The first four tracks in this round-up feature string-based instrumentals with a focus on vocals and lyricism. Each one delivers a clear narrative that has something to relate to, something universal at times. These tracks would all fit perfectly in a playlist together, and the final track is a standout EDM track to pick up the pace, but still explores introspective depth. If you want to hear a mix of deep emotion, good and bad, every track here is worth a listen.
Levi Ballenger – Addicted
‘Addicted’ uses addiction as a metaphor for being in love with another and receiving that love back. The mix in this track is super clean with different guitar layers placed in different parts of the stereo so that each part of the instrumental pops out in its own way. The chorus in this track has a gorgeous rhythm, and it has a singer-songwriter feel in the way it shares finding another to fit with like a puzzle piece. “Oh my my / I’m addicted to the way that you love me / I’m addicted to the way that I love you / more and more,” the chorus goes.
cozyjoe – best friends couch
‘best friends couch’ is an atmospheric indie track that captures the crippling pace and hopelessness of being stuck under the capitalist agenda. This track works with just enough reverb in the instrumentation to keep a resounding sound, and the percussion and bass work well together to hold a distinct rhythm with brighter synths layered over top to keep an introspectiveness alive. This track does well at showing how difficult it is for younger generations to fix their situation due to how the current world makes it.
Strange New World – Still Life
‘Still Life’ is a track that uses psychedelic influences and deep poeticism to explore a tale of struggles, mental health, and healing. The fingerpicking in this track guides the instrumentation along, with a bass and percussion softly resting behind them in the mix. Additionally, there’s some piano that cuts in to fill out a full-band sound. The first portion of the track explores feelings of regret and confusion about life’s answers. Then, it builds into a tale of finding more calm and getting through the difficult thoughts that may arise in life.
Jade Ritter – Beautiful
‘Beautiful’ features a piano and assorted strings to build its sound in a soft and emotional beauty. This is paired well with alto vocals that hit astounding breathy tones. The vocals are produced to clarity, but they’re raw enough that emotion and depth pop out. This track was written by an LGBTQIA+ musician, and it’s meant as a letter to their younger self. It’s expressing to the younger self their own beauty and the love and care that they deserve. Overall, this track builds into a tearjerker showing pain, growth, and the want to repair the struggles from growing up young and queer.
danXkim – First Love Feels
‘First Love Feels’ takes an EDM excitement, unlike any other track in this list. That being said, it still works with emotional depth in the lyrics by exploring what it’s like being in love for the first time. The chorus has a bit of an early 2000s pop sound, and it gives that infectious melody that comes from that era. This track is infectious and exciting, but it holds itself back just enough to give some focus to the vocals and narrative. That being said, it gives enough leeway to have peaks and valleys in its energetic flow. This track has an upbeat narrative that displays the freedom that may be felt from a first love.
Written by Sage Plapp
Cover image by Anastasia Shuraeva
