You always hear people talk about the best songs to dance to, work out to, drive to, etc -- but right now, let's give some love to a less celebrated (but vitally important!) music subgenre: Studycore.
It takes a special kind of song to help get you through a lengthy study session. And with school coming back sooner than later (sorry, but it's true), we're looking at five of our favorite movie soundtracks to soundtrack your study session. These albums aren't too in your face, but they aren't so monotonous that you'll fall asleep mid-sentence. Here's what we suggest.
Pulp Fiction
Mixing old school soul, surf rock, country and funk, the Pulp Fiction soundtrack is a refreshingly eclectic compilation. This one is especially suited to late-night study sessions when you're worried about falling asleep -- gunfire-filled audio excerpts from the movie will wake you up if you doze off.
TRON: Legacy
When Disney set about rebooting the '80s cult classic, they turned to dance world icons Daft Punk to create the sounds and the music of the virtual world of TRON: Legacy. Listening to straight-up EDM anthems might be too distracting for some while studying, but Daft Punk's negotiation between dance music and a traditional movie score is the kind of music that gets you energized -- but not too turnt up.
Fantasia
If you put on any other Disney soundtrack, you'll probably just end up singing along. But the Fantasia soundtrack is actually a great classical music sampler. With multiple composers and different pieces, it covers just about every mood on the spectrum: There's the devilish "Night on Bald Mountain," the playful "Nutcracker Suite," the contemplative "Ave Maria" and the intense "Rite of Spring."
Guardians of the Galaxy
Sometimes you find yourself awake at 2 a.m. with no end in sight. On those nights, gentle background music just won't do. Enter Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. It's a parade of feel-good '70s hits with soaring melodies and sing-along choruses. Between "Hooked on a Feeling" and "I Want You Back," this one will give you just enough of a boost to power through one more hour.
Empire Strikes Back
From the majestic Star Wars opening theme to the ominous Imperial March, the soundtrack to the most memorable movie in the series also features its finest music. The romantic orchestral swell when Han Solo gets frozen alive as Princess Leia looks on might make you tear up a bit, but for the most part, it's perfect background music for memorizing something you'll be allowed to forget in two weeks.