We all have those days when we get overwhelmed with everything that is going on around us. Days when things just aren’t going the way you hoped they would, days when you don’t know how to control your emotions, days when anxiety takes over every fibre of your body. In such cases, I’ve found that music really helps soothe and calm your nerves, and just helps you relax in general. I’d rather you listen to the albums in their entirety, but I’ve listed some of my recommendations after each of them in case you don’t know where to begin.
I have also created a playlist on Spotify and Apple Music with these songs whose links are at the end of this article. So if you ever have a bad day and don’t know how to deal with it, or you simply wanna relax, just take a deep breath, pop in your earphones, sit or lie down, close your eyes, and immerse yourself into the tunes of these ten albums:
- Blue Neighbourhood – Troye Sivan:
This is an album that I can guarantee will immediately calm you down. I can personally attest to it. Troye Sivan enchants you with his soothing alternative-pop melodies and the music just adds on to the magic. With songs like Talk Me Down, Suburbia and Lost Boy, this record is just a smooth transition from one smash hit to another. Every song on the album seems like it is designed to help people relax and I can promise Blue Neighbourhood is one of the most amazing albums released in recent years.
My recommendations: Talk Me Down, Ease, Blue and Heaven.
You might also like: Ariana Grande, Broods and Alessia Cara.
- Cleopatra – The Lumineers:
The Lumineers are the staples when it comes to the alternative genre and I’ve come to love them very recently. With soothing guitar rifts and a song with no words and just a calming instrumental, this album is filled with soft songs that will immediately make you want to close your eyes and lose yourself in the music. The Lumineers are one of the most underrated bands in the music scene at the moment and this is an album that could probably be one of their bests.
My recommendations: Ophelia, Gale Song, Angela and Cleopatra.
You might also like: Imagine Dragons, Niall Horan and Kodaline.
- Love, Simon (Motion Picture Soundtrack):
I can’t stress enough on how amazing this album is. Filled with a mix of artists from Bleachers to The 1975 to Troye Sivan, this record is meant to give you all the feels – just like the movie. Every song holds a special significance and is as beautiful as a simple background score when you just wanna snuggle up in your warm, cozy bed. And as you listen to the album, please go check out the movie too if you haven’t. It’s just as beautiful.
My recommendations: Rollercoaster, Strawberries & Cigarettes, Wild Hear and Love Me.
You might also like: The Greatest Showman, La La Land and Moana.
- Melodrama – Lorde:
I cannot make a calm compilation and not include the queen that is Lorde. Her Grammy-nominated album Melodrama is a stunning collection of songs that describe her journey towards adulthood and self discovery. With synth tunes and lyrics you can relate to, this album has a lot to offer and is an instant fix to help you calm down.
My recommendations: Green Light, The Louvre, Liability and Supercut.
You might also like: Lana Del Rey, HAIM and Sigrid.
- don’t smile at me – billie eilish:
She is only 16 years old, but she’s taking the music industry by storm. Billie’s 2017 album don’t smile at me has to be one of the instant fixes when it comes to calming down because of how soothing her voice is.. This was recommended to be by a friend of mine and honestly, ever since I gave it a listen, I’ve been hooked. Easily one of the best albums on this list. She’s a rising star that you need to watch out for. Not to mention, this album has some great songs that can really help you when you’re anxious.
My recommendations: COPYCAT, watch and ocean eyes.
You might also like: Blood Orange, Khalid and Lauv.
- Badlands – Halsey:
This album is everything you need if you want to listen to an album that calms you down and helps you release your frustrations at the same time. Filled with angsty, soothing music that’ll instantly relax your mind, this is a great album to listen to on repeat. As Apple Music pretty much sums it up, Badlands is “one of those listen-on-repeat albums whose cool colours and icy layers shape-shift with every play.”
My recommendations: Colors, Gasoline, Castle and Drive.
You might also like: Daya, Hayley Kiyoko and Julia Michaels.
- Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends – Coldplay:
This is also an album recommended to me by a friend. Coldplay are a band who have consistently put out great music across all genres, and they all help me calm down. The songs are emotional, but they’re so soothing it would almost be a sin not to include them in this list. Chris Martin’s voice is godly to one’s ears and I’m sure it’ll help you relax on a hard day.
