Six Picks: February
we’re back! after a break for christmas holidays and the delay of new music in january, six picks has returned. here’s a refresher:
Music is a key part of healing and self-soothing for me.
I'm like a musical encyclopedia sometimes. I love reading and watching interviews from artists sharing how they created their art. I’ll try to mix up some different genres to fit all of your tastes, but keep an open mind. ;) welcome to my musical brain!
here are this month’s six picks.
alright
- charlotte sands
“No, I'll never be alright, but I heard it gets good. I'm thinking that I could in time.”
One of my favourite rising songwriters has written a beautiful new piece. This song tackles the message that we often hear when we’re struggling: it won’t always be like this.
But how you do balance the idea that it will get better with the understanding that because of your struggles, things will always just be a bit challenging?
Upon the song’s release, Charlotte explains, “how very on brand it is for me to release a song about hope and feeling better while simultaneously having one of the most emotionally difficult days i’ve had in a really long time. It’s so strange to have written a song 2 years ago and for it to feel more relevant to me now than it did then but it’s just another reminder that everything works out in the way it’s supposed to.”
Tackling examples of her struggles with depression and addiction, Charlotte does an incredible job of lyrically expressing the tough work of remaining optimistic for the future while facing really difficult mental health challenges.
why is this resonating with me right now?
Learning about BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) has taught me that one of the symptoms I experience is an inability to remain optimistic about the future.
When my BPD is bad, I have no faith that things will get better because my struggles feel all too real.
This song helps validate this for me, and also give me an example of someone who is able to do both, even when it’s hard.
environmental
anxiety
- raye
'“How did we ever think it wasn't bound to happen? We poisoned the waterfalls and set fires to our rivers of hope. We're all gonna die, what do we do before it happens?”
I wouldn’t give this song points for optimism, however, it’s a refreshing dose of honesty.
If you’re a highly sensitive person, you’re like also very concerned about events in our world. And I believe that if you’re not, you’re likely just numb at this point. There’s so much heartache, all of the time, and media companies quite literally prey on this for their success.
But not Raye. If you feel like you need someone else who get’s it, this is your girl.
why is this resonating with me right now?
My OCD was originally triggered because of fear that the world was going to end. That was my doom cycle of obsessions. As you can imagine, health anxiety from the pandemic has been difficult over the past few years, but this has not been acting alone. My Environmental Anxiety has been so real.
I deeply appreciate how this song recognizes the complexities and intersectional nature of so many issues in our society.
It’s just really great art, honestly.
like a person
- grace gaustad
“t's that time of year again, where I see the family that I've never really met. It's time to play the role again, the one I never asked to be in, to be in.”
I’m having a bit of a harder time with my identity lately (actually, when am I not?) so I’m not going to say much on this song. I’m grateful for my family and chosen family’s love, but it can still just be really hard out here.
I hope this song, in particular, reaches people who need it.
sad too young
- julia wolf
“Sleepwalkin' through my youth, I can't remember half of my life. All the stories they said I was there for, got lost while I was tryna stay alive.”
This is a heavy section and song, so you’ve been warned! But it’s also so relevant for the kids like me who were so sensitive and emotional and didn’t know how to live with it when in their youth.
Julia explains in an interview with Headliner Mag, “In high school, I was so afraid of my own shadow, I couldn't talk to people – I couldn't make eye contact. I did everything I could to stay under the radar.”
“Ever since I started putting music out, it has brought out a whole new side to me. It's made me more in touch with my own voice and allows me to speak out about things that I've been through.”
And we can all benefit from this voice of hers! Give it a listen, and see if it brings any nostalgia for you.
why is this resonating with me right now?
The chorus of this song talks about having so many truths and secrets that you want to share with someone you love but not having the capacity for it. I think this is really resonating with me because at this point in my life, with knowledge of my BPD all-or-nothing thought patterns impacting my perspectives still, I don’t know how I’ll make space for someone again.
I’ve used up a lot of love on people that needed more of me then I should have given. I’m not sure quite yet how I’ll find the capacity to do it all over again.
cognitive dissonance
- sophie holohan
“When I lie up at night truth isn’t hard to find. Wake up and live with it - cognitive dissonance.”
If this is a new psychology term for you - prepare to have your mind absolutely blown. This may be a new name for you, too, but you’ve likely heard her sounds on TikTok many times without knowing.
Cognitive Dissonance is defined as: the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. People tend to seek consistency in their attitudes and perceptions, so this conflict causes feelings of unease or discomfort.
Sounds kinda relatab;e, right?
If you want to hear more from Sophie about what this term means for her EP, check out this interview.
Why is this resonating with me right now?
I remember hearing about this concept for the first time and feeling so much in my life make more sense.
Our brain can’t handle nuance very well so we try to chose sides. I’ve been trying to accept that grey area a bit more lately, knowing that it’s not something that is easy or comfortable, but might be helpful for my healing.
recovering people pleaser
- carys
“I let you express your heart while I keep mine locked in the dark. There's a bird in my cage that just wants to sing, so I'm turning the page even if it breaks both my wings.”
This is your anthem for changing the narrative!
Just like it’s name, this song is about recognizing that you’re allowed to - and should - take space for yourself.
There’s not much else to say about this one. I just love it!
why is this resonating with me right now?
Well, do I even need to say it? Take your best guess.
