Music to Atone To
relatable music that seeks to atone and lift the spirit with brent faulkner
featuring artists like
Brittany Howard, Declan McKenna, BROCKHAMPTON, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Gary Clark, Jr.
Perhaps you’re like Alexander – you’ve experienced a “No good, very bad day.” Maybe, a difficult situation in life extends beyond a bad day. A break-up with your significant other has got you down. The loss of a family member has you feeling mighty low. You’ve lost your job, and now, you must rebuild and rebrand. Bummer! All of these unfortunate life experiences and more are captured by the songs featured on this playlist.
This playlist needs no genres; it’s a collection of relatable music that seeks to atone and lift the spirit. Some music reflects pain and misfortune that devastates, but ultimately, it’s therapeutic – a means to move forward.
![Ayoni, Iridescent [Photo Credit: Ayoni]](https://musictowp.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/13225727/ayoni-iridescent-368x368.jpg)
September – Ayoni
13 September 2021
On “September,” Barbadian pop singer Ayoni must atone for September, thanks to heartbreak courtesy of her ex.![Snoh Aalegra, Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies [Photo Credit: Artium Recordings / Roc Nation]](https://musictowp.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/19160917/snoh-aalegra-temporary-highs-in-the-violet-skies-368x368.jpg)
Lost You – Snoh Aalegra
19 July 2021
Throughout “Lost You,” R&B artist Snoh Aalegra atones for loss, reminiscing about the best moments within a relationship.
Day 7 – Tabitha Westley
10 May 2021
“Day 7, Day 7 got me thinking about our relations / Day 7, Day 7 it’s down to miscommunication.” So, what’s the significance of this ‘seventh day’ in context of “Day 7”? Basically, for R&B singer Tabitha Westley, she’s going through the effects of lockdown
Like I Want You – GIVĒON
5 April 2021
On “Like I Want You,” GIVĒON experiences a classic case of heartbreak. On this silky smooth, soulful slow jam, he seeks to atone for broken love, desiring to reconcile with his ex.
War of the Gods (Part 1) – Billy Paul
9 March 2021
With “War of the Gods (Part 1),” late soul icon Billy Paul seeks atonement for all of the bad promoted by Satan asserting that “The time has come, for the war of the Gods.”
Eat Me Alice – ElectroMush
15 February 2021
With “Eat Me Alice,” ElectroMush delivers an ear catching, enigmatic, and thought-provoking record that seeks to atone for self-doubt in regard to sanity and normalcy in a crazy world… sort of.
Mercy – Anthony Hamilton
25 January 2021
R&B singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton, assisted by activist Tamika D. Mallory, seeks to empower and atone for the adversity, hardships, injustices, and many wrongs suffered by black men on “Mercy”.
Dissociation – Ajuni
28 December 2020
“Dissociation,” the second career single by Indian singer/songwriter/pianist, Ajuni (Anupreet Kaur), is truly moving and thought-provoking. The artist characterizes the record as “a dark, stormy, dramatic ballad, and a melodic fusion of east and west.”
Cold – Chris Stapleton
30 November 2020
“Cold” is bluesy country with some rock and soul thrown in as well. It’s both classic-sounding and classy, with radiant strings and rousing Hammond B3. Even so, if you’re not chief among country fans, there’s an appeal beyond the genre.
STFU – Rina Sawayama
11 November 2020
STFU! Yeah, it’s a pretty cut and dry acronym needing little to no explanation. That said, just in case you missed it or are totally naïve, STFU stands for shut the fuck up…
Black Rider – Bob Dylan
20 October 2020
“Black rider, black rider, all dressed in black / I’m walking away, you try to make me look back.” Prepare to have your mind blown! Just reading the lyrics from “Black Rider” it’s very dark and enigmatic; an unsettling vibe.
Accept Me – Electric Sol
7 October 2020
The relatable theme of this groovy, pop-soul record instantly piqued my interest. Electric Sol seeks to atone for abuse, bullying, and pain, that can occur in a variety of relationships. Specifically, the artist keys in on unaccepting parents as the catalyst for pain.
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype. When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event