Kolleen Gladden ‘21
Photographer
“Creature Comforts”- Trella
Even the wildest folks have a comfort zone. I have found this to be especially true of the largely risk-averse law school population. Trella proves she’s human like the rest of us with this tribute to a beautifully uneasy love. Perhaps my favorite thing about this song is that it isn’t describing a reckless romance that throws you into the deep end. Rather, Trella describes someone sneaking into the corners of her heart, something gently disarming her emotional barriers. It brings to mind a conversation I had with Eleanor Schmalzl ’20 this year. I had remarked to her that I couldn’t picture her with anyone but her fiancé, Jansen VanderMeulen ’19, a view shared by just about anyone who’s met the pair. She replied, “I can’t either anymore. Before I knew him, I had an idea of what I thought would be a good match for me. Then I met Jansen, who was completely different than what I’d had in mind—and he was perfect.” Aside from being an absolutely gorgeous sentiment, I think there’s an important underlying lesson here that extends even beyond relationships. It’s key not to become so caught up in searching for what we think is good for us that we miss out on something better. I can’t count the number of times I thought I knew what I wanted only to be blindsided by a greater option that I’d never considered. You never know what beauty might be waiting just past your “Creature Comforts.”
Pictured: Trella during an intense jam-sesh. Photo Courtesy of @TrellaTunes on Instagram.
“All Night”- PRIZM
If you’re looking for the synthy 80’s retro-pop soundtrack of your dreams, look no further than PRIZM. A criminally underrated duo from Fort Worth, Texas, PRIZM makes the kind of lighthearted music that all of us could use more of right now. “All Night” is one such bop, reminiscent of the times when we could go outside and socialize with other human beings. It’s just an upbeat song about staying out and dancing until sunrise. That’s it. No frills. This is the kind of tune that makes reality just a little bit quieter. Their entire discography has that effect, actually. So go ahead, give them a listen and get some of that sweet, sweet serotonin.
Pictured: PRIZM is exactly who your parents warned you about. Photo Courtesy of @weareprizm on Instagram.
“Bby”- Two Feet
Two Feet knows how to set a mood. This has never been more evident than in his newly released album Pink. His smoky, cool-guy vocals paired with impressively evocative instrumentals come together to produce the kinds of sounds that will make anyone feel something. Sometimes, he forfeits his voice entirely, instead letting his hands do the talking. “Call Me, I Still Love You” is one-minute long and features no vocals, but the tune tells you everything you need to know. The versatility of Pink ensures that every person who listens to it will pull something different from it depending on what they’re going through. “Bby” is one of my personal favorites just for the intro. There are only four distinct lines in the entire song, and there’s certainly no need for more. The passionate opening hook does all of the heavy lifting, and it just works. I sent “Bby” to a friend who responded with: “The guitar part makes me want to get undressed.” To that I say, we’re in social isolation, my friends. If you’ve worn pants at all in the last three weeks, it might be time to re-evaluate.
Pictured: Use your two feet to walk to a computer to turn on and jam to Two Feet. Photo Courtesy of @TwoFeetMusic on Instagram.
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kcg3ar@virginia.edu