Nick Canton
“Drifted” – Groove Armada
Hey. Chill out. You’ve almost made it through the year. Just gotta rally one more month. If you’re not me, you’ve got a 4+ day weekend. Don’t waste it in line at the mall. Your friends and family will love you even if you don’t buy them bananas things. Relax, you’ve earned it.
Sharon Weissburg
“Sea Bed Meditation” – Jurgen Muller
Apparently Jurgen Muller, marine biologist-cum-self-taught-
Ellie Molitor
“Strong River” – Mutual Benefit
The lead-off track of Jordan Lee’s stunning record Loves Crushing Diamond, “Strong River” sucks you into a world where the leaves are always changing and the sun doesn’t set at 3:30 in the afternoon. The only problem with this track being a nap time song is that my brain wants to pay attention to every stupidly beautiful and delicate nuance.
Andrew Gibson
“Sleep” – Dandy Warhols
I’ve never done heroin, but I imagine this is what it would feel like.
Chloe Gomez
“Porn Wars” – Frank Zappa
Some people fall asleep with the TV on; some fall asleep to music. In this piece of history you get both AND you might learn something. Fuck censorship, please and thank you.
*Warning: when mixed with tryptophan you may experience some weird fuckin’ dreams*
Helen Chen
“Shimmy Shimmy Ya” – Ol’ Dirty Bastard
The simple minded would find 4/20 to be the stoner’s favorite holiday, but let us not forget the wonder that is Danksgiving: a day dedicated solely to gorging oneself with carbohydrates until the tryptophan lulls you into a gentle slumber. Here’s a song for those who find Mom’s turkey to be the ‘like best turkey ever, dude.
Sam Terris
“Get Up, Jake” – The Band
Just the thought of waking up and working on a rainy day makes me all kinds of sleepy. Fortunately this time we can all turn our shoulders, hit the snooze button indefinitely and embrace the food coma of all food comas. Tryptophan-tastic.
Joe Sansone
“His Belly Burst” – Animal Hospital
Sure, the title “His Belly Burst” perfectly correlates with how we will all feel after Thanksgiving dinner. However, this song was chosen not for its title, but for what it has to offer you during your post-meal food coma. Let Animal Hospital’s atmospheric, reverb driven guitar loops ease you into a well deserved nap. Plus at 17 minutes, you have more of an excuse to stretch your nap time out longer.
Adam Parshall
“Theme from Cheers” – Titus Andronicus
This is a pretty upbeat song, but its the lyrics that get me every time I listen to it. After demolishing both turkey drumsticks and a big ol’ plate of stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and crescent rolls, there’s nothing I like more than laying back in an EZ-Boy and listening to a song about chilling with friends, throwing back a few beers, and being hung over. Isn’t that what the holidays are really about?
Mark Zurlo
“Into Oblivion [Reunion]” – Funeral For a Friend
For most of us, Thanksgiving is about one of two things: going home, or wishing we could. This song is about both of those things. Give it a spin no matter where you’re spending Turkey Day this year.
Jeeyoon Kim
“Svefn-g-englar” – Sigur Rós
If Sigur Rós’ discography wasn’t already a dynamic dreamscape, Jónsi wrote “Svefn-g-englar” as my personal Icelandic lullaby. Don’t believe me? Take a listen at 4:30. What’s he singing? “Jeeyoooon….Jeeyoooooooon, Jeeyoooon.”
Bianca Rullo
“Quiet Room” – Babes in Toyland
This instrumental is undoubtedly the mellowest track from the outspoken riot grrrl trio. Eight years after the first time I heard it, its soothing melody is still the only thing that I can shut my eyes to.
Christine Varriale
“Blindsided” – Bon Iver
Do you remember that SNL skit when Bon Iver puts everyone to sleep? Well, it’s kind of true. I’ve gotten into the habit of falling asleep to music, with Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago at the top of the list. I usually remember about half of “Blindsided” before I enter deep sleep, cat in my arms.
Jarrett Carr
“Aimless Arrow” – Converge
Never evn listened to this song.