College students in more glacial zipcodes are known to gravitate toward feel-good songs in these winter months to warm up their eardrums. In La Jolla, however, we are privileged enough to simply use said songs as accompaniment to our basking in February sunshine. I discovered “Blame Brett” when I first arrived at UC San Diego, and it’s held permanent residence in my skull since.

Its lyrics are irreverent, indulgent, and informal; lines like, “I’d rather keep my dignity / Than air your dirty laundry,” made singing along come easy, and its melody had me tapping a toe faster than I could ask, “Who’s Brett?” The answer, revealed lyrically, is the ex of all four Beaches, ostensibly.

Catchy, to me, implies some kind of annoyance, like its airtime is doomed to stale. So, instead of employing that word here, I’ll say I’m content to have the song remind me of why I should have a pep in my step. By the time “Blame Brett” comes to a close, the only thing it leaves me wanting is more — more plays, more dopamine, and more time to blame Brett.

Listen to the rest of the playlist here!