterpart "Sneakin,'" even claiming the top spot on Spotify's United States Top 50. 

With it's Instagram caption worthy lyrics like "yea, I know they wanna take my place" and "look you in the face and it's just not the same," "Fake Love" is destined to be a hit. I expect to hear it blaring through the speakers at every after-hours holiday party this fall and lip-synced in thousands of Snapchats. 

Happy Listening, 

Robert

"sometimes i ask for the sun and get rain"

photo by Rebel Rae (@rebelraemusic on Instagram)

Following the release of R&B newcomer Rebel Rae's sweet and soulful EP, Twenty16, the singer-songwriter has unveiled the wonderfully simple and aesthetically pleasing visual for the project's closing track, "Tomorrow."

Donning a cut off "Generic Brand" denim jacket and equipped with a portable CD player, Rae sings about not letting the past impact her, instead, choosing to focus on "Tomorrow."

Hopefully she'll be creating and releasing for visuals for the other songs on Twenty16, but until then, I'll just keep hitting the replay button. 

Happy Listening (watching),

Robert

"this life can make you so jaded"

August marked my return to one of the most fast paced and chaotic places in the world, New York.   The apartment hunt proved to more of a struggle than I was prepared for, so I spent most of the month stressing and couch-surfing, with the occasional trip back down to D.C.

Starting off with the undisputed song of the summer "Closer," and wrapping up with the perfectly cool and dreamy "Moon" by newcomer Tysm, August is pretty low-key with mid-tempo jams from Kehlani, Glass Animals, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Ansel Elgort, who released his debut single, "Home Alone" at the end of July.

Below are the fifteen songs that served as my soundtrack to the month of August:

1. "Closer" (feat. Halsey) - The Chainsmokers
2. "I Met This Dude at Coachella" (feat. Rykeyz) - Brezy
3. "Hurts So Good" - Astrid S
4. "Perfect Strangers" (feat. JP Cooper) - Jonas Blue
5. "Let Me Love You" (feat. Justin Bieber) - DJ Snake
6. "For Free" (feat. Drake) - DJ Khaled
7. "Youth" - Glass Animals
8. "Home Alone" - Ansel Elgort
9. "Distraction" - Kehlani
10. "Not Nice" - PARTYNEXTDOOR
11. "Come First" - Terror Jr
12. "In The Name Of Love" - Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha
13. "Lies" (feat. SZA) - Felix Snow
14. "Gone" (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) - Afrojack
15. "Moon" - Tysm

Happy Listening,

Robert 

"high like amphetamine, maybe you're just a dream"

photo by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga on Instagram)

After a three year hiatus from pop music, Lady Gaga has managed to reinvent herself, yet again, and she's back with a vengeance.

Produced by Mark Ronson, Bloodpop, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, and Gaga, herself, "Perfect Illusion," is a loud, powerful, punk-rock infused banger that explores deceitful relationships with lyrics like "I still feel the blow / but at least now I know" and "it was a perfect illusion mistaken for love."

With its anthemic chorus and bridge, "Perfect Illusion" is destined to become a break-up classic, but this fall, I can guarantee that it will be blasted at ear-drum shattering levels at clubs, in cars, and through headphones across the world.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"shut up i love you, you're my best friend"

I spent 5 and a half incredible months studying in and traveling around Europe. I saw some of the most beautiful churches, bridges, towers, and monuments in the entire world, and I also explored a decent amount of shady underground (literally) bars, clubs, and pubs (shout out to Prague). July marked the end of what felt like a dream, and I was so quickly woken up by the daily grind of my internship and the never-ending process that is trying to find an apartment in New York City.

Per usual, I needed my music to get me through it all and while I often say that my playlists are a roller-coaster, this one is just really confusing. July marked my return to country music, meaning that in a span of fifteen minutes, you will listen to country, pop, and latin music from a wide range of artists like LANY, Sam Hunt, and Alkilados.

