Music is an everyday sort of thing. Whether you’re in for a long walk to class or a scenic drive, there’s nothing better than listening to your favorite playlist along the way.
Throwbacks are essential, but new music is exciting. And with the new year still fresh, new music is in high demand. As an avid music-listener, I make a hobby out of finding new songs. Here, I’ve collected my favorite releases from this month – here is my playlist:
In Love
“Heaven” by Niall Horan
This song is all blue skies and rainbows. I heard a snippet of this song on Niall’s TikTok a few weeks ago and knew it’d be at the top of this month’s playlist. This song is also perfect for February – the unofficial month of love. With sickeningly sweet lyrics and a soft melody, this pop love song will be stuck in your head for the rest of the month.
This song is for you if you’re feeling: lovey-dovey, romantic, grateful.
“Like a Saviour” by Ellie Goulding
The message behind this song is similar to Niall’s: it’s about that feeling you get knowing that the person you love has completely altered your life. To compare it to “Heaven,” Ellie’s song is a bit more late-night than it is sunset drive. Her song reminds me of Miley Cyrus’ “Midnight Sky,” which of course is a compliment.
This song is for you if you’re feeling: baddie energy, passionate, in-love.
“We Go Down Together” by Khalid, Dove Cameron
First, can we talk about this dynamic duo? I saw these two attached to one song and immediately downloaded it. Their song is hauntingly pretty. It’s dark but romantic, twisted but sweet. Think along the lines of the song title: if your loved one is going down, so are you. Listening to this song is like being trapped in a murder-mystery movie where the two main characters are helplessly in love.
This song is for you if you’re feeling: cinematic, unequivocally in love with the wrong person.
Fun & Flirty
“Lavender Haze – Felix Jaehn Remix” by Taylor Swift, Felix Jaehn
Any Taylor release makes the playlist, naturally. This Midnights remix takes her sexy, lovesick song and turns up the heat. Imagine dancing in a dimly lit club to this masterpiece. Just listening to it makes me want to put on purple glittery eye makeup and dance the night away.
This song is for you if you’re feeling: in the mood to dance, flirty, sexy.
“Saturday / Sunday” – Jason Derulo, David Guetta
Another iconic duo – and an immediate addition to the playlist. This song just became my go-to going out song. The beat is addictive, and the lyrics are easy to learn. It’s the kind of song you can’t hear and not sing along to.
This song is for you if you’re feeling: ready to party.
Heartbreak
“Blindsided” by Kelsea Ballerini
First off, I love Kelsea Ballerini. Her last album has some heartbreak anthems; she’s too good at writing relatable breakup songs. The lyrics in this song are clever and thought-provoking. She says things like, “we had to get drunk to ever really talk” and “was there nothing ever wrong cause you were always right?” One listen to this song and you’ll be rethinking every relationship-gone-wrong you’ve ever had.
This song is for you if you’re feeling: confused, lonely, disappointed by love.
“For What It’s Worth” by BRELAND, Alana Springsteen
Two lesser-known artists, but also two of my favorites. These pop country singers will put you in your feels with this regret-filled bop. This is the kind of heartbreak song that’ll have you scream-singing on your drive home.
If you’ve ever felt the cliche “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” this song is for you.
“Coming Up Close” by Matt Nathanson, Sara Watkins
The songs above have been, for the most part, mainstream pop. As much as I stan that genre, sometimes I crave something slower – something more melodic and soft. Matt Nathanson was one of my favorite artists back in the early 2010s and I was excited to see a new release by him. This song pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee and a rainy day. It’s about missing that happily-ever-after you thought you’d finally secured – it’s sad and sentimental.
This song is for you if you’re feeling: reminiscent and wistful.
A month can be filled with a hundred different emotions. That means a hundred different songs to fit each one. These eight songs were a part of my month’s emotional trajectory and will forever remind me of memories I’ve made this February.
Each month, artists release new songs that they hope will make it into your playlist. Whether you need a new song to dance or cry to, take the time to find new releases – you never know what you might find.