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My favourite tradition on this blog is to write a Myspace style playlist for my life each year. This tradition started in June 2015, and you can follow these links to read the previous years playlists: Playlist 2015, Playlist 2016, Playlist 2017, Playlist 2018, Playlist 2019, Playlist 2020, Playlist 2021, Playlist 2022, Playlist 2023.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve linked to a YouTube and Spotify playlist for each.

1. Wrecking Ball cover by August Burns Red
My friend Daniel gave me a thoughtful going away gift of a three hour playlist on Spotify titled “Laura’s Travel Playlist.” Once I arrived in New Zealand, I downloaded it onto my Apple Music and renamed it “Laura’s Transition Playlist.” Those forty songs were the most played on my phone the first four months of my life in New Zealand. While “Hot Girl Bummer” makes me laugh the most, this cover of “Wrecking Ball” is the best to set off the tone of my year of transition. Wild upheaval of life with heavy metal undertones.

2. Rim Tim Tagi Dim by Baby Lasagna
Eurovision was unhinged this year. While we all know “Europapa” was the winner in our hearts despite political controversy with the artist backstage. Joost Klein seems like the most wholesome human (I considered putting Luchtballoon somewhere on this playlist, but I thought it might make people worry about my mental health) outdone only by the wholesomeness of Marko Purišić (aka Baby Lasagna) who has secured the spot in my heart as my second favourite Croatian in the world. Brooks Child is not nearly as wholesome, but he’s forever my favourite Croatian despite being an absolute punk. I recognise this paragraph is on par with the coherence of “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” and Eurovision in general. But the lyrics actually fit my year in hilarious beauty. It’s a song about transition with gems like, “I’m going away and I sold my cow” and “There’s no going back/my anxiety attacks.” It’s also a song of chaos that makes me laugh on so many levels: “Meow cat, please meow back/don’t cry; just dance.”

3. Devil Doesn’t Bargain by Alec Benjamin
The music video to this one is pretty intense and comes with a trigger warning. I should clarify that I’ve never had remotely the kind of trauma depicted through the music video storytelling. I also want to clarify that this year did not involve anything remotely at my worst experience. Rather this song speaks to the letting go of things that weren’t changing and have been weighing me down.

4. I Forgive You by Sia
Same deal as the previous song – “now it’s time for me to move on.” This is another dark music video that doesn’t tell my connection to the lyrics. This year had some beautiful release of hurt as I left behind some things and received space and encouragement to heal.

5. Permission to Dance by BTS
This is probably one of their most tame music videos, and is the uplifting turn to indicate the actual vibe of my year. Guys, “I wanna dance; the music’s got me goin’,” and all those other wholesome lyrics just fit. There’s such a freedom and release that’s come through this year, and the time is now.

6. Pure by Superchic[k]
This is my brand new day starting now/
I let go the things that weigh me down/
And rob me of the beauty that’s to be found/
In life all around/

This is my prayer without ceasing/
The negative releasing/
And as I rise above/
My burden is easing/

I mean, come on. Verse two hits just as hard. Then verse three slams. Also, obligatory Superchic[k] song success.

7. What Else Can I Do? from Encanto
I blasted this through my house back in January embracing the goodness of being able to stretch myself in new ways and celebrating how God has made me unique and gifted. “What could I do if I knew it didn’t need to be perfect – it just needed to be?” This year represents the answer to that in so many ways. What else can I do? The following years will unfold into some beautiful shivers of new. How far do these roots go down and how far can I rise? There is so much excitement as I grow in this new role and look for how God is using me.

8. I Lived by OneRepublic
“With every broken bone, I swear I lived.” I never forget that if I’d not broken my back, I’d never have found the connection to RCC and moved to New Zealand. I have an incredible life. I might even publish that memoir about it later this year. Wild times.

9. Shooting Star by Owl City
I really love the wholesome message of this song, and I resonate deeply with this past year of opportunity to shine and to embrace who God has made me to be. Of course gravity tries to pull me down, but I’m seeing these amazing things build up around me and watching how the Holy Spirit can make people fly. Watch me shine.

10. Cold Winter Sun by Demon Hunter
This was a no brainer Demon Hunter pick for this year. I am freeeeeezing in this mental game of winter June/July/August. It’s not even that cold outside; I just can’t get over the fact that it’s not summertime right now. Also, I love this song. I mean, I looooooove this song. It’s so good. You’d think I’d be done saying that about Demon Hunter songs by now, but they just have so many good songs. So good. Ugh. Love it. Also what a soothing aesthetic the lyric video has, you know? You’re welcome.

Bonus Track. Don’t Hate Yourself But Don’t Love Yourself Too Much by Baby Lasagna
I have no regrets, no apologies, no caveats. (Ok, sorry there is one bad word in this song, but the message is so relevant to the world, my job, and my life.)