MOOD MUSIC

WHAT DOES MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?

Many phones now tell you which apps you use, and how much time you spend on them. If we want to, we are able see how many hours and minutes a day we have spent listening to music. Music is like an addiction: how many of you have ever thought about going a full 24 hours without opening up Spotify and playing your favourite music? Have you ever asked yourself “Why do I listen to music?” Tag ‘21 will be exploring the reasons we listen to music and what effect it has on us.

Many of us listen to music because it gives us a boost in confidence and motivates us while we are doing anything from college work to exercise. With a phone and headphones, many of us could walk for miles. In a way, it distracts us from reality and puts us in the zone to focus, feeling as if you’re in your own world as soon as you put in your Airpods.

We wanted to find out some of the genres that you listen to before exploring why we listen to music the way we do. Tag

‘21 spoke with Will Burle (18) a student from ESCG. “The genre of music I listen to falls under the category of Rap/Hip-Hop, whether it’s American or British. The way some artists manage to find the right beat and sing into the mic and make them both flow together is a major talent, it’s a verbal form of art”.

Famous musicians such as Juice WRLD have huge and popular songs about love and heartbreaks. Many of us listen to songs to help get through a relationship break-up and we tend to listen to emotional songs instead of more upbeat and happier music.

At Tag ‘21 we think this is due to the fact that when we are upset, not many of us have the energy or feeling of positivity at that time. It’s all about the mood that the listener is in. That’s where the skip button comes in handy.

Certain songs will be associated with past events and nostalgia. How many times do you hear a track and it instantly brings back a specific memory? Tag ‘21 spoke with an ESCG student, Lizzie Noles (17) who said,

“every time I hear some of Travis Scott’s older songs, it instantly takes me back to my last year of school, reminding me of how much of a great time it was. I’m sure there are songs or artists that do the same for others. This makes it more interesting because it makes us, as humans, look back to that time and enjoy the song more for

‘memorabilia’ reasons”.

Music has positive effects on the brain. Research has shown that it reduces anxiety and blood pressure, increases the ability to withstand pain, helps with falling asleep and affects mood.

Conor Reed (19) explained how he selects the music he listens to. “There is music for every situation, setting or mood, and every single time it will improve that situation. [Music] adds to whatever vibe is already there, if you’re sad, and want to just embrace that sadness, you listen to sad music. It helps, but yet you can also try and get out of that slump by listening to something more uplifting. Music can be motivational, relax you, anything! Music defines moments, there are nights out and other special events that I remember that can be linked to one song. These songs and music makesyou feel nostalgic. Music is important at every stage of your life.”

Hewa Jafar Design: Jay Wissam Photography: Oscar Tarbox

FOR FURTHER READING:

www.verywellmind.com/ surprising-psychologicalbenefits-of-music-4126866