She's Listening

This is a playlist composed of the music of my soul. Dramatic—I know, but true.

Really, it’s sort of a token of my appreciation for the women and their music that inspire the voice inside of me. The voice that dreams and plays endlessly. This playlist resonates, and definitely takes me to a nostalgic place.

So, if you could see into my soul it’d probably look something like this…

DEAD - Sudan Archives

The first time I heard DEAD was like a reawakening of my senses—so the name fits.

It’s electric.

It’s bold.

It’s exhilarating.

Sudan Archives has a way of invoking that feeling with her music. She pulls from the most inspired pieces of art (violin, Sudanese fiddling, R&B, folk, electronic) and combines them to make a new sound that’s eclectic and fresh.

This song probably brings out my inner child the most when I hear it. I still can’t help but to dance uncontrollably every time.

The BPM is truly a reflection of her wit and artistic execution, as she takes us to a completely different place than we’ve gone with her before. She says that electronics are a strong backbone of her music. Because she grew up shy and can sometimes still find herself being more introverted, it can be hard for her to find musical collaborators. I definitely understand this feeling as someone who also has a more quiet approach to life and making art. Sudan Archives perspective is that “with the use of the technology around us and a deep connection to music, you can create your own world sonically.” Sudan Archives on Noisey Radio Apple Music

Do Your Worst - Vagabon

Do Your Worst is so fun and bouncy, I love listening to this song when I need a pick-me-up. It’s like traveling through a portal,—I don’t know where it’s taking me necessarily, but I’m not worried, cause this is such a good song.

Vagabon is an engineer at heart and it shows through her ability to construct a sonic atmosphere with so much presence. Since she first started releasing music on Bandcamp till now, Vagabon has brought a dynamic force to indie rock, pop, and electronic music, and she does it by not conforming to structure. She is completely open, creating heartfelt manifestos on love, womanhood, and introspectiveness.

reprogram - Kilo Kish

Kilo Kish is something else entirely.

She must come from somewhere where music is felt through the entire body rather than heard through the ears, because that’s how her music makes me feel. She goes beyond words and rhythms to move people; it’s less about what you hear and more about what you feel. Reprogram (especially the music video) is a testament to her power.

Kish expands her artistic vision beyond music; she is also heavily inspired by visual art, fashion, and design. She graduated from FIT in New York for textile design in 2012 and from there her creative voice began to sprout. She started making music in a group with her roommates for fun, but after getting notice from other artists like The Internet, The Jet Age of Tomorrow, and Childish Gambino, her music career became more concrete than imagined.

Thank God it did, because Kish’s music really is a national treasure, full of life and dramatic art. She says that she likes for things to feel a little more surreal, and that she just hears music and thinks of a scenario. Kilo Kish on Noisey Radio Apple MusicComplex: Who Is Kilo Kish

Srs Ice - waterbaby

Listening to this song makes me feel seen. I get emotional because she says the words that are sometimes so hard for me to find. Especially right now, I’m going through a tough breakup and its nice to have music that can ease the feeling of loss and grief. Love is tricky. Does anybody really get it? All I know is, to love and grieve love is to be alive, and art like this is a reminder that I’m not alone here.

Memory Be a Blade is a delicate and cathartic album, feeling like somewhere between a dream and a memory.

Say The Word - Natanya

I never had one of those music boxes with the little dancing ballerina when I was a little girl. I used to think I was missing out on a core memory, but this song/video definitely makes up for it.

“Say the Word” is like a lullaby and Natanya’s sweet, dreamy voice is the perfect conduit. I really enjoyed this video and her dance performance in it too. Honestly, I love her. She’s charming and always looks like she’s having fun. Plus, her music has a really cool, dynamic style. All the makings of a quintessential pop star .

I can tell Natanya comes from a musical background, her mother sang background vocals for different artists and her father was a percussionist and introduced her to a lot of jazz and Motown artists. This influence is prominent in her style, with references to Michael Jackson and many other pop icons across her lyrics, production, and visual elements.

Villain - Annahstasia

If you’re in need of some musical healing, Annahstasia is the voice you need to hear right now—or if you just want to be blown the fuck away.

For me, listening to Annahstasia is like listening to Mother Nature tell you stories of life. Her voice immediately takes me with her wherever she goes, soft but strong—like a gritty whisper.

When I’ve been carrying a lot (opinions, doubt, negativity) and need to let go, “Villain” is a message of forgiveness—especially forgiveness of oneself. There is something so grounding about the way she sings, an earthiness that feels so ancient yet so alive. She often mentions how she gives her voice to the music, rather than making the music serve her voice.

She isn’t trying to overpower the song; she surrenders to it, and I can feel that offering when I listen.

Wild Animals - Liv.e

Liv.e is a breath of fresh air to R&B, and really music period. She creates limitlessly and does whatever she wants, and if you need a reminder, listen to this song.

“Wild Animals” is soulful, playful, and a little messy in the best way. As a woman who has had a fair share of sticky situationships, I resonate deeply with this one. There’s something freeing in witnessing someone make music that doesn’t sound like they’re asking permission to be themself.
The music video for Wild Animals was directed and styled by Liv.e herself, and in it she pulls from the 80s luxe aesthetic, producing a nostalgic, funky setting for this sensually chaotic world she invites us to—that’s part of what makes Liv.e so magnetic: she doesn’t seem interested in making herself palatable.

Deus Deus - anaiis

anaiis describes this song as a “mantra—an incantation of spirit and love after a period of darkness and difficulty”. Before reading her words about it, I had already felt a spiritual connection to the song and its lyrics. When anaiis writes, she bares her soul, showing us the depth of her spirit and the strength that exists within vulnerability.

“Deus Deus” is a prayer, and the lyrics “swimming in the lake of fire” is a ritual. For anyone who has lost hope or feels heavy with burdens, “Deus Deus” is a reminder that God is with us and within us. When I'm in need of spiritual guidance, it calls me to walk through the darkness with the knowledge that I carry my own light.

Cabin Feva - ENNY

ENNY exudes confidence and makes it look straight effortless. She commands attention in “Cabin Feva”; her lyrics are self assured and potent. This song gives me a good boost of “I don’t give a fuck” energy and makes me feel secure in myself. The song starts:

Look at what stillness did

See what reflection does

Look at the lonely nights

the sacrifice, it’s intimate

- ENNY on "Cabin Feva"

ENNY completely understands what it takes to have that level of awareness to speak your truth sometimes: quiet reflection.

There it is. There’s that moment you’ve been waiting for, that answer you wanted, that strength you needed.

She exerts this energy with a soothing instrumental and a deep calmness in her tone, which I think was a very intentional decision. It connects the song with the feeling of intimacy within ourselves—and maybe that’s what this playlist is really about.

Women, especially women who look like me, making music that brings me back to myself. I’m 25 now, and I still remember when life wasn’t as loud and so many parts of me weren’t spread out in so many places. It’s a beautiful thing to grow, but it’s also important to remember who you’ve always been.

The little girl in me just wants to say thank you and I see you, girls.

Thanks for reading!

Links

Playlist and Voiceover on Youtube:

Playlist and Voiceover on Substack: