The Manuscript: Sarah’s Spotify Wrapped (UConn version)

The first and only thing you need to know about me is that my pride and joy is my Spotify account.

My music taste is divided into 124 playlists, which are separated into folders based on different genres, seasons and vibes.

Over eight semesters, I have consistently rotated and developed my musical hyper fixations that I could talk about forever. Without further ado, for my contributions to the senior class grad issue of 2026, we will reminisce about my UConn journey by reviewing the songs that helped me survive the past four years of blood, sweat and tears.

“Sonder” by The Wrecks

Once upon a time when Storrs was nothing but confusingly large buildings and upper-class frat boys with beards, this track boomed through my wired headphones on my morning walk to SOCI 1000. What particularly captured my attention about this one was the unique rasp of the lead singer of The Wrecks, Nick Anderson, as well as the title ironically being a word I had to look up in a dictionary.

This alt rock number has an entertaining instrumental ensemble but enter here as an honorary mention: the acoustic version. The softness these lyrics displayed gave the song a new innocence that I still feel in my bones with nostalgia.

“You Don’t Go To Parties” by 5 Seconds of Summer

It was inevitable that a 5SOS song landed on this list, as the band’s albums are what still keep me going, in particular “5SOS5,” which was released in September 2022. This is where I argue that this band deserves much more recognition after its early push in pop-punk, launching it into underwhelming success.

This track hits close to home and in an album of bangers, the production style is reminiscent of the band’s simple pop feel-good songs. The concept of juxtaposition between depressing lyrics and peppy instrumentals will forever remind me of the constant feeling of college: “Wow, I’m tired but I guess I’ll rally because I’m young.”

“7” by Catfish and the Bottlemen

There’s always something really special about a song that makes you think of someone you care about. Fortunately, this banger has been on almost every playlist I’ve made since high school. This addictive track has a style that fits well with my playlist of “songs I think are laced with addictive chemicals.”

When I hear the bass-driven pre-chorus that builds up a feeling, I can only describe it as the tunnel scene from “Perks of Being a Wallflower.” The overall euphoria ripped by the lead electric guitar that mimics someone singing is what seals this as one of the coolest songs to grace my ears.

“Blowing Smoke” by Gracie Abrams

Picture it: leaves are turning orange and the backroads of Coventry, Conn., are empty with nothing but occasional squirrels and 68-degree air as a junior in college. Call it basic, but this song mixed in with other hits from the “The Secret of Us” album like “Risk” and “That’s So True,” are the perfect lyrical explanation of the brain of a woman. If you’ve ever loved a song so much that you wished there was an album of the same tracks in different fonts, this is that.

The feeling of female rage masked by soft acoustics is what I mean by just being able to understand a song. A good lyricist is one that can use words that shouldn’t go together but successfully make me feel a certain way. This was the point in college where I learned that everything works out just the way it should.

“For The First Time” by The Script

This one’s a bit difficult to write, so I’ll keep it brief. The past few years were some of the hardest, most fun, life changing times I may ever experience all at the exact same time. The feeling of “smiling when you’re close to tears” is all too real, and if you’re scared of change like I am, may you remember to lean on the people that surround you, especially when times are hard.

“You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan

To the people in my life, I hand off this message to you that wherever you are, I’m a call away and will always be here for you. When you need a break, give yourself one and remember that nothing is ever that deep. This place is ready for new faces and new experiences as the cycle goes on. To my fellow grads, if you’re ever missing home, somehow, we’ll be here forever.