The Sonder Bombs are here to remind us that our feelings are valid. On “Crying Is Cool,” the band’s second single from their forthcoming sophomore album Clothbound, vocalist and ukuleleist Willow Hawks consoles on the second verse: “No one ever tells us it’s OK / But it’s OK / Yeah you are safe.” The song is as playful as it is comforting—offering Netflix and wine as a remedy to our sadness.
For FLOOD, Hawks made a playlist she calls “Let’s cry today.” It includes all types of essentials, from Joni Mitchell to Joyce Manor. Clothbound is out January 29, and it’s available for pre-order here. Listen to “Crying Is Cool” and check out Hawks’ playlist below.
Joni Mitchell, “A Case of You”
I’m so in love with the concept of everlasting, unconditional love that I drown in my daydreams of it often. Sometimes when I worry love doesn’t really exist I throw my girl Joni on and cry it out.
Stevie Nicks, “Crystal”
This one reminds me of the first time I saw the Rocky Mountains. We were on tour driving into Denver during sunset as the mountains grew on the horizon, and this song came on while I watched the sky and I wept. One of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever been able to experience on the road.
Frances Quinlan, “Rare Thing”
The line “I know there is love that doesn’t have to do with taking something from somebody” gets me every time. The idea that love doesn’t have to be transactional seems like a dream in the current state of the world. I love listening to this song and being reminded love like that does, in fact, exist.
Joyce Manor, “Big Lie”
I’m not sure if it’s because I grew up as a lonesome only kid or something else entirely that draws me to this one, but I’ve cried so many damn times to this song when I feel lonely and isolated. Baby, I’ve been lonely my whole life.
Just Friends, “Never Gonna Bring You Down”
I fucking love this band. We toured with them in 2019 and it was an incredible time. I play this when I’m really low and need to shake my ass. Never fails me.
Grover Washington, Jr & Bill Withers, “Just the Two of Us”
Whenever I get into fights or hard conversations with people I love I jam this to give myself hope, and I know the struggle is only temporary. I’ve got nothing if I don’t have love, and sometimes I have to fight for it.
Blur, “No Distance Left to Run”
We’ve all reached that point in friendships or relationships where it just becomes futile to keep trying to salvage what’s left. When I need a good “let it go” cry, this is what I throw on.
Mitski, “Nobody”
This is my anthem when I’m two glasses of cab deep and dancing around my living room in my underwear crying my eyes out. It hits so hard.
Mover Shaker, “Honeydew / House of Youth”
My favorite Michigan band ever. My grandpa died last September and my grandma died this March—I cry to this one a lot when I think of them. Nothing is permanent.
Mannequin Pussy, “Drunk II”
Goddamn this song so perfectly illustrates heartbreak and its aftermath. The line “Everyone says to me, ‘Missy you’re so strong’ / But what if I don’t wanna be” is so touching to me. Sometimes I don’t want to have to be so fucking strong all the time. Like, let me fall apart. This song lets me do that.
Great Grandpa, “Dark Green Water”
The concept of forgiveness is so complex and touchy. There are people who I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive, and then there’s some that I’ll never get the chance to, because they’re gone, and that sucks. This song articulates a lot of how I feel about both giving and receiving forgiveness. Such a beautiful feeling to release anger and shame. Makes me cry hard.
