The Spotify algorithm is the one algorithm on apps that I use regularly and that has concretely benefited my everyday life. Of my five current favorite songs, three were recommended to me by the Spotify algorithm, and while some may call it odd, I call it seizing opportunity.
That’s what happened with The National Park’s “8th Wonder” album. Because I’ve listened to their music on and off for the past few years, when they released their most recent album on March 23, 2023, my Spotify homepage had their album near the top to entice me to listen to it. And I, the victim of algorithms and Spotify recommendations that I am, clicked on it and gave the album a listen. Immediately I fell in love with it.
The National Parks are a folk/indie pop quartet. They have released a myriad of music over the years, but their fifth album “8th Wonder” is by far my favorite. With track titles such as “Garden,” “Sunshine,” “Great Sky,” and “Let’s Go Outside,” the album uses natural imagery to describe love. I could talk about every song on this album, but for the sake of this article, I want to highlight three of my favorite songs: “Angels,” “Let’s Go Outside,” and “Rodeo.”
“Angels” is the first track on the album and sets the tone for the rest of the album. This song references Angel’s Landing, a popular hiking spot in Zion National Park. The lyrics tell of two people hiking to Angel’s Landing and having the time of their lives. They live while they’re young and fall in love. The chorus sings, “Imma tell our kids about this someday.” I love this song because musically it has many overlapping layers. The drums, synth, and vocal background build into an overlapping symphony of joy by the time the listener reaches the chorus.
“Let’s Go Outside” is the third track on the album. This song resonates with me because it sings of disconnecting from the modern world and just exploring nature and spending time outside. Disconnecting from the world and “feel[ing] the earth under our feet” allows the narrators to be anchored and refreshed. Musically, the song builds through the first two choruses and almost hits a high point during the bridge, but then drops only to be brought back up during the final chorus. The singers’ voices, the drums, and the synth all overlap beautifully to convey a sense of peace and harmony found outside.
“Rodeo” is the eleventh, and final, song on the album. This song sings of traveling around the world but it doesn’t matter where they are because the narrator is with the person they love. This song is the perfect complement to “Angels” in that it sings of the love that was established in the first track.
Musically, the whole album is beautifully cohesive but explores a wide range of musical styles. The album explores folk, pop, indie rock, and some strong instrumental elements.
The backdrop of nature, love, and exploring set the perfect background music for this spring and summer. I highly recommend listening to the beautiful “8th Wonder” by the National Parks during all of your adventures this summer.