I’m surprised I haven’t featured Evanescence before today because Amy Lee, their singer, was my ultimate goth girl idol in middle school. She inspired my black lace vintage dresses and combat boots style back then. The music video is sooooo 2009 it’s amazing haha. If you’re going through a breakup and feel empty and unable to function without them, “Bring Me to Life” will be there for you.
It’s the 20th anniversary of Blink 182’s album “Enema of the State,” so we’re featuring a song from it about depression, suicidal ideations, and loneliness called “Adam’s Song.” At the time, bassist and singer Mark Hoppus felt he didn’t have any right to be depressed because their album, tour and band were hugely successful. Because of this, he didn’t want to talk about it with anyone. However, once he released the song, many fans resonated with his feelings and expressed their support. I hope this song provides a cathartic relief for anyone struggling with depression or feeling unworthy of being sad. Regardless of how well off you are or how many great things are going on in your life, you can have depression, and you are worthy of those emotions.
It’s a weird balance to love someone and ask for their help, and conversely, to not run to them each time. Even though it is human to need company when we’re feeling sad, it can be scary to be vulnerable. If you’re struggling with this balance, Jorja Smith’s R&B pop song “The One” will soothe you when you choose to take care of yourself, and understand when you have trouble being okay with having a loved one be there for you. The choice is yours, and any choice you make is the right one.
Those nights when you need to cry yourself to sleep, “Nocturne” by Ana Roxanne will guide you all the way into healing dreams. Ana Roxanne is an intersex, Southeast Asian, ambient singer and composer based in Los Angeles.
Bryan Santizo is a musician in “How Scandinavian” based in the Antelope Valley and was one of the first people I met after moving from the L.A. area to Lancaster. In the short time I’ve gotten to know him, I’ve been witness to part of his growth as an artist and have become a genuine fan of his music and songwriting.