Anxiety Within....
Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Jz3Z8fgtjTH81CjJbQ0Tr?si=wcdAir8ESWOOHM0_CiKM7ALinks to an external site.

1. The Neighbourhood: Wiped Out!

In 2013, The Neighbourhood released Sweater Weather which turned out to be the hit song that brought popularity to this band. This song was released previously before Wiped Out! Made its 
debut. Wiped Out! Is an alternative rock/r&b music album. There are various instruments used 
like piano, guitar, and unique sound effects. In this album the tone completely changed with 
more melancholy songs about Jesse Rutherford’s personal life and his tribulations in his youth. 
In the Rolling Stone article it mentions, “But the warmth of “Sweater Weather” and the rest of 
the Neighbourhood’s debut album is gone on Wiped Out!” (Rolling Stone). Daddy Issues is a 
prime example of how harmful it can be to live without a father which ties in with the suburban 
gothic’s theme of the nuclear family. The article Song Meanings and Facts states, “And more 
macrocosmically, the singer then proceeds to identify with all victims of such an upbringing, as 
personified by the “little boy” who is also referenced in the refrain” (Song Meanings). Growing 
up without a father can impact someone’s life even when the father dies because it leaves a void 
in your heart making you wonder why he left which can manifest into trust issues for the future.
The Beach is also a song that can be interpreted as feeling tired of everything and wanting to 
leave everything in this world behind. 

2.Evanescensce: Fallen 

Fallen was one of Evanescensce’s breakthrough albums that helped revolutionize the rock genre 
music. The use of the piano mixed with the drums and guitar with slow lyrics changed the 
perspective of what the rock genre incorporates. In the Better call creative album it shows, “The 
most obvious difference is the female lead of Amy Lee allowing the band to have softer tones 
whilst also creating these darker & twisted songs as well” (Better call creative). Amy Lee’s 
vocals paved the way for more female rock artists to present their music to others. My immortal 
was one of my favorite songs in this album because of how relatable it is when you would do 
anything for someone you love even if they wouldn’t do the same for you, but it is too hard to let them go. Bring me to life depicts how it feels to be dead inside and needing someone to be the 
light in your life again. The songs in this album let the listeners know that they are not alone and 
feeling empty can be overwhelming but the feeling doesn’t forever. 

3.Billie Eilish: When we all fall asleep, where do we go?

In this hip hop/pop album released by Billie Eilish in 2019 there is tone shift within the starting 
songs. Previous albums depicted how it feels to fall in love or being powerful while this album 
talks about unrequited love and being the one in control of others. The Guardian mentions, “Her 
voice is soft, lilting and sweet, though she’s not afraid to push it through odd, squelching effects 
either”  (The Guardian). This citation provides details on how Eilish sings with a soft voice, but it 
is lyrics with darker meanings. The use of random sound effects compiled from her normal life, 
piano, and drums all contribute to the success of this album when singing about her raw 
emotions. Bad Guy shows how Billie Eilish would put herself in certain situations where she is 
the one in control. Bury a friend also ties in with the suburban gothic on murder and death from 
the people you least expect. In the Genius article it mentions, “The album is basically what 
happens when you fall asleep. For me, in every song in the album there’s sleep paralysis. There’s 
night terrors, nightmares, lucid dreams…” (Genius). This album gives the audience the 
perspective of being the monster from our nightmares and describes the perpetrator’s thought 
process while having intrusive thoughts that don’t go away. 

4. Lana Del Rey: Born to die

Lana Del Rey’s Born to die album contributed to her successful music career after 
Summertime Sadness became a hit. In the article by Discover music it states, “Raw and 
perfectly sculpted, Lana infused every moment with uncensored emotion, tapping into 
her fans’ feelings at the same time” (Discover music). This quote explains how Lana Del 
Rey’s honesty in her songs resonates with her fans. Most of the time Summer is shown as 
having the best time of your life and just letting go off all the stress but this song is the 
complete opposite since it talks about being sad during a time where most people are 
having fun. This album is part of the ballad genre and uses the piano and guitar to evoke 
feelings of regret and depression. Blue Jeans shows how a pretty face can hide the most 
terrifying emotions that we simply ignore because the person is attractive. The same way 
Connie fell for Arnold’s lies is how Lana del Rey describes this song. Seeking love 
somewhere else because it is not provided at home can lead to many dangerous situations 
that could have been avoided with the right amount of attention from our parents. 

5. The Bravery: The Sun and the Moon

The Sun and the Moon rock album includes piano, guitar, and background vocals that add a sense of false reality when listening to the songs. In the article by Pop Matter it states, “The Bravery, on the other hand, are a major label wolf in sheepish indie rock clothing” (Pop Matters). This quote could be described as a metaphor for the dark topics that The Bravery sing about while using calm melodies. Time won’t let me go is one of those songs that emphasize regret about the past and wanting to go back to change the outcome. This song connects to the suburban gothic genre by wanting to change something from the past thinking it would make things better in the future. Above and below has a more obscure topic by discussing suicide ideation but staying alive with a little bit of hope left. It is also mentioned in the Healthline article that, “It has the power to change moods and help people process their feelings” (Healthline). This quote can help reflect how people may feel more hopeful to keep living and surviving every day because no one knows what the future may hold.

                                                                  Works Cited
Turner, David. “Wiped Out! “Sweater Weather” crew chill out, lose the plot”. 
RollingStone(2015). Wiped Out! - Rolling Stone https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/wiped-out-89160/?msclkid=bec0f2dfd09511ec83767765ee7eccd5Links to an external site. 

“Evanescence, Fallen Album Review:”. Bettercallcreative (2020). Evanescence, Fallen 
Album Review: – Better Call Creative https://bettercallcreative.com/evanescence-fallen-album-review/?msclkid=08531046d09711ec9db97b5e5e2e378cLinks to an external site. 

Joshi, Tara. “Billie Eilish: When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? review – a 
hugely assured debut”. The Guardian (2019). Billie Eilish: When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? review – a hugely assured debut | Pop and rock | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/31/billie-eilish-when-we-all-fall-asleep-where-do-we-go-review?msclkid=c1406dc6d09711ecaa162ee738eb4643Links to an external site. 

Forbes, Sorrell. “’Born To Die’: Behind Lana Del Rey’s Life-Changing Debut Album”. 
Udiscovermusic(2022). ‘Born To Die’: Behind Lana Del Rey’s Life-Changing Debut Album 
(udiscovermusic.com) https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/lana-del-rey-born-to-die-album/?msclkid=dc9c80ced09811ec947b73e7860205b6Links to an external site. 

Keefe, Micheal. “THE BRAVERY: THE SUN AND THE MOON”. PopMatters (2007).
The Bravery: The Sun and the Moon | PopMatters https://www.popmatters.com/the-bravery-the-sun-and-the-moon-2496240181.html?msclkid=b7fefe65d09911ec93bc1dd276ce1728Links to an external site. 

Stanborough, Rebecca. “The Benefits of Listening to Music”. Healthline (2020). 
Benefits of Music on Body, Mind, Relationships & More (healthline.com) https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-musicLinks to an external site. 

London, Amanda. “’Daddy Issues” by The Neighbourhood’”. SongMeanings + Facts (2022). 
"Daddy Issues" by The Neighbourhood - Song Meanings and Facts https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/daddy-issues-by-the-neighbourhood/Links to an external site. 

Genius. “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO”. Genius (2019). 
Billie Eilish - https://genius.com/albums/Billie-eilish/When-we-all-fall-asleep-where-do-we-goLinks to an external site. 

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