Recharge & Renew: Your January Self-Care Playlist for a Kickstart
From Charlie Wilson to Usher: Find Your Chill with These Self-Care Songs
January: resolutions abound, schedules shift, and maybe, just maybe, a hint of winter blues lingers. But hey, new year, new you, right? And that includes your self-care game! Ditch the doldrums and get ready to tune into the ultimate mood-boosting playlist: Self-Care Picks.
Think of it as your personal soundtrack to inner peace. Whether you're a self-care veteran or a newbie dipping your toes in the cozy bath of TLC, we've got something for everyone. So grab your comfy socks, light your favorite candle, and get ready to hit play on a month of mindful rejuvenation.
Stay tuned for our hottest picks, dropping throughout January! We'll be spinning everything from cozy rituals to creative outlets, movement mantras to mindful moments. From aromatherapy to journaling, digital detoxes to delicious recipes for the soul, we'll have you humming with happiness in no time.
So, let's raise a mug of herbal tea to a month of self-love and discovery. Remember, you deserve to hit replay on your own well-being. Welcome to Self-Care Picks, your monthly jam session for the heart and soul!!
‘Link Up’ - Remember the heady days of silky smooth vocals, syncopated beats, and heartfelt lyrics that defined early 2000s R&B? Avenoir's got that magic bottled up and poured straight into your speakers. This ain't just nostalgia, though – it's a seamless blend of those timeless vibes with the earnest energy of today's music scene.
Avenoir's music isn't just about showing love, it's about being in love. It's the slow burn of a bassline mirroring the thrumming in your chest when you connect with someone special. It's the whispered promise, "Let's link up," not just for a fling, but for an exchange of passion, of energy, of something bigger than both of you.
But this love affair isn't just limited to romantic partners. Avenoir reminds us to extend that tender care to ourselves. This song? It's a spa day for your soul, a slow dance with self-discovery. It invites you to explore, to engulf yourself in a world where you're the main character, the one getting spoiled for a lifetime.
Forget fleeting trends and hollow beats. Avenoir crafts sonic sanctuaries where you can bask in the glow of your own being. It's a reminder that even in a world obsessed with the next big thing, true connection starts with ourselves, fuelled by echoes of soulful R&B that never loses its shine. So crank up the volume, close your eyes, and let Avenoir take you on a journey where self-love and timeless rhythm reign supreme. You'll be spoiled for a lifetime, and that's a promise worth keeping.
‘Wherever U R’ - Forget piggybacking on K-Pop royalty for chart success - UMI's latest single, "Wherever U R," proves she's a star in her own right. Sure, featuring V of BTS doesn't hurt, but this duet transcends mere hype. It's a soulful tapestry woven with UMI's honeyed vocals and V's velvet tones, each thread pulling at the strings of your heart.
This isn't your typical chart-chasing pop confection. UMI craves more than empty days filled with air and sunlight. She yearns for conversations that linger, for connections that defy distance. "Wherever you are," she croons, her voice an echo of longing, "I'll be there." The trust simmering in the lyrics intensifies as the song unfolds, culminating in a collaborative bliss that makes you press "replay" before the final note fades.
But "Wherever U R" isn't just about romantic yearning. It's a gentle nudge to open our hearts, to reach out, to find that missing piece in the melody of life. This is music built with love, a soundtrack to late-night drives and sunrise coffee with someone special. It's a reminder that even when miles separate us, the threads of connection run deeper than any physical distance.
So don't just see this as a catchy bop featuring a global K-Pop superstar. See it as a testament to UMI's artistry, a collaboration that transcends fandom and language. Put "Wherever U R" on your playlist, let it wash over you, and get lost in the magic of two voices soaring in perfect harmony. Because wherever you are, this song will find you, leaving you wanting more, feeling connected, and humming the melody long after the music stops.
‘Badmind’ - Jono's latest track isn't just a catchy tune; it's a full-blown sonic love letter. With a title that evokes both Jamaican slang and a gambler's mentality, ‘Badmind’ pulsates with the energy of a man who won't let opportunity slip through his fingers.
This isn't a casual crush - Jono's infatuation is a full-blown obsession. He's intoxicated by her scent, his lyrics painting a vivid picture of stolen glances and daydreams fueled by desire. The song becomes a canvas for his ultimate fantasies, where he whisks his dream girl away to a perfect world tailored just for them.
But ‘Badmind’ isn't just about sugary escapism. There's a poignant undercurrent of vulnerability, too. The closing piano notes linger like a bittersweet sigh, hinting at the possibility that this perfect scenario might just be playing out in Jono's head.
Is it a love song fueled by hope or a lament for an unrequited crush? Jono leaves the interpretation open, inviting listeners to project their own experiences onto his story. That's the beauty of ‘Badmind’ - it's a universal anthem for anyone who's ever dared to dream big, even if it means putting it all on the line for a chance at something magical.
‘Risk It All’ - Usher, R&B's crown prince, continues his reign with a new ballad that sends shivers down the spine and sparks wildfires in the heart. Joining forces with powerhouse vocalist H.E.R., his latest song, ‘Risk It All,’ is a modern masterpiece ripped straight from the pages of a forbidden romance novel. It's the type of music that demands your attention, drowns out the city noise, and casts you into a freefall of your own, where the only fear is not taking the leap.
