Lanthorn productions thrive off a shared playlist in which editors have a variety of our favorite tunes to propel our productivity in the office. While each of our taste preferences are unique, the vibes often overlap and bring a diverse energy that fosters journalistic creativity. While the playlist is loved by all editors, we each have our favorite pieces of the queue that put a little pep in our step. Here are each editor’s favorite elements of our shared office playlist.  

Editor-in-Chief Hailey Hentz

Fontaines D.C., Hinds and Chris Isaak

During Lanthorn productions, I’m constantly running around, helping staff, answering questions and balancing editing every article. Something that truly gets me through production is taking a moment to add songs to the staff playlist and skim through others’ recommendations. Throughout this year, I’ve been introduced to new artists and tracks that at their core, feel like cozy Sundays in the office with good friends.

My contribution to the Lanthorn playlist includes songs from Irish rock band Fontaines D.C.’s album “Romance,” singer-songwriter Chris Isaak and Spanish indie group Hinds. The mix of the three invites an upbeat, yet ethereal mood into the office, which we often need in order to stay level-headed and energetic. My favorite song I’ve added to the playlist is “You Owe Me Some Kind of Love” due to its reverb-heavy guitar and melancholic tone. On the whole, I enjoy a wide variety of musical genres, sometimes playing gothic metal and Sabrina Carpenter in the same production. 

Associate Editor Brady Kemmerling

Gregory Alan Isakov

Our collective playlist, regardless of genre, is a special part of the Lanthorns’ work environment. The consistent string of music throughout the workday helps uplift all editors through production, and it is felt when music is not playing.

I was late to the party when it came to adding songs to our playlist, but I implore people who enjoy folk/bluegrass to check out the lost list of Gregory Alan Isakov songs. Specifically, his 2013 album “The Weatherman.” It is one of the few albums I believe has no skips, and it grew my love for the soft and honest folk sound. While the genre is often oversaturated, with each song sounding like the last, every song on each of his albums has its own personality and a key role in Isakov’s discography.

Copy Editor Foster Hazen

Pixies and The Smashing Pumpkins

I’m not very adventurous when it comes to music. I’ve always loved metal because it’s what I grew up with, and although I’ve started listening to softer rock as I got older, the preference for intense drums and grungy guitar solos still remains. My current music taste has shifted towards what the internet has lovingly dubbed “divorced dad rock,” which makes two of my favorites on the Lanthorn playlist Pixies and The Smashing Pumpkins.

I think I first started listening to these bands when I bought Rock Band for my Wii as a teenager, so along with aligning with my favorite genre of music, they also bring a sense of nostalgia. When it comes to locking in at work, having familiar music makes it easier to focus because I’m familiar with the rhythm, the melodies and the lyrics. I love tapping my feet to “Monkey Gone to Heaven” and singing along under my breath to Billy Corgan’s vocals in “Drown,” even if it occasionally distracts me from my tasks.

Arts & Entertainment Editor/Layout Assistant Megan Matthews

Anything Mitski or Ethel Cain

I am a girl who thrives on rich and ambient instrumentation when it comes to working in the office. I need something that isn’t too distracting but still keeps me engaged throughout our productions. This is where two of my favorite artists, Mitski and Ethel Cain, come in. Both artists utilize poetic storytelling within their songwriting that is paired by unique instrumentals. Their music varies in style, but the songs featured on our playlist are mostly of a slower pace, yet are still stimulating. 

Mitski has a new album, “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me,” and its entirety is featured in our playlist because I am utterly obsessed. It is beautifully unique, and I find it to be relaxing and an easy listen. Ethel Cain’s discography can be a bit too intense at times to add full albums to our office playlist, but plenty of her acoustic and ambient songs, such as “Thoroughfare” and “Dust Bowl,” are sprinkled throughout. Hearing my favorite artist’s music come on our group shuffle always makes my ears perk up and keeps my productivity flowing. 

Sports Editor Pierson VanGorp

Journey and Tame Impala

Looking back at recent Spotify highlights, a few songs and albums stand out not just for how they sound, but for how they fit into my routines. “Separate Ways” by Journey is one of the songs that keeps showing up in my Spotify rotation. The keyboard intro immediately grabs my attention, and Steve Perry’s vocals remind me of a song from any action movie I watched as a kid. The beat is also ahead of its time and has a robotic/futuristic sound to it. 

In terms of albums, Tame Impala’s “Deadbeat” has caught my attention because of how calm, soothing and incredible the beats are displayed throughout the project. My favorite tracks on the album are “My Old Ways,” “Dracula” and “Loser.” Tame Impala is currently on its “Deadbeat” tour, and seeing them in concert is on my summer bucket list. 

Laker Life Editor Christina Bilko

Talking Heads and Depeche Mode

Whenever I’m working on my laptop, I like to have some background noise to keep me focused. At the Lanthorn office, I look forward to getting our playlist going each week while we write, edit and chat together. Two songs I won’t ever get tired of are “This Must Be the Place” by Talking Heads and “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode. I’ve been a fan of these bands since high school, so they bring me back to long drives I would go on in my hometown.

Music from the Talking Heads evokes a wistful feeling for me. Many of their songs explore topics like feeling lost or out of place, but still trying to find joy in life’s uncertainties. As someone who will be transitioning into a new phase of life after graduation in May, I find a lot of comfort in their lyrics. Depeche Mode brings a harsher edge to their music, full of industrial tones that pair well with smooth synthesizers. Sometimes haunting, sometimes playful, the band has covered a wide range of electronic music genres throughout their career. They bring variety to our playlist and the office vibe.

Opinion Editor Ava Ermiger 

Lorde, Mazzy Star, Modest Mouse and everything in between

I enjoy music that explores human nature and our tendency to make mistakes, but I also like to have fun. This joy and introspection create a unique assortment of music capable of confusing any crowd. I keep our Lanthorn playlist interesting by adding a variety of genres, from the more grungy, alternative rock song “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down to the dance-pop electronic masterpiece “Dance No More” by Harry Styles. Everyone in the office is confused, but personally, I’m having a blast. 

Particularly, Lorde, Mazzy Star and Modest Mouse have been recurring artists playing through Hailey tiny teal speaker each Sunday production. Lorde’s recent album, “Virgin,” including the song “Shapeshifter,” which I consider to be perfection, motivated me to write even when I didn’t feel like writing. Mazzy Star’s dreamy, intimately dark discography satisfies my brain in a way that few artists are capable of, specifically, the 1990 album “She Hangs Brightly.”

From Lorde’s deeply personal exploration of rebirth and autonomy to Modest Mouse’s flawless representation of human recklessness with “Lampshades on Fire,” I like to think I allowed my coworkers and myself to transcend out of the Kirkof basement and into an entirely different dimension. 

News Editor Lee Marentette

Mitski, MJ Lenderman and Talking Heads

We always have a pretty interesting mix of songs playing in the office. One minute it’ll be “Headphones On” by Addison Rae and the next it’ll be “Bow Down” by Geese. In terms of recent favorites, all of Mitski’s new album is on the playlist and I’ve loved it. MJ Lenderman is also on there, and I love his solo stuff and all he did with Wednesday too. For the ol’ reliable, “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” by Talking Heads is still one of the best songs ever written. Fun fact, the four of them swapped instruments for that song and that’s why it’s called “Naive Melody.” Gotta love David Byrne.

To join our listening, tune into the Lanthorn Winter 2026 playlist on Spotify.