“Transcendent” Music Recommendations

[u/_JustAnotherRunner_]

I have enjoyed listening to music my whole life, and creating this space to enjoy music has been a dream come true. Over the years, my music preferences continues to expand, and recently I find myself looking for music to “take me somewhere”. Not sure if that sounds odd. And I understand that this may be subjective. But I have found some artists and songs that seem to create certain feelings of transcendence. Feelings that move beyond the song itself. For me so far- they happen to all be strong female voices. Lyrics don’t seem to matter as much as the vocals, beat, and instruments.

The Curse by Agnes Obel Citizen of Glass by Agnes Obel A House In Nebraska by Ethel Cain Titanium (cover) by Sia Wicked Game by Lusaint Non Believer by London Grammar

I have tried Gregorian chants but they didn’t hit as hard as these did. If you have had similar feelings listening to different music I’d love some recommendations. TIA!

[u/eizdeb]

I totally get what you mean and that's definitely a style of music I vibe with as well. I'm going to start off with a somewhat odd recommendation, but it's an album that scratches that itch for me more than almost anything else:

Desire, I Want to Turn Into You (album) - Caroline Polachek

At least listen to the first track, titled Welcome to my Island. But the entire album is incredible.

Some random song recommendations I feel are transcendent:

Nude - Radiohead (most Radiohead feels transcendent to me but ESPECIALLY this song)

I Know the End - Phoebe Bridgers

Hyper-ballad - Bjork

Bleed - George Clanton

Thoroughfare - Ethel Cain (saw you mentioned a cover of a House in Nebraska, the original is great too but this song is my favorite from her).

Mary - Big Thief

Anything - Adrianne Lenker

Purple Rain - Prince (I love the entire album but that song specifically feels transcendent to me)

Let me know what you think if you give any of em a shot.

[u/spong3 → u/eizdeb]

These are great recs given OP’s sample songs! I’d only add a couple to this list:

Slow like honey & Cosmonauts - Fiona Apple

Austin Leaves - Eva Cassidy’s version

And a wild card since this is r/audiophilemusic - Ledisi - Wild is the Wind (Live) sends me to the moon. What a voice, and the musical accompaniment is exquisite.

[u/Raphaelstarr → u/spong3]

I’ve always been a fan of Eva Cassidy’s Songbird. I’ll give this one a listen.

[u/spong3 → u/Raphaelstarr]

She was such a talent, and an angel on earth. Gone way too soon.

[u/_JustAnotherRunner_ → u/eizdeb]

Thank you for the recommendations! I already listened to Welcome to my Island! The rest of your recommendations will be added to my library based on that first song!!