As a college music journalist, I’ve been reflecting on my musical journey from freshman year of high school to freshman year of college. I’ve witnessed a fascinating evolution in my tastes and preferences. The transformation in my listening habits has mirrored my personal growth and broader trends in the music industry.
Freshman year of high school, 2020, was a time of Indie Pop sensations. My musical odyssey began with an infatuation with Declan McKenna and Harry Styles. McKenna’s politically charged indie rock, exemplified in his debut album “What Do You Think About The Car?”, captivated me with its sound and social commentary – something that Dork Magazine noted as “an extended hand into a world where anything feels possible.” This album carried me through my awkward transition in my small-town high school, as his ability to blend upbeat melodies with serious lyrics deeply resonated with my rising social awareness. Songs such as “Why Do You Feel So Down” and “Listen to Your Friends” played on repeat in my first year of high school, earning the top spots on my most-listened-to songs.
Simultaneously, Harry Styles’ transition from boy band heartthrob to solo artist marked a significant shift in my musical journey, mirroring my evolution from childhood to adolescence. As a former One Direction fan, I was intrigued by Styles’ bold move into a more mature, genre-defying sound. His second studio album Fine Line, released in 2019, became a soundtrack to my freshman year, offering a blend of pop, rock, and psychedelia that resonated with my expanding musical tastes. Styles’ ability to reinvent himself artistically paralleled my attempts to define my identity in a new high school environment.
Tracks like “To Be So Lonely” and “Fine Line” provided emotional comfort during the ups and downs of my freshman year, their vulnerable lyrics and Styles’ heartfelt delivery spoke to my own experiences of loneliness and self-discovery. The success of Fine Line reflected Styles’ artistic growth and my own expanding musical horizons. His transition from teen idol to respected solo artist mirrored my journey from middle to high school, as I too sought to shed my childhood image and embrace a more mature identity. Styles’ music became a bridge between my past and present selves. While his One Direction days reminded me of simpler times, his solo work challenged me to engage with more complex themes and musical styles. This shift in my musical preferences paralleled my increasing self-awareness and desire for self-expression, making Styles’ journey a powerful metaphor for my transition during that formative first-year
As I entered my sophomore year, my musical palette expanded to include a greater variety of songs by artists like Peter McPoland and Tyler, the Creator. At the time, McPoland was a rising folk-rock artist who had previously only released singles. In 2022, he released his debut EP Slow Down under Columbia Records, which quickly shot to the forefront of my listening habits. The seven-track album places a strong emphasis on storytelling, highlighting McPoland’s narrative songwriting approach and capturing his youthful, romantic lyricism. This EP has songs such as its title track and “News at 9” which resonated deeply with my sixteen-year-old self as I navigated through life.
Likewise, Tyler the Creator’s innovative hip-hop productions added an edge to my playlist, further broadening my horizons, and adding new dimensions to my listening experience. His albums “IGOR’ and “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” gradually made their way into my playlists and opened my listening habits to a wider array of music. Tracks like “GOOD GONE THANK YOU” AND “SAFARI” stood out as personal favorites, showcasing Tyler’s ability to blend introspective lyricisms with dynamic production.
Sublime and Childish Gambino dominated my junior year, signaling a move towards more eclectic,genre-blending sounds. This shift aligns with research suggesting that as we mature, our taste often evolves from “intense” music to more diverse and experimental styles. While Sublime offered a unique fusion of punk rock, reggae, and ska, Childish Gambino’s musical journey represented an even more dramatic evolution of artistic expression. Sublime fusion of punk rock, reggae, and ska represented a maturation in both my musical preferences and real life. The band offered a perfect blend of energetic rhythms and laid-back vibes, which in many ways mirrored life at the time. The band’s ability to seamlessly transition between punk rock aggression and reggae-infused melodies in tracks like “Garden Grove” and “Pawn Shop” demonstrated a musical complexity that resonated with my evolving tastes. Their music, characterized by gritty yet melodic vocals and poetic lyricism, provided the perfect soundtrack for my adolescent highs and lows.
Meanwhile, Childish Gambino’s musical evolution – from comedy writer to rap artist to genre-defying musician – mirrored my growth and exploration of identity during my junior year. His genre-fluid approach to music provided a diverse soundtrack that resonated with the emotional turmoil of adolescence. The introspective lyrics and thought-provoking themes in Gambino’s music offered a relatable backdrop to the challenges and experiences of teenage life, much like Sublime’s candid approach to songwriting. Together, Sublime’s introspective lyrics and raw energy, and Childish Gambino’s genre-defying approach expanded my musical boundaries and reflected my deepening sense of self.
My transition to college saw Hozier and Lizzy McAlpine taking center stage in my playlists. This return to folk-inspired sounds, coupled with indie sensibilities, reflects a full-circle moment in my musical journey. Hozier’s poetic lyricism and McAlpine’s deeply personal storytelling became the backdrop for a period of significant introspection and change. Known for his exploration of themes such as religion, love, and social issues, Hozier’s music resonated heavily with the reflective nature of my young adulthood. Similarly, Lizzy McAlpine’s intimate storytelling captured the essence of self-reflection and the navigation of new experiences and relationships. The October release of her album Older came at a pivotal time in my transition into adulthood. This album showcases her evolution as an artist, exuding newfound confidence and artistic maturity, while its lyrics poignantly explore themes of growth and independence.
My musical journey from freshman year of high school to freshman year of college has been a rich tapestry of evolving tastes and personal growth. This transformation not only reflects my individual experiences but also broader trends in music discovery among my generation. From the politically charged indie rock of Declan McKenna and the genre-defying pop of Harry Styles to the introspective folk of Hozier and Lizzy McAlpine, each artist and genre has played a crucial role in shaping my identity and mirroring my personal development.
As studies suggest, our musical preferences are influenced significantly during our teenage years, with exploration peaking in early adulthood. My journey exemplifies this pattern, showing how music can serve as both a catalyst and a reflection of personal growth. As I continue my college experience, I anticipate further shifts in my musical preferences, whether through discoveries or a deepening appreciation for familiar sounds. Regardless of how my tastes evolve, one thing remains certain—music will continue to be a powerful force in shaping my identity and marking the milestones of my journey.