Anyone in their blues will find something to confide in with these 4 tracks worth throwing into emotional playlists. From tracks exploring attachment styles to those that get into the nitty-gritty of dealing with mental health issues, each song in this round-up has a lot of emotional value that’s dying to be heard.
Katie Belle – Avoidant Attachment
‘Avoidant Attachment’ captures synthy indie with an emotional and ethereal atmosphere. The backing vocals are edited to said synthy sound, and they pull out a lot of color and add an introspective nature. Additionally, the hi-hat-heavy percussion drives things along smoothly, and the other synths phase in and out as if they’re floating through the atmosphere. The mix in this track is stellar, offering up absolute clarity and a highlight on the dynamics of the vocals. They’re soft but crisp, and the chorus, which dashes in some energy, gives them a time to shine in louder and brighter tones with a sense of sweetness. Lyrically, it captures the title. It gets into what it’s like having an avoidant attachment style, wanting to run as soon as something starts to build.
Amerakin Overdose – My Endless Battle
Amerikan Overdose provides a hauntingly emotional example that nu-metal isn’t dead in their new track, ‘My Endless Battle’. This track uses bass-heavy instrumentation and a bit of piano and guitar, with a focus on the vocals, which display raw and real emotion. This track isn’t rushed. It holds itself back and gives itself time to deliver a truly emotional narrative and sound. As it builds to its peaks, it adds more string layers, which gives it an orchestrated aspect. This track is an important listen in a way, as it depicts what it’s like living with severe depression. Lyrically, it captures what it’s like living in darkness and pain, even when the days are outside and bright. It talks about what its title is about: an endless battle of decay and struggle.
Noah Robertson – On and On
‘On and On’ by Noah Robertson uses acoustic guitar, piano, and some water rushing sound effects to build a natural indie folk-pop vibe. There’s a really nice brightness behind the musicianship and the vocals that really jumps out, but there’s also a lot of emotion once again here. The vocals have a soft rasp to them, but it somehow serves the smooth flow, and it’s on point in finding a melody that astounds. This track slowly builds over time, adding some organ-like synths, then some soft percussion. In general, it’s a slow build done right. Lyrically, ‘On and On’ is about the loss of a relationship. It gets into thoughts of wanting to have done things a bit differently and appreciate things more. But, it also gets into feelings of wanting one back with the knowledge that things must move forward.
Jennie Angel – MOVE ON
‘Move On’ has a full band sound, but it keeps the soft tempo that the prior tracks in this list have. The guitar leads are great, and the strumming pulls things along at a moderate pace. Then, the percussion weaves its way through the music well. The flow of energy in this track is exciting. Much of it is slow, but it has snappy tempo pick-ups that drive excitement and a sense of livelihood. Lyrically, it’s a bit like the last track included. It’s about a past relationship and the drive to move forward. That being said, the way it uses its energy gives an aire of confidence to things. It’s a break-up song, but with a sense of hope. It seems to shout, “I can reinvent myself and I will.”
Written by Sage Plapp
Cover image by Vlad Chețan
