From rock and country to Broadway shows, my playlists are always growing. As a huge music lover, music is one of the easiest ways to connect with other people. I always tell my friends that you can learn a lot about someone based on what they listen to.
I grew up singing, playing guitar and piano, and participating in various choirs and theater productions. No matter what state I’m in, music has been a constant outlet for me to express myself. Each lyric holds a memory and every song is associated with different parts of my life.
Recently, Tate McRae and Olivia Dean have been dominating my Spotify playlists. Tate McRae released her SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (Deluxe) album at the end of 2025, and many of her new tracks jumped out at me. Songs like “Nobody’s Girl,” “Tit For Tat,” and “Anything But Love” immediately became favorites due to their catchy lyrics, enjoyable rhythm, and immense confidence that radiated from their sound. Tate’s music has an energetic feeling that makes her the perfect artist to listen to with my friends or while getting ready.
Olivia Dean is a newer artist that has been increasingly growing in popularity due to her clean, calm sound. Her voice is smooth and her lyrics can be incredibly relatable, which has drawn a lot of young listeners to her work. My favorites from her currently are “Let Alone the One You Love” and “Nice to Each Other”. Her soft pop sound makes her someone I would play when I’m studying or looking for easy, gentle background music throughout my day.
Both artists reflect different sides of my music taste, and together they highlight why music continues to play such an important role in my life. I feel I can easily find enjoyable aspects in every song I listen to. I can’t wait to hear more from both of these artists and grow my playlists along the way!