Cannibal Queen / Miniature Tigers

“It’s good having somebody good for a change.”

This song isn’t necessarily about new beginnings, but it is about second chances in a way. It’s about almost giving up and getting discouraged in love, but finding a relationship that changes that. In starting fresh this summer, it’s important to let go of things in the past that keep us from welcoming the future wholeheartedly.

Give Me A Try / The Wombats

“London can try; it’ll never swallow me whole.
I swear we could be gigantic.”

The future is kind of terrifying, no matter what stage of life you’re in. This song makes me feel like I can take on the world by storm, and it won’t even know what’s coming.

Right on Track / The Griswolds

Any time we leave the past behind, it’s natural to have second thoughts, cold feet or doubts. Listening to this helps me accept that it’s OK to not have a perfect plan for everything but still be “right on track.” The Griswolds also happen to be the best feel-good band (right next to Phoenix) that I would recommend for anyone looking to feel inspired.

Let Go / RAC

In order to start fresh, we also have to let go – we have to release some habits, people and also expectations before we can fully accept everything that’s waiting for us. This song helps me to feel less of a need to have control of everything and enter a new phase ready to absorb anything.

Blood Stutter / Handsome Ghost

“Long summer, the sun lingers.”
“In the car, all the stars arrive on my ceiling.”

Summer is the epitome of fresh starts for me. It’s a huge chunk of time when you have no ties to anything, and you are free to reinvent anything you didn’t like about the year past. The feeling this song gives me encompasses the stillness and the youth of summer before a change.

A Little Opus / Little Comets

“With your school cap
Blowing in the breeze
It’s about time”

The unique and summery guitar riff throughout this pop song gives it a funky and nostalgic vibe for me. For the seniors about to graduate and head off to college, this number will put you in the mood to drive, roll down your windows and appreciate this town as we know it one last time.

Younger Love / Panama Wedding

Panama Wedding’s youthful aesthetic is perfect for this playlist because, while are all are entering our own new beginnings, we are also so young and have so many more new beginnings to come. For me, this song is about taking a risk and entering a new phase with all the innocence and playfulness of 17 years old.

Change of Seasons / Sweet Thing

I often equate new beginnings with the changing of the seasons; every fall when school starts back, I start fresh with new classes and new clothes, and every spring and summer I leave behind the school year and enter a stage of recreation. This song’s upbeat rhythm in stills an optimistic feel, and the lyrics are indicative of a fresh start.