Self-Affirmation Anthems of 2014..........Wedin

by Ben Wedin

My favorite music to sing along to is music that makes me feel good and not worthless. A lot of music on Valentine’s Day can end up making you feel bad and worthless because it’s often talking about other people in love. So here are some songs from 2014 that work regardless of your relationship state. Because they were resonant, confidence-building, or straight up fun, you can definitely swagger to these ten tracks:

“Feeling Myself” - Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint The Pinkprint got delayed until December, which is unfortunate because it’s a very respectable album that deserved more recognition on year-end lists. Hit-Boy gets credit for one of the best beats of the year, and Beyoncé and Nicki transform it into the self-feeling anthem that everyone deserves. Beyoncé with the crash cymbals gets me every time, so much good feeling on this one. Lyrics: “Feeling myself / I’m feeling myself”

“Show Me Love” - Hundred Waters, The Moon Rang Like a Bell The opening for The Moon Rang Like a Bell brings shivers down my spine just thinking about it. Honest and confident, Nicole Miglis invites you into a world that is both mysterious and immediately relatable. Fantastic song from one of my favorite albums of the year. Lyrics: “Don’t let me show cruelty though I may make mistakes”

“How Bout Now” - Drake Whether it’s “Trophies,” “Started From the Bottom,” or “0 to 100,” Drake loves his victory laps. But “How Bout Now” is celebratory in a different sense: it’s not about his team coming up but is a testament to his own skill and persistence. Perfect for a triumphant exit from any great accomplished feat. Lyrics: “You thought you had it all figured out back then girl how bout now?”

“Fucks Given” / “U Don’t Have to Call (Usher Cover)” - Childish Gambino, STN MTN / Kauai Hey, if Gambino gets to release a double EP, I get to include two songs. Gambino hits the auto-tune sweet spot in “Fucks Given,” and simply has a lot of fun bravado to commandeer for your own devices. “U Don’t Have To Call” on the other hand gets a slowed down a cappella treatment, turning an upbeat Usher joint into something sentimental and intimate. I don’t know how to write down the sing along part, but you’ll know it when you hear it. Lyrics: “I came here to do my own shit” / “Aaaahaahaah”

“Now Hear In” - Cloud Nothings, Here and Nowhere Else Here and Nowhere Else is a frenetic album full of shouts and drums, and the opener “Now Hear In” encapsulates that initial liberation for me. The catchy melodies of this song in particular have motivated me on many a run. Lyrics: “And I can’t feel your pain, but I feel alright ‘bout it”

“Hereditary” - Isaiah Rashad, Cilvia Demo Hooks centered around drugs/money/women in rap are old hat, but the real parts to sing along in Rashad’s great debut are hidden within the verses: a couple of bars in a separate flow invites you to keep your attention and not just tune the words out. A closer investigation reveals a much more introspective and thoughtful wordsmith, and lines you’ll want to belt out as groovily as Rashad. Lyrics: “One time for the caged bird”

“Digital Witness” - St. Vincent, St. Vincent St. Vincent’s album art places Annie Clark on top of a throne, and listening to the album may give you an idea why. Songs like “Bring Me Your Loves” and “Digital Witness” place Clark as an empress of sorts, with a smattering of textures that is simply awesome. Though you must cede the throne to Clark, you can sing along feeling a bit more like a ruler. Lyrics: “Digital witnesses, what’s the point of even sleeping? / If I can’t show it / If you can’t see me”

“7/11” - Beyoncé, Beyoncé: More So many dance songs keep on telling me what to do. Party, drank, etc. But “7/11” is simple: Beyoncé is putting her hands and feet up and in the air, clapping, and occasionally smacking “it” in the air (“it” being hands or a booty, up to interpretation). Sure you have to hold that Coke like alcohol, but Beyoncé is making you feel awesome for it. Be sure to look up “711 Beyonce ReQuest” for killer dancing. Ebony take note, there’s a crawl in it and everythang. Lyrics: “I put up, my hands up / Then I’m spinnin’, all my hands up”

“Never Catch Me (feat. Kendrick Lamar)” - Flying Lotus, You’re Dead! As far as I’m concerned, Kendrick plus FlyLo is a match made in heaven. Kendrick’s sense of rhythm, combined with the extra dimensional space that FlyLo inhabits, will bring you to a very special place. The chorus (if you can call it that) is a moment of catharsis in You’re Dead!, a confident retort directed towards the Grim Reaper or any challenge in life. “i” may be the more directly happy song from Kendrick last year, but this stuff is equally powerful. Extra kudos to anyone who can follow Kendrick’s flow on the opening verse. Lyrics: “Analyze my demise, I say I’m super anxious”

1989 - Taylor Swift Yes, this is an album not a song. I keep breaking my own rules. The sheer amount of production that went into this album is staggering, and it totally paid off. Hums, harmonies, echoes, reverb, vocal effects, all of it. This is music that was made for singing along to. A line like “all you had to do was stay” may have absolutely no meaning in your life, yet you compulsively want to sing along and gain strength from it. I was never a huge fan of the country star Taylor, but I can totally get behind this new pop maximalist stuff. Lyrics: “I got this music saying it’s going to be alright”