At the bazaar office, we have a variety and certainly a diverse taste in music. From classics, disco jamming, to Disney favorites and some good old throwbacks. We have days, when one of us plays one of their playlists, and we’re either introduced to a new song, album, or we simply sing along to whatever’s playing. It’s interesting how we all share our music in the office, it’s seamless and gives us a look into what each song means to us, with some nostalgic feelings. So, without further ado, here are some of our favorite albums/songs!

Name: Yasmin Gamal (Mixed Media Content)

Favorite song/album: “Let a boy cry” by Gala. I was 16 when this song came out and I thought it was empowering and powerful. It was and still is my personal anthem. It is not even in my favorite genre/style of music but the strong lyrics with the beat just worked for me. I still want to believe I can be a pirate and can conquer the world #sorrynotsorry for being cheesy.

Name: Farah Barakat (Mixed Media Content)

Favorite song/album: First off, let me start by saying that this question is amazing however, it is very tough for me to pick one album, or a song because I have such a love and appreciation for music in general. One of my favorite quotes by a Danish author is actually “Where words fail, music speaks”, and that describes how I feel about music. Right now, I would say an EP I’ve been playing on repeat is Sabrina Claudio’s Confidently Lost. Sabrina is an amazing artist who sings from the depths of her soul, letting music speak when words fail. To me, her music goes beyond words, rhymes and poetry, you feel every beat and every high note with her. “Confidently Lost” is a song about a girl who doesn’t need saving. She knows her true authentic self, and she is comfortable with embracing her journey (ups and downs included). My favorite verse in her track is when she says “Made up of hope and mediation” because I can relate to that so much. After all, being vulnerable is something shied away from in society, and in this song, she is confident in her journey and that it will lead her exactly where she needs to be. I could list all the other songs from Sabrina that I adore, but honestly it would probably fill up this page and I would not be able to stop singing right now. “Orion’s Belt”, “Messages From Her”, “Unravel Me” and “Stand Still” are just some of my faves as well.

Name: Umika Pidaparthy (Online Producer)

Favorite song/album: Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie. If I’ve listened to an entire album once, I rarely, RARELY, listen to it again in full. There will always be a couple of songs I will add to my skip list (thank you Spotify), even if they’re by my favorites — whether it is the Beatles or Billie Eilish. That being said, I would say Death Cab for Cutie’s Narrow Stairs is one album that is so well produced, dynamic and soothing, and has tracks that flow so well together that I rarely reach for the “Next” button when it is on. I do have favorite tracks like “I Will Possess Your Heart” (the full version. The radio edit is not even comparable), and “Grapevine Fires”. But play “Narrow Stairs” or really any Death Cab for Cutie album (pre-2011) and I just want to snuggle up by a window with a cup of tea or go for a long sunset drive. (NB: “I Will Possess Your Heart” opens with: How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me. It’s like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can’t read just yet.)

Name: Yasmine El Charif (Content Manager)

Favorite song/album: This question is a toughie, because there’s basically a huge amount of great music that’s out in the universe for us to enjoy. Those who know me well enough would expect me to revert to a disco classic or something by Led Zeppelin (I mean, “Kashmir” is life, but that’s another discussion for another day), but I find myself going back to “Cold Little Heart” by Michael Kiwanuka. I first heard this on Big Little Lies, I was instantly hooked! It’s the perfect combination of incredible lyrics, great melody and the extended version (The radio edit doesn’t do this tune justice) features an awesome full on orchestra which takes this song to another level. I was also immediately drawn to Kiwanuka’s voice. He sings this with so much passion, I just had to listen to more, and the entire Love & Hate album is such a great play on Spotify and the song itself “Love & Hate” is so uplifting and features a gorgeous guitar solo. Enjoy!

Name: Hallah Danbouh (Mixed Media Content)

Favorite song/album: channel ORANGE by Frank Ocean. I may be exaggerating when I say I live for this album, but I really do. There is no way for a playlist to exist in my life without at least one song from channel ORANGE, because each and every one of them is that flawless and expressive. It’s been almost a decade since Frank Ocean debuted the album, he introduced a new form of sound into the music industry, let alone his soothing and incredible voice, and his deep yet very personal lyrics which creates an instant connection between the listener and the artist, making him one of the most creative artists of this century. From the hit and unforgettable song “Thinkin Bout you”, the ultimate summer feels of “So why see the world, when you got the beach” in “Sweet Life”, the impeccable and amazing ten-minute journey of “Pyramids”, and the song titled “Forrest Gump” which combines the name of an iconic film as Frank connects the dots from the film’s characters to his personal life. Truly an epic album from start to end.

Follow @bazaargram on Instagram for our monthly hitlist questions. Image courtesy of Unsplash.