July Collective Collaborative Blog: Confidence Boosters

Design by Andres Duarte

Need a pick-me-up? Whether it's a hip-hop banger or a hardcore punk anthem, there's nothing like a good song to get you out of a slump. For the July collaborative blog, members of the collective recommend some of their favorite confidence-boosting tracks to get you feelin' your best self.

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Chelsea's Picks

Album: “I’d Rather Die Than Let You In”
Artist: The Hunna
I recently discovered this UK-based band and I just can’t get enough. With the grit and heaviness of Post Hardcore, and the synth and vocals of Pop, every song will make you want to dance. I call it PopCore. I love this kind of music, and it always makes me feel good. The video link is for “Young & Faded” off the record, my favorite for feeling good. While we may be “young & faded, lost & wasted”, we have each other, and that’s what really counts. So grab your friends and turn this record up LOUD, dance, thrash, and mosh - whatever gets you feeling yourself!
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Song: “Everyone’s Miserable”
Artist: This Modern
Despite the despondent title of this track, “Everyone’s Miserable” is a feel good dance jam, probably because it’s so relatable. It’s been a few years of chaos and heartache, and this song reminds us that we’re all going through it. The lyric “if anyone is out there, I feel like now would be a pretty good time” encourages us to reach out to one another, support each other, and lift each other up.
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Song: “Boys”
Artist: Kat Cunning
The queer masculine anthem the world needed. Whether you’re a trans man, nonbinary masculine leaning, or a woman with masculine traits, this song is for you! Kat Cunning is a nonbinary artist, and wanted to celebrate their masculinity, while presenting themselves however they wanted. This song is a celebration of the masculine. “Don’t be afraid, I know a place,” Kat invites us to a safe place to be ourselves. When I first heard this song last year, I immediately felt a connection. As a woman, it encouraged me to explore my masculinity and in turn, my gender identity. I listen to this song whenever I need a reminder that I can be whoever I want to be, and it’s okay to be masculine.
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Song: “Good Day”
Artist: Jax Anderson ft. MisterWives & Curtis Roach
This is just a feel good jam. It's eminding us to “look to the light” and be thankful for all the good things in life. “Soak up the sunshine, everything’s alright, floatin’ on cloud nine” kind of says it all. I have a playlist called Happy Songs, and this one is right on top.

A. Iwasa's Picks
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Song:  “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)”
Artist:  The Rolling Stones
The kind of song that makes me feel it’s all been worth it.  The Stones have more than one on this level, and it’s hard to pick one above the rest with tracks like “Let’s Spend The Night Together” or their version of “I Wanna Be Your Man” since I really am first and foremost a Beatlemaniac.  But, But I Like It is also the name of a collection of Joe Sacco’s music related art, and I like how all these things can tie together. 
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Song:  “Rock ‘n’ Roll Machine”
Artist:  The Donnas
Straight forward rock ‘n’ roll music, played by an all women group from the South (San Francisco) Bay Area.  The whole album is the kind of CD I would like to put on only if I could listen to it all the way through.
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Song:  “It’s You”
Artist:  The Specials
I had a hard time deciding if I wanted to use this track or “Stand Up,” also from “Guilty ‘til Proven Innocent.”  Not my favorite album but most definitely two of my favorite songs by this band, and my favorite ska band for sure.
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​Song:  “It’s All Up To You”
Artist:  Black Flag
Though originally I wanted to use their “Rise Above” for this list, I went for this track instead since “In My Head” is my runaway favorite Flag album.  This was one of the first bands I thought of when I read about this post being in the works.  What’s more motivational than being told, “No matter what they say, no matter what they do, it’s all up to you!”?  Honorable mention:  “Shine” by Rollins Band.
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Song:  “25 Years”
Artist:  Pantera
Say what you will about this band, I will probably always think this song is brilliant.  It’s unfortunate that it’s not until really at 4:40 when it hits its stride, but it’s Pantera at their best, and a big part of how this album helped get me through high school.  Though there are other Pantera tracks that appeal more to my rowdy-side musically, what I find “motivational” about Pantera is there occasional insight. What a concept...like, “You’ll never be the father I am, the bastard father to the thousands, of the ugly criticized and unwanted, the ones with fathers just like you!” 
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Song:  “Come On Eileen”
Artist:  Save Ferris
I love out-of-genre covers.  I had a hard time picking between the new wave original and this ska cover, but ska is a little more pick me up music for me.  Though the Dexys Midnight Runners’ version is basically the definition of fun, I did get to see Save Ferris once and they played this song about as good as it gets.

