Radiohead Isn’t Going to Save You

Look, I love Radiohead. I love Phoebe Bridgers. I have playlists upon playlists filled with devastating music for every specific scenario. I also know that the second “Fake Plastic Trees” comes on, I am put back into a state of grief, reminiscing on the worst of my memories. I’ve romanticized this pain through music, though that does nothing to disguise the sadness that washes over me when I’m on the plane back to school, or laying in my bed, or walking alone. The music I’m listening to is curating a vibe—but as I grow, I’m starting to realize that I need to be more conscious about what that vibe is. 

In recent conversations with my friends, I found that this is a universal problem. We have all of the world’s music at our fingertips, and still we gravitate toward artists that write about their suffering. Radiohead’s lead singer, Thom Yorke, has lyrics that are relatable for all audiences, capturing an intensity we often only feel at our self-proclaimed “rock bottom.” Yet, even as I listen to The Bends on some of my happier days, I feel brought back to that headspace. And this doesn’t just occur while listening to music—I’ve also noticed it with sad videos on TikTok or depressing movies. 

So, I researched the science! Which, if you know me, is a little shocking because I am not a science brain at all. Regardless, in the study, “Can sad music really make you sad?” done by Jonna K. Vuokoski and Tuomas Eerola, it was found that there is a direct correlation between sad music and “sadness-related effects on memory and judgement.” This is no made-up phenomenon, as there are detected consequences to these forms of media. However, what was even more surprising was how many studies I found defending our gravitation toward the Thom Yorkes of the world. In fact, according to research by the National Library of Medicine, sad music helps people cope with negative emotions and trauma. It’s not completely based on an obsession with the negative. For some, Phoebe Bridger’s Punisher is a warm hug. For others, it’s grief encompassed in a devastating forty minutes. 

Furthermore, a 2016 article from The British Psychology Society discusses a similar pattern found by psychologists within visual media. Through a study done on the mood of participants before and after watching sad films, people were shown to still prefer this content as it increased their sense of involvement and interpretation of the reality of the world. Though an odd sensation, the facts support it: sad media makes people feel more human. 

So, do I think it’s necessary to take out the Radiohead from your playlist and unsave all the break-up TikToks in your favorites folder? Well, no. A person’s rock bottom is very dependent on their disposition and ability to absorb the content. I need to watch how much I consume, as it can quickly lead to adverse effects, but I can also appreciate a good sad movie or album surrounded by my friends and a bowl of ice cream. Maybe it’s about finding that sweet spot, just like anything else in life. I know, for my next playlist, I’ll be careful to add my Phoebe Bridgers next to a really hype Pitbull song, just to keep the vibe from getting too dark. 

• entertainment
• film
• mental health
• music