Below are the sixteen songs that served as my soundtrack to the month of July:

1. "Tongue Tied July" - Michael Brun x Roy English
2. "Where I Wanna Be" - A R I Z O N A
3. "The Ocean" (feat. Shy Martin) - Mike Perry
4. "Carry Me" (feat. Julia Michaels) - Kygo
5. "Please Don't Go" - Joel Adams
6. "Leave The Night On" - Sam Hunt
7. "Picky" - Joey Montana
8. "Heathens" - Twenty One Pilots
9. "pink skies" - LANY
10. "Gonna Wanna Tonight" - Chase Rice
11. "La Bicicleta" - Alkilados
12. "Cruel" (feat. ZAYN) - Snakehips
13. "Aloha" (feat. Merryn Jeann) - Møme
14. "DonaldTrumpMakesMeWannaSmokeCrack" - Ledinsky
15. "Starving" (feat. Grey & Zedd) - Hailee Steinfeld
16. "Cold Water" (feat. Justin Bieber & MØ) - Major Lazer

Happy Listening,

Robert

"so baby pull me closer in the back seat of your rover"

photo by The Chainsmokers (@thechainsmokers)

Six weeks ago, as "Don't Let Me Down" featuring pop newcomer Daya was rising up the charts, The Chainsmokers posted a picture of them alongside Halsey, teasing that she would be featured on their "next one." 

The next one's with this beauty ❤️ @iamhalsey 📷@rorykramer

A photo posted by The Chainsmokers (@thechainsmokers) on Jun 11, 2016 at 8:22am PDT

Today (July 29th), after a very long six weeks, their collaboration was finally released and it has the potential to be their biggest song yet.

"Closer" tells the story of a couple who are rekindling their romance after a four year break. Spliced with the narration of their reunion are references to memorable moments from their relationship.

With Instagram caption worthy lyrics like "so baby pull me closer, in the back seat of your Rover" and "we ain't never getting older," "Closer" is destined to be a viral sensation and it's low-key, synth heavy production makes it better suited for long drives and late summer nights than jam-packed clubs.

The Chainsmokers are currently working on a full-length follow up to their 2015 EP, Bouquet.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"so take a deep breath and let it go"

photo by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber on Instagram)

With "Light It Up" infiltrating airwaves and dance floors around the world this summer and "Lean On" becoming the most streamed song of all time on Spotify with over 800 million streams, Major Lazer is having a pretty great year.

Their year may have just gotten even better with the release of what will become the undisputed song of the summer, "Cold Water," an all-star collaboration with vocals from Justin Bieber and Danish singer MØ, who was featured on "Lean On," and writing credits from Benny Blanco and Ed Sheeran.

Falling in line with this year's trend towards more mid-tempo bops instead of first pumping powerhouses, "Cold Water" mixes dancehall, house, and europop elements to create the perfect pop song in just over 3 minutes (a Top 40 radio DJ's dream).

In less than a week, "Cold Water" has managed to ascend to the number one spot on Spotify's Global Top 50, racking up over 5 million streams a day.

I look forward to seeing "Cold Water" being featured in everyone's story on Snapchat and hearing it being blared through the speakers at every pregame, party, family cookout, and club for the next few months. 

Happy Listening,

Robert

"can we make the most out of no time"

photo by Alessia Cara (@alessiasmusic on Instagram)

Last month, singer-songwriters Troye Sivan and Alessia Cara teamed up on the re-release of Sivan's dreamy love song, "WILD."

Over the weekend, Sivan released the video for "WILD" and it is simply a cuteness overload that will make you want to vomit rainbows and glitter all over your acid wash jeans and oversized denim jacket. 

Unlike the original version's video, which depicts a love story that never has the chance to fully bloom, the re-release is more of a celebration of love, friendship, and identity set in the most Tumblr world possible. Troye, Alessia, and their squad float between lush green fields, bowling alleys, empty suburban streets, and waterfront parks taking instax's, dancing, and just being cute.

Happy Listening (watching),

Robert

"that big wall is the new frontier"

photo by Ledinsky (@ledinsky on Instagram)

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a super catchy song with an extremely long title about about one of the candidates running for president in the United States. 

The song, "#DonaldTrumpMakesMeWannaSmokeCrack," was released just before the Republican National Convention where the Republican Party in the United States selected reality television star and real estate tycoon, Donald J. Trump, as the party's candidate in the race for the presidency.

