Stress. Exhaustion. Determination. Overwhelm. Relief. These are perhaps some sentiments us students may have felt during flexibility week - an overwhelming and convoluted bag of emotions. From exam preparation to physical and mental recharge , at some point we need to manage the feelings we experience from upcoming tasks and goals in a productive and healthy way to keep going and stay fresh. Some people exercise, others do therapeutic activities, but I highly doubt there isn’t anybody who doesn’t listen to music to quell their troubles temporarily or to support themselves mentally. Music is sometimes the best medicine, so here are five albums from various genres for the five moods we all felt during flex week to be your companions this Stress Less Week - to guide you through the highs and lows of flexibility week with harmony and ease.

Via Pitchfork

With its dreamy blend of indie folk and soft R&B, Faye Webster’s third album offers a perfectly soothing and laidback haven from stress and anxiety. Webster's gentle and soft vocals and the prominent usage of lap steel guitar envelop you wholly. The tight and steady groove supplied by its percussion disciplines this though, giving the album backbone and support. Perfect for when you want to calm down and get back on track with your commitments. Standout tracks include “Right Side of My Neck”, “Pigeon”, “Kingston” and my personal favourite “Jonny” (absolutely no bias whatsoever). 

Via Bandcamp

These two beautiful cascading soundscapes can’t be recommended without the other. C418 (Daniel Rosenfeld)’s musical contributions to Minecraft need no further introduction and deserve all the already massive universal love we’ve had for it since 2011 and more. Even disregarding the huge amount of nostalgia you’ll most likely have tied to this music, its soft, reflective, and enveloping sonic textures wash over you like a tide, allowing you to let go and regain your strength for another day. All the tracks are great but my personal favourite is “Aria Math”.

Via rateyourmusic

It may be Stress Less Week but the term is still not over! From arguably one of the most underrated instrumental hip-hop producers of all time, DJ Shadow’s most acclaimed album completely locks you into the groove, and oozes with stylish and soulful sensibilities. Its unwavering streams of highly focused rhythm provide listeners with their own sense of pace, and its highly stylish instrumentation has a charisma that energises you, proving to be a great candidate for when you need to focus. Standout tracks include “Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt”, “The Number Song” and “What Does Your Soul Look Like, Pt. 1 - Blue Sky Revisit”. 

Via Bandcamp

This simple piano album got me through high school and the rest of the world deserves to know about it. If you love C418’s work, this will be right up your alley. Tracks like “one light” or “17:00” and many others have this seeping undertone of bittersweet yet refreshing reflective nostalgia that’s more regretful than something like “Wet Hands”. The track “better day” in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful songs ever - with a sombre but sweet and hopeful melody that whispers “everything may not be great right now, but we’ve had worse days in the past and it’ll get better.”

Via Pitchfork

You’ve done all you’ve needed to do. Exams are over, assignments done. Now it's time to celebrate; why not start it off with some classic MJ? Off the Wall is an album that exudes nothing but pure bliss and unadulterated joy - more so than his other records due to his high amounts of infectious bubbly youthful energy and always-present charisma. Remind yourself that you’ve come this far, done so much, and now you should treat yourself. As the King of Pop himself says, “don’t stop ‘til you get enough.” 

Now that flex week is over, remember to be kind to yourself and others, take it easy. I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the term. Music is a gift that keeps on giving and I hope these albums help you, support you, comfort you and energise you like they have done for me. 

Jonny Kim is a third-year student studying a Bachelor’s in Architecture. Aside from listening to music and being in a band, his other simple pleasures in life include movies, making new friends, trying new restaurants and doughnuts with coffee.