_{By Madeline Harris}

Inhabitants of sound town (and surrounding areas)! This eventful, music-filled year has come to an end, and with this conclusion we too welcome a rebirth – Happy New Year!

I’ve put together a short playlist of five songs to commemorate the passing year and warmly welcome the incoming one. I felt that each of these songs, all belonging to talented local Utah artists, are tied to themes of renewal and put their own spin on what it means to navigate the passage of time. So, come along with me as we dive into an all-encompassing, 5-step journey into the new year. 

“Someway” by OrcaMind

Wasting no time, OrcaMind creates a dimension-traversing wormhole riddled with self-reflection. It’s a commentary on awakening, intuition, and the necessity of remaining clear-minded amid the universe’s complexities. The atmosphere is intergalactic and incredibly immersive, and the lyrics are rich with what almost seems to be ancient wisdom. With this song, OrcaMind encourages the listener to steer towards their visions and carve a path for themselves. The years will continue to pass, regardless of how we feel about it. Therefore, we owe it to ourselves to set our sights high and trust that our efforts will pay off. 

“Showers” by Bentelou

Bringing us back to earth, Bentelou’s “Showers” anchors us down as rain sounds fall from overhead. This song feels like a reality check of a painfully beautiful nature – it highlights the inevitable scarring of lost love, the growing pains of moving on, and the bittersweet, obligatory struggle of learning to survive through change. In Bentelou’s words, it’s “about washing away yesterday and stepping into tomorrow’s possibilities.” The ambient piano feels like a memory, and to me, sounds reminiscent of holiday nostalgia. Accompanying the darkness and deepness of wintertime blues, melancholic rumination makes space for new beginnings. This rings clear and resonates as the song’s floaty piano fades away into its conclusion. 

“Breathe” by Ethan Kennedy

“Breathe” is, really, a breath of fresh air. Lyrically, the first line sets the scene in the rain (that I like to imagine is residual of Bentelou’s “Showers”) and works forward into a brighter tomorrow from there. The song affirms that the best is yet to come, and while Kennedy recognizes and acknowledges pain and suffering, he conveys that trials are impermanent and that time heals all. Everything about the song is imbued with optimism, and the tone it sets for transitional periods (in this case, the new year) is holistic, balanced, and regenerative. The song’s instructions for peace of mind going into the new year are clear: “Just breathe in, breathe out.”

“If The Sun Don’t Rise” by Chac Xol

“If The Sun Don’t Rise” is timeless and cinematic. It explores the nebula of human emotion as well as the mazes of interpersonal dynamics. It acts almost as a journal entry; as a method to get to know oneself, sort through feelings, and to unravel the questions that have no easy or seamless answers. Its chord progressions are familiar, but unexpected additions like emotive harmonica charge the song with vitality. In the context of the new year, this piece is a meditation on how things will be different next time around. It is raw, introspective, and relatable in the sense that the human experience we all endure is ultimately about growth, personal evolution, and lessons learned.

“Insight In Time” by Scott Lippitt

Wrapping up our holiday playlist is Scott Lippitt’s “Insight In Time.” Lippitt’s songwriting and production are always top-tier, and this number is no different. Lippitt prompts contemplation on the value and beauty of a life well-lived with witty phrasings and catchy hooks. The song is about understanding on a deeper level what it takes to be fulfilled, and communicates that this understanding takes shape with time. Retrospection offers the clearest view possible, and with the insight gained from lived experiences, we feed and nurture our potential. Recognizing oneself and holding fast to our purpose is what propels us forward from the restraints of fear and doubt.

Folks, thanks for joining me on this ride. I hope that these picks have given you something to chew on or offered creative inspiration in some form or another. Personally, I’m beyond excited for the sounds of 2026! 

Keep creating, and a very happy new year to all!