In the annotations of his lyrics on Genius, Ledinksy said that his song is about "what capitalism has done to [the United States]" and that Donald Trump does not make him want to smoke crack, but that the title is "more a symbol of your desperation...than actually smoking crack."  

Clearly Ledinsky has struck a chord with many around the world as his song is now a viral hit. "#DonaldTrumpMakesMeWannaSmokeCrack" has over 1 million streams on Spotify and currently sits atop the Viral Hits playlist on the streaming platform.

In addition to his viral hit, Ledinsky also dropped an EP, "High Society," that can purchased on iTunes and streamed on Spotify.

Happy Listening,

Robert 

"ain't easy, you got to earn it"

photo by Terror Jr (@terrorjr on Instagram)

Making another stop on their road to pop music domination, my new favorite trio, Terror Jr, just released their fifth single and as always, it is a banger.

Produced by Felix Snow and Jerker Hansson, "Come First" has the perfectly light vocals, slightly suggestive lyrics, and 808-heavy production that have become a staple for Terror Jr.



Though the identity of vocalist, "Lisa," is still a mystery, the song has credits from "Campa, Zach Zorgen, Bill, Avena Savage, Double Helix, Lisa, Dr. Olov, David, Psycho Lisa & Kylie."

Maybe we will finally find out if Kylie Jenner is in fact part of the squad soon, but until then I'll gladly bop to the sounds of Terror Jr.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"in all this bitterness, you stay so sweet"

photo by Snakehips (@snakehips on Instagram)

As a follow up to their international smash hit and "get-back together" anthem, "All My Friends," London-based production duo Snakehips has teamed up with ZAYN on "Cruel."

Starting off mellow and slightly melancholy, launching into a massive, percussion infused chorus, and ending stripped down and only backed by a piano, "Cruel" is quite the rollercoaster and the perfect mix of electronic and R&B elements.

Snakehips are currently working on their debut album, due out early next year.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"live for the challenge, only makes me stronger"

photo by Kehlani (@kehlani on Instagram)

After a rough couple of months in her personal life and the surprise release of "24/7" a mid-tempo introspective record about battling with mental wellness, Bay Area singer-songwriter and tattoo aficionado Kehlani has bounced back with "CRZY."

With lyrics like "If I gotta be a bitch, I'ma be a bad one" and "They be trynna count me out, but I'm just counting counting blessings" over very low-key beat, the focus of the song is placed on what Kehlani has to say, and she emerges fierce, resilient, and unapologetic. 

Kehlani is currently working on the follow up to her Grammy-nominated mixtape You Should Be Here.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"two blue hearts locked in our wrong minds"

photo by Troye Sivan (@troyesivan on Instagram)

After releasing "WILD" last September as the lead single to his debut album Blue Neighbourhood, Troye Sivan has teamed up with Canadian R&B singer-songwriter Alessia Cara on a re-release and it is pure pop perfection.

Featuring a new verse from Cara and some added bells and whistles that breathe new life into the record, "WILD" makes you want to host a late-night beach bonfire and serenade all of your guests as you all dance the night away under the stars.

Happy Listening,

Robert

"i might drive myself insane, if those lips aren't speaking my name"

 photo by Adam Elmakias (@elmakias on Instagram)

Despite the fact that we all may try to hide it, most kids born in the late 90s went through an angsty pop-punk phase. For those who did not (or for those who don't really know what I'm talking about), this phase can be characterized by frequent visits to Hot Topic, graphic tees, skater shoes, and an obsession with bands.

My angsty pop-punk phase came during middle school, during which time, tracks from bands like All Time Low, Fall Out Boy, Boys Like Girls, and many others could be heard blaring through the terrible Apple headphones that came with my iPod nano (2nd generation).

As an ode to my middle school days, I made a playlist with some of my favorite songs from that era.

Below are the twenty songs that defined my early teens and solidified my love for music:

1. "The Beach" - All Time Low

"The Beach" was my ringtone for six months...I regret nothing. 