Song:  “Record Store”
Artist:  Buck-O-Nine
Most of this album, “Twenty-Eight Teeth,” could have landed on this list for me.  I suppose the Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront,  Burn! and The Wild One, not The Godfather for me!) reference and admissions of total slackerdom are what made me pick this one.
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Song:  “Sound System”
Artist:  Operation Ivy
Another act who’s whole discography probably could have made this list, I picked this track because of its lyrics.  Pretty much the definition of a song that makes you ~feel yourself~.

Song:  “You Can’t Bring Me Down”
Artist:  Suicidal Tendencies
From another album, Lights, Camera, Revolution, that could have made this list as an album.  First wave hardcore punk with everything I love about the genre:  straight forward, down to earth lyrics about getting by when things aren’t going well, backed by metal licks with punk hooks musically.  “I’d rather feel like shit than be full of shit!”
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Song:  “Give My Life”
Artist:  Face Value
Anthemic, positive, youth crew.  One of the bands that defined the 1990s for me, or in other words got me through high school.  This track was from their original demo, Clevo Hardcore, and was their track on the infamous Dark Empire Strikes Back compilation.
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Song:  “Highway to Hell”
Artist:  AC/DC
Because the youth have Rina now, this is the music at least some of the hellions my age or older listened to, to laugh about what the squares thought about us, perhaps en route to the more explicitly, actually satanic music fandom.
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Song:  “Sangre”
Artist:  La Armada
I thought punk was a part of the past for me, until I moved to Chicago and encountered great bands like La Armada who made the genre relevant to me again, by helping get me through all the crappy times I had there.  This is from my favorite era of La Armada because they only screamed in Spanish, and they incorporated a unique sense of humor like calling their music plantaincore.
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Song:  “Abre Los Ojos”
Artist:  Tras de Nada
Another hard pick between this and their “Con La Frente En Alto,” but ¿Hasta cuando? was also the name of a local ‘zine in Chicago where Tras de Nada formed, so I wanted to make that connection.
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Alex's Picks
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​Song: “Throne”
Artist: Bring Me The Horizon
Every time I put this song on (and I mean EVERY time), I pound my chest with my fist in sync with those first two snare hits in the intro. That’s usually followed by jumping around the house and screaming along with Oli Sykes about rising up against the detractors who want to hold you back from being the best that you can be. Out of all the songs I listen to that get my confidence up, this is my favorite and it always, without fail, gets me hyped and ready to take on whatever is in front of me.

Song: “I Will Be Heard”
Artist: Hatebreed
I think that Hatebreed are one of the most brilliant bands of all time. So many of their songs are a pure shot of raw empowerment that can be applied to pretty much anyone from pretty much any walk of life. Their music is all about acknowledging that you’re a fucked up person, but despite your flaws, you’re going to go out there, give it everything you have, and you’re going to come out on top. “I Will Be Heard,” off the band’s 2002 sophomore album “Perseverance,” is a perfect example of this hard-hitting genius, and it’s way too easy to feel the lyrics in your gut.

​Song: “Feelin’ Myself”
Artist: Mac Dre
If you live in Northern California, you will probably hear this song at least 3 times every night you go out on the town. Part of that is because Mac Dre and the hyphy movement are still a big source of regional pride all these years later, but I think “Feelin’ Myself” has an effect on people that sets it apart from “Get Stupid,” “Thizzle Dance,” and some of Dre’s other big hits. You can’t tell a Bay Area dude ANYTHING when they’re drunk off the Henny in the club and this song comes on. And with a chorus like that, can you blame us?

