Otis Writes:
Happiness – Goldfrapp
that is an absolutely wonderful song. It just fills me with an immense amount of joy when I hear it.
Will Gregory, who’s the instrumentalist part of Goldfrapp, does this wonderful turn back to those old English marching band kind of sounds. It’s got that Sgt. Pepper feel — very Beatles-esque in the chorus and the hook.
There’s this great bass line, an alto sax in the background — da-da-da-da-da — and it just sounds like a marching band going through the park.
It’s very upbeat, slightly cynical, but dreamy — psychedelic electronic pop.
It always makes me feel really good. I love listening to it. It’s a wonderful track and I always get an immense amount of pleasure from it.
Loser – Tame Impala
The recent one is actually the latest Tame Impala release — Loser.
You wouldn’t think with a title like Loser that it would be uplifting, but it reminds me so much of the West Coast.
Kevin Parker has a house out there, and it harkens back to their early stuff — more guitar-driven than electronic — though you still hear hints of what he’s done on Currents and The Slow Rush.
I love the sentiment and the video with Joe Keery from Stranger Things. It feels like an ode to the small neighborhood communities on the West Coast.
People forget how Los Angeles works — it’s like Tokyo — a city made of micro-cities, little islands within the big one.
Coming from a small island myself, I appreciate how big cities like Berlin, Tokyo, and L.A. all have these small islands inside the ocean of concrete.
That’s what I love about the song — it reminds me of that environment. And thinking about those little islands coming together — that makes me optimistic.
Even though we live on this massive planet with billions of people, we’re still just one neighborhood.
And if we think like that, we can do amazing things with that sense of community.
Read about a moment that Otis realized wasn’t scary after all!
Andie Writes:
All the songs I’ve added feels like a assurance and a hug to me. “Honey” by Drugdealer was no question! It’s a song that I always turn back to when I feel anxious. The vocals are also so calming, fits so perfectly with the heartfelt lyrics. “Life In The City” by The Lumineers is a track I haven’t listened to in a minute, up until last month. Ever since then, It’s been in my ‘On Repeat’ every week haha something about it just brings me back to simpler times. They say to not really go back to the past, but truthfully, it helps calm me sometimes – when I remember my previous versions and compare them to how I am now. “Huwag Kang Matakot” is by a classic and popular local band in the Philippines – Eraserheads. Translated, it means “Don’t Be Afraid” The song is in Tagalog, but the gist is that its all about the singer telling their loved one to not be afraid because they’ll alwaone ofys be there, by your side, through it all. Lastly, one of my ultimate top Mac Miller songs, “2009” simply…about life. It’s like literal life advice that always keeps me grounded when I feel that life’s too scary.
A couple of my favorite verses from the song:
“I’m right here when you’re scared and alone
And I ain’t ever in a hurry
You don’t never gotta worry
Even when it’s 7:30 and the time is runnin’ low
When your heart get cold
See what’s behind all them unturned stones
And I’m a pro when it comes to my job
But really I’m just tryna start believin’ in God
Now when it gets hard
I don’t panic, I don’t sound the alarm”
Speaks volumes to me. I’ll hold this track close to me forever!
Read about a moment that Andie realized wasn’t scary after all!
Jenna Writes:
I started by adding Never Give Up by Tors. This track really speaks to me when I need it most. Those uplifting lyrics remind me to keep going and no matter what I’ll be okay. Then you have Alex Warren with an uplifting message that reminds me no matter what happens, I’ve made it through the other side before, and I’m stronger than I think. Myles Smith and Michigander both help me face uncertainty with a little more courage and a little more peace, reminding me that even when life feels intimidating, there’s always a way forward. And matter of fact, each of these songs makes me feel at peace like no matter what’s happening, I’ve already made it through so much. They remind me that fear fades, that I’m stronger than I think, and that I’m never really alone in what I feel.
Life may not be so scary after all!
Read about a moment that Jenna realized wasn’t scary after all!
Willmore writes:
These are the songs that pull me back when anxiety’s loud, when the world feels uncertain, and when I just need a reminder that light still wins.
“When You Believe” – Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey
If hope had a voice, it would sound like Whitney and Mariah belting in perfect harmony. This song feels like that moment when doubt is whispering, but faith stands taller. It’s cinematic, it’s spiritual, and it makes me believe that impossible things still happen when you choose to keep believing.
“Spirit” – Beyoncé
This one feels like a call from the heavens, like a royal decree telling you to lift your chin and walk in purpose. Every drumbeat feels ancestral, every lyric feels like courage being reborn. “Spirit” reminds me that God’s breath is still moving through me, even when I feel small.
“All the Stars” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
There’s something cosmic about this song, like you’re standing under the night sky realizing you’re part of something much bigger. It’s moody, futuristic, and hopeful all at once. Kendrick and SZA make it sound like even the stars are conspiring for your good.
“Sun Goes Up” – James Arthur
This one’s for the comeback moments, when life’s been heavy but the morning finally breaks. James Arthur has this way of sounding like he’s been through the storm too, but he’s still choosing light. It’s melancholic but healing, proof that the sun always goes up again.
“Doo Be Doo” – Freshlyground
Pure joy in song form. This track reminds me to dance through chaos, to laugh at the mess, and to not let life’s weight kill the groove. It’s bubbly, nostalgic, and so unapologetically African in its spirit, a gentle reminder that even when life doesn’t make sense, we can still ,”Doo be Doo,” our way through it
Together, these songs form a kind of emotional armor — not to block out fear, but to remind me that fear doesn’t get the final word. Faith, rhythm, light, and a little groove do.
Track Listing
- Never Give Up – Tors
- The Outside – Alex Warren
- Dreamers – Myles Smith
- Better – Michigander
- Sky’s Still Blue – Andrew Belle
- Roll Up (feat. Marko Penn) – B.o.B, Marko Penn
- Honeybee – The Head And The Heart
- Viva La Vida – Cole Swensen
- It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be – Olivia Dean
- Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop – Landon Pigg
- Happiness – Goldfrapp
- Loser – Tame Impala
- Honey – Drugdealer, Weyes Blood
- Life In The City – The Lumineers
- Huwag Kang Matakot – Eraserheads
- 2009 – Mac Miller
- Gold In Them Hills – Ron Sexsmith
- Human – Civil Twilight
- When You Believe – Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey
- SPIRIT – Beyoncé
- All The Stars (with SZA) – Kendrick Lamar, SZA
- Sun Comes Up – Rudimental, James Arthur
- Doo Be Doo – Freshlyground
Playlist Image by Tandem X Visuals on Unsplash
This playlist is part of The Human Collective. Each week we take a prompt and create a playlist and accompanying articles. This week we were looking at songs that make life seem less scary. Learn more about The Human Collective here.