2. "Misery Business" - Paramore

3. "Thnks fr th Mmrs" - Fall Out Boy

4. "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" - Panic! At The Disco

5. "Shake It" - Metro Station

A staple at every middle school dance in the United States during 2008 and 2009.

6. "Dirty Little Secret" - The All-American Rejects

7. "Dear Maria, Count Me In" - All Time Low

8. "Love Like Woe" - The Ready Set 

9. "Check Yes, Juliet" - We The Kings

10. "Everything I Ask For" - The Maine

11. "DONTTRUSTME" - 3OH!3

"DONTTRUSTME" was probably the first truly "explicit" song I downloaded on iTunes.

12. "The Great Escape" - Boys Like Girls

13. "I Wanna" - The All-American Rejects

14. "Welcome To The Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance

15. "About A Girl" - The Academy Is...

16. "She's A Lady" - Forever the Sickest Kids

Six years later and I still break out into song every time I hear the words "backseat driver." 

17. "Punch-Drunk Love" - The Summer Set 

18. "Nine In The Afternoon" - Panic! At The Disco

19. "Hello, Brooklyn" - All Time Low

20. "That's What You Get" - Paramore

Oddly enough, I heard "That's What You Get" for the first time when my dad's iPod was on shuffle.

Even though I call it my "Middle School" playlist, I still listen to it once a week and whenever I'm at parties, I play it just to see who will sing along with me...I guess some things will never change. 

Happy Listening,

Robert

"i left my consciousness in the sixth dimension"

After spending four months in Prague, I decided that I wasn't quite ready to leave Europe, so I went to Madrid!

June was filled with travel around the Iberian Peninsula, pre-games that started at 1 AM (everything starts later in Spain), long walks through Madrid's breathtaking barrios, afternoons in Parque del Retiro, and most importantly, studying and doing homework for my super intense Spanish course.

Starting with upbeat pop songs like "No Money" (which accurately describes my existence during my six weeks in Madrid), slowing down with R&B jams like "Juke Jam," and finishing up with slew of Latin records that I proudly screamed at the top of my lungs (despite not really understanding them until the middle of the month), June is perfect for a kickback, a wild house party, and everything in-between.

Below are the twenty songs that served as my soundtrack to the month of June:

1. "No Money" - Galantis
2. "Tears" (feat. Louisa Johnson) - Clean Bandit
3. "Can't Fight It"- Quintino & Cheat Codes
4. "Testament of Youth" - Rebel Rae
5. "Hasta el Amanacer" - Nicky Jam
6. "Afterlife" (Remix by Frank Pole) (feat. Frank Pole) - Greyson Chance
7. "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" - Ao Vivo - Michel Teló
8. "Juke Jam" (feat. Justin Bieber & Towkio) - Chance The Rapper
9. "Wait a Minute!" - Willow
10. "Fragile "(feat. Hailee Steinfeld) - Prince Fox
11. "Good Enough" (Michael Brun x The Ready Set) - The Ready Set
12. "Ginza" - J Balvin
13. "Bury It" (feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore) - CHVRCHES
14. "Once in a While" - Timeflies
15. "El Perdón" - Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
16. "DUELE EL CORAZON" (feat. Wisin) - Enrique Iglesias
17. "Light It Up" (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG) - Remix - Major Lazer
18. "Snowflakes" (feat. Anuka & Lox Chatterbox) - AK
19. "Sexual" - NEIKED
20. "Youth" - leuan

Happy Listening,

Robert

"you need my power like a mophie"

photo by Terror Jr (@terrorjr on Instagram)

After dropping three incredible records over the past few months, Terror Jr is back with yet another banger. 

Much like "3 Strikes," "Sugar," and "Trippin," "Say So" pairs an 808-heavy synth-pop beat with beautifully light and airy vocals provided by the still unmasked lead vocalist, Lisa. 

"Say So" is definitely the most danceable of Terror Jr's records and is the perfect late-night summer bop that can be blared through the speakers of your car on the way to a party or through your headphones as you practice your twerking skills alone in your bedroom. 

I'm looking forward to see what's next for Terror Jr, but until then, I'll just keep dancing. 

Happy Listening, 

Robert