Commute companion: A drive time playlist
Editor’s note: With WFH a distant pandemic memory, long commutes are once again part of the daily grind. To help ease the tedium, we decided to try something new: a hybrid Spotify playlist of tunes and podcasts that offer the pleasures of an old-fashioned car radio experience—except way better. This edition was put together by Yash—who listens to everything from Linkin Park classics to oddly specific podcasts (example: inanimate objects telling their own stories). You can check out Yash’s playlist here.
PS: Want more? Be sure to check out Aarthi’s drive time playlist—who listens to everything from The Who to the history of the colour blue on her daily ride.
Written by: Yash Budhwar, Senior News Editor
- ‘Nightmare’ by Avenged Sevenfold: Big riffs, intense vocals—this one wakes you up better than the coffee ever could. Great for those drives where you’re not fully awake but need to act like it.
- ‘Bleed It Out’ by Linkin Park: Punchy, loud, and endlessly replayable. The rap-rock combo here is classic LP, and it’s the kind of track that helps you power through messy traffic or your own Monday blues.
- ‘Vinny, Vending Machine’ by Everything is Alive: Imagine a podcast where inanimate objects tell their stories. This one? "Vinny has been through a lot, and a lot has been through Vinny."
- ‘Bat Country’ by Avenged Sevenfold: This one’s got energy for days, with lyrics that go a bit off the rails in the best way. It’s chaotic, fun, and keeps your drive from feeling too routine.
- ‘Hysteria’ by Muse: That bassline is pure magic. It loops in your head in a way that’s oddly satisfying, especially when you’re weaving through traffic like you’re in a video game.
- 'I heard the darkness' by Indian Noir: A man develops a strange itch in his ear—and what starts as a mild annoyance quickly spirals into something darker and far more disturbing. Gripping, eerie, and just the right amount of creepy for a solo drive when the skies are a little too grey.
- ‘My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark’ by Fall Out Boy: This one’s catchy in a very “I didn’t mean to hum this all day” way. Great for boosting energy if your drive is dragging a little too long.
- ‘No One Knows’ by Queens of the Stone Age: Smooth and hypnotic, with just enough kick to keep you alert. This one’s good for when your brain’s still booting up but you want a steady groove in the background.
- ‘The Case of the Missing Hit’ by Reply All: A guy remembers a song that apparently doesn’t exist. What follows is part investigation, part obsession, and all-around fun to listen to.
- ‘Paralyzer’ by Finger Eleven: Steady tempo, cool groove. One of those songs you forget about until it comes on, and then you remember how great it is for cruising.
- ‘I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?’ by A Day to Remember: Fast, loud, and a little aggressive—perfect for when you’re running late and need that extra push (just not into another car).
- ‘Rural Himachal with Priyanka Gupta’ by The Musafir Stories: Writer Priyanka Gupta takes us deep into the villages of Himachal’s Mandi district. It starts with quiet walks and hill-town charm—but slowly turns into a story of unexpected warmth, local tales, and the kind of travel that stays with you long after the road ends.
- ‘Given Up’ by Linkin Park: That 17-second scream? Iconic. Maybe don’t try it in the car, though. Just let Chester do his thing while you try not to miss your turn.
- ‘Unholy Confessions’ by Avenged Sevenfold: Loud and fast, like the final stretch of your commute when you're almost at the gate but still crawling at 5 km/h.
Hope you give the playlist a listen :)
