If I were back in Los Angeles, I’d play these artists at full volume as I drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) at night. Windows down, unleashing my strands of hair into a frenzy of dance as the wind obstructs my view of the road. I’d indulge in the mellow atmosphere that these artists have mastered in creating. But for now, speed walking tardily to class with shin splints and sheen on my sweaty forehead while Elliot Smith seemingly narrates my life, “You walk down Alameda [County], Looking at the cracks in the sidewalk,” will have to suffice. Here is a list of my top 10 artist recommendations for when you’re in your feels or in the mood to bless your auditory receptors with soft, sentimental, and heart-wrenchingly beautiful music:
Mitski
Roots: Japan
My Favorite Song: “Nobody,” Be the Cowboy (2018)
My Favorite Lyrics: “It’s just that I fell in love with a war / Nobody told me it ended / and it left a pearl in my head / And I roll it around / Every night, just to watch it glow / Every night, baby, that’s where I go” — “Pearl,” Be the Cowboy (2018)
SiR
Roots: Inglewood, California
My Favorite Song: “The Recipe,” Chasing Summer (2019)
My Favorite Lyrics: “Primitive passion, human reaction / Putting it all on the line / This could be real life, but why do I feel like / We would be wasting our time?” — “That’s Why I Love You,” Chasing Summer (2019)
Arlo Parks
Roots: Hammersmith, London
My Favorite Song: “Eugene” (2020)
My Favorite Lyrics: “I’d lick the grief right off your lips” — “Black Dog” (2020)
Cautious Clay
Roots: Cleveland, Ohio
My Favorite Song: “Spinner,” Deadpan Love (2021)
My Favorite Lyrics: “You’re starting up a wildfire in my heart / Hope it’s what you want / Not just what you do” –“Wildfire,” Deadpan Love (2021)
The Marías
Roots: Los Angeles, California
My Favorite Song: “I Like It,” Superclean, Vol. I – EP (2017)
My Favorite Lyrics: “I got a feeling that I wanna slow down with you / Nobody else will ever do” –“Hold It Together” (2020)
Cigarettes After Sex
Roots: El Paso, Texas
My Favorite Song: “Heavenly,” Cry (2019)
My Favorite Lyrics: “Got the music in you, baby, tell me why / You’ve been locked in here forever and you just can’t say goodbye / Your lips, my lips, apocalypse” — Apocalypse (2017)
Elliot Smith
Roots: Omaha, Nebraska
My Favorite Song: “Speed Trials,” Either/Or (1997)
My Favorite Lyrics: “I’m in love with the world / Through the eyes of girl / Who’s still around the morning after” — “Say Yes”, Either/Or (1997)
GIVĒON
Roots: Long Beach, California
My Favorite Song: “Stuck on You,” When It’s All Said and Done – EP (2020)
My Favorite Lyrics: “Losin’ track of time, as our feelings touch / We fall deep into the bed, we become the threads / Intertwinin’ / I just wanna stay in the world we created / I just wanna sink in the plans that we makin” — “WORLD WE CREATED”, TAKE TIME (2020)
Sabrina Claudio
Roots: Miami, Florida
My Favorite Song: “Truth Is” (2019)
My Favorite Lyrics: “I’m alone, but I’m not lonely / Comfortably indulging / And trying to get to know me / I’m just an outline of what I used to be / Constantly evolving / Steadily revolving” — “Confidently Lost” (2017)
Frank Ocean
Roots: New Orleans, Louisiana
My Favorite Song: “Lost,” Channel Orange (2012)
My Favorite Lyrics: “What do you think my brain is made for / Is it just a container for the mind? / This great grey matter / Sensei replied, what is your woman? / Is she just a container for the child?” — Pink Matter, Channel Orange (2012)
Wishing you a cathartic listening experience.