My recommendations: Viva la Vida, 42 and Strawberry Swing.
You might also like: Bastille, Oasis and The Beatles.
- X (Multiply) – Ed Sheeran:
Okay, you can’t expect me to make a list about soothing albums and not include Ed Sheeran in it. He’s responsible for all the tears and the remedies to the said tears. X is the album that earned Sheeran his first ever Grammy, so I guess that’s saying something. And once again, as Apple Music so nicely put it, “X is a dazzling display of incandescent, hip-hop indebted folk-pop.”
My recommendations: Photograph, Tenerife Sea, Afire Love and Thinking Out Loud.
You might also like: Harry Styles, One Direction and Hozier.
- Rumours – Fleetwood Mac:
Fleetwood Mac – iconic band, even more iconic music. Also recommended by a friend of mine, this band has been singing about tragic love angst for decades. An album that features the timeless classic The Chain, this is a must listen for anyone who needs a light record to groove to. It’s not too serious, just simple pop tunes that can truly help you relax. This one’s for a time when you aren’t feeling that bad but just need a break in life.
My recommendations: The Chain, Dreams and Never Going Back Again.
You might also like: Elton John, Queen and David Bowie.
- All The Light Above It Too – Jack Johnson:
This was a recommendation by one of the writers here at Affinity! And I have to admit, this album is amazing to listen to when you’re dealing with anxiety. This album is a politically charged mix of rock, country and alternative. He’s not known to many, but his music is something that will make you want to know more about him.
My recommendations: Subplots, You Can’t Control It and My Mind is For Sale.
You might also like: Michael Buble, The Fray and Bon Iver.
- Delirium – Ellie Goulding:
The last artist on this list is Ellie Goulding. She blew up after her hit single Burn from her previous album, Halcyon Days and hasn’t looked back since. She has one of the most unique voices I’ve ever heard. It’s soothing in an indescribable way. Delirium does an extremely amazing job in bringing out exactly that. With mellow electro-pop tunes, Ellie captivates you with her voice. It’s an amazing album to listen to when you just want a voice that helps you chill.
My recommendations: Army, Something in the Way You Move, Lost and Found and Love Me Like You Do.
You might also like: Tove Lo, Rachel Platten and Paramore.
*Honourary Mentions – Songs*
Here are 5 songs that I would like to add to this list as honorary mentions:
- Never Gonna Change – Broods
This song is one of my go-to’s when it comes to calming down. Broods is an artist with a very different voice who will immediately help you relieve your stress. With soothing, ocean-like background music, this song is great for when you’re overwhelmed.
- Revelation – Troye Sivan and Jonsi
From the 2018 movie Boy Erased, this song will help you calm down like no other. With nothing but a soothing guitar-piano medley in the background, this song is dominated by Troye Sivan as he sings in his calming voice. Listen to this song, you will thank me later.
- Nothing Left To Lose – Kari Kimmel
I discovered this song through the movie The Duff. Kari Kimmel’s voice immediately starts working its magic. The music in the background just adds to it. Easily one of the best songs you can listen to when you want to calm down. When you have your headphones on, the music will ring through your ears in an experience like no other.
- Open Season – High Highs
I discovered this song on one of my monthly viewings of the movie Pitch Perfect. It really does help you with its calming music and soothing melodies. This is one of those songs where you just close your eyes and get lost in the tunes. And the voice really helps you focus and relax, which is always a bonus.
- Paper Lights (Higher) – Loreen
This song is an electro-pop gem that I stumbled upon not too long ago. Like the other four artists in this list, Loreen has an extremely unique voice. And it is in full display in this song. The beats compel you to bop your head along to it and the chorus just lifts you up. It’s almost like you’re floating. It’s the perfect feel good song. You won’t regret this one.
I have created a playlist on Spotify filled with music from this list as well a few more artists and songs that I didn’t mention on here. You can listen to the playlist here.
And you can listen to that same playlist on Apple Music over here.
Featured image by Okki Nokki USA on Facebook.
