Sat in my room I journal and doomscroll and try to find something that can put my thoughts into words. Something tangible that captures my emotions and all of the chaos of my mind.
I put music on to try to distract myself but end up rewinding the same songs over and over again because the words are what get to me. Melodies aside, it’s the lyrics I end up stuck on. They play on my mind- sometimes it’s like they were plucked right out of there…
It’s nice not to be alone in a feeling. It’s nice to know the mess that you think only exists in your own world actually came from a whole litter of messes which are similarly adopted by others across the rest of the world. So here are some artists and songs with lyrics I’ve been obsessively listening and re-listening to. Maybe they capture parts of your mess too. Maybe you just like the music. Either way I hope you’ll listen and give it all a shot.
The first artist landing on Rancid Planet hails from the galaxy Andromila. Mila Bea is a seventeen year old musician and artist who’s not only created wonderful songs, but also a whole ‘Milaverse’ of characters, kingdoms, creatures and more!
Her song, Laughing Track, is the first song featured on our I Read Lyrics playlist. A fun bit of bedroom pop with lyrics that you can sink your teeth into. Bea also leaves us with wise advice to “kick him”, which I always appreciate and take on board!
The next artist featured on the playlist is Sung Holly. With only seven releases, she’s already making waves (deffo one to watch!). Second Guesser is the song of choice for this playlist, an indie pop/rock tune with words that feel like they were ripped right out of my being. I find the unanswered questions to be vaguely comforting- I think that’s why I fell in love with these lyrics upon first listen. They saw and comforted me but also challenged my perspective on the things that were bugging me. The final words being “I’ll never know” give me the resolution I needed all along. The song is also a capital ‘T’ Tune!!
Then we have Wound up and Coiling by Lia Pappas-Kemps, a multi-talented musician and actor (some may recognise her from Netflix’s Anne with an E- goated show honestly) whose most recent album is a folsky, indie dream. Exploring themes of love and longing with mostly soft drumming and muted instrumentals which revolve around Lia’s guitar and voice. Wound up and Coiling is another example of great lyricism that, upon first listen, felt like it was saying exactly what I was thinking. I pace my room to the same beat, “circling, circling…coiling, coiling…”. That pent up tension is captured and communicated perfectly through each word and beat- making it a solid choice for this playlist.
Unflirt brings us our next track, Next to You. A fun alt-pop banger with lyrics I wish I could scream at so many people. As somebody who can rarely coherently express myself in anger (I crumble and cry immediately), I find this song extremely cathartic. It takes ugly emotions and makes them human and enjoyable. It’s a fun song that’s therapeutic to dance around your room and sing along to. Simple as that.
Spearmint by Girlsweetvoiced is our fifth song- a chill, mellow little breeze of a song. I could get lost in the breathy, light vocals and relaxed instrumentals.The song sounds like a summer evening, walking home after spending a whole day lazing on the beach. Its lyrics are simple yet effective and create a vivid image in my mind without overpowering the atmosphere the music creates.
And then there’s Pindrop by Ruby Plume, a singer-songwriter creating folk-pop that’s atmospheric with evocative lyrics. It’s a song that perfectly captures the quiet lonliness of a one-sided or unrequited relationship in which all your efforts are met with no response- a “pin-drop” silence. The light vocals are complimented with muted synths that elevate the whole track. It’s simultaneously up-beat while also hitting core, stomach-pit inducing emotions. It’s a lyrical treat in my humble opinion.
Slab City by Tele marks our seventh song. A masterpiece of storytelling and imagery woven into soft, slow instrumentals that feel nostalgic and emotional- like the sun setting so beautifully after a hard day, when you want to give it all up but that one calm moment of beauty reels you back in. This song reels me in over and over again. It is, to quote a great book, “pretty with a purpose”- it weaves a tale most of us are all too familiar with. The bleak, isolating experiences of life, loss, ageing, never-ending work, and hand-to-mouth living. It communicates grief so beautifully. Ironically, though the song goes “I’m getting old”, it feels anything but. It’s a timeless piece that I think I’ll keep coming back to.
Coming back round to what I said about me being a chronic crier, this next song is for all the cry-babies (because nothing’s wrong with that). Two Shots in and Sobbing by Ayleen Valentine is an anthem for anyone else going through it right now, be it a breakup, a big move, a new job, or some twisted combination of all three at once. Or anything else that might be plaguing you. This song can be cried to or danced along to (both if you’re me). Though it urges me to “be a big-big girl” this wonderful bit of indietronica turns me into a cry-baby with its vulnerable lyrics.
Annika Bennett continues this sorta theme I’ve accidentally created with another emotionally vulnerable slacker-rock alt-indie song that perfectly captures the sad reality of living for others and people-pleasing. Qualities often praised in women which are really just a detriment to us all. So often we “build our worlds around everybody else’s walls”. This song is beyond relatable and devastating because it’s so real and raw.
And, last but not least, we have Cutting Board from Anna Justen. An angsty, upbeat indie pop song with grungy and glitchy little details that really come together to make something cool. It brings me joy with it’s lyrics because of the finality “I guess you found somebody new…” Justen sings, and here we expected to follow every other cliche heartbreak song, but instead she continues “everybody wants somebody, but I don’t want you”. Within the lyrics, the story being told, this protagonist has broken free. She’s escaped and “there’s nothing you can say to change it”. This hits so much deeper when contrasted with the verses which portray someone sinking into their sorrow. It’s a hopeful song with great lyrics- a perfect hit to round off our inaugural playlist.
That’s all from me, tunes with brilliant lyrics which I’ve spent countless sleepless nights listening to, pacing to, and singing along to. I hope this first edition has been fun for you, and I hope you might journey back to this Rancid Planet for the next installation. Until next time…
-Ratz
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