The perfect Valentine’s Day soundtrack for couples (and singles)
It’s finally that time of year once again, where love floats in the air. From young, puppy love between students to heartwarming aged love between wrinkled faces, the day to celebrate love is just around the corner. On February 14, Valentine’s Day will arrived again like clockwork, here to remind all couples around the world to cherish their significant other the proper way.
But of course, love is celebrated differently depending on the couple. One duo may prefer constant words of affirmation, while the other may enjoy the silence that comes with spending time together. While all this may be true, there will always be one thing that connects all couples together, and that’s through music.
Here are albums that are perfect for Valentine’s Day, ranging from rap to indie oldies, and you are definitely guaranteed to find at least one perfect album to make the already special day a little better.
Listening to this album, the mood is toned and automatically set for the perfect date night. This album, though it dives into the experiences of love and heartbreak, brings a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t feel too emotional, nor romantic, but rather relaxing and pretty chill. Some of the songs that I’ve given notice to were “Congratulations,” “Skin”, and “My Favorite Part,” which all three felt touching, especially for the first time you hear them. Moreover, it’s fantastic for being background or productivity music when studying or doing nothing. If you’re looking forward to taking it easy this Valentine’s Day, this one is calling your name. [Raymond Aguirre]
As soothing as a lullaby, this album is filled with songs that explore the meaning of love and how unattainable it is. Most, if not all, of the songs in the album give a nostalgic and emotional vibe to it. The ones I enjoyed listening to were “Not Ordinary Love” and Sade’s most famous song, “Kiss of Love,” all with the style of romantic music that is simply powerful enough to shed tears. Though it is more than thirty years old, it is one of the more enjoyable songs to sing to, and it will be a perfect fit for Valentine’s Day. [Raymond Aguirre]
This album is a far cry from the cliché love albums that offer those cheesy, straightforward “I love yous” or the different variants of attempting to profess one’s love. Instead, “Disintegration” offers intensity over comfort, obsession over affection, envy over acceptance, and the list could continue for a millennium. Though at first glance, you may ask yourself, where and when does the idea of this album being “perfect for Valentine’s Day” come in? Allow me to further elaborate.
The album focuses on the feeling of losing a deep, profound love, and it allows Robert Smith, lead singer, to rue this outcome. Smith writes with such intimacy and intensity that it ultimately creates the contradicting idea that this album is truly about the honeymoon-like, puppy love that comes with relationships. “Pictures of You” and “Lovesong” are the most popular off the album, and with no surprise, either. Both songs are perfect representations of Smith’s yearning for his past lover, and ironically, it sets up the best romantic and intimate scene for savoring the love you have now with your significant other. [Estelle Ignacio]
All of the overwhelming, fleeting emotions that come with love can be simplified down to this single album, Mazzy Star’s “So Tonight That I Might See.” If you and your partner are big-time fans of the dream-pop and psychedelic music genre, then this album is perfect for you.
“So Tonight That I Might See” was released in 1993, making it Mazzy Star’s second studio album and arguably their best production yet. From this album, you may recognize titles such as “Fade Into You” and “Blue Light,” both of which have been popularized online on several platforms. If you haven’t heard these classics (which is very unlikely), you’re definitely missing out on Hope Sandoval’s hypnotizing vocals and idyllic lyrics.
Throughout the mellow, shoegaze album, Sandoval’s voice leads the listeners into her world where her love is unrequited, yet nothing ceases the growing intensity within her. Like The Cure’s “Disintegration,” the album explores the deeper side of longing and dark romance; however, it differs in that Sandoval’s love is more infatuation with her partner, compared to the empty feeling post-relationship.
This timeless album has proven to be perfect for Valentine’s Day throughout the decades since its release, and it’s perfect for setting up the mood. Whether you’re at a candlelit dinner, dancing with your significant other, or even enjoying complete silence with them, this album is perfect for every romantic encounter. [Estelle Ignacio]
This album was in the making while Mendes was romantically pursuing singer Camila Cabello. The two were illustrious for their insane chemistry and were loved by the people in general. This album is a must listen to during the season of love due to it having a muse, one that allowed Mendes to write such an authentic and vulnerable album exploring themes of intimacy and domestic bliss. Such sensations are specifically captured in his songs, such as “Wonder” in which he expresses feelings of possibility and imagining what a life would be like with your crush, and “Always Been You” to emphasize how unique his significant other is and a romantic gesture of loyalty. I feel like if an album were dedicated to me or if I knew that it had a muse that pushed the singer to challenge their aspirations, it would give fodder for my pursuit of interest in the art of being in love and the products of love. [Olivia Rivera]
This indie-rock album does include songs that one would normally yearn to with its inclusion of lyrics on heartbreak, but the album consists of upbeat songs describing romantic themes. sombr applies storytelling into his songs to set a scene of romance and as a way to express how unforgettable loved ones appear to be. Key songs in this album include “Dime,” in which he compares his romantic interest to a dime since they are a 10/10 looks-wise. Another song is “come closer,” where he expresses how hopelessly devoted he is to his beloved and cannot fathom a second due to their essence and chemistry. I like listening to this album because you can get a glimpse of sombr’s personality into the music, really setting the listeners into the scene with lyrics that embody symbolism rather than being direct, which gives leverage for my personal interpretation of love. [Olivia Rivera]
Yes, the name does sound ironic to be known as a romance album. However, the album is a testament to raw and sensational love that Winehouse experienced with her fleeting husband, Blake Fielder-Civil. Specifically, her track, “Love Is A Losing Game,” is what one should tune into as they waltz into the kitchen with their lover, and “You Know I’m No Good” is one you should listen to challenge the beauty in authenticity for a boost in your confidence. In other words, Winehouse hopes to make others realize that to love is to love a person unconditionally and not spontaneously. I’m confident that this is an album for an ambience for even Galentines due to Winehouse’s flair at singing with intention and to advocate authenticity rather than adhering to the stereotypes of fame. [Olivia Rivera]
This album possesses the hit, “Ordinary,” and, similarly to “Wonder,” this album is based on a muse, which is Warren’s own wife, Kouvr Annon. In fact, he dedicates the album to her. This album focuses on shared experiences and values through the universal nature of love by exploring interests and reminiscing about the little things that make a difference in a relationship. He also explores how extraordinary it feels to have the person you love make you a better person through overcoming past trauma, specifically in his track, “Carry You Home.” I personally like the track “Carry You Home” because it explores how marriage is more than a means to an end or vocation, but instead it gives precious time to pursue not only your lover but your best friend for their contagious humor, generosity, and courage. [Olivia Rivera]
To me, “IGOR” feels like one of Tyler, The Creator’s most real and honest albums. It doesn’t sound perfect, and that’s what makes it special. The music feels messy, emotional, and kind of uncomfortable, just like a real heartbreak. Though the day would celebrate love and affection between your lovers, raw passion can’t help but bleed through the lines to emphasize the love between one another. I really like how the songs connect and tell one big story about loving someone who doesn’t love you back the same way. The loud synths and distorted vocals make the album feel chaotic, but in a good way. In my opinion, “IGOR” shows how much Tyler has grown and how brave he is for sharing his feelings through music. [Manushri Patel]