"I Want You to Love Me,” by Fiona Apple 

“I was anticipating Fiona's first album in eight years ahead of what we now understand as the beginning of quarantine because I worship her. When it was released in the most intense time for Covid in NYC, it hit different. My own confinement connected me to this album and song so much. I listened to it constantly whenever I could get some fresh air, which seemed dangerous in those first months. Fetch the Bolt Cutters 4EVR!” —Elizabeth Renstrom

"Gray Area,” by Kaytranada & Mick Jenkins

“It always put me in a great mood, and the beat is infectious. I always play it during my photo shoots, even to this day, because it lightens up the mood.” —Braylen Dion

“Veg Out,” by Masego

“Indulging in down time was beyond important during this past year! This song feels like comfy throw blankets, pillows, a sheet mask, snacks, and an edible on a Saturday afternoon, all wrapped up into 3 minutes of ear candy!” —Jessica Pettway

“Smoko,” by the Chats

“Over the pandemic, I was getting up really early to go on photo walks. There are only about two to three hours of nice morning light, so I'd play this song on repeat to help wake me up and keep a steady pace. I'd go full blast on my headphones too, which would let any bystanders know that I'm on Smoko, so leave me alone!” —Jonpaul Douglass

“Hello, Hello, Hello,” by Remi Wolf

“The vibes of Remi on this song work better than caffeine.” —Lucas Garrido

“The Moon and the Sun,” by William Onyeabor

“I listened to this while waiting in endless lines for Covid tests outside in the freezing Brooklyn winter mornings. This song would take me to warmer, carefree places and help the lines move faster!” — Jessica Antola

“Love Is the Drug,” by Grace Jones

“I re-found this Grace Jones song deep in quarantine, and it was the perfect timeless, upbeat, beautiful salve to the lows of being at home all the time. The whole album went on constant repeat through Covid, and I’ve now brought it to location, where it endures as a hype-up, post-lunch-coma album to get the crew moving again. Bless Grace Jones.” —Jake Stangel

“Pool Party,” by Rudy Willingham

"Making music is a gigantic part of my life—there’s nothing else that gives me more joy!” —Rudy Willingham

“Stop Making This Hurt,” Bleachers

“The name says it all. I dare you not to have a good time while listening this.” —Ben Pier

“Never Gonna Let You Go,” Tuff Jam Vocal Mix by Tina Moore, Matt "Jam" Lamont, Karl "Tuff Enuff" Brown 

“I had never heard of UK garage before last year, but I discovered it as I got more into NTS and listening to mixes at home. I think it's my favorite music genre, even though I couldn't tell you much about it. It's the perfect amount of dance-y and house-y music that makes you want to bop around. This is the first song on a mix that introduced me to it all.” —Caroline Tompkins 

"Purple Rain,” by Prince

“I saw Purple Rain at the drive-thru on the Brooklyn waterfront last summer, and nothing is more perfect than seeing Prince outside on a hot summer night—it’s pure inspiration. People were standing out of the sunroofs of their parked cars, hands in air and swaying back and forth to this song.” —Brian Finke

“Utrus Horas,” by Orchestra Baobab

“This song reminded me of the energy of traveling to a new place and experiencing new cultures and sounds, something that wasn’t so easy to feel while stuck inside my NYC apartment. This song felt like the light at the end of the tunnel of a crazy 2020. I can’t wait to listen to this song on travels in the near future.” —Jacq Harriet