Listen to these tracks to get ready for the return of the beloved Netflix show
BY SARAH SHARP, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
The Netflix series Heartstopper was a huge part of my queer journey. When the first series was released to the platform in 2022, I was identifying as LGBTQIA but had yet to really explore what this meant for me. Watching Nick and Charlie’s story on screen was a comfort I didn’t realise I needed and I went on to binge-watch those episodes over fifteen times in the following months.
One of Heartstopper’s big successes was the soundtrack put together for the series.
Bringing together many artists, I discovered some amazing queer talent through the show including Baby Queen and Cavetown. The soundtrack from that first series, as well as the second, is still some of my go-to music to put on around the house. It has certainly become a comfort listen for me, and I think many other people as well.
Recently, I’ve been branching out of my usual playlists to discover new music that hits this sweet spot of “relatable comfort”. Ahead of series three, which begins on 3 October, I’ve put together a collection of albums for the ultimate “Heartstopper Vibes” playlist.
Digital Heartifacts – L Devine
Lesbian musician L Devine released her Digital Heartifacts album back in February. This is a 36-minute delight with electronic and relaxed elements.
Devine uses this album to explore the themes of mental health – with the track Eaten Alive, for example, exploring anxiety alongside other themes – relationships (Push It Down) and wanting to be understood (Miscommunikaty).
I’ve heard L Devine talk about LGBTQIA representation being about queer people telling their truth without necessarily being explicitly about queer experiences, and I think this is one of the reasons she is able to produce music so many listeners are able to connect with.
My favourite song on the album is Laundry Day. All about imposter syndrome, this is another song exploring a universal experience. And, like the songs in Heartstopper, the dark theme is balanced with a hopeful message matched with upbeat music. It’s deep with a dash of optimism.
How To Build An Ocean: Instructions – Bears In Trees
Bears In Trees is a band from South Croydon who recently released their album How To Build An Ocean: Instructions.
The album’s third track, Injured Crow, feels perfect for the party scenes or happier montages we see in our favourite show. Tai Chi With My Dad is another I can listen to on repeat with its magical instrumental to get lost in. Being Croydon-based myself, I imagine I use the same music store as the band, adding to the feeling of comfort and closeness I get from the album
Will Jay’s upcoming 2024 album
Though it hasn’t actually been released yet, an album I’ll be keeping an eye out for is the new release from Will Jay this year. This singer is on my radar because of their asexual-and aromantic-coded song Never Been In Love from 2019, a very validating track for those of us holding those identities.
We’ve had four singles from Jay so far in 2024 – Train Goes Faster, Thousand Lives, Brutally and Two Funerals – all of which have made their way onto my “Heartstopper Vibes” playlist.
The message I get from Thousand Lives is about being open to change throughout your life. The song explores the effortlessly-queer experience of sudden immense change as you discover yourself and your identity. The lyric “didn’t feel like me anymore” resonates with the journey I’ve been on with my own identity. Externality I’ve changed my style and seemingly switched up my interests. I’ve made many changes to feel more authentically me. For the first time, I’ve made changes in my life to feel more myself, rather than trying to fit into expectations of me, and Jay’s song reflects this experience.
The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift
One of the biggest album releases so far this year has been, of course, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department. Admittedly very different to the other albums I’ve discussed, I feel two tracks on Taylor’s record give off those “Heartstopper Vibes”. The songs Fortnight and My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys are stories of tough love, sung over simple, effective beats, and growing in the chorus. I feel the wispy, soul-deep juxtaposition in the song Fortnight has a very similar feel to songs by Girl In Red. Plus, we’ve already seen a Taylor Swift song make its way into Heartstopper before with Seven featured in the series two finale.
And finally, an honourable mention: if big names like Taylor Swift can make it into Heartstopper, then it would be criminal to not mention Dua Lipa’s new album Radical Optimism and the song These Walls which rounds up my new playlist.
I will be listening to these albums, as well as the original soundtrack, on repeat as I look forward to the release of Heartstopper series three in October. No prizes for guessing how my Spotify Wrapped will look at the end of the year!
Sarah is an ambassador for Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity. Just Like Us needs LGBT+ volunteers aged 18-25 to speak in schools – sign up now.
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
