The time is nigh for blossoming flowers, playfully chirping birds, fluttering insects, weather ranging from bright and cheery to wet and gloomy, and an abundance of pollen just perfect for the “allergically challenged” such as myself. Irritated eyes aside, the season of spring brings a time of growth, blossoming, tranquility and harmony with nature. And since, for college students, this time might represent a time of immense pressure to do well on their finals, some music appropriate for the springtime season ought to clear some studious minds and renew within them a sharper sense of focus. Or at the very least, introduce them to some nice tunes!

1. Mort Garson – “Mother Earth’s Plantasia” (1975)

Genre(s): Electronica, Space Age Pop
A rediscovered early classic of the 70s’ space age electronica, “Mother Earth’s Plantasia”  is a collection of tracks fit for any healthy and growing plant to listen to. Failing to achieve recognition on release, the record gained its cult following in the 2010s as tracks were uploaded onto YouTube and used in videos often depicting an aura of peace and pleasantry. Likewise, many tracks are wonderfully playful, quirky and soothing listens that still feel fun to experience almost half a century later.
Each track – except the opener – takes its title from a real-world plant, and they all create distinct atmospheres of wonderment, tranquility and cheeriness. The way many of these tracks progress creates their own unique visions of growth and development instrumentally for the plants they intend to depict. These ten tracks are perfect for a spring morning!
Choice Cuts: “Plantasia”, ”Swingin’ Spathiphyllums”, & “You Don’t Have to Walk a Begonia”

2. De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising”  (1989)

Genre(s): Conscious Hip-Hop, Jazz Rap, Psychedelic Hip-Hop
Arriving at the tail end of the 80s before the golden era of hip-hop would come into full swing in the 90s, “3 Feet High and Rising”  set an even higher bar for lyrical content in hip-hop. Even in the increasingly thought-provoking and challenging genre of conscious hip-hop, De La Soul’s debut still sounds enjoyable today while retaining an aesthetic and beats that are almost deceptively simple. Along with their peers from A Tribe Called Quest, this collective made music that was equally humorous, intelligent, catchy and feel-good to where any hip-hop oldhead can pick at least one noteworthy song of theirs, most of which stemming from this album.
The central theme of the album, from its cover to its lyrics, emphasizes flora as a symbol for a new hip-hop sound represented by D.A.I.S.Y., an acronym meaning ”DA Inner Sound, Y’all”. To the trio, this motif represented a new age of hip-hop which starkly contrasted with the gangsta rap prevalent in the late 80s and instead focused on messages of positivity, growth and community laced with an outlandish sense of humor. 
The cheeriness that radiates from this album led to them being labeled as a hippie group, yet they made sure to disprove such notions in their discussion of the difficulties of ghetto life and in later albums. Regardless, the infectious optimism, warmth and wit of this album can get even the most downtrodden of listeners ready to breathe in some fresh spring air.
Choice Cuts: “The Magic Number”, ”Eye Know”, & “Plug Tunin’ (Last Chance To Comprehend)”

3. Mahavishnu Orchestra – “The Inner Mounting Flame”(1970)

Genre(s): Jazz Fusion
There are a number of avid critics of jazz fusion that label most music in the genre as aimless, self-congratulatory, overcomplicated displays of technical ability rather than emotionally compelling experiences. As one of the more recognizable bands in this genre, Mahavishnu Orchestra’s debut stands out as a truly holistic listening that many other artists in the genre aspire to replicate. 
While some may accuse it of boastful performances or an unrelenting assault to the ears from the speed of the guitar playing, it is the arrangement of the eight tracks from “The Inner Mounting Flame” that shines through. It presents a fusion of jazz improvisation and electric guitar work that is often intimidating in its intense progression within many tracks yet is also serene and meditative in its quieter moments.
Many of the tracks refer to natural elements and scenes in their titles and combine these natural elements with a heightened sense of spirituality from the influence of Hinduism and Indian classical music. This results in a jazz fusion experience with zen-like qualities juxtaposing the rapid shredding.
Choice Cuts: “Dawn”, ”The Noonward Race”, & “A Lotus On Irish Streams”

4. Kero Kero Bonito – “Bonito Generation”(2016)

Genre(s): J-Pop, Synthpop
Kero Kero Bonito’s official studio debut is hard to hate and even harder to get out of your head once you’ve listened to just one of its twelve tracks. Influenced by the similarly catchy genre of J-pop, the hooks from all of these tracks are guaranteed to have you unexpectedly bouncing along to them and confident to face the day. 
The lyrical topics cover a range of everyday experiences ranging from the routine acts of waking up, hearing a song on the radio, or taking a break to more intimidating and emotionally complex experiences like moving to a city, graduating, and checking in with parents as a full grown adult. It is simultaneously brimming with childlike glee yet confident in itself to navigate the challenges of growing up and independence. Full of charm, fun, catchiness, cutesiness, and optimism, “Bonito Generation” marks a youthful and exuberant beginning for a standout pop group of the 2010s that continues to experiment with new sounds. 
Choice Cuts: ”Heard A Song”, “Break”, & “Trampoline”

