Hi everyone, and happy new year!

I can’t believe 2022 is gone! It’s been 4 months since I started as a research assistant and I moved flats! The changes have mostly gone very smoothly, but mentally, it’s been rough adjusting with a backdrop of doctorate applications, driving lessons and just a sprinkling of cost of living crisis in there for fun. I chatted about my experience of social anxiety disorder in my last post, which I received some incredibly kind and supportive messages about. Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings, and to share in opening conversations such as this.

In today’s post, we’re going back to my Singing Sonnet roots; I wanted to share what music kept me going throughout the rollercoaster of 2022. I used to call these posts my monthly jukeboxes – bringing back my ravings about music gives me a lot of joy, and I hope it does for you too! Warning: when I start talking about songs I like, I tend not to stop. I hope you enjoy reading!

Firstly, none of my longer-term readers will be surprised that there are quite a few 5SOS features in my current soundtrack. They released a new album back in September, and my goodness it is incredible. Though I’ve been listening to all of it, these are the songs that are circling on repeat…

1. Bad Omens by 5 Seconds of Summer

This song has some powerful chemicals in it. I have not been able to stop singing OR listening to it. In fact, I played it on repeat for a few solid weeks in an attempt to get it charting in my Spotify Wrapped at the end of the year (successfully got it to no. 1, might I add). 5SOS have made something so beautiful with this song – somehow you can cry to it, belt it, dance to it, rock out to it…simultaneously. The chorus is unforgettable, and I love the bridge at the end! Oof. It has immediately become one of my favourite 5SOS songs and I have a feeling it is one of their greatest.

2. Take My Hand by 5 Seconds of Summer

Take My Hand is such a joyful anthem. It feels like a loving letter to 5SOS’ past selves, and I find so much hope in it. ‘How can you live and let die young man?’ – what a powerful lyric. It’s a very reflective song, acknowledging dark moments and taking heart from them. No wonder why I love it!

3. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues by Elton John

I’ll be honest – I first heard this song in a Strictly routine. And instantly fell in love. It’s such a classic Elton John number, with that gorgeous piano and beautiful voice centre stage…I certainly wish I could waltz with someone to this (cynical romantic that I am).

4. Moon Song by Phoebe Bridgers

I only discovered Moon Song about a year ago, but my goodness it is now one of my favourite songs of all time. There isn’t enough I can say about it – exquisitely written, beautifully performed, absolutely heart-wrenching. I’m convinced Phoebe Bridgers cannot be a mere mortal. This song and its lyrics mean so much to me – the story she tells with the nuances of her voice and her words strikes me very hard. I am so glad I found this song and it found me!

5. Blue and Grey by BTS

Whew, when I tell you this song makes me cry…it makes me cry. From the very first line – ‘where’s my angel?’ – to the last ‘goodnight’, this song has me in a complete chokehold. This darker, deeper BTS song explores the sombre shades of loneliness and feeling distant from everything. It chimes especially hard in terms of mental health, and I’m blown away by how BTS have this continual ability to reshape concepts and give them unique impact. A gentle, ethereal song – and my goodness, Kim Taehyung’s voice.

6. Judas by Lady Gaga

Well it wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t a Lady Gaga song on this list. Although Bloody Mary is having a well-deserved resurgence, Judas has been blasting in my playlist all year. It’s a pop masterpiece. Not to mention so incredibly clever. I just want to break out into the music video moves everytime I hear it. This is a song that has definitely kept my spirits up in 2022.

7. Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance

Need I say anything at all? Breaks me, brings me back to life – all of it.

8. Nobody Compares by One Direction

This song is so underrated. I will never stop screaming this chorus, and I’m so glad I rediscovered it in 2022 thanks to my good friend Ellie.

9. Waiting Room by Phoebe Bridgers

Another Phoebe Bridgers masterpiece. Waiting Room is a beautiful, beautiful love song. With such simplicity and such poetic lyrics, it conveys so many feelings at once. I adore it, and am always singing it to myself. It puts a smile on my face.

10. Epilogue: Young Forever by BTS

Last but not least! Young Forever is a devastatingly beautiful song for a BTS fan. I can only wish and pray that I get a chance to hear this anthem live one day – it’s so hopeful and emotional and uniting! Something about it really makes me feel warm, and I think this song is the feeling I want to capture in 2023 ahead. Go and listen!

There are so many more songs that have found a place in my heart in 2022 – you can have a look on my current Spotify playlist to see what they are! I hope you enjoyed reading this slightly different post – I often wonder whether people would actually like to read stuff like this, but a friend recently gave me some important to advice: to write what I want, how I want! In the coming weeks and months, I’m going to be chatting a bit about my experience of the DClinPsy application this year, the reality of living with depression, and we may even get round to exploring some psychology! For now though, I hope your start to the year has been gentle, and that self-compassion can be one of your most important goals for yourself. See you soon!

Love,

SS xx