Spring Media Recommendations from Someone with Bad Taste
Written by Katherine McCracken
Edited by Kathy Lu
Cover Image by Elena Chen
Happy Spring, Havergal! While I‘m thankful that there is finally warm weather and longer days, I know that everyone is in a crunch and is probably spending most of their time indoors focused on school. In honour of that, I thought of a quick list of recommendations for music and movies to help keep you calm.
“Everyone Else is Doing It So Why Can’t We” - The Cranberries
Released in 1993, this is the first album from the Irish group, The Cranberries. Dolores O’Riodan provides the spring-like melodies to tracks talking about youth, love, and coping with loss. It is a classic album and the perfect soundtrack to your exam season. Tracks like “Linger” and “Sunday” are perfect melancholic bops that will match your energy and make you feel lighter on your feet.
“Hozier” - Hozier
Anything by Hozier is perfect for spring. In this album, specifically, Andrew, the Irish poet, writes about his past with religion and the meaning behind human relationships. The album is overall the perfect introspective soundtrack for stressful times. You won't find another album that screams “spring” like this one does as it is about leaving the past behind (like winter) and stepping into love. Given that his new EP just released with three new songs, catching up on the classics will only enrich the listening experience.
“Grace” - Jeff Buckley
This masterpiece can't be boiled down. To anyone who hasn't heard a song off of this album, do yourself a favour to do so because you will never be the same. I first heard of this album through his cover of Leanord Cohen's song, Hallelujah, which will break your heart everytime you hear it. I remember when I was little I didn't believe it was a cover because the way he sang it felt so personal. That feeling will follow you through this whole album.
“Spirit, Stallion” of The Cimaroon Soundtrack- Bryan Adams and Hans Zimmer
I know. This seems like a weird recommendation but this is, in my opinion, the best piece of music that has ever graced the Earth. Of course, my full recommendation is to watch the movie and then the soundtrack, but this project is so good it stands on its own. If you need songs to make you feel motivated throughout any crunch, your answer lies in this soundtrack from a horse movie. I promise.
Kung Fu Panda The Movie (and also the rest of the trilogy)
Now I’ll move into movie recommendations for any free nights you may have. While it is very likely you’ve already watched this when you were younger, this is your sign to rewatch the whole trilogy again. Are you feeling lost and under pressure to work hard or to do something that seems way out of your league this exam season? So is Po: the Panda and Dragon Warrior. Spend two and half hours reliving your childhood and understanding the meaning of finding yourself in a way that will feel a bit too relevant.
Christopher Robin (Movie)
This adaptation of the Winnie the Pooh books is about the character Christopher Robin who left all his friends in the wood and grew up to be unhappy and unimaginative. In this movie he re-encounters Pooh and is brought back home to discover life’s true meaning again. This movie will give you hope whenever you are having a bad day and will remind you to stay playful and be grateful for those around you. Plus, it stars Ewan McGregor, who just so happens to be my dad’s cousin’s wife’s cousin. Moral of the story is that I'm 1/12 famous.
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of The Ring
Let's be honest here, a movie about healthy male friendships in the mountains is exactly the kind of pick-me up needed right now. As we trek our way through the gates of Mordor, we are going to need a hobbit or two alongside us when we brave our way up Mount Doom into the fiery pits of exams.
That's the thing, though, isn't it? Exams can feel like a journey under the eye of Sauron, but they don't have to be. If we can balance work and play in these last few weeks of school, everything is going to be OK. Maybe not Shire-level peaceful, but enough that we can still be joyful and grateful that we are here in the first place.