Written by: Aida Liyana
When you fall into the trap of infatuation, there are a few stages you go through before it goes into either a blooming relationship or complete shambles. These stages are only cinematic, dreamlike and easier to cope with when accompanied by these songs. This is your new go-to catching feels playlist.
1. Across The Multiverse – Dent May ft. Frankie Cosmos
This collaboration between Dent May and Frankie Cosmos is the sweetest combination you never knew you needed. The song literally brings you across the multiverse with their dreamy vocals that turn a glum star-crossed love story into a magical recognition of its nature.
Sometimes when you meet someone who is out of your league, someone who seems too good to be true, you feel like you could never belong to them because they’re almost unreal that you wonder if they came from a different multiverse. This song touches the collision between two very different worlds that have found their way to one another.
2. Can You Tell – Ra Ra Riot
One of the earliest singles of the American indie-rock outfit is 12 years old and it is a timeless jam well-fitted for the one who pines. Ra Ra Riot is famous for their ‘baroque pop’ music, a kind that combines rock music with elements of classical music.
The uncertainty that comes with pining for someone may overwhelmed us, in the way that we become restless due to constantly wondering if they would ever reciprocate our feelings, or wondering if we should even invest in such a gamble. This song explains the anxiety you feel when you are around them, yet at the same time maintaining your cool while at it. It is a constant plea of some form of sign for you to decide whether you want in or not before it’s too late.
3. Don’t Delete The Kisses – Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice’s hit single that came about in 2017 is the epitome of modern dating that is riddled with thoughts that keep us up through the night. It depicts how fast-paced this modernized, media-ridden life has been, and how it affects our relationships. The constant theme of the song is the certainty of doubt that comes with the start of every relationship — how even though you have gone out on dates, and you have talked for days, you could never really be sure because the other person might have one foot out the door still.
The contemplation goes from Ellie Rowsell doubting “What if it’s not meant for me, love” in the beginning of the song, which is later followed by “Me and you were meant to be in love” at the end of it clearly portrays how modern love pushes you to let go of your inhibitions despite the odds.
4. Chateau – Angus and Julia Stone
The best thing about this song is that the composition is made to feel like you’re ascending into a magical, summery dimension with your lover by your side. Angus Stone’s airy vocals that we’re introduced to in the beginning expresses one’s willingness to go the extra mile to make their loved one happy. It is then paired with Julia Stone’s harmonies to amplify such expression nonchalantly, just like any other Angus & Julia Stone songs.
“Every day the weekend, I’m tryna be your best friend. Trying just to figure it out” aren’t we all just winging it when it comes to the start of seeing someone? This is the stage where we just look forward to being in the presence, and we start spending a lot of time with them, gambling our way into what we perceive to be the start of a love story. And the feeling seems to be mutual! So you start integrating them into your life not knowing what the future holds.
5. Hello Sayang – Pastel Lite ft. Naza The Times
Hello Sayang is Pastel Lite’s latest single from their first ever fully Malay-language album ‘Pop Bilik Tidur’. The song portrays a conversation between 2 lovers who are currently far apart and are counting days of when they will see each other again.
It is a constant exchange of reassurances that distance could never hold you apart. The anxiety of being away from the person you’re into can be overwhelming and time seems to fly so slow when they’re away. So watch out, when missing them starts to overwhelm you.. you know you’re already knee deep into the relationship/whatever ship you’re on with them. Watch the music video here.
6. Let Me In – Bil Musa ft. Alex Ungku
This is where the realisation comes – that you’re starting to become vulnerable with them. This song tells a story about a person wanting to let the other into their safe space, but is scared of the thought of losing their grip on their own vulnerabilities.
This collaboration between Bil Musa and Alex Ungku fleshes out their individual abilities as singer-songwriters even more. The indie-RnB feel to it is strengthened by the melancholic lyrics, “I really wanna let you in, but I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do.”
7. Burning – Maggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers, an American singer-songwriter was discovered by Pharrell in 2016 at a Masterclass of his she attended. Burning is a song from her debut album ‘Heard It In The Past Life’ that was released last year. This song is the epitome of the fire-y feeling in your bones when you are in love.
Maggie’s energetic delivery of the song really makes you feel like you have overcome all sorts of insecurities and doubts to take a step further and enjoy being in love. This is a song well-suited for you if at the end of those constant questions and worries about the other person’s willingness to invest, the feelings are found to be mutual and both of you are ready to take it to the next step.
8. Fuck Modern Love – Nasty Cherry
Nasty Cherry is an all-girl, alt-rock outfit assembled by Charli XCX through the Netflix docu-series cum reality show, ‘I’m With The Band: Nasty Cherry’. This song is an expression that is laced with frustrations towards modern love, as the title explicitly portrays. The inevitable pain when you take part in this little game may consume you in the harshest way – and this song depicts just that.
‘I’m feeling a little bit mad so I wanna go fast today, I’m gonna get in my car, gonna drive in the other way, I’m screaming, “Fuck it,” to modern love’. So if your love is not reciprocated, this song is the perfect song for you to be heart broken to while still maintaining your cool.
