What's the Howl Listening to? (1)

Sounds | The Howl Team

Graphic by Catherina Jiang

One-dering what we’re listening to? Tune in to our first team mixtape! <3

Chappell Roan: “Femininomenon”

Every time I listen to this song, I am reminded of how important an opening track is in setting the scene, creating the right vibe for an album. In my opinion, this song does it perfectly!! The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is absolutely timeless as it tells a classic story of a girl on a journey of finding herself with a twist being Chappell’s eccentric kinkiness! “Femininomenon” encapsulates this narrative, starting with a familiar ballad-like production and abruptly shifting to disco-pop as Chappell Roan asks the vital question “Why can’t any man (etc)?” At this point I get the sense that I’m about to hear something new and different, which draws you into the rest of the album.

- Elysia

Bershy: “Radio”

Who’s out here playing Dispatch???? Ok, I’m not, but I’ve basically watched every scene and gameplay moment in it via YouTube. If you haven’t heard of Dispatch, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure style game, similar to those old Telltale games everyone loves like The Walking Dead or… Minecraft Adventures! In it, you play a superhero dispatcher who sends a team of reformed supervillains to various missions throughout the city. The reason I’m telling you all this is that “Radio” shows up in Dispatch in a joyous party scene where the motley crew of heroes finally accept the main character as a part of their team. The song works well in mirroring the themes of the game, telling a story about how human connection can help us put some light into our sad, miserable lives! Listening to it on its own evokes a lively party atmosphere, whether I’m in an elevator or a busy street. The synths, the vocals, the lyrics. I feel like I’m in the 2010s (in a good way)!

- JL

PUP: “Totally Fine”

I would describe my November 2025 playlist as a series of mental breakdown songs. “Totally Fine” by PUP slots neatly into this collection with its catchy chorus describing a relatable feeling to anybody who’s in so deep that they don’t even know what’s normal: “Lately, I've started to feel like I'm slowly dyin'/And if I'm bein' real, I don't even mind/ Whether I'm at my worst or I'm totally fine.” I’m the type of girl who loves songs like “Totally Fine” that just repeat the same lines again and again. While this gets incredibly annoying during karaoke, it is just the type of marching beat I need in the morning to get me speed-walking to class. Par for the course for PUP, the guitar and drums bring an energy that hypes me up even after a long day.

- JL

System of a Down: “Ego Brain”

I just have a very distinctive memory of listening to this album when I was like 15. I tend to be a very sentimental individual and gravitate to media I consumed in the past. I used to listen to System of a Down and Avenged Sevenfold and walk in the woods for several hours. I even remember rating each song from this album the first time I listened to it.

- Nicole B.

Bleachers: “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call”

Bleachers!!! People either love or hate Jack Antonoff because of all the projects he’s worked on (Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Lorde, The 1975, Kendrick, the list goes on…), but personally, I’ve been an avid fan of his music since 2018. I swear he makes good music!!!!!!!!! He released this song around this time last year, but I’ve found myself coming back to it every month since then. It’s especially been on my mind recently as it gets colder, windier, and more festive around these parts of town. I love the instrumentals, and it’s the perfect song to just zone out to while on the train and ponder the lyricism, making it an ultimate “commuter” song, imo. Would also recommend “Don’t Take the Money” if you want a song more upbeat and less depressing, but both are earworms to me!

- Catherina

Steve Lacy: “Like Me”

Okkkk 6 minute song about bisexuality??? This is the kind of song that is actually three songs in an orange trenchcoat and wide-brimmed hat. Even though I’m always going “is this song still going?” when it comes up in my playlist, I love each song within the song equally. It starts with a rhythmic and catchy melody asking “How many out there just like me? How many work on self-acceptance like me? How many face a situation like me?” before going more introspective and reflective. The song as a whole feels really authentic. As a casual Steve Lacy enjoyer, I really enjoyed “Like Me” as a peek into another side of a talented artist.

- JL

Kehlani: “What I Want”

Screw Morgan Wallen, I only know “What I Want” by Kehlani! Right now, this is my hot-girl hype song. Whenever I listen to it, I can feel my standards rising and my patriarchy-instilled niceness melting away. As an ex-dancer, the beat shift in the middle of the song always hits. It makes me want to start gliding through my room and changing up the way I move through the world.

- Megan

Alice Glass: “Catch & Release”

I feel like Alice Glass deserves more recognition as an artist, especially when you compare the popularity of Crystal Castles. When you learn about the history of the group and the abuse and grooming Alice endured it further makes me want to support her as an artist. I also really enjoy the energy and the electronic sound she has. I personally enjoy a lot of her personal work more than the groups, and think more people should give her a chance.

- Nicole B.

Ethel Cain: “Thoroughfare”

In a time when I’m constantly questioning my attention span, a nine-and-a-half minute song is just what I need to regain confidence in my brain health. Ethel Cain has carried me through far too many late night grind-sessions and “Thoroughfare” always hits me like a gust of prairie air. This song is a whole-ass short story and I’m always transported into a bright and dusty day while listening to it. Give Ms. Cain a listen!

- Megan