We know, Christmas is over. New Year is over. First-term has started, and January is almost over. I know it’s tempting to wallow in those mid-winter blues by curling up somewhere cosy, watching heartwarming films, and listening to sad music. But there’s no need to dwell in that despair that follows the festive period, instead here are some songs you should listen to so you can move on from those January Blues and push your way through the second term.
Juicy – Doja Cat
Not much works better to bring you out of a funk like a song about body-positivity and owning your own self-confidence, and that’s exactly what American rapper and singer Doja Cat provides with ‘Juicy’. It also helps that it’s ridiculously catchy, and I have to admit I’ve caught myself dancing around my own room to it a couple of times.
Sunflower, Vol. 6 – Harry Styles
Perhaps one of the weirder songs on Harry Styles’ second album, with its staccato vocalizing at the end of the track multi-layered harmonies, ‘Sunflower, Vol. 6’ is a bright and breezy attempt at looking back on the positive memories of a relationship. It’ll have your shoulders bopping along to the infectious drum line within seconds.
Don’t Feel Like Crying – Sigrid
I feel like this one is quite self-explanatory. No one can feel down while listening to a song that literally states ‘wallowing in it would be such a waste’. It’s simply impossible.
Hard Times – Paramore
Just because you’re pushing through the hard times, doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. ‘Hard Times’ focuses on just that, acknowledging the worse times but moving forward anyway, all while putting it to the closest to bubblegum pop Paramore has ever been. So go ahead, use this song to help you enjoy the bad as well as the good.
Boys Like You – VVAVES ft. Iggy Azaela
If you’re asking who is VVAVES, I wouldn’t be shocked and I’m sure you’re not the only one. What I can tell you is that the Canadian newcomer released one of the best up-tempo break-up songs I’ve heard in a while. The songs drips self-confidence and asserts an important message when trying not to get dragged down in those mid-winter down spells – forget letting yourself get treated as less than you are.
Okay Okay – Alessia Cara
Much like many of the songs on this playlist, ‘Okay Okay’ is Alessia Cara’s attempt at the self-empowerment song, and unlike her previous ‘Scars to Your Beautiful’, this attempt is unapologetically self-congratulating – “on a scale of one to ten, I’m at eleven.” It focuses less on emotions and more on the fun of standing up and saying you know what? I’m great at what I do.
Hit the Back – King Princess
Despite a slow a sensual first verse, don’t be fooled. King Princess’s ‘anthem for bottoms everywhere’ (her words, not mine) opens into a dance-fuelled chorus that boasts an almost heartbeat-like rhythm. The song even comes with its own dance routine that can be found on the singer’s Instagram. So, get learning and dance those blues away.
So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings – Caroline Polachek
Here’s another song with a beat that just makes you want to dance, and if you couldn’t tell, I really do think catchy pop songs that almost force you to dance are the way to survive this never-ending January. And honestly, what’s there not to like about ‘So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings’? It’s complete with an 80s-reminiscent style, vocoder-laced vocals, and an absolute earworm of a chorus. It’s a bop.
All I Really Want – Alanis Morissette
Sometimes what you need isn’t a happy, dance-inducing song to begin your day, sometimes you just need something to sing along to and vent your frustrations through. Alanis Morissette provides so many good songs to just scream along to and wallow in your angst, and ‘All I Really Want’ is one of her best. The third single from her Grammy-winning album ‘Jagged Little Pill’, ‘All I Really Want’ sees Morissette confrontationally articulate her frustration in her relationship.
10/10 – Rex Orange County
One of the running themes throughout this playlist is songs that focus on feeling good about yourself. Whilst lyrically the song is rather sad, “I had a year that nearly sent me off the edge, I feel like a five, I can’t pretend”, the main ethos stays the same – if I get my stuff in order, I can be a 10 and honestly, that’s a mood we all need to take into the second term.
Ready to beat the blues? We’ve made it easy for you. Check out Robbie’s smashing playlist below:
Words by Robbie Nichols