If you’re falling in love or falling out of it this Valentine’s Day, we’ve got the playlist covered. Featuring music by Asian and Pacific Islander artists, these two playlists are designed to get you in your feels, whether you need to express how much you like someone or need help soothing the heartache.
In Love
For those lucky to be in love, add these certified love songs to your queue to ramp up the romance.
“Blur” by dhruv
The viral “double take” singer dhruv forays into a dreamy soundscape with his 2022 single “Blur” as he sings about the euphoria of a new relationship. Every feeling and experience with them is enhanced by attraction, leaving you hanging onto everything they do and say.
“Chase” by Jesse Barrera
Hot off Jesse Barrera’s yet-to-be-released new EP “Scary As Hell But I Love The Thrill,” “Chase” evokes the excitement of a budding romance. While the singer is still in the beginning stages of flirtation, he makes it known that he’s already down bad and ready for whatever comes next.
“Cherry Wine” by grentperez
With a turn of melodic jazz, the Australian singer-songwriter invites his partner to “dance the night away” with a charming flourish. He promises an opportunity for the two to get to know one another and wills time to slow down if only to spend every minute with the other.
“wherever u r” (ft. V of BTS) by UMI
If you’re swept up in a long-distance situation, UMI and BTS’ V teamed up to give you a tender anthem to help convey your feelings of devotion to one another. Their soulful voices and lyricism reassure those wishing to be close that they’ll be alright as long as they keep each other in their hearts.
“UNDERSTAND” by keshi
In what is arguably the most romantic song R&B singer keshi has released to date, he shares how lucky he is to find the love of his life in his best friend. The pared-down ballad is a confession of how the other is the “only one who understands” and a proposal to spend the rest of their lives together.
“ur so pretty” by Wasia Project
Featured in season two of Netflix’s “Heartstopper,” in which Will Gao of the brother-sister duo plays Tao Xu, the piano ballad longs after an intimate moment between lovers. Olivia Hardy croons how overwhelmed she is with everything the other does — from how they kiss to how they cry.
“My Love Mine All Mine” by Mitski
A 2024 V-Day playlist would not be complete without the folk-rock singer’s viral hit “My Love Mine All Mine.” Painting a picture of a romance that withstands time and death, she pleads with the moon to immortalize and cherish her lover when she is not able to anymore.
Listen to the full “In Love” playlist here.
Out of Love
Now for those who thought they would have a Valentine this year, we’ve also got you covered. If you’re currently getting over who you thought was “the one,” we hope these songs can help mend your broken heart.
“I Wish I Didn’t Love You” by Ashley Mehta
How many times have we wanted to forget about an ex? The dance-pop singer blends the pain of a broken relationship with the rallying cry of “I wish I didn’t love you” in order to make herself feel better.
“chances” (ft. DCMBR) by thuy
If you’re over hook-up culture and toxic partners when all you want is commitment and monogamy, it may be time to ditch the situationship. If you need encouragement to finally kick them to the curb, we highly recommend you blast this song and internalize that you deserve better. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to catch the Bay Area singer at this year’s Coachella.
“Winner” by Conan Gray
While we patiently wait for Conan Gray’s upcoming third studio album, “Found Heaven,” ponder along his song “Winner” to this singer-songwriter’s emboldened lyricism as he acquiesces the fight and conveys how the other has hurt him more than anyone else has. While he’s left defeated, the satirized tone shows there’s hope that the ending leads to freedom.
“vampire” – Olivia Rodrigo
For those uninitiated with our next recommendation, you must be living without social media (what’s it like to be free from those shackles?). This songstress has broken records writing about adolescence and heartbreak, and the lead single off her sophomore album is no different. “Vampire” serves to empathize with those who have also been taken advantage of and prove that they’re better off without the toxicity.
“Best of Me” by Alex Aiono
Who else didn’t know they needed new Alex Aiono music in 2024? After going on hiatus to focus on his acting career, the singer returns to his roots and gives us his new song “Best of Me,” which is nostalgic of 2010s YouTube in the best way. The track sees a lover giving their partner the power to end their relationship if it’ll make them happier, leaving a bittersweet twinge as he resigns to the answer.
“Promise” by Laufey
The recent Grammy winner perfectly encapsulates the complicated feeling of yearning after someone you’ve decided to cut off. It may be hard to be apart from that person, but you know deep in your heart that it’s for the best despite how much you might still care for them.
“Oceans & Engines” by NIKI
While the album “Nicole” as a whole chronicles the fallout of a young relationship, “Oceans & Engines” hits the final nail into the coffin as the artist finally lets go of a love doomed by circumstance. In the song, NIKI bears her true feelings behind the facade she puts on to ease the tension between her and her lover in the wake of their final moments.
