On Jan. 30, Don Toliver released his new album Octane. It is his fifth studio album, and it’s already his most-streamed ever, surpassing 32.8 million listens on its opening day on Spotify. Here at the College, the album has quickly become a popular part of the social scene, with many requesting that Toliver’s new songs be immediately added to Spotify queues at hangouts and parties alike. From dorm rooms to long drives through Maine, Octane is playing — loudly and often.
Students describe the album not just as something they listen to, but something they experience together. Caroline Hartley `28, who has been a Toliver fan since her junior year of high school, enjoyed this album the most of all of his so far, and she loves bonding with her friends through his music.
“Some of my favorite songs were ‘E85,’ ‘Rosary,’ ‘Secondhand,’ and ‘Call Back.’ The entire album has a very catchy beat and lyrics [that] highlight Don Toliver’s unique voice,” Hartley said. “I also love being able to listen, dance, and sing along to the new album with my friends who love it as well. It’s been so great to enjoy with them these past few weeks.”
The sense of camaraderie stemming from the shared enjoyment of Toliver’s music seems central to his album’s success on our campus.
Another aspect of Toliver’s music that resonates so strongly with Colby listeners is his voice itself. Known for his melodic delivery and range that reaches higher than most male singers, his music is addictive. On tracks like “Secondhand,” which is a fan favorite, his more simple vocals float over layered instruments, creating an immersive listening experience.
Another student, Lydia Mordarski `26, described the album as cohesive and carefully constructed. She said she could feel the amount of effort that was put into creating it as she was listening.
“Don Toliver’s new album Octane is beautifully written and thoughtfully put together, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next,” Mordarski noted. “Every song carries its own unique catchiness, and, as I’m sure many others would agree, my favorite track is ‘Secondhand.’ ”
The emphasis on flow that Mordarski pointed out is significant. In an era dominated by singles, students are recognizing and appreciating the intentionality of an album as something that is designed to be heard from start to finish, as if it’s a story.
The standout tracks mentioned by these students — “E85,” “Rosary,” “Secondhand,” and “Call Back” — also reveal the range of what listeners are gravitating toward. Some are drawn to the infectious choruses that make songs perfect for social settings, while others are captivated by the more introspective undertones, where Toliver’s layered vocals harness a more relaxed vibe. This duality here makes the album especially versatile; it works just as well blasting through speakers at a gathering as it does through headphones during a late-night walk back from Miller Library.
At a small liberal arts school like Colby College, where campus culture often revolves around close-knit friend groups, music can play quite a powerful role in shaping social energy. Albums and certain tracks can become timestamps of specific semesters. Certain songs will inevitably be tied to specific weekends, celebrations, or deep late-night conversations. For many students, Octane is becoming that kind of memory-making soundtrack — one that may live on as defining Spring of ’26.
As the semester progresses, Octane will certainly remain in rotation. Though it’s unclear how long its major sweep of popularity will last, this album has secured a place in the College’s atmosphere for the time being. And in the end, the most telling indicator of its success may be quite simple — whether students, even years from now once they have left Colby College, are still pressing play.
~ Amelia Hanscom `27
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