“Champagne Problems” by Taylor Swift – Jenny Wang ’28

Swift keeps the drama low‑key and the tempo measured, exactly what you want when you’re trying to stay in the zone. Soft piano and steady phrasing make it easy to tune into your problem sets while the story unfolds in the background — intimate enough to feel present, calm enough not to pull focus.

“BBC News” by Cory Wong – Olive Pacal ’29

Wong takes elements of a striking, clear news theme expressed with piano and contextualizes it with light and uplifting melodies and beats from synth, drums and guitar. There’s a refreshing flow to the song that makes the listener feel like they’re gliding through the air. The tempo is quick enough to be decisive, but the funk groove guiding the track keeps everything unburdened. The listener leaves with an uncluttered, focused mind prepared to lock in.

“Piazza, New York Catcher” by Belle and Sebastian – Bella Kim ’29

Soft strumming and constant poetic lyrics makes “Piazza, New York Catcher” one of my favorite study songs to play low in my AirPods. Belle and Sebastian’s songs often have storytelling elements, and this track brings to mind an autumn stroll. The easy melody fades into agreeable ambient noise, leaving your mind free to read, write or solve problems.

“60% Daily – Leisure” (or “60%的日常・悠闲”) by San-Z and Hoyo-Mix – Grace Yan ’29

This is an OST from an urban aesthetic video game called “Zenless Zone Zero.” Ironically, it’s also the only track that makes me lock in instantly. It’s a low-tempo synth track and has huge Lo-Fi girl vibes. The smooth glides throughout the track are calming and create a sense of a closed study environment. Fans of this track can also check out similar songs in the “60% Daily” series by San-Z.

“Succession – Andante Risoluto” by Nicholas Brittell – Chloe Shannon Wong ’28

As someone who easily nods off to “calm” classical piano music, I find Britell’s signature dissonance just stimulating enough to stay alert. A grander riff on the iconic “Succession” theme song, “Andante’s” melody rolls and strains at all the right moments. Whenever I work to this song, I feel cool and collected as the corporate bosses at the show’s center — easy motivation for finishing that essay due at midnight.

“Self” by Cleo Sol – Tanya Rastogi ’29

Cleo Sol’s silky voice framed by chill instrumentals almost makes you forget the rising walls of midterm academic trenches. Her lyrics echo a common plea: “Save me…save me from myself…”If you use “Self” to lock in, you just may be saved. The easygoing beats and fluid bass allow any hypercaffeinated, sleep-starved mind to tune into its inner self, pun intended and true. If you enjoy this song, I’d suggest “Somethin out of Nothin’” by Joomanji and “Cherish the Day” by Sade.

“100” by Dean Blunt – Emerson Prentice ’29

This song is what fall sounds like to me, Blunt talking over the guitar, the long instrumentals, the soft tambourine in the background. It sounds like yearning, “I’m dying to meet you / but everybody says I’m wrong”. It sounds like a time of change, just like fall.

“Harvest Moon” by Neil Young – Jacqueline Larsen ’29

Even the title whispers autumn. “Harvest Moon” feels like sitting by a window on a quiet fall night. It sounds steady, rhythmic and delicate, with gentle guitar that serves as the backdrop to Young’s wavering voice. It’s easy to get lost in its calm rhythm, the kind that makes reading or writing feel almost meditative.“

Te Quiero Dijiste” by Lisa Ono – Sophia Teyolia ’29

Ono’s whispery, calm voice is the perfect soundtrack for fall. The Spanish lyrics feel familiar and homey, even if you’re not a native speaker. The gentle jazz guitar and light piano provide the perfect background instrumentals for reading a book at Coupa, sipping a warm, overpriced chai latte (oat milk, of course), while procrastinating on the mountain of homework waiting for you back in your dorm.

“‘Tis Autumn” by Nat King Cole – Ananya Navale ’25

Autumn is the time for the type of jazz that drifts like the falling red and gold leaves, and King Cole is the man with the golden voice. Nothing really needs to make sense when you’re strolling along on a cloudy day with King Cole crooning in your ear. During this time of year when the holiday season and mood starts to roll in, there’s a sense of calm that settles on everything with the anticipation of chilly weather, pumpkin spice and cozy fireplaces. “Old Father Time” slows down, and memories of love, comfort, and family come to mind.

“Man I Need” by Olivia Dean – Siena Weisman ’29

Man I Need” wraps around you like the golden haze of late afternoon light, its honeyed vocals and velvety rhythm echoing the quiet warmth of fall. It’s the perfect soundtrack for biking back from a long day of classes, the breeze cool and earth as you glide across the autumn-stricken campus, the world fading into amber and sound.

“Nocturne Op. 48 No, 2” by Frederic Chopin – Grace Feng ’29

There’s something magical yet melancholic about listening to Chopin’s “Nocturnes” in the fall. After all, the literal meaning of the word nocturne is night song. In the hours after midnight to early morning, when the sky is dark and gloomy, the never-ending melody unconsciously flows like a glass river. Wrapping the listener in a warm blanket and instilling the sense of peace and quiet that comes with autumn, there’s a sense of reverie and contemplation from the piano’s upper range that cannot be put into words.

“How to Disappear” by Lana Del Rey – Chris Procaccino ’29

Nothing evokes fall in California more than this deep cut from Norman Fucking Rockwell! The piano-driven arrangement and Del Rey’s soothing voice make “How to Disappear” my choice Lana track to study to. This track is the perfect narration of a day in the life at Stanford, whether you’re poring over readings in Green or biking past Hoover Tower on your morning commute.

“Can’t Believe the Way We Flow” — Blyss Cleveland, PhD Candidate

James Blake’s “Assume Form” is one of my favorite albums and “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow” is a standout. The jaunty melody is built around a sample from R&B group The Manhattans, and it’s hard not to feel the mood-boosting effects of the harmonies. It’s ostensibly a love song, but I have always imagined it as a conversation between one’s past and former self. Lyrics such as “I know it took you a while to get to California / I had no idea I was waiting on you” make me think back on first arriving at Stanford. Even on days I don’t feel confident, this song makes me feel competent; I hope it does the same for you.

“Highway” by Elusin – Mei Knutson ’29

This song makes me romanticize my COLLEGE readings. Elusin’s angelic voice weaves between layers of reverb and synth, reminiscent of clouds moving through a ray of light. If you’re a fan of Crystal Castles, Cocteau Twins or Snow Strippers, do yourself a favor and turn on “Highway” for 4 minutes and 33 seconds of focused bliss.

“Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo – Sophie Nguyen ’29

The songbird is truly “in the trees” and “in the breeze” of this autumnal seasonal change. In this special soundtrack selection from “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Olivia Rodrigo echoes the voice of a songbird taking flight in this transitory stage, accompanied by a flutter of guitar strums that follow the melody through both soft verses and powerful choruses.