#TBT: Throwback tracks to put on your latest playlist

This year has given listeners countless tracks to add to their playlist. Whether looking for a love ballad, a head-banger, a road-trip soundtrack or anything in between, 2017’s new releases have had it. However, the best playlist is achieved through diversity, and that means incorporating tracks from various genres that have been released throughout time. In honor of Throwback Thursday, here are some throwback tracks you should consider adding to your playlist.

‘La Tortura’ — Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz

I will preface this by saying I am not fluent in Spanish. However, like English music, Latin music is not only for Spanish speakers, considering the universal messages of the songs and catchy beats.

Upon taking a closer look at the lyrics of the track, the passion in the song is unparalleled by English music, even with talented songwriters like Ed Sheeran and John Mayer. Listeners feel the pain of the lost lovers portrayed in the song with every line. Lyrics like, “I can’t ask winter to spare a rose bush” encapsulate the struggle of being separated from your beloved.

Although overpowering music can often minimize the impact of the lyrics, the beat of this track punctuates the words, adding flare and a feeling of lust to the song.

All in all, this is a track that will help you cope with heartache, while encouraging you to get on the dance floor.

‘If I Ain’t Got You’ — James Bay

Covers are the best way to find a new appreciation for an older song, with each artist bringing their own style to the track. “If I Ain’t Got You,” which was released by Alicia Keys in 2003, finds a new sound with British singer-songwriter James Bay.

Bay kept the simplicity of the song by only accompanying the lyrics with his guitar, leading into the song with the light plucking of his strings.

What Bay brings to the track are his vocal abilities. Throughout the song, he hinders his voice to add dimension to the song, giving it an updated sound.

His raspiness adds a soft masculinity to the song, giving listeners a new perspective to the lyrics. His ability to belt during the chorus brings power and, much like Keys’ version, adds emphasis to the track.

‘Take Me to Church’ — Hozier

Released in 2014, “Take Me to Church” shot Hozier into popularity, allowing listeners to dip their toes into the realm of rock music. We all listened to this track more times than we can count, attempting to match Hozier’s vocal ability. However, once the song gained popularity on the charts, it became overplayed and slowly faded into the musical horizon.

Although “Take Me to Church” was the breakout hit from his self-titled album, the album itself is worth a full listen. While maintaining his style, Hozier varies his instrumentals throughout the tracks and adjusts his vocals to fit the song material.

When first listening to “Take Me to Church,” I did not even realize the power and emotion behind lyrics like, “My church offers no absolutes, she tells me ‘worship in the bedroom.’”

Now that ample time has passed, this dark rock ballad deserves to be blasted from your speakers again.

‘Don’t Wanna Fight’ — Alabama Shakes

Occasionally a song comes around that doesn’t require a full listen to know if it’s worthy of a download. “Don’t Wanna Fight” by the band Alabama Shakes is one of those tracks.

From the light guitar picking in the lead-in of the song to lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard’s piercing screech, this song is one-of-a-kind.

Although Alabama Shakes is classified under the rock genre, there is no one description for the band’s unique sound. The guitar styling in this track lends a psychedelic disco feel, the falsetto in the chorus gives the song that rock edge, and the other instrumentals offer a jazz-like sound.

Normally, combining all these competing sounds and musical styles into one track overwhelms the song. However, this 2015 release gives listeners a blast from the past that works seamlessly and should be added to your playlist.