Tunes to Relax/Study to (when you're tired of lofi beats)

It was hard to say goodbye to my beloved radio show (Russian Hour) at Tuft’s Freeform Radio WMFO when Tufts announced its closure. Having a weekly show encouraged me to dedicate a specific amount of time (like homework but more fun) to researching new tunes for my upcoming shows. For me, radio was not just a playlist to share with the 10+ listeners who accidentally tuned in to 91.5 FM. It was a combination of verbal promotion of tracks and bands with a personal touch. Therefore, I decided to write this post as a sweet replacement for my show. As you might have figured out already, today’s theme of this show is Music to relax/study to (when you’re tired of lofi beats).

Jaden - ERYS (2019).
The entire album by this young artist is ideal for studying or relaxing. With the exception of some songs (like Fire Dept or NOIZE), almost every song on this album is easy to listen to while still staying focused on a task. My personal favorites are P, K, Summertime in Paris, Blackout, and Somebody Else. In case you still need some lofi in your study sesh, then here is a very nice lofi version of Jaden’s famous song ICON.
Rejjie Snow - Dear Annie (2018).
In this album, the Irish rapper Rejjie Snow is a soft-voiced loverman. Slow hip-hop, some precise beats, and angelic female vocals make this masterpiece a perfect fit for your Sunday chill hour.
Puma Blue - Blood Loss (2018).
Some would say lofi, but I say - not really! Puma Blue is a mix of alternative indie music with jazz. It is like a good quality wine. You taste it but cannot ultimately describe the full richness of undertones with words. You don’t need to– just feel it, embrace it.
Yellow Days - Is Everything Okay In Your World? (2017).
He is just a 19-year-old teenager from England with a powerful voice and a genius mind for music. When R&B meets soul, a beautiful album is born. One song from this album “Lately I” features previously mentioned Rejjie Snow. Whether you are concentrating on an engineering model or laying cozy in bed, you can’t go wrong with this album.
J. Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014).
This is truly a personal album of maestro Cole. Distinct instrumental parts and speaking-from-the-heart lyrics align perfectly together in a hip-hop genre. I thank J. Cole for helping me to get through many nights of research papers and problem sets. My personal favorites are Intro, January 28th, Love Yourz.