When you’re feeling sad due to a genetically inherited chemical imbalance in your lizard brain, it’s hard to make yourself feel better when there’s no clear “problem” to overcome. It’s also very easy to lose yourself down a rabbit hole of very, very sad music. This has been my life for the past couple of weeks. I knew it hard gone too far when it started seeming like a great idea to dive into Elliott Smith’s discography again for the first time since high school. In an effort to bring up my mood, I tried to listen to some happy music, but that immediately felt phony. That’s why this installment of Tracks of the Week features the finest neutrally emotive songs from Frank Ocean, Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, OCS, Matthew Dear, John Maus & more! Listen on and regain hope that things will get better.

1. Frank Ocean – “Provider”:

2. Alina Baraz ft. Khalid – “Electric” (Electric Mantis Remix):

3. Wolf Parade – “You’re Dreaming”:

4. Matthew Dear – “Bad Ones” (ft Tegan and Sara):

5. John Maus – “The Combine”:

6. OCS (fka Oh Sees, fka Thee Oh Sees) – “Memory of a Cut Off Head”:

7. Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile – “Over Everything”

8. 7. MIKE – “PROBLEMS/EVERY MINUTE”: