“From High School playlists to radio waves, bubblegrunge became more than just a genre for me—it became the soundtrack to navigating teenage angst, fleeting feelings, and the uncertain path to adulthood.”

When I first joined KZUU 90.7, I hosted a radio show called That Girl Radio. It was dedicated to playing female indie-pop and rock—a genre I now affectionately refer to as “bubblegrunge.” At the time, I didn’t have a name for it, but the songs I gravitated toward captured a blend of vulnerability and confidence that resonated deeply with me. Recently, I came across a Spotify Daylist titled Indie Chill Bubblegrunge Sunday Evening (say that 5 times fast), and it instantly transported me back to my senior year of high school, when I first discovered this music.

I discovered artists like Mallrat and Tessa Violet during a time of personal upheaval. It was the middle of COVID, and my days were a strange mix of monotony and uncertainty. A half-day school schedule left me with long afternoons to contemplate the big questions of adolescence: What am I doing with my life? Where will I go to college? Why hasn’t my crush texted me back? Those hours were often spent curating playlists, searching for lyrics that mirrored the angst and confusion I felt. Bubblegrunge gave me that connection—it was cathartic, validating, and, in its own way, comforting.

When I arrived at college and started my first radio show, That Girl Radio, I brought this music with me, curating playlists that expanded to include artists like Annie DiRusso, Bad Bad Hats, and Kalie Shorr. Their music perfectly encapsulated that bittersweet combination of heartbreak, hope, and self-discovery that so many women experience in their late teens and early twenties. Bubblegrunge became more than just music to me; it was (and still is) a soundtrack to my growth and a companion through the highs and lows of finding my footing in a new chapter of life.

Now, as I prepare to graduate this spring, I find myself reflecting on how much this genre has shaped not only my time at KZUU, but my identity. Bubblegrunge was there for me during moments of uncertainty and self-doubt, and it gave me the courage to embrace those messy, formative experiences. Sharing that music with listeners through my show has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at the station.

This article is my love letter to bubblegrunge and the artists who bring it to life. Their music has carried me through late-night existential crises, quiet moments of introspection, and fleeting feelings of joy. It has taught me that it’s okay to feel deeply, to embrace imperfection, and to find beauty in the uncertainty. As I prepare to leave KZUU, I hope this music finds someone else who needs it—because whether you’re navigating the challenges of high school, college, or life beyond, bubblegrunge will always be there to give your feelings a voice.

To revisit the sounds of That Girl Radio and explore the bubblegrunge tracks that defined my journey, check out this curated Spotify playlist featuring all the music I played on the show.