5. Talk Talk – “The Colour of Spring” (1985)

Genre(s): Art Pop, New Wave
“The Colour of Spring” finds itself at an interesting bridge point in Talk Talk’s discography of five studio albums. Progression-wise, it marks a stylistic turn away from the melodramatic, peppy new wave and synth-pop sounds of their first two records and hints at a more jazz, art-pop-influenced sound developed on their last two albums to come after it. As a result, it gives listeners a great middle ground to explore both their more conventional pop sounds and the emerging ambiance and sincerity present in some tracks.
While it may not receive as much attention as either half of Talk Talk’s discography due to this somewhat awkward stage of musical evolution, the end product is an album that is as vibrant as the season its title references. Its lyrics also delve into more serious topics than in previous albums, addressing war atrocities, existentialism and the contrast between a life of pain and one of bliss. There is much beauty to be found in the ways that Talk Talk addresses such topics and even more to be found in the progressions of these tracks and the almost heavenly culmination of sounds that are still only hints of what was to come later in their discography.
Aside from the obvious qualifier for this list in the album’s title, the music is lively and rhythmic enough to create a wonderful atmosphere appropriate for the spring season. Children’s choirs, soft synthesizers, lush harp strings and mixtures of improvisational piano jazz and ambient music make for a beautiful, breathing, and natural world of music to listen to.
Choice Cuts: “Happiness Is Easy”, ”Life’s What You Make It”, & “April 5th”

6. Stereolab – “Dots and Loops”(1997)

Genre(s): Electronica, Bossa Nova, Lounge, Art Pop
Never daring from a switch-up in sound, Stereolab’s fifth album deviates from the post-rock sounds found on earlier releases like “Emperor Tomato Ketchup” and opts instead for a warmer and smoother sound combined with electronic elements. Though much of the album’s vocals are in French, a further look into them details very vivid scenes of nature contrasting with a developing capitalist society. The songs explore a variety of ideals fostered by such a system such as consumerism, materialism, human connection and the interplay between the political and the personal.
The politically dense lyrics contrast with the intentionally soothing and bossa-nova-influenced instrumentals, reflecting a growing numbness to the issues at hand. However, the album remains hopeful in the face of such opposition and maintains an important sense of connection with each other as humans. Very few albums that sound this easy to listen to manage to excite critics and connoisseurs alike, and “Dots and Loops”remains among the most acclaimed of those albums from the 90s.
The references to flowers, rainbows, and other naturally occurring life and phenomena create an interesting point of contrast from the electronic synths and political commentary throughout the album. One can listen to this album without knowing anything of its politics or intellectual meanings and use it as a pleasant backdrop for mid-day activities or studying in the light of a spring day.
Choice Cuts: “Brakhage”, ”The Flower Called Nowhere”, & “Rainbo Conversation”

7. Nick Drake – “Five Leaves Left”(1969)

Genre(s): Folk, Chamber Folk
Initially obscured by time like the rest of Nick Drake’s short discography, “Five Leaves Left” has gone through enough retrospective evaluation in the 90s to be considered a noteworthy folk album in its own right. While “Bryter Layter”would present a jazzier blend of folk and “Pink Moon” offered a stripped-back and intimate sound, this debut takes more influence from traditionally English Romantic lyricism and instrumentals in its depiction of the constantly growing and flowing scenes of nature.
Accompanying these natural vignettes are often melancholic meditations on time, fame, youth, and love. The emotions of peace and tranquility are often troubled by the real sense of urgency and despair that Drake communicates in his expertly written lyrics and uniquely pleasant vocal delivery. Very few artists can have such beautiful lyrics such as, “Time has told me you’re a rare, rare find. A troubled cure for a troubled mind,” as their first words in their debut album.While the late ’60s and early 70s was an era filled with more renowned folk artists such as Joni Mitchell or Bob Dylan, Nick Drake ultimately arose as an underdog of folk music with a colder yet serene sound that contrasted with the jangly, American sounds of more recognizable folk figures. 
The combination of Drake’s vocals, lyrics of melancholy, references to nature such as rivers, trees, and the sun, and the rustic acoustic guitar accompanied by an orchestral string section makes for an utterly sublime depiction of a blossoming forest filled with life. While there are tracks with a heightened level of drama, many tracks can be enjoyed for an early morning of a new day.
Choice Cuts: “Time Has Told Me”, ”River Man”, & “Saturday Sun”

