Winter Quarter usually puts me in a limbo: It’s further into the school year than Fall Quarter, but not nearly as exciting. It’s just as stressful as the other quarters, but the novelty has worn off, and there’s no long break at the end of the tunnel. 

To alleviate this tension, I like to listen to slower music around this time of year. EaJ’s “castle in the sky” is one such song I gravitate toward. Taking inspiration from the film “Castle in the Sky,” the former K-pop group DAY6 member explores the struggle of navigating high-stress environments while wanting to reach a “castle in the sky” — a perfect, unattainable life high in the clouds. 

EaJ’s lyricism contrasts feelings of isolation with the knowledge that there are always people to support you, no matter how much your “baggage makes it hard to fly.” The track is a good reminder that despite the challenges that inevitably arise with a new quarter and new year, there will always be someone in your corner supporting you in reaching that “castle in the sky.”

Listen to the rest of the playlist here!