Anxiety, one of Generation Z’s most pressing issues, can sometimes be soothed by a favorite song. I don’t think it’s a rule, and maybe it doesn’t happen every time, but music seems to have something special that gives you inner strength.
I think many young people turn to art when they feel that the outside world no longer understands them or, worse, judges them for no reason. I think they’ve grown tired of explaining how they feel, especially to
a generation that is often not open-minded or doesn’t know how to approach emotionally charged topics. I’m not judging either side. I’m just saying it’s easier to keep your feelings to yourself than to try to explain them. And if you find an artist who sings exactly about your pain, it’s like receiving a hug in the form of a song you can put on repeat as often as you need. — Oana, 28
I think Oana reminds us of something very important—young people’s fear of being judged for what they feel and the repression of their own emotions. Repression that, in the end, finds its place in music, in an artist’s soul, where you can feel whatever you want without anyone looking at you like an intruder—but as part of the story. Basically, our favorite artists always welcome us with understanding and make us feel like we belong—that we’re not alone.
I suppose it’s the way these artists express their more personal feelings and emotions—experiences that young people can relate to. For example, the death of a loved one, that first love that broke your heart and hurt you, a bout of depression, or a rough patch you’ve gone through or are still going through. Often people—or young people like us—can’t clearly express in words, whether written or spoken, everything we feel or go through can be hard, difficult, so the easiest way to get past that pain or get used to it, to become aware of it, is by connecting with something or someone else who was able to say it for you: a song, a poem, a work of art, a painting. Even a book—absolutely any form of expression or art. —Iulia, 22
Vulnerability should be a good thing, something to be proud of, something that brings people together and helps everyone in their healing process. It’s hard and uncomfortable, but we have to be brave. I was struck by something. Mădălina (22) said—vulnerable artists set out on this “journey” alone, without help. I think that, together with our favorite artists, we can go on this journey together and seek help when we need it. Another beneficial method that supports this entire process is music therapy, which helps you express your emotions and repressed feelings.
Liu (2025), drawing on the research of Croom (2021), argues that music therapy provides a nonverbal medium through which patients can express repressed emotions, especially those who struggle to articulate their feelings through language. This can foster a deeper therapeutic connection and significantly reduce psychological resistance. It is important to know that we can always return to music, like a warm embrace,
and that, as Natalia (22) and her favorite artist, Yoongi, told us: Future’s gonna be okay.
Sources:
- Liu, W. (2025). Music Therapy and Music Psychology Research. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396835681_Music_Therapy_and_Music_Psychology_Research
- Croom, A. M. (2021). Music, neuroscience, and the psychology of well-being: A précis. Psychology of Music, 49(3), 534–546.
This article was written by Cristina Ungureanu, student.