Danie's Picks

I like hip hop for feeling good music, I have a youtube playlist called “make money and look hot” for when I used to work at a dispensary to mentally prep while driving in. It has a lot of staples, included here are less well known ones to check out.:
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Song: “Special Friend” 
Artist: Chezale
Chezale is an AZ musician. It is a good one for after doing something healthy like walking outside or eating an edible instead of smoking because you're trying to reduce the tar.

Song: “Burden”
Artist: Aminé 
Aminé is a more well-known artist but the vibe is impeccable. A good head bobber. Sitting on a stoop watching people and mouthing the words to your goofy friend.

Song: “Miss Shiney”
Artist: Kaiit
She has lots of feel-good songs, an incredible r'nb singer. Good "friend that goes to therapy and takes good care of herself " vibes. I’ve listened to this one so many times I sing along word for word.

Song: “Los Chucos Suaves” 
Artist: Lalo Guerrero
Oh and a non-hip hop wildcard - I like to put this on when I'm cleaning or getting dolled up. I'll pick up my fat cat Willis into my arms, hold his lil paw in mine and dance Bachata with him. He loves it. Willis the Salsa King they call him ( that's a lie, no one calls him that).

Andres' Picks
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Song: "Autosuficiencia (con Javier Benavente)"
Artist: Parálisis Permanente
This iconic song from Madrid’s post-punk wave from the early 80s is the ultimate FOMO killer, the perfect quarantine anthem, and, as the title suggests, a tongue-in-cheek proclamation telling the rest of the world that you don’t need them anymore. Ironically, this song sounds 10x better if you find yourself surrounded by a crowd singing along with the lyrics, so the more people, the merrier.

Song: "Bad mouth"
Artist: Fugazi
I used to have this song as my alarm for a while. Despite the title, this punk classic is a blow of fresh air that makes you want to shake it off and get out of whatever rut you’re in, be the change you want to see, and all that good stuff.
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Song: "Libertad"
Artist: Kase.O
"Libertad" is an ode to trusting your gut, building your own path, and taking control of your life. The smooth jazz instrumentation juxtaposed with Kase.O’s defiant yet optimistic lyrics, make it the perfect song to start the day with your head up high. Check out the rest of the album if you haven't already. Jazz Magnetism is quite a gem of Spanish rap.

Song: "Pardon My Freedom"
Artist: !!!
The chorus on this song is a great mantra when life’s trying to bring you down. Nothing better than giving it the finger while you shake your butt.
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Song: "Rainbow Voodoo"
Artist: Clark
My favorite track to psych myself up. Even after a thousand listens, it still gives me the same rush.
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Parisa's Picks
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Song: "It's You I Like"
Artist: Mister Rogers
I've found that the older I've gotten, the more I try to cherish my inner child. While some may find a children's song for this list a bit trite or on-the-nose, I've come to find that there's nothing more empowering than connecting to that inner spirit and nurturing it. And who better to tell remind you of self-love than Mister Rogers, the epitome of tender love and care?! I recommend this song for when you really need an extra boost of simple sweetness in your day, and also this specific video of him singing with Jeff Erlanger if you really wanna get the waterworks goin'. 

Song: "I Am Vengeance" 
Artist: Naglfar
On perhaps the most opposite end of the spectrum from my last song (lol), here is a bloodthirsty track from Swedish melodic black-death band Naglfar from when you need the utmost savage and brutal self-awakening. I've always considered the lyrics in this song to be my absolute favorite within the black or death metal scene, and given that it's sung from a first-person perspective (something that doesn't seem all too common for these genres) it easily becomes more personal and anthemic. The melodies plays alongside the lyrics to impact the words with more strength - like how it swifly crescendos during lines like "Fools! I shall rid myself from the thorns pierced in my side" or comes to a softer still to heighten the words "Wreaking chaos upon those who dare to challenge me!"  

The song directs its anger towards humanity at large, so if the world is getting you down sometimes going for a jog or killing off your real-life enemies in a Sims game just isn't sufficient enough. Sometimes you need a powerful tune with over-the-top demonic imagery and assaulting blast beats to understand your frustrations and empower yourself again (amirite ladies?!?), and this is definitely that song.