Songs you should listen to before you die

Good Days - SZA

This has been in my top 3 favorite songs for years. I can’t even fully put into words how much I love this song or how it makes me feel but it’s what I would deem as a literally flawless piece of art. The rhythmic R&B melody of this song is incredibly soothing and you can almost envision yourself swaying in a hammock or being gently rocked in a boat on calm ocean waters. This song has earthy vibes that transcend any surface-level feelings. SZA wrote this song as a way to remind all of us to ground ourselves in the present and to not take the little things for granted because life is fleeting.

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Freeze - Kygo

This is one of the most nostalgic songs I have ever heard. There’s a bit of house EDM vibes to it as Kygo is known for his melodic, tropical house music. I imagine that this is the sound of memories bottled up, taking chances on everything and watching it all work out, seeing every good moment play out right before your eyes, and falling in love but wanting to savor every moment of what it feels like. This song makes me feel like anything is possible while also making me yearn for memories I haven’t even made yet.

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Pears - Weston Estate

All around, Weston Estate is underrated. They have an indie-R&B vibe that is so smooth and vibey. The vocals are incredible and it’s a good song for any mood. It’s easy to bob your head along with the funk-pop beat that’s accompanied by perfectly-timed pauses and easy-flowing lyrics.

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Hope Is A Heartache - LÉON

LÉON doesn’t make bad songs. All of her songs have a nostalgic, pop vibe that you can’t help but feel alive and adventurous when you hear it. Her rich, ethereal vocals make you want to experience all of the good, bad, and ugly that life has to offer so that you can create beautiful art as well.

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Spider - Emma Foley

Emma is a newer artist that I discovered on TikTok, and the two songs she has out are absolutely stunning. This specific song has been unapologetically on repeat for me. Emma has a way with lyrics that sounds like poetry wrapped in starlight. Every time I listen to this, it makes me emotional. It equates finding an unexpected spider and rather than killing it, showing it mercy by saving it, to showing ourselves mercy as we grow in life, even when we feel small. The fact that this song became a favorite of mine after one, single listen, speaks volumes to the talent of Emma and the impact of this song.

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Mover Awayer - Hobo Johnson

This one is definitely an acquired taste, but it’s so good. I love the unique, artistic vision and the way that you’re left guessing at what it's going to sound like minute by minute as it changes throughout the song. The lyrics themselves are introspective and the creative freedoms he takes with the structuring are refreshing, catchy, and fun.

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Godlight - Noah Kahan

By now, there’s a good chance many of you have already heard of Noah. His songs have gotten pretty popular on TikTok. For anyone unfamiliar, his music is very pop-folk mixed with indie vibes. Godlight is one of his older songs that doesn’t get enough recognition but it’s genuinely so good. Noah really resonates with anyone who grew up in a small town that was easy to get stuck in and the love-hate relationship with it. It’s easy to find a song you’ll love amongst any of his discography and, who knows, you may even find your new favorite artist.

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we can’t be friends (wait for your love) - Ariana Grande

The first time that I heard this song I felt like I was transported to another dimension. The backing vocals mixed with the instrumental somehow felt futuristic and vintage all at the same time. It was so engaging, otherworldly, and timeless in its presentation. Ariana’s vocals are heavenly and you can feel the emotion behind each lyric that she sings. All-around, it was melodic, hypnotizing, and deserved all of the hype it got upon its release.

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Why - Dominic Fike

Dominic really loves to dabble in genres. Most of his songs lean more towards indie-pop with beach influence. I can even hear some blues influences in his music. All of his songs are really fun, some are upbeat, some are more laid back, and he even has a couple slower-paced ones. Why is one of my favorites of his because it fits well into a lot of situations: studying, cleaning, driving, even working out. It’s pleasant and upbeat.

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Royalty - Ezgod ft. Maestro Chives, Neoni

One of the most cinematic, dramatic, and empowering songs you will ever hear. You’ll feel like you can conquer empires and slay dragons while listening. As someone who loves to write for fun, when I am working on stories, I love cinematic music to help enhance the storyline. Royalty is the epitome of what every powerful movie scene feels like, wrapped up into a beautiful piece of art.

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The Summoning - Sleep Token

Literally game-changing. Sleep Token is an incredibly innovative and imaginative band that brings a refreshing tone to the alternative rock world. I watched a few music review accounts react to this song and everyone’s jaws were on the floor. This is multiple songs mashed into one but somehow it feels completely cohesive.

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Gemini Moon - Reneé Rapp

Reneé is one of Gen Z’s most talented and iconic artists. Having been trained on Broadway, she knows how to deliver an impactful performance with any song she sings. Her solo music away from the stage is absolutely beautiful and her vocals are unreal. She is an absolute star and I will recommend her to everyone until the end of time.

Out of all of Reneé’s discography, Gemini Moon shows her vocal control alongside the powerhouse vocals that she is known for. There’s a lot of push-and-pull with notes, all paced beautifully throughout her lower notes, falsettos, and full-on belts.

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Amelie - Gracie Abrams

The perfect rainy day song that tugs at the heartstrings. I think that this is one of Gracie’s most underrated songs, despite it being stunning. Even listening to it once, it’s unforgettable, especially if you’re a fan of sad ballads.

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August - Chase Atlantic

Some of the best songs in the world come straight from unreleased archives, and this one is no exception. This song can only be found on YouTube and it’s one that I wish would have gotten officially released because it is so good. Musically, it’s pleasant to listen to and feels very complete from start to finish. Lyrically, it’s relatable to anyone who’s experienced heartbreak and relives those memories in the most hopeless romantic way.

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Since I Have A Lover - 6LACK

This song was made for late night drives during the summer with your windows down, chasing sunsets. It’s nostalgic with R&B influence and an ultra-catchy tune.

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decay - Nessa Barrett

Another underrated artist, Nessa has a gorgeous and unique vocal tone that is haunting and melodic. Her entire Young Forever album was on repeat for me upon its release and I still go back to it to this day.

decay is one of the tracks on Nessa’s Young Forever album that was an instant favorite. It starts off softer and lyrically tragic, before turning into an edgy-punk anthem that has a lot of musical elements that make it really pleasing to the ears. She is an artist that is very clever with lyrics. There’s a lot of wit behind the way she structures them.

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This is America - Childish Gambino

Gambino is a legend in the rap industry. He’s one of my absolute favorites and his music is incredibly impactful. This song in particular is a heavy one as it discusses the harsher realities of living in the U.S. for black individuals. They experience a lot of hardships that often get overlooked due to the distracting noise of flashier headlines and entertainment that draws people’s attention more. Not only does the song portray this, but the music video is spot-on at depicting these disparities. A lot of people miss the chaos that is happening in the background of this video because of the more upbeat and flashy dancing that is distracting viewers in the foreground. It’s so well done and impactful.

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Je te laisserai des mots - Patrick Watson

A hauntingly beautiful piece of art that is just utter perfection. It’s gained some traction on TikTok as it’s perfect for melancholy, heartbreaking edits.

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I could talk about music all day and recommend hundreds of more songs. This covered a wide variety of genres with some of my own favorite songs and I hope you were able to find a new favorite of your own amongst my ramblings. And yes, I did actually make a Spotify playlist for this.

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