College life can be the pits. You forget the meaning of "free time," and now all you want is free food. But in the middle of this emotional roller-coaster, you can always close your eyes to stop and relax. Sometimes, stopping is the only way to get going again. Should you decide to do take a moment out of the busy day to pause, the genres below will provide the perfect sound track for the moment.
5) Acoustic Surfer Rock There is something about a Hawaiian surfer playing his guitar on the shore of a white sand beach that makes one smile. Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" and "Bubble Toes" make every moment feel like a Saturday morning. Ben Harper and Matt Costa, two of Johnson's friends, also have a couple of tunes that will put listeners in a metaphorical hammock and rock them back and forth. "Morning Yearning" and "Amen Omen" (by Harper) and "Astair" (by Costa) simply let one drift. The lyrics are as easygoing as ocean waves, and the acoustic guitar rolls into the soul and washes it as smooth as the wave-worn beach pebbles.
4) Bossa Nova What's not to love about Brazilian samba with a touch of jazz? Bossa nova is about the echo of lyrics cascading inside everyone. For authentic Portuguese bossa, listen to Joao Gilberto and Caetano Veloso. Just listen to "The Girl from Ipanema" - it will surely make you sigh. If the soothing droplets of samba covering English masterpieces is preferred, check out Bossa 'n' Marley, Bossa 'n' Beatles or Bossa 'n' Stones. These fusions, produced by the Argentine label Music Brokers, combine the best of electronic beats and Brazilian bossa nova. Lyrics by Bob Marley, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and even U2 are given new life when spiced up by jazzy samba.
3) Reggae If anything, this is the genre for "Songs of Freedom." These are the lyrics that make one want to lie back and glide. When the world feels like a desert, Bob Marley and the Wailers can guide the parched to the oasis. Songs like "Jammin'," "No Woman No Cry" and "Could You Be Loved" are truly "Redemption Songs." Inheriting the charm of their father's music, Damien and Ziggy Marley are two other chill pills. When the weary need it most, reggae can always whisper, "Smile, You're in Jamaica." For those who enjoy fusions, reggae rock ? la Sublime is another lullaby for daydreaming.
2) Smooth Jazz Norah Jones' "Sunrise" speaks for itself. I "Don't Know Why" the spell works every time. It's music to stretch out to, and the listener can bask in the warmth of smooth vocals and soft chords, the gentle pulse of the bass seemingly matching that of one's heart. Nina Simone's "Feeling Good" and "Ain't Got No, I Got Life" has the same effect. Not to exclude male jazz artists, but a woman's voice is particularly soothing when coupled with a saxophone and a piano.
1) Folk Rock Bob Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind" and "Like a Rolling Stone" are sure to erase any stress. The Beatles, on their part, have the ability to heal us with gems like "Blackbird" and "Here Comes the Sun." Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, is a subtle breeze parting the storms of the day-to-day. His voice ebbs and flows like a tide pulled by the "Moonshadow." Try listening to "The Wind," "Peace Train" and "Father and Son" without closing your eyes. Now, for those that enjoy the pauses of life, a last piece of advice from Cat: "It's not time to make a change / Just relax, take it easy"
