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Whether you're changing schools, moving to an entirely new city or trying to buddy up with a fresh friend group, it can seem like change is the only constant. We get it: Sometimes life's transitional periods are sooo tough to handle.

But one thing is certain: You'll need some good music to get you through the *big* changes. If life is kinda feeling like absolute chaos, check out these albums to help you survive your sitch. 

The Record - boygenius

@boygenius

The Record is the debut studio album from the alt-rock band boygenius. Yes, we love an all-women supergroup, but we especially love that this one is composed of rockstars who are already on our playlists: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus.  

The Record received tons of praise and even scored a Grammy earlier this year. The emotional lyrics paired with hopeful but melancholy melodies make the album totally relatable during rough times.

Our personal fave track? The anthem "$20," which starts off as an upbeat track but slowly descends into blaring and bursting guitar. 

Metamorphosis - Hilary Duff 

@themovieposterguy

This 2003 bubblegum pop album from former Disney Channel icon Hilary Duff is full of songs that deal with growing up and evolving. The album is even named after the process that turns a caterpillar into a butterfly!

Prepare for a major blast of nostalgia: This record was released around the time that Hilary Duff was filming the final episodes of the Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire. As you might imagine, it deals with many real-life feelings of transitioning into teenager-dom and adulthood.

One beloved bop on this album is "So Yesterday," which recounts the experience of moving on and letting things go, because "when you wake up, it'll seem so yesterday". Brb, making that our new spring mantra.

Other songs like "Inner Strength," "Sweet Sixteen" and "Workin' it Out" are also fitting jams for when you're trying to figure it *all* out. 

Lust For Life - Lana Del Rey

@honeymoon

Lana Del Rey's fifth studio album was on everyone's Spotify Wrapped when it was released in 2017. Music mags at the time even called it "serene and sublime," which is exactly how the title track makes you feel.

"Lust For Life" is about finding a renewed appreciation for all of the ups and downs life has to offer. Songs like "Love" and "Get Free" are all about seeing beauty in the chaos and comfort in new beginnings. There's even a heartfelt ballad about facing new challenges as you get older, called "Change." Put it on repeat, pls!

GUTS - Olivia Rodrigo

@oliviaarodrigo

GUTS is the Grammy award-winning album from pop superstar (you know her, you love her) Olivia Rodrigo.  Like Hilary Duff, Liv got her start on popular Disney Channel shows like Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

GUTS is her second studio album, and its angsty and pop-punky tracks are perfect for growing up and changing direction. We adore "vampire," which is all about moving on from toxic and painful situations. Other songs like "ballad of homeschooled girl" and "pretty isn't pretty" are amaze for when you're dealing with difficult feelings.

What's your favorite sad girl album? Let us know on IG @girlslifemag!

More music recs from GL, right this way:
💞 Taylor Swift just announced the tracklist for her new album The Tortured Poets Department
💞 We're falling in love with Jenna Raine's single "Big Dumb Heart"
💞 A nondefinitive ranking of every song from GUTS

by Faith Green | 2/25/2024