At the time of writing, I have just recovered from a two-day stupor of vaccination side effects and eagerly awaiting updates of Singapore proceeding to allow dining-in next week. We are talking about some, pretty high pressure here — the backlog of work waiting and the possibility of incurring deputy editor Bryan’s full-on rage wrath if he has to cancel all his restaurant bookings next week.
While this week’s theme is Heat Waves, I decided against doing my annual Summer hits playlist and thought it would be more appropriate to work on a “High Pressure” playlist instead. After all, heat waves are caused by high atmospheric pressure and the reason I enjoy Summer music festivals is cause it acts as a release to life’s high pressure.
My definition of a good “High Pressure” track is naturally an EDM track but slowed down — keeps me feeling good but doesn’t push the adrenaline threshold. Believe it or not, it also helps me focus because I work better if I have to multi-task and be distracted.
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Joel Corry, RAYE & David Guetta — BED
The song title, “BED” is a noun that mostly motivates anyone to get through the day. Alas, it’s a sweet love song instead — “I got a bed, but I’d rather be in yours tonight”. A fun song to bop to and just focus on “bed” — regardless if it’s yours, his, hers or theirs.
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Paul Woolford, Diplo & Kareen Lomax — Looking For Me
The hypnotic oh-yeah-s really does it for me. While “Looking For Me” might sound like a song to a potential lover, think about it as a positive rally song to yourself — “Tryna make a difference, tryna make a way \ Tryna make a difference, tryna make you stay \ ‘Cause I have something you want, I have something you want \ And I have something you want, I have something you want”
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Karen Harding x Shift K3Y — Morning
This technically is not a slowed-down EDM track but I feel obliged to add this in as a feel-good filler in between battling the high pressure of life. Please watch the above music video of the track and tell me this does not look like a best-hits of Alessandro Michele’s Gucci. The visual message of hope coupled with the enthusiastic passion for life in the song are so abundant, it would definitely serve as a great distraction.
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OK (Anxiety Anthem) — Mabel
Does more need to be said with the song title? Have a taste of these lyrics — “‘Cause it’s okay not to be okay \ It’s okay if you feel the pain \ Don’t gotta wipe your tears away \ Tomorrow’s another day \ It’s okay not to be okay \ It’s fine, you’re allowed to break \ As long as you know, as long as you know \ Everything’s gonna be okay”.
Once you’re done adding songs from this “High Pressure” playlist, click here to catch up with our June/July 2021 issue.