Andie Writes:
All the tracks I added gives their own sort of “frustrated energy” which I got so hooked on! These tracks actually all belong to my “Loud & Heavy” playlist. I found it really cool because its not all about literal anger, but some are even love songs like All I Need by The Frights and Wanted You by Twin Peaks. Constant Headache by Joyce Manor was great to listen to again after a long time. I discovered this artist was back in highschool and the song is just so punk and head banging! I think Bad Habits by FIDLAR opened up my music taste before too. It’s an insane rock song, kinda heavy metal I’d say? I love all the emotion and shouting. I think this whole theme for the playlist drew me more to rock and punk and i’m all here for it!
Read how Andie turned a moment from frustration into fuel
Otis Galloway Writes:
Speed Demon – Justin Bieber
Lately I’ve been obsessed with this track. I listen to it every morning because it genuinely gets me moving. It’s one of those deceptively simple pop songs that hits harder the more you hear it. Bieber wrote it as a kind of comeback moment, and the whole thing has that polished, Bruno-Mars-meets-MJ energy – catchy, bright, and driving.
There’s something about the feel of it – the momentum behind it – that makes me want to get up and tackle the day. The lyrics, the vibe, the pace… it all lines up as a little spark of motivation. It’s just a really good pop song doing exactly what a pop song should do.
Read how Otis turned a moment from frustration into fuel
Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder
This is a classic for a reason. It’s a proper “ignite the engine” song for me. People often forget Stevie’s a full-blown multi-instrumentalist – one of those Prince/Beck/Lenny Kravitz types who can literally play everything. On Innervisions, he played almost every instrument himself except the horns.
But the thing that gets me every time is his drumming. It’s wild how underrated it is. Even Kevin Parker from Tame Impala – another multi-instrumentalist – talks about Stevie’s drumming as a huge influence.
On a deeper level, Stevie’s music is how I connect with whatever you want to call the bigger energy out there – God, the universe, spirit, whatever. His songs feel like ancient texts to me – a channel to that higher place. When I put this track on in the morning, it genuinely feels like reconnecting with something essential.
Read how Otis turned a moment from frustration into fuel
Jenna Writes:
For me, starting the fire means getting that push.These are the songs that help me let go of the emotions I’ve bottled up, almost like a release. When I’m feeling a lot all at once, this is what I like to put on. It’s my dopamine hit that gets me going and helps me let those feelings out.
Last year, Mickey Darling was everything to me. It’s the kind of music you hear and can’t help but scream, sing along, and yell with him. Even when I can’t fully relate, I feel every lyric in my soul.
The first song I thought of was “Watch Your Mouth” by The Backseat Lovers. It’s such a punch-in-the-face, hits-you-hard type of track, and it gets me really amped up when I listen.
That’s also how I feel about Declan McKenna’s music—especially “British Bombs.” The amount of angry, amped-up energy is unmatched in those lyrics and melodies. It’s just powerful music. My other choices for this playlist actually came from one of my favorite playlists, called Spicy Indie, which I’m hoping to publish this year. I don’t think I need to explain that one.
Read how Jenna turned a moment from frustration into fuel
Track Listing
- Watch Your Mouth – Backseat Lovers
- Someday Soon – Harlem
- British Bombs – Declan Mckenna
- One Day – Lovejoy
- VROOM VROOM – Mickey Darkling
- SPEED DEMON – Justin Bieber
- Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder
- Yell Fire – Michael Franti & Spearhead
- All I Need – The Frights
- Constant Headache – Joyce Manor
- Wanted You – Twin Peaks
- Bad Habits – FIDLAR
Playlist Image by Cullan Smith 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 start the fire. Learn more about The Human Collective here.
