The Scout staff has compiled a list of their favorite songs to listen to as September starts, along with explanations and descriptions.
Latif Love:
“Yoko” by Lil Uzi Vert
On Lil Uzi Vert’s birthday, they gave their fans a gift with a surprise EP titled “Maverick: Almost Forever.” The project didn’t show Uzi at their peak, but it gave listeners a glimpse of the different flows and styles they are experimenting with. Of the eight songs, “Yoko” is by far my favorite. It’s a fun, whimsical track with a beat made for a summer car ride.
“Pipe Down” by Drake
Thursday marks the six-year anniversary of Drake’s last classic album. Despite the terrible cover and a few throwaway tracks, “Certified Lover Boy” still hits like the first listen. The best song on the album, “Pipe Down,” still personally resonates, despite me being in a much better place than when the song dropped.
Scarlett Rose Binder:
“The King of Wishful Thinking” by Go West
I don’t know if I have ever skipped this song, and I don’t know that I ever will. It would feel wrong to deprive myself of the whimsical four-minute experience Go West created. The two men display pure, innocent yearning as they claim they will get over a romantic relationship despite acknowledging it’s only wishful thinking. If it sounds familiar, it also plays at the beginning of “Pretty Woman” – a movie with a great soundtrack overall.
“Islands In the Stream” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
The news of Dolly Parton’s passing last week devastated millions of fans, old and young – myself included. Since then, all I’ve wanted to do is watch “Steel Magnolias,” my favorite movie of hers that will inevitably make me cry. This song has the same effect. It is a sweet duet – a touching love song between two people allowing themselves to rely on one another.
Celine Lamirand:
“Zero Day” by Ghostemane
I was so unbelievably excited when this song was released. “Zero Day” marks Ghostemane’s first song released in five years, and it is also the first single teasing the new album to be released later this year. This song is the perfect mix of everything I love within music. From blending metal and rap to calling out the corruption in society, I really couldn’t ask for a better song. “The ones that write the checks will break the necks to silence any opposition.” If you get it, you get it.
“Eternally Yours” by Motionless In White
“Eternally Yours” has got to be among one of the best love songs to ever exist within rock and metal genres, just politely below “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. Because nothing will ever top that. “Eternally Yours” brings a more positive tone to the subject of love in metal while maintaining a gothic feel. I truly believe that the song writes itself, discussing loving someone in this life, the next and the afterlife, because even in death you shall not part.
Paul Swartz:
“Ryan” by Sophia James
In a discography that often alternates between soft, lo-fi bedroom pop with high energy production choices, “Ryan” combines the two. The track features grimy guitar licks and pounding piano passages, creating a backing instrumental that can be tough to pin down. But all the energy is there. James’ vocal performance is stellar, never letting herself be overshadowed by the stylistic production.
“Look Don’t Touch” by Ray Vaughn
After a breakout performance on his 2025 debut album, “The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu,” Ray Vaughn’s most recent single shows he’s still hungry to make a name for himself. Rapping over a dark, energetic beat, Vaughn continues to prove himself as one of the most exciting names in west coast hip hop.
Jordan Jones:
“Nice To Each Other” by Olivia Dean
“Nice to Each Other” makes me feel good whenever I hear it. With an endearing message, the song’s upbeat and feel-good sound makes it easy to listen to. Olivia Dean never fails at turning relatable feelings into a catchy melody.
“Stuck” by Drake
Drake released three albums in May – 41 songs total – and this is the track that stood out to me the most. “Stuck” is one of those songs you can just throw on and become instantly laid-back. Drake’s “MAID OF HONOUR” adds 14 tracks to his discography, with “Stuck” being one of the best on the album and a great addition to my playlist.
Ethan Diamond:
“If I Can’t” by 50 Cent
Coming off 50 Cent’s hit album, “Get Rich or Die Tryin,’” the song “If I Can’t” alludes to his constant drive for success. It also scores bonus points for being one of my favorite baseball players’ walkup song.
“Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams
Coming out of summer break, it felt fitting to choose a song with summer in the title. Bryan Adams delivers a fun song, reaching for nostalgia from a time in his youth which brought about his biggest hit of his career.
Mark Wagner:
“All the Way” by BigXthaPlug ft. Bailey Zimmerman
Nine times out of 10, when I listen to a rap/country collaboration, it’ll be on my playlist. On “All the Way,” BigXthaPlug raps about breaking up with someone he thought was the one, and whenever I listen, I can feel the emotions in the flow of his lyrics. To add on to that, the chorus sung by Bailey Zimmerman has an immaculate vibe that brings the song all together.
“Human” by Tom Morello ft. Barns Courtney
Tom Morello, of Rage against the Machine fame, has made quite a solo career for himself, and “Human” is a prime example of that. The way he produces the song puts you in a trance for three minutes and four seconds, not to mention the raw vocals of Barns Courtney telling his usual alternative rock story.
Jessica Taylor:
“Maggots for brains” by Olivia Rodrigo
I’m obsessed with the juxtaposition in this song. The beat is peppy, but the lyrics are about being kind of empty inside. Going on autopilot, not being able to have any real or productive thoughts, but still getting through life. The world doesn’t stop moving when you want it to, sometimes things get repetitive, boring or hard, but there’s not really much you can do. It’s about going through the emotions. Olivia Rodrigo takes you right through it in real time with her peppy, but still kind of empty, beat.
“End of August” by Noah Kahan
Ironically, Noah Kahan’s “End of August” started hitting for me right around the end of this August. The lyrics are about change. In literal language, he talks about the season shift into colder weather. He goes into the inevitable way bugs and plants die as the winter months creep up. There’s a lot of hope and life that comes with a bright summer, but there is also something comforting about cold months and their familiarity. The song serves as a reminder that everything has a cycle, goods and bads included.
