We all have ups and downs, some ins and outs, but what’s one way that nearly everyone can get through it? Music. Music (in my opinion) is a universal language. It can convey so much emotion and feeling that words alone sometimes can’t. Music is expressive and beautiful and takes time and effort to make. So what are some songs to get you through some of those up and down moments?
The first genre I listened to was micro-pop. You may have heard some micro-pop by Jack Stauber, Mitski, or Soddiken. Micro-pop can be defined as “avant-garde” pop, or “unconventional”, but really it’s experimental music that (to me) is reminiscent of 80s pop. These can be interesting to listen to when bored or just when you need something to keep your mind busy. For example, Jack Stauber uses interesting sounds like telephone rings, doorbells, and synth waves to make his music. Soddiken uses very heartfelt lyrics to tell a story but arranges them to be both comforting and disturbing at the same time. I recommend Bo Burnham’s “1985,” Jack Stauber’s Album “OPAL”, Mitski’s “Washing Machine Heart”, “Fine” by Lemon Demon, and “Misery Meat” by Soddiken. This is a very interesting genre, 10/10.
Up next is Hip-Hop. While not my preference, I think it’s a really cool genre full of some awesome songs. Some artists from this genre include Skee-Lo, Tupac, bbno$, Doechii, and so many more. There are dozens of famous hip hop artists, so I can’t fit them all on this list. Some songs I listened to include “Denial Is a River” by Doechii, “I Wish” by Skee-Lo, a few songs by Nicki-Minaj, “Joyride by Kesha, “two” by bbno$, and more. I think it’s a great style for a party or going for a drive, and it overall wasn’t too shabby.
Next up is country. It’s so diverse in its content that I couldn’t get to all of it, but some of my favourite artists include Dolly Parton, Reba Mcentire, and Nancy Sinatra. I’m not a huge fan of this genre, but it has some great qualities! It pretty much works for any mood if you know what songs to play. When you’re in a funk and need some pep, call on the powers of Dolly Parton to make you feel better. When you’re feeling low, there are plenty of songs to match your mood. Country has no exact mood, as it’s so diverse. I recommend “These Boots are Made for Walking” by Nancy Sinatra, pretty much every Dolly Parton song, “Earl had to Die”, and most Reba songs from her country era. Super diverse genre; I would listen again!
We can boogie on down to disco! Disco is great for when you’re feeling happy and need a good dance session. You may recognize Earth, Wind & Fire, ABBA, and the Bee Gees. I personally love this genre, with its colorful and bouncy energy. Some good ones to listen to include “Staying Alive” by Saturday Night Fever, “Gimme Gimme Gimme” and “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, “Play that Funky Music”, “Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band, and “Let’s Groove” by Earth Wind and Fire. When I think of disco, I can’t help but think of the roller rinks I used to go to when I was younger, with the bright lights and disco ball. This is great for when you need a funky pick-me-up or something to clean or hang out with.