by Shannon Lee
I was listening to Nicki and got curious, so I did a little digging. That’s when I found out why so much of her music sticks with me. It made sense. There’s a science behind it, but I call it “music voodoo.”
For me, music voodoo is when an album is put together so well it takes you on a whole journey. That’s something a lot of new artists miss.
But I wanted to go deeper, not just enjoy it, but figure out how to build playlists that help me when I need to shut the noise out. And after testing this for the last 3 months, I’ve seen how powerful it is. So I’m sharing it.
Music is universal. No matter where you’re from or what language you speak. A song can make you cry, hype you up, or help you breathe easier. That’s powerful. But here’s the truth: music can work for you or against you.
Too much dark or heavy music can leave you drained without you even realizing it. You might think you’re just “vibin,” but after hours of low bass and heavy lyrics, your energy starts feels heavy too. On the flip side, the right playlist can ground you. Help you focus, and even clear away stress that’s been stuck in your body.
How Music Actually Works on You
Music isn’t just something you hear. It’s something you feel. Producers and artists know this, and that’s why they use:
- Low frequencies (bass): These hit you in your chest and stomach. That’s why you “feel” bass physically. It bypasses your mind and gets straight into your body.
- Mid frequencies (vocals & instruments): This is where the storytelling lives. The human voice, guitars, pianos. All of that sits in the middle and carries the emotional weight.
- High frequencies (hi-hats, strings, light synths): These grab your brain’s attention and keep you alert. They cut through the fog.
When you put all three together, you get the hypnotic pull of music. Your body, emotions, and mind all engaged at once.
Storytelling: The Secret Ingredient
You don’t just get hooked because of a beat. You get hooked because of the story. When Lauryn Hill pours out heartbreak, or Nicki Minaj talks about her struggles, or Stevie Nicks whispers through Gold Dust Woman. You’re not just hearing lyrics, you’re hearing your own life reflected back.
That’s why fans become so connected to artists. The music becomes a mirror.
The bass keeps you present. The highs keep you awake, and the lyrics tell the story you believe you needed to hear.
Taking Control of Your Energy with Playlists
Here’s the thing: if you only consume music passively, you’ll absorb whatever mood the record gives you. That’s why it’s so important to build your own intentional playlists.
Think of it like spiritual or emotional hygiene:
- You wouldn’t wear the same outfit to the gym and to church.
- You wouldn’t eat junk food every day without feeling the effects.
So why play the same “shadow-heavy” tracks when you need focus, clarity, or peace?
Building different playlists for different moods gives you a reset button. It lets you choose what energy you’re calling in, instead of letting music choose it for you.
My Energy Reset Playlist Explained
This playlist moves in stages: Ground → Purge → Lift → Soothe. It starts heavy (to pull up what’s weighing on you), hits hard (to shake it out), then brings you back into the light and softens you at the end. It’s like an emotional cleanse through sound.
Mental Clarity
Mood Combat
Designed to sharpen focus and clear mental fog. These tracks use brighter highs, affirming lyrics, and smoother rhythms. It’s the playlist you play when you need your brain to breathe. Whether you’re working, studying, or just want calm.
It’s about not letting the wrong energy stick to you. It’s for when you’ve been absorbing too much. From people, from work, from heavy music, the world. These songs help you push that out and replace it with something lighter.
My 11-Track Mental Clarity Playlist
This playlist is built to clear your head, sharpen focus, and reset your mood. Try it in order the first time, then shuffle later if you want.
- Stevie Nicks ~ Landslide
Gentle, clears mental clutter with its simplicity. - India Arie ~ Video
Uplifting self-love clarity anthem - SWV ~ Rain
Smooth R&B flow, perfect for calming the mind. - Erykah Badu ~ On & On
Spiritual, hypnotic, clears cluttered thoughts. - India Arie ~ Strength, Courage & Wisdom
Uplifting lyrics, strong mids, heart-centered healing. - Anita Baker ~ Sweet Love
Smooth, elegant, emotional clarity. - Brandy ~ Almost Doesn’t Count
Gentle but powerful. Clears lingering emotional weight. - Jill Scott ~ Golden ️
Vibrant high energy, sharpens focus while uplifting mood. - Solange ~ Cranes in the Sky
Release track, soothing but emotionally cleansing. - Mary J. Blige ~ Just Fine
Clarity anthem. Positive energy that keeps your head high. - 2Pac ~ Keep Ya Head Up
Closing with strength, resilience, and mental reset.
Try It Yourself
Don’t just take my word for it. Test it. Play around with your playlists. Notice how your body feels after 20 minutes of one versus the other. Do you feel lighter? Sharper? More relaxed, or stressed and agitated?
The point isn’t to follow “rules.” The point is to notice how sound shapes your mood, and then use that to your advantage.
Because music isn’t just entertainment. It’s a reset button. And once you learn how to push it, you’ll never listen to music the same way again.
The Science of Frequencies: Why Music Hits More Than Your Ears
Music isn’t just sound, it’s vibration. Every frequency range does something different to the body, mind, and mood. Producers, healers, and even everyday listeners use this without realizing it. Here’s a quick guide:
- 20–60 Hz (Sub-bass): felt more than heard, connects to grounding and safety.
- 60–250 Hz (Bass): resonates in the chest and lungs, builds power and confidence.
- 250–500 Hz (Low mids): warmth and comfort, calms the nervous system.
- 500 Hz–2 kHz (Mids): memory, language, learning. Great for focus.
- 2–5 kHz (Upper mids): clarity of speech and awareness.
- 5–10 kHz (Presence): brightness and creativity.
- 10–20 kHz (Air): inspiration, openness, expansion.
Tip: When you feel off, try matching music to what you need: grounding bass for calm, sparkling highs for creativity, balanced mids for focus.
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