What songs should MECA students be listening to right now? Get out your notebook and be sure to make note of these tunes.

1. “FEAR” by NF: 

In 2025, the rapper NF released a short album called FEAR that tells a story about his mental health. He uses the songs to show what it feels like when old, scary thoughts and bad habits start to come back after a long time of feeling good. NF feels like a puppet being pulled by his own anxiety, especially as he struggles with intense OCD again. The music reflects his pain after his grandmother passed away, making him question his progress. He talks honestly to God about feeling lost and asks why things had to get so hard again. By the end, he suggests that both his “good” and “bad” sides are changing, and he is trying to find a new, real version of himself.

2. “Falling Faster” by Dylan Espeseth

This popular emo-rap song by Espeseth, recommended by sophomore Adrian Barcelona, explores themes of isolation and mental health struggles. The lyrics describe a person feeling overwhelmed by life, using the metaphor of “falling” to show a loss of control. The singer talks about avoiding friends and feeling alone, even when people try to reach out. It captures a sense of numbness and fear about the future. Despite being released as a single in 2021, the song continues to resonate widely in 2026 due to its raw and honest message. 

3. “Tongue Tied” by Ebony Loren

This sweet, simple song about having a major crush on someone new. The lyrics describe that awkward feeling where you want to talk to your crush but get so nervous that you can’t speak clearly. The singer talks about how she constantly thinks about this person and wishes she could act cool around them. It has a soft, relaxed sound that feels like daydreaming in your bedroom. Overall, it’s a relatable track about how butterflies in your stomach can make it hard to say what you really feel.

4. Wonderwall by Oasis-Nayeli

The famous 1990s song by the British band Oasis, recommended by freshman Nayeli Ojeda, is about a person who provides hope and support during hard times. The lyrics describe the feeling of being saved by someone special when you feel lost. While it sounds like a love song, it is actually about an imaginary friend who helps you. Today, it is one of the most popular songs in the world to play on the guitar.

5. “Nauseous” by Conan Gray

This song about being scared of getting into a healthy relationship because it feels too good to be true should be on your playlist. Gray explains that meeting a nice person actually makes him feel sick or “nauseous” because he isn’t used to it. He admits he is more comfortable with “bad” partners because he already expects them to let him down. The song shows how past heartbreaks can make a person afraid to trust someone new, even if that person is kind. Essentially, it is about the weird feeling of being terrified of love just when you finally find the right person.

Comment what your favorite songs are. What else should MECA students be listening to?