Emerging from the soundtrack of the reimagined "The Color Purple," ‘Risk It All’ carries the legacy of Celie's fierce longing and transforms it into a sonic tapestry of yearning and surrender. This ain't no bubblegum pop; it's raw, unapologetic passion dripping with the bluesy, soulful swagger that only Usher and H.E.R. can deliver. Their voices intertwined like vines reaching for the sun, building tension with each verse until it explodes in a chorus that leaves you breathless.
It's a sound that echoes across generations, resonating with those who know the intoxicating thrill of love on the edge, the forbidden fruit dangling just out of reach. Every note feels steeped in a bittersweet wisdom, acknowledging the risks of giving your all while reminding us that true connection, even fleeting, is worth the plunge.
This isn't just a song; it's an experience. It's the rush of adrenaline as you step off the cliff, the desperate grip on the wind as you fall, and the euphoric surrender to the unknown. It's the kind of music that makes you want to shout it from the rooftops, dance in the rain, and hold someone close like the world might end tomorrow.
So, take a chance, fall into the rhythm, and let ‘Risk It All’ carry you away. This is Usher at his finest, H.E.R. at her most spellbinding, and a reminder that sometimes, the greatest love stories are written in the sky, just before the ground rushes up to meet you.
P.S. With Super Bowl Halftime looming on the horizon, one thing's for sure: Usher isn't just giving us a song, he's giving us a glimpse into the future of R&B, and it's a future we can all get behind. Get ready to be swept off your feet, heart and soul.
‘Superman’ - He's a legend who's danced through decades and genres, leaving a sparkling trail of funk, soul, and pure sonic joy. But in his latest song, Charlie Wilson throws a curveball that's both unexpected and deeply relatable. Forget tights and capes – this superhero needs saving.
With that signature Wilson charm, his new track sees him flipping the script on the classic hero narrative. Forget leaping buildings and punching bad guys; this powerhouse vocalist is sprinting like a man possessed, "running faster than a speeding bullet" just to get back to the love that anchors him. He's "stronger than a locomotive," yet all he craves is the warmth of another's embrace.
This isn't a damsel-in-distress ballad, though. It's a raw, honest portrayal of how even the brightest stars can feel lost in the darkness. It's a love song for the modern age, a reminder that even the seemingly invincible need a soft place to land.
In a world that often bombards us with negativity and division, Wilson's message couldn't be more timely. His soulful cry for love isn't just a personal plea; it's a universal anthem for anyone who's ever felt adrift. It's a call to remember that love, in all its messy, imperfect glory, is the ultimate superpower.
This isn't just another single from a veteran artist; it's a statement. It's Charlie Wilson, forever pushing boundaries, reminding us that the greatest strength lies not in superhuman feats, but in the vulnerability to open up and let someone love you back.
So turn up the volume, raise a glass to the one who reminds us that even superheroes need a hug. Let Charlie Wilson's voice be your soundtrack as you face the new year, a year that desperately needs the healing power of a love song like this. Because amidst the chaos, amidst the uncertainty, in the quiet moments of self-care and connection, that's where true strength is found.
And that, friends, is something even the fastest, strongest superheroes can get behind.
‘Roll With Me’ - In the glittery lane of today's musical landscape, Jean Deaux isn't just navigating traffic; she's leaving the whole scene in a cloud of burnt rubber and designer fumes. With her latest drop, ‘Roll With Me,’ the Chicago songstress isn't just offering a song; she's extending an invitation into a world of unapologetic luxury and intoxicating desire.
Forget diamonds and champagne – Deaux paints a picture where the ultimate thrill is blowing stacks at Neiman Marcus, leaving a trail of Prada bags and Gucci kicks in your wake. This isn't just retail therapy; it's a symphony of indulgence, a duet sung with your credit card on a private jet to the East Coast's finest culinary temples.
But this isn't just about material excess. ‘Roll With Me’ is a siren call, an intoxicating blend of husky vocals and smooth beats that puts you right in the passenger seat, adrenaline pumping as you soar above the clouds. It's about testing limits, pushing boundaries, and indulging in the thrill of living life on the edge.
The song drops you right into the heart of the temptation. Deaux's lyrics weave a spell, each verse a whispered promise of stolen moments and reckless abandon. It's the kind of music that makes you question your resolve, that begs you to throw caution to the wind and just...let go.
But ‘Roll With Me’ isn't just about giving in. It's also about the choice – the intoxicating dance between surrender and standing your ground. Will you be swept away by the whirlwind of desire, or will you hold onto your sense of self? It's a question that resonates long after the last note fades, leaving you humming the melody with a mix of exhilaration and apprehension.
Ultimately, ‘Roll With Me’ is more than just a song; it's a state of mind. It's the feeling of freedom that comes with living life on your own terms, of embracing the extraordinary and questioning the status quo. It's the anthem for those who crave not just luxury, but the power to define their own version of it.
So buckle up, hit play, and let Jean Deaux guide you on a sonic joyride. Whether you choose to indulge or resist, ‘Roll With Me’ is guaranteed to leave you breathless, heart pounding, and ready to rewrite your own definition of extravagance. Just remember, this is a first-class ticket to temptation – are you ready for the ride?
Other songs we loved:
‘Last Day’ - Nyemiah Supreme
‘Na Na’ - Saay Park
‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ - KAETii
‘Ocean B/W Us’ - Jiré Saffron
‘Back Where We Belong’ - Ayminor
Self-Care Spotlight Presented by Paramount+: ‘Not My Fault’ - Renee Rapp / Megan thee Stallion
Plus stay caught up on ‘First on Audiomack’ with new reviews uploaded weekly.
You can listen to this month’s “Self Care Picks” on Audiomack and YouTube Music.