Unless you're just relocating to the next town over, moving often involves long hours of travel by plane or car to get to your next destination. Music can be a great way to pass the time! Here are some of our team members' personal recommendations for your consideration.
(WARNING: Some songs listed below contain explicit lyrics, but you're probably old enough to determine if it's right for you, so we won't take those out.)
Elena
1) The Beatles - The Beatles (the White Album)
There is a song for everyone in the White Album. Every single song in the album is unique and listening to it all the way through is an experience. I personally like it because it reminds me of one of my favorite duty stations, but the songs are super catchy and you'll be humming them for hours. 2) The Hamilton Soundtrack Does this really need an explanation? Hamilton is an incredible musical. The OBC recording takes you through the show, and because it is a hip-hopera, you understand the entire plot just by listening to the album. Also, Lin Manuel Miranda is a genius lyricist (probably the best of our time). He never ceases to amaze me. A great car trip album; I guarantee you will be screaming the lyrics to "Guns and Ships" in no time. (This album is explicit)
3) half ● alive -still feel. (it's a single) Even though it's just a single, still feel. is a great song! It's all about remaining hopeless in dark times, and sometimes we need a little reminder to keep on living and hoping. It's also an absolute BOP that will make you want to dance along.
Isaac
The first album is Minecraft - Volume Alpha (the Minecraft soundtrack). This album is chock full of relaxing and peaceful music that will get rid of any anxiety or stress that is often generated in the process of moving.
The second album is Viva la Vida by Coldplay. I was first made aware of this fantastic album on the plane ride from Japan back to the states. This album always brings back memories of fun times with friends and the beautiful scenery of Japan.
The third album is Babel by Mumford and Sons. I have listened to this album countless times and it never gets old. If you really read into the lyrics you can learn some great lessons. I found about this Album when I was living in North Carolina and I listened to it on the way to Pennsylvania, and like the Coldplay album, it contains multitudes of happy memories that I hope to never forget.
Ash
Parkway Drive - Ire (Deluxe Edition)
When you’re feeling down about a move, what’s better hype music than heavy metal? With just the right combination of anger and catchy guitar riffs, this is a must-have for me, especially on road trips. The choruses are really fun to sing/scream along to with the whole family, and playing the air drums to get your mind off of the craziness of your military life is a great stress reliever. Who knew that listening to a grown man scream could be so cheery?
Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold (White Album)
Now this is an album that better fits the vibe that I associate with a move, with epic guitar solos that will get stuck in your head for days and a softer hard rock sound for those of you who get tired of screaming (I’m not sure my definition of soft is very reliable though). This album can make me cry or kick off a karaoke session depending on the occasion, especially with a background orchestra mixed with intense drumming and memorable electric guitar riffs.
Stone Sour - House of Gold and Bones: Part 1
Play this album with a good sound system and your socks will be knocked off. As a concept album, it takes you through a journey and feels like just one big, beautiful song. It’s a lot of fun to listen to and the lyrics really speak to my feelings of bitterness and sadness regarding moving while still managing to discuss loss, morality, and struggling to find yourself. The gorgeous vocals never fail to make me cry, while thunderous drumming and guitar riffs ultimately give me hope that I can make the most of my new home.
Meghan
Why The Click?
The Click by AJR is very upbeat and it reminds me to keep a positive attitude about moving. There is some language so just be careful. Otherwise, have fun listening to this upbeat album!
Why Dear Wormwood?
This album by The Oh Hellos reminds me of how peaceful driving or flying over flat open land is. It sounds like old folk music to me and I really like the calming nature to it. I hope you will enjoy listening to it as much as I do!
Why Horizons?
This album reminds me of the songs you hear in movies when the main character is moving. It gives me stereotypical California vibes or beach vibes. I hope you enjoy this movie song moment with me!
Henry
1) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin's second self-titled album is an electrifying classic great for road trips (along with any Led Zeppelin album up to Physical Graffiti, chronologically). With Jimmy Page's insane guitar riffs, John Bonham's explosive drumming, John Paul Jones' tight basslines and diverse keyboarding, and Robert Plant's legendary vocals, the energy of this album is sure to distract you from any worries moving may bring. There are also a few softer songs on the album, such as "Thank You".
2) The Black Keys - Attack and Release
Honestly, any Black Keys albums will serve this purpose very well (or any purpose you can think of), but I chose to feature this one because of the opening track, "I Got Mine". A cool part of the Keys' music is the ambiguity of their lyrics, leaving the meaning open to the listener. Personally, I feel "I Got Mine" could relate strongly to the military brat lifestyle, along with "Remember When", "So He Won't Break", and "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be".
