Growing up in this generation has been a blessing in a lot of ways. Even though we have had our fair share of ups and downs, a worldwide pandemic to get through as well as some mentally heavy topics we keep locked within ourselves, there is one thing we could always count on: music. It’s always been there and it always will be.
No matter if you listened to your favorite artists alone in your bedroom, on your way to school and work or if you got to hear them in concert, every chapter of your life had a soundtrack that got you through. Looking at someone’s roster of music and the kind of artists they have listened to in a year, you can tell where they found comfort in and what the theme emotionally has been.
With Spotify Wrapped being around the corner, I predict the theme of my top songs to be “one album only”: You & I by Rita Ora. I know what to expect, because she is that one artist whose music and presence in my life gave me the strength to keep going, even when life gave me a few lemons too many.
Over the past six years, I have been listening to Rita’s music constantly. No matter what I was going through or feeling, I found a song to match or lift up my mood. And for me, it’s always the artist behind the art who makes it so meaningful, and I remember the exact moment my connection to Rita sparked.
In 2018, I went to my first concert of hers and she performed Soul Survivor – an unreleased song that came out with her album Phoenix later that year – and I could feel her emotions throughout and I connected to the lyrics instantly. I knew I wanted to be a part of her journey and to learn more about her story, who she is and what she stands for. And as the saying goes, the rest is history.
Out of so many songs in her catalog, there are a few that hold a lot of great memories and a few that have gotten me through certain times in my life. In 2019, I took a trip to London and got Anywhere tattooed on me. It has been the last song on the setlist for years now and it’s just the perfect ending to a happy night of screaming the lyrics, connecting with Rita and just having the best time with amazing people you might have just met that day.
Rita’s music never failed to lift me up and get me through my darkest moments, and there is a reason why my Spotify Wrapped this year will fully represent her newest album You & I, and rightfully so. I hit a low point mentally a few months ago and this body of work has been my musical blanket, creating that sense of comfort for me.
It’s not just Rita’s best album yet, but such a beautiful and genuine collection of music that lifts up anyone who presses play on it. Even though her journey to finding true love is a big part of the album, it’s also about self-discovery, self-love and growth. No matter the stage of life you are in right now, you will find your own reflection between the lyrics of this exceptional and authentic body of work.
Getting the chance to meet up with Rita and hear some of the new songs live was such a beautiful experience. There is nothing like seeing that woman perform, pure her heart out and entertain; doing what she does best. It’s one of those moments that will live in your memories for a lifetime.
Having an album like You & I to listen to, that can elevate your spirits – to a point where you can feel the warmth of light again – is such a wholesome thing. Especially when the artist itself holds such a special place in your heart. We don’t have a lot of constants throughout our lives, except for the music that lightens up our hearts and the artist who created that safe space that prevents us from going downhill.
Whenever I was doubting myself the most, going through the darkest times in my life and on my way to rock bottom, Rita was always there. Her music and positive impact got me through it all, she reminded me of my worth and stitched my heart back together multiple times. Having someone like that in your life – who’s not just your favorite artist, but that one person you know will always be there – is a blessing beyond words. While Rita’s art has been very therapeutic, her being her is what changed my life for the better.
ROARA Magazine 