Have you ever put a playlist on shuffle and suddenly been reminded of an ultra-specific moment? Your body starts tingling, and the concerns of the outside world seem to dissipate as your mind focuses on an old yet familiar friend—the past. Whether these memories bring you joy or put you in a melancholic mood, it’s a beautiful thing to feel the complexities of nostalgia.
Music is a large part of culture and everyday life, whether in public or private. It seems to be everywhere: your bedroom, the car, at parties, on the train, even while you’re shopping at the mall. Some people put great emphasis on the lyrics, tempo, and instrumentation, while others listen purely for vibes. Regardless, you can’t doubt the love of music among all ages.
The Frisson Experience
When listening to emotional or intense music, some people experience a psychophysiological response known as musical frisson. Your body tingles, you get goosebumps, maybe a lump forms in your throat, yet it’s a pleasurable feeling. Surprisingly, not everyone experiences frissons, and its benefits are quite unknown. For those of you who are reading and extremely confused, the best way I can describe it is a rush of emotions, yet instead of just dealing with it mentally, your whole body feels it too. It is highly addictive, yet unpredictable: you may feel frissons from a song one day but feel nothing the next.
A song that frequently puts me in this state is “Rockaway” by Beres Hammond, a Jamaican musician. Growing up, my father would play music on Saturday evenings in our living room, and oftentimes he’d put on his favourite genre, reggae. While I don’t get to experience those late-night listening sessions anymore, this song often gives me those familiar chills. Suddenly, I turn into a young girl, listening to soulful rhythms, happy to stay up past my bedtime with my dad.
History Through Melodies
I am also a big believer in aligning moments in your life with a certain song or genre of music. One of my favourite things people do is make playlists for the months of the year. It’s a great way to gather your favourite songs and remember what you listened to and how you felt at that time in your life. One song in my February 2026 playlist is Amy Winehouse’s original version of “Tears Dry.” I think that title speaks for itself.
It’s easy to take photos throughout the years to document moments in your life. What music does differently is have the ability to capture what your interests, your focuses, and very importantly, your feelings are at the time. A photo of the beach is beautiful, but listening to “Waves” by Mr. Probz brings me right back to the drive there, with my friends’ laughter filling my ears.
At the end of the day, documenting your life matters. The day will come when you want to take that trip down memory lane, and the pictures in your mind don’t always cut it. Whether it’s through music, photos, or writing, keeping these fragments alive allows us to reflect on the past and use those lessons to shape a better future.