3) The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
Like both recommendations above, any Dead Weather album will work well for this - all three (Horehound, Sea of Cowards, and Dodge and Burn) are amazing albums. This dark, energetic, electric blues-rock-ish music is sure to distract you from the pains of moving and will make you hate everything bad in the world.
Catherine
Ariana Grande - Breathin: Reason? Everything. Her voice is so soothing, and the lyrics really help me chill and refocus. Ariana's mature, smooth voice helps me unwind and clears my mind, especially when my mind is cloudy and fast paced from the move.
Sabrina Carpenter - Eyes Wide Open: Reason? DUDE THE VIBES ARE SO SUPERIOR. I love this song because it speaks to me in a unique way. I feel like it's a letter to me, and it reminds me to keep my eyes open to the great opportunities in the place I'm moving to. The indie pop sounds really start a whole vibe, and I start to feel super happy.
Building 429 - Where I Belong: Reason? It helps me feel less stressed about making a new home. This song reminds me that this world is my temporary home, and that my real home is in Heaven with Jesus. It also reminds me that I don't necessarily have to feel completely comfortable in one place, because in the end this isn't where I belong because I know I'm not home yet. With this song, it's not as much about the combination of the lyrics and the music (even thought both are fantastic), but more the message. Super comforting song.
Matthew O.
Any cast recording is a good pick for a long trip, mainly because it tells a coherent story and occupies a fair amount of time. My personal favorite is Les Miserables (run time is well over two hours) because of the amazing story of redemption and its breathtaking score. The 25th anniversary recording is my favorite version because of the new orchestrations. I'm also a big fan of electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling, and her second album, Shatter Me, manages to combine beautiful, emotional melodies with head-banging beats to create some epic tunes. Finally, the entrancing, inspiring narrative lyrics of husband and wife duo The Gray Havens intertwined with gorgeous, mystical, folk-popsy instrumentation transport me to another world. i would recommend any of their albums, but Ghost of a King is my favorite. I'm also a big opera fan, but no one wants to hear me talk about that (although if you enjoy classical music and want to try something new, Carmen is a great opera to start with!).
James
I listen to some diverse music, most of which you probably never knew existed. I really like Xtrullor's orchestral dubstep (Supernova, Nirmitri for example). The slower, melodic parts resemble the mixed emotions of leaving a place, while the drops and crazy techno bits mirror my excitement for the future. It's also fun to try listening to music that is popular wherever you're moving to. Sometimes, it's music you don't end up really liking (like K-pop), but other times you'll actually discover some new favorites, like German "Auf Uns" by Andreas Bourani. Finally, I always listen to contemporary Christian, because I know God will help me through the hard times of a move. I especially like Chris Tomlin's Burning Lights Album, as it's important to know that "The God of Angel Armies is always by my side".
Ciara
My music tastes are very widespread. One minute I'll be listening to Little Dicky and the next I'll be listening to Hannah Montana. I love music from rap to country, and I have songs from plays to alternative. But I listened to these songs hard-core when I left my last duty station. Thank you Spotify for recording my bops for 2019. I will start off with my favorite song, "All Time Low" by Jon Bellion. I feel as if in the middle of moving, I always hit that time where I constantly cry, and though this song is a more upbeat song, you can cry to it too. For the last two I have no idea why, but they are bops in my opinion. I love "Gives You Hell" by All American Rejects, because it’s saying a good goodbye to your opinions and all the people who loved for you to get out of there. Last is "Money" by Cardi B, because you can just blast it and it has such good bass. There are so many others that I might just have to do an article on My Bops when Moving.
Griffin
Generally, when I’m on a road trip or long plane ride (much like the dreadful 20 hours to South Korea), I try to make sure the albums I listen to are long time-wise and are full of songs that I never skip. Starting off with Swimming by Mac Miller, it’s my go-to. It’s my favorite album I’ve ever listened to, he's one of my favorite rappers, and I could listen to this album alone for days on end. Secondly, Over It by Summer Walker is full of slower paced R&B tracks that are perfect for relaxing on a sometimes stressful trip. Finally, AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP is one of my favorite A$AP Rocky albums. I never skip any of the tracks and it’s a good album to turn up my headphones or speakers to the max to. Of course, my travel playlist contains so many more, but these are the albums that stand out the most as they’re my favorites that I listen to on a daily basis.