A person’s playlist can be a window into their character, and even into their college major.
I did a recent survey of student playlists here at SUNY Plattsburgh to see if I could find any links to their focus of study. Would a music major be into classical? Would a coder be big on EDM? Would a history major be tuning into epic rock ballads?
Below I’ve compiled playlists from students in computer science, biology, expeditionary studies, and music. Talking to these students about their playlist not only opened my ears to new music but also gave me a look into their personalities.
Kicking us off is biology major Abigail Goldberg. She listens to a mix of Y2K pop and R&B, while also blending in generations of rock. Listening to her playlist of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Panic At The Disco! will bring you back to the early 2010s. These nostalgia bombs pair masterfully with a mix of newer artists, including Julia Wolf, Charlie XCX, and Kehlani. The combination of pop, pop punk, and emo brings a refreshing, fun vibe to anyone’s playlist.
Music major Tray Mitchell’s playlist brings underground rap and indie music, meshing them into an almost dream-like collection. Perhaps not surprising for a music major, Mitchell’s collection includes tunes from his own band, TST. Alongside music from Sosocam and Moshc0re, the playlist maintains a bouncy sound. Artists like Cage the Elephant and Frank Ocean add a smooth and funky touch. His combination of underground rap and indie R&B/rock makes his compilation both floaty and wavy, creating a smooth summer afternoon vibe.
Representing computer science majors, Simone Domenick has iconic songs that everyone can bump to. Paramore carrying pop rock on their back, A Boogie putting on for every city kid, Lauryn Hill keeping the beats soulful and bouncy, Maejor and Sisqo keeping the energy highs, and Llyod getting everyone in the party singing. Every song in her list is legendary in each of its respective genres, and all come together to encapsulate what we thought parties were like in the 2010s. Her playlist gives the perfect selection of pregame music and will without a doubt be bumped on Halloweekend.
Our last DJ up to the plate is Anthony Denison, representing SUNY Plattsburgh’s unique major of expeditionary studies. He mixes soul and country into a funky southern rock-and-roll playlist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Who and Bob Seger, while Cage the Elephants takes the mix in a more modern rock-and-roll direction. All these artists have detailed storytelling through creative and funky beats paired with catchy lyrics making for a great playlist to sit and listen to while driving, studying or just loafing around.
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