For the newest edition of Best Songs, we caught up with Irene Lee, whose stream-of-consciousness, Zoomer-coded online video content, which explores the nuances of vibing, vaping, and partying your way through your early 20s, has earned her a passionate following. Music plays a big role in Lee’s life, so we wanted to know about ten of her Best Songs for hyper-specific situations. Check it out below.

Best song to listen to while counting down the minutes before your retail shift is over?

"Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays

I just throw a playlist on shuffle at work, I don’t really pre-plan music. But what I can say is that when I clocked out today, I was choosing aux for the bike ride home, and something in the sun peeking out through the clouds called me to play "Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays.

Best song by a contemporary dubstep producer? 

“Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” 

I believe that “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” is a legendary song, I didn't even have to say the artist.

Best song to vape to?

"Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime" by The Field

Music for any occasion depends on the mood, the circumstances. Right now, I’m on the couch listening to "Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime" by The Field.

Best song to smoke analog cigs to?

"Fucking Your Girl" by Devon Hendryx

It all just depends on what I’m listening to lately, which has been "Fucking Your Girl" by Devon Hendryx. I'll smoke to anything, though. I'm smoking to smoke. (Smoking kills but we all know that and if you don’t, now you do. I accept the circumstances.)

Best song for getting turnt?

“Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee

"Sexy to Someone" by Clairo when you’re getting ready, "Slut Pop" by Kim Petras at the pregame, then “Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee at the function.

Best song that reminds you of why you love LA?

"Blister" by Shye01 

Shye01’s a close friend of mine and we tell each other how proud of each other we are. We talk about how we’re growing together but independently in different directions. I’ve had the privilege of bearing witness to his growth and he also makes really good music. Not even trying to glaze just because he’s a buddy of mine. “Blister” is probably my top played song of the year so far. It was on repeat through some hard times, it feels like January kicked all of our asses. “Blister” reminds me of my dear friend Eric, an integral pillar of my community in beautiful Los Angeles. 

Best song by a 90s indie band?

"Sometimes Memory Fails Me Sometimes" by Everyone Asked About You

"Sometimes Memory Fails Me Sometimes" is a happy and sad song to me. It feels like the drive home on a cold November night, the first light of dawn, marking the start of a new opportunity. It feels like going for a walk, mud on my shoes, hands in my pockets, and seeing the same tree I always do but in a different light this time.

Best song you discovered on TikTok?

"pinwheel" by es.cher

A recent favorite find. Really dope stuff.

Best song to send to a crush?

“Luna” by The Smashing Pumpkins

Here’s a mixed bag, use abundantly: “Crush” by 2hollis; "I Think I'm in Love With You" by Jessica Simpson; “When You Sleep” by My Bloody Valentine; “Love Song” by Lana Del Rey; "She Looks So Perfect" by 5 Seconds of Summer; “Luna” by The Smashing Pumpkins.

Best song you've heard so far in 2025?

“Something on Your Mind” by Karen Dalton

“Something on Your Mind” is both a lullaby and a song that can stir the pit in my stomach. The gravity of the guitar in the beginning combined with her raw-yet-soothing vocals. Insane. It's a lullaby when I interpret it directly and quite literally think about what's been on my mind—it takes some weight off the chest. It can be a haunting song when interpreted as someone begging a loved one for honesty, the resentment becoming a gap neither one of them could cross. They both know it.