The Scout staff has created a list of its favorite songs to listen to as we welcome the month of September, along with explanations and descriptions.
Rome Tews:
“The Dead Dance” by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga released her first work since “Mayhem” on Sep. 3, and it was… underwhelming. However, the music video was sensational. While Tim Burton is a terrible guy, it’s hard to deny he aces moody aesthetics. From the doll makeup on Gaga and the dancers to the haunting scenery, it is a perfect entry into Gaga’s eccentric collection.
“Overture” by Andrew Loyd Webber
Yes, from “The Phantom Of The Opera.” It’s the only musical I’ve seen, and it’s the best one. From the glorious organ intro to the funky guitar plucks, it’s the perfect song for, say, walking down the aisle at your goth wedding. Just a suggestion.
Latif Love:
“Forever be mine” by Gunna
I wasn’t the biggest fan of “The Last Wun,” but Gunna delivered on this track. I always appreciate the few occasions when Gunna makes a love song, and he can intersect his effortless flow with lyrics that aren’t just about drugs, money or fashion. The beat is excellent—one of the few on the album, and his second verse expands on the foundation he laid in his first. It’s Gunna near his best and would have been perfect if not for the Wizkid feature.
“RiRi” by Young Thug
With every leaked jail call or police interview, I have to keep reminding myself that Young Thug created masterpieces like this. Thug has been in the media for everything but dropping music, and he’s losing some momentum within the rap community, but I’ll never forget the heights he can reach when focused on music.
Scarlett Rose Binder:
“Modern Girl” by Bleachers
Happiness is a saxophone solo dropped into the middle of a pop song. That alone is enough to make me love this hit by Bleachers, but paired with Jack Antonoff’s genius, this song is simply irresistible. It wakes me up and makes me want to move. Ironically, “Modern Girl” channels the quintessential pop-rock sound of the ‘80s, with even its cover art radiating retro flair. Altogether, Antonoff delivers a perfect addition to the modern-vintage aesthetic I’d live and breathe if I could.
“Impossible” by Nothing But Thieves
While “Modern Girl” is a relatively new discovery for me, this song has been in almost every one of my playlists since 2020… and I make a lot of playlists. I have to credit my dad, who introduced me to Nothing But Thieves. The band has several masterpiece songs, but I come back to “Impossible” every time. When I saw them live in Chicago last October, all I wanted was for them to play this song. I could have cried when they did. It is a beautiful vocal number– Conor Mason’s range is unbelievable– with a build-up that will leave you with goosebumps.
Paul Swartz:
“M.T.B.T.T.F.” by Clipse
I could’ve picked pretty much any song off the legendary hip-hop duo’s newest album, but this is the one I’ve replayed the most. Brothers Pusha T and Malice trade verses to a simple, pounding beat. Pusha T opens the track sequencing bars with the instrumental absent. When the beat does drop, it’s one of the most cathartic moments on the record. But as great as his contribution is, his brother steals the show. Malice delivers one of the best verses of the year on the back half of the song. His rhyme schemes and delivery perfectly balance luxury and bravado, headlined by a ridiculous run of lines near the end of the verse. It’s a generational performance on one of the year’s best rap songs.
“H*e Era” by Ray Vaughn
In early 2025, New York rapper Joey Bada$$ challenged west coast rappers to prove they deserved the praise they were receiving. And while Joey won the following battle, the west got their licks in. Los Angeles rapper Ray Vaughn delivered the most replayable diss of the feud, with a bouncy, progressing beat anchoring his eccentric deliveries. Following up his stellar debut mixtape, “The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu,” “H*e Era” is a reminder to keep an eye out for Ray Vaughn in the future. He’s not just exciting anymore, he’s battle-tested.
Ethan Diamond:
“Photograph” by Def Leppard
My first memorable experience with this song was when I saw Def Leppard live at Wrigley Field in 2018. They were touring with Journey, the band I had initially gone to see. When I first heard “Photograph,” though, I instantly fell in love. “Photograph” was my most listened to song of 2024, and is tracking to be my most listened this year as well. I listen to it at least once per day, and I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon. From the instrumentals to the vocals, the song is incredibly infectious. I’m hoping that next time Def Leppard comes to Chicago, I’ll hear the song live again, with a new appreciation for the tune.
“Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco
Many people who know this song likely know it as UFC fighter Sean O’Malley’s walkout song. I started listening to this song after hearing it at a Cubs game, as Cubs pitcher Cade Horton uses it as his walkout song. Wrigley Field seems to be a place where I find a lot of my favorite songs, no matter the event going on. This song really hits at night. The production has a calm, relaxing vibe, and Lupe’s vocals along with the chorus provided by Matthew Santos work perfectly with the instrumental. It only entered my rotation last month, so I don’t know how high it will climb on my most listened to list this year. But if the song continues to stick, I could see it sneaking into the top five.
Mark Wagner:
“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
How could you not listen to “September” in September? The vibe of this song is unmatched, and when it comes on the speakers, you have to dance along to it. From the first time I heard the song, I knew that it would be a favorite of mine for a while.Earth, Wind & Fire is an iconic band with multiple hit songs, each of them just as catchy as the next. It may be ironic to listen to a song whose title is the current month, but it just feels right.
“Lemonade” by Yungblud & Denzel Curry
Two completely different genres of music come together to create an absolute masterpiece in “Lemonade.” Yungblud, after collaborating with famous artists such as Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly and Marshmello, joined forces with Denzel Curry to make this song in August 2020.“Lemonade” combines short, solid percussion lines with a beat that combines punk rock and hip hop, working perfectly with the eerie lyrics that require intense thinking to understand in their full context. Five years after its release, this song still sends chills down my spine , which makes me love to have it on repeat.
Davis Kinch:
“Whatever She Wants” by Bryson Tiller
I don’t have much reason for why I’m listening to this other than I like the song. I’m happy to now be in my senior year. The song gets me hyped up about pretty much anything and honestly, I’m pretty hyped for my final year at Bradley.
“House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls” by The Weeknd
Hearing this song live at Soldier Field was electric. The song deals with the theme of substance abuse as a method of experiencing euphoria and, as the song suggests, making his place feel like “a happy house.” The song then switches beats and transitions into the second half, “Glass Table Girls,” continuing the themes from the first part of the song. This song has been a favorite of mine from The Weeknd, and I can forever be happy about the fact that I’ve now heard it live.
Jessica Taylor:
“Eternity” by Alex Warren
Eternity is ideal for TikTok edits and screaming in your car. If you haven’t seen this song’s devastating cinematic edits, I don’t know whether to envy or pity you. The instrumental grows and develops throughout the tune, and the lyrics smack you in the face. There is no better feeling than singing along to such an artistic bridge. It fully encapsulates what it means to miss someone deeply and have to continue to grow without them.
“Bunnies” by Oliver Richman
Did anyone else see the videos of the bunnies on the trampoline? Was anyone else devastated to learn it was AI? Oliver Richman certainly was. His “writing a song a day” series met new life when he wrote this bone-chilling tune about the AI bunnies. It kept growing in popularity until he released a second part, then a third, and then this full version on streaming platforms. It’s surprisingly catchy and really makes you think.
