Weekly Playlist 10/25/25

“New Person, Same Old Mistakes” — Tame Impala

Tame Impala’s “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” the closing track on his 2015 album Currents, is an incredible example of music construction. Tame Impala, the psychedelic music project of Kevin Parker, uses the track to dive into self-growth and the struggle to truly change.

Clocking in at more than six minutes, the song maintains a hypnotic feel with floaty synths, layered textures and a heavy bassline. The track is driven by Parker’s persona on Currents, a more upbeat, hopeful version of himself, while the backing vocals on the hook almost represent his alter ego from Lonerism, marked by a more doubtful attitude.

The first line of the chorus, “Feel like a brand new person, but you make the same old mistakes,” captures the struggle of self-improvement and relapse. The track also gained extra popularity when Rihanna covered it for her 2016 album Anti, introducing Parker’s sound to a new audience.

It is ranked as a top-three song in Parker’s discography on Album of the Year and remains a legendary track in his catalog. Currents is my personal best album of all time, and this song is a major reason why.

Jack Dobbins is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jwd5889@psu.edu.

“Moon” — Daniel Caesar (featuring Bon Iver)

“Moon” is one of the most vibey, slightly depressing songs ever, but it’s been hitting hard for me lately.

Two of my all-time favorite artists collaborating was such a treat when this dropped in September, and it honestly hasn’t left my playlist since. With the colder weather rolling in, it feels even more fitting to recommend.

The song definitely leans heavily on Bon Iver’s production style, full of layered harmonies and that signature ethereal atmosphere.

We unfortunately don’t get much of Justin Vernon’s vocals beyond a few haunting background hums, but his touch is unmistakable. The collaboration still feels balanced, with Daniel Caesar’s smooth, soulful tone grounding the dreamy soundscape.

In the second half, the song shifts focus almost entirely to Caesar’s vocals, giving it a more stripped-down, haunting quality. It’s subtle but emotional — the kind of track that grows on you more with each listen.

Overall, “Moon” is a pure, melancholic, gorgeous and endlessly replayable vibe — a perfect soundtrack for reflective nights and chilly walks home.
— Madison Rush

Madison Rush is a fourth-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.

“Please Come Home for Christmas” — Eagles

I know it’s Halloween, but I’ve already been deep in my Christmas music era for the past two weeks, and this song is just too good not to talk about.

“Please Come Home for Christmas” by the Eagles is such a timeless classic that, in my opinion, can be played any time of year.

The Eagles are one of those legendary bands that can make any genre their own, and this track is no exception.

My dad is a huge Eagles fan, so their music was always playing around the house when I was growing up. Once it turned to Christmas season, this was the song — the one that instantly made it feel like the holidays had arrived.

What I love about this song is how it captures both the melancholy and comfort of the season. Glenn Frey’s vocals are soulful and emotional, perfectly delivering lines like, “Bells will be ringin’ the sad, sad news / Oh, what a Christmas to have the blues / My baby’s gone, I have no friends / To wish me good, once again.”

It’s a song about loneliness, love and the hope that the holidays can bring even after a hard year — a classic and heartfelt track that perfectly kicks off the cozy holiday season.
— Madison Rush

Madison Rush is a fourth-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.

“Beetlebum” - Blur

Seeing as though fall is in full swing, I thought I’d share the song that’s been hanging around my playlist for quite some time now.

“Beetlebum” simply sticks around with me due to the melancholy feel of the track. I first heard it when I was listening through Blur’s discography, and once I heard it as a lead track on the self-titled Blur, it was extra special.

It’s such a simple track, but is as great of a listening experience every time.

The closing minutes of the track also stand out as the song begins to rupture and lyrics can no longer be understood.

The track is very artsy, and it’s a pleasure to listen to every time it pops up into my queue. - Neil Bishop

Neil Bishop is a first-year majoring in Advertising. To contact him, email ntb5264@psu.edu.

“Blue Coupe” — Twin Peaks

One of my favorite songs to listen to during the fall comes from one of my favorite bands, Twin Peaks.

The song is laid back, with piano and guitar serving as the main instruments, and the lyrics are heartfelt and mellow — perfect for the colder weather.

“Blue Coupe” also differs from the rest of the band’s discography. The band is often known for an upbeat garage rock style, which makes the song stand out more to me.

The song is perfect for walking in the fall weather, with leaves falling and the temperature dropping. Although Twin Peaks’ other songs are a different vibe, I highly recommend looking into them.

Matt Niemeyer is a fourth-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact him, email mbn5338@psu.edu