April 25Study Music Recommendations for the AP Exam Season
April 25Senior Spotlight: Ethan Underhill
April 23Senior Spotlight: Zoe Goldstein
April 22Natural Wonders of the Carolinas
April 21Behind the Scenes of Varsity Baseball
April 21ECB’s 20th Anniversary: Meet the Big Five in Charge
Each year, we cycle through the four seasons. Summer is full of light and positivity, fall becomes more melancholy, winter’s monotony is broken by iconic holidays, and spring brings the return of life and the color green. However, for Enloe students, one could argue that a fifth season exists: the anxiety-ridden days of May when thousands of AP exams are administered. The preparation might begin in August, but reality only starts to hit by the time we come to the second half of April. At school and at home, students rack their brains as they try to remember long vocabulary lists, complex formulas, and countless historical events.
Let’s be honest: studying for AP exams can be pretty discouraging. However, a simple addition can transform a tedious chore into something slightly less miserable: music! But what should you play? Thanks to the internet, an enormous variety of genres is at our fingertips, but it can be hard to find the exact artist to match your mood. After all, when you’re trying to study for APUSH, it probably isn’t the best time to spend fifteen minutes trying to find which Lofi Hip-Hop 24/7 Radio is the right one for you. With this dilemma in mind, I have curated a list of the best artists to play while studying, no matter what class you’re preparing for. 
If you would like to listen to a mix of lofi artists…
Spotlight: The Jazz Hop Cafe is your one-stop-shop for lofi mixes. Whether you’re in the mood for lofi space vibes, classical lofi beats, or an anime style mix, this channel has what you’re looking for! Featuring many different artists creates variety within the same compilation, while still keeping enough of a consistent tone to avoid being distracting.
Honorable Mention: One would be remiss to write about study music without acknowledging Lofi Girl, a persona practically synonymous with lofi itself. Sometimes mistaken for a musical artist, Lofi Girl is actually a channel that publishes compilations of songs composed by other creators. Although her reputation arguably overshadows the true pioneers of the genre, the lore behind Lofi Girl’s character and her counterpart, Synthwave Boy, does set the channel apart from its competitors.
If you like piano…
Spotlight: It’s not even a competition—BLUEGIRLPIANO is 100% the most talented piano composer that you haven’t heard of. From energetic beats like The Milky Way to more somber songs like Carnation, her compositions all feature her original style, which incorporates strong rhythms and lively melodies. Her compilations are great for playing in the background during a study session, but they’re also really fun to dance to.
Honorable Mentions: Hailing from South Korea, Yiruma is the celebrated composer of Kiss the Rain and River Flows in You, as well as several other beautiful pieces. Pally specializes in covers of music from movies and video games (including Stardew Valley), which she plays by ear. Haruka Nakamura is perfect for anyone looking for a peaceful and relaxing sound, as can be seen in his Still Life album. 
If you want to listen to individual lofi artists…
Spotlight: Kainbeats is lofi at its finest. Lofi music may not be sufficient to soothe the woes of taking six AP exams, but his music is undeniably warm and calming, and his Peaceful Lofi for Overthinking Minds playlist is especially relevant at this time of year. Plus, he also has a channel devoted to his piano compositions, which are quite relaxing as well.
Honorable Mentions: hotpotatoes brings fun lofi compositions from Singapore, including Bliss and Ode To A Broken Mandolin. The creator of Escaping Reality and Until Forever, Yasumu is a prolific German artist whose pseudonym is the Japanese word for “rest”—something Enloe students could use a lot more of. Haruko’s light, upbeat tunes are meant to add brightness to your day, no matter how pessimistic you’re feeling about AP Calculus.
If you’re interested in lofi with a twist…
Spotlight: If you think all lofi sounds the same, Kupla’s beats will make you think again. A Finnish artist based in the UK, his combination of clarinet and piano, and his incorporation of unusually catchy melodies create a distinctive sound. For some of his best work, check out the albums Mirage or Kingdom in Blue.
Honorable Mentions: At 23 years old, Moon-uh is an emerging artist whose original songs merit more attention than her one hundred subscribers. HoKø, a pianist, and Lucie Cravero, a cellist, make a true dynamic duo, as can be seen in Blue Note, Blue Coast, and Atlantis. Cotton Vibe’s music is immediately recognizable, featuring cheerful keyboard compositions and anime aesthetics. 
If you prefer acoustic music…
Spotlight: I understand that lofi music isn’t for everyone, so let’s take a look at something completely different: bluegrass! Nickel Creek is a folk trio from California featuring mandolin, guitar, and fiddle. Although they’re best known for their songs with lyrics, their instrumental tracks are truly works of art and are wonderful accompaniments for practically any activity. After all, who doesn’t like A Simple Song For Salty The Singing Seaslug?
Honorable Mentions: For a different folk music tradition, check out the albums of Joanie Madden, maestro of traditional Irish tunes. Japanese guitarist and composer Yutaka Hirasaka has released several albums with a simple and calming quality, notably Almost Blue and 『heavenly tone』. Finally, Akira Kosemura’s multilayered masterpieces have been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and even a video game, and they are also excellent for study settings.
The supply of study music is admittedly oversaturated, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t artists with unique sounds and styles. Whether you’re reviewing for WHAP, APES, or HUGE, I hope that you will be able to find the right music to maximize your productivity. Best of luck on your exams!
PS: If you need to wind down after a day of testing, the lofi artists Bcalm, no one’s perfect, and Dontcry will always be there for you.
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Study Music Recommendations for the AP Exam Season – Enloe Eagle's Eye
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