Valentine’s Day is here, and everyone has their own opinions about it. The divide isn’t as simple as being single or coupled up either. Some single folks might cherish the cute aesthetics of the day or choose to celebrate it with friends. Some couples might want to keep it lowkey and avoid buying into the commercial aspects. But whether you’re feeling like a love song or you’re bitter about romance, this playlist has something for you to listen to on February 14th. Hopefully, it might even introduce you to some killer alternative artists.
1. Love Song: “Juicebox Baby” by The Regrettes
“Juicebox baby / my mom tells me I’m lazy / but it’s cuz you make me hazy / my head spinning like crazy.”
As a group, the Regrettes have an interesting genre presence, with songs that range from perfectly punk rock to infatuatingly indie. Their 2017 album Feel Your Feelings Fool! contains some of their strongest hits, including “Juicebox Baby.” This short, sweet — and absolutely rocking — song describes the alarmingly beautiful aspects of falling in love and feeling almost like a kid again. Frontwoman Lydia Night’s voice absolutely shines on this track in particular.
2. Anti-Love Song: “Ignorance” by Paramore
“Don’t wanna hear your sad songs / I don’t wanna feel your pain.”
Iconic early ’00s pop-punk/emo band Paramore is no stranger to cynical anthems. After all, their biggest hit, “Misery Business” is about stealing a boy away from his relationship with another girl. “Ignorance,” on the other hand, tackles the subject of a painful breakup, though its tone is no less triumphant. Hayley Williams’ confident vocals on this track will definitely empower anyone who has ever felt abandoned in love.
3. Love Song: “Powerful Love” by Field Medic
“My beverage of choice clearly resembles the face of powerful love.”
Field Medic (aka singer/songwriter Kevin Sullivan) is a definite underrated indie folk gem. Off 2017’s Songs From the Sunroom, “Powerful Love” has all the makings of a classic sappy romance tune. While its lyrics are simple enough for it to easily play during the climax of any rom-com, this song also tells a sweet, personal story that seems to come straight from the heart — and from Field Medic/Sullivan’s own personal musings on love. It’s folksy enough to stand out and catchy enough to stick with you.
4. Anti-Love Song: “Burn” by Hinds
“Take my heart cuz I don’t want it / teach me how to feel without it.”
Spanish garage-rock girl-group Hinds frequently strikes the perfect balance between sentimental and sardonic in their music. Their 2020 album The Prettiest Curse is a great example of their talent and range, and “Burn” is a screamy heartbreak song for the ages. It rejects sorrow, embraces anger, celebrates the pains that make us stronger.
5. Love Song: “Summertime” by My Chemical Romance
“You can run away with me any time you want.”
My Chemical Romance doubtlessly has a reputation for edginess. When this group does songs about love, they tend to be tragic (“Helena”) or spiteful (“I Don’t Love You”). “Summertime” is the rare exception. MCR disrupted their emo formula in many ways with 2010’s Danger Days, even allowing themselves to include a softer, “new wave” track on an otherwise flashy and high-concept sci-fi album. Alleged to be an ode to Lindsey Way, the wife of MCR frontman Gerard Way, “Summertime” stands out as an incredibly personal love song. It’s also a great song to play for any non-My Chemical Romance fans if you’re trying to ease them into the group’s unique style with one of their less hardcore tracks.
6. Anti-Love Song: “No Children” by The Mountain Goats
“Hand in unloveable hand.”
“No Children” may just be THE anti-love song. As the most-frequently-Spotify-streamed hit by The Mountain Goats, it certainly has its fans. Popular in online spaces such as TikTok and Tumblr, “No Children” tells the story of a doomed relationship between a married couple. Though the tale is entirely fabricated by singer and songwriter John Darnielle, the violent lyrics are certainly powerful enough to feel real. For those feeling especially emotional, there is also a live recording of the song, sung entirely by the audience of a Mountain Goats concert in 2006.
7. Love Song: “Handpocket” by Best Friends Forever
“I almost died, it was so embarrassing / but I’m alive, so you can fall in love with me.”
“Handpocket” is the biggest song by Best Friends Forever, a criminally underrated folk-punk group who have unfortunately been dormant on the release scene since 2011. This one can definitely be called a ditty, and it manages to be catchy without ever getting old. As an added bonus, it’s the only love song I’ve ever heard that contains an anecdote about ice fishing (though I challenge readers to provide me with others).
8. Anti-Love Song: “The Nerve” by The Brobecks
“You’d think a liar like yourself / could go and bother someone else.”
The Brobecks are probably best known for their relation to Panic! At the Disco, as frontman Dallon Weekes was once a member of that Brendon-Urie-led group. The Brobecks, Weekes’ solo project, are incredibly reminiscent of early Panic! — though with a bit more of an edge. “The Nerve” is a great song to listen to if…well, if someone’s been getting on your nerves lately. If you enjoy this one, you’ll certainly love the songs of I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME (or iDKHOW, for short), Dallon Weekes’ most recent musical endeavor.
9. Love Song: “Archie, Marry Me” by Alvvays
“Honey, take me by the hand and we can sign some papers / forget the invitations, floral arrangements, and bread makers.”
Our last alternative/indie love song is a modern classic. Last year, as it celebrated its tenth birthday, “Archie, Marry Me” was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. It’s not hard to see why. The song, along with its music video, is dreamy and nostalgic, like an old movie. First and foremost, “Archie, Marry Me” emphasizes a commitment to love over conventional marriage traditions. As the singer (Molly Rankin) implores the fictional Archie to marry her with syrupy lyrics, she also describes certain obstacles in modern marriage — student loans for example — which keep the song down to earth, but still idealistic and optimistic.
10. Anti-Love Song: “You Were Right” by Julia Jacklin
“Starting listening to your favorite band / and I stopped listening to you.”
Though we’re ending with one last anti-love anthem, “You Were Right” by Julia Jacklin is an uplifting song about making the most out of the end of a relationship. Jacklin embraces the idea of shamelessly enjoying things (music, restaurants, etc.) that a previous partner introduced you to. Though the relationship in the song clearly turned out poorly, “You Were Right” centers the feeling of freedom that comes along with a much-needed breakup. The protagonist (whether Jacklin herself or a fictional singer) of the song refuses to take any blame for their partner’s controlling behavior, only enjoying the things they tried to get her to like once things have finally ended. In fact, many of Julia Jacklin’s songs emphasize key priorities of independence, feeling secure in oneself, and not needing a romantic relationship to enjoy life — an energy the Valentine’s Day haters can certainly channel this February 14th.
