I usually notice the sound before anything else. The instrumental. The way the voice comes in. Whether the song feels accelerated or if it gives itself time. That’s why, when it comes to music in languages other than English, I almost always lean toward R&B rather than pop. We’re taught that meaning comes from understanding—that to connect with something, we need context, translation, and clarity. But music doesn’t always work like that.

This week’s been heavy in ways I can’t quite put into words—and my headphones have been my safe space. You know that feeling when a song just gets you, like it’s been eavesdropping on your thoughts? That’s been me—leaning on these artists who, in their own ways, tug at different corners of my heart. If these songs were people in my life, they would be...