Music to Atone To
relatable music that seeks to atone and lift the spirit with brent faulkner
featuring artists like
Brittany Howard, Declan McKenna, BROCKHAMPTON, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Gary Clark, Jr.
Perhaps you’re like Alexander – you’ve experienced a “No good, very bad day.” Maybe, a difficult situation in life extends beyond a bad day. A break-up with your significant other has got you down. The loss of a family member has you feeling mighty low. You’ve lost your job, and now, you must rebuild and rebrand. Bummer! All of these unfortunate life experiences and more are captured by the songs featured on this playlist.
This playlist needs no genres; it’s a collection of relatable music that seeks to atone and lift the spirit. Some music reflects pain and misfortune that devastates, but ultimately, it’s therapeutic – a means to move forward.
September – Ayoni
13 September 2021
On “September,” Barbadian pop singer Ayoni must atone for September, thanks to heartbreak courtesy of her ex.Lost You – Snoh Aalegra
19 July 2021
Throughout “Lost You,” R&B artist Snoh Aalegra atones for loss, reminiscing about the best moments within a relationship.Day 7 – Tabitha Westley
10 May 2021
“Day 7, Day 7 got me thinking about our relations / Day 7, Day 7 it’s down to miscommunication.” So, what’s the significance of this ‘seventh day’ in context of “Day 7”? Basically, for R&B singer Tabitha Westley, she’s going through the effects of lockdown
Like I Want You – GIVĒON
5 April 2021
On “Like I Want You,” GIVĒON experiences a classic case of heartbreak. On this silky smooth, soulful slow jam, he seeks to atone for broken love, desiring to reconcile with his ex.
Mercy – Anthony Hamilton
25 January 2021
R&B singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton, assisted by activist Tamika D. Mallory, seeks to empower and atone for the adversity, hardships, injustices, and many wrongs suffered by black men on “Mercy”.
Dissociation – Ajuni
28 December 2020
“Dissociation,” the second career single by Indian singer/songwriter/pianist, Ajuni (Anupreet Kaur), is truly moving and thought-provoking. The artist characterizes the record as “a dark, stormy, dramatic ballad, and a melodic fusion of east and west.”
Anyone – Demi Lovato
3 March 2020
“I tried to talk to my piano / I tried to talk to my guitar / Talked to my imagination / Confided into alcohol.” For Grammy-nominated pop star Demi Lovato, she was literally looking for anyone to talk to and ultimately, save her…
Ordinary Man – Ozzy Osbourne
28 January 2020
Ozzy Osbourne is the furthest thing from being ordinary – understatement. The heavy metal icon is both famous and infamous simultaneously, exemplifying the rock star life…
Posthumous Forgiveness – Tame Impala
7 January 2020
“Did you think I’d never know? / Never wise up as I grow?” Those are the questions that Australian musician Kevin Parker, the brainchild of psych-rock, alternative pop /roc collective Tame Impala, directs towards his late father, Jerry…
Rollercoaster – India.Arie
26 February 2019
“This just in, another talented young black man / Thrown in jail, lost his life, just sitting on his couch, in the street.” The spoken word intro of “Rollercoaster,” a highlight from Worthy, the 2019 album by Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter India.Arie speaks volumes. From the jump, it’s clear that “Rollercoaster” has a truly powerful, transcendent message, before Arie ever sings one note…
Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore – Marlon Williams
27 July 2018
“What am I going to do when you’re in trouble / And you don’t call out for me,” New Zealand singer/songwriter Marlon Williams sings on the final verse of “Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore.”…
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype. When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event