8. Sleater-Kinney – “The Woods”(2005)

Genre(s): Alternative Rock, Riot Grrrl, Indie Rock, Noise Pop
Iconic 90s alt-rock group and revered figures in the riot grrrl scene Sleater-Kinney gave listeners a rip-roaring, cathartic, and abrasive record that showed they had not lost their edge going into the mid-2000s. Though the band would go on a decade-long hiatus after the release of ”The Woods”, the album that they left listeners with was packed with all of the qualities that fans admired about the earlier projects and built on sounds from the albums preceding it. 
Scenes of relationship conflicts, anxiety, anger, the contemplation of one’s womanly identity in a modern age, and criticisms of cheap and quick entertainment are all bundled up in a ten-track album that leaves little to no time for filler. Lead vocalist Carrie Brownstein, guitarist Corin Tucker, and drummer Janet Weiss all come through with a record that gives plenty of biting instrumental noise, sincere reflections on modernity, and incredibly catchy hooks.
The album’s name and the names of many tracks refer to natural scenes or elements found in wooded areas. Likewise, the dense, wild, and often confusing and discouraging nature of such an area with wildlife and trees makes for a metaphor for the modern struggles depicted in the lyrics that many can relate to. Despite the occasionally tense subject matter in some songs, the pure femme rockstar energy that comes from much of the record is enough to get listeners ready to conquer the spring day ahead while the more subdued moments make for relaxing music fit for a jog.
Choice Cuts: “The Fox”, ”What’s Mine Is Yours”, & “Modern Girl”

9. Noname – “Telefone”(2016)

Genre(s): Conscious Hip-Hop, Jazz Rap, Neo-Soul 
Though this technically qualifies as a mixtape, the lyrical, thematic, and musical substance throughout this project was enough to instantly turn people’s heads towards Noname as she was starting with little resources. This brief half-hour collection of eight tracks contains much of her struggles with childhood, poverty, parental relationships, material wealth, community and abortion all performed with a flow as impressive as it is attention-grabbing to the ears.
The very real and tumultuous struggles that Noname undergoes both physically and mentally do not prevent the album’s lively combination of lo-fi hip-hop, soul and jazz from shining through. With every experience she details that leaves her more and more cautious, there is also a sense of composed anger and sardonicism launched back at the world she finds herself in. Ultimately, her visions of nostalgic yet somewhat difficult periods of her life along with the pleasant instrumental results in an experience that sees Noname inviting listeners to watch her find a sense of balance between the life and death that she encounters.
The symbols of life and personal growth littered throughout these songs prevent the album from being weighed down by its heavy subject matter and the death that accompanies it. This contemporary blend of hip-hop, soul and lo-fi makes for an easy first listen instrumentally, but the lyrics and substance allow for more reflective listens in the future. A pleasant soundscape to pass the time with when going about one’s spring day. 
Choice Cuts: “Yesterday”, ”Sunny Duet (feat. the Mind)”, & “Reality Check (feat. Akenya & Eryn Allen Kane)”

10. Kate Bush – “Hounds of Love”(1985)

Genre(s): Art Pop, Art Rock 
Already having four acclaimed albums under her belt and coming off the heels of her most experimental and challenging record “The Dreaming”, Bush’s “Hounds of Love” propelled her to elevated heights of art-pop stardom and significance for 80’s music. The lead single “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” gained further traction years ago from its inclusion in the soundtrack of the Netflix original “Stranger Things”, introducing a newer generation to a sliver of what Kate Bush’s dramatic art-pop had to offer. 
Undoubtedly a high point in music for the 80s’, the exploration of love and loss with tracks that ranged from triumphant and grandiose to heart-breaking or menacing should be experienced at least once by anyone with an interest in dramatic 80s pop with a unique vision that is entirely Bush’s.
The album is marked by a passionate sense of womanly love echoed by Bush in the lyrics and performances, and this love is simultaneously in harmony with and in opposition to the evocative scenes of nature with giant skies, freezing waters and natural warmth Much of the latter half of the album, comprising a smaller concept album inside “Hounds of Love” titled “The Ninth Wave”, is influenced by more traditional European music, most notably in the Celtic instrumentation on the track “Jig Of Life”. Such lush imagery and sounds provide backdrops for dramatic stories of love and loss that perfectly suit the season.
Choice Cuts: “The Big Sky”, ”Cloudbusting”, & “Jig Of Life”