🌙 Playlist of the Week

Are you looking for songs to help you get through troubling times, or something that truly feeds your soul? This week, I’ve highlighted 14 songs I turn to whenever I’m feeling down or need a gentle pick-me-up without a lot of noise.

Every Monday (or sometime throughout the week), I’ll be sharing songs from my playlists that are worthy of a good listen.

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“Lady Lady” – Olivia Dean
Olivia sings about stepping into a new chapter of her life while still adjusting to change. The song explores releasing what no longer serves you and making space for growth—both metaphorically and literally. There’s a beautiful sense of trust in a bigger plan and an understanding that we are constantly evolving.

“Kiss of Life” – Sade
A smooth jazz love song where the “kiss of life”—often associated with resuscitation—symbolizes being brought back to life through love. It’s tender, warm, and effortlessly timeless.

“Voyage to Atlantis” – The Isley Brothers
A soulful track about returning to a destined lover, even after starting something new. It carries a “goodbye, but see you soon” feeling—if not in this lifetime, then the next. Recently sampled on Kitchen from SOS Deluxe: LANA by SZA.

“Witch” – The Bird and the Bee
A fun indie-pop song with a seductive tone, describing the magical act of conjuring a love interest. It has a dreamy 1960s feel with a slightly eerie charm.

“Binz” – Solange
A song about manifesting a simple yet luxurious life. With multilayered vocals and hypnotic melodies reminiscent of “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy, it’s a summer playlist essential.

“Cranes in the Sky” – Solange
A vulnerable reflection on trying to distract yourself from emotional noise. Solange captures the feeling of staying productive while your mind feels clouded—like cranes constantly building overhead. Perfect for anyone processing hardship or untangling their thoughts.

“Borderline (An Ode to Self Care)” – Solange feat. Q-Tip
A lighter, more upbeat follow-up. It explores two people mutually deciding to pause their relationship to prioritize self-care and personal growth.

“Saturn Returns Interlude” – Ariana Grande
Not quite a song, but a reflective interlude about the astrological Saturn return (which occurs roughly between ages 27–31). It highlights a pivotal period of restructuring, challenge, and transformation into deeper adulthood.

“Saturn Return” – Zara Larsson
A song about embracing uncertainty and owning your experiences, even when life doesn’t go as planned. For anyone navigating big life shifts—especially during their Saturn return.

“Bittersweet” – Naomi Sharon
A tense yet magical reflection on seeking peace at the end of a relationship filled with complex emotions. Her vocal control and runs elevate the emotional weight of the song.

“Orange Moon” – Erykah Badu
Spiritual and luminous. The color orange symbolizes creativity, joy, and healing as she sings about finding a love that reflects light back to her.

“Let Me Down Easily” – The Isley Brothers
A plea for tenderness at the end of a relationship. It touches on regret, accountability, and the fear of being let go.

“Free Mind” – Tems
A relatable anthem about clearing mental clutter. It speaks to the exhaustion of working hard yet still feeling financially and emotionally strained.

“Westtown” – Sameya
A reflective track about realizing you were the one carrying the emotional weight in a relationship that wasn’t reciprocated.