Willow Rodriguez ’26
A&E Editor
Want to get to know some of The Wooster Voice staff through their music? This is a collection of a few of the Voice staff’s favorite songs and why they are so special.
“First Time” by Lucy Dacus – Picked by Creative Editor Scarlett Svoboda ’28
With a grungy, rhythmic, math-rock type feel, Lucy Dacus sings hauntingly with ranging synths behind her vocals. The song features different changing drum rhythms that create a rushed, stressed feeling underneath the vocals and melody. Despite the rushing drums, a comforting guitar riff follows above, paired with synths that ring like bells, which creates a familiar, warm feeling. The lyrics discuss the struggles of young love.
Scarlett Svoboda ’28 likes this song because of its relevance to her as a returning student. “This song encapsulates the feeling of returning to Wooster as a second-year student experiencing campus ‘for the first time, the second time,’” Svoboda said.
“Video Phone” by Beyoncé feat. Lady Gaga – Picked by Features Editor Sarah Buchholtz ’28
This song is a classic when it comes to music that instills feminine confidence and flair. The song’s percussion is punchy with finger snaps and drum machines, while the melody is a simple loop of a confident steel drum. The star of the song is Beyoncé’s smooth vocals. Her voice still has a classic feel, but a different charm deviates from her usual music, reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s unique style. Gaga takes on a similar tone to Beyoncé with her low, classic voice. The lyrics are playful and flirty and take on multiple viewpoints, making an interesting dynamic of blurred lines within the music.
Sarah Buchholtz ’28 enjoys this song for the collaboration between Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. “The beat is so minimal but heavy, and leaves so much space for Beyoncé and Gaga to go off,” Buchholtz said.
“&” by Tally Hall – Picked by Co-Editor-in-Chief Wyn Caudle ’27
“&” is one of Tally Hall’s prolific songs from the album “Good and Evil.” It has a constant, emphasized rhythm with distorted, grainy synths in the back that create a feeling of repetition and allow space for the grungy guitar that highlights the melody. Above the instrumentals, the song lyrics truly shine as they discuss the concept of opposites.
Wyn Caudle ’27 enjoys the song’s repetition within its lyrics and instrumentals.
“Spend It” by Summer Walker – Picked by Viewpoints Editor Nwanne Eke ’26
This song has a classic R&B feel with its slow rhythm, soft synths and heavy backing vocals that create complex harmonies underneath Summer Walker’s main vocals. Walker’s voice is calm and resigned, relaxing the listener with each verse as soft guitar strums with the synths. The song is materialistic yet vulnerable, and the singer longs for the reliability of wealth that love cannot provide.
Nwanne Eke ’26 enjoys the song for its message. “Unlike her other songs about love and romance that place her in a position of yearning for reciprocity and instead being heartbroken, the lyrics to this song lean into a feeling of control, luxury and revenge against her ex-lover,” Eke said.
“Qué bonito fue” by El David – Picked by A&E Editor Willow Rodriguez ’26
With simple guitar and vocals, El David captivates with his low, soothing voice that instills a sense of longing within his lyrics. The song is short and simple, but a deep, underlying sadness within its meaning that is impossible to ignore. David’s lyrics remember his past lover throughout most of the song, but its final lyrics imply that fate simply chose a different path for both parties, and he must accept that.
I enjoy this song for its simplicity and the comfort that love provides despite its end. It feels like a song I’m listening to a friend play on their guitar in their room at 3 a.m. as they call out for solace. I am a complete sucker for sad acoustic songs.