Playlists for Your Soul

“Hey, there are some guests coming over tonight. I’ll get the food ready. Would you like to handle the music?”

“Sure, I’ll make a party playlist real quick!”

You hurry over to your device to curate the perfect playlist to get everyone in the party movin’ and groovin’. All the songs fit a certain mood and are upbeat, because that’s the kind of vibe you want to set at a party.

Now, what about when you’re sad, burnt out, and need something to help you let it all out? Or when you want to feel comfortable and relaxed? What’s something you turn to? It could be a book, a movie, or even a music playlist!

Music helps us connect with our emotions in ways little else can. Some studies have observed that songs can trigger dopamine release, which is tied to pleasure and motivation. That’s why that one Radiohead song can make us cry, or that one song by Queen can make us smile in just a few minutes. But playlists take this one step further. They involve grouping songs around a single emotion, such as sadness, anger, joy, or nostalgia. That gives us permission to stay with that feeling rather than push it aside.

There are some benefits that emotion-specific playlists have. Firstly, curating playlists gives you emotional clarity. Reflect on the party playlist scenario at the beginning of this article. You are clear on what the playlist should make you feel and how you’d want to react to the music in it. Similarly, when you curate playlists for when you’re angry or sad, it coerces you to name what you’re feeling.  Furthermore, there’s the aspect of clearing out mental clutter. When you’re screaming and crying to a song, that’s release - the very thing you needed. Not only is it beneficial for catharsis, but also for helping you transition between two moods. You would want to listen to a more peaceful playlist than a heavy and angry playlist when you want to be in a better and calmer state of mind. 

So, how do you use playlists to help you recover from your burnout? As a musician and a student, I’ve always been burnt out with music and/or academics. I’ve always sought refuge in listening to playlists that help me stay in a certain state of mind. I’ve always made sure that playlists for my most common moods were curated, such as for when I’m happy, I listen to a playlist I created called “vibes” that has a lot of indie music, nostalgic music, and retro rock. Even when I’m sad, I have a playlist called “ohno sad” (that’s what it’s actually called) which has, well, sad songs from both contemporary and retro artists. One quick tip: To make your playlists not feel outdated, keep adding new tracks to them so that they not only have stuff you listen to currently, but also track your emotional journey and grow alongside you. Trust me, it helps!

Playlists have always been more than background noise. They’re emotional companions, ready whenever you need them. When you make a playlist filled with all your favourites and your guilty pleasures, it gives you a chance to be yourself when choosing to confront your emotions. There is never any hurry to bury them or fix them.

So the next time you feel low or burnt out, don’t keep it all in. Take out your device and play your mix! Let the music do its magic and help you reconnect with yourself and release all the negativity that you’ve had inside you!

Take care, and keep the music on :)