Joji – ‘Gimme Love’ [2020]
“It was really popular on TikTok during the first lockdown and was the song that got me into Joji. His music is really emotional and makes me feel like I can be myself, which was something that helped me when things were getting hard around me.”
Strength
Circa Waves – ‘Sad Happy’ [2020]
“This song helped to capture the ups and downs of my emotions throughout lockdown. Being so isolated from family and friends was an incredibly difficult thing for me, but there was an elation when I could be united with them again. There’s a lyric in the song, ‘The good times will come around’, and that gave me a lot of hope for the future. I think it helped to know that we were all in the same boat, and we were all having good days and bad days.”
Overcoming
Salem – ‘Destroy Me’ [2020]
“This EP came out during lockdown and I was absolutely obsessed with it. I remember sending it to all of my friends and getting everyone to listen to it and it made me get back in touch with a few that I’d lost contact with during the pandemic. I love going to see live music, and the first gig that I got to go to when restrictions started to lift was to see this band – me and my friends sang extra loud on this song.”
Catharsis
Powfu (feat. beabadoobee) – ‘death bed (coffee for your head)’ [2020]
“Throughout lockdown I started walking a lot to clear my head from all the general stress and worry, and I listened to this song a lot on my walks. It reflected both the sadness of the time, and the loneliness of not being able to see my loved ones, but then it also took on a different meaning when I met my boyfriend during lockdown. It’s now ‘our song’ and it reminds me that there’s always hope even in the darkest of times.”
Hope
Sophia Stutchbury – ‘We’ll Get Through This’ [2020]
“This song was written by my wife and produced by me. Our purpose in life is to try and bring joy through music. The challenges we have all faced over the last 18 months, or so, inspired us to write something empowering and motivational to try and help people see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Survival
Phoebe Bridgers – ‘I Know The End’ [2020]
“I discovered this song during the first lockdown and it reminds me of sitting alone in my car at night when I couldn’t get to sleep, because I was feeling really anxious about everything that was happening. I still listen to it sometimes now, but it makes me a little sad.”
Uncertainty
Gerry Cinnamon – ‘Canter’ [2020]
“I listened to Gerry Cinnamon on my daily walks throughout lockdown. The beat of this song is fast to walk to, and his lyrics are something that everybody can relate to, whatever your stage and stature in life. We definitely all know one… (Listen to the song and you’ll understand 😉)”
Upbeat
Cardi B (feat. Megan Thee Stallion) – ‘WAP’ [2020]
“I feel like this song was such a distinct moment within the last year or so. I usually hate cliché pop music like this but at the time it was great to listen to something so ridiculous and infectious. I think with how funny it was the song really brought people together too, I talked about it so much with my friends.”
Escapism
Machine Gun Kelly – ‘my ex’s best friend’ [2020]
“This song was played loads in my household over the lockdown, and now even my hubby knows all about Machine Gun Kelly and recognises the song! It reminds me of how much of a happy time I managed to have over the lockdown, despite everything that was happening, and all the quality time I got to spend with my amazing daughter.”
Happiness
Sounds of Solace 