Circle Staff Playlist #6: Hype-Up Songs for Exams
The Circle staff share some of their favorite songs to energize you for finals.
Graphic by Cora Flynn '26
Song Title & Artist: “Sleeping Sun” by Coldplay
Recommended by: Emma Denes, Editor-in-Chief
Description: For my last time participating in the Circle playlist, of course, I have to recommend another song from my favorite artist. This is one of the band’s lesser-known tracks, complete with a sweeping melody on guitar with hints of gentle percussion and piano. Listen to it, and you’ll feel like you can do anything.
Song Title & Artist: “Sticky” by Tyler, The Creator
Recommended by: Erin Holton, Co-Managing/Co-Features Editor
Description: This song is off of Tyler’s newest album, and the best definition I have of it is HYPE! I absolutely adore this song, and it reminds me of marching bands and high-energy ensembles. Definitely add it to your gym playlist, or whenever you need to be hyped up.
Song Title & Artist: “Ocean Man” by Ween and “North Star” by Future Islands
Recommended by: Andrew Breen, Co-Managing Editor
Description: It's “Ocean Man,” it played over the freeze frame ending of “The Spongebob Squarepants Movie.” I love it, you love it, we all love “Ocean Man.” Future Islands has like 10 upbeat tracks to pick from; for some reason, “North Star” doesn’t get that much love, but I think it's one of their best. God, I love “Ocean Man.”
Song Title& Artist: “365 featuring Shygirl” by Charli XCX and “Talk talk featuring troye sivan” by Charli XCX
Recommended by: Luke Sassa, Co-Campus News Editor
Description: Earworm, dance-in-the-mirror type songs.
Song Title & Artist: “Balloon (feat. Doechii)” by Tyler, the Creator
Recommended by: Emma Gaecklein, City/National Editor/Multimedia Assistant
Description: If Doechii’s verses don’t get you hyped, you’re listening to this song wrong.
Song Title & Artist: “Assumptions” by Sam Gellaitry
Recommended by: Kyle Esoian, Co-Opinion Editor
Description: The beat drop 45 seconds in fully epitomizes the sentiment of “they put crack in this song.”
Song Title & Artist: “Anniversary” by Autoheart and “Believe” by Cher
Recommended by: Cora Flynn, Co-Arts & Culture Editor/Multimedia Assistant
Description: Both songs are on my serotonin playlist and never fail to improve my mood.
Song Title & Artist: “Treta do Dj Lorran” by DJ Lorran
Recommended by: Miguel Rojas, Co-Arts & Culture/Copy Editor
Song Title & Artist: “American Idiot” by Green Day and “Hurricane” by Bridget Mendler
Recommended by: Elizabeth Baumgardner, Photo/Copy Editor
Description: Both of these songs make me feel like I am on top of the world.
Song Title & Artist: “Bloom” by Troye Sivan
Recommended by: Isabella Loiacono, Graphic Design Assistant
Description: Troye’s older albums are so underrated, and this song is — in my opinion — his best before his newest album. Overall just super fun and upbeat!
List here on Spotify and Apple Music.